THE MISSION AT FAIRFORD. 



37 



There are one hundred and twenty Christians, adults 

 and children, at this Mission. The houses, fifteen in num- 

 ber, are neat, comfortable, and in excellent order, and 

 several new dwellings are in process of erection. The 

 appearance of this Mission is very promising, and in every 

 way most creditable to the unceasing Jabours of the 

 zealous missionary, the Eev. Mr. Stagg. Miss Harriet 

 Thompson, a young lady from my native place, Nottingham, 

 England, is residing at the Mission, and devotes herself 

 with exemplary industry, in connection with Mrs. Stagg, 

 to the education and care of Indian and half-breed chil- 

 dren. It was a very unexpected and pleasant incident in 

 these remote wilds to meet a young lady so recently from 

 England, acquainted with my relatives and friends, and 

 engaged in a work involving so much strength of charac- 

 ter, self-denial, and true Christian sympathy. Miss Harriet 

 Thompson has devoted herself to her difficult task in the 

 right way ; although only a few months at the Mission, 

 she has made considerable progress in the language spoken 

 by the Indians who visit Fairford, and I was much sur- 

 prised and impressed when I heard her repeat aloud at 

 evening service the Lord's prayer in the Ojibway tongue, 

 leading a score of dusky worshipers, who, in the absence 

 of that commiseration which made this incident possible, 

 would in all probability have still been worshipers of 

 Manitou, and slaves to a degrading superstition, in place 

 of possessing a growing faith in " Our Father, which art in 

 heaven." Miss Thompson gave me a few numbers of the 

 "Nottingham Journal," which subsequently served to 

 while away most pleasantly several hours round the 

 camp fires on Dauphin Lake and the summit of the 

 Eiding Mountain. The farm at the Mission is in capital 

 order, and although the area adapted for cultivation is not 

 likely to induce the establishment of a large settlement, 



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