204 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



Is the condition peculiar to ourselves, or may we throw 

 it under a wider classification, and identify it with what 

 we notice elsewhere on a wider scale ? The answer to 

 my own mind is sufficiently clear ; the explanation which 

 alone appears to me to account for it, is a greater measure 

 of power put forth by Satan in the days in which we live, 

 not only here but over the whole earth. Can we, then, 

 substantiate this in the world, so as to prove it more than 

 an idle .dream ?" 



The Fort Garry Nor' -Wester of January 14th, 1860, in 

 a report of a meeting held at St. John's school-house, 

 Eed River, states that the Earl of Southesk, who had just 

 returned from a hunting expedition to the Eocky Moun- 

 tains, informed the meeting that when in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of that distant mountain region, he fell in 

 with about twelve families of Assinniboine Indians who 

 professed Christianity, and, so far as he could judge, were 

 acting up to their profession. These families were remote 

 from any missionary station, and had not even seen a 

 missionary for many years. Still they showed consider- 

 able acquaintance with the Scriptures, and were regular 

 in their morning and evening devotions. A little bell was 

 always rung as their signal for assembling to worship, and 

 the singing of hymns formed part of their religious exer- 

 cises. At their earnest request his lordship wrote out for 

 them several passages of Scripture. Their knowledge of 

 religion is supposed to have been imparted to them by 

 Eev. Mr. Randall, a Wesleyan Missionary, who went to 

 Fort Edmonton in 1839, and left the country in 1847, on 

 account of ill-health. .They have, however, a regular 

 teacher in one of themselves, who has been set apart by 

 them for that purpose. 



This is truly the " Church in the wilderness," not 

 unfrequently represented, however humbly, in the prairies 



