"The same foolish yet trying accusations are made--such as that we are to receive pay according to the number of scholars in the school here when the land is sold--that we are using up their grass and timber and land, and making them no requital. A few days ago the old chief and his brother-in-law came and rehearsed their supposed claims, and said that the Indians were tired eating corn and wanted one of our remaining cattle. Truly we can say that this earth is not our _rest_, and rejoice that we shall not live here always.
"We have had faith to expect that the Lord was about to 'make bare his arm' for the salvation of these degraded Indians; and although the heathen rage, we know that He who 'sitteth on the circle of the earth and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers,' can turn the hearts of this people as the rivers of water are turned."
"During Mr. Riggs' absence, our worship on the Sabbath, both in Sioux and English, has consisted of reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer. I have been gratified that so many attended the Sioux service--about thirty each Sabbath. Anna Jane remarked the Saturday after her father left home, 'We can't have any Sabbath because two men and one woman are gone,' referring to her papa and Mr. and Mrs. Adams. Still, these Sabbaths have brought to us privileges, even though the preached Word and the great congregation have been wanting."
"Mr. Riggs reached home two weeks ago, and last Monday he left again for Big Stone Lake, accompanied by Mr. Hopkins of Traverse des Sioux. They have gone hoping for opportunities to proclaim the Word of God to the Sioux in that region."
"Last evening, hearing Thomas cry after he had gone to rest, I went to the chamber. Alfred was teaching him to say, 'Now I lay me,' and the sentence, 'If I should die,' distressed him very much. I soothed him by asking God to keep him through the night. He has never seen a corpse, but, a few weeks ago, he saw Mrs. Antoine Renville buried, and he has seen dead birds and chickens. He said, 'What is to die, mamma?' and evidently felt that it was something very incomprehensible and dreadful. I felt a difficulty in explaining it, and I wished to soothe the animal excitement, and not lessen the serious state of mind he manifested. I think I will tell him more about Jesus' death--his burial and resurrection. It is this that has illumined the grave. It is faith in Him who has conquered 'him that had the power of death,' which will give us the victory over every fear."