Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Strike-the-Kettle Helps Missionary

1900

Strike-the-Kettle is not a romantic name, but the old Indian who bore that appellation was a leader and a Christian king among his people. For many years Strike-the-Kettle was a scout, protecting the United States mail from hostile Indians. While on this duty he was wounded in a fight with his own people.

A few years ago, when the Dakota prairies were on fire, the Indians of the Standing Rock Agency fought the flames for days. When at last it was feared the whole village would be swept away, a devoted missionary stood watching, with wagon packed, ready to flee at the last moment. In the darkness she saw some one standing by her gate. It was Strike-the-Kettle.

"I can no longer fight the fire," said the wounded old scout, "but I will stay here, Winona. Go to sleep, and I will rouse you in time." When the exhausted woman finally woke, all danger was over, but Strike-the-Kettle was still on guard. Is it strange that on Memorial days Winona lays a wreath on the grave of Strike-the-Kettle?


A One Woman Revival

The enlargement of a church in Quincy, Michigan, and its recent rededication testify anew to the power one person may exert in a community.

Thirty years ago Quincy was but a hamlet, and the Presbyterian Church being reduced to a single member, the presbytery dissolved the church and sent a committee to get the minutes. Mrs. Patter refused either to give up the minutes or to be "dissolved."

"What the presbytery should do," was her plucky answer, "is to send us a minister." Her advice was taken, and to-day the church is happy, hopeful and flourishing. It lived simply because one earnest Christian woman would not let it die.

—Youth's Companion.

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