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Appendix 3: Letters Containing Conversion Accounts Written by Students at Mackinaw Mission
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Appendix 3. Letters Containing Conversion Accounts Written by Students at Mackinaw Mission D ocuments written by missionaries, government officials, officers of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, fur traders, and visitors report an incredible amount of information relative to life at the Mackinaw Mission and in the village of Mackinac Island. But the students at the school are seldom heard from directly. There are, however, a few letters where Metis youth communicate in their own words, or in some cases, through an interpreter to jeremiah Evarts or the Reverend David Greene, Corresponding Secretaries for the American Board. In order to give a few of the young women and men, whose lives were profoundly affected while living at the mission, an opportunity to speak for themselves, the following accounts are presented. Catharine Spencer, jane Anderson, julia Beaulieu, Therese La Chapelle, Caroline Williams Rodgers (Mesai -ainse), Mary Ann Willard, Charles Hastings, and Louis Provencalle tell us about their life histories, spiritual struggles, conversions, and hopes for their futures. It appears that none of their letters are written in their own hands, but have been transcribed by the Reverend Ferry or one of their teachers. Born in the Lake Superior country, Catharine Spencer (her family name may have been Mattacent) most likely had a French-Metis father and a Chippewa mother. Catharine entered the mission in 1824 when she was nine years old and stayed until 1832. judge and Mrs. Spencer of Albany, New York, supported Catharine and imparted their surname to her. She joined the Presbyterian Church on Mackinac Island in 1829 after her conversion during the revival of that year. Catharines letter and the three that follow were all enclosed in William Ferry's correspondence with David Greene, dated 11 Feb. 1830 (ABC18:4.8.I.:20l). 151 BATTLE FOR THE SOUL Mackinaw. Feb. 11,1830 Mr. Greene Rev. Sir My Teacher reminded me that when you was here you requested the girls to write to you; and I will write with pleasure. I hope a revival has commenced on this island. Seven profess to be christians; one of them is a young Indian who was found lying in the street, the day after new years, drunk; he was ignorant, he did not know the word of God, but very little. We hope now that he has given himself to jesus, that dear friend. His name is Me-squa-dase, or Turtle. How true that verse is "The last shall be first, and the first shall be last." I cannot but hope the Lord will continue to have mercy on our people, and will bring many to the knowledge of the truth, as it is in jesus. But a how cold, and stupid my heart is, how little I feel for the salvation of souls. "Oh for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame; And light to shine upon the road, That leads me to the lamb." I have been in this mission six years. I have not attended school much, on account of my health; there was a time when my teacher thought, that I should not live long. And I was not prepared to die. a how I used to wish to get better, I thought if I might get better, I would prepare to die. After I got better I would be serious a little while, sometimes, it was because I saw others under conviction. And then I would think there is plenty more time, to prepare for death. So last winter when there was a revival, and when I saw my companions giving themselves to jesus Christ, I felt bad to think that my best friends were leaving me behind. I thought that I would arise, and go to my Father which is in heaven. About two weeks I was under conviction, about one week I felt tired, I thought I would try no longer. And so I heard my Teacher Miss Osmer [Eunice Osmar), say that perhaps it was the last time, that the Spirit was striving with us. So I thought I would not rest until I had found peace with God. I felt so distressed, that I thought I was sick, and I thought I was the chiefest of all sinners. On the 12th of April I hope I chose that good part which Mary chose. My parents are catholics, and they are displeased because I was received into the church. We have reason to fear that our boys...