Miss Bishop’s detailed record of early Minnesota provides insights into the people as well as the events taking place. Colonel Josiah Snelling became commander of Fort Snelling in 1820. She wrote about Colonel Snelling’s wife on page 35.
The Christian character of Mrs. Snelling is worthy of special attention. Highly intelligent and refined, she placed all her accomplishments at the feet of her Redeemer, and quietly, yet firmly evinced the power of the principle that “worketh no ill to its neighbor.” The instruction of children was her particular forte, and on each Sabbath she convened them for religious teaching.
Page 39 shares the story of a momentous event in 1823—the arrival of the stern-wheel boat the “Virginia” and Bishop’s desire to give credit to early missionary endeavors.
The introduction of steam into this remote region was an important era in its history, not only to the white, but the red man. Men and women, prompted by the love of souls and their Savior, had, in obedience to the command ‘Go ye into all the world,’ taken life in hand, and entered upon the great and trying work in this vast area, of instructing the blood-thirsty savage in the principles of the Gospel, of leading his dark mind to the fountain of life and peace.
On page 72, after blunt, judgmental, and not always accurate appraisal of the red men living near St. Paul, Miss Bishop pens the joy in her heart when one of these people came to her Savior.
Ah, what devout thanksgiving ascends to Heaven, when one of these children of nature finds refuge beneath the Cross, and grace commences its refining process upon the heart! Humble, contrite, and devout, and the change is visible to all.
A contradiction of dates makes it unclear when Dr. Williamson arrived. One entry has him arriving in 1835 and shortly after that establishing his first church with a total of 20 members, including traders, officers at Fort Snelling, their wives, and missionaries. Then on page 74 a sketch of the man indicates his arrival in 1824.
Since 1824 Dr. Williamson has devoted himself to the Sioux. He was a native of North Carolina, and impressed with the evil of slavery, and to free himself from its curse, emigrated to Ohio. He had an interesting family, and a flourishing practice as physician; but a voice continually thundered upon his conscience, ‘Go, preach the Gospel’ to the red man. His wife, unknown to him, was impressed with the same duty, and all he was and all he possessed, he laid upon the altar of the Lord. His sister, too, gave up all of earth, and became a valuable co-worker in the unpromising field, but all rejoice in the sacrifice they have made for Christ.
