C
hapter XVI , “Grove Meeting at Red Rock,” is the account of a special outdoor Sunday service. The large rock was a sacred place of worship for the Indians. On pages 79 & 80, Bishop records the emotions she felt as she worshiped outdoors.
One Methodist minister, and one retired Presbyterian missionary, preaching occasionally, were at this time, all who proclaimed the glad tidings to the citizens of Minnesota. On this occasion, the first mentioned, with the Sioux missionary, officiated. The little assembly was quiet and attentive, for it embraced most of the true worship dwelling in the vicinity.
A sacred awe seemed to inspire those green old trees as they wafted the hymn of praise which rose from that band, seated on rough boards in front of the speaker’s stand; an offering not less acceptable for being presented in ‘God’s first great temple!’
Page 85 of Chapter XVIII, “The First Sabbath School,” gives us a glimpse into this young woman’s uncertain attitude toward her new responsibility as she invited her students to Sunday School at the conclusion of the first week of school.
She [Harriet] was the only professing Christian in the community, and religious teaching had been wholly neglected. No sacred house of prayer and praise witnessed the assembling of the people on the Sabbath. Though disposed to allow every one to enjoy his own opinion, provided he interfered not with others, the inhabitants of St. Paul were, in the main, scoffers at religion. For a single-handed and lone female to occupy a distinct and decided position in such a community, was no trifling work. Her actions would be misunderstood, her words misinterpreted, and the devices of Satan would best her on every hand. Do you wonder that she trembled, and found no strength in herself, and that, but for an invisible presence she would have shrunk entirely from the new duty?
Seven children arrived Sunday morning, July 25, 1847, for Sunday School. Three of the children were white and four were half-breeds. One half-breed woman also visited. The next Sunday only four attended, but the third Sunday 25 children and several visitors “who came to witness a novelty of a Sunday School” attended. The Baptist ministry in Minnesota had begun.
