Chapter I: Introduction

I have been requested to write a few words of introduction to this deeply interesting volume, and I gladly comply, although the task may seem to be quite superfluous. Thomas Crosby, or anything he may write, needs no introduction, at least in Methodist circles. For a generation his name has been a household word, and from time to time brief accounts of his heroic labors have found their way through the press into many homes. But these accounts were fragmentary and incomplete. They presented some striking incidents, but no connected story of the man and his work. Such a story Crosby alone could supply, and many will be glad that he has been induced to begin it; and the hope will be general that other volumes may follow, covering what is by far the most interesting period of his life.

It is but seldom that men who lay the foundations of empire get credit for the achievement. Their work, for the most part, is done underground and out of sight. They are content to take up the work that lies nearest, leaving results with God, and are more concerned about doing their work faithfully than claiming credit for themselves. And yet all the while they are laying the only foundations on which an enduring civilization can rest, and are better entitled to the name and fame of empire-builders than some who have claimed the credit without doing the work. If it be true that he is a benefactor of his race who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before, much more is he a benefactor whose spiritual husbandry transforms a savage into a citizen--a pagan into a saint.

A conflict like that in which Thomas Crosby spent his life was no mere holiday parade. It was a grapple to the death with the powers of evil, in which no quarter was asked or given. He gave his life for the redemption of a people for whose souls no man cared, and fought--sometimes almost single-handed--a life-long battle against superstition, immorality, and godlessness of every kind. No marvel, therefore, if he incurred the bitter enmity of the witch-doctor, the whiskey-trader, and the libertine, and by “lewd fellows of the baser sort” was the best-hated man in British Columbia. But he has his reward. By the converting grace of God some bitter foes were transformed into ardent friends; and as he searched society’s rubbish-heaps for lost jewels, here and there he found a pearl of great price that more than compensated for all his toil. Many will join in the prayer that years of useful service may still be his, and that his declining years may be brightened by further displays of saving power among the Red Men of the Pacific Coast.

A. SUTHERLAND.
TORONTO, February, 1907.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

I. The Flatheads and the “Book of Heaven” 9

II. The Call from Macedonia 21

III. Westward, Ho! 30

IV. At Nanaimo--The School 41

V. Heathen Street _vs._ Christian Street 48

VI. Difficulties with the Language 52

VII. A Slavery worse than Death 60

VIII. Feuds and Bloodshed 67

IX. Houses, Clothing, Cruel Customs 79

X. Courtship and Marriage 88

XI. Foods, Feasts and Follies 99

XII. Native Worship and Superstitions 112

XIII. Struggles with Whiskey, and the Ravages of Fire-water 126

XIV. Some Perilous Canoe Trips 141

XV. Varied Experiences 159

XVI. How the Gospel came to Chilliwack 169

XVII. More of the Chilliwack Revival--Camp-meetings 183

XVIII. The Bunch Grass Country 195

XIX. Marvels of Grace 206

XX. Lay Agencies--Salvation in a Victoria Bar-room 233

XXI. British Columbia--Its Interests and Resources 237

XXII. The Missionary Progress of the Years--Home Again 241

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Portrait of Author _Frontispiece_

Flathead Woman and Child 8

Early Native Types 18

Indian Church and Mission House at Nanaimo 42

Indian Houses, with Group of Heathen Natives 48

“I could see two wild, savage-looking men,” etc. 74

“The great big fellow danced up and down,” etc. 78

Two Flathead Centenarians 86

“One day I slipped in and found the old fellow rattling
over him” 122

Witch Doctor and his Wife--“Coal Tyee”--Crosby teaching
Indian Chief 128

“We were bailing out as hard as we could” 146

First Protestant Church in the Chilliwack Valley 172

Coqualeetza Indian Institute 192

Group of Students, Coqualeetza Institute 198

Amos Cushan--Sarah Shee-at-ston--David Sallosalton--Captain
John Su-a-lis 208

Skowkale Church--Skowkale Mission People 232

The Transformed Bar-room, Victoria 236

* * * * *

AMONG THE AN-KO-ME-NUMS.