Page:Life and journals of Kah-ke-wa-quo-na-by.djvu/36

 erected principally by the Indian converts. Mr. S. Crawford and I superintended the building, and when it was finished we found it a very comfortable place for worship, and also for the day school, which was taught by Mr. Crawford and myself for a short time, and subsequently by my brother, John Jones. Here we held two services on the Lord's day, besides Sabbath school in the afternoon, and during the week met twice for religious worship. The Great Spirit condescended to own and bless the labours of his feeble servants, and of many an Indian it could be said, "This and that man was born there."

During this summer I entered into partnership with my brother-in-law, Mr. Amos Russell, at brickmaking, near the village of Brantford, about a mile from the Mission, and again worked a whole summer in mud, intending with the proceeds of this labour to purchase a yoke of oxen and go on a farm. I however soon found the Lord had other work for me to do, for I could think of nothing else but trying to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to my poor benighted brethren. I afterwards made a present of these oxen to my uncle, Chief Joseph Sawyer, who had lately embraced the Christian religion.

From this time I gave up all idea of entering into any worldly business. I felt that a necessity was laid upon me: Yea, woe would be unto me if I preached not the Gospel. Having now given myself fully to the work of the Lord, I cried mightily to God for help, feeling my utter insignificance for the great work; and, blessed be His holy name, He did not give me up to despair!

At the suggestion of Elder Case, I commenced from this time, April, 1825, to keep a Journal of my travels and labours, and the history of my life may now be considered that of an Indian Missionary.