Memoir of Elizabeth Jones a little Indian girl who lived at the River-Credit Mission Upper Canada/Chapter 1
MEMOIR OF ELIZABETH JONES.
CHAPTER I.
Account of Elizabeth's family.
"Strongest minds
Are often those of whom the noisy world
Hears least."—Wordswohth.
The subject of the following memoir was a little Indian girl, whose life's short history was rendered peculiarly interesting by circumstances of no common occurrence. Her father, Mr. John Jones, whose Indian name is Tyentenegen, is an Indian of the Oojebway[1] nation, and brother to the Rev. Peter Jones, otherwise Kahkewaquonaby, known as a Missionary to many in this country as well as amongst his own people. The mother of Elizabeth, whose maiden name was Christiana Brant, was a grandaughter of the late famous Capt. Joseph Brant, a noted Chief and warrior of the Mohawk nation of Indians, who many years ago visited England, and niece of Mr. John Brant, also a Chief, who came over to this country about the year 1819 or 1820, and died of cholera in Canada, in the year 1832.
Mrs. John Jones was a woman of strong mind, fine understanding, and good judgment. She united to a most amiable disposition unassuming yet dignified manners; all who knew her loved and respected her. Her influence and example amongst her Indian neighbours was truly valuable. Her advantages having been greater than theirs, they looked up to her for advice and instruction; and whatever she did or said was sure, if possible, to be imitated and remembered by the women in the village.
Her house was the abode of peace and comfort; the Ministers and others who visited the Mission, were not only delighted with the hospitality and kindness manifested, but most of all with that beautiful influence of real religion which shed so sweet a lustre, and sanctified every other blessing, diffusing joy and happiness to all around.
In a newly-formed village, settled by Indians just emerging from the superstitions and long-rooted habits of their forefathers, persons accustomed from infancy to all the refinements of Christian and civilized life can hardly imagine how great the influence, and how valuable the example, of such a family. Living in the same house was Mrs. Lucy Brant, the pious mother of Mrs. John Jones, who also displayed in her life and conversation those active Christian graces which emphatically made her a mother in this little Israel, where she spent the last few years of her life; and who can tell hut that in answer to the prayers and unfeigned faith that dwelt first in her grandmother Lucy, and in her mother Christiana, Elizabeth was made an early partaker of divine grace, and meetened, when in the bloom of health and loveliness, for a sudden translation to that better land, where little children, through the merits of a Saviour's blood, are welcomed with rapturous songs of praise? for "of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Among the inscrutable arrangements of divine providence is the removal of pious parents in the very midst of their important and interesting duties. When, as in the instance of Mrs. J. Jones, a wife is taken, whose quiet influence, winning endearments, and punctual habits made her so truly a helpmeet to her husband, and whose tender firmness and humble piety seemed so essential to the welfare of her children, while her consistent example and wise counsel were so valuable in her neighbourhood, we shrink, and say, How is it? But feeling must not be too clamorous for the voice to be heard, "Be still, and know that I am God."
The writer of this little history came into the village of which Mrs. J. Jones was so distinguished an ornament, about two months before she was taken to a brighter sphere, and her duties, toils, and prayers exchanged for adoration and praise. At the period referred to she was enjoying her usual health, although an inflammatory disease in the throat was carrying off many of her friends and neighbours, and she was then clothed in the habiliments of mourning for her excellent mother, who had fallen a sacrifice to the fatal epidemic.
Shortly after these painful occurrences she became the mother of a little boy; but joy for the event was soon turned into sorrow. Every countenance wore the aspect of grief when it was known through the village that the much-loved Christiana was about to be taken from them. Being quite sensible of her danger, she committed her dear babe to the care of one who could nurse it, and seemed comforted by the promise that the writer of this little account would watch over her children after her happy spirit had returned to God who gave it.[2] It was truly affecting to witness the anxiety and kindness of the Indian women. Some brought her tea made of herbs and roots to quench her burning thirst; others rested in an adjoining room, while one or more watched every word and motion. Her patience under severe suffering was very great. All fear of death was taken away; and when we knelt around her bed in prayer, her fervent "Amen" was often heard, and she evidently joined in spirit while her friends were singing that beautiful and appropriate hymn,
"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," &c.
On the morning of Nov. 3d, 1833, her happy soul took wing for that better land where
"Sickness, sorrow, pain, and death
Are felt and fear'd no more."
At her funeral, not only all the Indians, but many of the white inhabitants, from the settlements around attended. It was indeed an occasion of deep sorrow to commit to the silent grave one so young and beloved. Who that ever witnessed such a scene but would pray that this good religion, which had so exalted her, might be extended to all the tribes of the forest, till every Indian was made happy by the love of Jesus, which can alone take away the fear of death, so common to the heathen mind, and give them and all their mourning friends a good hope of a joyful resurrection to eternal life?
The Rev. Egerton Ryerson, the first Missionary stationed at the Credit, preached her funeral sermon. Having lived in her house during the whole year, in which he so successfully devoted himself to the spiritual and temporal interests of the Indians, he was well acquainted with her character, and bore ample testimony to her worth.
Thus lived and died the mother of the dear child who will furnish the subject of the following short memoir. Her memory is very dear to the writer, whose sincere desire and prayer to God is, that all the companions and school-fellows she has left behind may try to imitate her bright example, and, following her footsteps, be prepared to meet her again in that bright world of glory, where are gathered from all nations, people, kindred, and tongues, those who fear God and love Jesus Christ.
- ↑ Commonly called Chippeway.
- ↑ The babe died a fortnight after its mother; and from that time it has been esteemed a privilege by the writer of this narrative to supply, as far as the circumstances of the case allowed, the part of a guardian friend to the bereaved child; but a voyage to England made it necessary to relinquish for a time (as she supposed) her interesting charge, as Mr. J. Jones could not consent to allow his dear little daughter to accompany her friends to such a distant shore.