The Bishop naturally had much to say about the opposition of the "Medicine men" who formerly exercised a potent influence among the Indians. That their power is not yet entirely stamped out was proved by a letter received by the last mail from one of the Bishop's staff in Caledonia. The "Medicine men," it appears, are given to the idea that certain people—generally men or boys—are bewitching the sick, and they really persuade the sick folk that this is so. Invariably the "Medicine men" pitch upon some person who has no friends, or is an orphan, and in the false belief that the destruction of their victim—the supposed bewitcher—will bring about the survival of the sick, they kill him. The instance recited by the Bishop's correspondent was that of a poor, friendless boy, kidnapped by the "Medicine men" for this foul purpose; but, fortunately, his murder had been prevented by the missionary, who effected a rescue and placed the lad safe and sound in a Christian home. Bishop Ridley recalled another case attended with the worst results. It occurred just before his departure from his Diocese. The "Medicine men" laid hold of an impecunious, wretched man, flayed him, and, boring a hole in the ice, dropped him through into the water, thus drowning him. The same correspondent recounted an incident of a brighter character. The Rev. F. M. T. Palgrave, son of the celebrated Oxford professor, formerly had charge of a wonderful mission in the
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THE BISHOP OF CALEDONIA
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