* * *

They are lonely and unsettled and seem to be looking for comfort from some source. I love to talk with them of Father Duncan. Tuesday, September 3.Some women have been making some decorations around the grave today. Many are seen going there. Some go alone and stand as though in deep thought and walk quietly away.

The following touching tribute from the pen of one of Father Duncan's native followers was published in The Post-Intelligencer of Seattle, Wash., on September 4, 1918, and also in The Victoria Daily British Colonist, on September 10, 1918:

He who brought the light from heaven to our shores lies dead in the land he loved. He came among us in our groping darkness and told about the Son of God who died that we might live. Others came before him and brought us rum, disease, and death, filling our land with misery and our hearts with hatred and despair.

Two generations lived and died, and still the darkness was over the land and sea, till the very air we breathed was steeped in wretchedness and sin; for the destroyer came and took our young men and our young women and planted within them the seeds of a living death. The groans of the dying and the misery of the living filled our hearts with sorrow and our eyes with tears.

And then he came, bringing light, health, and happiness from the Savior of the world. Light came into our lives and drove out the darkness, rum, and sin. The apostle sent from God led us into the wilderness and there we built a new village where we could live as God wanted us to live.

He was to us a father and we went to him with all our troubles, and we knew he was our true friend. The streams of blood that flowed daily from wounds without cause were dried up at the fountain-head, for he taught us to love one another, and to banish rum. He fought our battles, and wrung justice from those who oppressed us, and found us friends able to protect us.

So did our big-hearted friend lead us until the old things had passed away and were forgotten and the new life was lived in peace and happiness.

An now God has called him, and we have come to weep at his grave and to lay upon it this tribute of our love.

The Daily Progressive Miner, of Ketchikan, published the following editorial in its issue of August 31, 1918:

FATHER DUNCAN

Father William Duncan is dead. His light went out after a well-spent long life in the uplift of men, * ** Father Duncan was a great man because of his tendency and power to build character. And although he may be said to have confined his work to what may be called a "tribe", his achievement was complete. No man ever lived; at least history records none, who ever accomplished what Father Duncan did. He was in a class by himself.

From early manhood, he planted Christianity and progressive ideas into a race of men far behind the progress of time and succeeded in making a people whose ambition and progressive tendencies to-day compare favorably with any class of men. He sacrificed his whole life to satisfy his ambition; that of building character; and succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectation. This is reflected in those for whom he worked.

The loss of Father Duncan is an event and will remain a landmark in the history of mankind. He was endowed with executive strength, business judg ment; energy and abounding charity which were all needed and used in the battle he chose to fight.

FATHER DUNCAN'S LAST LETTER

Among the letters, ready for mailing, which Father Duncan had laid down at the time he was stricken, was one to Dr. James BluettDuncan-not a relative but a dear friend-who for 10 years devotedly served the mission, both in British Columbia and in Alaska, as medical missionary, at his own expense and without compensation.

That letter reads as follows:

Dr. J. BLUETT-DUNCAN.

METLAKAHTA, Aug. 23, 1918.

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND: From a note in my diary I see that on this day 24 years ago you left Metlakahtla for home. What eventful years they have been! What mercies we have received! Though my letters to you have been few I remember you every day. Soon our journey on earth will be ended and we shall reach our heavenly, and eternal home prepared for us by our Blessed Saviour. This mission, in which you took an active part many years, has been grievously assailed of late as you know, but our hope is in God. He has raised up for us a true friend, Dr. Henry S. Wellcome, to defend our work.

* *

*

These are indeed fearful times-but our redemption is nigh. The chain is made for Satan and soon he will be arrested. Then will peace, true and lasting, be restored. Dear friend, I hope you and your sister are well. I get the paper you send me showing the horrors of this cruel war. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Yours very sincerely,

W. DUNCAN.

Thus it was that the great apostle of Alaska, the world renowned missionary, passed his last days, crossed the river to his great reward, and was buried by the loving and grateful people who had by his help been brought from degraded savagery into the glorious light of Christian civilization.

ANIMOSITIES OF BUREAU AGENTS EXTEND BEYOND THE GRAVE

In the midst of the campaign of frightfulness, conducted in the name of the Bureau of Education and with the ear of authority deafened to the agonizing appeal of the venerable apostle of Alaska, Father Duncan departed his life.

It is not a distant echo from the false accusations of the high priests, whose servants laid hold on the Saviour of Mankind with swords and staves, to the expressions of hate found in the files of the Bureau of Education when the apostle of Alaska was passing through his Gethsemane.

On November 9, 1915, Charles D. Jones, principal of the Bureau of Education's school at Metlakahtla, wrote a "personal" letter to William T. Lopp, superintendent of education of natives of Alaska, in which he stated:

Duncan still "roars" but the echo is becoming fainter.

When the fainter "roars" of William Duncan had ceased and his great soul had returned to the God who gave it, and while his mortal remains lay awaiting sepulture in Metlakahtla-where he left proofs that "a prophet hath been among them"-Charles W. Hawkesworth, superintendent of schools of the southeastern district of Alaska, wrote a letter to William G. Beattie, agent of the Bureau of Education at Metlakahtla, dated August 31, 1918, in which he stated:

There is a whole month yet before school begins and I have wondered if things wouldn't shape themselves so that the teachers and Pervance could use the guest house. I would not for a minute suggest a rush in this matter, but the living problem is still unsolved and since you are there on the ground-master of the situation-you will take the course, in planning for the future, that gives the most permanent benefit.

It has occurred to me that since the Minthorns are both missionaries, she in particular, that they might work themselves into the hearts of the people and endeavor to continue the church work. * ** I hope, as soon as matters are settled a bit, that the Minthorns will go to his old home in Newport. But

they may try to stay and even to move into the Duncan house, for she is, as I take it, very much interested in the mission work there, and since they are both along in years, they may consider they can do more good in Metlakahtla than they can in the States.

On September 8, 1918, 9 days after Father Duncan had fallen bearing his cross-under scourgings inflicted wrongfully in the name of the American Government-William G. Beattie, agent of the Bureau of Education at Metlakahtla, reported the following to William T. Lopp, superintendent of education of natives of Alaska:

LeRoy [referring to Miss Mabel LeRoy, an employee of the Bureau of Education] may have written you of Rev. Van Marter's (Methodist minister, Ketchikan) 51 minute, tiresome eulogy of Duncan at the funeral service. Duncan was buried east of the church just in front of the grove of young alders. His [Rev. Van Marter's] one thought seemed to be to praise Duncan.

I had also offered my services to Minthorn and the natives who were caring for Duncan. However, I was not called upon in any wayexcept to furnish Government tools to dig the grave.

You know the situation here fully. So to the Commissioner and the Secretary-so far as reports and letters go, and the Commissioner has been on the ground.

Rumors say-in fact Van Marter hinted at it in the funeral sermon-that the will of Duncan provides for the continuation of the Metlakahtla Christian Mission

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*

*

It strikes me that it would be a fine thing if a Government man could be administrator of the Duncan estate, * * * I'd certainly like to administer that estate I believe Mahoney [referring to the judge of the United States district court before whom Father Duncan's last will and testament was probated at Ketchikan] would appoint me if there was any effort made to have me appointed.

SECTION 61. FATHER DUNCAN'S LIFE WORK

An unsurpassed missionary genius. Unparalleled effect of Father Duncan's work. Father Duncan's work in Christianizing and civilizing the Tsimshean Indians. Father Duncan uplifted Indians of other tribes. Father Duncan inspired missionaries of the world. The spirit of Father Duncan still lives

The spirit of Father Duncan was fully demonstrated in the earnest and devoted manner in which he always obeyed his divine Master's command

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5: 16.)

The greatness of Father Duncan is shown in the manner in which he led his people from degraded savagery to a high state of Christian civilization; in the elevating influence of his life and teachings upon the Indians of other Alaskan tribes; and in the inspiration, encouragement, and help given by his policies, his methods, and his example to the workers in missionary fields of many lands.

Father Duncan's unsurpassed missionary genius and the wonderful and permanent effects of his fruitful labors are attested by many eminent contemporaries, as seen from their statements appearing elsewhere and from which a few excerpts will be cited here.

AN UNSURPASSED MISSIONARY GENIUS

Father Duncan, as he is called, can hardly be spoken of as a type― there are no others like him.-John Scudder McLain.

At Metlakahtla is another hero missionary, Father Duncan, Chautauquan, July, 1908.

He is a * * * genuine, wonderful old man, and everything he does rings true.-William D. Boyce.

* a man of great wisdom and success in his dealings with Indians.Proceedings of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association, 1912–13.

engineer.

*

this superhuman possessed the foresight of a modern social * *-Overland Monthly, October 1913.

* *

*

Mr. Duncan grasped intelligently the true science of civilization; Francis C. Sessions, president of the Ohio Historical and Archaeological Society. Mr. William Duncan has worked out a problem that has puzzled the wise men of all ages.-Rev. H. P. Corser.

* seems insignificant

*.--Bishop of Columbia,

All former work * 1962. The Story of Metlakahtla, by Henry S. Wellcome, 1887, page 71. * * * Its [Metlakahtla's] history is a chapter in the life of a man who ranks among the first of America's missionaries and teachers. George Amos Dorsey.

* * *

Father William Duncan, whose wonderful work with these natives Justified his title of the "Apostle of Alaska".-Frank G. Carpenter.

We were met there by Mr. Duncan, one of the noblest men that ever entered the mission field. * * *-E. Ruhamah Scidmore. But without any desire to disparage or dishearten others, I must say that Mr. Duncan impressed us as a man of ten thousand *.-Commander R. C. Mayne, R. N., F. R. G. S.

*

Without intending to flatter you, I am convinced that you better understand how to educate and treat the Indians than any one known to me.-Hon. N. H. R. Dawson, Commissioner of Education.

The Church Missionary Society of London was so proud of Mr. Duncan's work that it published, and widely circulated, a book entitled "Metlakahtla", in which it extols Mr. Duncan's work, giving him unstinted praise for the marvelous things he had accomplished, among the ferocious wild savages of the great Northwest. *-The Story of Metlakahtla, by Henry S. Wellcome,

1887, page 106.

*

UNPARALLELED EFFECT OF FATHER DUNCAN'S WORK

No more remarkable work has ever been done among any people than by William Duncan * *.-Missionary Review of the World.

*

Such work as Mr. Duncan's needs no eulogy. It speaks for itself. His life means that thousands have been made happier and better men and women, and no greater praise could be bestowed on any man, and no greater work could he do.-D. M. Stromstadt.

A civilizing work without parallel, alike remarkable for original thought and genius displayed, and for the heroic courage in execution, is that conceived and carried out by William Duncan *.-The Story of Metlakahtla, by Henry

S. Wellcome, 1887, page 1.

* *

One other undertaking [Metlakahtla] of the period remains to be mentioned, which is so unique in its methods, and successful in so many ways, as to well deserve a place among the "Miracles of missions."-D. L. Leonard, D. D.

Here was wrought a modern miracle. Metlakahtla, the wonder of visitors, * *.-A Summons to a Test, James L. Hill, D. D., in the Congregationalist. The most original [mission], especially on account of its combination with the work of civilization, is that of the independent missionary, Mr. Duncan a man of rare practical missionary genius *.-Gustav Warneck.

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* *

* * * a work has been accomplished there [Metlakahtla] whose success has rarely if ever been equaled in the history of missions to the heathen.Matthew Macfie, F. R. G. S.

* Perhaps never before has the Indian problem been so satisfactorily worked out.-Sunset, the Pacific Monthly.

* indeed, we can scarcely imagine that a parallel instance of energy of purpose and indomitable courage, with their attendant results, can be found. The Beverley Guardian, Beverley, England.

Metlakahtla is truly the full realization of the missionaries' dream of aboriginal restoration.-Charles Hallock.

* * * the neatest and most orderly town in all Alaska-Metlakahtla.— A. P. Swineford (formerly Governor of Alaska).

*

* a model industrial settlement * * * more ideal than anything Plato or Bellamy has imagined. Every visitor, from Lord Dufferin to the roughest seafaring frontiersman, could but praise this "work that stands absolutely without parallel in the history of missions."-Appleton's Guide Book to Alaska, Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore.

*

"You ought to see Duncan's mission before you leave the Pacific coast", said many people to me on the journey. "It is really astonishing what he has done for the Indians in a short time", said they * ** *.-Col. Vincent Colyer, secretary, Board of Indian Commissioners.

*

*

"I have seen missions in various parts of the world before now" said Lieutenant Verney to me, "but nowhere one that has so impressed me with the reality of what has been accomplished."-Rev. R. Dundas. The Story of Metakahtla, by Henry S. Wellcome, 1887, page 80.

I offer my hearty congratulations upon this sixtieth anniversary of the beginning of your admirable work with the Metlakahtla Indians. Their advancement in education and in capacity for usefulness in the world should be a matter of great satisfaction to you and, indeed, should be your sufficient reward.—President Wilson's telegram to Father Duncan, October 13, 1917.

FATHER DUNCAN'S WORK IN CHRISTIANIZING AND CIVILIZING THE TSIMSHEAN INDIANS

These particular Indians are civilized velt in message to Congress.

**

*

.-President Theodore Roose

At Columbia, on the coast of the Pacific, a practical missionary genius named William Duncan has succeeded in civilizing a body of Indians, degraded by cannibalism ** * *.-The Encyclopaedia Britannica, volume XVI, ninth edition, page 516; American reprint, page 539.

*

* Testimony to the value of the results achieved was borne in 1876 by Lord Dufferin, then Governor General of Canada, who declared that he could hardly find words to express his astonishment at what he witnessed [on his visit to Metlakahtla].-See Encyclopaedia Britannica, ibid.

* * * William Duncan, out of a body of brutal Indians, some of them cannibals, built his Metlakahtla, a Christian state, which, not only morally and religiously, but socially, politically, and commercially, is a new crown for our Lord and King.-Arthur T. Pierson.

***

The community is today the most peaceable, moral, industrious, and prosperous to be found within the limits of the United States. William Duncan has certainly done a marvelous work * Companion, January 23, 1902.

*.-Youth's

* ** The results of the lifelong labours of Mr. William Duncan with the Metlakahtla natives are marvelous, and no tongue or pen can adequately praise such heroic self-abnegation as has been shown by this missionary to this once-benighted people. It is one of the most thrilling missionary tales in the history of the world-Livingston F. Jones, Presbyterian missionary in southeastern Alaska.

I have now seen them [the Indians] in all phases of their existence, from the half-naked savage * * * to the neat Indian maiden in Mr. Duncan's school at Metlakahtla, as modest and well dressed as any clergyman's daughter in an English parish, *.-Lord Dufferin's Great British Columbia Speech.

** * * I will venture to say that there is not within a hundred miles of Plymouth Rock a village in which the Sabbath is more strictly observed; where there is less drunkenness or immorality of any kind; where the people are more sober, temperate, orderly, and Christian, than in this community [Metlakahtla] of reclaimed savages and cannibals ** * *.-Henry M. Field. * What it has taken ages to accomplish with other uncivilized peoples these Indians, under Father Duncan, achieved in less than 30 years.-Frank G. Carpenter.

*