TheAnglican Church of CanadaTHE DIOCESE OF MONTREAL

The Right Reverend Reginald Hollis, Bishop

SAINT FRANCIS MISSION

Odanak, Quebec

THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL

for

The Reverend

PETER PAUL WZOKHILAIN

Sunday, September 5, 1982at eleven-thirty o'clock

PafticipantsSaint Francis Anglican MissionFrancis Christman, Lay PastorIrene Hoff, Rector's Warden

Margie Normand, People's WardenAlice Masta Wawanolet, Treasurer,

Wzokhilain Memorial

The United Church Board for World MinistiesThe Reverend Robert Howar.d,

Representative

THE LITAI.IY OF REMEMBRANCE AND PETITION

We remember and give thanks for those whose spiritual visionin centuries pastnurtured awe and worship among the Abenakis.

GRANT US, O GOD OF THE AGES, THE GRACE OFWONDER THAT YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF THAT

LIGHT WHICH COMES INTO THE WORLD AND SHINESON ALL HUMANKIND.

We recall all ministers of Jesus Christ and especially those Jesuitswho first preached the gospel and shaped the fortunes of thispeople.

LORD OF THE CHURCH, WE PRAY FOR OUR ROMANCATHOLIC BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT ODANAK,THAT THEY MAY EVER WITNESS OUT OF TRUST

AND HOPEFULNESS IN YOUR WORD.

We remember those whose concem for the St. Francis Indiansprompted Dartmouth College, the American Board of Commis-sioners for Foriegn Missions, and the Congregationalists ofQuebec, to develop native leadership.

ARCHITECT OF OUR UNITY AAID DIVERSITY, WEPRAY THAT YOUR PEOPLE MAY BE SWIFT TO CLAIM

THE GIFTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTHMINORITIES AND MA.'ORITIES IN OUR SOCIETY.

Especially this day, we recall Peter Paul Wzokhilain, whose minishybore fruit as he spoke and taught in his native tongue, kept school,gathered a congregation, tanslated the scriptures, and promotedtemperance.

AUTHOR OF PROVIDENCE, ESTABLISH US IN EVERYGOOD WORK, THAT WE MAY STEADFASTTY PURSUEIN OUR LIFETIME THAT WHICH HONORS YOUR NAIUE

AhID UPBUILDS YOUR CHURCH.

We remember the clergy and lay pioneers of the Diocese ofMontreal and those of past generations in this place who haverun the great race, finished the course, and kept the faith,

LORD OF AtL THAT IS AND SHALL BE, EMBOLDENYOUR SERVANTS WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLYSPIRIT THAT WE MAY BOTH DISCERN AND EMBRACETHE FUTURE YOU DESIRE FOR US. THROUGH JESUSCHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

t * * * * *

"My people seem to think that when we shall have a place ofworship built, there will be more tuming to protestant faith thannow. I told them, you must not think that a building will makeyou Christians, nor the name of protestants; you may all fumprotestants, yet if you have not the love of Christ, you will notbe saved; you must not only shive to tum to be protestants,butyou must pray to God totum you to be Christians indeed. "

(letter written at Burlington, Vermont, on October 27, 1g35, andquoted in the Missionary Heraldof February L837,page7g)

HIGHLIGHTS OF WZOKHII.AIN'S MINISTRY

t822 - enters Moor's Charity School at Hanover, New Hamp-shire, where, upon conversion, he unites with theChurch of Christ at Dartrnouth College.

L829 - prepares primer and tact in Abenaki for publication atBoston by the American Board in 1830.

1830 - assumes post as govemment schoolmaster at Odanakand circulates his new books.

1835 - loses position but gains American Board appointmentas native preacher in November; collects $210.00 inSorel and $110.00 in Montreal for projected chapel.

1836 - attains licensure in January and ordination asevangelist in June at Clintonville, New York, byChamplain Presbytery.

1838 - dedicates chapel and gathers church in January and isinstalled pastor in July under auspices of St. FrancisCon gregational Association.

1839 - recruits Melboume teacher Caroline Rankin who, in1842, becomes assistant missionary; claims fortyr-sevenhave kept pledge of total abstinence.

1841 - conects banslation of Mark - not printed until 1845in Monteal.

l%z - preaches revival at Durham branch in May andexamines twelve who are converted.

L848 - reports Simon Annance as native assistant.1850 - tanslates twelve chapters of Matthew.1851 - compiles portion of Abenaki dictionary.1855 - admits sole new member of 1847-57 decade.1858 - is released by Board, leaves St. Francis.1860 - preaches at Tuscarora, New York, Mission.