In the Presence of the Holy

Creator, we give thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the center of this Sacred Circle through which all of creation is related. You sho us the way to live a generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and forever. Amen.
Source Unknown

I went to the meeting last night to learn more about the Vacation Bible School our church sponsors for Native American children in Watonga. You see, I'm the wort of fellow who likes a modicum of information before he makes a commitment.

The VBS is sponsored by the Oakerhater Guild, named for David Pendleton Oakerhater, of whom I have written in the past. The VBS organizational meeting was followed by a regular guild meeting.

The guild had a special guest last night, Nellie Burnham, who I understood to have some connection with David Pendleton. Having no better plans, I chose to stay. I was richly blessed for this choice.

To begin with, for the benefit of the special guest, Canon Carol reviewed the history of the Guild. Though not important to this current narrative, I was glad to hear it. Then Deacon Knowles, the Diocesean Indian Missioner and vicar of the mission in Watonga, spoke of that mission's recent history.

Then Nellie told her story.

She is the great-granddaughter of Mary Douglas Burnham, one of the first women ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church. From childhood, MDB (as people called her) had a special love and caring for Native Americans. When she came of age, she dedicated her life to ministering to this people.

Now, MDB spent most of her life in northwest New York state, where Nellie still lives. MDB's brother lived in Florida. Both she and her brother were both ill at one point, and she went to Florida to care for him a she herself convalesced. While there, she became acquainted with Capt. P–, the jail keeper where a number of Indian Terrorists were being held. Keep in mind, this was during the Indian Wars.

Capt. P– was apparantly a fairly enlightened man, for he believed it was possible to educate these "savages". So, he arranged for them to be sent to local schools. Four especially promising young men returned to New York with MDB, one of whom was David Pendleton.

She arranged with a local priest to house and educate these men. She served as house mother for the group. David Pendleton and one other received religious training, and were ordained deacons. As we know, St. David returned to Oklahoma to minister to his own people, and tell them of the new chief he had chosen to follow. The chief's name was Jesus.

The first item she opened was a collector's dream: four or five pieces of art by St. David and his companions. According to the guild's historian (also an academic historian), David was almost single-handedly the father of modern Plains Indian art. The art was in the "cartoony" style common to what we call ledger art. Since these works were not signed, there is no way to know whether David was the artist; but we can certainly say they came from his "school".

Nellie also gave the Guild David's letters, mocassins he or his family had made, two of his bows, and a number of photographs. Among these is the only known picture of David Pendleton in his deacon's vestments. Aside from Nellie and her companion, no one at that table had seen that picture before.

As I have said, the Episcopal church has recognized David Pendleton Oakerhater as a saint. There is reportedly action being taken to include Mary Douglas Burnham on the Episcopal calendar of saints.

I have no doubt that I was in the presence of holiness last night.