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determined to organize the "First Presbyterian Church of the Yanktons". Thirteen men and one woman made profession of their faith, and four Christian Indians, from Santee, three of whom were women, completed the first membership of eighteen.

It was a happy day for the little band gathered for the first time about the table of our Lord. Several of the Communicants were pupils of the day school.

Every year the number of church members increased. Nearly all the scholars became Christians. Girls entered the school and after awhile the sexes were nearly evenly divided among the membership. Houses began to be built and men took up the idea of [[strikethrough]] laboring [[/strikethrough]] farming and supporting their families.

Mr Williamson labored on year after year — the hot summers, & intensely cold