'62. Later in May the second lesson was taught by Gideon Pond to
members of the Lake Calhoun band. Both lessons were in the useful and
civilizing art of plowing and were the first in that grand series of
lessons, covering more than seventy years, and by which the Sioux
nation have been lifted from savagery to civilization.

While God was preparing the Pond brothers in the hill country of
Connecticut for their peculiar life-work, and opening up the way for
them to engage in it, He also had in training in the school of His
Providences, in Massachusetts and Ohio, fitting helpers for them in
this great enterprise. In the early 30's, at Ripley, Ohio, Dr. Thomas
S. Williamson and Mrs. Margaret Poage Williamson, a young husband and
wife, were most happily located, in the practice of his profession and
in the upbuilding of a happy Christian home. To this young couple the
future seemed full of promise and permanent prosperity. Children were
born to them; they were prosperous and an honorable name was being
secured through the faithful discharge of the duties of his most noble
profession and of Christian citizenship. They regarded themselves as
happily located for life.

The mission call to Dr. and Mrs. Williamson was emphasized by the
messenger of death. When the missionary call first came to them, they
excused themselves on account of their children. God removed the
seeming obstacles, one by one. The little ones were called to the arms
of Jesus. "A great trial!" A great blessing also. The way was thus
cleared from a life of luxury and ease in Ohio to one of great denial
and self sacrifice on mission fields. The bereaved parents recognized
this call as from God, and by faith, both father and mother were
enabled to say, "Here are we; send us."

"This decision," says an intimate friend, "neither of them after for
one moment regretted; neither did they doubt that they were called of
God to this great work, nor did they fear that their life-work would
prove a failure." With characteristic devotion and energy, Dr.
Williamson put aside a lucrative practice, and at once, entered on a
course of preparation for his new work for which his previous life and
training had already given him great fitness.

In 1833, he put himself under the care of the Presbytery of
Chillicothe, removed with his family to Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, and
entered Lane Seminary. While the Pond brothers in their log cabin at
Lake Calhoun were studying the Sioux