The enthralling life of Jude Bourassa began and ended as a member of the Potawatomi people. Born in Michigan in 1814 his life was greatly influenced by his Potawatomi tribal cohorts, French traders, Jesuits, a Baptist Theological Institution, the book ‘Elpis Israel,’ and lastly the disease ‘smallpox.’ He died in Kansas territory, in 1858 at the young age of 44.
In the historical records of his people, a foundation piece of the history of the Potawatomi people is recorded as follows:
“In 1634, we made contact with French trappers traveling southward from Canada and now Wisconsin in search of furs. They proved to be peaceful and their primary interest in us was an expansion of their fur trapping. We quickly became partners with the French and engaged in a successful fur trade business. To ensure a lasting alliance, Tribal leaders encouraged the French to marry the Potawatomi women and to begin families. Hence, there are a significant number of French names that exist in the Tribe today. During this period and later, the Potawatomi were not recognized Bands or nations as today but were identified by regions or family settlements. The core of today’s tribe was known as either the Mission Potawatomi, because of their acceptance of Catholicism, or the St. Joseph Potawatomi for their settlements on the St. Joseph River. Both Potawatomi groups had settled in what is now Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan.”
Due to the practices noted above, Jude was considered 1/8 Potawatomi and 7/8 French. He and his brother Joseph were considered very fortunate to have obtained a good education, partly at “the Baptist Theological Institution in Hamilton, New York commencing in 1826 and partly at Choctaw Academy at White Sulphur Springs, Kentucky. In 1831-32 they took part in the debating society and the Lycurgus Court and learned to handle conflict according to white man’s law. This served them well as leaders of the Potawatomi when they lived in Kansas.”
Even with this flirting with a better-educated society, he chose to live and die with his forefathers, suffering the fate of thousands of others who were pushed out of their ancestral lands and customs. He traveled with his people on the ‘Trail of Death’ to Kansas Territory in 1840.
The historical record mentions that “Jude had a falling out with the Jesuits at Sugar Creek, Kansas and returned to Potawatomi Creek with the Baptists.” In the light of what else happened at that time, we are led to suspect that Jude disagreed with the Jesuits over Bible teaching and that he came back “with the Baptists.” It would seem therefore, that he had found the Baptist teaching more enlightening.
The same historical record tells us that Jude had settled down and lived in Kansas Territory in 1854. If we only had historical evidence provided by his ancestors, we would have missed the greatest time in his life. To fully understand what happened at that time, we need to go to Christadelphian records to find this man’s connections with John Thomas.
A little before 1854, John Thomas was in England on a speaking tour that was going well. So well, in fact, that the people associated with him wanted him to produce a written record of what he had been saying while lecturing around the country. Hence, the lecturer went to work and produced a ‘flagship’ book entitled “Elpis Israel.” This book has stood up to the test of Bible students and has become a means of introducing readers to the correct understanding of the Gospel as witnessed by the Christadelphians.
In the early 1850s, the impact of the book Elpis Israel started to be felt throughout North America. Now, instead of there being just one man testifying concerning his understanding of the Scriptures, there were soon hundreds of books doing the same. Upon John Thomas’ return to North America, he soon recommenced printing his correspondence with his subscribers in his monthly magazine, ‘The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come.’ One piece of correspondence was received from “Mr. Ryan” who was, in turn, forwarding what he had received from Jude Bourassa:
“Mr. Ryan:
… Now, dear friend, one great object is the things pertaining to our souls. You know the good book you left with me; for that book one day I will certainly recompense you. You will recollect the book I allude to is from that great man, John Thomas—Elpis Israel. You said that the same published something monthly; and now I want to know where I can send for it. I want it if I have to pay double price for it. I must have it. I think it is called The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come. I must have it, and anything else, so it is from John Thomas; for I believe that his works are the best in the United States.”
“I believe his interpretation is right; and none other will do for many of us here now. It is astonishing to see the effect it has on everybody that reads this book—Elpis Israel. Let me know where this man, John Thomas, is at present. Now my friend, one thing will be hard here for us—that is, How shall we be baptized? We have no man here like that same John Thomas that can perform baptism. Can you tell me what can be done in this case?
We are all well. Good crops here. Big fuss here about slave questions, &c.”
Your friend, Jude W. Bourassa
Potawatomi, Kansas Territory, August 16, 1855
It is very welcoming to see such a historical connection between people living hundreds of miles apart, never meeting one another, but joined as one in spirit over their congruent understanding of the Gospel. Surely the angels were at work. It is also strengthening to see the dates of these particulars concurring with the various sources we used to make these connections. That Jude, and possibly others, were keenly interested in being baptized is yet another fascinating feature of this record, especially in light of the facts that he and other members of the Potawatomi people had already been immersed in unbelief of the true Gospel.
Up to this time I have not been able to verify that Jude ever received a response from John Thomas. Hopefully, he decided that it did not matter who baptized him. John Thomas did however receive one further piece of correspondence sent to him from Mr. Ryan, which in turn he had received from Jude Bourassa:
“Dear Friend:
I have just received your letter, stating that you and your family are well. I am, dear sir, very glad that you are blessed with good health; which is more than many of your friends in this country can boast of. It is sickly all over the Territory. Wau-baun-see is deserted. It is not doing anything.There is there only a small store. It has been an unusual year for sickness. Among Potawatomis there has been much. Some deaths, though not many. There will be no treaty between us and the government this year; but I hope
we shall not pass another without one.”
“Now on another subject. I have received your letter, but nothing else. I am very anxious to receive something from John Thomas. Any of his works will satisfy me; for I believe he understands more than any person I ever knew. I believe I can learn some things from him that will lead me in the right path. Dear friend, I feel grateful for the books that you left with me, especially John Thomas’ book Elpis Israel.”
“Oh, what a good book that is! How I felt relieved when I saw it! All the time before I did not know whether there was anybody that would agree with me or not. I was afraid (being that I did not agree with anybody around me) that I was wrong. I was always uneasy until I saw you. Oh, how I loved you when you spoke about the things that I believed! I prayed to God to enlighten me every day, and you were sent to do it. I will never forget you. I will always think of you and will pray for you at all times.
Your friend,
Jude W. Bourassa, a Potawatomi,
Lawrence City, Kansas Territory, November 1, 1855.”
The comment that this man, upon reading Elpis Israel, would then say that someone agreed with him is absolutely remarkable. Even amongst those native people who missionaries and politicians alike despised, God was able to call out a man like Jude Bourassa and put him on the road to eternal life. Historians tell us that Jude Bourassa died of smallpox in 1858. We trust that he resolved the issue around who should baptize him and was actually validly baptized. If finally, he and ourselves, meet the approval of the Lord to be in his Kingdom, what a pleasure it will be to sit down and discuss the pathway of those who ended up being part of the multitude who will make up His “jewels.”
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (Malachi 3:16-17).
References:
www.potawatomiheritage.com/encyclopedia/bourassa-jude/
https://www.potawatomi.org/blog/2018/10/31/the
-curious-case-of-bourassa-mill-is-missing-scrolls/
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/potawatomi-tribe/
https://newprairiepress.org/sfh/2011/flinthills/3/
“The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come”
(Letters Published in Aug 1855)