t to tent,
and gave them lessons, and had religious conversation and prayer.
It was on one of these rounds of wigwam visitations that I came across
Pe-pe-qua-na-pua, or Sandy Harte, the story of whose life and conversion
has been so widely circulated. Several acquired such a knowledge of
these characters that, by persevering for a few weeks, they were able to
read very nicely in the blessed Book.
I left with them several dozen copies of the New Testament, Hymn-books,
and Catechisms, in their own language.
So great was their anxiety for religious instruction, that many of them
remained for three days after they had eaten all of their provisions.
When I first heard this, I could hardly credit it, but found out by
personal investigation that it was the actual fact. With tears in their
eyes they bade me farewell, and said, that on account of their famishing
children they must start off for their fishing and hunting grounds. But
they added, "What we have heard from you will make us glad and thankful
all the time."
With my faithful travelling companions, I made a trip out from Nelson
River to another small band about thirty miles away. We spent the
Sabbath in a miserable wigwam, where the snow and sleet dashed in upon
us, making us shiver in spite of all we could do. Still, as the poor
Indians were anxious to hear the Gospel, we soon forgot our physical
discomforts in the joy of preaching this great salvation. Nineteen of
them accepted Christ as their Saviour, and were baptized. We held a
meeting for the purpose of hearing them tell of their wishes as to this
blessed religion. Many very interesting things were said. We here
record only one.
A fine-looking man said, "What has fully decided me to endeavour to be a
good Christian all my days is this. The Missionary has told us many
reasons, all sufficient to decide us; but the one that came very near to
my heart was, that all the little children who have died have been taken
to that better land, and there they are with the loving Saviour in
heaven. My little ones have passed away, leaving my heart sore and
bleeding. I yearn after them; I long to meet them again. So I want so
to live that when I die Jesus will permit me to embrace them, and never
be separated from them again."
On this trip, we found at another small encampment a young girl, about
twelve years of age, dying of consumption. I talked to her of Jesus and
heaven, and prayed with her several
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