times. When the closing scene drew
near, she said to her sorrowing mother, "I am glad the praying man has
told me such words of comfort. I have lost that dread of death I had.
I believe that dear Jesus will take me to that better land; but, mother,
when you come, will you look for me until you find me? for I do wish to
see you again."

Is it any wonder that I became deeply attached to these Nelson River
Indians? I visited them twice a year, and by pen and voice pleaded for
them until my heart's desire was obtained, and a brother beloved
volunteered to go and live among them. Of him with joy I write.

CHAPTER NINE.

A WELCOME ACCESSION--THE REVEREND JOHN SEMMENS--A DEVOTED YOUNG
MISSIONARY--FIRST TO RESIDE AT NELSON RIVER--IN LABOURS AND IN PERILS
OFT--IN JOURNEYINGS OFT BY DOG-TRAINS TOGETHER--THE CENTENARIAN OLD
CHRISTIAN--WILLIAM PAPANEKIS--HIS GODLY LIFE AND WONDROUS TRANSLATION.

One cold wintry morning we were gladdened by the arrival of a dear
brother and colleague in the work, the Reverend John Semmens, who had
left a comfortable charge in Ontario, and had come out to help me in the
prosecution of the blessed work. Brother Semmens had to taste, early in
his missionary work among the Indians, some of the dangers incident to
such a life. He came to us at Norway House in the depth of the winter,
and suffered much from the intense cold and blizzard storms. One night,
while trying to rest in the camp in the woods on his way out, a fierce
storm blew down a large tree, which fell very close to him.
Providentially no one was hurt.

He soon became very popular among the Indians, for whom he subsequently
gave many years of successful, self-denying toil. His presence with us
in our home was a great joy. None but those who have been deprived of
the pleasure of the society and fellowship of kindred spirits can
realise what a benediction this sweet-spirited and devoted young brother
was in our home. With one great object before us, that of doing the
greatest possible good we could to the Indians among whom we were called
to labour, and fortunately seeing "eye to eye" as to the methods of our
work, we spent some months and broken years in harmony in doing what we
could.

Brother Semmens' name will ever be associated with the Nelson River
Mission, as he was the first missionary to go and live in that region of
country and among those wandering Aborigines, who had received me with
such expressions of joy when