dians to know that the boy was
right; for often, to win the poor ignorant creatures and bring them
within sound of the Gospel, had we given them even the food from our own
table, until we ourselves knew what genuine hunger was. Then we could
better understand, how difficult it was for poor hungry listeners to
give undivided attention to spiritual exhortations on an empty stomach.

"Of course you shall have a dinner for them, Sandy," said my brave wife,
"and we will do the best we can afford for you and your people."

His cup of happiness seemed full, as he heard this answer, and as we saw
the clouds flitting away, I said:

"Is this what has been troubling you for days?"

"Yes," he replied, "what right have I to ask such a favour from you who
have been so kind to me? You let me come into your house when I was
wounded, and dark, and wicked; clothed me, and have even treated me as
though I had been your son; and best of all, you have led me up into
this great joy of knowing that I am a child of God."

Here his eyes filled and he was overcome by deep emotion. Much moved,
we waited silently until he had controlled himself, when he continued:

"You know how every day we have together prayed for my people; and when
alone before God I pray for them; they are always in my heart and
prayers; and now that I am to have the chance of speaking to them, I do
want it to succeed. You know, that the poor pagan Indian seems better
able, or more willing, somehow, to listen after he has had something to
eat."

So it was settled to Sandy's great delight, that when his friends
arrived from Nelson River they were to be invited to the mission house
for dinner.

It was a beautiful day when they came. A long table had been made and
put up on the grassy lawn in front of the house, and a good substantial
meal had been prepared. Fortunately, our supply boat had arrived from
Red River, and some Indian hunters had brought in abundance of game, so
that we had enough and to spare, even for a crowd of Indians.

Sandy was full of bliss. To watch him, and to observe how interested
his people were in him, gave us great delight.

He seated his Indian friends to suit his own mind, for his thoughts were
more on the after service than on the substantial meal before them.
When all were in their assigned places, he said:

"Now, wait a minute. From the Great Spirit we receive all our
blessings; so shut your eyes while I thank Him and ask His bl