The next summer after Sandy's conversion, my good wife and I noticed,
that for several days he was restless and excited, and, to use an Indian
phrase, there was something on his mind. We kindly questioned him as to
the cause of his unrest and mental disquietude, and drew from him, that
it was solely on account of a visit that was soon to be paid him by
quite a number of the trip men of his own Nelson River people. His
anxiety was, that at this the first meeting with his own people since he
had become a Christian, the talk which he was going to give them on the
subject of the good Book and his acceptance of Christianity, might be
made a great blessing to them.
So many and so valuable were the furs obtained in those days in the
Nelson River district, that often two brigades of boats were necessary
to bring up the catch of the previous winter. If the missionaries have
been preaching the Gospel at the different posts where these brigades
are made up, in all probability, part of the people have accepted
Christianity, while others still walk in their own ways. On their
trips, the Christians naturally travel together, while the pagans,
selecting one of their own party as their leader, form a separate
brigade.
It was known, that the first brigade coming consisted principally of
those who had as yet refused to renounce their pagan ways. Among them
were some of Sandy's own relatives, and he was intensely anxious, that
they should no longer continue in their opposition to Christianity, and
when appealed to on the subject, shrug their shoulders and say:
"As our fathers lived and died, so will we."
So we found out that the cause of Sandy's restlessness was his great
anxiety to help these, his friends, to know the Christ.
With glad hearts we cheerfully promised to aid him all we could. Still
he lingered, and it was evident that something else was on his mind,
although he had very warmly expressed his gratitude for our promise of
assistance. We encouraged him to tell us what was still on his heart,
so that if possible we might help him. Cheered by our words he said:
"Oh! I know you will help me to tell them of Jesus and His love; but
you know that most of these boatmen are not yet Christians, and they are
so blind and stupid. They are just like I was in my ignorance of this
religion--of the Bible; and my trouble and fear is that when I begin to
talk to them of this blessed way, they will get up and leave before I
have had time to say all that there is in my heart. I am afraid we
cannot keep them together unless--unless--"
"Unless what?" I said as he stopped.
The dear fellow looked up in our faces, and, seeing nothing but
encouragement there, mustered up courage to say this that was in his
heart:
"Unless we give them something to eat."
We had been long enough among the Indians 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 blessing upon
us."
They obeyed readily: for was he not the son of a chief, and taught of
the missionary? They did not know what "Amen" meant, so, after Sandy
had said it, still kept their eyes shut, and had to be told to open them
and begin at their dinners.
They had a good time together. There was nothing rude or awkward in any
of their actions, and a stranger looking on, would never have imagined
that the majority of these polite, courteous, yet picturesquely garbed
bronzed stalwart men, had never before sat at a table or eaten with
forks. These latter are considered superfluous in the Indian country.
Give an Indian a good knife and a horn or wooden spoon--and what cares
he for a fork? His only concern is in reference to the supply of food.
But on this occasion we had placed forks at each place, and after those
who had never seen them before had observed how one familiar with them
used his, they all quickly imitated him and did exceedingly well.
What appetites they had! It was a pleasure to see how they enjoyed
their dinner--especially as we knew that we had enough for all.