When dinner was ended, and they were about to rise from the table, a few
words from Sandy caused them all to remain quietly seated. Now we
perceived, why he had arranged them at the table as he did. Every one
was so seated that he could easily see, as well as hear. It was evident
that they were all very much interested, and full of curiosity to hear
the message he had for them.
They were doubtless well aware, that such a feast as had been prepared
for them meant a talk at the close; but none of them ever dreamed that
Sandy--"their Sandy"--was to be the principal speaker. When at the
close he so naturally and ably took control, they were at first amazed,
and then delighted, that one of their own people--and a young man at
that--was not only able to do such a thing, but was encouraged in the
undertaking by the missionary and his wife.
Fearing that our presence might embarrass Sandy, my wife and I moved our
chairs back a little behind him, but still near enough to hear all that
was said. We were intensely interested in the proceedings, and lifted
up our hearts to God that divine help and guidance might be given to the
one whom we now loved to call "our Sandy."
A little nervousness that was at first noticeable, disappeared after a
few sentences, and then, with a fluency and eloquence that simply amazed
us, the loving burning words flowed from his lips. With few words of
explanation he took up his beloved Bible and hymn-book, and began the
service.
Of the actual words of that address, I can now recall very few; but the
memory of it will live forever. He told them the story of his life from
the time when, having found my way to their distant land, I met him in
his wigwam home as he lay wounded upon the ground, talked kindly to him,
and gave him his first lesson. He spoke of his long, long journey in
the canoe, and of his arrival at our home. He described how kindly he
had been received, how stupidly and ungratefully he had acted when the
novelty of the new way of living had worn off, and how he had been so
foolish as to long for his old life in the wigwam. He denounced in very
emphatic language, his own ingratitude toward us for all the kindness we
had shown him and the patience with which we had borne with his
stupidity.
Then he told the story of his conversion: would that I could tell it as
he did! He contrasted their old foolish religion of the conjurers--
which had only kept them in fear and terror all their days, bringing no
peace or rest to their souls--with that which was taught in the blessed
Book; which had come as a great joy into his life, filling him with
peace in the assurance that even he was a child of God. He had his date
in his spiritual life--his well remembered birthday; and to it he
referred. He told of that afternoon in the church, when, in response to
the invitation: "Who will give his heart to God to-day?" he had
answered, "I will!" and bowing down before God in prayer, had sought for
the forgiveness of his sins and the assurance of the divine favour.
Very clearly, and with much emotion he assured them that, while trusting
and believing that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was able and willing to
receive him, He had indeed received him.
Thus in earnest tones, in his beautiful Indian tongue, he went on and
on; now, urging and exhorting them to accept of this great salvation
from the Great Spirit who was the loving Father of all, and who desired
the salvation of every one of His children whether they were white or
Indian; and then, again referring to his own conversion and the joy that
had come to him, as one reason why he wished them all to be Christians.
Mrs Young and I were delighted and also amazed; not only at his
readiness of utterance, but at the religious character and power of the
address. I could only say in my heart:
"This is the outcome of those long hours which this young child of God
has spent day after day with the open Book before him and the Holy
Spirit as his teacher; and, thank God, here is the glorious reward for
all we have had to do for, and bear with this wild unkempt Indian lad.
In this one glad hour we see enough amply to repay us for all we have
had to put up with ere there was the first appreciation of our kindness.
It has seemed a long time between the seed sowing and the reaping; but
the harvest time has come at last and here we witness this glorious
sight--Sandy, our once wild rebellious Indian boy, now with radiant face
and eloquent tongue, in most beautiful and scriptural language, urging
and beseeching his Indian friends to renounce their old foolish paganism
and to accept of Christianity."
As he talked the faces of his Indian auditors were indeed studies. They
were literally drinking in his marvellous words. To a few of them I had
preached on some of my long journeys; but beside these few, there were
those now listening to Sandy who had never heard such things before, and
they seemed amazed and confounded. Persons who have never witnessed it,
can hardly imagine the astonishment, and sometimes awe, that fails over
a company of pure pagans, when, for the first time, the story of
Redeeming Love is heard.
Sandy went on to tell them of his love and anxiety for them, and of his
desire and constant prayers that they should all become Christians, and
know for themselves that God loved them and that they were His children.
He explained to them, how, at first, he thought the Bible was only for
the white man; but that he had learned, that the Great Spirit has given
His Book to all races, loving all alike. This was the reason he was so
anxious that his own people should accept this great salvation which was
for them. It would make them happy, as it was making others everywhere
who fully accepted it.
They listened to the end of his long address with intense interest. In
response to his request, a number of questions were asked in reference
to this new way, and how it was possible for them to enter into it. His
answers were very appropriate and beautiful. In addition to his own
words, he again opened his Bible and read promise after promise to them,
to show the universality of the love of God, and that he had given his
Son to die for them all, and what they must do to receive this love into
their hearts.
At his request, I followed with a short address, endorsing what he had
said. I lovingly entreated them to remember his words, and to do as he
had done--give their hearts to God; and thus become His happy, loving
children. A hymn was sung; earnest prayers were offered up; the
benediction was pronounced--and this remarkable service came to an end.
Ere they departed they gathered around Sandy and kissed him. They asked
him more questions about this new way, and with some of them he had
earnest faithful talks. They all came and shook hands with us, and very
kindly thanked us for our great love and kindness to their Ookemasis,--
the young chief,--as they now laughingly called Sandy.
After remaining with us some years, Sandy returned to his own land and
people. Among them he still lives a devoted, industrious Christian. He
is the right-hand man of the missionary, a blessing and a benediction to
many, and we count it as one of our "chief joys" that we were
instrumental in leading him into the light.