medicines, she grew worse day by day and expected to die. She thought of the missionary's teaching-thought of her wicked life and was afraid to die, afraid to meet the Great Spirit. She began to pray, asked to be forgiven-surely she had heard the Good Spirit would forgive. Suddenly her fears were gone, her heart filled with joy. She was happier than ever she had been in a dance around the evening fire. Her disease abated and recovery began. She told her husband of her wonderful change and warned him of his danger. He knew and felt more than she had supposed. His hard heart melted, and he, too, began to pray to the Great Spirit. In a few days light and joy came to his troubled soul; the silence of the forest was broken by prayer and praises bursting from the solitary wigwam, suddenly transformed into a Bethel. The hunting season over, the new-born couple returned to tell their friends how great things the Lord had done for them and to prove the reality of their change by "well-ordered lives and godly conversation." Mr. Evans sent a graphic account of an Indian campmeeting the chiefs selecting the ground, sheltered by overhanging trees and sloping to the St. Clair River, the Indians gleefully chopping the timber, preparing seats for a thousand, building a stand and resting-place for the preachers, borrowing a mammoth canvas tent for the women, hauling lumber, arranging cranes and kettles for cooking, then ready for the opening prayer by Chief Wawanosh. From the Credit, from Muncey, from the Thames and from across the lines, the children of the forest gathered for the sacred feast. The President of Conference, the Superintendent of Missions, with Messrs. Lunn and Fisher, from Montreal, joined the local forces in earnest preaching, importunate supplication and heartfelt singing. Speedy results were seen in spiritual awakening and penitential tears, the leafy temple soon resounding with shouts and songs of victory. On Sunday evening a pagan family, passing in their canoe, heard the singing, saw the glowing fire-stands and came ashore. They gazed in amazement, pitched their tent at a safe distance and listened. Such a feast they had never seen; the songs of Zion struck strangely upon their ears; the name of Jesus was new to them, and the Gospel message something they had never heard before. They drew nearer, sat with the others, drank in the wonderful story of sin and a Saviour's love, sank down under the light of the Word and the power of the Spirit, waited in the all-night prayer-meeting, and before the morning sun arose the man and his wife rejoiced together in a new experience. Fine weather favored the services until a terrific thunderstorm burst upon the encampment and poured its torrents through every opening. With the rising of the sun and a brisk airing in the wind all were ready for another day of prayer and praise. An Indian a few miles down the river had threatened to kill the missionary and his interpreter, but at this meeting his heart was changed, and he exclaimed-"How great a fool I was to talk of killing you! I did not know this religion was so good. I now love you and will try to listen to your words as long as I live." The meeting closed with a procession around the camp, hand-shaking and singing "Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love: Nearly two hundred were baptized in a few months, and four new classes formed. Mr. Evans visited about a thousand Indians at Malden. After explaining to the head chief the object of his visit, a council was held and an attentive hearing given. Then spoke the chief: 'We are glad to hear of our people becoming better. We are very poor. The white people take our hunting-grounds and destroy the prospects of our children. We never heard these words before, and thank you for coming to tell us. We think your words very good and would like to hear them again. We may understand them better.' The chiefs. then shook hands. The Wyandottes at Amherstburgh were under the watchful oversight of Rev. B. Slight. The Rev. John Douse ministered to those at Muncey. CHAPTER XXVI. 1835. CANADIAN, AMERICAN AND ENGLISH INTERESTS. The President's testimony-General Conference-WhiteheadGoderich-Paddling-Sabbath-Fishing Islands-SaugeenHurlburt-Public men-Deceased-Lower Canada-RicheyMissions Stanstead Camp-meeting Odelltown President's report. THE President, the Rev. William Lord, writing from Montreal October 6th, 1835, says: 'I have great pleasure in being able to state that the societies, with very few exceptions, enjoy uninterrupted peace. The attempts to create division have generally failed. Many of the circuits have recently been visited with gracious outpourings of the Holy Spirit-sinners awakened, converted, believers quickened, the societies growing in spirituality, and the preachers giving themselves wholly to the work of the ministry. At no former period were the people more ready to support their ministers. I had the privilege of attending three camp-meetings, all marked by evident tokens of the divine presence. In meeting the spiritual destitution of many parts much yet remains to be done. Many of the circuits are so large that it is impossible for the ministers to devote sufficient time to study and pastoral work. Thousands of settlers rarely hear a sermon. The Sabbath dawns, the axe and the implements of husbandry are laid aside, but no sanctuary opens its doors to devout worshippers. What can pagan Indians also there are loud calls. Let missionary prayer-meetings be held and information be given. Let the energies of youth be engaged as well as the piety and sobriety of age. "Men of Israel, help!" We can make our hundreds of pounds into thousands and multiply our missionaries. To personal and family religion let us give strict attention. In spirit and conduct let us be examples of piety, crucified unto the world and alive unto God.' March 4th, 1836, Mr. Lord wrote from Montreal: 'On Saturday last I returned from my tour through the Augusta District, with which, in general, I was highly gratified. Missionary meetings were held at Lachute, Chatham, L'Orignal, Hull, Bytown, Perth and Brockville. I preached to a large congregation at the Seigniory, where God has graciously revived His work. The state of religion in our Connexion is improving; a growing dislike to political intermeddling, and increased devotion to spiritual work. The spirit of prayer prevails and class meetings are better attended. Their neglect is an infallible indication of religious declension. Our missionary societies give promise of future efficiency; collections and subscriptions indicate liberality, the collectors meeting with striking instances of success. The love of Christ constrains those who possess it. Methodism has now been before the world for nearly a century; to some an object of ridicule, but to the wise and good a system of truth calculated to bless the world. Methodist preachers in Upper Canada, carrying the means of salvation to remotest settlements, and, like their Divine. Master, seeking the lost sheep in the wilderness, need never fear being deserted by their people.' |