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106 Snapshots from the North Paci.

I returned to chilled coffee and porridge to finish it while
discussing with my Indian churchwarden, who had just then
come in, how to go on with the church roof repairs now that
two of the sheets of zinc had sunk in deep water between
the ship and the wharf. On the entrance of the bride of
the week he withdrew. Three Kitikshans from the Skeena
River awaited her departure to ask for my sanction to a new
branch of the diocesan Church Army. Every detail must
be gone over. To urge brevity increases prolixity.

“This is the way they proceeded after a respectful pre-
face: ‘Chief, the work of God is no light thing. All parts
are weighty. Small things are parts of large things. Little
things differ not from large in things of God. God makes
no cifference. If otherwise thou wilt explain. In our
ignorance so we think, but thou art older and wiser than we.
What thou sayest we will do. Now listen, chief.” Of
course I listen.

“Among other greater things such questions as these
were put, ‘ When praying in the street must we kneel when
it is muddy?’ ‘Look out for the clean spots,’ was my
reply. “We will never look on strong drink, but must we
give up tobacco?’ ‘I do not smoke; you are free men.
Drunkards do not enter heaven. Nothing is said about
smokers. I cannot afford it. ‘Now, chief, we ask no
trivial questions. When we are ready to burst with emotion
may we find relief in crying out in church “Amen,” or
“Alleluia” ?’ This I saw to be Salvationist infection, and
asked, ‘Do you know the meaning of those words?’ ‘ No.’

“Then don’t say words without meaning. God looks for
sense from’ men and noise from dogs. Say aloud the

responses for relief... ‘May women preach in a loud voice
on the streets?’ ‘ Yes, if they speak wisely.’ ‘Then, why
not in church?’ ‘ Because St. Paul says “ No.”’ ‘Suppose
men on the street laugh at us?’ ‘ Pay no heed.‘ Suppose
they make a row in our house-meeting?” * Turn them out.’
“May we appoint men to do this?’ ‘Yes, the strong and
good-tempered ones.’