A Cry and a Response. AS 6

English people to emigrate. The delightful part of it was
his identifying himself with God’s people, who were strangers
to him, and entrusting them with his offerings.

“You would be surprised to know how I am often dis-
tracted by the demands made on me to provide the means
of grace for people. There are some white people who really
are angry with me, and say I care not for their souls because
I cannot send them a clergyman or go myself. I cannot
send what I have not got, and as for going myself, I am
always going myself—am forced to go! There is now beside
me (I generally have company as I write my letters) an
Indian chief from a distance of 250 miles. What has he
come here for? To wring out of me a promise of sending
to his tribe the Word of Life. I first said to him and those
of our own people who introduced him, ‘Wait a fortnight
and I will open my mouth.’ So I sent hither and thither
to consult with some of ovr senior m‘ssionaries to know
what could be done. Here is what one writes: ‘I am sorry
you have asked me to open tiis Mission, because it Is a very
painful task to ask you not to lay this burden upon me. iE
see fully the necessity of accepting the invitation of the
chief. A’wise man would soon gather a united band of
Christians around him, but I -fee! I cannot leave my fifteen
villages and two thousand souls even to enter such an
inviting field.’

“Well, now, what am I to do? Here is this chief, who
seems to know that my answer will decide the question of
eternal life for many of the souls he pleads for. J am torn
asunder by the claims urged upon me. I am ashamed—lI
am afraid; I scarcely dare face that Indian chief. Shall I
not see him at the lust judgment! Will he not say, ‘I
offered you an open door. Sou's clung to you as T pleaded
for them. You let them drop. See them!’ I wish my
readers could answer for me, and make for me a way of
escape. My heart leaps up at the bold venture that would
say, ‘Go home. Be of good cheer. The Gospel shall be
preached to your people. Your children shall be brought

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