108 FIFTY YEARS IN WESTERN CANADA

reverent way by the worshippers as they render the
prayer of the shepherds at the feet of the Child-God.
It is impossible to imagine anything more impressive
in its grandeur: a perfect pipe organ filling in the whole
church!

Though counting only eighty-four lines, this
pastorale takes quite a little time, yet so short to the
loving hearts of the performers! to execute, because of
some strophes which are repeated as refrains.

We now need only to add that the tunes of its
different parts are admirably adapted to express the
consecutive eagerness, surprise and fear, then acquies-
cence and alacrity of the shepherds, followed by their
prayerful and religious accents at the Crib coming as a
prompt answer to the invitation of the angels.

Is it, after that, necessary to remark that Morice’s
Indians delighted in giving out that pastorale? For
them it was the sacred drama of almost two thousand
years ago enacted over again for their own benefit.
In their eyes no pastorale no Christmas, and no Father
Morice no pastorale!