ONE day in the winter of 1832-3, four Indians appeared in the streets of St. Louis with a request that no white man had ever heard before. They came, they said, from the Land of the setting sun; and they wanted the white man’s Book of heaven.
The commander of the military post at St. Louis, who was a Roman Catholic, received them with the greatest kindness and hospitality. They were shown the Roman Catholic church, the pictures of the saints, etc., yet they were steadily denied their oft-repeated request for a Bible. Two of the Indians died at St. Louis from the fatigue of their long journey from Oregon.
The other two, homesick and disappointed, prepared to return. The commander made a banquet for them, and bade Godspeed on their journey. One of the Indians was called upon to respond. No just idea of the circumstances can be given, or of the impression it produced. We can only give the English version of his speech, which, like all translations, loses much of the force of the original.
“I came to you over the trail of many moons. You were the friend of my fathers, who have all gone the long way. I came with one eye partly opened for more light for my people who sit in darkness. I go back with BOTH EYES CLOSED.
How can I go back blind to my people? I have made my way to you with strong arms, through many enemies and strange lands, that I might carry back much to them. I go back with both arms BROKEN AND EMPTY. Two fathers came with me, They were the braves of many winters and wars. We leave them asleep by your great water and wigwam. They were tired in many moons and their moccasins wore out. My people sent me to get the white man’s Book of heaven. You took me to where they worship the Great Spirit with candles, and the Book was not there. You showed me images of the good spirits and pictures of the good land beyond, but the Book was not among them to tell us the way. I am going back the long, sad trail to my people of the dark land. You make my feet heavy with gifts, and my moccasins will grow old in carrying them, yet the Book is not among them. When I tell my poor blind people, after one more snow, in the big council that I did not bring the book, no word will be spoken by our old men, or by our young braves. One by one they will rise up and go out in silence. My people will die in darkness, and they will go on the long path to other hunting-grounds. No white man will go with them, and no white man’s Book to make the way plain. I have no more words.”
A young man present was so impressed with the touching address that he communicated with some friends in the East, giving them an account of the strange visit, and the pathetic appeal of the Indians for a Bible. His letter was published in the Christian Advocate of March, 1833. Many Christians were aroused to their responsibilities, and shortly afterward, after a toilsome and dangerous journey of many months, a little band of faithful-hearted servants of Christ landed at Oregon, and the first gospel sermon was preached on the Pacific Coast, at Vancouver, on the 28th of September, 1834.
The above is not fiction, but a plain statement of facts; and we call your attention to it that your sympathies may be stirred up, and you yourself led to, think of the millions still enshrouded in heathen darkness. Shall we fold our hands in sleepy indifference while myriads of our fellow-creatures have never even heard of a Saviour’s love?
Perhaps you are young, and for various reasons may not be able to carry the gospel in person to the regions beyond; “but if you love Christ, and are walking with Him, many ways of helping on His interests in the gospel will suggest themselves. You may have the privilege of ministering of your substance to those who have gone forth “taking nothing of the Gentiles” for Christ’s name sake. (3 John 7,7Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (3 John 7) Hebrews 13:1616But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)). Again, much may be done by earnest believing prayer. The great question, is, Are you, am I, according to the measure we have received, serving Christ as we have opportunity and ability?
Remember His word to you, while you watch and wait for Him, is, “Occupy till I come.” What does it mean? Perhaps it means that you should win those unconverted companions of yours for Christ. Nothing tells so powerfully on the unsaved as the quiet testimony of a consistent life. It may be those pleasure-seeking individuals who live near you are inwardly groaning under the burden of sin. If you only had their confidence, what a tale of misery they could pour into your ear. Make it your earnest, prayerful endeavor to gain them for Christ.
Shall I tell you how to qualify for the mission-field? Graduate at home. Let your school of divinity be the fireside circle. Let your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances know that the Saviour you serve has a heart large enough to take in even those who, with an open Bible in their hand, stalk religiously down the broad road to hell.
If you are faithful to Christ in the sphere where God has placed you, rest assured, dear young Christian, you will preach with life and lip, not because it is your duty to do so, but because you cannot help it. If your heart is wholly set upon Christ’s interests, be sure that, in His own time and way, He will conduct you to that corner of the field where you will be of most service to Him.
SELECTED.