A Christian Indian, whom we have known for many years, gave this account of one of his hunting experiences in his younger days.
He went out one day to shoot partridges, when he came upon the fresh track in the snow of a moose, and so he followed it. After a long tramp of, I think, more than a day, he came upon a moose, either the one he first tracked or another, I do not remember it all, as it was some time ago that he gave the account.
He soon had a meal off it and skinned it. And being far from his home he camped for the night. He had not taken his blanket with him as he had not intended being away long, so he took the skin of the moose and placed part of it on the ground with the hair side up, and propped up the other part for a shelter, and then lay down and slept quite soundly. But when he awoke, he found to his dismay, that he could scarcely move a limb, except, I think, his, feet, for the turned-up part of the skin had fallen over him, and had frozen hard. He was able, however, by degrees, by moving his feet, to loosen it and at last got out. Thus God graciously preserved him from a sad death.
Dear children, do you remember that it is only through the Lord’s having atoned for sin that God can be kind to man in any way, for He not only lovingly cares for those who are His own, but He is also “kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Man, that is everyone on the earth, deserved entire destruction on account of sin, but “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God is “long-suffering, not willing that any should perish,” but all who will not believe God and accept Jesus as their Saviour, will have to bear the punishment for their sins, and that for eternity. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
ML 03/13/1904