e physical sufferings and privations endured; but,
fired by a noble ambition to preach the Gospel "in the region beyond,"
these men of God considered no sufferings too severe, or difficulties
insurmountable, if only they could succeed. They were among those of
whom it is said:

"Fired with a zeal peculiar, they defy
The rage and rigour of a northern sky,
And plant successfully sweet Sharon's rose
On icy fields amidst eternal snows."

Wherever they could gather the wandering Indians together, even in
little companies, for religious worship they did so. On the banks of
the lakes or rivers, in the forests, at their camp fires, or in their
wigwams, they ceased not to speak and to preach Jesus. The result was,
a spirit of inquiry was abroad, and so, in spite of the old conjurers
and medicine-men, who were determined, if possible, not to lose their
grip upon them, there was a longing to know more and more about this
better way.

Norway House Mission was the spot to which many eyes were directed, and
to which deputations asking for missionary help often came. It was the
largest and most flourishing of those northern missions, and for years
had its own printing press and successful schools.

Very pathetic and thrilling were some of the scenes in connection with
some of these importunate Indian deputations, who came from remote
regions to plead with the resident missionary that they might have one
of their own, to live among them and help them along in the right way.

One deputation, consisting of old men, came year after year, and when
still refused each successive year, because there was none to volunteer
for a life so full of hardships, and no money in the missionary
treasury, even if a man could be found, became filled with despair, and
even bitterness, and said: "Surely then the white men do not, as they
say, consider us as their brothers, or they would not leave us without
the book of heaven and one of their members to show us the true way."

Another old man, with bitterness of soul and tremulousness of speech,
when replying to the refusal of his request for a missionary for his
people, said: "My eyes have grown dim with long watching, and my hair
has grown grey while longing for a missionary." These importunate
appeals, transmitted year after year to the missionary authorities, at
length, in a measure, so aroused the Churches that more help was sent,
but not before the toilers on the ground had almost