wn in the human heart there is a longing for something
which is only really satisfied by the acceptance of the Lord Jesus
Christ. It is true that these inner feelings may be long hidden from
outer vision, or there may be an endeavour to satisfy their cravings by
the vigorous exercise of all the religious ceremonies that have been
revealed to them in their idolatrous or pagan surroundings; but when
they can be induced to speak out and unburden their very souls, their
bitter wailing cry is one of dissatisfaction and unrest. Happy is the
missionary who can so win the confidence of a people thus dissatisfied,
that they will reveal to him their heart's burdens and longings. His
victory is more than half assured. Christ in His fulness, lovingly
presented to such, and accepted by them, is soon in their hearts a
satisfying portion.

The missionary ever finds among all classes of pagan people that the
Book is always considered a mysterious and wonderful volume. Its
marvellous incidents ever attract. They never tire of the services
where it has a prominent place. Sermons, even though hours in duration,
if full of its truths, will be attentively listened to.

One day at one of these places where I was holding some extended
services, I said to the friendly Indians who were around me: "Would you
not like to read this Book for yourselves?" A chorus of hearty
affirmative answers, was the quick response. It did not take us long to
organise our school, for it was indeed a primitive affair. I was
fortunate in having a goodly number of syllabic Bibles, which, at a
great deal of trouble, we had brought with us in our canoe. We had
carried them across many a portage and had guarded them from injury in
many a storm. Not one person in that audience except my boatmen, knew a
letter or syllabic character. We had no primary books, which are
considered so essential in organising a school that has to begin at
first principles; we had not even a slate, pencil, paper, or blackboard.
However, "necessity is the mother of invention," and it was so here.

Near at hand was a huge rock that towered up like a house, one side of
it being as smooth as a wall. This constituted an admirable substitute
for a blackboard. Burnt sticks from the camp-fire, where our fish and
bear's meat had been cooked, were used as substitutes for chalk. (Our
smaller illustration shows thirty-six syllabic characters with their
names.)

After a few words of expl