ANOTHER clear, calm Sunday morning dawned. All nature seemed to be at rest. The missionary had staid over night with a newly married couple. He found them kind and social, and the young man volunteered his help in the Sunday-school. The hour of ten came, and the school-house was again filled to overflowing. The children were there in full force. God bless the children! What hopes filled their little hearts! Visions of books, papers and pictures floated before their eyes.
The missionary was called upon to conduct the exercises. After singing and prayer, he took as the basis of a few remarks, the[70] words: “Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, ‘lovest thou me more than these?’ He saith unto Him, ‘yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.’ He saith unto him, ‘feed my lambs.’” What he said was to the point, and disarmed all open opposition. A vote was taken on the question: “Will we now organize a Sunday-school?” This was carried by a handsome majority. When the chairman said: “All who are opposed rise to your feet,” Mr. Steele and a few others did so, but the odds against them being so great, they were ashamed, and soon left.
A superintendent was now elected, and happily the choice fell upon Mr. Brown. The subordinate officers were chosen in like manner. A collection was then taken up, which proved to be a liberal one.
The children were formed into classes, and volunteer teachers appointed. A Bible class for adults was also formed, and a short lesson assigned for the following Sunday. The[71] doxology was sung, and the people were dismissed. Thus the good cause seemed to be triumphing over opposition.
A man who lived in an adjoining settlement had come to this meeting, and being favorably impressed with the appearance and manner of the missionary, and the Sunday-school movement, he invited him to pay a visit to the settlement in which he lived, and endeavor to organize a school there.
“I will come,” was the laconic reply to the man who gave the invitation. “I will be there by Monday evening.”
After obtaining proper directions for finding the place, he took leave of this friend and returned with Mr. Brown. The remainder of the afternoon was employed in giving the superintendent of the newly organized school all needful instructions as to its management, and the best methods of teaching. They both felt happy over the prospects of the enterprise.
Again we find the devoted laborer in the[72] vineyard of the Lord, acting upon his Master’s command. He is now on his way to the neighboring settlement. His journey lay through wood and valley, over hills and prairies—the latter, however, not very extensive. Reaching the settlement, he, in due time, arrived at the house of his friend, where everything had been made ready for his reception. A meal was prepared in a short time, and the missionary partook of it with a decided relish. The long walk and the cordial welcome tended greatly to sharpen his appetite.
The reader will pardon a slight digression. We have followed this servant of God through shadow and sunshine, in his efforts to promote the interests of Christ’s kingdom. Let us compare his lot with that of many ministers of the Gospel. Alas! how many are there who, because they cannot possess life’s luxuries as well as its comforts, abandon a field in which they might do good! The master has said: “He that taketh not his cross and followeth[73] after me, is not worthy of me.” Coming back to our missionary, we find him chatting with the children. They were at first rather shy, but his gentle, winning manner soon brought them to his side, and in a very short time they were most excellent friends. In the meantime their father, Mr. Mason, had returned (havin............