And so on and on. The subjunctive mood, with its iks and uks and aks and chucks, was terribly formidable, still the march was onward, every week the drudgery became less and the pleasure greater, and every week I was able to enter more and more into conversation with those who formed my spiritual charge.
‘In my talk I made mistakes enough. Once I had a class of young men sitting around me, and was telling them of the creation of Adam and Eve. All went well until I came to speak of Eve’s creation; I got as far as “God created Eve out of one of Adam’s ——,” when something more than a smile broke forth from my companions. Instead of saying, “out of one of Adam’s ribs,” I had said, “out of one of Adam’s pipes.” Ospikakun is “his rib,” and ospwakun, “his pipe.”
‘After eight months I never used an interpreter in my public ministrations, and I had been in the country but a few days more than a twelvemonth, when, standing by the side of good Bishop Anderson, I interpreted his sermon to a congregation of Albany Indians. I say this with deep thankfulness to God for assisting me in my formidable undertaking.’
CHAPTER III
EARLY LIFE
Mr. Horden had not only a wonderful power of acquiring languages, but a wonderful power of adapting himself to all things, people, and circumstances. This stood him in good stead throughout his career. Born in Exeter, January 20, 1828, in humble circumstances, simply educated, apprenticed to a trade in early boyhood, he lived to attain a high position. All difficulties were overcome by his dauntless energy of purpose and unwavering perseverance.
He wished to study, but his father put him to a smithy. He desired to become a missionary, but his relatives discouraged the idea. He did not rebel, he did not kick against authority, but he neglected no opportunity to further his purpose. He read and thought, he attended evening Bible readings, he taught in the Sunday school, and when his indentures were out he left the anvil for the desk. He obtained the post of usher in a boys’ school. And now being independent, he offered himself to the Church Missionary Society, with a view to going to India as a lay agent, and he was accepted with the understanding that he would await a suitable opening, which might perhaps not occur for two or three years.
He was willing to wait, but his patience was not to be tried. The society learnt that the Wesleyans had withdrawn from Hudson’s Bay, and that there was great need of a teacher at Moose Fort. Here was an opening for a young man such as John Horden appeared to be. Hastily he was telegraphed for—Hudson’s Bay was not India! But he was willing to go. It were better he should take a wife with him. The lady was ready, like-minded with himself. They must start in three weeks. They agreed to do it. He went home, got married, and returned to London. The needful outfit was hastily prepared, and they started, as we have seen. Such in short is the story of our hero’s earlier life.
Large and varied were to be his experiences in his later years. The society at home hearing of his success with the Indians, his great progress in learning the language, and his ready adaptability to all the requirements of the post, had determined to send him to the Bishop of Rupert’s Land for ordination. ‘But,’ said the bishop, ‘this plan was formed in ignorance of the distance and difficulties of travelling in this part of the country, and I did not wish to expose Mr. Horden with wife and baby to it.’ Bishop Anderson chose rather to traverse his huge diocese and ordain the young missionary at Moose.
On the morning of June 28, in the year 1852, the start was made from St. Andrews, Red River, in a canoe decorated by one of the bishop’s scholars with a mitre and the Union flag at the stern, and at the bow a rose and duck. For the latter ‘I might have substituted the dove with the olive branch, had I known of it in time,’ says the bishop, ‘but it was done to surprise me, and the more familiar object was naturally enough selected.’ The provisions consisted largely of flour and pemmican, the clothing, of the bishop’s robes and a few necessaries, the bedding, of a pillow with a buffalo robe and blankets. The journey lasted six weeks. Throughout it the bishop confirmed, married, and baptized as he passed from post to post, and on arriving at Moose Fort the work was repeated. He found the Indians full of love and regard for their teacher. ‘He has their hearts and affections,’ he wrote, ‘and their eyes turn to him at once. This is his best testimonial for holy orders.’