και γονυπετουσα,
ευχαισι λιτουσι
σαωσειν εμε.
Another digression might be made here, to show the difficulties previously overcome by the man who was to undertake “impossibilities” in Micmac Mission Work.
“Dec. 19th, 1864.—I am deeply impressed this morning with the grievous backsliding of the times. Surely there are no churches that at all come up to the requirements of the New Testament, nor to the description there given of the churches of those early times. Now, surely this cannot be the way, and there must be a reform. I saw and felt this when, in 1842, I was awakened—I may say renewed. I remember going to Halifax; I addressed the church one evening, and the next morning just after one of the most heavenly seasons of communion with God that was ever granted me, good brother Nutting called, deputed, I presume by (——), advising me that it would be much better for me to go up into the country, and giving me to understand that I was excited. So when I addressed the people at the Association at Wilmot that summer on the reality of the Gospel and the importance of giving it full credence, and became very earnest in my appeals, I was immediately put under medical treatment. Dr. Sawyers was advised to speak to me and advise me to abstain from every exciting scene and subject, as I was over-excited, that is, I was bordering on insanity. “So they wrap it up.” In all ages, those who follow the Lord fully are denounced as madmen. But shall I be cheated out of heavenly-mindedness and heaven by such puerilities?
“I am determined to embrace the Gospel with all my heart, and act upon it. I feel my strength renewed in so doing. I have devoted my time during the past year, as I never did before since I commenced the work of this Mission, in seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This last month in the year, which I might have devoted to the collecting of subscriptions, I have devoted to the work of the Mission. I have done it deliberately, and in order to glorify God. I have prayed, and laboured, and looked up to Him for help. He has already interposed in a most striking manner to supply present necessities. . . . I now feel satisfied that the course I am pursuing is right. I can look confidently up to my Father, and to the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him alone I make known my wants,—to Him alone I tell my plans. My creditors know nothing of it; my friends know nothing of my necessities. I purposely refrain from publishing them, because this would be an appeal to man after all, and not to God alone. I will let the people know when the time comes. I now feel, not willing to be deceived, not willing to find out that all my hopes, my peace, my confidence, has been delusion; no! I am not willing to find out that; that would be a most fearful calamity; but I am willing to find out that I have not learned the whole will of God. I am willing to be made wiser and better. I am perfectly willing to have my faith and patience tried, and I am willing to be disappointed in my expectations, provided this disappointment be sent to teach me wisdom, and show me a more excellent way.”
Perhaps it is the greatest grief that can come to an earnest, enthusiastic soul to be so grossly misunderstood by his co-labourers; and it is a melancholy case when worldly men and women take it upon themselves to explain the difference between being filled with the Holy Spirit, and being a prey to the vagaries of a crazed imagination.
And now we turn eagerly to that section of the Diary where he speaks of the beginning of the Mission.
“January 6th, 1849.—For the last two and a half years my Journal has been pretty much neglected. It is now resumed. Since July, 1846, I, with my family have been residing in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The church here is small. I have been labouring chiefly at Charlottetown. . . . The principal thing which has absorbed my attention during the past two years and a half is the learning of the Micmac language. I have made some progress. I can converse with them to some extent, read the Scriptures to them,—having translated about a dozen chapters—and am compiling quite a full vocabulary of their words. I have met with some assistance, especially in the officers of H. M. Brig “Gulnare,” employed in surveying the coast.