Rand and the Micmacs

by Jeremiah S. Clark

The first missionaries among the Micmacs, as is well known, were Roman Catholics, who had begun work almost as soon as the French first visited Acadian shores. These faithful workers learned the language and reduced it to writing, using for this purpose however, not letters but characters. The characters used were partly such as were found in use among the Indians, and partly invented at the time. In this manner a prayer-book was constructed for their use, which was almost their only literature for two hundred years. The book had never been printed, but copied by hand with immense labour, and committed to memory; the characters, each of which represented a word, serving as little more than aids to the memory. As soon as a rival missionary organization appeared in the form of the Micmac Mission, with Dr. Rand translating the Scriptures into Micmac, the Roman Catholic authorities hastened to improve their methods, and, as an offset, had this prayer-book printed at immense labour and cost, as several dies had to be cut, and types formed to represent all the words used. It is the work of a clever German priest, and is a marvel of literary skill and perseverance. I have almost quoted Dr. Rand here, and he adds: “But so far as use is concerned, to say nothing of its theological errors, it is one of the grossest literary blunders that was ever perpetrated.” Dr. Rand did not realize then that some of his own translations into Micmac which were published in Isaac Pitman’s phonetic method might be regarded very much in the same light by many critics of the following generation, critics who also say that as the Indians could not read, it seems absurd to have prepared books for them, especially the Scriptures, since they were all nominally Roman Catholics, and would not be allowed to receive them, much less to learn to read them.

The labour of the next fifteen years was so exacting that few entries were made in the Diary, and these few were noted down hastily in Shorthand. If you, my reader, would know of the weary hours of toil, and of the victories won, you must kindly wait until a biography has been written. Dr. Rand was guaranteed a salary, but the collecting of that salary was left for him to do. Who ever heard of such a paradox? Meetings must be held far removed from the scenes of his labours, and people must be entertained and “moved” before the contribution box was passed. It was during these years too, that Ben Christmas gave him so much trouble and disappointment, and on this account many people refused to further aid the undertaking. Do you wonder that Dr. Rand wearied of collecting from those who simply contributed to the work in order to smother down the qualms of conscience? Do you wonder that he found it difficult to co-operate with people who would leave him to carry the whole load, while they calmly calculated his progress, or entirely forgot about the work?

Having read the life of David Brainerd, and learning now of what was called the Muller method of trusting, Dr. Rand was encouraged to shake himself free from the work of raising funds for the Mission; and from that time on he looked to God alone for his support, asking no man for a single cent. How God accepted and blessed him we shall see.

“April 9th, 1865.—(Hantsport.) . . . Had a good mission visit to old Brooks’ family. Found the old man very tender. I took him into the waggon and gave him a drive, and he told me his experience,—quite satisfactory. He has been in great distress about his soul, but he has come into liberty. He can rejoice in the Lord; the Bible is precious to him; he is affected with the love and mercy of Christ, he is not afraid to die and he wants to be baptized. I have agreed to drive him through to Hantsport and keep him for a week, when, if I am satisfied still, I will baptize him.

“11th.—I visited Newel yesterday afternoon. He seems to be sinking rapidly. Read two chapters to him. He listened attentively, and, when his wife interrupted, he asked her to be quiet, as he wished to hear. He said he liked to have me come and read to him. I intend to go often.

“13th. . . . News has just been received that General Lee has surrendered to General Grant, which virtually ends the war. . . . Staid all night at Bro. W. Church’s; rose early and had a quiet time reading and praying in secret. About nine o’clock I went on to see the Indians. Mrs. Church expressed a desire to go with me, so I drove her out to the Forks of the Avon. We had a pleasant visit. I read several chapters; the story of the crucifixion in Matthew. They were attentive. I prayed and sang. Mrs. Brooks appeared pleasant. I remember very well when she used to seem frightened as though a bear were prowling around.

“Sept. 25th, 1867.—(Charlottetown.) I went to Rosebank, praying that I might have some success, and expecting some opposition. Just before arriving at the encampment I turned into the woods and spent a little time in prayer. I walked up to the first wigwam, found the man outside pounding splits. He seemed friendly; conversed freely; when his wife came out and invited me in. I entered, and soon produced my book and read Genesis 1-2-3. After conversing a while I bid them good-bye, and walked on. Stopped to converse a little with Peter Mitchell, who was building a canoe. He was short and crusty; I walked on, and found a good-looking fellow outdoors at his work. I sat down on the shavings and entered into conversation with him. “Old Jim” Mitchell soon made his appearance, and pretty soon, in a loud excited voice enquired what the Lord required of us; but he gave me but little chance to answer his question. I said “I’ll read you the question and the answer,” so I turned to John VI., 28-29, and read. I continued reading until he interrupted me; and soon Peter made his appearance, and a woman who chimed in with “Old Jim.” Peter seemed quite zealous, ordered me to decamp, flourished his crooked knife at me, and talked big. I quietly kept my reclining posture, telling him that I should attend to my business, and he must attend to his, that he was under no obligation to hear me, and might go away if he chose. . . . I felt a little thrill of holy delight at this little specimen of persecution, it seemed to draw me nearer to the Apostles, and to our blessed Lord. Met an intelligent Indian at the market-house from Malpec with whom I conversed for some time.”

During his visit to Cavendish on October 27th, 1864, he spoke of visiting at the home of David McNeill. While there he preached in the Presbyterian Church. He mentions that no collection was asked for or taken, but some small sums of money were handed to him; then, giving this as a sample of many entries, to quote his own words: “Next morning Mrs. Murray, wife of the minister, called on us before breakfast, and brought us a donation of ten shillings. Soon after another friend called and handed me two pairs of socks and a five shilling bill. Soon, another five shilling bill was given me by the young man at whose house we had been lodged. The evening before, Mrs. John McNeill had asked us to call and see her husband who is troubled with asthma. We called and had a good visit. I read the 21st of Revelation, and commented on the glorious city. As we came away Mrs. McN. put a pound note into my hand. This made, presents and all, three pounds, two and sixpence, and they may take a collection besides.

“These donations, given and received in this way, make, I must say, a sweet impression upon my heart. I take them as coming more immediately from my Heavenly Father than if they had been solicited personally by me.

“Monday, 15th Feb., 1869.—(Halifax.)—I have only six cents. I wish much to obtain some things for my wife. I think I will purchase them. I thought of going home to-day; I think now that I will wait till morning. I have been constantly praying for mercy and grace to help in time of need.