MYSTERY OF PROVIDENCE.

221

know that he loves us; as we may know, likewise, that we are under his wrath, if we be governed by that carnal mind, which is enmity against Him." Happy are they, with whose spirit the Holy Spirit bears witness, that they are the children of God; who, in every afflictive dispensation, can see the faithfulness of their heavenly father, who chastens them only for their profit, that they may be partakers of his holiness; and who, in every temporal good, can see the gift of a gracious God, who does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men, and who rejoices even in the temporal prosperity of his servants, so far as it may be consistent with their higher welfare.

But still, as to external circumstances, there is one event to the righteous and the wicked, in this world. "Is David rich? so is Nabal. Is Joseph favoured by his prince? so is Naaman. Is Ahab killed in battle? so is Josiah. Are the bad figs carried to Babylon? so are the good." Jer. xxiv. 1. In these things the just shall live by faith, which rests on the

divine word, and which, while it finds a present rest, in the consideration of the faithfulness of Him who hath promised, still looks forward to that day, of which it is written: "Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not."

CHAPTER IX.

Continued effects of the awakening among the Esquimaux- -Their joy on receiving printed Hymn books from Europe-Generosity of the Christian Esquimaux-General state of the Congregations in 1810 -Death of a Missionary-Numbers of Esquimaux receiving Instruction in 1817-Their love of the Scriptures-The New Testament printed-Anecdotes-Sickness of a Missionary-Jubilee of the Mission-Arrival of an English Sloop of WarKindness of Captain Martin-Good conduct of the believing Esquimaux.

THE principal events connected with the establishment and growth of the Labrador Mission, up to the conclusion of the year 1807, have now been related; and henceforth the progress of the Gospel at the different Stations, furnishes not much more variety of incident, than might be found in the annals of a Christian congregation in our own country.

Until the year 1810 the blessed effects of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which have been before enumerated, continued to be manifested among the Esquimaux. In that year they received a very acceptable present from Europe-a collection of hymns in their own language. The feelings with which this gift was received, are thus described by the Missionaries: "Their joy on receiving the new hymn book, printed and sent out last year, was inexpressibly great. We wish our dear brethren had been present at the distribution, to see the fervent gratitude with which they were received. They entreated us with tears, to express their thankfulness to their fathers and brethren in the east, for this present, and for the trouble they had in putting it to print; and added, that they would not forget to pray to Jesus, to bless them richly for it."

In the year 1812, we still find the Missionaries rejoicing in the continued growth of their people in knowledge and grace; the accounts received from the three Settlements, may be summed up in the following extract from one of the letters.

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT.

225

Our

"With thanks to Him, we are able to say, that the walk of most of our Esquimaux has been such as to give us heartfelt joy. Saviour has led them, as the good Shepherd, in the way of life everlasting, and, by His Spirit, taught them to know, that, without Him, they can do nothing good. They set a value upon the word of God, and desire, in all respects, to live more in conformity to it. The love of our Saviour towards them excites their wonder; and they sometimes complain with tears, that they do not love Him, and give joy unto Him as they ought, for His great mercy vouchsafed unto them. The word of His cross, sufferings, and death, melts their hearts, and causes them truly to repent of, and abhor sin, which nailed him to the cross, and to mourn and cry for pardon. Instances of this blessed effect, of the doctrine of a crucified Saviour, we have seen in our public meetings, in our private converse with them, and in the schools. The latter

have been kept with all possible punctuality

and diligence.

"We can declare with truth, that Jesus