The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-02
The Poor Indians Offering.

The Poor Indians Offering.
1t Is recorded of young Indian chief,
with wife and family, in Upper Canada,
that on one occasion he left the camp of
his people, and retired to considerable
distance in the forest for the purpose of
hunting. Shortly after reaching his new
place of abode, his supply of provisions
having become exhausted, he. went forth
as usual, in quest of game, but soon dis
covered that his former good fortune had
deserted him; the animals, as if appraised
OF his intentions, returning to safe dis
lance out of the reach of gun-shot. Fooled
In his purpose, the poor Indian renewed
his exertions; but failure attended every
attempt Discouraged, after long and
persevering efforts, remembering his iso-
lated condition and the pressing necessi-
ties of his family, which had been living
for more than three days on wild roots,
he paused, weary and faint, and, taking
his seat on log of wood out of sight, but
so that he could hear his little children
playing around the wigwam, he fell into
a train of meditation. He looked up
ward to the blue arch above him, and be-
held the beautiful sky and bright sun,
and casting his eyes around him, he saw
the green grass, the waving trees, and the
flowing water, and he said to himself:
"These things came not here by their
own bidding; there must be a cause for
them; they could not produce themselves,
and, therefore, they must have been
created! And who is their Creator !?
Surely he must be the Great Spirit /
wish the Great Spirit would bless poor
Indian, that his furnishing wife and fami-
ly might not starve.'
Then he thought that perhaps he must
give the Great Spirit something, so that he
might bless him. And what had he !?
There was his blanket; though it had
done him good service, and was still much
needed, he would give it up to Him if He
would bless him. So he took the blanket
in his hand and laid it on log, and with
upturned eyes said: Here, Great Spirit,
accept this blanket, and bless poor Indian,
that he may find food, and that his wife
and family may not starve." The anguish
of his heart was undated No mama
fell from heaven to afford relief The
offering did not suffice What must he
now do? A tomahawk hung in his belt;
could he spare that? Yes, if that was
what the Great Spirit required, he
thought he could. He advanced as be-
fore, and laid it upon the log, and said
80 Great Spirit take my tomakawk; it
is all poor Indian has He has nothing
else to give; take it and bless me, and
give me food for my children" But, alas !
no answer came The burden rests still
on his bosom. And what can he do now
There was his gun, his only means of OBJ
tanning game, his sole support, and hith-
erto his unfailing friend How could he
spare that? Must he part with that also
He paused, but, pressed down by his for
lorn condition, almost hopeless, he took
the gun in his hand, and laid it on the
log and sobbed out: 30 Great Spirit,
take my gun, too it is all poor Indian
has; he has nothing more. Take it, and
bless poor Indian, that his wife and chill
dren may not starve." Still the messen-
ger of love came not.
Almost broken hearted, he started to
his feet, ray of light flashed through
his mind. He would go to that rude
altar again and offer himself up to the
Great Spirit So he sat down on the log
with his blanket, his tomahawk, and his
gun by his side, and said Here, Great
Spirit, poor Indian has given up all that
he has; he has nothing more; so take
poor Indian, too, and bless him, that he
may find food for his furnishing family,
that they may not starve.
In a momont change comes over the
scene, and everything seems smiling and
joyous. His soul is filled with happiness
such as he had never felt before. AS he
contemplates, lol deer comes bounding
toward him from the thicket; he raises
his gun and secures him. Thus was his
offering accepted and his prayer answer.
ed, and he was ever afterward successful
in hunting On returning to his family,
the poor Indian told them what had hap
pened; and, thinking that if he left the
blanket, the tomahawk, and the gun on
the log, they would be of no use to any
one, he took them with him, and told the
Great Spirit that he would take care of
them for HIM, and use them subject to
His will, and that henceforth he would
regard himself, and all that he had, as
belonging to him.
When the hunting season was over,
the young chiefreturned to his tribe; and
soon afterwards, hearing for the first time
the teaching Of Christian missionary,
while seated with his red brethren and
sisters, and listening attentively to the
speaker as he told them thew must nine