CHAF. xix. ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONS. 333 



remounted his horse, and, following the shore of the 2fiilf, 



O " O 



reached Seven Islands at 2 A.M. 



Such actions win the esteem of the half-savage Mon- 

 tagnais and wholly savage Nasquapees with whom he 

 comes in contact, and are a most effectual means of 

 securing their lasting attachment. The influence which 

 Pere Arnatid exercises over these Indians is extraordinary ; 

 and it appears to be well earned by numerous acts of 

 charity, deeds of daring, and much self-denial, as well as 

 by an entire devotion to the object of his mission. 



It is, however, a sad subject for reflection to a Protes- 

 tant that such energy and constancy at all times and 

 seasons, so bright and cheering amidst the dark gloom 

 of Indian selfishness and degradation, should be clouded 

 by the semi-idolatrous superstition which permits such 

 scenes to be enacted as those described in the following 

 chapter, and such impressions to be produced upon 

 heathen minds of the nature of the Christian religion as 

 images, processions, amulets, and beads are capable of 

 creating. It is probably one of the secrets of the remark- 

 able success which has accompanied the efforts of Koman 

 Catholic missionaries among savage tribes, that the forms 

 of their religious ceremonies appeal so forcibly to the 

 eye and the imagination, and tend to awaken sympathies 

 in the hearts of uncultivated natures, naturally prone to 

 the grossest superstition, and ever willing to believe in 

 superior influences visibly represented. 



