1636.] FERVORS FOR THE MISSION. 151 



A considerable reinforcement came out with 

 Montmagny, and among the rest several men of 

 birth and substance, with their families and de- 

 pendants. '' It was a sight to thank God for," 

 exclaims Father Le Jeune, "to behold these deli- 

 cate young ladies and these tender infants issuing 

 from their wooden prison, like day from the shades 

 of night." The Father, it will be remembered, had 

 for some years past seen nothmg but squaws, with 

 papooses swathed like mummies and strapped to a 

 board. 



He was even more pleased with the contents 

 of a huge packet of letters that was placed in 

 his hands, bearing the signatures of nuns, priests, 

 soldiers, courtiers, and princesses. A great in- 

 terest in the mission had been kindled in France. 

 Le Jeune's printed Relations had been read with 

 avidity; and his Jesuit brethren, who, as teachers, 

 preachers, and confessors, had spread themselves 

 through the nation, had successfully fanned the ris- 

 ing flame. The Father Superior finds no words for 

 his joy. " Heaven," he exclaims, '•' is the conductor 

 of this enterprise. Nature's arms are not long 

 enough to touch so many hearts."^ He reads how 

 in a single convent, thirteen nuns have devoted 

 themselves by a vow to the work of converting the 

 Indian women and children; how, in the church 

 of Montmartre, a nun lies prostrate day and night 

 before the altar, praying for the mission ; ^ how 



1 " C*est Dieu qui conduit cette entreprise. La Nature n'a pas les 

 bras assez longs," etc. — Relation, 1636, 3. 



2 Brebeuf, Relation des Hurons, 1636, 76. 



