248 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



every vice. Circling lower and lower in the indul- 

 gence of his passions, he becomes a centre from 

 which radiate hellish forces. He lends himself to 

 the devil as a satanic agent. 



What a contrast to this is presented in the picture 

 of the Christlike life of patient endurance of the 

 messengers of the Gospel. Like the Master they 

 came not to be ministered unto but to minister, 

 and to live not only among but for the people to 

 whom they are sent. Soon after the occurrence 

 above mentioned, both Mr. Peck and Mr. Parker 

 undertook a tour on the ice in the neighbourhood 

 of Kikkerton, to work among the Eskimos of that 

 station and any others they might find. It is im- 

 possible for us at home fully to grasp what these 

 missionary trips mean. The cold registered was 

 often from 30 to 40 below zero. When night 

 came no hut of any kind would be found to welcome 

 them. The frozen sea was their flooring. They 

 would pile up blocks of frozen snow and spread their 

 canvas over the open top and thus shut out the 

 elements as best they could. " When the shelter was 

 completed our spirit-lamp was lit, our kettle 

 filled with snow, and patiently we waited till the 

 water boiled. Parker made some cocoa, and in the 

 midst of a vapour, which froze as soon as it reached 

 our canvas roof, we drank with avidity the warm 

 and refreshing beverage. 



" After shutting up the tiny hole, which we had 



