280 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



by making large kettles of soup, and feeding in this 

 manner about twenty families a day. I think the 

 people, in some cases at least, appreciated our 

 kindness. In any case we must do what we can 

 for Christ. Too often we expect to be, as it were, 

 propped up by the good wishes and gratitude of our 

 fellow creatures. But it is wiser to look to Jesus 

 and to do what we do for Him. He certainly never 

 disappoints us." 



Times of real anxiety were not unknown to the 

 missionaries lest their own stock of provisions should 

 fail. This was not at all impossible, humanly 

 speaking. For it must always be borne in mind 

 that their food supplies depended upon the 

 arrival of one small sailing vessel, which had to 

 accomplish a perilous voyage. If by any chance 

 she failed in her mission, the season would be too 

 far advanced with ice for any other to make the 

 attempt. So the diary says : " We have a heavy 

 drain on our limited stock of provisions, and alto- 

 gether our surroundings are far from pleasant. 

 However, we seek to stay our minds upon God, 

 and to take our cares to Him." 



In 1899 the danger just spoken of seemed really 

 to threaten. In May, "the people on the island 

 were very much in need of food. We can do little 

 for them as we have given away nearly all our stock. 

 The weather has been most changeable of late, and 

 the distress is great. May the Lord in answer to 



