32 JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS PSYCHOLOGY 



another part of the house&quot; (16. 1: 156), is significant as show 

 ing their manner both of suppressing their own feelings and of 

 preventing trouble. Rink strikingly sums up the matter when 

 he says, The general mode of uttering annoyance at an offence 

 is by silence.&quot; (Cf. 1. 1:62.) 



Hans Egede tells us that when they saw the sailors quarrel 

 and fight they regarded their conduct as inhuman. &quot;They do 

 not consider each other as human beings,&quot; they said. When 

 an officer struck one of his subordinates they said, &quot;He treats 

 his fellow-men as dogs.&quot; (19:69.) A Cumberland Sound 

 tale gives an example of how they regard ill-humored and 

 quarrelsome people. (6:285.) 



Their disinclination to dispute an argument leads to an 

 appearance of great credulity, even when they themselves have 

 their doubts. Paul Egede relates an incident when, &quot;from 

 courtesy, everybody believed all I said. Then women requested 

 needles from me for their willingness to believe.&quot; (20:123; 

 cf. 19:126.) When a missionary expressed skepticism about 

 their assertion that they had killed a bear which was so big that 

 the ice on its back never melted, they said, &quot;We have believed 

 what you tell us, but you will not believe what we tell you.&quot; 

 (43:310.) 



10. SENSE OF JUSTICE AND MERCY 



We find evidence not only of forbearance with injuries but 

 actual forgiveness, even in cases where severe punishment would 

 be justifiable. Hall tells us of an old man who confessed the 

 wrong he had done another years ago (deserting him when starv 

 ing). The latter avowed that he no longer retained any ill- 

 feeling. &quot;Then the two men sealed their renewed friendship 

 with jests.&quot; (26:278.) Two Greenland tales strikingly illus 

 trate the principle of returning good for evil. 



In one a father had been tormented by suitors for his daughter, be 

 cause he would not give her up. The family had to move away. But 

 intelligence reached them that the men who had once scorned and abused 

 them were living in great want, and the old man determined to help 

 them, which he did. Ye said that ye would deny me your assistance 

 if ever I came in want, now help yourself, if ye please, and eat as much 

 as ever ye like.&quot; (53: 185.) Another tells of a poor orphan boy, whom 

 a wicked man scorned and scared. The boy, by magic, secured the man s 

 harpoon and hunting bladder. He invited all the men to come to a 



