DAYBREAK IN CUMBERLAND SOUND 223 



(some 170 being now on the island) were not able 

 to catch seals, and consequently were in great need. 

 Some of them, wishing to propitiate their evil 

 spirits, commenced their conjuring practices, think 

 ing their incantations would have the desired effect 

 of changing the weather. I spoke to them at our 

 meeting of the power and love of God, and exhorted 

 them to repent and turn to Jesus if they desired His 

 great salvation. Thank God, some gave heed to 

 the word spoken ; but no one (I imagine) except 

 ourselves can fully understand our position. We 

 are here in the depth of a trying winter, in the midst 

 of a starving and heathen people, without human 

 sympathy or support. No wonder the Prince of 

 Darkness tries to shake our faith. No wonder at 

 times anxious thoughts rush into our minds." 



Again, towards the end of January, the people 

 were reduced to straits from hunger. The mis 

 sionaries brought the needs of the people before 

 God in prayer, and asked Him, who brought the 

 fishes to the net of the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, 

 to give the people of Blacklead Island success in 

 hunting. " We had," Mr. Peck writes, in conse 

 quence, " the joy of seeing five seals brought home." 

 But the joy was balanced by anxiety of a fresh kind. 

 " To our great sorrow and dismay we were told that 

 some of the people had been driven out to sea on a 

 field of ice. We are praying earnestly to God for 

 them." But a trial of this kind was but the leading 



