300 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



seeming grievances with a colleague, which in 

 other circumstances or surroundings would soon 

 be lost sight of these are factors, and sometimes 

 weighty ones too, which try what manner of men we 

 are. On the other hand we have a good school 

 for faith, prayer, and patience. There are times 

 when one is brought, so to speak, in contact with 

 the heavenly powers ; God becomes a reality, faith 

 is strengthened, and hope is brightened." 



It is impossible, however, to exhaust in one de- 

 scription the different kinds of trials that beset any 

 life. For instance, we might think that the home 

 which we have had vividly brought into our view 

 would be proof against the variations of weather 

 and thermometer that even Cumberland Sound 

 could produce. But it is not so. Even in January 

 we read of a most wonderful and by no means 

 agreeable change of weather which took place: 

 " A warm wave of air has been wafted along here 

 by the heavy southerly gale, and the consequence 

 is that we are in a most uncomfortable state. A 

 kind of rime forms on the inside of our roof, chiefly 

 on account of the steam issuing from the kettles, 

 etc. This is thawing and dropping down in every 

 direction. The snow porches which we have had 

 built outside our doors are falling down and alto- 

 gether we are in a lively condition." 



Probably we have seen sufficient now of the 

 inner thoughts and outward life of the missionaries 



