24 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS. 



very sensible as well as pleasant act. For when 

 the good dominie came back swarth and tough 

 as an Indian, elasticity in his step, fire in his eye, 

 depth and clearness in his reinvigorated voice, 

 would n't there be some preaching ! And what 

 texts he would have from which to talk to the 

 little folks in the Sabbath school ! How their 

 bright eyes would open and enlarge as he narrated 

 his adventures, and told them how the good 

 Father feeds the fish that swim, and clothes the 

 mink and beaver wdth their warm and sheeny fur. 

 The preacher sees God in the original there, and 

 often translates him better from his unwritten 

 works than from his written word. He will get 

 more instructive spiritual material from such 

 a trip than from all the "Sabbath-school festi- 

 vals " and " pastoral tea-parties " with which the 

 poor, smiling creature was ever tormented. It is 

 astonishing how much a loving, spiritually-minded 

 people can bore their minister. If I had a spite 

 against any clerical brother, and felt wicked 

 enough to indulge it, I would get his Sabbath- 

 school superintendent, a female city missionary, 

 and several " local visitors," with an agent of some 

 Western college thrown in for variety, and set 

 them all on to him ! 



" But how much does it cost to take such a 

 trip ? " I hear some good deacon inquire ; '' perhaps 

 we may feel disposed to take your advice." 



