Delivered from the Serpent’s Coils
By W. A. S.
VERY early in the history of the Moravian movement, those early pioneers of missions had pressed into the Guianas of South America. The lowlands were fever traps, and the forests were infested with wild beasts and deadly serpents. Sir Walter Raleigh had explored the rivers of the country in pursuit of the fabled “El Dorado,” where the very sands of the lake were to be golden, and the city to be of gold and precious pearl. It was not for love of gold that the Moravian pioneers entered the unknown lands beyond the coast plantations. They loved the souls of men, and plunged into the wilderness4to bring the gospel feast to the Arawaks and Caribs, and the equally fierce Bush Negroes of the interior. One day, while alone in his station, on the River Corentyn, the missionary Dahue had an experience, thus told in his own language:— One evening, being unwell, and going to lie down in my hammock, upon entering the door of my hut, I perceived a large serpent descending upon me from a shelf near the roof. In the scuffle, the creature stung or bit me two or three times in the head, and, pursuing me very closely, twined itself several times round my head and neck. Supposing that this would be the occasion of my departing this life, I, for the satisfaction of my brethren, wrote the cause of my death in a few words with chalk upon the table, “A serpent has killed me,” lest they should charge the Indians with the deed. But, on a sudden, that promise of our Saviour to his disciples was impressed upon my mind, “They shall take up serpents; and . . . it shall not harm them” (Mark 16:18), and, seizing the creature with great force, I tore it loose and flung it out of the hut. I then lay down to rest in the peace of God. Although for years denied Christian companionship, beset by perils from the hostile Indians, and weakened by illness, the simple faith of the missionary made real the companionship of the One who had promised, “Lo, I am with you alway,” and he declares that he passed his time “in happiness and peace.” The hearts of the natives were touched at last, and hundreds were baptized.