"THE HEAVENS ARE CHANGING."
By Editor
WE clip this touching little story from the Home Mission Echo. Can our children, to whom the story of Christ's love has been familiar from their infancy, fancy the solemn gladness of those who first learn it, as did this old chief after years of darkness? Dr. Sheldon Jackson, who has been engaged in mission work in Alaska for years, says: "I have never seen a people so susceptible to the truth, and so eager to receive it, as the Alaskans." He relates a number of instances of their desire to hear the message of the white man. One old chief came from a long distance to the missionary, saying he had heard that a white man had brought a letter from the Great Spirit to his people. Could he see it? It was shown him. Coming up to the book and touching it reverently, he said: "Does He say anything in it about my people? You are sure it is from the Great Spirit? And is there anything in it about me? And will you bring it to my people?" The missionary promised to go with it to his village. At his coming flags were displayed, and a cannon was fired as a welcome. The missionary was given a seat of honor in an underground habitation. Two medicine men came out from a curtained corner of the room. One after another came out slowly and solemnly, and, after gazing upward to the sky through the smoke hole in the roof, said, "The heavens are changing." This form of symbolism indicated their willingness to hear the message from the white man. The missionary told them of the good tidings of a Saviour of the world; of a Saviour who was their Saviour as well as of the white man. At the close of the message the old chief lifted his eyes, and said: "The heavens indeed are changing. We thank the Great Spirit for having pity on us, for sending his boy to take the bad out of people. We thank thee that thou hast sent the white man with thy letter. Help us to listen and obey." Has not a message been given us from the Great Spirit—a message urging us to hasten with light and comfort to the Alaskans, to a people who are looking to us for help, to children who are looking to us for home, shelter, and eternal life? May we, like the Alaskan chief, pray the Father that he will help us to listen and obey.—Selected.