found they could carry on a profitable trade in oil and furs. The climate also would seem to have been less severe at that period. At all events, the Norwegians braved it; and, in old history, there is mention of churches on the Greenland coast, and even monasteries, with bishops who took charge of them. But in the fifteenth century some change in the position of the Arctic ice made the country inaccessible for purposes of trade, and the fate of the colonists is not exactly known. The story remained as a kind of half tradition of the past. In the beginning of last century Mr. Hans Egede, a good clergyman in the north of Norway, was led to feel a strangely deep interest in the old tale, and read and meditated on the subject, till he felt impelled to go himself, and endeavour to discover if any traces could be found of his countrymen on these desolate shores, or of the gospel they had once carried there."

"What a strange fancy! Was he really a good man ?” "Truly pious, though probably rather an enthusiastic and eccentric character. Such men are often made use of in the wise providence of God."

"Had he a wife?"

"Yes, and young children. His wife, though a woman of earnest piety, was naturally greatly startled when he first told her of his plans, and she and other friends did all in their power to persuade him that the idea was absurd and fanatical."

"Did they succeed?"

"For a time. He sent a memorial to the Danish Government, and to some of the Norwegian bishops, representing the duty of taking up the case, and tried to be satisfied that he had now done all in his power. But no, he soon became miserable again; his conscience gave him no rest night or day, and the words of Christ seemed always in his mind-He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.' His poor wife was now also in much distress. She feared that her husband would lose his reason, and yet she dared not face the idea of removing with her young children from their comfortable home to a land of savages and of perpetual snow, even for the sake of the Saviour whom she loved."

"Do you think she was wrong, mamma?"

"I cannot blame her, Anne; I am sure I should have been even more rebellious in her circumstances. But soon after this some sad trials were sent to them, and enemies raised up, so that the comfort of their home was much impaired, and then Egede asked his wife if this was not the chastisement of the Lord for their reluctance to give up all for his service? She thought and prayed much over the matter, and at last God gave peace and rest to her soul in complete submission to His holy will; and she said to her husband that she was now made

willing to go with him to the ends of the earth, if Jesus called them. And from that time her faith became the stronger of the two."

"And did they go then?"

"There were many difficulties to be overcome, and it was years before all things could be settled. At last, in 1721, Mr. and Mrs. Egede, with four children, sailed for Greenland, along with a number of persons who were to form a trading settlement. Egede was appointed minister of the colony, and missionary to the heathen."

"How did they succeed?"

66

They met with all manner of trials and dangers, and their companions soon lost heart altogether. I cannot tell you all the story, it would be too long. The faith of Mrs. Egede never failed, and once, when every one else threatened to leave them and return to Norway, she yet refused to prepare for the voyage, saying she was sure God would send them help."

"And was she obliged to go?"

"No; at the very last moment two ships appeared, with provisions and encouragement from Government to continue the mission. But at length, after ten years' struggle against difficulties and privations, it was resolved to give up the attempt to form a colony, and every one left the place except the devoted missionary family and a few sailors. Soon after the Moravian missionaries arrived from Germany. But we must leave their his

tory till next Sabbath evening, for it is time for wor

ship."

"Look, Fanny is sound asleep," said Tommy. "Papa, are you sleeping too?"

"Not at all, my dear. I have been listening attentively, and trying to fancy ourselves, like the Egede family, going away from our comfortable home here to be missionaries in Greenland."

"O papa," exclaimed Anne, "I do hope God is not going to make you think that would be right !"

"I do not think you need be afraid of that. But I do feel that this story may well make us all ashamed to think how little we do for Jesus now, and how unwilling we often are to give up even a little of our own ease and comfort for His cause."

"Now, papa," said Mrs. Campbell, "it is time that the little ones were sent to bed. Let us sing 'From

Greenland's Icy Mountains' together, and then have prayers."

before.

II.

MORAVIAN MISSIONS.

"Now, mamma," said Anne, "let us hear more of the Egedes. I have often thought of them this last week, when I was very cold."

"So have I, with new thankfulness for all our comforts."

"But what became of the family? Did the children not die of cold?"

"No; the children, as far as I have read, did not suffer in health so much as their parents, from all their hardships. And indeed the severe climate of these northern countries does not appear to be so fatal, by any means, to Europeans, as that of the warmer regions where you, Anne, are so often wishing yourself."

"But," asked George, "did they make many converts