Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/150

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146
The Trail of the Golden Horn

in his work among the Indians. For long years he and his faithful wife laboured among the tribes of the wandering foot. They won them from heathen ways, and the influence of the Medicine Men. A log church was built, and in due time a school for the children. A linguist of no mean ability, Mr. Norris learned the native tongue, and gave the Indians hymns, prayers, and portions of Scripture in their own language. It was a happy community, uncontaminated by any of the degenerating influences of so-called civilisation. When the Indians returned from the hills, the church and mission house were always filled with earnest seekers after the truth, and the hearts of the missionaries overflowed with thankfulness to Him who had wrought such wonders through their humble efforts.

Often they would look upon the great mountains, and in their majesty and surrounding strength they would see the encompassing arms of the Almighty. To them The Gap Mission was what Jerusalem was to the people of Hebrew days. Their eyes would kindle and their hearts thrill as they dwelt upon the words of the ancient poet:

As the mountains are about Jerusalem,
So the Lord is round about His people.”

Hardly a morning passed that Charles Norris did not stand at the door of his house and say, either silently or aloud:

“‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
From whence cometh my help.’”

It was a great day for the missionaries and Indians alike when the first copies containing hymns, prayers,