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Crantz’ History of Greenland. In North America the same effects were produced upon widely different subjects. The following was the touching account given of himself by the first convert—‘Brethren,’ (he said) ‘I have been a heathen, and I have grown old among the heathen; therefore I know how heathens think. Once a preacher came and explained to us that there was a God: We answered—‘Do you think us so ignorant as not to know that?’Another preacher began to teach us—‘You must not steal, lie, nor get drunk,’ etc.: We answered, ‘You fool, do you think that we don’t know that?’And thus we dismissed him. After a time, brother Christian Henry Rauch came into my hut, and sat down by me. He spoke to me nearly as follows: ‘I come to you in the name of the Lord of heaven and earth. He sends me to let you know, that he will make you happy, and deliver you from the misery in which you lie at present. To this end he became a man, gave his life a ransom for man, and shed his blood for us.’ I could not forget his words. Even while I was asleep, I dreamt of that blood which Christ shed for us. I found this to be something different from what I had ever heard, and I interpreted Christian Henry’s words to the other Indians. Thus, through the grace of God, an awakening took place among us. I say, therefore, brethren—Preach Christ our Saviour, and his sufferings and death, if you would have your words gain entrance among the heathen.’—Loskiel’s Missions to the North American Indians.
