27 chapters
2 hour read
Selected Chapters
27 chapters
silas tertius rand.
silas tertius rand.
BY Theodore H. Rand, D. C. L. ( Re-printed by Permission. ) Oft did thy spell enthrall me, spite the cost! Thou brought’st a charmed and fadeless holiday— Stories and songs of Indian Epic lay— When’er thy eager step the threshold crost, Imagination all its plumes uptost To follow where thy spirit led the way!— (The sense that thou saw’st God when thou didst pray I never through the dimming years have lost.) Fair Minas’ shores thy step did gladden, too! Thou charm’dst great Glooscap f
58 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
silas tertius rand.
silas tertius rand.
D. D., L.L. D., D. C. L. Stand thou a hero! brave, strong, sweet-souled Rand, Firm on thy high pedestal through all time. Thy God who cheered thee on, and held thy hand, Preserves from dread oblivion thy memory sublime. What, though no sculptured block adorned the spot Where they had laid thy worn-out shroud away, Until a daughter’s toil memorial brought! Within a thousand strengthened hearts thy visage beams to-day. Mild was thy manly spirit! as a child Among his playmates thou co
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Introduction.
Introduction.
By Rev. Robert Murray, D.D. ( Editor of Presbyterian Witness. ) Dr. Rand was a man of rare genius and high attainments. It would be a wrong to him, to the country, and to the Church of Christ to allow his name to pass into oblivion. I am grateful to Mr. Clark for his highly creditable effort to do some justice to the character and work of a truly good, devoted, brilliant and scholarly Christian man. My own acquaintance with Silas Tertius Rand extended over a period of more than thirty years. He
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Acrostic by Dr. S. T. Rand
Acrostic by Dr. S. T. Rand
S -tanding to-day still in the “way”, I -n health and strength almost beyond compeers, L -ife’s beaten road, I too have trod, A -nd borne the load by the grace of God S -afely thus far for three and seventy years. T -he way has not been wholly through a vale of tears; R -ich floods of light have cheered my sight A -nd visions bright have banished doubts and fears. N -or will I cease God’s name to bless, D -ependent still through coming days and years. — In Christian Messenger, 18th July, 1
52 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
acknowledgment.
acknowledgment.
This opportunity is taken to express my indebtedness to Miss Hattie B. Rand for the privilege of using and possessing her father’s private Diary; and, with her, to Miss Helen L. Webster, Miss Cornelia Horsford, Mrs. Irene Fitch, Mr. George V. Rand, Rev. Robert Murray, D.D., T. H. Rand, D.C.L., Rev. E. M. Saunders, D.D., and others, whose sympathy and encouragement induced me to go on with the task of publication, after most of the work had been done and the first project abandoned. J. S. C....
24 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
foreword.
foreword.
This little book brings again into the sunlight some few records of the life and work of a very remarkable man. It seems fitting at this time to present in a popular form a glance at the life and work of Dr. Rand, as it will be fifty years on the twelfth of next November, since the work was organized, and Silas T. Rand appointed by the Commissioners at Halifax to his chosen field of labour among the Micmacs of the Maritime Provinces. Many of the victories and defeats connected with this mission
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Dr. Rand at His Life-Work I T has been the writer’s privilege to gain possession of Dr. Rand’s private diary, through the kindness of his daughter Hattie; and, after a great deal of labour, the rare privilege is ours of being able to see the struggles and successes of this great undertaking from the standpoint of the one upon whose shoulders the full weight of the burden always pressed,—the one, too, who had the first and fullest share in the rewards that ever follow faithful service for mankind
39 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
1. MISSIONARY LABOR.
1. MISSIONARY LABOR.
This has been continued as usual. Indians have been visited at Hantsport, Cornwallis, Mount Uniacke, Londonderry, Amherst, Shediac and St. John, N. B. My reception has been uniformly kind, and without an exception good attention has been given to the Word of God, and to religions instruction. My aim has been to explain the way of salvation, and to direct them to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. White friends have occasionally accompanied me on these visits. Invariably the
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
2. PECUNIARY SUPPORT.
2. PECUNIARY SUPPORT.
Since Jan. 1st, 1865, up to the present time, Jan. 5th, 1866, I have received in aid no less than one thousand and sixty-five dollars and eighty-one cents. Thirty-seven dollars, twenty-one and a half cents have reached me since the present year commenced, though most of it was mailed sometime before. During the year my former allowance of two hundred pounds, with forty pounds for travelling expenses, has been received, and seventy-five dollars, nine cents and a half, over and above. Last spring,
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
3. CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS.
3. CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS.
Thus has closed what has been in some respects one of the most eventful years of the Mission. The plan of “Trusting in the Lord” for support—“Muller’s plan,” as it is called, but which, in reality, dates much further back—found at first but little favor in the eyes of our friends. It might do, they said, for England, but not for Nova Scotia,—as though the Lord were not the same everywhere. It was looked upon as an experiment, and one that would probably fail. But a plan upon which scores of mini
54 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
our success in distributing the scriptures among the indians.
our success in distributing the scriptures among the indians.
In order to have before us distinctly the subject, we must take into account the condition of the Micmacs when we began our labours, the obstacles we have had to encounter, and then the achievements that have been made. The whole can be summed up very briefly. I began my labours in the year 1840—nearly forty years ago. I was thirty-six years old. The Indians, so far as civilization was concerned, with very few exceptions, were in the same condition that they had been for two hundred years before
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
first verse of scripture translated into micmac by dr. rand.
first verse of scripture translated into micmac by dr. rand.
Mudu Nikskam teliksatcus oositcumoo wedjeigunumooedogub-unn neooktoo-bistadjul oocwisul, coolaman m’sit wen tan kedlamsitc ootenincu, ma oonma-djinpooc, cadoo ooscoto apskooawe memadjooocun. — John III: 16. “I can never forget the thrill of emotion that filled my soul and body at the completion of this task—for task it was, taxing all my powers of mind and body.”—Extract from Dr. Rand’s private diary written during the summer of 1849. J. S. C....
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
MICMAC MYTHOLOGY
MICMAC MYTHOLOGY
MICMAC MYTHOLOGY. [2] “Weegegijik. Kessegook, wigwamk; Meskeek oodun Ulnoo, kes saak.” [May you be happy. The old people are encamped; There was once, long ago, a large Indian village.] With this suggestive couplet the Legends, or Ahtookwokun of the Micmacs, in their original form, almost invariably commence. The inseparable introduction shows us how the literature of the people had long ago taken on a settled form, even though there were no written records; it confirms to a considerable degree
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I.
I.
Upon his bed of clay, Wasting away, Day after day, A sick and suffering Indian lay; No lordly Chieftain he, Of boasted pedigree, Or famed for bravery In battle or for cruelty; He was of low degree, The child of poverty, And from his infancy, Inured to hardship, toil and pains; He was a hunter, bold and free, Of famed Acadia’s plains. He’d roamed at will, O’er rock and hill, And every spot he knew, Of forest wide, Of mountain side, Of bush and brake, Of stream and lake, Of sunny pool and alder sh
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II.
II.
And many a weary day, He had toiled away, In his own humble home, At basket, bark, and broom, To gain the scanty fare, Doled out to him grudgingly, where His ancient sires, Kindled their fires, And roamed without control, Over those wide domains, Rocks, rivers, hills and plains, In undisputed right, lords of the whole. But ah! those days were gone, And weeks and months had flown, Since dire disease had laid him low; Nor huntsman’s skill, Nor workman’s will, In want, in danger, or alarm, Coul
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III.
III.
He slept! the dying Indian slept! A balmy peace had o’er him crept, And for the moment kept His senses steeped In calm repose,— Such as the dying Christian only knows. Consumption’s work was done; Its racking course was run; His flesh was wasted, gone; He seemed but skin and bone, A breathing skeleton— Deep silence reigned—no sound, Save the light fluttering round Of scattered leaflets, found Upon the frozen ground, And the gently whispering breeze, Soft sighing through the trees, Was in the
51 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IV.
IV.
He dreamed! the dying Indian dreamed! Flashes of Glory round him gleamed! A bright effulgence beamed From on high, and streamed Far upward and around; it seemed That his work on earth was done, That his mortal course was run, Life’s battle fought and won; That he stood alone, Happy, light and free, Listening to sweetest melody, And softest harmony, From the etherial plains, In loud extatic strains, Such as no mortal ear Could bear, or be allowed to hear. When suddenly to his wondering eyes,
58 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
V.
V.
He woke! the dying Indian woke Opened his eyes and spoke; A heavenly radiance broke From his bright beaming eye, And with a loud exultant cry, And clear ringing voice, In the soft accents of his native tongue, And in glowing imagery, Suited to the theme, Like that of the Immortal Dreamer’s Dream, In Bedford’s mystic “Den,” whose fame, He’d never heard, nor knew the “Pilgrim’s” name— Or that Sublimer Song, By John of old, in Patmos’ Prison sung, To the Celestial Throng;— Whose dazzling vision
38 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
VI.
VI.
With mute amaze, And earnest gaze, Seated round his cot Entranced, and to the spot Enchained, we listen to the story. Catching glimpses of the glory; As though the echoing roll From the Eternal Hill, In soft vibrations broke, Upon our senses while he spoke, Sending through every soul, A deep unutterable thrill! “Oh! I have been in Heaven!” To me it has been given To see the Throne of Light, And Hosts of Angels bright, And Ransomed Spirits robed in white; They knew my name, And who I am,
50 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
VII.
VII.
“Oh, I shall surely reach that place, Through matchless grace! One moment more below I linger, then I go, From this dark world of woe, Where floods of sorrow overflow, To those bright beauteous Plains, Where Glory everlasting reigns; That Land of heavenly Rest, Among the Pure and Blest, Where Jesus is—where I Shall never sin again or sigh;— In that bright world on high, There are no stains Of sin, and no remains Of sorrow, sighs, and pains; But pure and perfect happiness, And royal robes of heav
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
VIII.
VIII.
He ceased—his word, no longer heard, Through every chord, our souls had stirred. The glistening eye, gave back reply, Then rose on high, the heart-felt cry: Lord grant that I, when called to die, May thus be blessed, from pain released, As Heavenly Guest, with Thee to feast: Oh! be Thou near, my soul to cheer, That doubt and fear may disappear, That joy and rest may fill my breast, That visions bright, of heavenly light, Like his to-night, may cheer my sight. Should quiet sleep my senses kee
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IX.
IX.
We watch the dying man meanwhile, His face all radiant with a smile; His lips still move as if in prayer, A prayer we may not fully share; But One is near whose gracious ear, The deep, unuttered groan can hear. Nor need we doubt or judge amiss, What the heart’s inmost yearning is. The quivering lip, the tearful eye, Can well attest the earnest cry, Of the stirred soul’s deep agony; And taught of God, we join the prayer, We may not fully hear or share. Our eyes and hearts to Heaven we raise,
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
X.
X.
Now droops his weary head Exhausted on his bed. His dying prayer has ceased; Convulsive heaves his breast; We deem him sunk to rest, Breathing his last and best ; When suddenly his eyes He opens on the skies, And startling us with surprise, He waves his hand and cries: “I see, I see the place! I see my Savior’s face! Look, children look! your eyes Raise, and look toward the skies! Bright beams of Glory Come hovering o’er me! See! see! they’re opening wide, The flaming gates of Paradise! Brig
33 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XI.
XI.
He dies, the happy Indian dies, Closes his eyes to earth, and flies Up to the region of the skies. Angelic legions lead the way, To the portals of celestial day, Wide spreads the news, all Heaven rings, Angels and ransomed spirits wave their wings, All lowly bending to the King of kings; Mingling their loftiest harmonies, Their sweetest, softest melodies, High Heaven’s eternal minstrelsies, With heart and voice and choral symphonies, Loud as the sounding of ten thousand seas! They shout him
45 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XII.
XII.
Oh! Bliss Immortal! hail! all hail! All glory, honour to the Lamb who died! Now seated glorious at His Father side. Sound through the Universe his Name! His matchless Love his Fame proclaim! Till all His foes are put to shame. And let the story of the cross prevail O’er every mountain, island, hill, and dale, Of the wide world, and Satan’s power destroy,— The wondrous news thrills every heart with joy— Wafted on every breeze, by every swelling gale, Till sin and suffering, shame and sorrows
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
LINES
LINES
SUGGESTED ON HEARING REV. MR. RAND’S DESCRIPTION OF THE LAST HOURS OF JOHN PAUL, A CONVERTED MICMAC. On the floor of his wigwam an Indian lay, And his spirit was rapidly passing away; On his brow stood the dewdrop of death, thick and chill, And the life-pulse once bounding was fast growing still; He spoke to his friends as they gathered around, All eager to list to the last fainting sound Of the voice that had cheered them in council or fight. Mid the fires of the wigwam or shadows of night, He
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
the sun-bright clime.
the sun-bright clime.
Have you heard, have you heard of that sun-bright clime, Undimmed by tears and uncursed by crime, There death hath the power no more to reign, For they live forever, and they know no pain,— Have you heard of that sun-bright clime? There’s a city fair, ’tis the saint’s sweet home, There they ne’er shall know night’s gathering gloom, With its gates of pearl, and its streets of gold, It shines in the glory of God untold, Over there in that sun-bright clime. A river of water gushes there
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter