They mildly replied, "Tis a bad trade friend. Examine it in the light of conscience and see if it be not so.' But while they refused to pay such fees and taxes, they were liberal to a proverb in their contributions for all useful and benevolent purposes.

"At the end of ten years, the public lands, which they had chosen for their farms, were advertised for sale at auction. According to custom, those who had settled and cultivated the soil, were considered to have a right to bid it in at the government price; which at that time was $125 per acre. But the fever of land speculation then chanced to run unusually high. Adventurers from all parts of the country were flocking to the auction; and capitalists in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, were sending agents to buy up western lands. No one supposed that custom, or equity, would be regarded. The first day's sale showed that speculation ran to the verge of insanity. Land was eagerly bought in at seventeen, twenty-five, and forty dollars an acre. The Christian colony had small hope of retaining their farms. As first settlers, they had chosen the best land; and persevering industry had brought it into the highest cultivation. Its market-value was much greater than the acres already sold at exorbitant prices. In view of these facts, they had prepared their minds for another remove into the wilderness, perhaps to be again ejected by a similar process. But the morning their lot was offered for sale, they observed with grateful surprise, that their neighbors were every where busy among the crowd, begging and expostulating: Don't bid on these lands! These men have been working hard on them for ten years. During all that time, they never did harm to man or brute. They are always ready to do good for

evil. They are a blessing to any neighborhood. It would be a sin and a shame to bid on their land. Let them go at the government price.'

"The sale came on; the cultivators of the soil offered $125; intending to bid higher if necessary. But among all that crowd of selfish, reckless speculators, not one bid over them! Without one opposing voice, the fair acres returned to them! I do not know a more remarkable instance of evil overcome with good. The wisest political economy lies folded up in the maxims of Christ."

THE AVENGER STAYED.

I will add one more impressive illustration, and close. I copy from the Advocate of Peace for April, 1845, which appears to have quoted from the History of Danish Missions:

"The history of the Danish missions in Greenland is well known. Hans Egede, a man of apostolic benevolence and zeal, was the pioneer in those efforts to Christianize the wild and savage wanderer of the frozen north; and among his successors was his grandson, Hans Egede Saabye, from whose interesting diary we select the following tale of vengeance sternly purposed, but graciously turned into love by the power of the gospel.

"The law or custom of Greenland requires every murder, especially that of a father, to be avenged by the nearest of kin. Some twenty years before the arrival of Saabye, a man was murdered under circumstances of great atrocity, in the presence of his own son. The boy, only thirteen years old, was too young to defend his father, but he did not forget the debt of vengeance due

to his murderer. Fleeing for his own safety into a remote part of the country, he there fanned in his bosom the secret flame for twenty-five years, and waited only for an opportunity to let it burst forth in full and fierce revenge. The murderer was a man of so much influence, and surrounded with so many adherents ready for his defence, that the son feared to attack him; but, having persuaded a number of his own relatives to accompany him, he started at length on his long cherished purpose of vengeance, and came in quest of his victim near the residence of Saabye. The houses in Greenland are a species of common property. The people quit them during their short summer, and on returning the next winter, take possession of any one they may chance to find unoccupied. Winter was now beginning to stretch his icy arms over the north; but the avenger found no shelter for himself and his associates in the work of vengeance. Only one was vacant, and that belonged to the preacher of peace and forgiveness; but Saabye, though well apprized of his purpose, let him have the house, and treated him with his wonted courtesy and kindness. These attentions touched the avenger's heart; and he came to thank Saabye, and repeated his visits so often, that he apologized at length for their frequency by saying, 'You are so amiable that I cannot keep away from you.' After the lapse of several weeks, he said, 'I should like to know something of that great. Lord of Heaven, about whom you say so much; and some of my relations wish to learn too.' Saabye granted his request, and found ten or twelve of the company anxious for instruction. He sent a catechist to live with them, and was much gratified at their progress, especially that of

the avenger, who frequently left his fishing to hear instruction, and at length resolved to ask for baptism.

In the month of May, Kunnuk came to Saabye, and said, Teacher, will you baptize me? You know I'm obedient. I know God; and my wife, as well as I, wishes to become a believer.' Yes,' replied the preacher, 'you know something of God. You know he is good; you see how he loves you, and desires to make you happy; but he desires also to have you obey him.' I do love him,' earnestly rejoined the avenger; I will obey him.' But,' answered Saabye, if you wish to obey him, you must kill nobody. You have often heard his command, thou shalt not kill.'

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Kunnuk shook his head in great emotion, and only said, half to himself, hard doctrine; hard doctrine!'Hear me, good Kunnuk,' continued the man of God. 'I know you have come to avenge the murder of your father; this you must not do if you wish to become a believer.' 'But,' retorted the avenger with a flash of indignation gleaming from his eye, he murdered my father, my own father! I saw it, but could not help him; and now I must punish the murderer.'—You grieve me!' said the man of peace. 6 How?' asked the avenger. Because you seem resolved to murder.' Only him who deserves to die.' But the great Lord of Heaven says, thou shalt not kill.' 'I will not only him.' But you must not kill even him. Have you

forgotten how often during the winter, you heard this command: Avenge not thyself, but rather give place unto wrath; for vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.' 'But,' asked the avenger, shall the wicked murder with impunity ?- No; he shall not; God will punish him. When? Perhaps in this world; but

certainly at the day of judgment, when he will reward every one according to his deeds. That is so long,' replied Kunnuk; my countrymen and relations will blame me, if I do not myself avenge my father now.'— If you did not know the will of God, I should say nothing; but now I must not be silent.'

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This is hard!'

You must not

kill him; you must even forgive him.' Forgive him!'

exclaimed the avenger.

Your doctrine is very strange

and difficult.'—The doctrine,' rejoined the preacher, 'is not mine, but Christ's.'

"Kunnuk sighed deeply, but made no reply; and Saabye continued, 'perhaps your father was not innocent; he too may have killed somebody.' As to that,' replied Kunnuk, I do not know. I only know that this man deserves to die.'Well,' answered Saabye, turning to leave the avenger, I have done. Kill him, if you will; but remain an unbeliever, and expect his children one day to kill you in turn.' You are amiable no longer,' retorted the man of blood, you speak hard words.' 'No, Kunnuk,' replied the man of peace, 'I love you still, and therefore wish you not to sin against God, who will do justice both to you and your adversary.' Saabye turned to go; but Kunnuk cried after him, 'Stay, teacher: I will speak to my relations.'

His relations urged Kunnuk day after day to revenge, and threatened him with the curses of his kindred, and the scorn of his countrymen, if he shrunk from avenging his murdered father. The bosom of the son seemed a theatre of conflicting emotions. The preacher, in his visits to him, perceived the struggle, and, without taking any notice of the particular subject, read such portions of