Amazement would not have described the state of his feelings when he learned that he had made a powerful impression.  The converts were loud in his praise; the unbelievers silent and thoughtful.  In spite of himself, long before he had been prepared, he was launched on his teaching.  Every day he was called upon to speak; every day one savage, at least, was convinced; every day the throng of interested Indians was augmented.  The elder missionaries were quite overcome with joy; they pressed him day after day to speak, until at length he alone preached during the afternoon service.

The news flew apace; the Village of Peace entertained more redmen than ever before.  Day by day the faith gained a stronger foothold.  A kind of religious trance affected some of the converted Indians, and this greatly influenced the doubting ones.  Many of them half believed the Great Manitou had come.

Heckewelder, the acknowledged leader of the western Moravian Mission, visited the village at this time, and, struck by the young missionary’s success, arranged a three days’ religious festival.  Indian runners were employed to carry invitations to all the tribes.  The Wyandots in the west, the Shawnees in the south, and the Delawares in the north were especially requested to come.  No deception was practiced to lure the distant savages to the Village of Peace.  They were asked to come, partake of the feasts, and listen to the white man’s teaching.

Chapter XII.

“The Groves Were God’s First Temples.”

From dawn until noon on Sunday bands of Indians arrived at the Village of Peace.  Hundreds of canoes glided down the swift stream and bumped their prows into the pebbly beach.  Groups of mounted warriors rode out of the forests into the clearing; squaws with papooses, maidens carrying wicker baskets, and children playing with rude toys, came trooping along the bridle-paths.

Gifts were presented during the morning, after which the visitors were feasted.  In the afternoon all assembled in the grove to hear the preaching.

The maple grove wherein the service was to be conducted might have been intended by Nature for just such a purpose as it now fulfilled.  These trees were large, spreading, and situated far apart.  Mossy stones and the thick carpet of grass afforded seats for the congregation.

Heckewelder—­a tall, spare, and kindly appearing man—­directed the arranging of the congregation.  He placed the converted Indians just behind the knoll upon which the presiding minister was to stand.  In a half circle facing the knoll he seated the chieftains and important personages of the various tribes.  He then made a short address in the Indian language, speaking of the work of the mission, what wonders it had accomplished, what more good work it hoped to do, and concluded by introducing the young missionary.

While Heckewelder spoke, Jim, who stood just behind, employed the few moments in running his eye over the multitude.  The sight which met his gaze was one he thought he would never forget.  An involuntary word escaped him.