Who would not like to visit the land of the midnight sun—to see igloos and kayaks and polar bears! It would be fun to stay a few hours perhaps, but it would be quite a different thing to go to live there. You must crawl in the front door of an Eskimo house on your knees, and find that your bed is made of ice. You may have a good strip of blubber for breakfast, and the long winter’s night lasts all day!
The Eskimos are a brave and hardy people, and have souls that are very dear to God. Therefore God moved the heart of a brave man to go and live among them. He had a heart full of love for them, but his tongue could not speak one word of their language. However, the missionary was very patient. He was not afraid of the biting, bitter cold. He lived among them, learned their difficult language, and put it all down in writing. This was very difficult, for the Eskimos had no written language at that time.
As soon as he was able, he began to tell them of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in dying on the cross to save them, but the poor Eskimos would not hear of it. They had their own gods, and their own notions of life after death. Why should they give up what their fathers believed? Away with the new doctrine—they would not give it a hearing.
Is it true what people often say, “One religion is as good as another”? Is there one way of salvation for the Apostle Paul and another for me? No, indeed. There is only one true God and He has said, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22. He “NOW commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30. This commandment to all men everywhere includes you and me and the Eskimos. Have you obeyed it? Are you saved?
One Eskimo named Kayarnak was a leader in opposition to the Christian missionary, and he was determined to kill him or drive him out altogether. With a number of warrior friends, the Eskimo leader burst into the Christian’s hut one day, with angry words and gestures. The Christian was seated at a table, where his puzzled visitors found paper, ink, and pens.
“What is this?” cried Kayarnak, holding up a piece of paper covered with strange black marks.
“I put words on it,” said the missionary, “and it remembers them and tells them back to me.”
The hut resounded with Eskimo laughter, as the paper was passed from hand to hand. At last the unbelieving leader thrust it back into the missionary’s hands. “Here,” he said, “make it speak.”
Very willingly the Christian took the paper on which he had been translating the gospel story, and he read slowly the story of the crucifixion and death of the Lord Jesus. There was a great stillness in the little hut as he read on and on. The word was God’s Word, and it was quick and powerful. Great tears rolled down Kayarnak’s face. His ears were opened, and he received the Word of God to the saving of his soul.
Have your ears been opened, dear friend? Having heard the gospel story often, will you go on your way to a lost eternity, while Kayarnak goes to be with Christ in heaven? Have you seen the Lord Jesus dying as ttie Sin-bearer in your place on the cross of Calvary? He is now seated at God’s right hand in heaven, having been raised again for our justification and. He is able and willinc to save you today.
“VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU; HE THAT H EA R ET H my WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO-CONDEMNATION; BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.” John 5:24.
ML 06/17/1956