JOHN ELIOT was the first missionary to the American Indians, away back in 1646. They called him “The black robed chief, the pale face.” He met the Indians in the wigwam of Waban, a great man among the Indians, and John Eliot talked to them about the gospel for three hours. Some people say that Indians never cry, but this is not true. When John Eliot had finished telling them about God’s great love for them, there were tears in the eyes of many of the Red men.
John Eliot taught hundreds of Indians to read, and to pray, and they loved him. In Massachusetts, where he worked among them, they built a town and called it Noonatoman, which means “Rejoicing” — the name which told of their joy and happiness in hearing the gospel.
Indian names are hard to pronounce, but John Eliot learned their language. Think of saying Noowamaammooonkauanunonnash when you try to tell people you love them, for that was the Indian’s word for love. And they loved John Eliot. He was kind to them and they couldn’t help loving him.
One day some white people gave to John Eliot some money. Knowing how kind and generous he was to the poor, they had tied it up in a handkerchief as tight as they could. First the opposite corners were tied in a knot, and then the other two corners. Then the ends were knotted and knotted until they were too short to knot. It looked like a homemade baseball for a small boy. On his way home the missionary visited a family that was very poor. There was nothing in the house and the children were hungry. The missionary prayed with them, but he was not satisfied to pray and leave. Out from his pocket he took his knotted handkerchief to give them a little money. First he tried to untie the knot with his fingers, then with his teeth, then with both his fingers and his teeth, but he could not undo them. Vexed and impatient because he could not untie the knots, he gave the poor woman everything, money and handkerchief, knots and all, saying to her, “The dear Lord must have meant it all for you.” No wonder people loved him, and when he died, the Indians wept at losing so good a friend.
John Eliot sought to be like his blessed Master, the Lord Jesus, Saviour of sinners, who came to this earth nearly 2,000 years ago, and who “went about doing good.” He showed to children, and to men and women everywhere, the love and kindness of God. But never did that love so shine out as when He went to Calvary’s cross and there died for our sins. John Eliot could not do that for the Indians. No man could. But Jesus, who was God, became a man and died on Calvary’s cross in order to put away sin.
Dear reader, have you trusted Him yet as your Saviour? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
ML-06/23/1963