Kalli, the Esquimaux Christian Part 5

"During his last illness, in his conversation with me, it was evident that he quite understood the principle on which we Christians ought to bear our sufferings, patiently, and even thankfully, because of the still greater sufferings which we deserve, and which our Divine Saviour bore for us. I was, I confess, surprised at the readiness with which he realized the truth and the force of this reasoning."

Legacy to a Friend

The author had often remarked the very grateful manner in which the youth acknowledged any kindness shown towards him. He spoke with the utmost affection of his dear friends, Captain Ommanney, Captain Austin, R.N., the Rev. the Warden of St. Augustine's College, and Mrs.

Bailey. Mrs. Bailey, he said, taught him constantly his readings in the New Testament, heard him his hymns, and corrected his writing-exercises. The Rev. A. P. Moor, Sub-Warden of the College, was also very kind to him, and gained his regard.

Of the moderate means placed at his disposal he was always properly careful, expending very little upon himself. He had a few pounds laid up in the Savings' Bank at Canterbury. This amount, together with his humble store of goods and chattels, consisting chiefly of the prints which had adorned his room, he left, by a kind of will, to his untiring and constant friend, Captain Ommanney, in token of grat.i.tude and regard.

Kalli's Funeral

The remains of Kallihirua were borne to the grave by his fellow-students, and followed by the Vice-Princ.i.p.al of the College, and by the Bishop of Newfoundland, as chief mourner. The Burial Service in the church (St. Thomas's) was conducted by the Rev. Mr.

Wood, and in the cemetery by the Rev. Mr. Mountain, the Princ.i.p.al of the College. The quiet solemnity of the service was in keeping with the life and death of the gentle Kalli.

Mrs. Mountain, of St. John's, Newfoundland, in whose house he lived, and who had kindly a.s.sisted in instructing him, wrote as follows:--

"It is in sincere sorrow and mourning that I write to inform you that we yesterday followed to the grave our poor Erasmus Kallihirua. He died after only a few days' illness, brought on by incautiously going out to bathe with one of our other students. On the following day, when he came to me to read, as usual, he complained of great pain in the chest and side, and so rapid was the inflammation, that the usual remedies were unavailing.

"Poor fellow, he was as patient and gentle during his illness, as he always was when he was well and strong, and expressed perfect resignation to G.o.d's will, and much thankfulness to those who ministered to him. We all loved him for his unvarying kindness and gentleness, his submission to those set over him, and his willingness to serve all. I miss him so very much, not only in his daily lessons, but in his constant knock at our door, to know whether I had any thing for him to do in the garden, or a message in the town when he was going out for a walk.

"He looked very nice, lying in his silver-white coffin, covered with flowers, and a bunch of lilies and wild pear-blossoms on his bosom. We trust that he was one of the blessed meek who shall inherit the earth.

We were all with him when he breathed his last, the Bishop, and the Princ.i.p.al of St. John's College, commending his soul to his faithful Creator."

Intended Memorial

It is proposed to inscribe a record of Kalli, and of other deceased students of St. Augustine's College, on a tablet in the crypt under the College Chapel. A memorial stone will be erected over Kalli's grave in St. John's, Newfoundland.

With reference to the recent decease of some hopeful students of St.

Augustine's, who, after giving promise of much usefulness in the cause of missions, had been removed from this earthly scene, Mr. Phelps observed in a letter lately printed at the St. Augustine's College Press:--

"The whole College is again reminded, that 'all flesh is gra.s.s,' and that our life 'is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.' Poor Kalli is no longer with us. He has been made fit for the Master's use, and has been taken back by Him who lent him to us."

Practical Reflections

The writer in the "Newfoundland Express" made the following practical reflections on Kalli's early death, which suggest serious though cheering thoughts:--

"It may seem to some persons but folly, and to others but mere boasting, to point to this young man, as any fruit of, or recompense for, the costly and calamitous Arctic expeditions. But others may not think it all in vain, if thereby one soul has been saved, and an example left to a few young men, of thankfulness and kindness to men, duty and devotion towards G.o.d. Such was Erasmus Augustine Kallihirua, once a poor benighted Esquimaux, but brought out of darkness into the marvellous light of the Gospel, to be a pattern to some, who, with much greater advantages, are far inferior in the best graces of the Christian."

Conclusion

All that has been written will tend to show that Kallihirua was held in much esteem and affection by those who knew him, and that some tribute, (such as even this little memoir,) is due to the memory of one who was well called "Erasmus," or "beloved."

This, however, is not the chief end which the author had in view in presenting an account of Kalli's short career among his adopted countrymen. He would fain convey, amidst other wholesome lessons, that of the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of working while it is day. When we reflect on the departure of one, whose face and figure still dwell in the minds of many of us, it would be wise to remember, that we ourselves are making for the same point of our journey, the concluding scene of this short existence, the end of our probation.

How trifling and insignificant do all other events appear, compared with the close of the race, and the arrival at the looked-for goal!

May G.o.d grant us grace to act constantly on this conviction, as to all our plans and prospects!

THE END