The Moravians in Labrador Part 7

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote I: The Journal of the Voyage, ill.u.s.trated with a map, was published in a separate form. London, 1814.]

[Footnote J: "The children and young people have given us much pleasure; they have made good progress in reading, and often speak to us of the pleasure it affords them to be able to read the Scriptures at home."--Periodical Accounts, vol. 6 p. 241.]

[Footnote K: This bird is about the size of a starling, black, with white and yellow spots, flies about a s.h.i.+p chiefly in the night, and is known by its singular notes, which resemble a loud laugh.]

CHAPTER VIII.

Fiftieth anniversary of the missionary vessel's first arrival in Labrador--jubilee of the mission celebrated at Nain.--Summary view of the success of the gospel in Labrador during that period.--Instance of maternal affection.--Esquimaux contribute to the Bible Society.--British sloop of war, Clinker, visits Hopedale.--Captain Martin's testimony to the good effect of the brethren's labours--visits Nain and Okkak--consequences of his favourable report.

Fifty years had now elapsed since the first s.h.i.+p arrived at Nain, 9th August 1771, with missionaries on board for the service of the Esquimaux, and in the morning of the same day of the same month, August the 9th, 1820, at eight o'clock, the Harmony cast anchor in the same bay, bringing stores and provisions for a Christian settlement containing one hundred and sixty-eight inhabitants, chiefly gathered from among the heathen, and exercising the habits of civilized life, instead of roaming the wilds as rude savages, or infesting the seas as ruthless pirates. The day of the vessel's arrival was always a day of gladness, as she brought tidings from their Christian friends in Europe to the missionaries; and good tidings from a far country, especially when brought to such a secluded spot, were doubly welcome.

That this communication should, notwithstanding all risks, have been uninterrupted, afforded much subject for thanksgiving, which the brethren expressed by hymns, and likewise endeavoured to show by some little external tokens. They hoisted two old small flags and a white one, on which the sisters had marked, in large figures, the number 50, surrounded by a wreath of green laurel; their small cannon fired several shot, which were answered by the s.h.i.+p, and the Esquimaux fired their pieces as long as their powder lasted. Meanwhile, some tunes of hymns, expressing thanksgiving to G.o.d for his mercies, were played on wind instruments, which altogether made a good impression on the Esquimaux, and gave them an idea of a jubilee rejoicing. Brother Kohlmeister explained to them the meaning of the number 50 on the flag, and made them understand that it was the fifteenth time that a s.h.i.+p had come safely to Nain for their sakes, and how it had been preserved, by the wonder-working hand of G.o.d, from all harm in these dangerous seas, and that this was the cause of these extraordinary demonstrations of a joyful grat.i.tude; they listened with great attention, and then exclaimed, "Yes! Jesus is worthy of thanks!" nor were the sailors unmoved.

Next year, 1821, completed half a century which the brethren had spent in Labrador, and was celebrated as the jubilee year at the three settlements. At Nain the commemoration day was the 9th of August, in all the services of which a spirit of joy and thanksgiving prevailed throughout the whole congregation. The baptism of two adults tended much to solemnize the festival. "We praised the Lord," say the missionaries, "with heart and voice, for all the wonders he has wrought in behalf of the mission in Labrador during half a century, in which he has led, preserved, and blessed us abundantly. His mighty arm has protected us in many dangers, and the preaching of his cross has been attended with power and the demonstration of his Spirit in many hearts; and many heathen have been brought in as a reward for the travail of his soul." An account of the beginning of the mission, and of all the remarkable incidents and proofs of the mercy and grace of our Saviour during that period, was read to all the congregations in their native tongue, and heard with the greatest attention and surprise. Since the commencement, 48 brethren and 28 sisters had been employed, and at this time there were 15 brethren and 10 sisters at the three mission stations of Nain, Okkak and Hopedale. Of the Esquimaux nation, there had been baptized 392 adults and 388 children; and at the end of this year, there were residing in the different settlements, 471 baptized, 45 candidates for baptism, and 68 new people, making a total of 584 persons. Truly it might be said of the Esquimaux nation, that for them who sat in the shadow of death, under the cruel bondage of Satan, G.o.d our Saviour wrought deliverance, and brought many of them into the glorious liberty of the children of G.o.d.

Many had, during that period, departed full of hope, and in the preceding summer, among others, a sister of much worth, Joanna, had been taken away at Hopedale, under very interesting circ.u.mstances.

While on the ice with her daughter, it gave way, and they both fell in. The mother made great exertions to save her child, and with much difficulty succeeded, but, her strength failing, she was unable to extricate herself, and was drowned. She had led a humble, consistent, and exemplary life, and her last words, when in the act of sinking, was to commend her departing spirit to the mercy of her Saviour. This happy year was likewise marked as that on which the Esquimaux received complete copies of the New Testament in their own language, printed at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and also for the proof they gave of the value they set upon the Holy Scriptures, by the desire they express that other nations should enjoy similar advantage.

Having been informed of the nature and aim of the Bible Society, and of its labours in the distribution of the Scriptures, the Esquimaux of their own accord, began to collect seals' blubber, as a contribution towards the expenses of the Society. Some brought whole seals, or half seals, or pieces, as they could afford it. Others brought portions of blubber in the name of their children, requesting that their poor gifts might be accepted. And when they heard that other converted heathen, even poorer than they, had contributed to spread the word of G.o.d, they exclaimed: "How long have not _we_ heard the pleasant and comfortable words concerning Jesus Christ our Saviour, and how many books have _we_ not received, treating of Him, and yet we have never known and considered whence they come. We have indeed sometimes spoken together, and observed that these many books given to us without pay, must cost a great deal somewhere; but we never have before now known, that even poor people bring their money out of pure love, that we may get these comfortable words of G.o.d. We are indeed poor, but yet might now and then bring some blubber, that others who are as ignorant as we were formerly, may receive the same gospel which has been so sweet to our souls, and thereby be taught to find the way to Jesus and believe on him." The donations of these poor Esquimaux were accompanied with expressions of thanks for the favours they had received, and earnest requests to the Society, that more heathen might be presented with "that Book, so far more precious than any thing else in the world."

Various hindrances had prevented the formation of a fourth settlement, and during this interval, the tongue of slander had not been silent.

Mercenary traders had represented to the British authorities, the brethren's conduct as hostile to the interest of the colony and their traffic with the natives: but fortunately the authorities were not disposed to receive implicitly these reports, and the governor of Newfoundland, Sir Charles Hamilton, dispatched a sloop of war, the Clinker, Captain William Martin, to examine the coast of Labrador, and with an express direction to visit the different Moravian stations. He arrived a few days after the celebration of the jubilee, and the missionaries, in their diary, give the following account of his visit:

"August 15th, in the afternoon, we received a letter from William Martin, Esq., commander of a British s.h.i.+p of war, which lay at anchor four hours from this, informing us that the governor of Newfoundland had ordered him to take a survey of that part of the coast of Labrador where the brethren's settlements were situated, and to visit the settlements. On hearing this, the Captain (Fraser) of the mission vessel, at present lying at anchor here, sent the pilot in a boat, to bring the Clinker into the harbour, and at three o'clock P.M. a s.h.i.+p of war, with three masts and fourteen cannon, anch.o.r.ed in our harbour, not far from us. Immediately two of us, with Captain Fraser, went on board to welcome the commander, who repeated his commission, and conversed with us in the most friendly manner. We expressed our happiness at his arrival, and invited him on sh.o.r.e to examine minutely into every thing of which he wished to obtain information. He accordingly landed in the evening, and came to the mission-house.

"Soon after his arrival, our usual meeting was held with the Esquimaux, whose good conduct, quietness, and piety, seemed to strike him; and he afterwards confessed his expectation in this respect had been greatly exceeded. He asked us several questions--First, What means we had used to civilize such rude and savage men? We answered that whatever good he observed in the Esquimaux, was entirely to be ascribed to the power of the gospel, the preaching of which was the only purpose of our being here; besides this, we possessed no other power, nor did we believe any other could deliver savage men, accustomed to murder, and given up to every vice, from their detestable habits, and introduce them into the circle of social order.

Nothing but the operation of the Spirit of G.o.d on their hearts, convincing them of the truth of the gospel, and the happiness of true Christians, could induce them to deny their evil propensities, and incline them to receive instruction, and walk according to the commandments of Jesus; it is this, we said, that causes them to live in peaceful and happy society together.

"He next wished to be informed of the reason of our conduct with regard to merchandize, as he had heard that we did not wish our Esquimaux to trade with the Europeans in the south; and when they did so, if we did not drive them away from our settlements? To this we replied as follows: 'Nothing is so painful to us, as when any of the members of our congregation fall back into heathenism, which easily happens when they go to the south to trade with the Europeans, where they are exposed to many temptations. On this account we find it necessary to warn them against such journeys, and if they pay no attention to these admonitions, intended chiefly for their own advantage, we cannot regard them as any longer belonging to us. And our conduct is the same towards those who reside among us, who have not received the gospel, when we find all our affectionate and serious exhortations in vain, and they persist in returning thither to trade.

But no Esquimaux is driven away from our settlements on this account, for he does not sell his merchandize to us alone, but to any person with whom he chooses to trade. It must, however, be remarked, that many Esquimaux when pressed by hunger in winter, take refuge with us, to whom we give every possible a.s.sistance; there are also some, who, during their harvest, save a portion against a time of need, which we lay up for them, and they receive the full value, when their necessities require it. Now, when these, regardless of their obligations to us, take their articles elsewhere to barter, we frankly tell them our opinion of their conduct, and endeavour to impress their minds with a sense of their ingrat.i.tude, not only to us, but to the Society in England, who from love to them, sends every year a s.h.i.+p with the necessary supplies. If any one take offence at our reproofs, and leave us in anger for the south, we cannot help it, but we are certain he dare not affirm any such falsehood to the Europeans, as to say, that he was driven from our settlement because he treated with them.' Captain Martin replied that he had not the least doubt of what we said, and was perfectly satisfied, by what he had seen and heard, that we laboured to promote the best interests of the Esquimaux."

On Sunday, 19th, "All the officers and forty of the crew of the s.h.i.+p of war, a.s.sembled with us in our meeting for public wors.h.i.+p, when we recommended them to the gracious protection of our almighty Lord and G.o.d; and we have much pleasure in being able to say, that, during the whole time they remained here, their behaviour was as orderly and friendly as we could have wished. The Captain having lodged a night with us, at taking leave together with the surgeon, shook us heartily by the hand, and thanked us for our kind attention, and expressed his delight at the happy results of our endeavours to improve the Esquimaux. All the officers likewise bade us farewell in the most friendly manner, and said they would always reflect with pleasure on their visit to us. After they went on board Captain Martin sent us a letter, in which he thus expressed himself: 'My Dear Friends--I cannot leave this place without expressing my thanks in a few lines to the worthy brethren who received me in so friendly a manner, and by their attention rendered my stay here so pleasant. I regret that it has been so short, but it has been sufficiently long, to convince me that your labours have been crowned by a blessed success; this must animate you under many difficulties, to continue to devote yourselves with zeal to the service of our Lord, your great example. One must be an eye-witness to judge of the mighty change that has already taken place in these Esquimaux, both in regard to body and mind. It will give me the most heart-felt joy, to communicate this to his Excellency, the governor of St John's, and also to bear testimony in England, to the happy progress of your labours.' Next day, at 6 A.M. the s.h.i.+p of war set sail, when we, with our Esquimaux, ascended the height nearest the sh.o.r.e, and by signs took our last farewell of the crew.

"Continuing her course, the Clinker reached Nain on the 21st, where Captain Martin behaved in the same friendly manner. He was frequently on sh.o.r.e at the mission-house, and likewise attended wors.h.i.+p in the church. On the 23d he invited the missionaries aboard, and shewed them the arrangement in a sloop of war. His vessel was decorated with fifty flags of different nations, in honour of the commemoration of the jubilee. The day after, he furnished a feast of boiled pease and biscuit, for all the Esquimaux living on the missionaries' land, and was himself present at the entertainment. The Esquimaux sat on pieces of timber, placed in a square. Before they began their meal, they sang a hymn, 'Now let us praise the Lord, &c.' and at the close, 'Praise G.o.d for ever.' All of them expressed great thankfulness for this condescending mark of the Captain's good will; and each of them had a goodly portion of biscuit left to carry home."

From Nain the Clinker sailed for Hopedale in company with the Harmony, on board of which were the superintendant Kohlmeister and his wife.

The latter thus speaks of the excursion, which she appears to have highly enjoyed: "We had the pleasure to sail in company with his sloop [Captain Martin's] to Hopedale, and had a most agreeable voyage. He came twice on board the Harmony to pay us a visit. As we approached Hopedale, the brethren and the Esquimaux not having received any account of the arrival of the sloop of war, were rather alarmed at its appearance, but we found means before we cast anchor, to send them word that all was peace and friends.h.i.+p, upon which the music began to play a hymn of praise, and the Esquimaux afterwards fired a salute with their pieces. The sloop answered with the great guns, but the Esquimaux were determined to have the last word, and went on firing after the cannon had ceased to roar. It was a calm night without moon, but the brilliant display of numberless stars, and a glorious Aurora Borealis, increased the enjoyment. The brethren, Stock and Haller, coming on board, we could not quit the deck till midnight; sleep was not thought of. Captain Martin also displayed a number of blue lights, to the great astonishment and gratification of the Esquimaux."

The Captain having here also given a feast of bread and pease, she adds, "We were present, and were pleased to hear how the Esquimaux expressed their thankfulness, and afterwards sung the anthem, 'Glory to G.o.d in the highest,' and 'Hosanna.'" When he had accomplished the object of his cruise, Captain Martin returned to St John's.

By this extraordinary and friendly visit, the brethren remarked, "the celebration of the jubilee of the mission acquired a peculiar and new feature, as we were at the same time a.s.sured of the favour of those, whom G.o.d has appointed to rule over us, and may hope in future also to experience a continuance of that protection we have hitherto enjoyed.

The Lord has also caused his work to be glorified in the sight of men." But this visit was still further important, as it tended to accelerate the formation of a fourth settlement.

CHAPTER IX.

The Brethren obtain a further grant of land on the east coast of Labrador.--projected fourth settlement delayed.--Progress of the three settlements in the interval.--Instances of wonderful preservation--Ephraim--of Conrad, Peter, and t.i.tus.--Report of the Superintendant, Kohlmeister, on the general state of the Mission.--Commencement and progress of Hebron, the fourth station.

Much as the brethren desired to establish a settlement on the Ungava country, and anxious as the Esquimaux there were, that they should reside among them, providential difficulties, as above alluded to, prevented what appeared so urgent a call from being complied with, and, in a manner, forced upon the brethren's consideration the propriety of forming a fourth station on the east coast. They had, therefore, applied to the British Government for a further grant of land; and the report of Captain Martin having been so highly favourable, all obstructions were removed, and next year the order which had been granted by the Prince Regent in Council, 13th May 1818, securing to them the possession of the coast from Okkak to the 56th deg N.L., including the bays of Napartok, Kangertluksoak, and Saeglak, was transmitted to Nain through Governor Hamilton, accompanied by a letter written under his own hand, wis.h.i.+ng them every success in their Christian undertaking. From the great increase of the population at Okkak, the attention of the missionaries was princ.i.p.ally directed to Kangertluksoak as the fittest place for a new station; as, in the spring, a great many of their own Esquimaux went thither to obtain a livelihood, the distance being about sixty miles yet several years elapsed before they were able to carry their plan into execution. During this interval, the missionaries had the pleasure of seeing the work of the Lord continue to prosper in the three settlements, and a spirit of love spread abroad among their flocks.

"Our Saviour's grace and power," say they, July 1822, "have been made manifest in young and old, and the word of his cross, sufferings, and death, performs the same miracles, as in the earliest periods of Christianity. When we met to celebrate the holy communion, as well as on the different festival and memorial days of the church, the grace and presence of our Lord and Saviour revived our hearts and filled us with joy, and with praise and thanksgiving to him for all the good which he has done unto this people."--Procuring their food almost always at the hazard of their lives, instances of wonderful preservations were not uncommon among the Esquimaux, and their observations on their deliverances had generally a pious simplicity, which rendered them extremely pleasant. This year, Ephraim, a communicant, went with five others to catch seals at the edge of the ice, about sixty miles from Nain. Being at some distance from his party, the ice broke under him, and he had only time to grasp the rim of the hole made in the ice to prevent his sinking under it. In this situation, hanging over the sea, the cold being intense, his fingers froze fast to the ice, which helped to support him; for his immediate cries for a.s.sistance were not heard, and he remained for a quarter of an hour in dreadful suspense. At length, just when his voice failed him, he was perceived by his companions and his life saved. Though his fright and anxiety were in the beginning very great, he said, that he committed himself to our Saviour, and felt resigned to his will; and when the danger seemed most imminent, help was afforded, for which he gave thanks to Him who alone could deliver in such distress.

But an interposition of providence, which rescued two Christian Esquimaux, belonging to the congregation at Hopedale, who were carried out to sea on a field of ice, and were nine days driven about at the mercy of the waves, is not the least extraordinary among the many which occurred. A party of three, Conrad, Peter, and t.i.tus, being engaged in fis.h.i.+ng on the ice, that part on which they were standing broke loose from the sh.o.r.e, and was driven by a strong south-west wind out to sea. Conrad having a sledge with him, fastened some seal-skins and bladders to it to keep him buoyant, and turning it upside down used it as a raft; in this he paddled a full English mile back to the firm ice, being commissioned by his companions to procure a boat, and send it to their a.s.sistance. The sea, by G.o.d's mercy, being calm, he reached the sh.o.r.e in safety, but before he could procure the boat, the field of ice with his two companions on it had drifted nearly out of sight, and there was no possibility of overtaking it. The size and strength of the ice was such that it afforded them the means of building a snow-house upon it, in which they took shelter during the night, and in rainy weather. They had caught eight seals on the day of their departure, which afforded them nourishment, though for want of fuel they could make no fire, but ate the meat raw and drank the blood. Of their feelings during nine dreadful days of anxiety and suspense, they wrote the following affecting account. Peter for himself says, "When on the 4th of June (1824,) we were driven off the coast upon the field of ice, I was not much alarmed, for I did not apprehend much danger. At night when we lay down to rest we commended ourselves in prayer to G.o.d our Saviour, and gave up our lives into his hands, which we always continued to do. On the 5th, as we were floating pretty near to the point of Tikkerarsuk, I hoped that our brother Conrad, who had been with us, would come to help us with kaiaks. We repeatedly thought we heard the report of fire-arms, and therefore fired off our pieces, but towards evening, we perceived that we had been mistaken. Now I began to feel great fears about the preservation of my life, and thinking of my poor family, I wept much.

With many tears I cried fervently to Jesus to save me. I could speak with him as if he stood by me, and said; 'I pray that I may not be carried to the other side of the water, nor to the south, nor too far to the north among the unbelievers, but that my body may have a decent burial in the earth. O! shew mercy to me, and do thou, the only helper in need, take care of my poor family!' Then these words occurred to my mind, 'Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown,'

which made me shed tears of grat.i.tude and love to our Saviour, like a child, though at so great a distance from home. I entered our snow-house weeping, and we both joined in calling upon Jesus for help and comfort. This we did every morning and evening. On the 6th, in the morning, finding ourselves carried far away from the land into the ocean, we again looked for comfort to Jesus, and prayed to him with many tears to help us, and direct our course. We sung that verse together, 'O lift up thy countenance upon us,' and these words were impressed upon my mind, 'I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.' I felt my unworthiness deeply, and nothing but the words of Jesus could give me joy. I prayed fervently to him, that he would give his angels charge over me. I spent the whole day in prayer, and as I walked about alone, several parts of Scripture occurred to my recollection, especially the account of my Saviour's being taken captive. The prayer he offered up for his disciples, John XVII. was peculiarly precious to me, and gave me great comfort.

Frequently I felt joy in my heart on remembering our Saviour's words, and that he said to his disciples, 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost.' On the 7th, the fog was so dense that we could not see whither we were driven. I cried to Jesus, 'O! help,' and his words came sweetly into my mind, 'Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.' Then I felt comforted. On the 8th, 9th, and 10th, we could see nothing on account of the fog. I wept, and longed only to enjoy the inexpressible love of Jesus. I remembered how the apostle Peter was frightened in the storm, and was comforted by our Saviour.

Thus also he comforted us in our dreadful situation. I cried continually to him to bring us again to the sh.o.r.e, for the thought of my poor bereaved family caused many tears to flow from my eyes." At length, on the 12th, the field of ice on which they were, was driven nearer the sh.o.r.e, and on the 13th, they reached home by travelling over the drift.

This year the superintendant, Kohlmeister, who had served the Labrador mission thirty-four years, was constrained, by his increased infirmities, and by the severe indisposition both of himself and his wife, to return to Europe. His last report respecting the state of the settlements, is therefore too important to be abridged or omitted--it is as follows: "The work of G.o.d in the hearts of our dear Esquimaux, proceeds in the power of the Spirit, and with rich blessing; and I may with truth a.s.sert, that they grow in grace, and in the love and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Their number is likewise on the increase. The congregation at Okkak, in particular, obtains a great increase from year to year, by the arrival of heathen from the coast to the north of the settlement; the number of heathen Esquimaux in their neighbourhood is indeed decreasing, but Okkak may yet be called a mission among the heathen. Nain and Hopedale are now Christian settlements, all the inhabitants being initiated into the Christian church by holy baptism, except a few children, and no heathen live in their neighbourhood. Their increase, therefore, depends upon the rising generation, and upon the accession of persons coming from a distance to reside among them. On this account the endeavours of the missionaries, in these two settlements, are particularly directed to instil into the minds of the youth the principles and precepts of vital Christianity; and to see to it, that by the grace of our Saviour, all the souls committed to their care become more firmly grounded and established in faith and love, and walk worthy of their high and heavenly calling. This is done by faithful admonition, accompanied with watchfulness and prayer. The most efficacious means of promoting their growth in grace, is the reading of the New Testament, which they have now in their hands through the generosity of the venerable British and Foreign Bible Society. They read therein daily in their houses and tents with the greatest earnestness, delight, and edification. We have, indeed, ever since the arrival of this most precious gift, observed a great change.

Their understanding of the word of G.o.d, and the doctrines which it contains, has greatly increased; and the influence upon their moral conduct is manifest, for they now more than ever desire to regulate their walk and conversation in conformity to truly Christian principles.

"The schools, which are held, with both children and adults, from November to April, are a most powerful means of forwarding their improvement in every thing good and profitable for them. Most of the people attend them with great diligence, and with an earnest desire to be soon able to read the New Testament for themselves. There are among the children some of five, and even of four years of age, who read well. The severest punishment than can be inflicted on a child is to keep him from school. The new Hymn Book is a truly valuable present.

The whole number of Christian Esquimaux under the care of the brethren, at present, is 705, old and young."

Excepting that their numbers continued gradually to increase, the above report may be considered as a correct view of the state of the Moravian settlements in Labrador for several succeeding years.

Some Ladies in Scotland, who had admired the exertions of the Moravians in Labrador, had about this time sent as a token of their Christian affection a small present to the beloved labourers in that distant inhospitable clime; they were gratified, nearly under the above date [at the close of 1831,] by the following letter from two aged servants of the Lord, the venerable missionary Kmoch and his wife, who, after nearly half a century of active exertion, reluctantly retired from the heat of the day--it was addressed to a friend in Edinburgh, and shortly but sweetly corroborates the account of Kohlmeister.

"The Saviour continues," say they, "to bless his own work in Labrador.

In Okkak, during the last winter, eight adults and thirteen children were baptized, and six persons are longing for the enjoyment of the holy supper for the first time. In the harvest of 1830 a malignant cold and cough raged in Okkak, of which eighteen persons died, but last winter the weather was very mild. I have been 34 and my wife 19 years in Labrador. I would willingly have remained among our dear Esquimaux much longer, but old age and sickness are the cause of our return. The parting with our Esquimaux, and our dear fellow-labourers, was very affecting."

At length the obstacles in the way of a new settlement began to dissipate; and in the mean time, to secure possession of the bounds allotted to them by the British Government, the missionaries, Kmoch and Sturman, in 1828, erected a block-house twelve feet long and eight broad, which the summer before had been prepared at Okkak, and sent to Kangertluksoak by some Esquimaux returning to the north. They completed the journey on sledges in fifteen hours, of which they transmitted the following notes--"May 19th, at eight in the evening we arrived at Apparnaviarsak, in the neighbourhood of Kangertluksoak; here we found four tents of our Esquimaux, and in three, others of the Nain people who had resolved the next summer to go to Okkak: all expressed the greatest joy at our coming, and all frankly reached out their hands to welcome us. Immediately a tent was erected for us, and the floor covered with bears' skins. As we had not tasted any thing warm the whole day, we got some coffee, after which we put our beds in order--these consist of a sack of rein-deers' skin with the hair inmost, and a sack of seals' skin drawn over it--it is just large enough to admit one person, who first slips in his feet, and gradually inserts the whole body, which, when fairly in, soon gets comfortably warm. The day after, we invited the Esquimaux to a meeting, when, after singing a hymn, brother Sturman saluted them in the most affectionate manner; a.s.sured them of our constant remembrance and prayers; then begged them to consider their present happy circ.u.mstances, and reminded them that but a few years since they were heathens, living in deplorable ignorance of their Creator and Redeemer, and without hope of that eternal happiness which he hath purchased for us. The tears of many shewed the joy of their hearts in believing. We intimated to them that, during our stay, we would have prayers morning and evening."

The promontory of Apparnaviarsak, where our Esquimaux were, is joined to the continent of Kangertluksoak, on which their winter houses were built. Between the rocks, the ground is everywhere covered with gra.s.s, the snow was already melted, and the young gra.s.s began most beautifully to shoot up. The spring appeared to be much earlier here than at Okkak, where, at present, every thing was covered with deep snow; the mountains are not so steep, the land lies lower and nearer the open sea: but the flat where the houses of the Esquimaux are, is surrounded by numerous small islands. From the declivity behind, in many places the open sea can be seen, with the promontory of Saeglak, the distance to which is only about 5 or 6 hours, with a good sledge path; consequently, it appeared admirably adapted for a mission station. Saeglak would afford excellent fis.h.i.+ng ground for our people, should the heathen leave it, which must very soon happen, as within these last few years, the inhabitants of these parts have greatly diminished, many of them coming to reside among us. Upon the whole, from all that we have heard or seen, Kangertluksoak is one of the best fis.h.i.+ng places, and as some remain here the whole year, we can have the Esquimaux more with us than at any of the other settlements. There are, however, many other advantages we must give up here; the nearest forest lies to the south of Nappartok, and is about eighteen or twenty miles distant, the nearest road by land; by water it is greater. While we sent the Esquimaux for the frame of our little house, which lay about half an hour's journey from this, we went to take a view of the place, near the winter houses of the Esquimaux.

Adjoining these, at a little distance from the beach, we found a plain sufficiently large for buildings, gardens, &c.; and after we had examined all the country round the river, we resolved to erect our little dwelling here, and our Esquimaux having brought the wood, it was soon erected. All the natives who were present willingly a.s.sisted in laying the foundation with stones, and filling it up with sand--part of the boards were nailed on the same day. The house stands on an eminence, in the neighbourhood of a small lake, which the Esquimaux a.s.sured us had water in it during the greater part of the summer, and probably, by a little labour, it may be formed into a good reservoir. We continued our building, without intermission, till the 21st, when we finished. On the 22nd we floored the house, prepared the bed-rooms, fixed a table and bench between two windows, and set up a little oven. In the evening, brother Kmoch held a meeting to take leave, and affectionately exhorted our Esquimaux to approve themselves the children of G.o.d under every circ.u.mstance, to give themselves up at all times to be led by the Spirit of the Lord, and faithfully to follow his admonitions. On the 25th inst. at 3 o'clock, A.M., we set out on our return, but the newly fallen snow mixing with the water on the ice, so obstructed our path, that we were nine hours longer on the way than we were before, but we reached Okkak on the 26th, at three in the morning, full of grat.i.tude to the Saviour, whose presence had so comforted us on this visit, and filled us with the joyful conviction, that he also had left a blessed impression on the Esquimaux.

Preparations were now commenced at the different stations for forwarding the erection of the new settlement, and early in the year 1829, rafters, boards, and s.h.i.+ngles, were transported to Kangertluksoak from Okkak by sledges, which performed no less than one hundred and five journies, and seldom spent more than a day upon the road, the tract having been extraordinarily fine, beyond what the oldest inhabitant remembered to have seen, and which the brethren considered as the mark of a kind providence smiling on their new undertaking. When the frame work of the mission-house was finished, on the 13th of April brother Mentzel and Beck, with six young Esquimaux, set out for the spot. On the 8th of July the frame was set up, and on the 21st it was covered with weather boarding on three sides.

The Society in London in the meantime had not been idle; they had, in addition to the ordinary vessel, hired a consort, the Oliver, which they sent out with materials, to enable the missionaries to go on with their new settlement, named _Hebron_, and which opportunely arrived, just when the house was made ready to receive, and place the stores under cover. Another missionary, Ferdinand, arrived with the Harmony to a.s.sist brother Beck. Immediately they commenced unloading the Oliver, in which they were stoutly a.s.sisted by about thirty Esquimaux, with their wives and children. In less than a week, the whole was landed, and after consulting with the brethren at Okkak, the resident missionaries proceeded with their labour: notwithstanding several interruptions, first by the loss of their a.s.sistants for a time, who went to the rein-deer hunt, and afterwards by a violent storm, which carried away the scaffolding, and part of their materials, they got so far finished, that on the 18th of September, one room was habitable, and they could quit the small and uncomfortable hut, in which they had hitherto lived. During the winter months their work was suspended, but in spring, 1831, they recommenced with fresh diligence, and on the 7th of May, the second story of their house was floored, and likewise habitable. They had constructed besides some outhouses as cellars and store houses; and when the vessels from Europe again visited the settlement in July, bringing a further supply of building materials, brother Mentzel, who had gone to England and returned in her, was much surprised to see the premises so far advanced, and thus reported: "Our dear brethren," says he, "must have laboured diligently to effect what they have done. It is true every thing is in a rude and unfinished state; chairs, tables, bedsteads, and the like, have still to be made.

Our fellow traveller, brother Freytag has his bed at present upon a heap of shavings. The reading table in the temporary church, is a box set on end, upon which a flat board has been nailed, and the whole is covered with a piece of coa.r.s.e cloth, but in due time we hope all will be in order."

In the course of the winter, nine persons came to reside at the settlement, professing to enquire for rest to their souls; the missionaries gladly received them, and directed their attention to our Saviour's invitation to the weary and heavy laden. Among them an Esquimaux woman came from Saeglak, and requested leave to reside at the station; the missionaries informed her that she was welcome to do so, but that she must give up all heathenish practices. She replied that for some time past, both her husband and herself had discontinued these things, and had been long thinking about their conversion, and therefore they had come to them. About a week after, the husband himself came, and confirmed what his wife had said. On the 12th of July three boats' companies arrived from the north, and several of the Esquimaux paid the brethren a visit, but seemed little disposed to listen to the gospel. Only one young man remained with his mother.

Many Esquimaux arrived in the following year [1832] for the sake of trade; but when the brethren advised them to make the salvation of their soul their chief concern, they all began to offer excuses, yet on being spoken to about the consequences of death, they did not, as formerly, treat it with levity; some even appeared thoughtful after such conversations, and five persons removed from the heathen to the settlement. Of those who had resided with them for some time, they had the pleasure, on Easter Sunday, to baptize four adults and one child, being the first accession to the church at Hebron from among the heathen. The number of their congregation in August, the date of their latest accounts, amounted in all, to 162 persons, of whom 72 had joined from Okkak, and 10 from Nain.