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 1 2 3 
 
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 rvT-m ■— .■-Mji-m 
 
II 
 
 A I 
 
 (^fnliitai 
 
 THE PROC] 
 
 LONDON 
 
 W. M 
 
LABRADOR, 
 
 A POEM. IN THREE PARTS, 
 
 WRITTEN TO COMirEMORATE THE 
 
 ^tv.iim% of ih Pcpciair fa^iulor gmmm, 
 
 
 BY 
 
 B. TRAPP ELLIS. 
 
 THE PROCEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO THE MORAVIAN MISSIONS. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 LONDON ASSOCIATION IN AID OF MORAVIAN MISSIONS, 
 32, SACKVILLE STREET, W. ; 
 
 AND 
 
 W. MALIALIEa & CO., 97, HATTON GARDEN, E.G. 
 
 1870. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
 f 
 
J #«!^,l-»«»Vvl lil 1 
 
 i 
 
 ...i.w ^M i i imi mWW il n i'1111 I 
 
I 
 
 i 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The writer of the following poem begs to deprecate 
 any co. iparison between it and the late Mr. James 
 Montgomery's ''Greenland." 
 
 As much as possible in subjects so similar he has 
 avoided any resemblance in plan and in execution. 
 On this account he has omitted the description of some 
 scenes in the Labrador mission, which would other- 
 wise have found place. 
 
 His object has been simply to describe the wretched 
 condition of the people of Labrador, prior to the 
 Brethren's arrival there; and to tell of tho wonderful 
 change wrought among the poor Esquimaux, through 
 the noble eflforts of Moravian Missionaries, under the 
 blessing of God. 
 
 In attempting the subject, his sole aim has been to 
 benefit the Moravian Mission; and should this desired 
 end be accomplished, he will fervently thank God. 
 
 ^'1 
 
w 
 
 . ^ 1 
 
tJf-LQ. 
 
 PS 
 
 M 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 PART I.— NIGHT. 
 
 A retrospect of Labrador prior to 1752, the year of tlie 
 first attemp.^: to establish amission on its coast; 
 the danger ? in approaching it ; its physical con* 
 dition ; the miserable state of its inhabitants. 
 
 
 Sunk in the far-oflf West sleeps Labrador, 
 A dreary, desolate, forsaken shore,— 
 A rugged waste, a dismal solitude. 
 In «3llence wrapp'd, save when in angry mood 
 The boisterous waves upheave with awful roar 
 Some breaking floe upon the naked shore. 
 Rent, torn, and jagg'd ; or when the hungry crowd 
 Prowl o'er the barren plains with wailings loud. 
 And wr<ke dread echoes from the slumVring hills ; 
 Or when the sound of mortal conflict fills 
 The frighted air, as oft, alas ! must be 
 Where men are slaves to Sin and Cruelty. 
 
 The wearied mariner, who, saved from wreck. 
 Discerns this coast, as yet a distant speck. 
 Seeks not the land, but rather tempts once more 
 The raging billows, whose tempestuous roar 
 
% 
 
 6 
 
 LABBADOR. 
 
 Is music swooter to his practised ear 
 Than the grim silence that holds empire here. 
 The sea-birds only, 'raid their island homes. 
 Where sound of human voice but seldom comes. 
 Wheeling in undulating mass, appear 
 Possess'd of life within a waste so drear ; 
 Mournfully wake the echoes as they pass 
 And flutter roimd their nestlings, in some mass 
 Of mgged rock-work^ or of tottering ice. 
 Here, like the sad deceitful voice of Vice 
 Laughing in mockery, when all within 
 And all around is but a waste of Sin, — 
 Here, in the awful stillness of the night. 
 Is heard the voice of mirth ; in heedless flight* 
 The tiny ice-bird quits the fretted shore 
 To seek some wand'ring barque, to hover o'er 
 Its lonely passage to the hidden land. 
 And tell of icy teiTors near at hand. 
 Frightful, yet beautiful, around they stand 
 In dread disorder heap'd ! Gigantic piles 
 Uprear their hydra heads from glassy isles 
 With visage weird and awful ; ruin sleeps 
 Within the portals of these icy steeps. 
 Their crystall'd pinnacles, uplifted high. 
 Reach their chaste beauty to the envious sky ; 
 Of every fear the enchanted mind disarms, — 
 As fabled mermaids' coy illusive charms. 
 
 * The ice-lird is about the size of a starling, black with white and 
 yellow spots, and b met with about two hundred miles from the coast. 
 When the sailors hear it, they know they are not far from ice. It flies 
 about a ship, chiefly m the night, and is known by iu singular voice, 
 which resembles a loud laugh. 
 
 •S-. 
 
m 
 
 PART I. — ^riOHT. 
 
 With silont magic, their admirers luro 
 To cortaiu ruin — ruin swift as sure. 
 
 Resplendent with divided rays of light, 
 Each towering mass a scintillating height 
 Of gorgeous brilliancy, of varied hue, 
 The icehertj looms majestic on the view. 
 Grotesque, fantastic, beautiful, sublime ! 
 Upon its ever changing features Time, 
 The potent ruler on this transient earth. 
 Plays strange uncertain tricks in idle mirth. 
 Upon the shifting mirror can bo seen* 
 Temples and palaces and spires — a scone 
 Of busy life, all in a moment pass'd. 
 Lo ! where great buildings were one minute massM, 
 The next to pleasant pastures turn, O: form 
 Strange, uncouth creatures ; — thus in calm or stor n 
 One beauteous panorama, ever spi ead. 
 Absorbs the soul with wonder or with dread. 
 Too soon, too soon its fragile beauties go. 
 Broken and split upon the subtle floe ; 
 Behold, how Terror holds more potent sway. 
 And Beauty, weeping, further glides away ! 
 
 ♦ " The continual rustling and roaring of the ice reminded us of tho 
 noise made by the carringes in the streets of London. • • ♦ The 
 mountains and large flakes of ice take all manner of singular fonns, 
 some resembling castles, others churches, waggons, and even creatures 
 of various descriptions. As we or they changed positions, the same 
 objects acquired quite a different appcu. nee, and what had before ap- 
 peared like a church, looked like a huge floating monster." — (Lettev 
 from Ker. Geo. Kmoch, as published in the Per. Ace. XXI. p. 122.) 
 
8 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 I'll 
 
 ill 
 
 .1^1 
 
 
 111 
 
 ■ il 
 
 
 Crashing and roaring with a liiclooua sound, 
 Tho angry fragments, loosen'd, Leave around 
 The helpless vessel, now their hapless proy ; 
 And like grim demons, at some ghastly play, 
 Toss it upon oheir shoulders, or with shocks 
 'Of awful violence hurl mighty blocks 
 Upon the patient form ; or with one sweep 
 Engulph their victim in the seethiug deep. 
 
 Amid such perils, as at times must seem 
 A strangely terrible, enchanting dream, 
 The Arctic mariner pursues his way, — 
 One moment fill'd with terror and dismay. 
 The next with silent rapture ; — ©very thought. 
 By lessons thus sublimely train'd and taught, 
 Tends to the great Creator, — Him, whose arm 
 Amid these raging seas protects from harm ; 
 He only, who hath giVn these terrors life. 
 Can stay them in their wild eternal strife. 
 ' A myriad dangers hover round ; each Lour 
 Presents new terrors ; dark the tempests lower, 
 Or bright the sunshine gleams ; no time secure ; 
 All threatens ruin ; nothing here is sure. 
 Save over all a dread uncertainty,— 
 Fit preparation for eternity I 
 
 Here iEolus, unfriendly, yields the sway 
 To Auster, clad in garb of sombre grey. 
 Hanging o'er all the scene a misty veil ; 
 And Aquilo, with rude rough Borean gale. 
 Brings down the sterile steep the biting hail ; 
 Or wandering on, with footstep silent, slow. 
 Leaves the lone vales enwrapp'd in virgin snow. 
 
 *-.; 
 
PVM 
 
 
 PART I. — NIOIIT. 
 
 Seldom the Zephyr's brcoth in piuo-trco glatlu 
 
 Whispers like lover to the oxpectaut maid ; 
 
 Cold blows tho breath of Heaven o'er this climo ; 
 
 Tho liquids harden ; and the gentle rime, 
 
 Strong with tho growth of years, with iron hand 
 
 Encircles all within an icy band. 
 
 The ripplinjf brooklets stay their ba^>bling course. 
 
 The brawling rivers cease their intercourse ; 
 
 The crystall'd verdurQ sparkles in the light, 
 
 Gaim'ng new splendour each succeeding night ; 
 
 The shaggy pines beneath the leaden sky 
 
 Are hung with gems of passing brilliancy. 
 
 So exquisitely bc.^iLoou'* and so rare. 
 
 We know no common workman labcui-'d there. 
 
 Few are the joy? that Nature hero bestows ; 
 
 The summer sun Tith pallid lustre glows,— • 
 
 Obliquely sends his beams athwart the earth. 
 
 That slowly labours o'er the tartly birth. 
 
 The modest charm of British birds and flowers 
 
 Adds here no lustre to the gloomy hours ; 
 
 The fair, the bea,utiful, refuse their bloom ; 
 
 The queenly rose with chaste and rich perfume 
 
 Fills not the empty air; nor in the vale 
 
 Tho pallid lily breathes — too wan, too frail. 
 
 To lend its gentle beauty to the view 
 
 And deck these icy plains. Earth's fruits are few ; 
 
 This is no home for high-bom luxury ; 
 
 Here nothing L'ves, that stern necessity 
 
 Bids not approach ; and here man's daily bread 
 
 Is eam'd 'mid scenes of danger and of dread. 
 
 Yet, as the solitary tmveller goe3 
 
 Uis weary way amid tLcso endless snows. 
 
 9 
 
 * 
 
 »(iWfW-U.j!'J-' ' .' 
 
 BVJV !'''' 
 
10 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 The Land of God upon yon sky is traced ; 
 
 The colourless concave each night *s graced 
 
 "With wondrous pencillings. Lo ! where there shine — 
 
 Each one a miracle of power divine — 
 
 The myriad lamps of night, bursts on the view 
 
 A coruscated arch of matchless hue, 
 
 A silvery bow of dazzling brilliancy, 
 
 So bright and so effulgent that the eye, 
 
 Entranced, beholds with ecstasy the play 
 
 Of those transcendent beams. Each quivering ray 
 
 Shoots up to heav'n its own peculiar light ; 
 
 Yet all an one ; all speak their Maker's might, 
 
 His majesty and love, whose heedful hand 
 
 Is e'en stretch'd over this deserted strand. 
 
 Within the confines of its solitude 
 Walks Ignorance with all her impish brood ; 
 Like iU sprites. Lust and every deadly crime 
 Haunt the dull precincts of the cheerless clime. 
 Angry and rough the isle-bespangled main, 
 Savage and grim the monsters of the plain ; 
 Yet not more angry is the billowy sea. 
 Than the rude passions of this people be ; 
 And not more savage in his hungry den 
 The whelpless bear, than these benighted men. 
 Alone they wander here, a savage hoide. 
 By every other tribe despised, abhorr'd ;* 
 
 • "The Esquimaux are of all the tribes settled on the shores o* 
 America, the most filthy, dijgusting, and miserable. They form an ex- 
 ception to all others in their appearance, stature, and manner of living, 
 and are at once hated and despised by the other Indian tribes. They 
 are of small stature." — {McCullodis Lkograx)kical Dictionary.) 
 

 ; 
 
 es 0* 
 n ex- 
 ring. 
 rUcy 
 
 PART I. — NiailT. 11 
 
 Polluted as the dregs ; of stunted growth ; 
 
 Sunk in the depths of vice, and steep'd in sloth ; 
 
 From youth to ago, in deepest pagan gloom. 
 
 They wander from the cradle to the tomb. 
 
 Hard as their ice-bound coasts their hearts remain ; 
 
 The voice of Pity wails, but wails in vain. 
 
 So cruel is the heart that hath not known 
 
 The Gospel's gentle teaching j or alone 
 
 Is left to battle with its gross desires. 
 
 Nor ki^^vrs the danger of these subtle fires ; — 
 
 Yielding a willing tribute to the power 
 
 And Prince of darkness, who in every hour 
 
 Stifles the conscience till it slumoers, still. 
 
 And moulds the passions to his own fell will. 
 
 The sullen clouds that wrap the land in gloom. 
 
 Leave yet a hope of sunshine ; and the tomb, 
 
 V/hose narrow portals close o'er pleasant hopes. 
 
 Still once again, we know, her gateway opes ; — 
 
 But in this melancholy land is found 
 
 No kindling ray to pierce the gloom profound. 
 
 Sad is the scene and hopeless as forlorn. 
 Since here doth never with the breath of morn 
 Ascend a holy people's sacrifice ; 
 Here the thick dews of eve to yonder skies 
 Ascend unburden'd with the voice of pray'r ; 
 No holy songs awake the sluggish air ; 
 The people grope in dull unconsciousness 
 Of any blissful future, made to bless 
 A weary life below. They know no Heav'n, 
 No God, no Saviour by His Father giv'n. • . 
 
 
 sJ-3t!.^.---« 
 
-.TV -Hf- - F-^'T^J 
 
 12 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 Alone 'mid every race they seem to stand ^ 
 
 Unfriended on their solitary strand, 
 And God-forsaken in their loneliness. 
 Say, — are there none to pity their distress ? 
 la there no hand these sinking souls to save 
 From everlasting Death and from the Grave ? 
 Say, — ar*^ there none to pierce the dismal night ? 
 To sail away, resolved the Gospel Light 
 To kindle on this dark and dreary shore, — 
 To make less lonesome lonely Labrador ? 
 
13 
 
 PART II.— DAWN. 
 
 Mattliew Stachf the originator of the Labrador mission; 
 John Ch, Istian Erhardt's attempt to esidbUah it in 
 1752; his untimely fate; the success of Jens 
 Haven ; assistance from the British Government ; 
 Karpik, the first-fruits of the mission ; his mother's 
 efforts to induce the Brethren to continue the ev *er- 
 jprise; m,oming on the Thames; voyage of the 
 "Jersey Packet." 
 
 'Graven on Heav'n's unfading scroll of Famo 
 Shines one heroic Christian's honour'd name ; 
 Humble his earthly birth and ancestry ; 
 But now enroU'd 'mid Heav'n*s nobility 
 The name of Matthew Stach must aye endure, 
 Emblazon'd with the saintly and the pure. 
 A holy boldness in the hour of need, 
 A righteous zeal to sow the Gospel seed 
 In dull uncultured soils, was his ; his aim 
 Centred in Jesus' healing, saving Name ; 
 Willing to spend his strength, and to bo spent 
 In one great Cause, to cheerless climes he went. 
 With manly breast, his Hfe within his hand. 
 He aail'd for far-off Greenland's ice-bound strand.* 
 
 ♦ Matthew Stach offered himself for service iu Greenland, and sailed 
 thither with hia cousin, 1733. 
 
14 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 If that tlirougb him the blind might come to see 
 Where Life and Light alone can ever be ; 
 If that to heathen ears he might nnfold 
 The saving truths his dear Messias told ; 
 If that his humble liie might tend to shew 
 Whence Pardon, Peace, and Joy alone must flow ; 
 K that Ms bright example served to save 
 One precious soul alive j — then welcome Grave, 
 And welcome perils. Lunger, thirst, or storm. 
 Or stripes or torture, — Death, whatever his form ! 
 He for the God-forsaken Esquimp.ux 
 Wept 'mid the barren plains of ice and snow. 
 As erst he wept in secret o'er the doom^ 
 Of hapless Greenland, wrapp'd in error's gloom. 
 The wish, the great design was his, — no more ; 
 He never planted foot upon that shore ;t 
 His voice the sluggish echoes never stirr'd 
 With the sweet music of the Sacred Word. 
 Others have trod where he had hoped to tread, — 
 Members of that small body, whose dear Head 
 Inspires all members with the faith and zeal 
 To dare all things for His name's sake ; to feel 
 No dread when in His service going forth 
 To burning South or Hfe-congealing North. 
 
 • " Greenland," a poem by James Montgomery. Canto 1. 1. 259. 
 
 f " The disposition on the part of the Brethren to attempt the con- 
 Tersion of the Esquimaux, originated with our missionaries in Green- 
 land. * ♦ Mathew Stach, in particular, entered with great ardour 
 Into this scheme, and for that purpose applied, in the year 1752, to the 
 Hadson's Bay Company, for permission to preach the Gospel to the 
 Indians telonging to their factcries ; but no attention was at that time 
 {raid to his application." — (flblwes's Eistorical Slcetches, p. 68.) 
 
 i^eWH'nM 
 
15 
 
 I. 259. 
 t the con- 
 in Green- 
 eat ardour 
 r52, to the 
 pel to the 
 that time 
 
 I) 
 
 PART II. — DAWN. 
 
 Thank God ! this fervid zeal with steady flame 
 Undying burns within our midst, the same. 
 More perfect than the ancient Vestal pyre, 
 These altars burn with a celestial fire — 
 A flame immortal, holy, and divine. 
 That through eternity shall ever shine 
 With heavenly lustre. 
 
 Sec the little band 
 Content to quit their home, their Fatherland ! 
 To sally forth as Gospel pioneers — 
 John Christian Erharct's noble volunteers !* 
 A little band — a handful small indeed — 
 Small 'mong the nations as the mustard seed 
 Amid the grains of earth ; and yet as great 
 The wondrous fruits of faith ; theirs, too, its fate. 
 Pregnant with hope was that fair summer day 
 That heard the anchor drop in Nesbit's Bay ; — 
 HoPEDALE in pious trust they named the spot. 
 Where in a vale they built their humble cot. 
 Oh ! if the spirits of the just e'er move 
 From their bright Home of lasting peace and love ; 
 If 'tis permitted them at times to see. 
 The mystic links in this world's history ; 
 
 • "John Christian Erhardt, who, in the capacity of mate on board a 
 Dntch ihip, had been several royages in the whale fishery, offered him- 
 wtlifi and four other brethren expressed their willingness to settle on 
 that coast, in order to learn the language, and preach the Gospel to the 
 fifttires. This company sailed from Ix)ndon, May 17th, 1752, and on 
 the last day of July entered Xeshit's Haven. Here they resolved to 
 •ettle, and erected a house. Tbcy cnlled the place ITopedale." — {Holme^s 
 Biatcrical Sketches, pp. 68*69.) 
 
 I 
 
 
 ■'iijyjJo'''V» 
 
16 
 
 LABPADOR. 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 ■SI 
 
 Mothinks these noble-minded sons of men 
 Had many witnesses around them then ! 
 
 As viper, into new life nursed, will slay 
 With cruel sting the bosom where it lay ; 
 So doth the tooth of man's ingratitude 
 Oft slay the hand that brings him only good. 
 So fell the noble Erhardt !— ruthless slain* 
 By hands, from which himself would strike the chain. 
 The cruel chain of Satan's slavery. 
 They hugg d their fetters, scorn'd his liberty ; 
 " Father, forgive ! they know not what they do," 
 He cried, ere yet his spirit Homeward fiew. 
 
 Like unto p^^^cious seed his blood-drops cast 
 Upon that hungry land, have borne at last 
 A goodly fruit ; ne'er since that mournful day 
 Have laborers tum'd from this dark field away ; 
 Year after year have new recruits been found 
 To bear to dying souls the Gospel sound. 
 A young aspirant to the martyr's famef 
 Stood forth immediate, with a righteous claim 
 To share the warfare, as he would the crown. 
 Not yet, not yet ! — Oh ! what is thy renown. 
 
 • « Erhardt, venturing boldly among a people notorious at that time 
 for their barbarous treatment of foreigners, was murdered by them ; and 
 the captain, purser, and boat's crew, with whom ho had landed, shared 
 his cruel fate."— (Per. Ace. XVI, p. 6.) 
 
 f " The tidings of Erhardt's death had no sooner reached Europe, 
 than a Brother, named Jens HaveU; felt immediately a powerful impulse 
 to offer himself for a renewed attempt to carry the Gospel to the Esqui- 
 maux."- (J'^td.) " It was not deemed expedient to renew the Mission at 
 that time.' —(^Holmes.) 
 
 
 ..Sti^JBJi'SS-"'''-'?'**™'^ 
 
PART II. — DAWN. 17 
 
 Rocl-handcd warrior ! what thy ficklo faino. 
 To that wliicli circles round each humble namo 
 Enroird in Christ's church militant hclow ? 
 Who, with no '" pomp of prido/' or noiso, or show. 
 Fight the great fight with weapons shaped in love. 
 And claim their crown immortal from above ? 
 
 am, 
 
 tat time 
 
 m ; and 
 
 shared 
 
 Europe, 
 impulse 
 5 Esqui- 
 ission at 
 
 Twelve tardy years went by ; when once again 
 Jens Haven, with a fervour that had lain 
 Slumb'ring within him, press'd, nor press'd in vain,* 
 His heart's desire ; — a vessel sail'd once more 
 With " tidings of great joy" to Labrador. 
 Then gleam'd athwart that stern forbidding shore 
 The first grey streak of dawn, that spoke of Day 
 Advancing from the East to roll away 
 The curtains of the dark Plutonian Night. 
 The fiat had gone forth, "Let there be Light !"— 
 Light to awake the slumb'rers from their sleep. 
 Then moved upon the waters of the deep 
 The Spirit of the Lord, and to and fro 
 Upon the darkness pass'd with living glow. 
 The people, that had groped in blackest night. 
 Now welcomed to their midst the radiant light ; 
 With joy they haiPd the messengers of Peace. 
 As captives hear the news of their release. 
 So gladly did these hear the wondrous Word, 
 And feel a new-born life within them stirr'd. 
 
 • His desire to go to Labrado.- still increasing, Jens Haven requested 
 and.obtained permission to maKe the attempt he had so long contem- 
 plated, in the summer of 1764. His first interview with the natives 
 excited the liveliest joy in his breast. He landed at Quirpoint, and 
 preached to the natives, who received him gladly. 
 
 6 
 
 - '^pfew'iLf rirtlii* 
 
(I Hi 
 
 I' 
 i 
 
 & 
 
 V 
 
 I 
 
 
 .1 
 
 18 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 Oh ! who shall tell the rich enraptured thrill 
 
 That darted thrcufijh the preachers' hearts, as still 
 
 They preached, nor wearied of the blessed task ; 
 
 Cerjoy'd to hear the anxious natives ask 
 
 For more and more of the sweet Gospel theme ? 
 
 'Twas in their minds a dear fulfilled dream, 
 
 But dearer far than all the ecstasies 
 
 Created by sleep's subtle phantasies. 
 
 Two happy summers thus the Brethren spent. 
 
 Bringing the sunshine wheresoe'er they went ; 
 
 The ears that heard them, bless'd their earnest voice; 
 
 The eyes that saw them, bade the heart rejoice. 
 
 Upon those brief bright days a radiant gleam 
 
 •Of holiness shone down ; a Hving stream 
 
 Went gurgling down the frozen vales of snow. 
 
 And cheer'd the hearts of those poor Esquimaux. 
 
 Nor here omit a tribute justly paid, 
 for graceful courtesy and timely aid 
 From those who ruled Britannia's destinies ;* 
 The brave design found favour in their eyes. 
 And prosper'd 'neath their kind protecting care. 
 Supported by " e^'ectual fervent pray'r." 
 Moravia, unto Britain thus allied. 
 Relying both upon their God, defied 
 The secret legions of unnumber'd foes 
 That Satan marshall'd round him, to oppose 
 The champions of the Cross and Liberty. 
 Britain ! dear land of my nativity ! 
 
 •* Sir Hugh Palisser, then Governor of Newfoundland, afforded 
 Haven every facility for intercourse with the Esquimaux, and took th« 
 necessary precautions to ensure his safety. 
 
 ^itiKt^psf;, 
 
PART II. — DAWN. 
 
 And thou, Moravia, cradlo of my Cliurcli I 
 Where'er we turn with eager eye to search 
 For such nobiUty of soul, such pure. 
 Untainted, princely heroism, — sure. 
 We search the annals of our land in vain ! 
 Long may ye both the hcacUcu's friend remain, 
 And in your Ilcav^n-appoiutod stations reign I 
 
 The seed upon the stormy waters cast 
 Keturn'd not void ; ere many years had passed 
 The Word had prospered, and the first-fruits shone 
 Among the golden sheaves before the Throne 
 Of Christ the Lamb. — Here, in p i r-lien land, 
 Yet soothed and tended by his mother's hand, 
 Kaepik, the earliest convert, died in youth ;* 
 But not before the Gospel's saving truth 
 Had enter'd and grown dear unto his heart. 
 Kousiog her from bereavement's pungent smart, 
 The mother, fiU'd vith many a longing fear. 
 Thought upon kindred, and the laud so dear 
 Unto her heart; — oft wept she, and oft pray'df 
 That further efforts might for these bo made. 
 
 19 
 
 
 • ** An Esquimaux boy, call'd Karpik, was placed for education at 
 Fulneck^ near Leeds. Here ho sickened of the small-pox and died; but 
 not before he had giren evidcnco of his having learnt to know and to 
 love the Saviour, into whose death he was solemnly baptized by the 
 name of John." — Per. Ace. XVI. p. 7. 
 
 t ** Mikak, mother of Karpik, importuned Haven to return and help 
 her poor countrymen, whom she described as being in the most ruinous 
 condition. Her repeated applications to those persons in power, who 
 had noticed her, had considerable Influence in forwarding the projected 
 mission.*'— Holmes' e Historical Sketches, p. 72. 
 
 B 2 
 
i ' III 
 
 
 H 
 
 'Ml 
 M 
 
 t' 
 
 20 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 Whero'cr slio wont, howo'er alio might bo sought, 
 This was hor anxious souVs absorbing thought. 
 
 Hor pray'ra were heard ; — *micl hopes and fears 
 The work commenced, which for a hundred years, 
 Thro' darkest troubles and through threatening scenes, 
 With labourers few and with but scanty means. 
 Hath yet continued, — by Jehovah's hand 
 And strong right arm, preserved by sea and land. 
 
 The great stream shimmers in tho glowing beams 
 Of the fast rising sun, whoso radiant gleams 
 Light up, as with a hu-^dred varied fires, 
 Ships, temples, turrets, palaces, and spires. 
 The young mom's breath comes floating from afar. 
 Fraught with reviving nealth ; the last fair star. 
 That help'd to beautify the garb of night. 
 Fades in the lustre of advancing light. 
 A myriad wavelets twinkle in the sun ; 
 The mighty vessels waken ; — one by one 
 With cheery sound of lifo they rouse the air. 
 And for the work of day themselves prepare. 
 Behold ! as day advances on the scene, 
 Witb flowing tide, and 'neath a sky serene, 
 Full many a barque, with snowy wings outspread^ 
 Starts like some frighted swan from unknown bed; 
 With mien as stately and as beauteous rides 
 Upon the mighty water, as it glides 
 Along the chequered path, — each on its way 
 Into mid ocean, where the wild waves play 
 And sport themselves in very wantonness 
 On such a day. With anxious engerness. 
 
 ■i ;, 
 1 ; 
 
 iiwi ii in M Wf * n iWi inw i "7lB ^' 
 
PART II.~DAWN. 21 
 
 Upon thoir varied enterprises bent, 
 
 Tho vessels passed ; nor left thoy, as tlicy wont, 
 
 The long dark smoke- drawn Hue, the murky cloud ; 
 
 But like to human beauty, conscious, proud 
 
 Of its own loveliness, each one wont on, 
 
 Eadiant and joyous 'neath tho Summer sun. 
 
 Swifter than all in that stern busy chase 
 
 Upon the tide of Tamesis, tho place 
 
 Of h our is achieved by yonder barque,* 
 
 Humblo and mean ; upon its prow no mark, 
 
 No sign of noblo service ; — who is sho 
 
 That thus takes lead in such a galaxy ? 
 
 No nobler purpose, and no greater plan 
 
 E'er enter'd into heart of erring man. 
 
 Than the good work this little sloop began. 
 
 How beautiful upon tho dewy moun\ '^ 
 The feet of him who bringet'u and recounts 
 The tidings of salvation !— With the news 
 Of Gospel Peace the tiny craft pursues 
 Her onward course upon the dangerous way 
 Leading to peril and disaster, — yea. 
 And unto death ; — a trying, tedious path. 
 Where the rude North wind blows with cruel wrath ; 
 Where Winter with his every iarror raves 
 Amid the huge Atlantic's mighty waves. 
 Protected from new dangers every day. 
 The Jer'sey Packet cleaves her trackless way ; 
 
 • " The Jersey Packet was a small sloop of eighty tons burden. Sho 
 18 described as a ' tight and sound ship, and a prime sailer, readily obe- 
 dient to the helm, and outstripping all the vessels in the river oa the 
 passagQ down to Gravcsend."— icifcv &»/ Eev. B. La Trohe. 
 
 Ih, 
 
 rtmm 
 
 l^ae^- 
 
« 
 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 Each breath, that blows around her, upward bears 
 
 Tho inconso of a righteous people's pruy'rs; 
 
 Oft as the eve or morning fills tho skies, 
 
 From out her midst ascenda tho sacritce 
 
 Of prayer and praise ; than this thero is no charm 
 
 More potent to protect from every harm. 
 
 In safety, through much il1> she nears tho land— 
 
 .Ajnid a dreary sea a dreary atra id — 
 
 Her anchor drops within a friendly bay. 
 
 While in her shrouds tho gentlest breezes play. 
 
 Ten holy men, a glorious company,* 
 
 Charged with a loving message irora on high, 
 
 Impatient hasten on the ice-bound shore ; 
 
 Wiiih joy discern the Word, received before. 
 
 Not all forgot. Kind welcome now they find 
 
 7i hearts to charity and peace inclined ^ 
 
 Again they preach, and preach to willing ears, 
 
 A^id move once stony hearts to melting tears. 
 
 ^Ilien when again the Brethren turn away, 
 
 A thousand anxious voices wish to stay 
 
 Their homeward course. With souls thus touched and 
 
 oheer*d. 
 The Brethren , ere their vessel homeward \ jer'd. 
 With hearts that toward these ''feeble folk'' did yearn. 
 Gave promise of a sure and swift return ; 
 
 • The Brethren, who were connected with this expfitiUion in one or 
 other capacity were ten in number. . . . The result of it was the 
 establishment of the roost friendly relations with the Esquimaux, who 
 received them with joy and gladness ; assisted them in selecting a spot 
 on which to form a settlement ; and on their departure entreated them 
 icon to return and reside among them. 
 
ae or 
 IS the 
 , who 
 I spot 
 them 
 
 PART II. — DAWN. 
 
 Tlio which fulfillM, begins tho history* 
 
 That mukcs men pause, as though soino mystery 
 
 Were new roveard. It is a tale of Lovo, 
 
 So constant, so unboundec^, as to move 
 
 An adaraantinw heart. Tho worldhng hoars 
 
 And liiarvols ; and tho scorner stays* his jocri 
 
 To listen lo its loveliness ; tho Tvhilo 
 
 The saintly, with a calm and thankful smilo. 
 
 As conscious of no new f.hiLg in such Love^ 
 
 Bow low the head, adoring Him above. 
 
 Who in His mercy aot an open door 
 
 To Everlasting Life, in Labrador. 
 
 23 
 
 I 
 
 and 
 
 Jam, 
 
 ♦ The late Admiral. Lord Gambicr conr'dered tho piescrvatioti of tho 
 Labrador ship during so long a course of years, as tho most reraorkablo 
 occurrtiQce that had como to hi3 knowlcdfrc. 
 
 1 
 
24 
 
 lABRADOR. 
 
 PART IIL~DAY. 
 
 The first Moravian Missionary vessel, ^^ The Amity ;^* 
 
 the Brethren's yearly dependence on God ; danger- 
 
 ' oits voyage of " The Amity ;" commencement of the 
 
 Mission at Nain ; its progress; beneficial results 
 
 on the natives ; discouragements ; conclusion. 
 
 Awake tliee, oli \ awake thee^ Labrador ! 
 Thy dark, impenetrable niglit is o'er. 
 Rouse tkee I and to the East lift up tkine eyes ! 
 The welcome daylight spreads o'er yonder skies ! 
 The clear horizon with rich promise teems. 
 The Sun of Righteousness with healing beams 
 Is rising o'er thee } in those rays divine 
 Behold, what Light, what Life Immortal shine ! 
 
 I.; 
 
 k ; 
 
 ii 
 
 A hundred years ago from Britain's shore 
 A vessel sped to ice-bound Labrador, — 
 A messenger of Peace, Goodwill, and Love. 
 'Twas as the sacred olive-bearing dove. 
 Sent from her place of safety in the ark 
 To wander o'er the waters lone and dark. 
 And year by year, as Time his course has run. 
 Upon her snowy pinions hath the sun 
 
 !l 
 
the 
 ults 
 
 iam^SilSlM^i^iss^i:: 'iLiiii^i^imlkMBiimi^i^MmijiisSi^:, 
 
 Jii(,iM!lst.ii^''\f^iMs!^ii~SiM^f!!&m. 
 
 r^RT III. — DAY. 2o 
 
 Eenignant smiled, as though he loved to rest 
 
 Upon 80 fair a thing ; her gentlo hrcast. 
 
 By subtle floes and threatening ice-bergs press'd^ 
 
 Hath rear'd itself against these cruel seas, 
 
 Her plumes oft ruffled in the angry breeze. 
 
 Safely all dreaded dangers hath defied ; 
 
 And with a humble trust, an honest pride, 
 
 With Faith at helm and prow, with God overhead. 
 
 This little barque of peace hath safely sped 
 
 Unto her far-off haven on that coast. 
 
 Nay, 'tis no worldling's vain and vaunting boast ! 
 
 For year by year ascends the sacrifice 
 
 To Him who rules the waves, and winds, and skies ; 
 
 As though the humble vessel never yet 
 
 Weigh'd anchor, or her willing canvas set. 
 
 For such rude scenes. No confidence in man 
 
 Finds place, as year by year the pious plan 
 
 Receives accomplishment ; still doth the tear 
 
 And prayer of anxious Hope and doubting Fear 
 
 Speak of a sweet dependence on the God 
 
 Who only can give safety. Ho who trod 
 
 The troubled waves of stormy Galilee, 
 
 Who holds the waters of the raging sea 
 
 Within the hollow of His mighty hand. 
 
 Shelters, and safely guides the little band 
 
 Who, in the good Moravian Gospel barque. 
 
 Still yearly grapple with these waters dark. 
 
 Though varied be the names this ship hath borne— 
 Her mission must alike all names adorn— 
 Her labours and success remain the same, 
 - Unparallol'd upon the roll of Fame. 
 
 '* 
 
t4i 
 
 26 
 
 LABIUDOU. 
 
 ' 1 
 
 
 ■- 1 
 
 First on tlio royal list the Amitij,^ 
 
 Now rivalFd by the friendly Harmony , 
 
 Tempted the treacherous deep with dauntless prow. 
 
 Behold her through the surging ocean plough 
 
 Her chequerM way ; beset on every side 
 
 By countless terrors, on the stormy tido 
 
 With buoyant grace she speeds ; the ocean's wrath 
 
 Assails and intercepts her on her path. 
 
 Hither and thither toss'd, she holds her wayf 
 
 Through many an anxious night and toilsome dayj— « 
 
 ^Neath icy piles, whose stern, majestic pow'r 
 
 Frowns down destruction every long-drawn hour,— 
 
 CVer secret beds of rock, whose treacherous sleep 
 
 Adds one more danger to the wily deep. 
 
 All struggles overcome, all dangers passed, 
 
 Behold her ride in quiet peace at las^ 
 
 Within the wish'd-for haven; — welcome there 
 
 Where Hope had well-nigh faded in Despair 
 
 Within the rude barbarian's trusting breast. 
 
 Often with eager eye had he, in quest 
 
 Of her anival, turn'd him to the shore ; 
 
 In vain, — no friendly sail could he explore 
 
 ♦ From 1771 nine vessels have been employed in the service: — TJia 
 Amity ; Qood Intent ; Ha/rmomj ; Resolution ; Hector ; Jemima ; Har- 
 mony (2) ; Hiirmony (3) ; Harmony (4). 
 
 f • ' Ailer a tedious voyage of thirteen weeks, the Amity reached 
 TTrity's Bay, Aug. 9, 1771. Daring ihe latter portion of the voyage 
 they encountered many perils, being often obliged by storms to run into 
 bays, between numberless islands -ad sunken rocks, and being sur- 
 rounded at times by vast mountains of ice and icefields, threatening 
 momentary destruction to the vessel."— Per. Ace. XXI. p. 78. 
 
 " They were welcomed by the rejoicing shouts of the poor savages, 
 and took up their quarters at Nain."— /S'unciai/ at Home, Vol. I. p. 212. 
 
PART in. — DAY* 
 
 27 
 
 In all the tedious waste ; and day by day. 
 
 And week by week in sorrow pass'd away. 
 
 No dark, revengeful frowns ; no looks of iro. 
 
 No stem and tbreat'ning scowls ; — a holy firo 
 
 Burn'd in those hearts that thirsted once for blood. 
 
 Now thirsting for more news of England's God. 
 
 Oh I welcome, welcome change ! No tongue cau tell 
 
 The deep, heartfelt emotions that did swell 
 
 The little band of heroes, who in haste 
 
 Had sail'd toward this wild and wintry waste. 
 
 And none may know the holy thoughts that stray'd 
 
 Within their earnest souls ; — 'twas music play'd 
 
 Upon their heart- strings by a heavenly hand. 
 
 Making a Paradise of that drear land. 
 
 Content to make their home within the North, 
 The curtains of their future dwelling they stretch'd 
 
 forth; . 
 
 No labour spared, they lengthened every cord j 
 Their stakes they strengthened, trusting in the Lord. 
 Then, in that solitary home they heard 
 The comfort of Jehovah's Sacred Word ;* 
 '- X, even I, will bring thee safely in. 
 And plant thee in My holy mount, wherein 
 Is Mine inheritance ; and in the place 
 That I have made to dwell in, shall My face 
 Be seen ; and thou shalt know that I am nigk 
 Within this waste to bless thee, — even I." 
 Sweet, loving promise ! never once forgot 
 By Him whose great compassion failcth not ! 
 
 • On the day when the settlement of Nain was founded, the Dail/ 
 Word was taken from Exod. xv. 17. 
 
 
 > s 
 
i^l 
 
 28 
 
 LIBRA DOB. 
 
 
 There in the wilderaoss wcro fourteen left, 
 
 Of home, of comfort, of all ties bereft. 
 
 They Hved by faith ; they felt whatever betide. 
 
 Their daily need would ever be supplied 
 
 iiy Him who will remember His for goocT. 
 
 No thought they took for raiment or for food ; 
 
 Self was unknown; no other boon they craved. 
 
 Than that through them immortal souls bo saved. 
 
 Earth has no nobler service, earth can give 
 
 Ko nobler motive, than a life to live 
 
 Of hourly, daily, yearly sacrifice 
 
 Of all that makes life dear— Home's social ties. 
 
 Not lonely they within their solitude ! 
 
 The^r ancestors v, thin Lusatia's wood, 
 
 Seeking, like frighted sparrows in a nest. 
 
 Peace from their perils, from their troubles rest, 
 
 i'cund, e'en amid the forest's loneliness, 
 
 God's Holy Spirit ever near to bless. 
 
 So was that omnipresent Spirit here. 
 
 Circling tl se humble labourers in a sphere 
 
 Of ever-wa chful love and tender care. 
 
 As mothers o'er tho children which they bear. 
 
 Thus was the Mission form'd ; and thus sustain'd 
 By HeaVn itself the Brethren have remain'd. 
 As silvery threads within the vale expand. 
 And rush with gladdening volume through tho land ; 
 As but a little leaven doth extend 
 Its influence through all ; as salt will lend 
 A wholeso'ne savour to the tasteless part ; 
 As but a single ray of hgiit can dart 
 
 ••piiJUUIIUlPMi'T* 
 
PART III. — DAY. 
 
 29 
 
 Hope, life, and safety o'er a sea of dread ; 
 
 So down those dark and cheerless vales therospod 
 
 A fertilizing stream, whose ceaseless flow, 
 
 Though small, yet day by day would larger grow 
 
 And spread itself abroad ; the leaven small 
 
 Hath here diifused its influence through all; 
 
 The salt hath penetrated all the laud ; 
 
 And over every shadow in the strand 
 
 The tiny glimmer send^ its kindling ray. 
 
 Merged in the brightness of the Gospel Day. 
 
 Where evil thoughts and passions in the soul 
 
 Once raged with violence beyond control : 
 
 Where Self within the heart once reign'd supreme ; 
 
 Where Crime once roll'd a thick, polluted stream ; 
 
 Where all the people groped in blackest night 
 
 And in thick darkness,--there hath shone the Light; 
 
 There the thick tide of Vice becomes more clear. 
 
 And Self more crucified ; there, year by year. 
 
 Men's angry passions slumber, lulPd to rest 
 
 By Christ-like Charity within the breast.* 
 
 Witness it ye, who in that waste profound 
 
 A port from shipwreck, or a home have found I 
 
 Say, would ye rather turn you once again, 
 
 And tempt anew the vengeance of the main. 
 
 • Dr. Benjamin Franklin, in writing a passport for the Good Intent, 
 1779, refers to the benefits conferred by the Moravian Br-Uuen upon 
 the savages of Labrador. He sajs they have *' already had good effects 
 in turning them ^ om their ancient practices of sm-prising, pluodering, 
 and murdering such white people as, for the purposes of trade or fishery, 
 happened to come on that coast, and persuading them to lead a life of 
 honest industry, and to treat strangers with humanity and kindness " 
 &c. &c. 
 
 1^ 
 
 • Jill UUIW IN.*' 
 
 ■S 
 
*^lt-fll# 
 
 J 
 
 
 0, 
 
 
 . K 
 
 if 
 
 30 
 
 LABRADOR. 
 
 Than sock a liavcn on tbis friendly shore ? 
 
 Witness it yo, who wander to explore ! 
 
 Witness it, thankful friends, or vengeful foes 
 
 From sunny South, or from still deeper snows ! 
 
 Witness it yo, whose dark nefarious trade* 
 
 Hath ceased ! whoso wicked wiles and arts have playM 
 
 Upon the maudlin savage ! Witness ye 
 
 Who round God's throne are privileged to be 
 
 As angel-messengers to do His will. 
 
 Or as the dear redeemed, who harp- strings thrill 
 
 With one supernal strain — His Love the theme ! 
 
 Well may such golden fruit a fable seem ! 
 
 Yet not all sunshine this glad Gcspol Day ; — 
 Across the brightest sky some clouds will stray ; 
 Though clear the brow of mom, yet cruel rain 
 May drench with tears the eve ; and from some pain 
 The lightest heart of youth cannot be free. 
 'Twas long before the sluggish clouds would fleef 
 
 * Necromancy and sorcery were among the greatest of hostile 
 agencies with which the Brethren had to contt_,d. 
 
 f "For thirty years and upwards our Brethren had to labour nn^er 
 great difficulties and discouragements. • • • An awakening com- 
 menced among the people in 1804. From Hopcdale, the scene of their 
 greatest trials and discouragements, where it pleased the Lord first to 
 kindle the spark of living faith, the mic ionaries beheld with joy the 
 sacred flame spread successively to Nain and Okkak j till at length it 
 was * as when the melting fire bumeth,' the presence of the Lord being 
 manifestly revealed to enlighten the dark minds, warm the frozen hearts, 
 and soften the obdurate spirits of the once barbarous, stubborn, and 
 tmfeeling Esquimaux. Ever since this memorable period the work of 
 God has been making evident progi'css among the inliabitarts." 
 
 Per.Acc.XYl.jp. 11. 
 
JrkUr III. — DAT. 
 
 Across tlio morniDg'a sky ; and dull and slow 
 
 Was the advance of day ; its fitful glow 
 
 Oft threatened to return within the night. 
 
 At length it shone with clear, transcendent light. 
 
 Bathing the dreary shore within its flood. 
 
 Warm'd by its genial beams, behold each bud 
 
 Slowly expand itself, and from the gloom 
 
 Of the long Winter Night arise and bloom. 
 
 Behold the happy labourers, who in tears 
 
 Have sown the precious seed in bygone years ; 
 
 Behold them, as they tend the Gospel plough ! 
 
 Methinks I see upon each humble brow 
 
 Heaven's coronet of glory, even now ! 
 
 Still on their noble labour deign to shine, 
 
 O Thou Immortal ! with Thy beams divine 
 
 Illume all darkness. Thou Effulgent Sun ! 
 
 Oh, Spirit j till earth's little day be done. 
 
 Protect and guard this vineyard ! — Till the sound 
 
 Of the dread Judgment-trump shall echo round ; 
 
 Until Time's finite mirxutes melt away 
 
 And lose themselves in Heaven's eternal Day;— • 
 
 Continue, we beseech Thee, Lord, to car o 
 
 For this Thy work ; and let the righteous pray'r 
 
 Be still effectual, till the multitudes 
 
 Are gathered in from these dread solitudes. 
 
 31 
 
 When round the great white throne all nations stand^ 
 When Jew and Gentile meet at God's right hand. 
 When thousand times ten thousand raise the strain, — • 
 " Worthy the Lamb that once for us was slain !" 
 When the bright seraphim with joy prolong 
 Through all eternity that thrilling song- 
 
 ^S 
 
'r>^^^--.»-v-',- 
 
 l?i 
 
 i'f 
 
 ;. I 
 
 '•I 
 
 32 
 
 LABRADOR, 
 
 The heathen's universal jubilee, 
 
 A music sweet, O Saviour Christ, to Thee— 
 
 Say, 'mid those happy strains, will not one note,- 
 
 Sung by a hapless nation once remote. 
 
 But now led Homo by tender cords of Love, — 
 
 Eise clear through those majestic courts above ? 
 
 Yes I from amid the tuneful, white-robed choirs. 
 
 Hymning Jehovah's praise on golden lyres. 
 
 One Hallelujah shall for evermore 
 
 Tell of "the Saviour's love to Labra.dor. 
 
 HI 
 II 
 
 -' C I 
 
 i 1 1 
 
 V 
 
in miiw —1.111