IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (Mi-3) 4ss 1.0 I.I 1.25 |^|2.8 150 "^ = ■4^1^ Ml Jm 2.5 2.2 2£ 1.8 1.4 1.6 6" % Vl ^/. *V-v ^ V 7 -<^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 {716) 872-4503 ■ " #->|i'N CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques :\ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. L'exemplaire film6 fut reprodult grflce & la g6n6rosit6 de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada Les images suivantes ont 6x6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire filmd, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. 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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre fiimds 6 des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reprodult en un seul clichd, il est filmd 6 partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. by errata led to ant jne pelure, apon 6 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 MORAY JANS TN I.ASXAB BM.. •'^' WILLIAM OLIPK/iNT AND auK. 1835. •i \ mm :^ ;r : T<; / ■ 1*-v ^ I. f •"-^thtM*^-.-- THE MORAVIANS IN LABRADOR. " From Greenland's icy mcuntains The joyful sound proclaim, Till each remotest nation Has learnt the Saviour's name. Waft, waft, ye winds, his story, And you, ye waters, roll, Till like a sea of glory, It spreads from pole to pole." HEBER. SECOND EDITION. \P. #. EDINBURGH : WILLIAM OLIPHANT AND SON. BOLD BY WILLIAM COLLINS, AND GEORGE GALLIE, GLASGOW; W, CURRY JUN. & CO., DUBLIN j W. MACOMB, BELFAST; AND HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO., LONDON, ^ M.DCCC.XXXV. its*. -,.!,!,*•■ .v.... ^ V I *>s, SSfcfSi- CONTENTS. Introduction pages 9 — 26. CHAPTER I.— pages 27—62. Hudson's Bay Company first settle among the Esqui- maux. — J. C. Erhardt suggests a mission — his letter to the Moravian Bishop. — M. Stach consulted. — London merchants undertake the scheme — engage Erhardt — its fatal conclusion — Jens Haven employed by the Breth- ren — encouraged by the British Government, sets out on a voyage of discovery — his providential arrival at Quin- port — first meeting with the Esquimaux — his interesting intercourse — returns to England. — His second fspedition, accompanied by Drachait and other missionuri . s — their proceedings — Drachart*8 remarkable conversation with the natives — influence of the missionaries in preserving peace — their religious communications with the savages — the curiosity of the latter — their thievish tricks — their kindness to the missionaries — a dreadful storm — Dra- chart and Haven entertained by an Angekok — his incan- tations~-their parting addresses to each other — the mis- sionaries return to London. • .^v«w% r*^il ^9 »f » % it^mt' $ f1 i H lt >9 <-m \ MMWOn ■Kfcw—t^ m iiM I «i4MMM»n< T« 1"»»»*«r ■■•».■,••-. ^•-'V**-.''** •"».«. J •- *^'^'"W'^ *•*«*•■•• *'^»»'H»^*-»^.*< •„ — - •«».* V. • •v»**.*"w tf^j.i' umtHmm\ rwM vl CONTENTS. i ■ ] \ I i pects begin to brighten. — Remarkable phenomenon. — Avocations of the missionaries — their trials — preserva- tion of their vessels — of their settlements their brotherly love. CHAPTER v.— pages 189—225. Variable appearances of the mission at Nain and Ok - kak — more favourable at Ilopedale. — Death of Benjamin —Spirit of love among the converted. — Happy commun- ion and close of the year. — Providential escape of the Re- solution. — New epoch in Labrador. — A remarkable awa- kening commences at Hopedale — meetings — schools.— Letter from a converted Esquimaux to his teacher..— In- dustry of the awakened.— Declension of religion at Nain and Okkak. — State of the children at Hopedale.— Pro- gress of the adults in knowledge, love, and zeal — instances. — Striking conversion of two young Esquimaux, its effects upon their countrymen. — Awakening spreads to Nain and to Okkak. — Zeal of the converts towards the heathen rouses backsliders. — Behaviour of the awakened in sick- ness, and the prospect of death. — Remarkable accessions from the heathen. — The son of a sorcerer. CHAPTER VI.— pages 226—256. • Mutual affection of the Christian Esquimaux and Greenlanders — their correspondence — letter from Timo- thy, a baptized Greenlander. — Delight of the Esqui- maux in religious exercises. — Order of the congregations I I ■.f-"---*^. ^*«. fc.^».«.*«rw-.- ■.*."^-x CONTENTS. Vil cnon. — ' rcserva- rotherly and Ok - knjamin ommun- ■ the Re- ,ble awa- ;hool8.— ier..— In- I at Naln e. — Pro- nstances. ts effects to Nain heathen in sick- cessions |6. ^ux and Timo- Esqui- ;gations •^distressing events, apostasy of Kapik—awful end of Jacob — peaceful end of believers — Judith, Joanna.-^ Revival among the communicants. — A feast by a Christian brother, to the Esquimaux — Winter ar- rangements — Children's meetings — schools. — The breth- ren's settlements contrasted with the heathen — progress of religion at the different stations. — Books printed in the Esquimaux language. — Number of the settled Es- quimaux. — Epidemic at Nain — its consequences — Gene- ral view of the mission. CHAPTER VIL— pages 267—291. Desire of the heathen to hear the Gospel. — Brethren meditate a new settlement — voyage to explore the coun- try Quiet course of the mission — advantages of their church discipline.— .Death of Burghardt. — Exertions of the aged survivors. — Schreiber, superintendent, arrives. —.Anxiety of the native Christians to attend the ordin- ances of religion. — Advantages of the Bible as a school, book. — Four missionaries unexpectedly carried to Eng. land.i— Baptized Esquimaux seduced by traders.— Peril- ous voyage of the returning missionaries — striking acci- dent. — Schreiber retires from the superintendence Kohl- meister succeeds — his joumeyings to Okkak, to Nain.— Stability of the work of God at Nain — hopeful deaths-— conversion and recovery of a young native.— .Remarkable preservation of an Esquimaux youth. •*' '^^i ( ' 1 .U^ = ik^t^ d'' -^-..-A »»3»>»w*- 'ijKm-v*^)afU»^Wmm*>m ■^ '.'-. ' -i»>H"l I TiJi CONTENTSr. CHAPTER VIII.— pages 292—305. Fiftieth anniversary of the missionary vessers first ar- rival 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 af- fection. — 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 la- bours — visits Nain and Okkak— consequences of his fa- vourable report. CHAPTER IX.— pages 306—324. The Brethren obtain a further grant of land on the cast coast of Labrador — projected fourth settlement de- layed. — Progress of the three settlements in the interval. — Instances of wonderful preservation — Ephraim — of Conrad, Peter, and Titus. — Report of the Superintend- ent, Kohlmeister, on the general state of the Mission. —Letter from Brother and Sister Kmoch to a friend in Edinburgh. — Commencement and progress of Hebron^ the fourth station. 'lit ^ » )5. first ar- rated at rospel in ernal af- )ciety.— -Captain iren's la- )f his fa- 24. THE d on the 1 ^ment de- I ; interval. •' * iraim — of )erintend- Mission. ' it friend in i Hebron, 1 1 MORAVIANS IN LABRADOR. INTRODUCTION. The Moravian Mission in Labrador was at- tempted under circumstances scarcely less dis- couraging than those under which the brethren were enabled to achieve the moral conquest of Greenland, was attended with incidents still more romantic, and blest with a success equally I -markable. But it possesses a peculiar inter- est to British readers, having been commenced under the auspices of the British government, and promising a more extensive influence among tribes with whom British intercourse is likely to produce a wider and more intimate connec- tion. The Peninsula of Labrador extends from the 50th to the 61st deg. n. l. It is somewhat of a triangular form ; bounded on the north by Hudson's Straits, and indented by Ungava Bay ; on the east by the northern ocean ; on the south by Canada and the Gulph of St Law- rence ; and on the west by Hudson's and James* 1 ■ 1 t ia**»*WlMwa mmuiammitMBKUtmmiMmmt JO inthodl'ctiow. I 1 1 1 ■■■■' i ■ • 1 y i Bay« which last coast, by a kind of anomaly in nomenclature^ has been called the East Main, from its situation to that great inland sea. The German geographers do not appear to doubt, what some of our own have called in question, that the discovery and the name of this Peninsula, at least of its eastern shores, were owing to the Portuguese, Caspar Corte- real, who, in the yea^s 1500 and 1501, in an expedition fitted by the king to discover a west- ern passage to India, reached the coast of New- foundland about the 50th deg* n. l., and sailed northward to nearly the entrance into Hudson's Bay. This tract of country was originally called after its discoverer. Terra Cortereali, a name since superseded by that of Terra de Labrador-— the land capable of cultivation. Davis Straits, here about one hundred miles broad, separates it from Greenland, whose southernmost point. Cape Farewell, lies in the same degree of lati- tude, [60. N. L.] with Cape Chudleigh, the northernmost extremity of JLabrador. The Straits of Belisle run between it and New- foundland. The land along the shore is abrupt asd precipitous, indented with many little creeks and vallies, surrounded by innumerable islands, and rendered extremely dangerous of access from the multitude of sunken rocks. The \ INTRODUCTION. 11 Jy in AsLin, jar to ed in me of hore», IJorte- in an west- New- sailed idson's called I name idor— trait», >arates point, f lati- the The New- brupt little erable Ions of The interior is mountainous, intersected by marshes, and abounding with streamlets and lakes. Detached from the Arctic lands, this country ought to partake in €ome degree of the temper- ate cold regions, but whether owing to the ele- vation of its mountains, or the influence of the perpetual fogs that cover the neighbouring seas, it is as frozen a region as those to the west of Hudson's Bay ; and though it lies some degrees farther south than Greenland, yet the cold dur- ing the long winter is far more severe, the ther- mometer being frequently 32^ below 0° of Farn- lieit. Perhaps the immense quantity of drift ice which accumulates on the eastern shores, and which extends for so many miles out to sea, may have some influence on the temperature of the climate. The summer, on the other hand, during the short time that it lasts, is propor- tionably warmer, the thermometer rising from 70^ to 80^ above 0. Vegetation then proceeds with uncommon rapidity ; the shrubs and plants expand as if by enchantment ; and the country- assumes the luxuriance and beauty of a Euro- pean summer. Forests of pine and larch are «cattered ovsr the country, the trees of suflicient «ize to be used in building, or to be sawn into boards; there are also willows, birch, aspea, and alder, in considerable quantities. I :| 12 INTRODUCTION. The land animals are the same as those in Greenland. The rein-deer, this beautiful and useful creature^ is found in considerable herds, but has not hitherto been domesticated, being only hunted for its flesh, which makes an agree- able variety of food ; and its skin, which is an elegant and necessary article of clothing, as the fur is always richer in proportion to the inten- sity of the cold, against which it forms an ex- cellent defence ; they are hunted with dogs, and formerly used to be easily killed with the bow and arrow, but the introduction of fire-arms has proved much more destructive. When hard pressed, they soon take to- the water, and swim so well that a four-oared boat can scarcely come up with them, but an Esquimaux in his kaiak more readily overtakes them. Hares are toler- ably plenty. The Arctic fox also is numerous ; their skins are used for the purposes of com- merce, and their flesh is esteemed preferable to that of the hare. Black bears are frequently killed, and are relished as food by the Esqui- maux. But the most formidable among the tribes of these regions is the Polar bear, whose ferocity and courage render him an object of terror even to the well armed European. The dpg is the most useful of the quadrupeds to the Esquimaux ; he bears a strong resemblance to .i-,ii- ' ^M iitfarjaiiii'iii^ INTRODUCTION. 13 se in I and lerds, being gree- is an IS the inten- m ex- vS,and 3 bow US has hard swim r come kaiak toler- srous ; com- ible to ently squi- g the iwhose lect of The to the ce to the wolf; is in height about the sifte of the Newfoundland, and is well furnished with a thick hairy coat, peculiarly adapted to the cli- mate. As a hunter, his scent can trace the seal or the rein-deer at a considerable distance, and he does not dread, when in packs, to attack even the white bear itself. His chief value, however, consists in his qualities as a draught animal : for this he is carefully trained from his infancy, and undergoes severe and frequent floggings to break him regularly into the team. He becomes then remarkably submissive, comes at his master's call, and allows himself quietly to be harnessed to the sledge. In fastening them, care is taken not to let them go abreast : they are tied by separate thongs, of unequal lengths, to a hori- zontal bar on the forepart of the sledge; an old knowing one leads the way, running ten to twenty paces a-head, directed by the driver's whip, which is often twenty-four feet long, and can only be properly wielded by an experienced Esquimaux ; the other dogs follow like a flock of sheep, and if one receives a lash, he bites his neighbour, and the bite goes round. Their strength and speed, even with an hungry stom- ach, is astonishing ; and to this they are often subjected, especially by the heathen, who treat them with little mercy^ and force them to per« -■-^.{ OtlMMMKll Nfei BflMSa % 14 INTRODUCTION. form hard duty for the small quantity of food they allow them. Their portion upon a journey consists chiefly in ofl^ils, old skins, entrails, rot- ten whale flesh, or fins, or whatever else the Esquimaux himself cannot use ; if these run out, or if the master, whose stomach is not of the most delicate contexture, requires his dog's meat, then the poor creatures must go and seek for themselves, in which case they will swallow almost any thing, so that it is always necessary lo secure the harness over night, if the traveller wishes to proceed in the morning. The teams vary from three to nine dogs, and this last num- ber have been known to drag a weight of more than sixteen hundred pounds, a mile in nine minutes. Like the Greenlanders, the inhabitants of Labrador must draw their subsistence and their wealth chiefly from the sea ; but in this respect their circumstances are less favourable than the former. Whales are scarce, and the chief spe- cies they take is that denominated the white fish, of little value in commerce. In pursuing them they have now adopted the European boat in preference to their own, and those most fre- quently employed are six-oared, rowed by twelve men. The harpooner stands in the bow with his harpoon, or iron spear, which is stuck on a i ii\ BMe f food jurney is, rot- se the se run not of s dog's id seek wallow cessary aveller teams t num- f more n nine ints of their espect lan the ef spe- white rsuing in boat >st fre- twelve w with ;k on a i ;, INTRODUCTION. 15 shaft one or two fathoms long, and is provided with a leathern thong of considerable length, to which are attached from five to ten bladders of seal skin. If the whale be struck, he immedi- ately dives to the bottom of the sea, where he re- mains till he is quite exhausted, when he again comes to the surface of the water to breathe ; in the meanwhile the boat's crew observe all its motions, and are in readiness with their lances to complete the business, during which, the per- son who first struck the fish, falls down on his face in the forepart of the boat, and prays that Torngak would strengthen the thongs that they may not break ; another of the crew allows his feet to be bound, as a symbol of what he desires, then attempting to walk, falls down and ex- claims, " Let him be lame V* and a third, if he observes that the whale is dying, calls out, " Now Torngak is there, and will help us te kill the fish, and we shall eat his flesh, and fare sumptuously, and be happy !" But if the whale appears likely to escape, the first continues ly- ing on his face crying out with vehemence, " Hear yet, and help us !" If the whale get off, some of their conjurors inform them that Torngak was not there, or he did not hear, or he was otherwise employed ! Seals are more abundant, and are the chief dependance of the -rmmmmm 'mm 16 INTRODUCTION. natives^ their flesh serving for food, their skint for clothes and covering to their tents and boats, and their blubber for oil or for exchange. Catch- ing the seal was formerly a tedious and labori- ous process, but now they are generally taken in nets, which the natives have adopted from the Europeans. Salmon and salmon-trout are caught in every creek and inlet ; they remain in the rivers and fresh-water lakes during the winter, and return to the sea in spring. The Esquimaux about Okkak and Saeglak, catch them in winter under the ice by spearing. For this purpose they make two holes in the ice, about eight inches in di- ameter, and six feet asunder, in a direction from north to south. The northern hole they screen from the sun by a bank of snow about four feet in height, raised in a semi-circle round its south- ern edge, and form another similar bank on the north side of the southern hole, sloped in such a manner as to reflect the rays of the sun into it. The Esquimaux then lies down, with his face close to the northern aperture, beneath which the water is strongly illuminated by the sun- beams entering at the southern. In his left hand he holds a red string, with which he plays in the water to allure the flsh, and in his right, a spear ready to strike them as they approach ; INTRODUCTION. 17 r skim 1 boats, Catch- labori- j taken d from n every ers and I return L about T under ij make IS in di- on from r screen [)ur feet 3 south- : on the such a into it. lis face which 16 sun- lis left le plays s right, >Toach ; i and in this manner, they soon take as many as they want. The trout on this coast are from twelve to eighteen inches long, and in August and September so fat, that the Esquimaux col- lect from them a sufficient quantity of oil for their lamps. The great shoals of herrings, which are the staple of the Greenlanders, do not touch at the shores of Labrador, but they have abun- dance of cod at many of their fishing stations, which the missionaries have shown them the method, and set them the example, of curing for their winter's supply. Sea-fowl of the duck and goose species fre- quent the shores of Labrador, and the islands scattered around it, and afford to the natives, as they do to the rest of the northern tribes, food, warmth, and materials for trade. Of the land birds, the large partridge, Qreiper,] or American wild pheasant, is the only one which the mis- sionaries mention as being used by them as an agreeable variety of food, when, other resources failing, they have been confined to salted pro- visions. The peninsula is chiefly inhabited on the coast, where the Moravians have now four set- tlements. The natives style themselves Innuit, i. e. men ; and foreigners, Kablunat or inferior beings. Their original national name is Kara- II I n ii kni ii i iiii '^„....-!imjMsaaHHMMiiiHii tl I \k : "■ . .| !-."-■ svli L. 18 INTRODUCTION. litj also denoting superiority, and the term Es- quimaux, by which they are now so generally known, was given them by their neighbours the Indians, in whose language it signifies " men's raw meat," and probably imports that the In- dians were, or it may be, are cannibals, and de- voted their captives for this horrible repast. In lowness of stature, in their flat features, and dark colour, they exactly resemble the Green - landers. Their language is a dialect of the same tongue, intelligible by both ; but from their intercourse with foreigners, and their a- dopting some foreign customs, and becoming possessed of foreign utensils, a number of strange words have been introduced into each, only the former borrowed Danish or English phrases, while the latter had learned many French words. Their dress is nearly similar, being seal-skin coats and breeches, except the outer garment of the women ends behind in a train that reaches to the ground, and their boats are sufficiently large to carry their children if they are mothers —or provisions, or any other packages, if they are not. Their winter houses are low, long, ill-con- structed huts, inhabited by several families, and abominably filthy ; they are dug deep in the earth, but the walls above the surface never m . A ^.....^- ^-^ INTRODUCTION. 19 *rm Ks- enerally lOurs the «* men's the In- and de- past. In ires, and B Green - t of the )ut from their a- becoming )f strange only the phrase8> ih words, seal-skin irment of [t reaches ifficiently mothers if they ill-con- families, deep in lice never exceed three feet in height, the roof is elevated in the middle, and the windows are placed to look to the south : the entry can only admit a person to crawl in ; on one side of it is placed the kitchen, and on the other the dog-kennel, but no partition separates the biped from the quadruped inhabitant. If constrained to travel in winter, or to remain at a distance from their usual homes, they build houses of snow, which afford them a tolerably comfortable temporary abode. These habitations are very ingeniously constructed; they first search out a heap of firmly frozen snow, next they trace out a circu- lar figure, of whatever size they think requisite, and then proceed with their long thin knives, to cut out square slabs, about three feet in length, two in breadth, and one in thickness, and gra- dually contracting as they rise, they form a dome about eight feet high : within, they leave an elevation all round the walls of about twenty inches, which, when covered with skins, serves both for a seat and a sleeping place ; a piece of ice serves for a window, and in the evening they close their door with a board of snow ; a lamp suspended from the roof gives light and heat to the apartment. When missions were first commenced among the Greenlanders, they had had but little inter- course with Europeans : it was different when —, »«-— — ^.,.<"T- aMi 20 INTRODUCTION. i» •• the brethren visited Labrador — the Esquimaux had been long acquainted with Europeans^ but of the baser sort, and had lost many of the ori- ginal features of savage life, without, however, gaining any thing better in their place. Their communication with these wretches, who dis- graced the term civilized, corrupted their mo- rals, and did not improve their knowledge — taught them wants, without teaching them how to supply them, except by theft. When the missionaries latterly came in contact with Es- quimaux, who were previously unacquainted, or but little acquainted, with white men, they found them comparatively mild and honest. On a voyage of observation, they landed at Nach- rack, and they report, " We found," say they, " the people here, differing much in their man- ners from the people at Saeglak. Their beha- viour was modest, and rather bashful, nor were we assailed by beggars and importunate intru- ders. We had no instance of stealing. Thieves are considered by the Esquimaux in general with abhorrence, and with a thief no one is wil- ling to trade." Latter voyagers have borne similar testimony to their brethren still further north ; but their honesty seems to have arisen from the want of temptation ; for the same mis- sionaries add : " We have discovered that this propensity is not altogether wanting in the INTRODUCTION. 21 uimaux ma, but the ori- owever, Their rho dis- eir mo- ledge — lem how hen the vith Es- [uainted, en, they lest. On it Nach- lay they, leir man- lir beha- or were ite intru- Thieves general le is wil- e borne I further e arisen ;me mis- that this in the northern Esquimaux, who now and then, if they think they can do it without detection, will make a little free with their neighbour's proper- ty. And a further acquaintance with the na- tives discovered to the northern navigators, that lirst impressions are not always to be relied up- on, for even the fair damsels could slyly secrete pewter plates, spoons and other valuables, in the capacious trunks of their hose-boots ; but those near the European settlements had improved in wickedness, and got ingrafted on their own vici- ous propensities new branches of more vigorous and productive mischief. They were in truth in a situation peculiarly adapted to shew the power and the necessity of the gospel for reclaiming the moral wilderness, for in them it had to overcome the worst vices of barbarous and civilized men. . Their religion too appears to have received no more improvement than their morals ; from their neighbourhood to nominal Christians their creed remained much the same. They believ- ed that Torngak, under the figure of an old man, dwelt in the waters, and had the rule over whales and seals, and that a female de- mon, Supperguksoak, under the form of an old woman, resided in the interior, and reigned over the land animals. But the Angekoks had assumed a secular power, which they did not possess in Greenland^ and exercised at once the ...im..^. -■^■-.'"■j'-^-' m>^'^:. ,-r- 22 INTRODUCTION. i ' i^ i % m I I ■¥■ f i^ » \rr office of priest and a chief, of a sorcerer, a thief, and a murderer. Of this several examples will be found in the subsequent narrative, as well as instances of their ridiculous incantations : the females, in some cases, showed the authority and influence of their husbands. Their notions of futurity were gross and sensual, the highest enjoyment of the soul after death, being made to consist in successful hunting and gluttony ; the sorest punishment, in poverty and hunger. The Esquimaux on the east coast of Labra-^ dor, may be divided into two sections ; those in the south, who seldom come farther than Kan- gerluksoak, about twenty miles north of Ok« kak, which lies 57^ « 20 m. n. l. ; and those of the north, who seldom come farther south than Nachrack, 59^ — m. Saeglak lies between, and in winter is visited by both in their sledges. Those in the north still retain the original na* tive furniture, wooden bowls, and whale-bone water buckets, large and small lamps and ket- tles of bastard-marble, and are more un vitiated, therefore more to be depended upon than the others. They of the south have obtained Eu- ropean pots and kettles of iron, hatchets, saws, knives and gimlets, woollen cloths, sowing needles, and various other utensils of iron ; they are more treacherous^ and less to be trust- ed in their dealings. I INTRODUCTION. S3 So long as Newfoundland remained in pos- session of the French, the traffic of Europeans with the Esquimaux went little farther than the bartering of fish hooks^ knives, or trifling wares, which they had brought with them to the fishing for whale fins. But when that is- land fell into the hands of the English, they and the Americans, who promised themselves great advantages from opening a trade with the natives, brought with them a more extensive assortment of goods. The traffic at first was mismanaged. In order to ingratiate themselves with the savages, the traders both took and al- lowed greater liberties than were calculated to preserve mutual good understanding. The fo- reigners excited the cupidity of the natives^ which, though easily satisfied at the moment^ soon became a constant, increasing, and insatia- ble appetite : and when their whale fins, furs, or blubber were exhausted, and they could pur- chase no more of the articles they had learned to prize, they first quarrelled with those friends who would not make them presents of what they wanted, and then proceeded by fraud os- force to supply themselves. Having a thorough contempt for the Kablunat, they imagined that they displayed a virtuous and praiseworthy su- periority, when they overreached, deceived, and stole from them. The traders who entertained n ..-. — j-,..- — f !^*"W|fcKH(»W»BW3i-.'qa MStAll^eSW** p nw wi— ih m ^-t*^- miM 'iMl'TC* 24 INTRODUCTION. ^i i. ! 1- n ?t / similar notions respecting the Esquimaux, acted in a similar manner, and their intercourse soon became productive of murders and robberies, in which the numbers and cunning of the latter enabled them for a time to be the most suc- cessful. A band of Esquimaux from Avertok, a place not far from where the settlement of Nain at present is, commenced their plundering expe- ditions upon system, evincing a depraved inge- nuity, converted now to better objects. They went regularly to the south with whale fins, which they bought up from their neighbours, and under the pretext of trading with the Eu- ropeans, contrived, either by stratagem or open violence, to rob them to an extent far beyond the value of what they pretended to barter; this succeeding for a while, they were joined by others from various quarters, till they were able to equip a fleet of boats amounting to eighteen. In 1763, they so infested the straits of Bellisle, that it was not safe for a fishing vessel to enter them alone. And so successful were those pi- rates, that they supplied the whole coast, not only with iron utensils and European arms, but likewise with boats, sails, anchors, cords and nets ; and boats in particular were in such plenty, that a good one could have been got for a few skins, twelve whale fins, or two or three /"^ INTRODUCTION. fi6 X, acted rse soon leries, in le latter lost suc- :, a place Nain at ng expe- ^ed inge- s. They hale fins, ighbours, 1 the Eu- n or open r beyond barter; joined by were able eighteen, f Bellisle, il to enter those pi- coast, not arms, but cords and in such len got for or three ('i dogs. The excesses and cruelties with which these depredations were accompanied, filled the Europeans and colonists with such extraordin- ary terror, that if but the cry of a bird was heard in the night, every one trembled, and made ready to flee. The savages preferred stratagem, and to ac- complish their purpose did not hesitate to em- ploy the most insidious treachery. When they approached Cape Charles, they never ventured farther, till they reconnoitred during the dark in their kaiaks, and ascertained whether there were any Europeans on the north side of Cha- teau Bay ; if they found none, they advanced in the night, or in foggy weather, to the three islands that lie in the mouth of the bay, whence they, under cloud of night, examined the bay itself. If they found there only a few Euro- peans, whom they supposed they could easily master, they approached softly so near, that they could stare them in the face, and then raised a most frightful yell, which commonly terrified the Europeans thus taken by surprise, and threw them into such confusion, that they left all, and were glad if they escaped with their lives. If, however, the Europeans did not allow themselves to be frightened by the unexpected cry, but received them in a friendly manner, aud made offer to trade, the Esqui-^ 3 ~'"' * * in » ""i.i ii n )»» | i ij i «mj ii> II . .»T^ww»»«»» 4 •!«• B a •■■ ■■ M,iiji *mt s^rtv «B^:?4 26 INTRODUCTION. i r # 4» maux would agree with seeming cordiality ; and having sent off their boats and families, the men returned in their kaiaks^ bringing a few whale fins to sell, and entered upon a very amicable-like traffic. This kind of intercourse they would continue for some days, till, having gained the confidence of the strangers and thrown them off their guard, then the most re- solute and strongest of the Esquimaux, con- cealing their long knives in a secret sheath in their left sleeve, would enter upon a bargain for some more fins, and while adjusting it with the greatest show of friendship, each would seize the trader with whom be was dealing, as if he meant to embrace him, and on a given sign by their leader, would plunge his knife into his heart. In this manner the whole were cut off, and their property became the prey of the savages, who, when they had fairly cleaned Chateau Bay, would set sail to renew their de- predations in other quarters, and if dark and misty weather favoured, and their force was sufficient, they would even scour the straits of Belisle, or roam during the night in search of booty through the neighbouring islands. Such was the character of the savages the Moravians were desirous to civilize ! how they succee.dedj the following pages will show. . . /'.; i 1 m iiality ; lies, the nr a few a very ercourse , having rers and most re- ux, con- heath in bargain 2 it with h would dealing, 1 a given his knife lole were 3 prey of y cleaned their de- dark and "orce was straits of search of s. Such loravians ,ccee.ded^ THE k MORAVIANS IN LABRADOR. CHAPTER I. Hudson's Bay Company first settle among the Esqui- maux. — J. C. Erhardt suggests a mission — his letter to the Moravian Bishop — M, Stach consulted — Lon- don merchants undertake the scheme— engage Erhardt —its fatal conclusion. — Jens Haven employed by the Brethren, encouraged by the British Government, sets out on a voyage of discovery — his providential arriv- al at Quirpont — first meeting with the Esquimaux— his interesting intercourse — returns to England. — His second expedition, accompanied by Drachart and other missionaries — their proceedings — Drachart's re- markable conversation with the natives — influence of the missionaries in preserving peace — their religi- ous communications with the savages — the curiosity of the latter — their thievish tricks — their kindness to the missionaries — a dreadful storm — Drachart and Haven entertained by an Angekok — his incantations — their parting addresses to each other — the missionaries re- turn to London, When the original Hudson's Bay Company- was fornned, 1688, for the purpose of trading in furs with the natives, the instructions they sent to their factors breathed the most liberal and benevolent principles. They directed them to use every means in their power to reclaim w mW" li ' 26 THE MOKAVIAKS JW^ the heathen from a state of barbarism^ and in- stil into their minds the pure lessons of Chris- tianity ; and at the same time admonished them to trade equitably^ and take no advantage of their untutored simplicity. It does not appear that much attention was paid to either of these injunctions, or if there was, the efforts proved as abortive as those they made to discover the western passage. The moral wilderness still remains around their settlements on the East Maine, while those of the brethren on the op- posite coast of Labrador bloom and blossom as the rose. The first thought of attempting to establish a missionary settlement in that quarter among the Esquimaux, originated with a Moravian brother, John Christian Erhardt, a Dutch pi- lot. He had in early life made several voyages to Davis Straits; but in 17^9, when sailing under Captain Grierson in the Irene, the vessel touched at New Herrnhut in Greenland, where he saw the congregation that had been gathered from among the heathen in that land ; and in conversation with the brethren they told him that they supposed the opposite coast of North America was peopled by tribes having th^ sane customs and speaking the same langua^^ as the Greenlanders. This statement made a deep r ,.it=. IN LABRADOR. 29 and in- if Chris- led them ntage of )t appear ■ of these s proved jover the ness still the East n the op- lossom as establish er among Moravian )utch pi- ll voyages ^n sailing the vessel id, where gathered ; and in told him of North t^^ sane g^ as the a deep I impression on his mind, and during his stay at Hernhaag, 17^0, while musing on the state of that people sitting in the darkness of heathenism, and on how the light of the gospel might be communicated to them, a descrip- tion of the journey undertaken by Henry Ellis, 1746 — 7, at the desire of the Hudson's Bay Company, to try to discover a north-west passage, accidentally fell into his hands. The account there given of these barbarous regions convinced him that the people were sprung from the same origin with the Greenlanders, and the methods suggested by Ellis for their moral improvement enabled him to bring his own scheme to a bearing. In a letter, dated 20th May 1750, addressed to Bishop Johannes de Watteville, he laid be- fore him his plan for establishing a mission on that part of the coast between Newfoundland and Hudson's Straits, which had as yet been but rarely visited by Europeans, and offered himself to undertake it. " Whoever," says he in this letter, " has seen our cause in Green- land, and what the Saviour has done to the poor heathen there, surely his heart and his eyes must overflow with tears of joy, if he pos- sess any feeling of interest in the happiness of others : they are indeed sparkling rubies in the n -Tmrrrma w » ".- . a >. x«MP mm» 80 THE MORAVIANS f '■ golden girdle of our dear Saviour^ as the text for the day speaks^ Hev. i. 13. And I believe the Saviour has in these northern waters many such gems that he will also gather, and set in it to his praise and glory. My heart is much impressed with the thought of carrying the gospel to the before mentioned countries and places." ** Now, dear Johannes," he concludes, '' thou knowest that I am an old Greenland traveller; I have also an amazing affection for these northern countries, Indians, and other barbarians ; and it would be a source of the gr'^rtest joy if the Saviour would discover to me that he has chosen me, and would make me fit for this service. It is not for ease or conve- nience that I so earnestly desire it. I think I can say before the Saviour, if this is of thee thou wilt cause it to prosper ; if not, yet it is a good work, and no one will lose any thing by it." On purpose to further the prosecution of this object, M. Stach, the 6rst Greenland mission- ary, had been recalled to Europe, and in the year ] 752 was sen^ for to London by Count Zinzendorlf, to be consulted with upon the oc- casion. Application was at the same time made to the Hudson's Bay Company, for permission to preach the gospel to the savages in the neighbourhood of their factories ; but this be- IN LABRADOR. «1 I the text [ I believe tters many and set in irt is much rrying the intries and I concludes, Greenland liFection for and other urce of the discover to Id make me tse or conve- 1 think I of thee thou it is a good |ng by it." ution of this ind mission- and in the Ion by Count upon the oc- e time made ,r permission ages in the but this be- ing refused, probably lest it should interfere with their mercantile projects, M. Stach re- turned to found new settlements near the scenes of his first labours. Meanwhile three London merchants, but unconnected with the Hudson's Bay Company, Messrs Nisbet, Grace and Bell, fitted out a vessel for the coast of Labrador, to trade in oil and whale fins, and engaged Erhardt, then at Zeist, to act as su- percargo, who, on account of his knowledge of the north seas, of the trade, and of the lan- guage, they judged well qualified for that of- fice ; but they also wished to make some pre- paration for a missionary settlement, and four brethren, Golkowsky, Kunz, Post, and Krumm, volunteered to remain in the country to learn the language, and endeavour the conversion of the heathen : for this purpose they took with them a woo'ien house ready to be set up, a boat, various articles of furniture, and some kitchen garden-seeds. Count Zinzendorff, who, from former expe- rience, was opposed to mixing trading transac- tions with the work of a Christian mission, was not without doubts as to the issue of this un- dertaking : he did not however attempt to pre- vent it. The vessel on board of which this small society embarked, named the Hope, reach-* *'ij : A *4 II ■MRi ■KM li 0.0 THE MORAVIANS I i ; \ I' . !.-' 1 < ■ { ed the south-east coast of Labrador on the 11th July 1752. The whole is precipitous^ and skirted with numerous barren rocky islands : among theste they had to steer their way under many difficulties, and with the greatest caution^ without any proper chart, in misty weather, and with the sounding line constantly in their hands. At length they landed, and proceeded in search of the Esquimaux, in order to traffic with them. On the 29th July they made their first appearance in five kaiaks, which 'hey ma- naged with great dexterity, and seemed highly delighted with Erhardt, who, from his know- ledge of the Greenlandish, could make himself understood by them. They exchanged some whale fins for knives. July 31. they came to anchor ^5 deg. 31 m. n. l. in u beautiful har- bour, surrounded by a wooded high land, and bounded by meadow grounds, to which, from respect to the chief owner of the ship, they gave the name of Nisbet's Harbour. Tliere the brethren, with the assistance of the sailors, brought their house on shore, and erected it on this pleasant spot — for it was sum- mer* — which they called Hoffenthal, i. e. Hope- vale ; they received from the ship all that was • The difference of aspect between a spot in summer, for a few weeks, and during winter, is altogether extreme^ *» IN LABRADOR. 33 a the nth itous, and ^ islands : way under ist caution, y weather, ly in their L proceeded er to traffic r made their 2h ' 'ley ma- imed highly I his know- ^ake himself langed some jey came to lautiful har- rh land, and [^hich, from e ship, they [r. [assistance of shore, and ^r it was sum- i\, i. e. Hope- all that was Lot in summer, ]>gether extreme. 4 ■m necessary for the supply of their present wants, and putting their confidence in the protection of their heavenly Father, they took up their habitation. Erhardt, in the mean time, carried on a con- siderable trade with the natives, who seemed very desirous to assemble around him, and show- ed him particular marks of affection and attach- ment. Having remained till the 5th of Sep- tember, and having seen the brethren, to all appearance, comfortably settled in their dwell- ing, the vessel left to proceed further to the north, for the purpose of completing her cargo, and Drachart, who had engaged to return to Europe, received in charge the brethren's letters for their friends, and bade them farewell. Ten days after, on the 15th, the missionaries, to their astonishment, perceived the Hope again re-enter Nisbet's Harbour. Upon boarding her they learned the painful heart-rending news, that Erhardt, the captain, ship's clerk, and four sailors, had left the ship in a boat filled with merchandize, and for one day had conducted a friendly and gainful traffic with the Esqui- maux ; but being enticed by the savages, had consented to repeat their visit, perhaps proceed farther into the country, or along the coast, and were never seen more. The vessel, with the c 1 84 THE MORAVIANS remains of the crew^ had waited in a state of the most anxious distressing expectation two days and three nights^ in hopes of their return ; but as they never made their appearance, and they had no other boat to send in quest of them, they were constrained to leave the district, un« der the distressing conviction that the natives, who had been observed lurking behind some of the small islands, had risen on the unsuspecting party, and murdered them for the sake of their property. This intelligence threw the brethren into the greatest perplexity, as the person on whom the charge of the Hope now devolved pressed them earnestly to give him their boat, and return with him to Europe, because, from the loss of his best seamen, without additional hands, it would be impossible to navigate the ship. Hav- ing come thither at the expense of the mer- chants, the missionaries could not allow them to suffer in their temporal concerns ; and although they would willingly have risked their own lives in the cause, they did not see it equally their duty to risk the lives of others, and the proper- ty of the merchants, on an unknown coast and a tempestuous ocean, and therefore agreed to comply with the new captain's request. Leav- ing provisions in the house^ from which they ass^SSiSi, " i n 11 HI. IK LABRADOU. 85 departed with sorrowful hearts^ in the feeble hope that perhaps some of those missing might yet be alive, and might be able to find their way thifher, on the 20th September they bade adieu Iv - the station, reached St John's, New- foundland, on the 31st, and about the latter end of November arrived in London. An issue so disastrous to an expedition so well planned, which apparently carried within itself every rational promise of prosperity, was calculated to throw a damp upon any renewal of missionary enterprize in that quarter ; and it did so with those who imagined that they them- selves could command success, if their projects were judiciously concerted, and the means suf- ficiently supplied. It had no such effect on that eminent servant of God, Count Zinzendorff. When the mournful accounts of the uncertain fate of Erhardt and his companions reached that nobleman, he was grieved, yet not distress- ed — perplexed, yet not in despair ; for he saw much mercy mingled in the dispensation, and was thankful to God that four brethren had re- turned safe. Next year the vessel Hope re- visited the coast of Labrador, under the com- mand of Captain Goff. He heard that some dead bodies had been found and buried, and that the missionary station had been burned. ^""'*i||pli 1 1 IllWWIlSiiiHI I I 36 THE MORAVIANS but no further particulars were ever learned. In this manner ended the tirst commercial ad- venture and first mission to Labrador — enforc- ing, in a salutary and impressive manner, the fundamental maxim of the brethren, that world- ly speculation ought never to be joined with Christian enterprize. Notwithstanding this failure, the brethren did not relinquish the hope that God would, in some way or other, direct them how to reach these savages, and there were not wanting men who showed a strong desire to carry the gospel among them. In particular, Jens Haven, a carpenter, from the moment he heard that Er- hardt had been killed by the Esquimaux, could never get rid of the powerful impulse, and in his retirement constantly employed himself with charts and books relating to the subject, and by every means endeavoured to make himself ac- quainted with the inhabitants, customs, climate and situation of Labrador. In the year 1758, Haven received a call to assist the Greenland missionaries in founding the new settlement of Lichtenfels. He then for the first time told Count ^nzendorlt', that during six years he had cherished the idea of going to Labrador to make known to the hea- then their Creator and Saviour. At first thq 1F>" j>J" il" Cj il W I , ' , ' '" "^l HjJjJl i^-^'^-Y'-'SSi^- — '>n— y^!' learned, rcial ad- — enforc- ner, the it world - led with brethren ivould, in to reach iting men ;he gospel Haven, a I that Er- Lux, could and in his iself with 3t, and by mself ac- ,s, climate a call to founding He then lorlt', that le idea of the hea- first thQ IN LABRADOR. 87 K| ^ Count hesitated whether he should allow him to go to Greenland^ but upon consideration^ he thought it would be better for him to proceed thither ; and on taking leave, and giving him bis blessing, he said^ " Go first to Greenland and learn the language^ and the Saviour ' ill do the rest." He accordingly went thither^ and was honoured^ along with M. Stach> to promote the second settlement in that country. With all the attachment and love, however^ which he soon conceived for the Greenlandersj his predilection for Labrador never abated, while his determination to serve the Lord in those regions was ever present to his mind ; and when in 1762 he returned to Germany, he laid his desire before the Conference at Engen, which at that time had the direction of the Brethren's Unity, and offered to undertake per- sonally a voyage of inquiry into these regions. His proposals met with their most cordial ap- probation, and he took his departure from Herrnhut for England in the spring of 1764, with the blessing of the congregation. He tra- velled on foot through Germany to Holland, and after encountering numberless difficulties — especially in England from his want of a know- ledge of the language— he arrived in London. His first intention was to offer himself as a 3 *«»'" 38 THE MORAVIANS ■ common sailor or ship's carpenter to the Hud* son's Bay Company, in order to procure a pas- sage ; but the brethren advised him rather to try and get to Labrador by the way of New- foundland. After many fruitless attempts, he was even- tually introduced, through the means of James Hutton, Secretary to the Brethren's Unity in England, to Sir Hugh Palliser, Governor of Newfoundland, and Commodore of the squadron which sailed annually from England. Sir Hugh received him very kindly, and took a lively interest in what appeared to him so praise- worthy an undertaking as the conversion of the heathen ; for he rationally concluded that it would also be most advantageous for commerce, if the population of that country were instruct- ed and humanized. He at once promised all his assistance and support, and even offered to carry Jens Haven out on board his own ship. This the missionary declined, but requested let- ters of recommendation to the government officers at St John's, which were readily grant- ed, and he set sail with the first vessel for that port. Upon his arrival (May 16th) he lodged at the house of a merchant, who treated him with great civility, and supported himself by working at his trade as a carpenter, while he 1 i IN LABRADOH. m i Hud- ! a pas- ther to p New- is even- ' James Jnity in jrnor of quadron d. Sir . took a lopraise- m of the that it mmerce, instruct- lised all (ffered to vvn ship. ?sted let- rernment ly grant- for that le lodged ited him mself by while he ■endeavoured to obtain every information possi- ble respecting the scene of his future labours. In the mean time, his disinterested love for the work he had engaged in, was put to an emin- ently trying test. Many persons who heard of his intentions came to see and converse with him ; but instead of endeavouring to strengthen his hands in his missionary designs, they made him several advantageous proposals for settling in Newfoundland, where there would have been no doubt of his speedily realizing a fortune. His heart, however, was bent on a nobler object. That he did not underrate the difficulties he would have to encounter in his arduous work, appears from a letter written about this time ; but he knew likewise where his strength lay. " Every on' here," says he, " paints the Es- <][uimaux in the most shocking colours ; but I think they are men, and the word of the death of Jesus^ which has produced such amazing ef- fects on other barbarous nations, cannot fail to have an influence also on them." Immediately upon his arrival in St John's, Newfoundland, the governor issued a proclama- tion, expressive of his approval of the objects of the mission, and of his desire to promote them. " As it would," said he, " be of the greatest ad- vantage to the trade of His Majesty's dominions ( :. iii ^iJdiim.- .Vl^iikxl'A ;&i.fe> '--.J 40 THE MOBAVIANS I 1 '% ^'. I ' ! i in North America^ if a friendly intercourse could be established between the Esquimaux Indians that inhabit the coasts of Labrador^ and the inhabitants of the colonies ; and all attempts hitherto to accomplish this desirable object hav- ing failed — partly, it must be confessed, owing to the foolish, treacherous and cruel manner in which some of our people have treated the na- tives in their traffic with them on their own coasts — some of them being most deceitfully plundered, and others barbarously murdered; in consequence of which we have been brought into the greatest contempt, as if our only design was to lay a snare to get them extirpated : such flagitious proceedings being directly opposed to His Majesty's benign and humane disposition, it is his Koyal will and pleasure that these In- dians be henceforth treated with kindness, and encouraged to trade with His Majesty's subjects. In conformity with these sentiments of our gra- cious Sovereign, we deem it necessary to recom- mend to every possible assistance the bearer of this, Jens Haven, a member of the Moravian Brethren's Church, who has formed the lauda- ble design of visiting these coasts, and if possi- ble, to communicate the knowledge of religion to the poor ignorant heathen, and also endea- vour to remove the prejudices which have pre-i u IN LABRADOR. 41 vented them from having a friendly intercourse ■with us. And further, we, His Majesty's Offi- cers, &c. in council assembled; having conversed with the said Jens Haven, and being highly sa- tisfied with him, command that no impediment be thrown in the way of this his attempt, but rather that every possible friendship and assis- tance be given him, in order to promote a happy issue to his most Christian undertaking, as by this a great service will not only be rendered to the inhabitants of these colonies, but to His Majesty's subjects in general. Given under our hand, subscribed and sealed at St John's, 1st July 1764. (Signed) Hugh Palliser." Fortified by this proclamation, which secured to the missionary the protection of the British Government, a protection which the Brethren have to this day enjoyed, he embarked on board a ship bound for the north, from which he was transferred to a French shallop engaged in fish- ing on the shores of Labrador. When they ar- rived on the coast. Haven for the first time saw the Esquimaux rowing about in their kaiaks, but none were permitted to approach without being fired upon, so great was the dread these savages had inspired. He landed, however, 24th August, near Chateau Bay, 52 deg. n. l.; but the inhabitants fled at his approach, at least r.«P .ii 'mmm ■tlin Jt— afcOn M i«-||„ J 42 THE MORAVIANS none made their appearance till he left the shore^ when they came in numbers to the beach, %vhich was the subject of much merriment to the sailors, who made both him and his object the frequent subjects of their coarse ridicule — . the few who sympathized in his disappointment advised him to return, and refused further as- sistance in what they considered so hopeless a cause. At the same time he was informed that a murderous project was in contemplation a« gainst the natives. All these things filled his heart with the most pungent sorrow, preyed upon his mind, and wasted his body — and .le cried to the Lord for relief and help in this distressing situation. Once, when writing down his heavy mournful cogitations in his journal, the master of the shal- lop entered his cabin, and seeing him in tears, inquired whether he was going to make a com- plaint to the owners ? " No," replied he, " but I mean to complain of you to God, that he may notice your wicked conduct on the present oc- casion, for ye have taken his name in vain, and ye have mocked his word !" Struck with this address, the captain entreated his forgiveness, and promised that from henceforth he would do every thing to promote his design, which he faithfully performed, and landed him next day IN LABRADOR. 43 left the he beach, rirnent to his object ridicule— pointment urther as- hopeless a ormed that iplation a- ith the most mind, and ^e Lord for situation, r mournful oftheshal- im in tears, [lake a com- jd he, " but that he may present oc- in vain, and ;k with this forgiveness, he would do n, which he im next day at Quirpont or Quiverant, a harbour in an island, off the north-east extremity of Newfoundland. Here he landed in a most propitious moment —a number of unprincipled wretches had arriv- ed, and were holding a council to concert a plan for destroying the Esquimaux. Instantly the missionary went to them boldly, showed them the Governor's proclamation, and strongly re- monstrated with them ; yet it was not without difficulty that he persuaded them to lay aside their diabolical design. To this harbour the natives frequently resorted to trade, or rather more frequently to steal : and here his first in- terview took place with the Esquimaux^ which he records in his diary in the following man- ner : " September 4. 1764 was the joyful day I had so long wished for, when one Esquimaux came into the harbour to see if Captain Galliot was there. While I was preparing to go to him, he had turned, and was departing to return to his countrymen, who lay in the mouth of the harbour, with the intelligence that the Captain had sailed. I called out to him in Greenland- ish that he should come to me, that I had words to sry to him, and that I was his good friend. He was astonished at my speech, and answered in broken French ; but I begged him to speak in his own language, which I understood, and ^^^^^ffw^rWo u THE MORAVIANS to bring his countrymen, as I wished to speafc to them also ; on which he went to them, and cried with a loud voice, ' Our friend is come !' " I had hardly put on my Greenland clothe* when five of them arrived in their own boats. I went to meet them, and said, ' I have long desired to see you/ They replied, ' Here is an innnit.' I answered, ' I am your countryman and friend/ They rejoined, ' Thou art indeed our countryman !' The joy on both sides wa* very great, and we continued in conversation for a considerable time, when at last they invit- ed me to accompany them to an island about an hour's row from the shore, where I should find their wives and children, who would give me a cordial welcome. I well knew that in doing this I put myself entirely in their power; but conceiving it to be of essential service to our Saviour's cause that I should venture my life among them, and endeavour to become better acquainted with their nature, I turned simply to Him, and said, ' I will go with them in thy name. If they kill me, my work on earth is done, and I shall live with thee ; but if they spare my life, I will firmly believe that it is thy will that they should hear and believe thy gospel/ " The pilot and a sailor who put me ashore^ '{ » 'm. ,v.»^. *«••.• IN LABRADOR. 45 spealc em, and 5 come r i clothe* rn boats. ave long^ lere is an intryman irt indeed sides was nversation >hey invit- d about an hould find give me a t in doing lower; but ice to our je my life lome better ,ed simply |hem in thy in earth is ,ut if they that it is |believe thy- me ashore^ remained in the boat, and pushed off a little way from the land to see what would become of me. I was immediately surrounded, and every one seemed anxious to show me his fami- ly. I gave every boy two fish-hooks, and every woman two or three sewing needles ; and after conversing about two hours, left them, with a promise of being soon with them again. In the afternoon I returned with the pilot, who wished to trade with them. I begged them to remain in this place during the night, but not to «teal any thing from our people, and showed the dan^ ger of doing this. They said the Europeans steal also. I answered, if they do so, let me know, and they shall be punished. I seized every opportunity to say something about the Saviour, to which they listened with great at- tention. I then invited them to visit me next morning, and took leave. " Next morning accordingly, eighteen Esqui- maux came in their boats. I went out to sea to meet them, and as the French Captain was frightened at the sight of such a crowd, I only allowed six of them to come ashore with me, and directed the others to land somewhere else. I now informed them of Commodore Palliser's proclamation, and of the kind intentions of the British government towards them, assuring D ^ \ <| w tf II ! ( 46 THE MOEAVIAKS them J that in future no one should be allowed to do them the least injury, so long as they themselves behaved properly and peaceably — to all which they listened with great attention ; but when I offered them the written declara- tion, which I had received from the Commodore, they shrunk back terrified, and would not be persuaded to touch it — for they supposed it a living creature, having seen me speak words from it, I then got into a boat and went with them again to their families, who received me as before, with the greatest show of kindness. In the evening, three French and one English boat arrived full of Esquimaux-^the men came immediately to see me, and requested I would visit them in their tents. I read to them a let- ter written by the missionary John Beck, in name of the Greenlanders ; and as I spoke to them of the Saviour's death, they appeared struck with terror — probably supposing that they were upbraided with some of their former murders. On which I showed them that he was a great friend to mankind — but they had no understanding of spiritual things. " To my astonishment I spoke to them with much more ease than I supposed I could have done, and they expressed great affection for me, insisting always upon my being present at all ■f !i allowed as they ,bly— to :eiition ; declara- imodore, i not be sed it a ,k words ent with eived me kindness. 5 English nen came I would em a let- Beck, in spoke to appeared sing that jir former that he thev had ;hem with lould have on for me, sent at all IN T.ABHADOR. 47 II their trading transactions with the sailors, to adjust matters between them ; ' for,' said they, ' you are our friend/ When retiring, they en- treated me to come again, and bring my breth- ren with me. " On the day after, twenty-six men arrived, and requested me once more to pay them a visit before my departure. I begged the Captain to lend me his boat, which he readily did, as he wished to go along with me ; the pilot, surgeon, and six sailors, all well armed, accompanied me. The captain had dressed himself in his most gaudy apparel, but of this the Esquimaux took no notice. They asked me if I really intended lo come again next year ? I said. Yes, if they did not murder me as they had my countrymen some years before — they startled, looked to the ground, and remained silent. I continued, ' I believe you did it through ignorance, but now that I can speak to you, I hope you will never do the like again.' They promised unanimous- ly that no one should ever receive the least in- jury from them again. I said farther, ^ When I come back I shall tell you things of the great- est importance, of the God that created you, and that redeemed you ; and if you will but be- lieve on him, then shall we live happy togeth- er.* One of them asked if God dwelt in the 48 THE MORAVIANS sun ? I replied, ' God made the sun, and tliem^ and me, and all things.' Another asked me, if he believed in this Creator, if he would be more successful in his business ? I answered, there was no doubt of it, if he was diligent in his em- ployment ; but that the future life was of infin- itely greater importance than the present, and It, those who believed on him, trusted in him, and lived according to his will, should enjoy. Some of them begged me to read again the letter that I had read yesterday ; and when I wished to take leave, one of the chief persons among them, the Angekok SeguUiak, took me into his tent, and embracing and kissing me, said, * We are tim- orous now, but when you come back again we shall meet one another without fear, dread, or suspicion.' Another came with his drum and began to dance and sing, repeating often, 'Our friend is come ! this makes us glad !' When he concluded he asked me to answer him. I sung, while my heart was touched, this verse in the Greenlandish language, ' Jehovah, Lord of hosts — the true God — thou art the Creator of all nature — the Preserver of the world.— What was ruined thou hast regained by thy blood, and by thy blood must sanctify — conse- crated to thee we fall at thy feet.' When I had finished, they said, we are without words to ex- 1/ i 'I ;.^ - , -<>cTi'.i,i ■ f» i i i ir ^ i » iai»<»i«i|»ii« W i i ii I IV LABRADOR. 40 [ them, me, if le more , there his em- if iiifin- , and il, im, and Some ter that I to take lem, the ent, and are tim- isain we Iread, or rum and n, ' Our When him. I lis verse ih, Lord 5 Creator world.— i by thy r — conse- len I had rda to ex- H^ press our admiration. They took their final de- parture on the 7th, but no sooner had they left the harbour than they began to steal. I offer- ed, if they would give me a boat with four men, to go again and speak seriously unto them^ but no one would go with me." Sir H. Palliser was so well satisfied with the missionary's report, that he sent him to Britain in the Lark frigate, to concert measures for carrying his benevolent design into execution. The Board of Trade, who perceived the im- mense advantages which would arise from a mis- sion among these tribes, in promoting peace with the natives, and the security of the trad- ers, were anxious to see the brethren establish- ed in Labrador ; and the Directors of the Unity, under their especial patronage, in the year 1 705, undertook a second voyage of inquiry upoii the coast. •■ ' '"■'' ■ '^ 'f- ■ •^ f^' On this expedition Jens Haven was accom- panied by Christian Laurentius Drachart, who had been a Danish missionary in Greenland,* John Hill and Andrew Schlozer, The British Admiralty accommodated them with a passage in a public vessel, and they (7th May) sailed from Spithead, in the Lark, Captain Thomson, the same frigate that had brought Jens Haven • Vide " Moravians in Greenland.'* 3 „mm f m i 50 THE M0IIAVIA3IS home. He landed them at Cosque, Newfound- land; where another government vessel^ the Niger, received them, and conveyed them ta Chateau Bay, at which place they arrived July 17th; but were there obliged to separate, the captain. Sir Thomas Adams, having received instructions to detain some of them, to keep up the friendly intercourse with the Esquimaux. With these directions, they not unwillingly complied, their object being to follow the lead- ings of Providence, and pursue the line which promised to lead to the greatest good. Haven and Schliizer therefore proceeded forward, and Drachart and Hill remained. The two former embarked in a schooner bound for the north, in order to prosecute their intended exploratory voyages ; but after spending from the 25th of July to the 3d of September, and reaching the 56th deg. n. l. on the east coast, Labrador, they returned without having accomplished any thing of importance, not having met with a sin- gle native in any place at which they had landed. The other two had an opportunity of speaking with hundreds, whom the trade at- tracted to their neighbourhood, of which they gave the following account in their journals : *' On the 17th August, we heard that Esqui- maux were coming, and were about twenty IN LABRADOR. 51 'found- el, the bem to ;d July te, the Bceived :eep up limaux. illingly le lead- i which Haven rd, and former orth, in oratory 25th of ing the )r, they y thing a sin- ey had inity of ade at- h they urnals : Esqui- twenty English miles off. We sailed on the 18th, very early, with Sir Thomas, to meet them, and in- vited them, in the name of the governor, to Pitt's Harbour.* After some hours we saw the first kayak. As they approached, the sav- ages began to call out, in broken French, ' tous camarades oui hu !' which the sailors answered in the same manner. Drachart allowed the first shout to pass over ; he then took one of them by the hand and said in Greenlandish, ' Ikinguitigangut,' i. e, ' we are friends ;' the native understood, and answered, * Ikinguits- genpogui,' ' we are also thy friends.* We then took some of them into the vessel, A man in a white vveollen coat, said he got it as a keepsake from Jensingoak, i, e, Jens Haven, and inquir- ed where he was. At their earnest invitation Mr Drachart went with him, and found up- wards of three hundred assembled, crying out incessantly, ' We are your friends — be not a- fraid — we understand your words — where do you come from ?' He answered, ' I have words to you ;' on which the whole adjourned to a green plain without the camp, and sat down around him. He then told them, ' I come from the Karalit in East Greenland, where at one • Pitt's Bay and St Louis Bay are creeks quite in the neighbourhood of Chateau Bay, or York's Harbour. *. < it i g ;wi »«i ii "it ii 'i 52 THE MORAVIANS time I had a wife, children, and servants/ When they heard this, they cried out, * These Karalit ^re bad people,' thinking he meant the North Indians ; but he said, ' I come not from the north, I came over the great sea from the Karalit in the east, of whom you have heard nothing, for it is very long since they went away from this place. But they have heard of you, and therefore Jensingoak came last year to visit you, to see if you are Karalits, and I now see myself that you are ; and I am sent to say, that the Karalits in the east are your friends, that they know the Creator of all things who is our Saviour, and they wish you also to know him.* "Greatly perplexed at this discourse, the savages made him repeat it again and again, saying to each other, ' saog ?' what does he say ? when an old man undertook to interpret. ' He means,* said he, ' Silla/* throwing his hands around his head, and at the same time blowing with his mouth. ' Yes !* repeated Drachart immediately, ' Silla ! — the great Creator of the world, is our Saviour.' A young man, some- what astonished, stepping forward, exclaimed, * Silia in Greenlandish, signifies sometimes the air, sometimes the understanding, and sometimes the world, or the TFvtv^Xf the soul of the world. M IN LABRADOR. 53 ervants/ ' These eant the not from Tom the '^e heard ey went heard of ast year s, and I I sent to re your II things 1 also to rse, the i again, he say ? t. 'He :s hands blowing )rachart ►r of the ij some- slaimed, s the air, he world, ' Saviour ! what is that ? I do not understand what that means.' Another asked, ' Where is he ?' Drachart then moving his hand in circles around his head, as the old man had done, said, * He is every where in Silla, but he became a man, as we are.' * Are you a teacher?' asked one. * Yes ; I was in the east,' replied the mis- sionary. ' Are you an Angekok ?' was the next question. ' It may be,' was the cautious re- sponse. On which two aged men, with long beards, coming up to him, said, ' We are Ange- koks.' Drachart took them by the hands, and introduced them to Sir Thomas Adams, who, vith the sailors, had been standing by during the conversation, and told them, * This is our captain, who is sent by a greater captain to in- vite you to visit him to-morrow.* Sir Thomas then hastened back to Pitt's harbour, to give an account of his interview to the Commodore, who had remained there, and we continued our course a few miles farther north in St Louis Bay, where we remained during the night." Now scarcely a day escaped without the brethren's having some intercourse with the Esquimaux, though this was attended with much difficulty, and many a sleepless night, as, in passing and repassing to their encampment, they often had nothing but the canopy of hea- v«wf«M.'>«-MrAw^ j;**.* **V.+.i^-«*'^W''''^;**«'**»-'«'-''Wv;.»y'*''t«-"-*'* '"*"*'« >f -*ww^r*«i'-H msPiiSSfSB!*' tSSfSSBSSSSm 54 THE MORAVIANS ^A ven to cover them from the wind and the rain. Sir H Palliser employed Mr Drachart as his interpreter in the negociations which followed, for placing the trade with the Esquimaux on such a footing that all violence should from that time cease on both sides, and that mutual con- fidence might be restored and maintained. He also learned by his means the chief places of their residence, and their actual numbers — im- portant points for regulating his future inter- course with that nation. In these respects, the missionary was unweariedly diligent, and his ef- forts were so successful, that, during the whole time he and his brethren remained, peace and good will was preserved among all parties. But at the same time he neglected no oppor- tunity to exhibit the crucified Jesus, and com- mend him to the heathen as their Saviour. The following excerpts from his diary may serve as a specimen : — When he spake to them of the corruption and depravity of all men, they thought he only meant the Kablunat, or fo- reigners, not them, they were good Karalit. *'Have you ever,'* said he, "any bad thoughts ?" *' No." " But when you think we will kill the Kablunat, and take their boats and their goods, are not these bad thoughts ?" *' Yes." " Would you not then wish to be delivered from your I .. a^.~*.^j'.r.~i.«-.«,-»-» *•**,., ^"._.^-.-^- ■* « .»*»»^***.**M*.«fc--«M*r«»«-»'* ii».^^«^-!^ r"» ■• ^^UmImU^^ IN LABBADOR. 55 he rain, t as liis jllowed, laux on om that lal con- d. He laces of Ts — im- e inter- ;cts, the id his ef- le whole mce and [es. oppor- id corn- Saviour, ay serve n of the , they or fo- ^^aralit. ights?" kill the r goods, Would m vour bad thoughts^ words and actions?" "We do not know/' — concluded their catechism. When the missionary told them that the Greenlanders had been washed from their sins in the blood of Jesus, tht»y were amazed, and said, " they must have been very wicked fel- lows !" and when be spoke to them of eternal damnation, they supposed it was only the Kab- lunat that were sent to hell, (because they did wicked things, — as for them they were good Karalit.) Having upon one occasion mention- ed God to them, they said " Thou speakest of Torngarsuk." He then asked them if Torngar- suk created all things ; they answered, " We do not know." But an Angekok said immediately, " Torngarsuk ajungilak, ' — the great spirit is good and holy ; and another added, '' Ajuatan- gilat," — nothing is impossible to him ; and a third subjoined, " Saimavot," — he is gracious and merciful. They, however, could form no idea of what he said to them of a Saviour and Redeemer ; he was obliged to explain that word to them by parables, when they would ask if this mighty Personage would be their good friend, for they could conceive of him in no other way than as a great lord who v/as to come and deliver them from the Kablunat, and assist them against the northern Kraler, With the •'V«flBJf*3't 56 THE MOilAVIAXS fickleness so natural to savages, they would lis- ten attentively to the first instructions, but when it was often repeated, they would say as both ancient and modern Athenians, " we know all that already, tell us something new ;" or like the Greenlanders, sometimes profess to believe it, and the next moment declare they neither understood nor cared about it. With those who had patience, and were so disposed, the missionary went over every doctrine about which they spoke in a catechetical way, and endeav- oured by short questions, to see if they compre- hended it, and tried to allure them to make further inquiry. During their whole intercourse, the Esqui- maux showed themselves very friendly, and were particularly glad when they saw Jens Haven again ; some of them recollected many things he had told them the year before, and praised him for keeping his promise of return- ing, and others boasted of the good they had heard of him from their countrymen. The brethren could go any where among them with the utmost security ; but they were under the necessity of submitting to their curiosity, and allowing them to handle every thing they saw, even when they perceived this liberty to be at- tended with danger ; yet even now, such was I lid lis- 18, but . say as e know ' or like believe neither L those sed, the it which endeav- compre- to make I Esqui- dly, and aw Jens ed many ■ore, and f return- they had en. The hem with inder the )8ity, and they saw, ' to be at- such was IN LABRADOR. 57 f i J the influence of their friendly behaviour, that very little damage was incurred. In one tent, they searched Drachart's box, and carried every thing off, taking also his hat along with them. Without uttering any reproachful complaint, the missionary went to some of the older peo- ple, and said, " Now I have got no hat to skrecn me from the sun." They instantly called to the young men, and desired them to give him back every thing, which they did with the ut- most coolness, and only requested a knife as a keepsake. At another time, when they had secretly emp- tied his box, no sooner did the chief elders of the tribe perceive the circumstance, than they called every person belonging to the tent to come before them, and desired that what had been taken away should be restored ; the thief immediately came forward, and without betray- ing any consciousness of having done wrong, threw down what he had taken, saying, " Thou needest it thyself!" Though at a great distance, and scattered over a considerable extent of country. Haven and Drachart were especially anxious to visit them in their own houses : this they seized every opportunity of doing, searching them out, and under every difficulty wandering after them. I) 68 THE MORAVIAN* Ml u \ But they were gratified by the reception they generally met with; for when they informed them that they intended next year to come and live among them, the answer uniformly was — *' Come and build a house with us, and live with us ; but do not bring Kablunat with you, bring only Innuit — men as we are, and you are ; and Jensingoak shall help us to build boats, and to repair them ; and Drachart shall teach us to read and write, and we shall live together as friends ; then our flints^ and harpoons shall no more be used against each other, but against the seals and rein deer." A dreadful storm of wind and rain occurred on the 12th September, which gave rise to some interesting incidents, and appears materially to have furtheried the object of ths missionaries, by shewing the Esquimaux their fearless intre- pidity and unsuspecting confidence, which strongly affected the savages, and greatly in- creased the affection and respect in which they before held them. The missionaries, when at- tempting to get on board their vessel, were pre- vented by the violence of the tempest. Their shallop was driven on shore and grounded on the rocks. In vain they endeavoured, with the assistance of the Esquimaux, to get her off: * A poetical expression for pistols and muskets. il :i i^i^^AK«SSii£ IN LABRADOB. 59 n they formed me and ' was — nd live th you, ^ou are ; I boats, II teach together )ns shall t against occurred to some rially to ionaries, ss intre- which jatly in- ich they vhen at- veve pre- Their nded on d, with her off : eight of them waded into the water breast-deep and toiled for upwards of an hour, but could not move her ; meanwhile the vessel went away, and they were left alone with the natives. m Hill and the ship's surgeon endeavoured to fol- low the vessel in a small boat, in order to at- tempt some arrangement ; but just as they had reached her, they were dashed by the waves against the ship's side and overset, and narrowly escaped with their lives. Drachart and Haven now betook themselves to the stranded shallop, but they were destitute of provisions, and the rain fell in torrents. The Esquimaux, who perceived their wretched situation, came and represented to them that the boat could not pos- sibly float before the tide returned in the morn- ing, and invited them to lodge for the night in their tent, a proposal with which the poor dren- ched brethren were glad to comply. Immedi- ately SeguUiak, the Angekok, plunged into the water and brought them successively on his back to the shore ; he afterwards carried them to his tent, caused his wife to procure them dry garments, and spread a skin on the floor for them to sit and sleep on. The tent was soon crowded with people, who frequently asked them if they were not afraid ? " We do not know what you intend," answered they, " but •1^ 'tr •JKX .■:■.' . t* i ■ 60 THE MORAVIANS you are our friends, and friends are not afraid of each other." " We are good Karalits," was the universal rejoinder, " and now we see you are not Kablunat, but Innuits, and our friends ; for you come to see us without weapons, we will do you noharm." The Esquimaux then gave the brethren fish, water and some bread they had got from the sailors, and in about half an hour prepared for rest, Segulliak kindly cover- ing them with two other skins. The conjurer himself did not, however, appear inclined for repose : falling into an ecstacy he first sung with his wives, then muttered some unintelligible jargon, made strange gestures, blew and foam- ed at the mouth, tv/lsted his limbs and body to- gether as if convulsed, throwing himself into every possible posture ; and at intervals emit- ting the most frightful shrieks, then again he held his hand on Drachart's face, who was next him, and concluded the first act of his demonaical pantomine by groaning out, " Now is my Torn- gak come !" Observing Drachart, who was awake, appear startled when he came near him, as often as he laid his hand on his face he kiss- ed him. He then lay still for a while as if dead — after a little began to moan , and at last raised himself up, and requested that they would kiss him, as that gave him some relief, I '^^aaHHSXlKts^ ^ , , . ^^-J^j »*mifn*#*|i^i„»»^ ,, Yf IN LABRADOR. 61 ; afraid ;s," was see you 'riends ; ons, we len gave ad they half an y cover- conjurer ined for ing with :elligible id foam- body to- self into Is emit- again he was next monaical [ly Torn- ^ho was lear him, he kiss- lile as if d at last lat they le relief, after which he sat down and began to sing. The brethren told him they would sing some- thing better, and accordingly sung some Green- land hymns— to these the Esquimaux were very attentive, and repeated every word, ob- serving, " We know only a little of what you say." Wearied and restless, the brethren lay down, but could not sleep ; they therefore frequently arose and went out of the tent : but Segulliak, who appeared to view their motions with sus- picion, always took care to go out along with them : in the morning, at his desire, they di- vided among his people glass-beads, fish-hooks, sewing needles, &c. as payment for their night's lodging. At parting, Segulliak addressed them, " You may tell your countrymen in the east that you have slept a night with me in safety— you are the first foreigners that ever remained a night in my tent — yet you are not foreigners but men, our friends, with whom all dread is at an end, for we know each other." Drachart be- ing taken ill, it was not till the 21st September that the brethren were able to take their final departure, on which occasion Jens Haven, when bidding the natives farewell, made them pro- mise that they would not forget what Drachart had spoken to them. '' We shall now," said 3 *■ C2 THE MORAVIANS} &CC. ( ^ ^' , I he, ** see you no more this year ; but remem- ber your Creator and Redeemer, and when we come again next year we shall be happy with each other. — The Saviour be gracious unto you and bless you, Amen !" On the 30th Septem- ber, the four brethren returned to Newfound- land, and after a friendly interview with the governor, embarked on board the Niger, Nov. 5th, for England, being again granted a free passage by government. On the 25th they landed at Plymouth, and reached London on the 30th of the same month. m I — ' emem- ben we ly with ito you eptem- found- ith the , Nov. a free 1 they don on I CHAPTER IL Contests between the Colonists and Savages revive— murderous skirmish. — Mikak. — Karpik, his conver- sion and death.— The Moravians receive a grant of land on the coast of liabrador — resolve to renew the mission — voyage to explore the land. — Jens Haven, Drachart, &c., arrive at liabrador— their interview with the natives — meet Mikak and Tuglavina — their kindness. — SeguUiak the tiorcet r — Anxiety of the Esquimaux for their remaining pv ong them — g^jund purchased for a settlement — manner of Largal ling with the Esquimaux — sail for Esquimaux B:^^' — t'.o natives troublesome — the Captain^s method of chfking thr>m —conduct of the missionaries, they prnach on sh -'-e. —Conversation with the Esquimaux — search av a place for a settlement — purchase it of the natives — cer- emonies used on the occasion — take fom? tt ^ jssession. — Deputation return to England. Various impediments prevented any further negociations with the government of Great Bri- tain^ in regard to establishing a mission among the Esquimaux, for nearly live years. During this period the English merchants and the na- tives on the coast of Labrador were anew in- volved in strife and bloodfc;! : 1. With the mis- sionaries all confidence had left the country; the colonists had no cbtck, and the savages had no friend. The mercenary views of the traders were ever leading them to cheat and deceive these poor untutored unprotected beings, who in return, deemed retaliation no crime ; nor in » j":.;i^.:.. v&„.i r^'Jva 64t THE MORAVIANS \ balancing the amount of guilt would it be easy to settle which of the parties were most deeply implicated; the one who gave trifles, or worse — beads or brandy, for articles of real value : or the other, who secretly pilfered some useless toys or iron implements, for which in fact they had greatly overpaid. Both were rogues in their dealings, only the Europeans bad the ad- vantage of superior knowledge, which enabled them to rob with superior dexterity, and to cloak their knavery under the name of barter. But at this date — 1766-9 — the Esquimaux, from their intercourse with their civilized neigh- bours, had learned to estimate the value of Eu- ropean arms and vessels, and they stuck at no method by which they might possess themselves of them, 'vhile the murders which the whites committed with impunity, led them on every occasion that offered, eagerly to gratify their cupidity and revenge. They accordingly watch- ed their opportunity; and in 1768, when the Europeans were off their guard, killed three men and stole two boats. A battle was the con- sequence, when twenty of the savages were left dead on the field, and four women, two boys and three girls were taken prisoners, and brought to Newfoundland. Among the women prisoners were Mikak : one of the boys was her son ; the other, Karpik, about fifteen years of age, had .i, IK LABRADOR. 65 t be easy Jt deeply or worse alue : or 3 useless Fact they ogues in I the ad- enabled and to barter, [uimaux, d neigh- e of Bu- ck at no jmselves e whites m every fy their J watch- hen the d three the con- ^ere left >oys and )ught to Tisoners on ; the ge, had previously lost his mother, and his father fell in the engagement. Their story forms a remarkable episode in the history of the mis- sion. These three were sent to England, where they were treated with much kindness. Mikak, who seems to have been a person of very superior understanding, was noticed by many of the nobility, and particularly by the Princess Dowager of Wales, mother to George III. ; but nothing could overcome her love for her native land, or erase from her mind the deep sense she entertained of the sufferings of her kindred. We are not furnished with the facts of the case, but it appears sufficiently plain, that from all she saw in England, and during the time of her captivity, that she discerned and appreciated the immense superiority of the Europeans over the Esquimaux, and was ex- tremely anxious to return home, and, if possi- ble, carry with her the means of their amelior- ation. Providentially Jens Haven came to Eng- land in 1769, for the purpose of endeavouring to renew the mission, and meeting with Mikak, she immediately recognized him as an old ac- quaintance, who had formerly lodged in her tent, and expressed the most unbounded joy at meeting with a friend by whom her language was understood. Her first and constant theme was the condition of her countrymen ; and she 'At-' i)H.,.,.i*svii^ii- --^'^'-^' ■■■ ■■ ^ ^'^ --^-^ ^'^ ^^, ^iiipii im iiM iiB ""■^^ ..-< '* * " l *" ''^.^ Dta^^e 66 THE MORAVIANS incessantly entreated Haven to return to La- brador, and endeavour to do something for their relief. Besides, now that she had a medium of communication, she never ceased to urge her prayer among those distinguished personages by whom she had been patronized, and her ap- plications had no small influence in paving the way for a renewal of the mission. Soon after she was sent home in a King's ship, and rendered essential service to the brethren who followed. By the especial direction of Sir Hugh Pallis- er, Karpik was consigned to the care of Jens Haven for the purpose of being properly edu- cated, that he might afterwards be employed in the important service of introducing Christiani- ty, and the peaceful arts of civilized life, into the savage and inhospitable coasts of Labrador —the Governor being deeply impressed with a sense of the great benefits to be derived from a well conducted mission among the wild tribes in the neighbourhood of the colony, with whom they meant to carry on a safe or a gainful traf- fic. Naturally ferocious and untractable, Kar- pik was very averse to restraint ; and it was not till af^er the most unwearied display of disin- terested kindness, that Jens succeeded in gain- ing the affections of this stubborn boy, and per- suading him willingly to accompany him to his dwelling. .'|l IN LABRADOR. 67 rn to La- 5 for their I medium ► urge her lersonages d her ap- aving the t after she rendered 'ollowed. jh Pallis- ; of Jens eriy edu- ployed in hristiani- life, into Labrador ;d with a id from a ild tribes th whom fill traf- )le, Kar- t was not of disin- in gain- and per- m to his Here, perhaps, the good man's most trying labours began. Karpik inherited the prejudi- ces of his nation ; he ha J a high opinion of him- self, and despised all others ; and when told that God the Creator of the world desired to make him happy, received the information as a matter of course, replying to his teacher with a comfortable self-complacency, " That is right ; for I am a good karaler !" The filthiness of his skin had superinduced a cutaneous disorder, which, when the care and attention of Haven had got removed, he expressed high delight ; but he soon became dissatisfied with the clean plain clothing in which he was dressed ; boys of any rank at that time being absurdly decor- ated with ruffles and lace, and such like trum- pery ; and as if human folly had wished to ca- ricature its own ridiculous extravagance, some of the children were even introduced into com- pany with cocked hats and swords. Poor Karpik, it seems, caught the infection, and conceived a violent passion for a hat and coat bedizzoned with embroidery ; and it is amusing to remark his wayward ingenuity, when insisting upon being gratified. On one occasion Jens had remonstrated with him upon the uselessness of finery, and exhorted him to apply himself to useful learning ; and above l,i m »■■ I i< ■ ' ! W »» » «~*JL., ^, .•*Aw«.'i' 68 THE MORAVIANS ii I V i all, to seek to know the Lord who dwells in heaven. — " Poor clothes," retorted he instantly, " will not teach me that ! my countrymen, who have poor clothes, die and know nothing of God. The king has fine clothes, and knows God as well as you, and why should not I ? give me fine clothes, I can still know God and love him !" Haven told him he had no money to buy him fine clothes — " Then go to the king," said Karpik, *' and get money from him." " Well," replied the missionary, '' we will go ; but if the king asks, what has Karpik learned ? can he read or write, or is he ac- quainted with the God in heaven ? what shall I say ? If I am forced to answer. He has learned nothing ; the king will say. Take him on board the man of war, let him serve my of- ficers and clean their shoes for seven years, till he has learned something. — You know how these boys are treated." Karpik perceived the force of this simple reasoning, fell on the neck of his instructor, and promised all obedience in future. It was not, however, till some time af- ter, that eternal things began to make a serious impression on his mind. At length he grew thoughtful, and under the powerful conviction of his wretched state as a sinner, would often exclaim, " Woe is I. IN LABRADOR. 69 Iwells in istantly, len, who thing of 1 knows I not I ? ow God s had no en go to ney from ry, " we ,s Karpik s he ac- hat shall He has 'ake him e my of- lears, till iow how lived the |the neck ience in time af- |a serious Id under led state Woe is me ! I am good for nothing, I am a miserable creature !" Under these uneasy sensations he at first felt exasperated, and he wished he had never heard of a God or of a Bible ; but as the truth beamed in upon his soul, he became calm and peaceful, and manifested a strong desire to be farther instructed. He was in this interest- ing state of mind, when Haven, being called away, committed him to the charge of Mr Drachart, who was then residing at the Breth- ren's settlement in Yorkshire, under whose tu- tilage he made rapid improvement in know- ledge ; and evidenced, by the change of his disposition, and his mildness of manner, and simplicity of conduct, that the gospel had tak- en powerful hold upon his heart : and this he evidenced still more clearly, when early called to grapple with the last enemy. From the encouraging progress he was mak- ing, his friends were fondly anticipating the time when he should go forth as a zealous mis- sionary of the Lord Jesus among his benighted countrymen, but their hopes were suddenly overcast. On September the 22d, he was seiz- ed with the small pox, which, in spite of the best medical assistance, speedily proved fatal. He bore his distemper with patience, and some of his last expressions were, " O ! Jesus, I v-i "» ,'vt :-i ^W'* .-f^' ■# AW»«^«C^ *- "••■ 70 THE MORAVIANS t I ,!• V come to thee ; I have no where else to go : I am a poor sinner^ but thou hast died for me ! have mercy upon me ! I cast myself entirely upon thee." The day before his death he was baptized by Mr Drachart, who, at his own re- quest, made use of the Greenlandish language in administering the rite. On the 4th October 1769, he expired, the first fruits of Christ's vintage among the Esquimaux ; and although not employed to spread the savour of his name among his heathen kindred by the living voice, yet he was honoured by his death to encourage the exertions, and strengthen the faith of those soldiers of the Lord who were buckling on their armour for the glorious combat. Whether the ruinous effects of the state of anarchy, and murderous contests which prevail- ed whenever the natives and the Europeans came in contact, or whether the various memo- rials with which they had been for several years annoyed, had most influence, we know not : but the Board of Trade made a representation early in 1769 to the king, (George III.) and on the 3d May the same year, a Privy Council was summoned to consider of a petition from the Brethren for establishing a mission on the coast of Labrador. The result of their deliberations was, " That, His Majesty in Council gave, and M k \ i,' f IN LABHi^DOB. 71 to go : I I for me ! f entirely :h he was is own re- language ill October f Christ's 1 although : his name vring voice, encourage th of those ng on their le state of Ich prevail- Europeans ious memo- jveral years )w not : but tation early and on the ouncil was Dn from the on the coast leliberations il gave, and I 'M i authorised the Brethren's Unity, and the Socie- ty for the furtherance of the gospel among the heathen^ to take one hundred thousand acres of land f belonging to the Esquimaux j J on the coast of Labrador, where, and in whatever place of the same was most convenient for their purpose." And the Governor of Newfoundland was di- rected to afford the brethren in their settle- ment every protection, and to furnish them from the royal stores with fifty muskets and the necessary ammunition. Following up this favourable opening, the Moravian Synod, which was held at Marien- born, resolved to renew the friendly intercourse with the Esquimaux, and to search out a con- venient situation for the establishment of a mission. In consequence, Jens Haven, Dra- chart, and Stephen Jensen, received this in charge ; and some other brethren resolved to take a part in it, and go themselves as sailors in a ship which a Society of the Brethren in London had fitted out, and which they resolved should annually visit the coast of Labrador to carry out supplies of the necessaries of life to the missionaries. They first made land at a place called Amitok, an island about six miles from the spot where Nain now stands ; there they found twenty -nine boats full of Esqui- t t wyiT ' , ' M"*fV"»**'*'*— ■•»' y i^ Tj!« (f»j « i » f y' " ' ;" < ' ' T ''^***^'**'^ ■"•^-'••'"St.m's**.-^''**'?'^^.^ ■' >■*"*♦ ^T-**" MtJUk . ..*# .* „i**i*^*^^^T'";WS'— '"S!-^ 73 THE MORAVIANS r; ! .il " i M' ixiaux ; but they behaved in a very unruly man- ner and with great insolence, till the report of the great guns, fired over their heads, frighten- ed them into order ; they then showed them- selves friendly, and the missionaries, who un- derstood the language, preached the gospel to them. After this, the two brethren. Haven and Jensen, traversed the coast unmolested in search of favourable ground for a settlement ; but being unable to find such a spot they set sail again, and on the 15th July ran into a harbour upon the most eastern point of the mainland, near Nain, 55 deg. n. l. Here they found many Esquimaux, aud the joy on both sides was greatly heightened, when they recognised among them several of their old acquaintances, in particular Segulliak, who said to Jens Ha- ven, " When I first saw your boat I was afraid, but I no sooner heard that little Jens Haven was there than all fear departed, and I am very glad to see you again, for I have a great love to little Jens." He then bound a strap of leather round Drachart's arm, at the same time saying, " We love thee much !" and laying his right hand on Drachart's breast, con- tinued, " This band on thy arm shall from henceforth be a sign that our love shall never cease. I have not forgot what I heard of the i (T-*..*. .■ ■•'^..-..i ^.^•t*fr*\ 1] IN LABRADOR. 73 ruly man- report of frighten- ed them- who un- gospel to 1, Haven olested in ttlement ; ey set sail a harbour mainland^ ley found )oth sides recognised aintances^ Jens Ha- lt I was ittle Jens sdj and I I have a bound a n, at the ich!" and •east, con- hall from lall never rd of the Lord in heaven, and I long to hear more." Drachart answered, " You may indeed be as- sured that I have a great love for you, when I, an old man — he was then in his sixtieth year — have come again to visit you, that you might hear more of your Lord in heaven, your Creator, who became a man and died on the cross for your sins, for mine, and for the sins of th^ whole world." The Esquimaux replied, " We will hear the word you have for us I" Drach- art continued, and spoke of the great love of the Creator of all things, which moved him to come down from heaven to earth, and by his sufferings and death to redeem us from our sins and eternal punishment. When the brethren confirmed to the savages what Mikak had for- merly told them, that they intended to settle among them, they rejoiced like little children, and every one of them gave Jens Haven a small present. As Mikak had told them that her relations, who had gone to the south, anxiously wished to see them, the missionaries sailed on the 19th July back to Byron's Bay, and sent the Esqui- maux boats before them. It was not long be« fore a kayak arrived with the father of Mikak, who instantly coming on board said, '' My daughter and her husband are here on the is^* 3 1 1 74 THE MORAVIANS \ land before you^ and they strongly desire to see and speak with you." Indeed^ scarcely had they cast anchor in the open creek, when Mikak with her husband Tuglavina, and their son and daughter, came to them. The man had a white woollen coat, but Mikak herself wore a tinely ornamented dress, trimmed with gold, and embroidered with gold spangles, which had been presented to her by the Prin- cess Dowager of Wales when she was in Lon- don, and had on her breast a gold medal with a likeness of the king. Her father also wore an officer's coat. Being invited into the cabin to partake of some refreshments, Jens Haven asked her if she would receive the brethren as her own people. " You will see," she replied, " how well we will behave, if you will only come. We will love you as our countrymen, and trade with you justly, and treat you kind- ly." On account of the tempestuous weather, the whole party, amounting to fourteen, were detained during the whole night on board the vessel. Early next morning they left them, followed by Messrs Haven and Drachart, who, going from tent to tent, preached the gospel to them. Mikak acted in the most friendly manner — assuring her kindred of the brethren's affection for them^ and telling them of all the % IK LABRADOR. 75 desire to scarcely ?k, when and their The man k herself ned with spangles, ihe Prin- s in Lon- ;dal with also wore the cabin IS Haven sthren as e replied, will only ntrymen, ou kind- weather, sen, were 3oard the jft them, art, who, le gospel friendly brethren's »f all the kindness bhe had experienced in England^ where she had lived in a great house, and been most liberally treated. The missionaries being about to take leave, Segulliak came up to Dra<* chart, and renewed his expressions of attach- ment : the latter replied, " I do not forget that five years ago you assured me of your love ; and only a few days since you bound this thong on my arm as a token of your affection, and by this you have declared that you are willing to hear the word of the sufferings and death of Jesus." When the others heard this, they all cried out, " We also are willing to hear." The missionary then mentioned some particulars of the history of the life and sufferings of the Saviour, and asked if they would wish, as the Greenlanders did, to hear something of Jesus every day ? " Yes ! yes !" they all replied. " Then," said Drachart, " if that be the case, we will look out for a piece of land in Esqui- maux Bay, where we may next year build a house." Although these good men had received the extensive grant we have mentioned from His Majesty of England of the Esquimaux coun- try, they did not consider that that gave them any right to take possession without the consent of the inhabitants, or without giving them an 16 THE MOUAVIANS *; Ij ! equivalent; notwithstanding the settlement was intended solely for their advantage, and was to communicate to them what was of infinitely more value than millions of acres in the finest country of the world, instead of a patch of bar- ren ground on the bleak and inhospitable coast of Labrador. When they mentioned that they meant to " buy" the land, the whole crowd, who perfectly understood the term, cried out, " Good ! good ! pay us, and take as much land as you please '" Drachart said, " It is not enough that you be paid for your high rocky mountain ; you may perhaps say in your hearts, when these people come here, we will kill them, and take their boats and all their valuable ar- ticles." " No ! no !" they exclaimed, " we will never kill any more, or steal any more, we are brethren I" " That gladdens my heart," said Drachart ; " but how shall we buy the land ? You have no great chief, and every one of you will be lord of his land. We will do this : we will give each of you what will be more useful to you in your fishing than the land you may give us." " Pay us," they repeated, " pay us, and take as much land as you please." Dra- chart and the other brethren then going from tent to tent, divided among the men, women, and children^ all kinds of tools and fishing tackle^ i 4. IN LABRADOn. 77 ment was id was to infinitely the finest ch of bar- ible coast that they le crowd, cried out, luch land It is not igh rocky )ur hearts, kill them, luable ar- " we will re, we are !art," said the land ? me of you ) this ; we ore useful cl you may " pay us, Q," Dra- ;oing from n, women, ing tackle^ which having done, he produced a written agree- ment, to which all their names were attached, and telling them its import, required each to put a mark before his name with his own hand, that it might be a perpetual memorial of their having sold the land. When they had done so, he again showed each his name with his mark, adding, " In time to come, when yourselves or your children shall learn to read and write, as the Greenlanders have done, they will be able to read these names, and they will remember what they have just now seen and heard." Dra- chart next informed them, that when they should return to Esquimaux Bay, after the rein-deer hunt, they would sec four great stones erected with figures on them, which were called letters, and these would mark out the boundaries of the land which had been bought from them. The Esquimaux, of whom about one hundred were present, then gave the brethren their hands, and solemnly promised to abide by their agree- ment " as long as the sun shone." After this sacred transaction the brethren, along with Mikak and her family, returned to the ship, which set sail the same day for Esqui- maux Bay. On the dangerous passage, Mikak aud her husband were of essential service in di- recting their course among rocks and islands. ••7*?r^.?^,^ rr»* i'*^m,.H^;'^ui^t^fu»*^%^ff^ll^f,^t^ i^.aoJJftjUt' -a. . V^ .!■ 78 THE moiiavia:ns and likewise in trading with the Esquimaux they met with on their way, and inducing them to receive the brethren favourably, and attend to their instructions. Notwithstanding, how- ever, the uniform expressions of love with which the savages everywhere hailed them, the mis- sionaries found it necessary always to be upon their guard, and use the utmost circumspection in tneir intercourse with their new friends, es- pecially on shipboard, where they behaved with a rude intrusion, often extremely troublesome, and not always without showing marks of their natural propensity to thieving ; they therefore prohibited more than five from coming on board at one time to trade, and that only during the day ; and informed them that if any were found in the ship during the night, they should be treated as thieves; and, to fix the time al- lowed for trading more exactly, a cannon was fired at six o'clock in the morning, and another at the same time in the evening. Finding that his regulations, however, were not so strictly observed as he could wish, and the natives be- coning rather troublesome. Captain Mugford, while lying off the Island Amitok, deemed it necessary to show them that he possessed the power of punishing their misdeeds if he chose employ it. He fired several shot from his f to i\ IN LABKADOB. 79 squimaux ling them id attend ng, how- nih which the mis- be upon inspection iends, es- laved with mblesome, ks of their T therefore £j on board P uring the any were ley should le time al - innon was d another iding that Iso strictly latives be- Mugford, [deemed it sessed the If he chose t from his ^a great guns over their heads, against a high bar- ren rock at no great distance. When the bro- ken pieces of the rock rolled down threateningly towards them, they raised a mournful howl in their tents, as if they were about to be destroy- ed ; but they afterwards behaved more orderly, and not with the savage wildness they had done before ; yet the missionaries were always obliged to act with firmness and decision, in or- der to prevent all approaches to any transgres- sion that it might have been necessary to pun- ish, or that might have exposed any of the men to danger. During the voyage, Drachart held a meeting, morning and evening, in the cabin, with the young Esquimaux, who seemed to take great pleasure in it, and were highly attentive. Some of their expressions were remarkable ; " They wished they had such a desire for the Saviour as a child has for its parents" — "or a man to hunt the rein-deer, and obtain his prey."— " They would not cease to think of Jesus' suf- ferings and death, but would remember that merciful and generous Saviour who had died from love to them, and learn to know and love him." In the evening of the last day of July, they cast anchor in the southernmost corner of Esquimaux Bay, and on the following day en- i r THE MORAVIANS tered the harbour of Nunangoak, in which lay fourteen European and two women's boats, and on shore forty-seven tents were pitched. Here Mikak and her husband had wished to rejoin their countrymen. Before they left the ship, Drachart reminded them of what he had taught them, and recommended to them every morn- ing when they rose, and every evening before they went to sleep, to think on the Saviour and Lis sufferings ; and exhorted them, when any wicked thoughts should arise in their minds — theft, adultery, or murder, or any other bad thing they had heard from their youth up from the Angekoks their teachers — that they should pray to him that he would take them away, adding, " if you thus turn to Jesus and dili- gently seek to him, then you will no more be- long to the heathen, but to the Saviour, who will receive you as his own, and write your names among the faithful." Jens Haven ac- companied them to their friends, who rejoiced to receive them in safety, and among them Jens found his old acquaintance Segulliak. Next day Drachart and Jensen went on shore, when they were immediately surrounded by a great crowd, who took the missionaries under the arm, and shook them by the hands, and then con- ducted them from tent to teat, where they pro- el IN LABRADOR. 81 rh\c\\ lay oats, and d. Here [ to rejoin the ship, lad taught ery morn- ing before iaviour and , when any jir minds — ■ r other bad [ith up from they should them away, 5US and dili- no more be- haviour, who 1 write your 5 Haven ^c- who rejoiced ng them Jens illiak. Next n shore, when id by a great nder the arm, and then con- here they pro- f I claimed to them the unsearchable riches of Christ. Mikak invited them into her large tent, and begged they might hold a meeting in it. Soon, upwards of seven hundred Esquimaux were collected within and around it, to whom Drachart, for the first time, preached the gos- pel, and was heard here, as elsewhere, with the utmost apparent attention. When he had fin- ished, Mikak and her husband began to testify, in their own simple manner, how the Lord in heaven had become man, and died for their sins. Supposing that this alluded to their own murders, some of their countrymen appeared startled, and cried out, " Ah ! that is true, we are sinners, and old murderers ; but we will never more carry concealed knives, either under our arms or under our clothes ; and we shall never have bows and arrows hid in our kajaks, because tHe Lord in heaven has said. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed. If we kill Europeans, as we did three years ago, then we deserve that they should kill us and our countrymen." But they seemed likewise alarmed lest the boats they had then taken should be demanded back ; but Mikak and her husband explained that the Europeans did not come to desire them to give back the boats, but that certainly if they did so any more G ;Timgmmmmmm wMnwMiMMiloMMaMio.-. ' ^ t :':f f ff « li f -rr .ja.J. a . ' Jl ' " '' 82 THE MORAVTAJfS they would be punished. " That is good !" they replied : " we believe your words, Mikak ; and shall also love the great and powerful chief you saw in London, and his people, and will trade honourably with them ;" and renewed their protestations of affection for the missionaries, telling them, " Now we are brethren." Dra- chart seized the opportunity of explaining what he meant by brethren : — " Ye have heard that many of the Greenlanders are our brethren ; now you must learn rightly to understand why we call one another brethren. Hear what the reason is, — our hearts and the Greenlanders are fast bound together by the love of Jesus our Saviour, who died on the cross for our sins, therefore do we call the Greenlanders, and all who are united in the death of Jesus, our breth- ren. If you will now be converted to Jesus, then shall you be such brethren as the Green- landers_^ are." At a subsequent meeting, the missionaries informed them that they were de- sirous of finding a proper place on which to build a house, as it vt'as their intention to re- turn next year and settle among them, and re- quested their opinion as to where would be the best spot. They told them there were many good places on the continent, which they might examine and choose for themselves ; or if they ] IN LABRADOR. 83 [!" they ak; and chief you ,vill trade ved their ssioiiaries, n." l^ra- ining what heard that \)rethren ; rstand why IX what the ^reenlanders of Jesus our •or our sins, lers, and all s, our breth- ;ed to Jesus, ,s the Green- meeting, the ;bey were de- on which to itention to re- them, and re- would be the jre were many lich they might ves ; or if they would prefer an island, they were welcome to the best ; and the old men added, " You may build and dwell in our country, and do what you will, either on land or sea — you shall have the same liberty as we have, for you are Innuit, as we are, and not such Kablunat as the other wicked Europeans." " Well," replied Dra- chart, " you and we and the Greenlanders are also as one family." '' Yes," returned the old men, " we are friends and brethren." " Then, dear men, when you speak thus, do you in your hearts really think so.'*" " Yes! yes ! you may firmly believe that." The brethren then pro- ceeded from tent to tent, and distributed gifts, and obtained the marks of the old men, to the number of sixty-seven, to an agreement similar to that which they had made with the other Esquimaux, and the land from Monenguak to Kangerlack being marked out with four great stones, was given to the brethren for a posses- sion. The ceremony being concluded, Drachart addressed them thus : " These signatures will shew to your children, and your children's child- ren, that ]^ou have received us as friends and countrymr-n, and have given us the piece of land marked out by these stones ; and then your children, and your children's children, will remember this transaction after your death, as !§«■!*" u.\ ( I t r If] |t f F 84 THE MORAVIANS if you spoke to them, and said, " We, your fa- thers and grandfathers, called the brethren here for our sakes, and your sakes, and they have built a good house to meet daily with you in, that you may hear of the Lord in heaven. Do not forget that we your parents have given this piece of land for an inheritance to our brethren that came to us from the east of Greenland ; and when you are converted to Jesus, you must live near the meeting-house, love your teachers, and follow them as the Greenlanders do. Will you," continued he, " tell your families what you have now heard, as well as what you have now said ? that your wives and children may know." They answered, " That wa will, — and we have already begun to spread it through our country, and shall continue to do so." The missionary proceeded : — " The Lord, your and our Saviour, is over all. He is truly here with us — I feel his presence in my heart ; he know- eth all things, and hath heard your words and mine ; he is calling for your hearts — will you now give them to him ? And will you keep to the words you have now said to me ?" " Yes !" cried all the men, and gave him their hands, and some kissed him. Having concluded the solemn transactions of the day, the missionaries, towards evening, re- "Hi *..,..-... r^V*.^- IN LABRADOR. 85 j^our fa- ren here ley have you in> ea. Do iven this brethren eenland ; you must teachers, do. Will ilies what ; you have dren may \;e will, — it through so." The , your and here with he know- words and —will you ou keep to « Yes r* leir hands, nsactions of ivening, re- turned to the ship, and the next day the Esqui- maux began to set out for their hunting sta- tions. But Tuglavina and his wife remained some days longer, to assist the brethren in seek- ing out an island, and then parted with tears on both sides. The missionaries rewarded them li- berally for their services; and they were not for- getful of the favours they had now and formerly received. Mikak begged the brethren would take charge of two white fox skins for the Dow- ager Princess of Wales, of a black one for the Princess of Glocester, and two red ones for the Governor Palliser, as acknowledgments for their kindnoss. The place pitched upon by the brethren for their settlement was 56 deg. 36 m. n. l., well supplied with good wood for building, and nu- merous rivulets of excellent water, and where ships could conveniently find an excellent an- chorage. The stones they erected were placed^ one on King's point, marked G. R. III. 1770, the other marked U. F. (unitas fratrum,) 1770 ; and the land was taken possession of in the name of King George, for behoof of the United Brethren — a very important process, as it se- cured the protection of the British government for the new settlements ; the other two stones were marked and placed in the interior merely yii ) I : I I 86 THE MORAVIANS, &C. as boundary stones. This first sacred spot was consecrated by thanksgiving and prayer. Amid the heathen tribes and their rude rocks, the missionaries kneeled down, and with the deep- est expressions of humility, thanked the Lord that he had thus so far prospered them in their undertaking, had guarded them through the perils of their journey, and graciously granted them a resting place. Having thus accomplish- ed the object of their mission, they returned to England, and reached London 16th November 1770, blessing and praising the Lord that no evil had befallen them. I. ■a • *— «* 4«"*^v .- ^ $,^. pot was Amid ks, the le deep- he Lord in their ugh the granted jomplish- turned to November d that no M % CHAPTER III. Preparations for establishing a settlement in Ijabrador.— • A love feast. — Missionaries leave Lo:>i3on — erect a mis- sion-house at Nain — regulations for their intercourse with the natives — visited by great numbers — mannei of instruction — they retire in winter, are visited by the Brethren in their houses. — Death of Anauke.— An in- cantation Adventures in search of a dead whale.— P. E. Layritz deputed by the conference — visits the missions — his excursion along the coast. — A sloop of war arrives to examine the settlement — the Captain*s report Jeus Haven^s voyage to the north — interesting occurrences.>>-Iiayritz leaves Nain — his concluding ad- dress. — The Brethren propose new settlements — dis- astrous voyage in search of a situation. — Liesbisch ap- pointed superintendant. — An Angekok baptized — his address to the natives..>-Jens Haven commences a new station at Okkak — received joyfully by the natives- six Esquimaux baptized — proceedings at Nain. — Mis- sionary accompanies the Esquimaux to a rein-deer hunt. — Third settlement — Hopedale founded. Re- markable preservation of the Missionaries. Every thing being now settled for establishing a missionary station among the Esquimaux^ the Brethren were occupied during the winter in making the necessary preparations for carrying their object into effect. In this they were es- sentially aided by the same society who had sent out the vessel on the previous year, and who, knowing the difficulty Europeans lay under of procuring the necessaries of life in that climate; r 88 THE MORAVIAN^ resolved to send out one annually with supplies, and to preserve the communication, notwith- standing the previous voyage had been but a losing concern. The number of perwons destin- ed for this arduous undertaking was fourteen, among whom were three married brethren. Bra- zen, Schneider and Jens Haven, accompanied by Drachart and seven unmarried missionaries. Brazen, who had gone as a surgeon to Green- land in 1767^ and remained during the winter at one of the settlements, was appointed super- intendant of this mission. Before leaving Lon- don, on May 5th, these devoted men had a meeting in the Brethren's chapel with the con- gregation, and a number of other Christians who felt interested in the undertaking, and with the most delightful feelings they sat down together to a lore feast, at which the following letter from Mr Drachart to the church was read. " Dearly beloved Brethren and Sisters,^ — We are now for the third time going among the wild Esquimaux ; and in their name we thank you for the assistance you have afforded us in the past year to enable us to declare among these savages the gospel of the sufferings and death of Jesus. We thank the Saviour that he has so illuminated your hearts, that you are as will- ing to give your wealth, as we are to venture i\ m 4i JN LABEADOE. 89 upplies, lotvvith- n but a i destin- burteen, en, Bra- mpanied ionaries. Green- e winter d super- ing Lon- had a the con- )hristians ing, and sat down following was read. ?rs,^ — We ; the wild lank you us in the mg these nd death lat he has re as will- venture our lives to promote this cause. We now take our leave, and commend ourselves to your love and remembrance before the Saviour. He is indeed near to you, and to us, to help in all our difficulties, — that our courage may not fail, but that we may look to him. It is his cause, and he will support us ; on him we hope, and on him we rely ; and in his name we venture our lives and all that we have, for he ventured his life for us. When we think of this, our hearts are melted, and we fall down at his pierced feet, and exclaim, O ! Loid Jesus, the little confidence we have in thee thou hast given us ; our goods, our lives, we have from thee. Thou knowest we venture to go through the great deep, through rocks and ice, that thy holy name may be glorified among the Esqui- maux. We pray that the angel of thy presence may accompany the ship out and home again ; be with our brethren, give them courage to pro- claim the tidings of thy love, which was strong- er than death. — Dear brethren and sisters, the Saviour is present, he certainly hears us when we join together to call upon him for ourselvts and others. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God be with you all. Amen." On the 8th of May they left London in the ship Amity, commanded by Captain Mugford, ■<-^-'^**m »■**'* ^'—1%.. ^u ^> ^. ^> ^^. .^a-s IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // /^ .S% /. C. f/. 1.0 I.I ■ 50 ■^" 1^ 25 £ U£ 12.0 L25 11.4 11^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WfST MAIN STRIET WIBSTM.N.Y. MSSO (71*) •73-4503 ^ s^ \ ;V ;\ \ <^ V ^ \ .V and sing some verses on the same sub- ject. They here met with a circumstance which greatly tended to comfort them amid other scenes which weighed heavily on their spirits. In a division of the house where they lodged, they found three widows dwelling to- gether^ and one of them informed them that her husband, Anauke, who had died the year be- fore, had said to her, when she was mourning over him in his last illness, " Be not grieved for me,— I am going to heaven, to Jesus who has loved his people so much !" He was one of tho3e who had remained during the summer near Nain, and whose countenance bore strong marks of the thief and the murderer, and had appeared at first to have more than usual savage , THE MORAVIANS remarked that, beto ^^^ ^^ ^^j^^, very countenance h»djV>ang . ^.^^.^^^^j^, viour had become g«"';^ •j;^„„^„sk.n to the Saviour, till they nea , countrymen dying profession of the faUh^ ^^ J ,^, iued W-.»*'^;»''"Tht man there is every *n':otSv;. Tth" first fruits of the reason to oeucv^j "t;t is an appropriate .me .^^ „ed the light. I" *;X do^ to sleep in sionaries had 1^^ ^^^f^ther confirmation MiUaU-s house they h d ano^^e ^^ ^ ^^^^^^^^ „f this remark^ There^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^, storm during the day^ s i.,,tehing ; been prevented &»« gj"? j,^, h„„8e after they therefore "^^^f ^*J"j;^ considered nightfall, to entreat heo a. *« wa ^^^^^^^^ -"irserrth:detandsho.the v tri„g the se- " .^j, ,i.ey came for holes in the ice ».o v of rein ,lso where the ,grea f "T^er . deer were to be ;:;d' All the lamps .ere imme- ■ iMiiiiii IN LABRADOR. 95 it it was inity, liis his beba- issionaries on to the J, this bis ountrymen iviour bad | e is every ^its of the call on tbe ervable tbat las generally is tbat sbun- ben tbe mis- n to sleep in confirmation jn a dreadful e natives bad seal-catcbing ; X bouse after ^as considered good weatber, and sbow tbe r came for air ; ;r of rein-deer ps were imme- diately and began with deep [tinguishc sighSj and groans, and mutterings, to call up Torngak. Sometimes she raised her voice so loud that the whole house rang. At this sig- nal, the people began to sing, and to ask one ai other, what does Torngak say? At length there was a tremendous crash, as if the whole place had been falling about their ears, produced, as the missionaries supposed, by the stroke of a stick on the extended skins. The sorceress then proceeded to the door, beating with her feet, and uttering strange sounds, at which some of the more sensible among the worshippers could not forbear to express their sense of the ridiculous scene by their laughter. Schneider, who had hitherto been silent, now cried to the enchantress to cease calling upon Torngak, who was an evil spirit, and reigned in darkness, and light the lamps again ; but some one replied it was the custom of the country, and proposed they should conclude with a short song, in which all the company joined, after which they separated for their resting places before the lamps could be re- lighted. With a heart greatly touched, and eyes full of tears, the missionaries early next morning addressed the inmates of the house upon the I' ■■*' . *»■■■■*> » »: ^ W— **- - -It^ 96 THE MOllAVIAKS li ^1 1 true light that is come to enlighten meni and to redeem them from the spirit of darkness. He entreated them with great earnestness^ to turn to the crucified Jesus^ and renounce the evil spirit and his wo' i, and commended them in prayer to the compassionate heart of the Saviour. Disinterested exertion, not only to prevent themselves from being burdensome to those among whom they labour, but to save as much as possible any unnecessary expense to the churches or societies who send them out, forms an admirable and a prominent feature in all the Moravian missionary brethren. They follow the apostolic example, and minister to their ne- cessities by their own hands, and exhibit a pat- tern to their infant establishments, uot only of industry to procure the means of personal live- lihood, but to enable them to assist those im- provident heathen by whom they are surround- ed, even when their exertions are attended with danger and repaid by insult ; and by these means they often acquire an influence over the most savage minds, which it were otherwise difficult to obtain. Of this we have a most re- markable instance which occurred in the be- ginning of the present year. Having re- ceived accounts that a dead whale was found r H' T.! -^»-.l»»|i| U. i ., ^ « IN LABRADOll. 97 ii and fkness. ess, to ice the dthem of the prevent those IS much to the t, forms n all the y follow their ne- bit a pat- t only of jnal live- ;hose im- jurround- nded with by these 3 over the otherwise a most re- n the be- [aving re- was found r1 at Comfort Harbour, about seven miles south of Nain, the brethren, Jens Haven, Lister, Morhardt, and Turner, resolved to go thi- ther, accompanied by some Esquimaux, in the hope that, by procuring the blubber and the Hns, they might be enabled to contribute somewhat to the support of the mission, while they would assist the starving natives at this season in obtaining a supply of provisions ; and at the same time, they would have an oppor- tunity of commending the Saviour to these poor benighted heathen. They accordingly set out, under the guidance of an Esquimaux, Mannmoima, whose house they reached February 17th about mid-day, where, on account of the stormy weather, they were forced to remain. " If," says Jens Haven in his diary, " our European sisters had only seen us here they would certainly have pitied us. We were forced to creep on all fours through a low passage several fathoms Icr ^^ to get into the house, and were glad if we escaped being bitten by the hungry dogs, who take re- fuge there in bad weather, and who^ as they lie in the dark, are often trodden upon by the en- trant ; who, if he escapes this misfortune, is compelled to undergo the more disgusting salu- tation of being licked in the face by these ani- 3 '^i 98 THE MORAVIANS .►4 4". malSj and of crawling through the filth in which they all mingle. Yet this house, notwithstanding our senses of seeing and smelling were most woe- fully offended, in such frightful weather, was of equal welcome to us as the greatest palace." When Haven here began to speak of the Sa- viour, the Angekoks began to exercise their en- chantments. One man laid himself on his back, and allowed his left leg to be fastened to his neck by a string like a bow, while a woman who sat by his side, performed upon it with his right as if playing on some musical instrument. The lady was then asked if they might hope for good weather, and if the whale would be driven away : but the company appeared to be divid- ed; and while some thought these operations were under the influence of Torngak, others thought they might be directed by Jesus Christ, and asked the brethren to pray that there might be good weather, and that the whale might not be driven away. Haven answered^ " We only pray. Lord be gracious to us, and open the eyes of poor ignorant people, that they may know how necessary it is for them to be washed in thy blood — -but we are assured that he will do nothing but what is good to us, be- cause he loves us.*' Next day, the missionaries^ accompanied by f zm::. •■NmnMO ■ Ml >ii.w ii#«i«^«^4**Mt«*|i* I ■ .-♦.■« IN LABRADOR. 99 vhich iding woe- was ace." le Sa- ir en- back> 8 neck rho sat ight as The )r good driven I divid- >ratious others Christy t there ) whale swered^ uSj and lat they a to be ed that us, be- nied by }i S' eleven Esquimaux, attempted to reach the whale ; but when they were about an hour's distance from the house, they perceived from a mountain near where the whale lay, that the ice was broken, and encountered such a violent storm of wind and snow that they were forced to return ; while the frost was so intense, that often their mouth and nose were frozen to their skin coats, so that they had to break the ice before they could breathe, and their eyes were so closed that they had to force them open with their fingers. As hunger now began to torment the par- ty, the brethren were exposed to great anxiety, suffering, and danger, from the perpetual im- portunity of the Esquimaux for provisions, which they had no means of supplying, but which they supposed they were the means of their being deprived of obtaining. An old man began to cry, " Torngak moves me to say that he will tell us the cause of this storm, and the breaking of the ice, and the loss of the whale." " Let us hear," said they : *' O 1 the sinews ! 01 the sinews !" replied he. Rein-deer sinews are what, according to the superstition of the country, dare not be brought near a whale. But the brethren that morning had plaited some whale sinew, and fastened the ! : 100 THE MORAVIANS t ) II i 'I haft of the axe with which they intended to cut up the whale ; and he supposing that they had been the sinews of the rein- deer, raised the cry. Being informed of his mistake, he changed his tone and exclaimed, " O ! the rotten wood ! O ! the rotten wood !" Rotten wood is express- ly forbid to be burnt in the preparation of food, but Jens Haven had brought some pieces in a sledge along with the rest of the fuel ; the Es- quimaux, to whom the sledge belonged, had carefully picked it out and thrown it away, and the conjurer was informed that in this also he was mistaken. He was then called upon to say, as he affirmed that Torngak was there^ how he could be mistaken. With an ingenu- ity that would have done credit to a Jesuit, he answered, " There is one present that keeps us back^ he cannot go with us." Every person in the company being mentioned, he pointed out Jens Haven. Haven immediate! «' rose, and looking the sorcerer full in the face, prayed to the Saviour to stop the mouth of that wicked one. Struck with the unexpected intrepidity of the missionary, and the appeal to a name of which thay had all some knowledge, the Ange- kok was utterly confounded ; he grumbled and foamed, but could not utter a word. Providen- tidlly at this very moment two persons arrived ' '^'i.'^-^i^d^lt^acl^ _ '' r 1 IN LABRADOR. 101 with intelligence that the whale was lying safe, and had not been driven away ; and Haven, charging the fellow with his imposture and lies, commanded him not to attempt accompanying them or removing from the place where he was. The astonished sorcerer made no attempt to disobey. The weather increasing in severity, the Es- quimaux, who were confined to their huts, came to their favourite Jens Haven, saying, " Tell us about the Saviour." Jens answered and said — " What shall I say ? I know not what to say ; I am grieved because I am constrained to hear and see that the wicked spirit yet dwells within you and robs you of your senses. He will hold your ears that you may not hear the love the Saviour has for you, that after death you may dwell with him in utter darkness. Yet listen to our words and follow us to the Saviour, who will wash you from your sins in his own blood, that you may live eternally happy with him, after you have left a world where sorrow and pleasure are mingled together ; where we must suffer hunger, and thirst, and cold, and wretchedness, and misery, unless we believe in Jesus, who will preserve us, and keep us, and bring us to be for ever with himself, where there is no pain, but fulness of joy for ever- iiii ^::^-^ S g i: fT' - '" »<;•»-'•■' MMfatVMMiiMl !!■■ iMllillll HI ^M».M«IMM9>fl f.: ( ) lii 102 THE MORAVIANS more." Still, on the succeeding day, the wea- ther not abating, the party were detained at the station, which the increasing scarcity of food rendered now doubly uncomfortable ; the brethren were obliged to be on the watch whenever they eat, lest the Esquimaux should snatch the scanty morsel from them, which now consisted of only one meal a-day. " One can hardly conceive," say they in their journal, " what we endured : we had no rest neither night nor day ; when we lay down to sleep and gat warm, we were almost devoured with ver- min : when we sat up during the day, we were almost suffocated with stench and smoke." At length a sledge, which had been s^nt off to the whale, returned laden with fat and flesh, which afforded relief from the pressure of hun- ger, " and made," say the missionaries, " all our hearts leap for joy;" and on the succeeding day, the whole party set off for the whale. When they reached it they found it of the middling size, about sixty-four feet long, but covered with ice and snow almost a fathom deep. The Esquimaux, however, crept into the mouth and cut off what they wanted from the interior to supply themselves ; but the wants of the brethren were only increased, they could make little use of such flesh, and they were without uV'-v *" *i »rfi* * • - ^ ■ IN LABRADOR. 103 'ea- . at r of the atch ould now J can rnal, ither p and ver- were wood to dress it^ had it heen even more pala- table. They had no shelter but a snow-house, which they constructed with the help of the Esquimaux. The women, moreover, had for- gotten their lamps, and the brethren had no re- source for rendering their habitation comfor- table, but to construct a kind of temporary lamp from a piece of whale's flesh, into which they cut a hole and put a piece of moss, and then to kindle it, but the smoke and disagree^ able smell were insupportable ; they also suf- fered greatly from the want of water, as they could get nothing to drink but ice or snow melted, which was done in a manner that in other circumstances would have proved an ab- solute "Prohibition against tasting it — the Es- quimau:; filled their gloves with snow, or put it in the intestines of the seals which they had wrapped round them, and the natural heat of the body reduced it to a state of liquifaction— yet even this they were happy to procure. Amid these hardships Haven was seized with a violent pain in his side, which the Esquimaux, who greatly loved him, much lamented, as they said it was the disease that carried off so many of their countrymen. Peaceful, however, in the hour of his suffering, the missionary was enabled to testify to the heathen that death for t i '. '9 • H I i .. «UJ^^&tigu:^ , Jk^UhMaM}. ^8E^^ THE MORAVIANS „nr was it to be dreaded him had no terrors ; nor w ^^^ ,y those who J'^SVy procuring, with n.uch showed their affection by p ^^.^^ ^i^^y difficuUy. a 1-P-X £ blessing of God, placed the «'»!''*' *";JJ The brethren now the heat effected 1"« <='"^- j^^.^n whale, but began totrytohewdownthero ^^^^ ^^^^ the want of food ^-^J^^U unequal to the they found t^«f '^f^^^^it up and return taslandwereorcJ^^S- P,,yhaden. home, worn out ^fj^ ^teir object, dured. and without e»S ,^i EugenusLay- ^'^ ^'^ Xli' Conference of the Unity, ritz, from the Elders ^^ ^,„,^panied by visited ^l^'^^2 who had spent some years John Ludwig Beck, w ^^^^^^^^ the i, Greenland with his faU-er.-! ^^.^^ ^^ language. They came n th ^P^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^«"'"""?Snf and proceeded to the coast purpose of hshing, ana p ^^^ ^^^^^ !fLabradorinashdWpor«l J ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ «hich had I'e"^" P»-S^7 j„ly they arrived at „,ission. On the 20th o'J ^ j^^^ed them ^«- -nt^ ;Xrm-receivedthem with tears of Joy-the^H expressions of ^ith shouting and "^^''/^^^areds, this sum- pleasufc. mer, had set up their ■.Jr*-.^**».,» »**■** I IN LABRADOR. 105 dreaded .. They ith xnttcH bich they g of God, hren now ivhale, but them that ^ual to the and return ley had en- )b3ect. flgenus Lay- .f the Unity, )inpanied by ,t some years I learned the lip Amity to there for the 1 to the coast Bvith one mast, he use of the they arrived at relcomed them jt received them . expressions of dreds, this sum- ound the settle- merits — many of them strangers from a distance. In the evening they had a short discourse in the mission-house, after which the bretliren vi- sited them in their tents, and conversed further vi^ith them on what they had heard. The same evening Layritz gave a short address to the as- sembled baptized Esquimaux, and delivered the salutations of the European congregations to them, Drachart being his interpreter. Then one of the Esquimaux answered in name of the rest : — " We, our wives and children, were won- derfully glad when we saw the little ship come in ; and we thank the brethren that they have come to us, and brought us so many good words that we have never heard before. We love all the brethren, and will be ever their good friends. We will constantly visit them to hear the good word of Jesus' sufferings. We think on the Saviour ; we love him, and will give up our hearts to him, and renounce all our old heath- enish customs. We agree with the Innuit who live on the east coast opposite us. We, and our wives and our children, in our houses and our tents, speak of the Saviour becoming man, of his sufferings and death. We cannot deny that we are sinners, but we think the Saviour will be gracious to us." As there was not room in the mission-house to contain all the Esqui- (V5 'I' '^^^^t::^,.,^. I \i ii { I i \ \ i \ 106 THE MORAVIANS mauxj wood was cut down to build a large meeting-hall. Some appeared deeply impress- ed by the word of God^ particularly Manamina^ his sister Alingana^ and Akaplack^ who were received as catechumens. Soon after Layritz's arrived at Nain, a sloop of war unexpectedly made its appearance, dis- patched by Commodore Shuldam from New- foundland, commanded by Lieutenant Curtis, to explore the coast, and to see if the poor peo- ple who had settled there were all still in life. The Lieutenant stopped some days with the brethren^ and expressed his astonishment and happiness to find them so well accommodated, and on such good terms with the Esquimaux. He had expected to find dark, sour, starving fanatics, living in huts of earth, and his disap- pointment was therefore the more agreeable. Through Drachart he told the Esquimaux, that they should go no more to the English settle- ments in the south, nor rob and murder. They answered, We have never either robbed or murdered, since the time we heard of the Sav- iour. Robbers and murderers shall be punish- ed as they deserve ; and when we come to the south to get fir- timber, we will bring with us a letter from the brethren to the gentlemen of Chateau Bay, The officer assured them of his IN LABRADOR. 107 large press- ) were a sloop ice, dis- New- ; Curtis, )Oor peo- il in life. with the ment and nmodated, squimaux. r, starving his disap- agreeable. paux, that fish settle- ler. They rohbed or oftheSav- be punish- jcome to the Lg with us a entlemen oi them of his love, and said to Drachart, that the great change in the behaviour of these people appeared to him a miracle of God who had begun his work among them. While Layritz remained at Nain, Jens Hav- en and James Rhodes took the vessel which brought him there, and made a voyage on the north coast to Nachvvack, 59 deg. .SO m. n. l. It lasted from the 7th August to the 1 7th ?*ep- tember. They landed at different places, and the Esquimaux everywhere, who had either be- fore known or heard of Jens Haven, received him with shouts ! He told them what had moved the brethren to settle in the country, and invited them to come to him. They heard him with astonishment speak of the great love of the Saviour to men, and asked if he was an Angekok, as he spoke of such high things as they never had heard, even from their own pro- phets ? Others asked, why the Saviour, who made all things, had not before sent some one to tell their fathers these good news, and now they were gone where they could hear nothing ? Haven answered, that " the times of their ig- norance God had winked at," but that he now shewed mercy to them in sending them the gos- pel, and they ought to improve this the day of their visitation. At Napartok, having declar- ^ I ftir vm *: I i 108 "^"^ MORAVIANS «i nf God for their ed to the natives the counsel of ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ salvation, he thus cont.nue-^=^^ ^.^^^^.^^^ proper arrangements to ^iggion-house L assembled t^^e b-thre" m ^^ ^^^^^^^ at Nain. and read to them ft IN LABRADOR. 109 re id tis ur. jho kcse by 1 ati- love ween nortli ehave assur- irning ;vords ; agaitt lU, tlie spoU- h thou brave it Nain, specting lade tlie direction, ton-bouse fareweU address, and left it with them. " From the bot- tom of my heart," he begins, " I praise the gra- cious counsel of our dear Lord towards the poor and blind nations of the Esquimaux, and I re- turn back to Europe with a deep impression of it ; for though I have as yet only seen the springing of the seed, yet I feel in my heart a believing confidence, that in the proper time and hour which the Lord himself has appointed, a joyful harvest shall appear. Dear brethren and sisters, as the Lord of his pure grace has placed you in a land, where, since the creation of the world, his name has not been named or praised, it seems to me to be more incumbent on you daily to renew the deep consideration of your call and appointment to the fulfilling his purposes of grace ; for you are not called here, either collectively or separately, of your own choice, or of the will of men, but of the counsel of peace in the heart of Jesus. You must therefore have it as a fixed principle in your hearts, and before your eyes, continually, that you are sent here to make known among the Esquimaux, the character of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. If you are not all able to do this in words, you can place it before their eyes by a holy walk and (conversation; %nd by your earnest 3 !;r '■'V i I i,H,f-;,a/;uj.& ;:,.. ~*\v ■/«» -T', A 1 ( i 110 THE MORAVIAN! prayers and supplications be blessed helpers of their joy. And first of all, as their fellow-ser- vant, I pray that all the servants of the Lord in this place, who bring the testimony of the gospel to the poor heathen, may, as often as they with the mouth praise the Saviour, be baptized with the Spirit and with fire, that their testimony may appear the power of God, able to make those blessed who believe it. And I beseech all the brethren to support and help with their prayers, those of them who shall speak and preach to the Esquimaux. " You must not rest satisfied, my dear breth- ren, with daily meetings, but you must care- fully visit them in their tents and in their houses, and put them in mind of what they have heard ; for this end, all our dear brethren and sisters must diligently use the gifts and talents given them to learn the Esquimaux language. Let the joy of the Lord animate you ! — When you perceive the heart of any one awakened by the Holy Spirit, and in distress fleeing for mercy to the blood of Jesus, baptise such an one, as the Lord has directed, into his death, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : there shall be joy in heaven over such first fruits, and on earth in the church of Jesus. With respect to the Esquimaux^ either -*»'■ i;c. : '.-_-? -■ ■ ;.■. .uiLi-^-s-iiQ li'iaiC^-A.iii^l,- IK LAORADOll. Ill of jr- )rd the as be ihat >od, A.nd help shall reth- care- puses, eard; isters given Let n you by the mercy )ne, as in the of the en over urch of , either as to gifts or European food, do as we agreed on — neither, on the one side, neglect what ne- cessity or compassion require ; nor, on the oth- er, accustom them to what would be injurious. When they labour for you, or go messages, pay them according to the custom of the country ; and when you work for them, and make boats, sails, chests, lamps, arrows and lances, let them also pay you, that by degrees they may be ac- customed to an orderly domestic life. " To your little church in the house, I call in the name of Jesus, love ye with a thorough inward sacred impulse ; for God hath from eter- nity chosen you to love. Consider this well, that our dear Lord has said, * By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.* You know from what source the apparent want of this can be suppli- ed ; and I am sure, if every one would search out his own fault, with kindness and benevolence acquitting others, then would you feel that you loved one another from the heart fervently. Be of one mind; live in peace : then shall your con- ferences be kept with much blessing, and you be subject one to another in the fear of God. No one will then tenaciously hold his own opin- ion as the best, or as infallible, but every one will gladly take advantage of the other's dis- i i, 4^0r' Pg^5-*AV. :.-•- ^ ry^ 112 THE MORAVIANS i Si U cernment, and rather follow what is likely to attain the desired end, than his own private in- clination. In the division of your labour consi- der yourselves as members of one body — that the eye cannot be supposed to do what the hand can, and the hand cannot do what the foot can ; and if ye are each of you conscious that you have, according to the words of our Lord, done what thou couldst, let no one even in his heart think that one of his brethren has done too little. Whatever the congregation sends for your sup- port and clothing, receive with thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who has enabled his peo- ple to minister to you in these things : at the same time you must frugally and faithfully im- prove every opportunity afforded by providence to supply your necessary expences, by working with your own hands, and his blessing shall cer- tainly accompany your labours. '' Commend us to the Lord, that his inestim- able presence may be near us by sea and by land ; and, dearest brethren and sisters, I com- mend you to God and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified. The God of love and peace sanctify you wholly, that your whole spirit, soul and body, may be kept unblameable to the coming of the Lord Jesus ; na esus; '' IK LABRADOR. lis that tlien you, with a great number of believing Esquimaux, may appear before his presence with exceeding joy — ' Faithful is he who hath called you, and also will do it.* " With this excellent address, the labours of Mr Layritz ended. After partaking of the communion together, he bid adieu to the breth- ren on the 29th September, and went on board the ship Amity, which had come from New- foundland, according to appointment, and ar- rived in London on the 29th of October. Circumstances, apparently the most unpro- pitious, frequently contribute, in the course of Providence, to promote the most important and most happy issues. While the brethren at Nain continued with unwearied diligence to make ^known the salvation of Christ among the Esqui- maux, they observed with grief, that their deep- rooted heathenish superstitions, and the violent and gross, but natural evil passions which they delighted to indulge, and which led to the fre- quent perpetration of adultery and murder, ob- structed the entrance of the word of God into their hearts, and had as yet rendered almost all their labours fruitless. But what particularly distressed them was, when they saw that the impressions which had been made on some of the natives on hearing the gospel^ while residing in '■): '" i !^ Uiiiilii *J..,, ,Ji0t.4rttn 114 THE MORAVIANS I ), the neighbourhood of the mission-seitlement, were wholly effaced when thev removed to a distance, and associated with their heathen countrymen. Anxious, therefore, to retain them around their station, the brethren proposed a method for rendering them comfortable during the winter, by building a store-house where their provisions might be laid up, so that the superfluities of sum- mer should supply the wants of winter. But the savages could not understand the use of refusing to gratify their present appetites in order to provide for any distant emergency — they pre- ferred to revel in the plenty of summer, and to rove to other places in winter in search of food, by which propensity they were scattered above one hundred and twenty miles along the coast. Yet, even these wanderers were the means of exciting the attention of their kin- dred to the gospel, by telling them of the strange things they had heard at Nain. It was there- fore resolved to follow the leadings of Provi-. dence, and, as soon as possible, to establish two other missionary settlements, the one towards the north, the other south of the present. For this purpose, application was made to the Society of the Brethren in London, who, enter- ing fully into their views, obtained from the m be lei ah Wf wil ro( IN LABllADOR. 115 t, a en nd for ter, ons jm- the sing ir to pre- and ;h of tered K the s the r kin- ;range here- rovi- th two )wards to the enter- m the Privy Council an order granting them liberty to search out and take possession of land suffi- cient for their object. A commibsion was accord- ingly sent for the brethren to explore ihc ^oast, and Brazen, Lister, Lehman, and Jens Haven, offered themselves for this service. On the r)th of August they set out for the north. *' But just as we were setting out," says Jens Haven, *' an uncommon horror and trembling seized me, 80 that, contrary to my former experience, I was exceedingly intimidated, and wished ra- ther to stay ot home." They proceeded how- ever, and were every where received in a friendly manner by the Esquimaux, and invited to settle among them. Their return justified the presentiment of Jens Haven. Not far from Cape Kiglapeit they had the misfortune to en- counter a dreadful storm, and when only three miles from Nain, their vessel struck on a sunk rock, where she was wrecked. After a fearful night, about 2 o'clock next morning, they attempted to get at the boat that belonged to their shallop, but through the vio- lence of the waves it was driven on a rock and almost dashed to pieces. Brazen and Lehman were drowned, but Haven and Lister, together with the sailors, succeeded in reaching a barren rock^ where they suffered much from cold and p" t \i ■ i — .«/ ^-■^mmmmm iiMm>mm 116 THE MORAVIANS hunger — where they must have perished miser- ably had they not providentially got their boat, which was in tatters, drawn on shore, and with all the woollen clothes and seal skins they could spare, patched it together. Still it was a wretch- ed barque, but they had no other resource, and were obliged to venture to sea in it such as it was. The wind was favourable, and at length they happily met Manamina, in his ka- jak, who towed them safely to Nain, where they arrived on the evening of the 18th of Sep- tember, truly thankful to the Lord for his won- derful assistance. '" After our return," Haven says in the account of his life, *' I was over- whelmed with sorrow — spent days and nights in sighs and tears — thought much of my whole past life — cried to the Jx)rd for help and for- giveness of all my many failings, and renewed my vows to devote myself entirely to his ser- vice." The bodies of both the brethren who were drowned were driven on shore, and after- wards brought to the settlement, where they were decently interred. Sad as this catastrophe was^ it did not pre- vent the brethren, in the year 1775, from un- dertaking new journies to explore the south and north coast; nor deter others from offering them- selves to supply the place of those who had per^ "--•tyL «-.; j »i» i i « i' " n»»j,;>»fja:s't...:y*g's^; J Wfc m iKMWfcw f < A m M-*IV^*, >Mff>S'^r,:(v**« IN LABRADOR. 117 r- it, itU lid ch- rce, ucli i at ika- rhete Sep- won- laven i over- nights whole d for- newed is ser- n who after- e they lot pte- loin un- luth and igthem- lad r^f- ished in the cause. When the accounts of Bra- zen's departure reached the Unity's Elders' Conference, they appointed Samuel Liebisch superintendant of the mission, who, on the l6th August, the same year, arrived at Nain with some new assistants to the mission. As usual, about the month of November, all the Esquimaux left the neighbourhood of Nain for their winter places, but towards Christmas great numbers came on their sledges over the frozen sea to visit the brethren. Among their visitors was Kingminguse, who had formerly been an Angekok, but who, by the preaching of the word of God, had experienced such an apparent change of mind as to give hopes of his conversion ; and, indeed, early next year, on the 19th of February, the day on which the meeting-hall at Nain was consecrated, he was baptized as the first fruits of that mission, and received the name of Peter. Some days before his baptism, he told the brethren, " that he had been in Angekok, and believed what his fore- fathers said, but now he believed it no more ; that he would give up all his former evil customs and follow the Lord Jesus, though he should be persecuted by his countrymen ; that he was ig- norant, but what the brethren who had come thither had told him of the Lord who tnade % ■*>«nHfumm iWi m ^ W I ■< ,0>^' mm 118 THE MORAVIANS J \ heaven and earth, who had become a man, and shed his blood from love to us, had taken fast hold of his heart — he had rejoiced in it, and would forsake all for it. He knew but little of the Saviour, but v/as willing to learn, and plac- ed his confidence alone on him, because he truly- believed he only was good ; and that when the body died, the soul went to the place of rest to be with him, and happy for ever." Shaking hands with every brother, individually, he pro- mised that he would remain with the congrega- tion of the believers, to be constantly obedient to his teachers, and walk worthy of the gospel. In the administration of the ordinance he was quite overcome, as were also several of the other Esquimaux, who expressed their wishes like- wise to be baptized, which afforded the mission- aries an opportunity of speaking earnestly and affectionately to them. Peter, likewise, every where testified to his people his great joy that he now belonged to the faithful ; they viewed him with particular re- spect, and listened attentively to his discourse about the Saviour, which was remarkably urgent and affectionate. For instance, upon one occa- sion he expressed himself in the following man- ner to them : " You must turn wholly to the Saviour; and place your confidence on him alone. IN LABRADOR. 119 bis lothe Ir re- louTse Irgent occa- Iman- to the so shall he by bis precious blood purify and fill your hearts. You know that I am baptized, for this I am very thankful ; and it would be well with you would you but learn to know Je- sus in time, for we have no other Saviour either in this v/orid or in the ftiture. If we are washed in his blood we need no more fear death or dark- ness, we shall then come where it is ever light, and where we shall ever see the Saviour. When we are sick or in pain, we must turn to him, for he hath born all our sicknesses. He still calls us to come to him ; this call we have never hi- therto understood, therefore he has sent the brethren who know him, to shew our souls the way to him. You know they have built a house, and ask nothing but to make the Saviour known to our hearts. We cannot be grateful enough to him who sent them thither, for it is of the greatest importance to us ; and, eyen those a« mong them who do not know our language suf« ficiently to speak to us, pray to him that we may feel the power of his blood on our hearts. I have learned sorcery, and I have practised it, but that is the road to the greatest darkness, and can give no peace to the heart ; but he who looks to the Saviour, and to his wounds, receives peace and joy in his heart, and that is the only thing of any value in this world." In the fol* li 120 THE MORAVIANS lowing summer there were above two Imndred Esquimaux in thirty-seven tents near Nain, and they were so assiduous in their attendance on the meetings, that the new hall could not con- tain the crowd that anxiously pressed to hear, and some were entered among the candidates for baptism. Liebisch brought with him a commission fur Jens Haven to commence a new settlement. " I felt," said Haven, " not a little anxiety on this occasion, knowing the difficulties attending such a commission, but accepted it in reliance on our Saviour's help." He accordingly, accompanied by Stephen Jensen, proceeded in an Esquimaux boat to a little creek, afterwards Okkak, which had been formerly fixed on as a most eligible spot for a settlement, and purchased from the Esquimaux a hundred thousand acres, or three German square miles, of land ; they expressing great joy at the prospect of the brethren coming to reside among them. Stones were set up to mark the boundaries, and the place taken pos- session of with the usual formalities. The fol- lowing was the mode of expression used by the brethren upon the occasion. " In the name of our God and Saviour, and under the protection of our gracious monarch, George III. King of Eng- land, we take possession of this land for the pur- \ i .-•-.*_*.^— *•— • •., ♦ IN LABRADOR. 121 far r^ pose of a missionary settlement for the Bret1r« ren's Unity, and the Bociety for propagating the gospel." During the following year, Q17760 the breth- ren were busily employed in cutting down wood in the forest near Nain, and preparing it for a dwelling-house at the new station ; and so dili- gent were they in their work, that in August, when the ship Good Intent arrived from Eng- land with the other necessary articles for build- ing the house, the timber was all ready to be shipped for Okkak. On the 13th September, Jens Haven, with his family and three other missionaries who had been appointed for the new settlement, arrived there, and immediately weni; to work and erected their house. " I had," says the devoted Haven, " the peace, in all try- ing circumstances, to cleave to my Saviour, of whose gracious assistance I had manifold expe- rience. He was with us, and gave us success in our present enterprise. Having finished the building of our house, we moved into it ; and in our first conference, were so united by the power of Jesus* grace in brotherly love and har- mony, that we made a covenant with each other to offer soul and body to the Lord, to serve him without fear, and bear each others' burdens with a cheerful heart. Nor did we meet with 3 • IE ,, .^-^•VawvK- .^i 'O. ^^A^.-^.tkA.i, m THE MORAVIANS < the least interruption during the whole year^ so that I justly count it the happiest of my life." This station lies thirty German miles north from Nain^ in 58 deg. 20 m. n. l.^ and is of great consequence both to the European set- tlers and the Esquimaux^ of whom above three hundred always live near it. There is a good harbour for ships and boats — a supply of wood and of fresh water in summer and winter — great quantities of fish^ particularly haddocks — also some whales^ but few seals^ so that the Esqui- maux are obliged to go to various places at a considerable distance for this valuable animal^ whose skins are among their absolute necessaries for their tents and clothing. The mission-house is built at the side of a high mountain^ which serves as a protection from the north-west wind. The natives received the brethren with great joy^ and evinced a pleasing desire to hear the gospel ; but it was not till the 29th of August l'778j that any baptism took place. On this occasion^ however, six adults were received into the church by this holy ordinance, and several others soon followed. The baptized lived for the greater part of the winter in the mission- house, where daily meetings were held, and where they received farther instruction, for which purpose a larger meeting-hall was built in 1779. 80 f IK LABRADOR. 123 At length at Nain^ also, the brethren had the pleasure in the winter of 1779 — 80, to see five Esquimaux families, consisting of thiity>seven souls, come to the resolution of remaining dur- ing that season in their neighbourhood, and the year after their number increased from seventy to eighty ; by this means the brethren were en- abled to collect small congregations at each sta- tion, and, in the winter at least, carefully to observe their conduct, and to give them regular employment. Meanwhile the mission work pro- ceeded ; they held daily meetings, where the gospel was preached to the resident Esquimaux and numerous visitors. A school was opened for children, besides which, the baptized were twice a-week instructed in writing. A weekly meeting was likewise kept with the latter for furthering their knowledge on doctrinal points, particularly on the meaning of the Lord's sup- per. During the season when the baptized were necessarily called away from the settlement, one of the missionaries generally attended them. In the year 1780, William Turner made two visits, of twenty miles each, into the interiorof the coun- try from Nain in their company, when they went to hunt the rein-deer, along with a number of the Esquimaux ; the first in February, and then from the 8th of August to the 25th of Septem- J .^- ****" ^1 ,1 iflf M lU THE MORAVIANS ber. They travelled over wild mountains^ be- tween lakes and pools. The rein-deer^ which sometimes passed in large herds^ were driven into the water by the Esquimaux^ and there killed. In the winter journey. Turner suffered much from the cold and the want of warm food, and was also frequently in imminent danger from the snow storms, when the great drift- heaps collected upon the mountains rolled down in tremendous and threatening masses like Al- pine avalanches. Nor was the summer expedi- tion free from its dangers and difficulties. The party consisted of fifty men, who travelled on foot ; about a hundred dogs followed, laden with the baggage that was to be transported over bar- ren mountains and tmough morasses; and often, after all their exertions and deprivations, they got very few rein-deer. The main design of his journies too, was but imperfectly obtained, as his people were so very much occupied in the hunt that they could pay but little attention to the preaching of the word ; and their heathen companions disliked the presence of a mission- ary, as it caused those to keep back who, believ- ing in their superstitious customs and incan- tations, practised them ; and on whom, accord- ing to their notions^ the success of the hunt de- pended. > n IN LABRADOR. 125 From the promising appearance of the two settlements^ the brethren now began to think of a third, to be situated south from Nain ; and in July 1779, Schneider, Lister and Jensen went to Avertok, which Jens Haven, Lister and Beck had formerly visited, and pitched upon a spot deemed the most proper for a missionary station. Having purchased the land from the Esquimaux, and fixed the boundaries, placing stones as on the former occasion ; they then re- turned to Nain, where the wood was prepared as for the missionary house at Okkak, and brought to its destination by the Good Intent, on her arrival from England. In the mean time, Jens Haven, who had been on a visit to Europe, ar- rived with his wife, after having experienced a wonderful escape on their voyage. When ap- proaching near the coast of Labrador, they dis- covered an ice- berg of prodigious extent and height approaching them, and had scarcely pass- ed it in safety, ere it fell to pieces with a tre- mendous crash, putting the surrounding sea in- to the most dreadful agitation and foam. Had it happened but a few minutes before, they must every soul have perished in the immense ruin. — All the preparations being finished, the building was begun in 1782, at the new station, and Jens Haven was employed as first ar» <1 l! .»:' li ,* ^— . .^..^ .■• >f |> i ii M i tf , a»; ;. i ii r uitfc..^.. ... 1^6 THE MORAVIANS *■ >■ !.i I cliitect. On the 21st September of that year it was finished so as to be habitable. This settlement, which is thirty German miles south of Nain, and lies in 55 deg. 40 m. N. L., was called Hopedale, in remembrance of those brethren, who, in 1752, had erected their dwelling a little farther to the south, at Nis- bet's Harbour, and given it this name; the ruins of which had been discovered in the ex- ploratory voyage, 1775. The appearance of the ships, which were now annually sent from England to Labrador, was hailed with joy. They visited all the three sta« tions, supplied them with necessaries, and made considerable profit by what they got in exchange. In the interim, the brethren held as much in- tercourse as possible together, during summer, by the Esquimaux boats that sail along the coast, and in winter, by travelling from one 3 Na- tion to another, in sledges drawn by dogs. The land road was extremely difficult on account of the steep rocky mountains. The way over the frozen sea was much more easy and pleasant, but often extremely dangerous, as, where it is not inclosed and fixed by the islands, in change- able and stormy weather it is liable to be broken up, and exposes the travellers to almost inevi- table destruction. A most remarkable interpo- ^ .,^**l*^ *^.«*'».»*lt B** ••*?'* ■*-*VI*«^»—.« IN LABRADOR. 127 1 in- imer, ; the ; 3-a- The int of ;r the sant, it is ange- roken linevi- erpo- T sition of providence in behalf of two of the breth- ren^ which occurred this year^ will illustrate both the danger of that mode of travelling, and the peculiar protection afforded by God to those who have devoted their lives to his service. We shall relate it in the words of the Rev. C. J. Latrobe, Secretary to the mission, who compil- ed the narrative from the private journal of one of the party. '' Brother Samuel Liebisch, being at that time entrusted with the general care of the brethren's missions on the coast of Labrador^ the duties of his office required a visit to Okkak^ the most northern of our settlements, and about one hun-^ dred and fifty English miles distant from Nain, the place where he resided. Brother William Turner being appointed to accompany him, they left Nain on March the 11th, early in the morn- ing, with very clear weather, the stars shining with uncommon lustre.^ The sledge was driven by the baptized Esquimaux Mark, and another sledge with Esquimaux joined company. The two sledges contained five men, one woman and a child. All were in good spirits, and appear- ances being much in their favour, they hoped to reach Okkak in safety, in two or three days. The track over the frozen sea was in the best possible order^ and they went with ease at the { .jr. I' iV I . i><«>^.,S_H— — .00^ 128 THE MORAVIANS Ei fc i rate of six or seven miles an hour. After they had passed the islands in the bay of Nain^ they kept at a considerable distance from the coast, both to gain the smoothest part of the ice, and to weather the high rocky promontory of Kig- lapeit. About eight o'clock they met a sledge with Esquimaux turning in from the sea. After the usual salutations, the Esquimaux alight- ing, held some conversation, as is their general practice, the result of which was, that some hints were thrown out by the strange lisqui- maux that it might be as well to return. How* ever, as the missionaries saw no reason what- ever for it, and only suspected that the £squi« maux wished to enjoy the company of their friends a little longer, they proceeded. After some time their own Esquimaux hinted that there was a ground -swell under the ice. It was then hardly perceptible, except on lying down and applying the ear close to the ice, when a hollow disagreeable grating and roaring noise was heard, as if ascending from the abyss. The weather remained clear except toward the east, where a bank of light clouds appeared, inter- spersed with some dark streaks ; but the wind being strong from the north-west, nothing less than a sudden change of weather was expected. [[ The sun had now reached his height^ and IN LABRADOR. 129 3y ey ind dge iter nrht- o leral some squi- iow- ivhat- ^squi- tbeir After that It was down lien a noise The Ihe east, inter - [le wind |ing less ;pected. •lit, and there was as yet little or no alteration in the appearance of the sky ; but the motion of the sea under the ice had grown more perceptible, so as rather to alarm the travellers, and they began to think it prudent to keep closer to the shore. The ice had cracks and large fissures in many places, some of which formed chasms of one or two feet wide ; but as they are not un- common even in its best state, and the dogs eas- ily leap over them, the sledge following without danger, they are only terrible to new comers. *' As soon as the sun declined towards the west, the wind increased and rose to a storm, the bank of clouds from the east began to as- cend, and the dark streaks to put themselves in motion against the wind. The snow was vio- lently driven about by partial whirlwinds, both on the ice and from off the peaks of the high mountains, and filled the air. At the same time, the ground-swell had increased so much, that it? effects upon the ice became very extra- ordinary and alarming. The sledges, instead of gliding along smoothly upon an even surface, sometimes ran with violence after the dogs, and shortly after seemed with difficulty to ascend the rising hill; for the elasticity of so vast a body of ice of many leagues square, supported by a troubled sea, though in some places three i _ ...■^,,.,«^>*">i '^01^^'' 130 THE MOIIAVIANS or four yards in thickness^ would in some de- gree occasion an undulatory motion^ not unlike that of a sheet of paper accommodating itself to the surface of a rippling stream. Noises were likewise now distinctly heard in many direc- tions like the report of cannon^ owing to the bursting of the ice at som.e distance. ** The Esquimaux therefore drove with all haste towards the shore^ intending to take up their night's quarters on the south side of the Uivak. But as it plainly appeared that the ice would break and disperse in the open sea^ Mark advised to push forward to the north of TJivak^ from whence he hoped the track to Okkak might still remain entire. To this proposal the company agreed ; but when the sledges ap- proached the coast, the prospect before them was truly terrific — the ice having broken loose from the rocks, was forced up and down, grind- ing and breaking into a thousand pieces against the precipices with a tremendous noise, which added to the raging of the wind, and the snow driving about in the air, deprived the travellers almost of the power of hearing and seeing any thing distinctly. To make the land at any risk, was now the only hope left, but it was with the utmost difficulty, that the frightened dogs could be forced forward— the whole body .if i i IX LABRADOn. 131 of ice sinking frequently below the surface of the rocks, then rising above it. As the only- moment to land was that when it gained the level of the coast, the attempt was extremely nice and hazardous. However, by God's mercy, it succeeded ! both sledges gained the shore, and were drawn up the beach with much difficulty. " The travellers had hardly time to reflect with gratitude to God on their safety, when that part of the ice from which they had just made good their landing, burst asunder, and the water, forcing itself from below, covered and precipitated it into the sea. In an instant, as if by a signal given, the whole ma^^s of ice, extending for several miles from the coast, and as far as the eye could reach, began to bnrst and to be overwhelmed by the immense waves. The sight was tremendous, and awfully grand -^the large fields of ice, raising themselves out of the water, striking cgainst each other, and plunging into the deep with a violence not to be described, and a noise like the discharge of innumerable batteries of heavy guns. The darkness of the night, the roaring of the wind and sea, and the dashing of the waves and ice against the recks, iilled the travellers with sen- sations of awe and horror, as almost to deprive them of the power of utterance. They stood *'♦/* '*** " *• '■ •••»« tfc < » . m» i n i^»^ ■i iJ)W P WHJI»WIHW ''f'^-** * H'l »< «i¥' W »n A ^'»P» 132 THE MORAVIANS .( 1 i "'A overvvhelmed with astonishment at their mira- culous escape, and even the heathen Esqui- maux expressed gratitude to God for their de- liverance. " The Esquimaux now began to build a snow-house, about thirty paces from the beach ; but before they had finished their work, the waves reached the place where the sledges were secured, and they were with difficulty saved from being washed into the sea. " About 9 o'clock all of them crept into the snow-house, thanking God for this place of re- fuge : for the wind was piercing cold, and so violent, that it required great strength to be able to stand against it. " Before they entered their habitation, they could not help once more turning to the sea, which was now free from ice, and beheld with horror, mingled with gratitude for their safety, the enormous waves driving furiously before the wind, like huge castles, and approaching the shore, where, with dreadful noise, they dashed against the rocks, foaming, and filling the air with the spray. The whole company now got their supper ; and having sung an evening hymn in the Esquimaux language, lay down to rest about ten o'clock. They lay so close, that if any one stirred, his neighbour was roused by it. .._»,«M»*ilQ_ IK LABRADOK. 133 M The Esquimaux were soon fast asleep^ but bro- ther Liebisch could not get any rest, partly on account of the dreadful roaring of the wind and sea^ and partly owing to a sore throat which gave him great pain. Both missionaries were also much engaged in their minds in contem- plating the dangerous situation into which they had been brought^ and amidst all thankfulness for their great deliverance from immediate deaths could not but cry unto the Lord for his help ia this time of need. " The wakefulness of the missionaries proved the deliver^pce of the whole party from sudden destruction. About two o'clock in the morning, brother Liebisch perceived some salt water to drop from the roof of the snow-house upon his lips. Though rather alarmed on tasting the salt^ which could not proceed from a common Spray, he kept quiet till the same dropping be- came more frequently r« peated. Just as he was about to give the alarm, on a sudden a tremen- dous surf broke close to the house, discharging a quantity of water into it ; a second soon fol- lowed, and carried away the slab of snow placed as a door before the entrance. The missionaries immediately called aloud to the sleeping Esqui- maux to rise and quit the place. They jumped up in an instant. One of them with a large 3 ^»f^ 134 THE MORAVIANS :r knife cut a passage through the side of the house ; and each seizing some part of the bag- gage, it was thrown out upon a higher part of the beach, brother Turner assisting the Esqui- maux. Brother Liebisch, and the woman and child, fled to a neighbouring eminence. The latter was wrapped up by the Esquimaux in a large skin, and the former took shelter behind a rock, for it was impossible to stand against the wind, snow and sleet. Scarcely had the com- pany retreated to the eminence, when an enor- mous wave carried away the whole house, but nothing of consequence was lost. " They now found themselves a second time delivered from the most imminent danger of death ; but the remaining part of the night be- fore the Esquimaux could seek and find another more safe place for a snow-house, were hours of great trial to mind and body, and filled every one with painful reflections. Before the day dawned, the Esquimaux cut a hole into a large drift of snow, to screen the woman and child, and the two missionaries. Brother Liebisch^ however, could not bear the closeness of the air, and was obliged to sit down at the entrance^ when the Esquimaux covered him with skins to keep him warm, as the pain in his throat was very great. '-J im mStimmmm IN LABRADOR. 185 I i *' As soon as it was light, they built another snow house; and miserable as such an accommu- dation is at all times, they were glad and thankful to creep into it. It was about eight feet square, and six or seven feet high. They now congratulated each other on their deliver- ance, but found themselves in very bad plight. The missionaries had taken but a small stock of provisions with them, merely sufficient for the short journey to Okkak. Joel, his wife and child, and Kassigiak the sorcerer, hsd nothing at all. They were therefore obliged to divide the small stock into daily portions, especially as there appsared no hopes of soon quitting this place, and reaching any dwellings. Only two ways were left for this purpose — either to at- tempt the land passage across the wild and un- frequented mountain Kiglapeit, or to wait for a new ice-track over the sea, which it might re- quire much time to form. They therefore re- solved to serve out no more than a biscuit and a half per man per day. But as this would not by any means satisfy an Esquimaux's stom- ach, the missionaries offered to give one of their dogs to be killed for them, on condition that in case distress obliged them to resort again to that expedient, the next dog killed should be one of the Esquimaux's team. They replied they I f *i x^ fi. I: in I 136 THE MORAVIANS should be glad of it^ if they had a kettle to boil the flesh in ; but as that was not the case^ they must suffer hunger, for they could not even yet eat dogs' flesh in its raw state. The mission- aries now remained in the snow-house, and every day endeavoured to boil so much water over their lamp as might serve them for two dishes of coffee a piece. Through mercy, they were preserved in good health, and brother Liebisch quite unexpectedly recovered on the first day of his sore throat. The Esquimaux also kept up their spirits, and even the rough heathen Kassigiak declared that it was proper to be thankful that they were still alive, adding, that if they had remained a very littl. longer upon the ice yesterday, all their bones would have been broken to pieces in a short time. He had however his heels frozen, and suffered con- siderable pain. In the evening the missionaries sung an hymn with the Esquimaux, and con- tinued to do it every morning and evening. The Lord was present with them, and comforted their hearts by his peace. " Towards noon of the thirteenth, the wea- ther cleared up, and the sea was soon, as far as the eye could reach, quite freed from ice. Mark and Joel went up the hills to reconnoitre, and returnees with the disagreeable news that \ i ' "^m itM— * w Nw J. 1^1. 1 I m r .,^..-' f CHAPTER IV. Esquimaux visit the English settlements — pernicious consequences — dreadful accident — famine— unexpect- ed supply of food and skins. — Emigration from Ok- kak — missionaries' care of the wanderers who return disappointed — Terrible tales from the south — In- quirers separated from the heathen. — Popish priest at- tempts to seduce the convertr Brother Rose inspects Hopedale Kapik the sorcerer. — TPeter's fall — Visits to the south renewed. — Parting address of the breth- ren. — Epidemic Death of Daniel — of Esther. — Conversion and peaceful end of Tuglavina. — Last days of Mikak. — Indians come to Hopedale.-~Rose*s remarks on the internal state of the missions — In- stances of the power o" grace among the Esquimaux- striking observation of one of the baptized. — Jona- than's letter to the Greenlanders — Affecting confession of Solomon. — Conduct of a young woman sought in marriage by a heathen.— State of the settlements at the close of the century., Prospects begin to brighten. — Remarkable phenomenon. — Avocations of the mis- sionaries — their trials preservation of their vessels — of their settlements their brotherly love. Eleven years had the brethren now laboured for the conversion of the Esquimaux amidst many difficulties and dangers, when circumstan- ces occurred which threatened to blast their fair hopes of success. In the summer of 1 782, the Esquimaux, for the first time since missionaries had resided in the country, visited the English settlements in the south. Tuglavina had per- suaded Abraham^ one of the baptized of Nain^ ■^t™. ^«.« ,,^.^..« ^'^■"^■•^.j *'^^.^^%^- .#*<*: 144 THE MORAVIANS to go with him to Chateau Bay; and when they returned in October, they reported that the Commander-in-chief had been quite over- joyed to see baptized Esquimaux, and wished that more of them might come to visit him, for he also had been baptized, and hoped that his soul after death would go to heaven. He had reproved Mikak for not being baptized, and warned them all against murders and adultery. Abraham had bought a boat and still owed half of the price, yet he and Tuglavina had each re- ceived a present of a musket and powder and ball, nor had the women been sent empty away ; also, while they were there, they had had plenty to eat, a gratification of no minor importance. By these splendid accounts of their kind recep- tion, a general desire was excited among their countrymen to go likewise to the south ; and the next consequence was, insolence and opposition to the missionaries and teachers. If they were reminded to be sparing of their winter provis- ions, they sarcastically replied, by reminding the brethren of the manner in which Tuglavina and Abraham had been treated by the " good" Euro- peans in the South ; or if they came into the mis- sion-house and got nothing to eat, they immed- iately exclaimed, with the Europeans in the south we can have plenty to eat. And when f -» ' ., .«-. rf » ^ .^^ W ^ ««ri^4Mi«M*WNlMi ■» *' I i» „<>••-»;■ ..r' '■»-—, -- Y^— — ■iiHi fc. ai itpi IN LABRADOR. 145 \ 1 on a was turned out from the palasadoes^ he angrily remarked, the Europeans have no pal- asadoes. By these representations the greater part of the baptized were seduced and deceiv- ed ; the brethren with meekness endeavoured to put them right, reminded them that at their baptism they had promised to love Jesus only, and to follow him, not to leave the congregation of the faithful, and to obey their teachers. They also particularly described the dangers to which they would be exposed in their journey to the south, and desired them to consider the impressive warnings the Commander-in-chief had so lately given them — but all was in vain. In the following winter, a famine broke out among the Esquimaux in Nain ; their number amounted to eighty-two souls, whereof thirty- five were baptized and candidates for baptism. All these looked to the brethren when in want of the necessaries of life, who afforded them as- sistance to the utmost of their ability ; but re- ceived little thanks for their kindness; for if they did not give them what they thought enough, they upbraided them with the conduct of the good Europeans in the south. On the 4th December a dreadful accident happened at Aukpalluktak, about six hours dis- tant from Nain. A large mass of snow was pre- 8 . ,j.k.*-.riT'! tt0^. 146 THE MORAVIANS m ■ , ■it cipitated from a mountain and overwhelmed an Esquimaux winter house, wherein were thirty- persons, young and old. No one could escape to tell the tale of their disaster or procure assis- tance ; but it happened, by the merciful provi- dence of God, that Nathaniel, with another Esquimaux, went to Aukpalluktak to bring Sir- mek to Nain; to their astonishment they found him lying half-frozen, unable either to stand or walk, yet still alive. They then heard a voice from the midst of the ruins, by which they per- ceived there were still some persons alive be- neath the snow ; and hastening back to Nain with Sirmek, they returned with additional hands, and the necessary tools from the breth- ren. They soon found that there were more Esquimaux within, and by great exertion and labour succeeded in extricating nine persons from the rubbish, but one of them was so much bruis- v«;d that she died very soon after. By this visit- ation, twenty-one persons lost their lives. The Esquimaux were greatly alarmed by it for a lit- tle, but the impression soon wore off, and all was forgotten. In January and February 1783, the famine increased among the natives, and the brethren redoubled their endeavours to supply their nec- essities, which however appears only to have had r t -.«.^,a:i^\J"irfV " ^K 'tt f I I IK LABRADOR. UK €he effect of encouraging their indolence, for so long as they could get food in this way they would not stir abroad, or make the least exer- tion to STipply their own wants. If urged to go in search of food, they alleged that hunger pre- vented them ,; " for," said they, " when we go out and catch nothing it makes us the more hungry." If advised to go and hunt, they re- plied, " We have no gun." Yet did not this waywardness tire the patient benevolence of the missionaries ; but^ like children of their Father in heaven, who causeth his sun to rise on the €vil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and unjust, when the famine had reached its height h ^ther Lister sent to Okkak to fetch a sledge ' )f dried fish. Ere they arrived, news was brought that the Esquimaux in the island of Kerniteksut, two hours distant from Nain, had been so fortunate as to find a dead whale. On hearing this the whole inhabitants of the country hastened to the place to satisfy their hunger ; an immense num- ber of foxes came for the same purpose ; these they killed, and thus the starving natives were supplied both with food and riches, the skins of these animals forming a principal article of ex- change with the Europeans. But this last oc- currence proved that wealth among savages, as l-r \j^\ 148 THE MOEAVIANS I e-# ! well as in more civilized countries^ is not always a blessing ; it renewed anew the desire to go to the souths as the greater part were now in cir- cumstances to carry merchandize thither ^ to bar- ter with the good and kind Europeans. No- thing then was spoken of but trade in the souths and they could hardly wait for the season to undertake the journey. When the brethren visited them in the spring, they treated them with the greatest indifference and even insol- ence ; the gospel of Jesus found no access to them ; and though^ through a certain dread of the missionaries^ which they could not cast off, they were not so outrageously brutal as former- ly, yet in secret they returned to the indul- gence of many of their vile practices. Early in the approaching summer, more than eighty Esquimaux went from the country round Nain to the south, among whom were nineteen of the baptized, and even Peter, the first fruit of the mission, accompanied them. The majo- rity had determined to spend the winter there and get plenty to eat, and tobacco, and guns, and powder, and ball, and other articles which they could not purchase so advantageously from the brethren. From the country round Okkak too, above an hundred of the natives went south in four boats, among whom were Luke and his family, who were baptized. T i ': •mHW^" IN LABRADOR. 149 T 4. When the brethren saw that the baptized would not be prevented from going to the south, though sorely grieved, yet anxious for their welfare in their ill advised expedition, they gave them a written certificate, stating that they the missionaries had been sent there by an agree- ment with the governor of Newfoundland, in the years 1771 and — 2 ; that they had lived in love and concord with the Esquimaux, and had no cause of complaint against them ; that there was no other reason for theirpresent journey than the invitation of Europeans in the south ; then recommended them to the care and friendly treatment of the colonists, and concluded bv giving a short account of the progress of the mission since its commencement. At the new mission station, Hopedale, some beginnings of a stirring among the heathen were perceived, but the same giddy infatuation which had seized their countrymen laid hold on them also, and blasted this pleasing prospect. A boatful of them undertook the voyage to the tfiouth, while the others vvho remained, liad their minds wholly dissipated. From this propensity of the Esquimaux to go to the colony, the outward circumstances of the mission appeared to be in great danger. For as the irajukrers carried considerable quantities of ■''^' . .'^«a^ -]^ III M^i.W *•»-♦ *•'♦**•»« *,^K.»*'^«.*.t-»V mtii tm n^^ tt$ r ' H ' ^ m * i f » * p«^r?** 150 THE MORAVIANS « 1.' :: i I merchandize to the southern settlements^ the home freight of the Society's ship, the Amity, which consisted of the same articles, was much less this, than it had been in any former year. On the 5th of October five families of Arver- tok came from Chateau Bay back to Nain ; they now spoke in a very different tone respecting the " good and kind" Europeans ; they had quarrelled with their friends, who had seized their wives, and afterwards maltreated and threatened to shoot themselves; while they, probably, had not altogether refrained from their old thievish practices. The year before, they said, the people in the south are better than you, they give us plenty to eat; — now they said, '' Yon are the Innuit, our true friends, we will never leave you more." The following year, 1784, Tuglavina arriv- ed at Nain on the 6th of September with three boats, on his return from Chateau bay — the ac- counts which he and others gave of their resi- dence there, pierced the missionaries to their in- most souls. Of the nineteen baptized who went south, five had perished, David, Abraham, Mo- ses, Timothy, and Deborah ; the latter, there was ground to hope, had a blessed departure. David was drowned in a kajak on the sea, and on this account, by the counsel of old Nerkin- r p» i iii| Pir"in_ .j» ■ii»nll HM II I »'»niM«»€ 158 THE MORAVIANS turn. When the letter was read to him at Nain, ]779, he said Joseph has spoken pure truth, and I love hiofi for it; his words are right, but I require the women for my boat, and I cannot send them away. He was again put in remembrance of the letter in the following year, when he assured the brethren it had made such an impression on him that he could not sleep for three nights ; but he continued in his evil course of conduct, and still kept the mother and the daughter among his wives. He went after- wards to the south, where he remained two or three winters, but whether he ever obtained re- pentance must remain a secret till " that day." Reports of many horrible murders committed in the north in the year 1790 having reached the brethren, they were not a little comforted by the remark of an Esquimaux living at one of the set- tlements, "As many murders," said he, "would have been committed here if you had not come and brought us the good word of our Creator be- coming our Redeemer, of his great love to us and of our duty to love him and our neighbour." A strong desire to travel to the south became again prevalent among the Esquimaux in the summer of 1791 : they said one could get a large boat there for a small price, and plenty to eat, as the Europeans caught the seals in nets and I i ¥^ .■.^/':->f^>r^ IN LABRADOR. 159 gave away the flesh for nothing ; and they gave them also bread and rum at a low rate^ and all this was good for the Innuit. A hundred per- sons, of whom fifteen were baptized, and three candidates for baptism, went from Nain and Okkak in eleven boats. The sad experience of former years had shewn the brethren the de- structive effects that the frequent dispersion, and the constant intercourse with their heathen countrymen and careless Europeans, had in be- wildering the Esquimaux, and erasing all their religion ; they therefore determined at parting to give them a serious and affectionate admon- ition. In this they reminded them that the members of the congregation, in going away, were departing from what they had heard of the Saviour, and what they had promised at their baptism, and from what the ordinance of the holy supper required them to be ; that they — the missionaries — ever since the time of their backsliding, had never ceased to cry to the Saviour, as they well knew that he was merciful and gracious, and would again receive repenting sinners ; that though they would not now follow the counsel of their teachers, and would separate from them, yet it might be, that when they were in necessity or affliction, they might think on what they had heard of Jesus, hH ^.m \i ■ < ^ ^ ! ■)■ -' i 160 THE MOIIAVIANS and take refuge in liinr* ; and then, though their bodies should return to the dust, their souls, purchased by his precious blood, would be sav- ed. One of the baptized replied that he knew all that, and understood it quite well, but he must be allowed to follow his own discretion. He promised, however, at parting, that he would continue to love his teachers — would think on their words, and if he should die in the south, he would order that his baptized children should be sent back to the congregation and put un- der their care. During the winters 1796 and 1797^ an in- fectious disease visited all the settlements, a violent cough, accompanied with fever and pleu- risy; it attacked both Europeans and Esqui- maux, but proved fatal chiefly to the latter, and lasted for about two months ; at Nain it was so universal, that when they met together they could not proceed, as the coughing rendered the service altogether unintelligible. When an Es- quimaux is taken ill, he expects, from any med- icine that may be prescribed, an immediate cure, and if this does not take place grows dejected ; and now, fears at the thoughts of death, which are deeply rivetted, shewed themselves even in believers. The missionaries were assiduous in their attendance; and in using every means they 'i' jiaa'Mfa'ifi"Ti'1i>' iTTgJtiliWMtiimiti IN LABRADOR. 161 1 possessed for their cure ; but learned, to their inexpressible grief, that the impatience of some also who had received the gospel, led them to follow the old superstitious ways of the sorcer- ers to procure relief, and this at the very time when they were professing to follow implicitly the prescriptions of the brethren. They were very cautious, however, lest it should reach the missionaries' ears; nor do the latter seem to have been aware of it, till one of the communi- cants at Okkal<, constrained by uneasiness of mind, confessed the whole with many tears, saying that he had grievously sinned against the Lord. The hypocrisy and equivocation which many, of whom thev had hoped better things, evinced, added greatly to the anguish of the missionaries ; but they had great consolation in the death of others, who departed happy in the faith, to their Saviour. Among these was Dan- iel, a communicant. He said in his last illness^ " All the things I had confidence in are now in the depths of the sea ; my only refuge is the Saviour ; all my thoughts rest on him.'* The widow Esther, however, deserves particular no- tice : she was bred at Kilanek north from Ok- kak, and when a child came on a visit to Nain in 1773> where she and her countrymen heard for the first time the missionaries speak of the ■^i^: " * « H l.. ii '■•ti / 162 TIIR MORAVIANS Creator and Redeemer of men ; this made a great impression upon lier, and though a child, and surrounded only by the heathen, it con- stantly occurred to her mind, " It is He who made all things and knows all things; he, there- fore, knows me and can help me." Often she told the missionaries, that when she was at Kilanek, she would go out to a mountain and weep and pray to Jesus, particularly when any thing painful happened to her. After her fath- er's death a man took her for his third wife, which placed her in the most painful circum- stances, as he was a rude wicked wretch, a sorcerer, and a murderer. In the year 1787 he died, and she was left with two children com- pletely destitute, for every one hated them on his account. Her children were so dreadfully beaten that they both died in consequence ; but though they were thus cruelly treated in her presenJS I \ ■4 \ out reserve ; on which he declared tliat he was readv to go to Jesus^ and hoped his Saviour would not despise him. One of the brethren was constantly with him ; and at his request, sung verses expressive of the change in view, in which he joined as long as he was able. He frequently testified that he was happy, and put all his confidence in our Saviour alone ; " and we," say the missionaries, " felt the peace of God attending his sick-bed." He breathed his last, October 4th, in the most gentle manner, while the waiting brother was engaged in pray- er : — " A singular object," says the missionary diary, " of the mercy of our Saviour, who fol- lowed him through all his perverse and wicked ways with infinite patience and long-suffering, until at last he drew him to himself." He was sixty years of age. Before this Mikak died. She had resided chiefly in the south since the year 1783, and thus lost the advantage of hearing the gospel, which she seemed latterly to view with indif- ference. But on the approach of death her im- pressions revived. The last two days of her life she spent at Nain. Immediately on her arrival, being very ill, she sent to Brother Burghardt, to request assistance and advice. He found her extremely weak, and apparently • r* IK LADIIADOR. 1G9 • !• without hopes of recovery. However, after giving her some medicine, he took occasion to speak seriously with her concerning the state of her soul, advising her to return to Jesus Christ as a repentant sinner, who ivill surely receive all poor prodigals if with their hearts they confess their deviations ; and he also remind- ed her of the promises she had formerly made to devote her whole heart to him. She assented to the truth of all he said, and ex- claimed, " Ah ! I have behaved very bad, and am grieved on that account ; but what shall I do.^ I cannot find Jesus again!" Brother Burghardt exhorted her not to desist from cry- ing to him for mercy, for he came to seek and save the lost, and would not cast her out. In the following days she seemed to receive these admonitions with eagerness, and declared that she had not forgotten what she had heard of her Saviour in former days, nor what she had promised when she became a candidate for bap- tism. She departed this life Oct. J ., and was buried in the brethren's burying ground ; and they were willing to entertain the hope that this straying sheep had found mercy at last. Ever since the brethren had been in Labra- dor, they had heard the Esquimaux speak of Indians in the interior; of whom they seemed 3 .*»< 170 THE MOll AVIANS greatly afraid ; frequently a sudden terror would be diffused among their tribes, if they discovered any trace of that formidable people near them. But in the summer of J7i^^^> they were alarmed with the certain intelligence that five or six of their families had arrived at a European settlement, at Kippakak, about five or six miles distant from Hopedale ; and in April 1799, some of them for the first time paid the mission -station a visit. They were a father and son, who came with the design of buying tobacco from the brethren. They lived with some Christians of French extraction in the southern settlements, and had been baptiz-^ ed by a French priest. All the Esquimaux immediately gathered round the strangers, and eyed them as objects of jealous curiosity. The old man appeared exceedingly alarmed at this, and was extremely glad wheu the brethren in- vited him and his son into the mission-house. The latter understood the Esquimaux language and English ; but the father, when any one wished to speak with him, pointed to his ears, giving them to understand that he could hear nothing. When food was placed before them they took oflf their caps and crossed themselves ; and before they went to bed they kneeled down and repeated a long prayer. IN LABRADOR. 171 I An Esquimaux wished them to lodge in his house, but when they came to the door they would not enter ; the old man began to trem- ble, and made signs that they would rather sleep in the bushes. As the brethren tried to quiet them, the son cried out in the Esquimaux language, " They are so filthy," and added in English, " We cannot sleep with the Esqui- maux, nor eat out of their dirty vessels. We have been accustomed to live as cleanly as the Europeans." The brethren, who saw that they were afraid of the great number of the Esqui- maux, but wished to conceal their terror under the pretence of disgust at their filthiness, showed them into one of their own workshops, where beds were quickly prepared. The following morning they asked them if they knew any thing of the crucified Jesus, in whose name they had been baptized ; and show- ing them a picture of the Saviour's crucifixion, told them that he had sufifered thus, and died that they might not everlastingly perish. The history of Jesus seemed not unknown to them ; and they said, that they would not go down in- to the fire, but up into glory. As they saw a book lying on the table, they said, their priests, morning and evening, read kneeling, from such a book, that all the people listened to them, i 172 THE MORAVIANS ,i r] '-h and in their meetings they made the sign of the cross. They also said that a great many Indians lived not far from thence, who, for fear of the Europeans, never ventured near the co£:"st ; that they had no lire-arms, but used bows and arrows in hunting. They wore a thin dress, evidently not calculated for a cold climate ; their skin was brown, their hair black, and their features oore a greater resem- blance to the Europeans than the Esquimaux. The morning after, they prepared to return ; and on taking leave, reached over their hands to the brethren, and said, '' You shall in future see more Indians." Since then the terror of the Esquimaux for the Indians, and their en- mity towards them, have been greatly dimin- ished. Frederick Burghardt being appointed super- intendant of the mission in room of Rose, who, after twelve years' service, returned to Europe, the latter, before leaving, transmitted home the following remarks on the internal state of the mission at the close of the year 1799. " It is the cause of great pain and grief to me and my sister, and my spirit often sinks within me, when I see those on whom the greatest care and faithful labour has been bestowed, so easily fall bagk to their heathenish practices; and IX LABRADOR. 178 who, if they are not treated with toe greatest patience and tenderness, would be wholly car- ried away. In these cases it always occurs to me, how would the Saviour have acted with such persons ? The hypocrisy that appears in many is abominable, and could we have re- ceived them upon a mere verbal profession of love to the doctrine of Jesus, we might in a short time have baptized the whole nation, as far as we could reach. Many would have come here to live, but we were obliged to prevent them, and many expressed a desire to be con- verted, though they felt little interest in the subject, and did not so much as know what conversion meant. Others, who had obtained rather more knowledge, and whose relations lived here, would pretend to be converted, and these we would receive in hope, but they only proved sources of affliction and sorrow. When I read the reports of other missions, and reflect on the little fruit of our many years' labour, how my heart is grieved, and I say^ ' Ah ! why is the hour of visitation to the Esquimaux so long delayed !' I expect not this for any faith- ful labours of ours — for when I think on them, I can only pray and entreat the Lord Jesus to forgive our great guilt, our many errors and mistakes in His service — but He shall see of ■i«i»»*y^.'if,- :',";Vy»ii.rj ^ } •i \ ♦ K i n 17^ THB MORAVIANS i! 1 ! rt < N 1 ..i : 'P/ the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied ; this makes me many times think, and why not among the Esquimaux ? With all this, how- ever, I am constrained to render thanks to the Saviour for what he has done in winning souls for hintself even here, for there are a few who have received forgiveness of sins, who know the Saviour, and live in the enjoyment of commu- nion with him. O ! that this were the case with all the baptized : it is, however, with the greater part ; although, alas ! there are others who do not yet feel heathenish customs to be a burden, and many that, having tasted the good word of God, have been deceived and involved in the commission of sin." Of those who appeared truly converted, there are some delightful examples in the diary of J799, who evince the power of the grace of God ; though the missionary, under a sense of Lis own unworthiness, cried out, " My lean- ness ! my leanness !" It is a practice with the missionaries, occasionally, to read to the Esqui- maux extracts from the accounts of other mis- sions, particularly those of Greenland, that na- tion having so great a resemblance to them- selves, in their language, manners, and way of procuring their livelihood ; the^'^ generally give rise to interesting conversations, and draw from -••wn»«»«<^,,^*«~» IN LABRADOR. 175 isfied ; hy not , how- to the 5 souls IV who ow the Dmmu- le case ith the others to be a le good ivolved , there iary of ace of ense of 7 lean- th the squi- r mis- lat na- them- way of ly give IV from the natives some striking remarks. At Nain, upon an occasion of this kind, one of the bap- tized observed, " If we had so far advanced in grace, that our walk pnd conversation shone as a light among our heathen countrymen ; and if some who are baptized had not, after their bap- tism, behaved again as bad as the heathen them- selves, we should soon see an increase of our number ; for the heathen would soon perceive the difference between a believer and an infidel, and seek to obtain the same happiiiess, but we ourselves are in fault." Upon a similar occa- sion Jonathan — of whom the missionaries write, " He is, without a particular commission, a faithful assistant among his nation, and proves useful in averting much mischief, and in ex- horting them to obedience to the Saviour," — dictated the following remarkable letter to the believing Greenlanders. "■ My brethren and sisters, you who live on ihe other side of the water, and are baptized, I salute you by these lines, and send my words to you in the name of Jesus. When I hear your words come forth out of the written ac- counts, I ardently desire to be a partaker of your faith ; for whenever these writings are read to us, my heart begins to burn within me. Of that long period since my baptism, (fifteen i' ■ 1 j } f !' .' m ,1' -..-X- 'h 176 THE MORAVIANS years,) I can reckon but about three years dur- ing which I have had solid and constant thoughts towards Jesus : and have begun to enjoy my Saviour's peace in my heart. I reflect also, that the time of my life in this world may pos- sibly be soon past, since I begin to grow old. At the time when I was baptized, I was still very ignorant, and for some time after walked in error and darkness. But now, I cleave with my whole heart to Jesus, my Lord and God, and weep for desire after him. I search my heart frequently, and examine my conduct on account of my sinfulness ; for I find myself ex- ceedingly depraved and sinful, therefore it is my concern that I may never lose sight of him again. Of myself I am not able to abide faith- ful ; but Jesus my lover will help and protect me. " I will relate to you something of my chief wanderings and perverse ways in which I have lived : — I was not clever enough to have to do with Satan, and to use sorceries ; but I have lived in the sins of the flesh — from these I have now ceased, for I perceitre I should be worse than a beast if I were to go to the holy com- munion, to partake of the body and blood of Je- sus, with a heart defiled with such impurities. Henceforth I could not bear to be separated '•■'1. IN LABRADOR. 177 ars dur- houghts ijoy my ict also, nay pos- row old. ivas still r walked ave with ,nd God, arch my nduct on yself ex- fore it is t of him de faith- i protect my chief 1 1 have ave to do at I have se I have be worse oly com- )od of Je- npurities. separated from my teachers, for I think thus — Why was Jesus crucified and put to death ? Surely for this cause, because he would atone for me, an exceeding sinful creature. When I was a poor orphan child, for I have seen neither father nor mother, then Jesus became my father. As long as I live I will not forget him, and even in eternity I shall be with Him. " I sometimes think, if I were with you and beheld your faith, I should be much more happy and cheerful than I am now ; however, though I be ever so needy — be it so — yet, like Thomas, I will call him my Lord and my God ! This, 'tis true, I cannot do of myself; but when I continue asking it as a favour he grants it me, and I experience it. " With respect to my countrymen, I must tell you that they often grieve me when they will not follow my advice. I do not say this as if I fancied myself to be a man of impor- tance ; for I will gladly be the meanest of these before the eyes of Jesus. When I think on my former resistance and stiff-necked behaviour in the work of conversion, I could strike my- self. It causes deep jjorrow and repentance within me, when I consider that I have been most faithfully instructed by my teachers for so many years, and yet have been like one that >i- ii } 178 THE MORAVIANS I ,■ •, I had no ears to hear. But now, not my ears only are unstopped to hear and understand the doctrine of Jesus and the hymns we sing, but I feel that what I hear and learn penetrates into my heart, and since I am thus inwardly affect- ed, warmed, and enlivened, I am the more as- tonished and amazed at the change, when re- collecting, that I have been so hard and callous, that whenever any of my nearest relations de- parted this life, being taken from my side by death, I was not able to weep a tear for them ; but now I can shed a flood of tears, both from a fervent desire of living intimately attached to Jesus, and for delight and pleasure to think what happiness I should enjoy if incessantly thus disposed. However, since I am so poor and defective, I find that I cannot procure it by my own efforts ; but I am taught that I may yet enjoy this constant happiness, by entreating our Saviour for it to-day, to-morrow, and every day. As long as I am on this earth, I shall re- main like a sick one, and be always apt to stray ; for my heart is naturally untoward and hard as a stone, but when Jesus softens it, then it becomes truly soft and tender. Ah ! that I had not such corrupted senses ! yet being con- scious that I am constantly in danger on account of my depravity, I am determined faithfully to IN LABRADOR. 179 ly ears nd the , but I es into affect- lore as- hen re- callous, ions de- side by ir them ; )th from ached to to think cessantly 1 so poor rocure it lat I may ntreating «id every shall re- s apt to ward and s it, then ! that I ing con- account ;lifully to attend to the gospel, and to my teachers, to be guided and advised by them, and to follow after righteousness. When I search my own heart, I still find many things condemnable in the sight of Jesus, of which I had never thought before. Hear these my poor words to you in love. Jonathan." At Okkak, Solomon, a baptized man, thus complained to the brethren : " I will now utter words of truth only. I am unhappy because I cannot regain that state of mind I enjoyed when I was baptized. Tliere is as it were a dark shadow between me and our Saviour ; this is the only thing that gives me pain at present. I feel, 'tis true, some desire after Jesus, but I cannot always pray to him. This is, alas ! my case for whole days together, and yet I cannot live without him. I know, also, that it was he alone who first saved me from my evil ways, for neither you nor I could do it !" Here he was so much aflfected, that he burst into tears. The missionaries encouraged him, and bid him not cast away his confidence in Jesus ; for since lie, according to his own confession, had be- stowed such mercy upon him, he might believe and be sure, that he would not sufl^er him to weep in vain for a new manifestation of his hve towards him. JJ#^, 180 THE MORAVIANS ill There is not, perhaps, any surer test of a young woman's Christianity than the choice she makes of an husband ; and the missionaries were highly gratified in this respect, with the conduct of a young girl, a candidate for bap- tism. When the winter meetings were resum- ed, she expressed her joy, for she was desirous of learning the doctrine of Jesus, and wished to know and love him more ; and she said she was resolved never again to leave the fellowship of believers. Her resolution was almost imme- diately tried ; a heathen, from Kivalek, propos- ed marriage to her, but she at once declared she would never take a husband who would lead her astray from God and his people. Some time after, her parents, Joseph and Justina, came from Okkak to Nain, to inquire whether Anauke, who seems to have been a rich Esqui- maux, was a candidate for baptism, or had ever spoken to the missionaries on the subject of conversion ; and when informed that he had not, they said that since their daughter had de- clared her attachment to the believers, and her purpose to live with Jesus, they would never bestow her upon a stranger. On which the missionaries observe, '' Whoever knows the na- tural dispositions and habits of the Esquimaux, will, from this instance, see that there is a ma- m..A ■• 1 ■ -J » ^■- '<,«?S?*.'y*!55fBgi^E7i IN LABRADOR. 181 Ml fst of a oice she lionaries v^ith the for bap- 5 resutn- desirous i wished said she sUowship ist imme- [, propos- clared she ould lead p. Some [ Justina, whether ch Esqui- r had ever subject of at he had er bad de- •s, and her )uld never which the ws the na- isquimaux, •e is a ma- nifest influence of the Spirit of God in their liearts to ouuse them to act with such willing confoiputy to the doctrine of the Scriptures, and siioh attention to their souls' welfare. As the century closed, the prospects of the missionaries brightened, and they therefore With greater earnestness entreated the prayers of their brethren. " The more we perceive," say they, " our own insufficiency, the more we perceive how much we stand in need of the support and pray^cxs of God's children, in this our iof:T><>itant calling, to win to Christ, souls, harder than the rocks on which they dwell, and to be melted only by the fire of his love unto death." " We find every year," was the report from Okkak, " when we receive the various ac- counts from our congregations, abundant cause to rejoice over all the manifold proofs of His grace and faithfulness towards them, and as to our^selves, we may confidently assert, that his goodness towards us has been daily new. He has granted us the grace to preach him to the Esquimaux, both living in our land and else- where, as the Saviour of men, who will have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, with courage and with joyful hearts, though under the sense of our own poverty and weakness ;" and many beathen, who came hither 3 \ 182 THE MORAVIANS tl ,P from a great distance from the north for the sake of trade, heard it with attention. There was also a particular awakening among the baptized, who expressed an ardent desire to be admitted to partake of the Lord's supper, at'd they in general acknowledged to the praise of the Lord, that he hail owned their small Esqui- maux flock, and blessed them with his presence. The state of the settlement at Nain was equal- ly pleasing. " We have had much joy," the missionaries write, " in observing the course of our small Esquimaux congregation ; having perceived that they an^ more and more desirous to live in a manner acceptable to God, and to be cleansed from all those things which might grieve the Holy Spirit, and be a disgrace to the cause of our Saviour. In our meetings we frequently experience his gracious presence, and, more than ever before, felt the true spirit of a congregation of Jesus, especially during two baptismal transactions we have had. It proves a great encouragement to us, when we see that people, who, only a short time ago, hardly knew that there exists a divine Being, and lived in all manner of sin and abomination, now that they have learned to know the Sa- viour, shed tears from a sense of God in their heartS; and of their fellowship with him as their IN LABRADOR. 183 for the There )ng the re to be )er, aTuJ iraise of 1 Esqui- )resence. ts equal- oy," the course of having \ desirous , and to ;h might igrace to stings we presence, :ue spirit Y during had. It when we ;ime ago, e Being, mination, the Sa- in their n as their Redeemer." Nor was Ilopedule less favoured. " We can declare to you with joy," was the lan- guage of the missionaries in their letters to Eng- land, " that there has been a manifest work of God and his Spirit upon the souls of the Esqui- maux in the year past. Most of them are in a hopeful state, and intent upon cleaving to the Lord, that they may partake of the blessings he has purchased for us by his bitter sufferings and death." Of four families at Avertok, not far from Ilopedale, consisting of thirty persons, the great- er part were awakened to a concern for their souls' conversion, by a remarkable appearance in the sky, which was repeated three times, particularly on the night of January 14th. It consisted of a vast quantity of inflammable mat- ter in the air, which seemed to ascend from all parts of the horizon, and then to pour itself to- wards the earth, in immense fiery rays and balls. Kapik and his people, who first saw the phen- omenon, ran to Hopedale in the greatest agit- ation and amazement, and awakened the Esqui- maux there, with the awful intelligence that the world was at an end. They, upon sudden- ly rising from bed, struck with the spectacle, imagined that the stars were falling from heav- en, and that they were the signs which an- nounced the near approach of the Lord; as he IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I HI I 2.0 us 40 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" ► Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WEBSTH.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872>4S03 J .■ 184 THE MORAVIANS St had foretold. Kapik cried out in agony, " Let us turn with our whole hearts to our Saviour — this is the hour ;" and hegan to pray aloud to JesuS; to sing hymns, and to entreat, with the greatest concern, all his household to unite with him. These Esquimaux now attended the meetings daily, and evinced by their conduct a change in their minds ; for they were not only anxious themselves about their eternal concerns, but were desirous that their children should also re- gard them. Instead of preventing them as form- erly, they now intreated that they might be al- lowed to send them to school, which from this time Was well attended by both old and young. Among the primary objects of the brethren is the instruction of the youth. Old trees are ill to bend, but the tender sapling is more easily impressed, and there are peculiar promises to bless the instruction of children, and to encour- age to a patient and proper performance of a ve- ry trying, and not unfrequently a very irksome task. But while the brethren communicate to their interesting charge the elements of know- ledge, they employ as the grand instrument for shaping their characters, the word of the gospel of Christ, and subject their pupils to a moral training, without which the mere communica- tion of knowledge, whether sacred or profane, is ■I IN LABRADOR. 185 often a curse rather than a blessing. So soon as they had attained a sufficient knowledge of the language, the missionaries composed elementary- books, and for those who were farther advanced they translated a history of the sufferings of Je- sus, which was gratefully received by those who could read, and eagerly listened to by those who could not. About three months after this occurrence, Kapik declared that he was now in his heart convinced that the blood of Jesus could blot out his exceeding great sins — that he wept daily be- fore him, entreating him to wipe away his in- iquities, and declared that the ardent desire of his soul was to cleave more closely to the Sav- iour ; that he was resolved to follow him only, and to give up all connection with the unbe- lievers. And he was diligent in speaking to all the strangers who passed that way, beseech- ing and exhorting them to turn to the Lord. When the century closed, after thirty years' labour, the missionaries at the three different stations had the pleasure of numbering two hun- dred and twenty-eight resident Esquimaux un- der their care, of whom one hundred and ten were baptized. This involved them in various other avocations. They had not only to instruct them in matters of religion, but to teach them habits of industry and of economy ; and to show !i tl't 186 THE MORAVIANS ' ! I / ii them the example, they induced them to buihl, and assisted them in building, substantial hous- es; they made them tools for working and im- plements for fishing* and gardening, which last process they had to superintend and to direct. Besides, they erected and kept in repair their own dwellings, cultivated their own gardens, fa- bricated tools for themselves, and used every exertion to lessen the demand for, or supply the deficiency of their European food. They had also to collect and bring home firewood for their domestic purposes — no small labour ; and to fell timber and build boats for the purposes of bar- ter, as they took nothing gratuitous from the natives, heathen or Christian. Since the mission commenced, they had, in the mysterious ways of providence, lost two mis- sionaries by shipwreck ; and in 1800, they were tried with the loss of another, in a yet more dis- tressing manner. One of their new assistants, Keiman, on the 2d December, had gone out to hunt alone, and had wandered, but whither was never known, as he never returned ; nor, though diligent search was made for him five successive days, could any traces be found. • This refers to them making their nets for catching salmon.trout, of which there are immense numbers. In 1798, in six nights, 5000 were taken, and in 1799 they got 1800 at one haul. -.. #«-,,.,.«.%■. .».,^»''». IN LABRADOR. 187 to build, ial hoiis- and im- 'hich last to direct, lair their rdeiis, fa- sed every apply the They had i for their and to fell jes of bar- from the jy had, in it two mis- they were more dis- assistants, one out to lither was lor, though successive for catching umbers. In in 1799 they During the period that had elapsed since the foundation of the mission, they had been re- peatedly tried both by pestilence and famine, but they now found their heavenly Father a ready help in every time of need. In one sea- son, when the seal-catching had entirely failed, and the Esquimaux were deprived of the means of subsistence for the winter, the brethren join- ed with them in crying aloud to God for help, and he so directed it, that in a a short time two dead whales were found, which preserved them from starving. The missionary families de- pended chiefly upon the supplies from Europe for their healthful subsistence, and it is an in- stance of the superintending providence of a gracious God, which these missionaries acknow- ledged with humble thankfulness, that the voy- ages of the vessels which carried their stores, were never interrupted by storms or enemies. The Amity was preserved so long as employed in the service, but the very year when about to quit it on her return home, she was taken by the French, yet was restored without much de- triment. And the Harmony, which had been purchased to supply her place, had now for more than twenty-six years traversed the wild and icy ocean, amid sunken rocks and in the il ' I Ma^ ( ' I I ! 188 THE MORAVIANS, &C. r^ ' Kl: ! i sight of enemies, without accident.* The mis- sionary settlements during this period, had been threatened with an attack from the French. Two of their ships of war arrived on the coast in 17^6 J but having landed at Chateau Bay, after plundering and burning that town and blowing up the fort, they were mercifully re- strained from harming the more peaceful habi- tations of the brethren. In concluding the account of this past cen- tury, it is impossible not to notice the extraor- dinary spirit of love and of Christian affection which pervaded the missionaries in Labrador and their brethren in Europe ; they loved each other with pure hearts fervently : and it is re- markable, and worthy of peculiar observation, that before these servants of God were honour- ed to carry the tidings of the gospel to the hea- then, a spirit of love for the brethren, and for all the members of the body of Christ, was poured out largely upon the churches at home. Twenty-six missionaries were employed in Labrador in the year 1800. • The Brethren's Society in London now undertook to supply the missions, and relieved the merchants from a losing concern ; they built the brig Harmony of 133 tons, which made her first voyage, 1787, under Captain James Fraser, and continued to sail in safety till 1802, when she was laid aside, and the Resolution was em- ployed. ^Xi"-*'- ' •i > >:xi ' i • 'he mis- lad been French. :\\e coast eau Bay, own and ifuUy re- ;ful habi- past cen- e extraor- 1 affection Labrador loved each nd it is re- bservation, ;re honour- to the hea- jn, and for hrist, was ;s at home, iployed in Low undertook ierchants from Irmony of 133 ■under Captain \fety tiU 1802, Ltion was em- CHAPTER V. Variable appearances of the mission at Nain and Okkak i— more favourable at Hopedale. — Death of Benjamin, inspirit of love among the converted— Happy com- munion and close of the year. — Providential escape of the Resolution. — New epoch in Labrador A re- markable awakening commences at Hopedale — meet- ings — schools. — Letter from a converted Esquimaux to his teacher.— Industry of the awakened. — Declen. sion of religion at Nain and Okkak. — State of the children at Hopedale. — Progress of the adults in know- ledge, love, and zeal—instances. — Striking conversion of two young Esquimaux, its effects upon their coun- trymen. — Awakening spreads to Nain and to Okkak. —Zeal of the converts towards the heathen — rouses backsliders. — Behaviour of the awakened in sickness, and the prospect of death. — Remarkable accessions from the heathen. — The son of a sorcerer. Chequered as life is with joy and grief, there is perhaps no section of it so much so as that of the missionary. Those in Labrador had, for thirty years, been going forth weeping and bearing the precious seed ; they were now to perceive it beginning to spring, and to rejoice in the prospect of bringing back their sheaves. The concern about eternal things which had been observed the former year at Hopedale, Q 190 THE MORAVIANS continued to increase, and appeared evidently a work of Divine grace. At first only a few in- dividuals found their minds stirred up to seek their salvation; but in the beginning of the year 1801, a fresh and general awakening took place. Those who had shewn the greatest enmity to the gospel now began to form the serious resolu- tion of being converted to Jesus. In February 1806, a noted sorcerer, Siksigak, and two wo- men, were admitted candidates for baptism at Nain ; and on March 4th, a man was baptized, and named Isaac. — " This transaction," say the missionaries, '^ was distinguished by a most en- couraging perception of the presence of God a- mong us." At Okkak they believed that the Saviour had granted a particular blessing to their feeble testimony of his love to sinners, in preaching the word of his cross. They had at these two last stations, however, much cause for mingling grief with their joy ; for several of those of whom they hoped well drew back, and some of the baptized even for- sook them and returned to the heathen. " We compare," say they in one of their letters, " our Esquimaux congregations to an infirmary, in which patients of all descriptions are to be met with. However, we can plainly discover the power of God manifested among our people, and '1 IN LABRADOR, 191 upon the whole we have had more cause for joy than grief. Whoever is acquainted with this people in their natural and unconverted state, and sees them met together at the church, at- tentively listening to the word of God, tears lowing down the cheeks of many, or beholds a company of converted Esquimaux surrounding the table of the Lord, and favoured to enjoy his body and blood sacramentally, under a deep and 'Comfortable sense of his gracious presence, must «tand astonished at the power of Jesus' love, which is able to melt the hardest heart, and make them partake of heavenly blessings/* 1803 was a year of trial at Okkak; several of their members were seduced to go south among the heathen, and the arrival of some Europeans who came to hunt, and took up their habitation Avithin the bounds of the settlement, caused the brethren many a heavy hour. An epidemic dis- temper visited them ; but although many in the time of sickness promised to love the ii-^viour and seek to know him, no permanent effect fol- lowed ; yet they attended the daily meetings during the passion-week to hear of his suffer- ings, and seemed attentive to what they heard, which somewhat encouraged their teachers, who thus wrote to England : " We do not despair. Wfi believe that the agonies of Jesus are not in '^^.^.^-,.- 'f^ .«,..*-. *^^ »^. ,»*»/a^ ,*. ,-'<■, ••...-^ ' 192 THE MOIl AVIANS Hff i i vain, and that the Esquimaux shall share in the merits of his passion." Nain was similarly situated — their wine also was mixed with water. But at Hopedale the work of the Lord went steadily forward ; several were added to the church, and those who departed gave good evi- dence that they went to the Saviour, particu- larly Benjamin, who died of an inflammatory fe- ver in the month of February. From the first he was convinced that his dissolution was at hand. Being asked whether he thought he should go to Jesus, he cheerfully answered in the afiirmative. After some conversation on the subject, the missionary present sung that verse :-^ <* The SaviouT^s blood and righteousness My beauty are — my glorious dress ;" and others of the same import, in which he join- ed with great fervency of devotion. He then, of his own accord, began to sing other hymns, '* Christ my rock, my sure defence." "Jesus my Redeemer liveth." " No, my soul he can- not leave." " Thy blood, thy blood, the deed hath wrought." Before his departure he was fre- quently delirious ; but even during this period of his illness, we, and the Esquimaux who visit- ed him, were delighted and greatly affected by the subjects his spirit seemed always engaged in. ihare in imilarly h water, rd went to the ood evi- particu- atory fe- the first I was at ught he n^ered in ation on ang that ess 1 he join- He then, hymns, " Jesus he can- the deed B was fre- lis period vho visit- ected by gaged in. !ls LADllADOn. 103 Ilis thoughts were occupied with notliing but Jesus Christ his Saviour ; and he kept repeat- ing the most beautiful and appropriate texts of Scripture. *' This is a true and faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." *' The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleansetli us from all sin ;" never failing to add, " Yes ! on account of my sins he shed his blood." He often pronounced with great earnestness, " Lit- tle children abide in Him, that when He shall appear we may have confidence, and not be a- shamed before Him at His appearing." 1 John ii. 28. Nor did he cease, in the midst of his greatest sufferings, to speak of the love of the Saviour, till he drew his last breath. He was 40 years of age, and left a widow and two young children. He had sometimes fallen into devi- ations, which occasioned the missionaries many fears and much anxiety about his perseverance in the faith ; but his last illness fully satisfied and comforted them respecting the state of his soul. And it made a deep and salutary impres- sion upon the Esquimaux at the station, who ex- pressed themselves, when speaking of his hap- py departure, in a manner which proved it had been sanctified for their real spiritual benefit and instruction. i 3 194 THE MORAVIANS ' ! I When the people returned from their sum- mer occupations, J 803, —4, the missionaries spoke with each of them, both baptized and un- baptized, and had the pleasure to find that dur- ing their absence, they had been preserved from falling a prey to the seductions and wicked prac- tices of the heathen, with whom they had been forced to associate. The communicants they conversed with, previous to their partaking of the Lord's supper, afforded them much satis- faction; wl\ile they, on the other hand, express- ed their thankfulness for their exhortations, by which they had been led to forgive and forget old injuries and quarrels, and to speak freely with each other in love. On this point their tenderness of conscience was strikingly in con- trast with that of the promiscuous multitudes who rush to the table of the I^ord, in the pro- fessing congregations of more civilized lands. Peter observed, that his mind was not quite at ease respecting the subjects in dispute between him and others, and that he had better not go to the table of the Lord with an unreconciled heart. He at the same time spoke humbly of himself ; and added, that he did not wish to grieve the Spirit of God by indulging anger. One of the women, Brigitta, said, that she was not quite sure whether she dared approaqji the IN LAMIIADOR. 195 ir sum- ionaries ind un- lat dur- ed from id prac- id been ts they .king of h satis- IX press- ions, by I forget I freely at their in con- Ititudes the pro- lands, quite at jetween • not go conciled mbly of wish to f anger, she was »aq}i the Lord's table, feeling still much uneasiness and displeasure in her mind ; but that she would once more in prayer cry unto our Saviour to help her, and take away those evil things that separated her from Ilim. On the day follow- ing she came again to the missionaries, and, with many tears, declared her thanks to the Lord, that he had delivered her from her per- plexing thoughts, and granted to her his peace in her soul, and therefore begged to be admit- ted to the holy communion. On the 3d of Dec- ember they partook of this heavenly feast ; and it proved a time of refreshing to them all. The season of Christmas was celebrated with much blessing, and they rejoiced with thanksgiving in the incarnation of God our Saviour, this amaz- ing proof of his infinite love to the lost human race ! Again, on the Slst, they were strength- ened anew by participating in the sacred ordin- ance together, and closed the year with praise and prayer, thankful to the Lord for the num- berless favours they had experienced, and par- ticularly for his mercy to the Esquimaux con- gregation. This year the brethren had another proof of the kind and watchful providence of God — their vessel which, on her return home, usually took advantage of the Hudson Bay ships' convoy 196 THE MORAVIANS U :fl from the Orknies to London, left Hopedale on the 11th of October, and in sixteen days was within three days' sail of these islands, when strong easterly gales drove her back and kept her three weeks longer at sea. But these ap- parently adverse storms proved, by God's great mercy, the very means of the hallowed barque's deliverance from the enemy. On the 18th No- vember she was chased by a French frigate, brought to, and forced to keep her company ; but the sea ran so high that it was impossible for the frigate to get out a boat to board the Resolution, and continued so during that night and the following day. The second night prov- ing extremely dark and boisterous, the Captain set as much sail as the ship could carry, and be- fore morning was out of sight of the frigate. But two days after he had the mortification to meet her again, and to be brought to a second time. Again the Lord interposed in his behalf ; the wind was so violent that the Frenchman could not put out a boat, and during the follow- ing night, the Captain^ crowding all sail, escap - ed, and saw no more of the enemy. A new epoch in the Labrador mission com- menced in 1804. Amid all the cheering reali- ties and promising appearances which had hi- therto sustained the spirits of the missionaries^ fci: IN LABRADOR. 197 dale on lys was when d kept ese ap- 's great >arque's 3th No- frigate, npany ; possible ard the it night [it prov- Captain and be- frigate. ation to second behalf ; nchman I follow- 1, escap ' Dn com- ig reali> had hi- lonaries. there had been much hypocrisy, cold-hearted- ness, self-deceit, backsliding, and apostasy, a- mong those who formed their congregations ; and what was painful almost beyond conception even in their church. But now the Lord ap- peared in their behalf, and in his adorable pro- cedure, the most unlikely were the first objects of his awakening grace ; and that station, which for many years had been so barren, that the brethren at one time had contemplated giving it up as hopeless, was that to which, in his in- scrutable sovereignty, he chose to give the pre- cedence in his gracious visitation. The begin- ning of the year had proved very unfavourable, and the Esquimaux at Hopedale had experi- enced considerable distress for want of provi- sions ; but amid all their difficulties they at- tended church with cheerful countenances, and some of them would say, " If we only feel in our hearts the presence of our Saviour, who has loved us so much, and died and shed his blood that our sins might be forgiven, we may well be cheerful and contented, though our out- ward circumstances are difficult, and we have not much to eat, for we trust he will care for us in that respect, and we look to him for help." The behaviour of the people during this time of trial gave the missionaries much pleasure and .■».n»..»l,W|,P«>l^fcl»,^..»>^,^jrt.»4i,,vriill|Wl«rt».>^~...V«W«VU*<^^ • •?<»>•♦•—!»♦«»•#*.,.■««. ._*,_ •-• ■ < • ..mf 198 THE MORAVIANS v >i encouragement. There was a general and pow- erful awakening among them, which first began to be perceived among some women who were baptized the winter before, but who appeared to have become cold and lifeless. These were led by the Spirit of truth, in a particular man- ner, to a knowledge of their sinful and depraved hearts. An earnest desire was at the same time created within them, not only to experience the forgiveness of all their sins, but to know the crucified Saviour, so often described to them as their reconciler ; and by the testimony of their own hearts and consciences, to be assured of their interest in Him and his atonement. Their declarations on this occasion were such, that the missionaries were quite surprised at the know- ledge they had already gained by the Spirit's light, and not by the instruction of man ; and with fervent thanksgiving to the Saviour they joined frequent prayer, that he would grant them grace and wisdom to lead these souls, awakened from death unto life, according to their measure, and in the best manner, so as to farther their progress on the way to everlast- ing life. The first person with whom this delightful and amazing work of grace began, was a female, and such an atrocious sinner, that she wds ab- ,- A.- "i;-T"-*»** IN LABRADOR. 199 H l\ ndpow- ^ st began ho were ippeared Eise were lar man- iepraved ime time :perience inow the ► them as f of their ssured of t. Their [, that the le know- e Spirit's nan ; and dour they uld grant ese souls, iording to ler, so as > everlast- delightfnl 3 a female, le wds ab- liorred even of the heathen. Hearing a discourse from these words, " The Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost," she was much struck with it, and asked herself, " Can this be true, that the Saviour came to save such sinners as me ? ah! there are none so wicked as I !" Wholly absorbed in these thoughts, she remained in the meeting-hall when the others had left it, unconscious that she was alone. Then suddenly starting up, she ran to a soli- tary mountain to give vent to her full heart, where, falling down upon her knees, she cried, ''O! Jesus, I have heard that thou camest to save the wicked — is that true } make me also to know it. See I am the most wicked of all, let me also be delivered and saved. — O ! forgive me all my sins !" While she continued fer- vently praying, she experienced a peace in her heart she had never felt before, and returned from this exercise so completely altered that it was evident to every one ; her mouth now o- verflowed with praises for what her Saviour had done for her soul. Her change made a deep impression on a moral, intelligent, but self-righteous unbaptized wo- man. She could not comprehend how one so wicked and debased could speak of Jesus with so much joy and praise, when ishe, who was so very >M" V %^x If. 200 THE MORAVIANS '% superior a character^ felt nothing of the kind. On this she became unhappy ; she began to per- ceive her hitherto supposed righteousness was only a filthy garment^ and in an agony^ ran to her she had formerly despised as a sinner, to ask how she could obtain forgiveness of sin, and love to Jesus. The latter took her by the hand, and both went to a solitary place, where she prayed that the Saviour might also shew mercy to her ; and now these women got rest to their souls, and with one mouth declared what great things the Lord had done for them. Shortly after, two other women joined them, and these four were of one heart and one mind. Their uncommon spirituality attracted the notice of the congregation, and they were honoured by the formalists among them, with the epithet of " enthusiasts ;" but soon the Spirit of God was shed abroad on them also, and new life was in- fused into the members of the church, and throughout the settlement. In the meetings an extraordinary degree of eagerness and devotion was perceived — they no longer went to church merely for form's sake, but from the impulse of their hearts, and to find comfort and enjoyment; and after the meet- ings, many came into the house to express their thankfulness that they now experienced the IN LABRADOR. 201 5 kind, to per- ;ss was ran to iner, to sin, and le hand, acre she w mercy t to their hat great Shortly and these d. Their j notice of noured by epithet of >f God was ife was in- lurch, and y degree of jd — they no •orm's sake, jts, and to [er the meet- sxpress their irienced the truth of what was spoken, and could bear wit- ness of its power ; or to request an explanation of what they yet but partly understood. The schools were diligently attended, and many of them, especially the men, showed a great desire to learn to write. Some proceeded so far, though with but little instruction, as to be able to write a pretty legible hand ; a few copied out the col- lection of hymns, and several seemed to take a particular delight in letter writing, of which the following, from Jonathan to William Turner, formerly a missionary in Labrador, but then residing at the brethren's settlement at Fulneck in Yorkshire, may serve as a specimen •—Jonathan and his wife Sibylla were the first Esquimaux baptized at Hopedale. It was dated October 1804. " My beloved William, First I will tell you, that since we two travelled to- gether in a boat, and you then spake so much to me about the state of my soul, I have never forgot your words of instruction. I was a very bad man at that time, and also when you lived here I walked in darkness, and continually did that which was bad. After I was baptized I was not much better, and when I went with you to the holy communion while you lived here, I had many bad thoughts, of which I very much repent. But since you left us, I have t 1 i' m 209 THE MORAVIANS /; K'* l> turned with my whole heart to Jesus^ and all my thoughts and desires are drawn towards him. — Now that I begin to be old, the feeling of his forgiveness is my only comfort, and I have nothing which I so much desire after as Him, and to enjoy His peace in my heart. I will never more leave my teachers. I can be satis- fied no longer with anything but my loved Je- sus, therefore I wish I loved my Saviour more than I do. He loves me much, that I feel and know, but I am a poor human creature, and know by experience, that I can do nothing of myself, no, not even love him as I would. I pray constantly that he would keep me and in- struct me, and my heart feels that when I go daily to him and crave his help, he hears me, and lets me experience that he is a loving Sa- viour, ready and willing to help. I do not for- get him when I am in my usual occupations, but my mind is always craving after Jesus : when I go about with my boat, and am absent from my brethren, still my soul is taken up with Him. My wish is, also, that I may have a pleasant grave for my body when I die," mean- ing that he might be with believers in their burying-ground. " I love my wife as I ought. When you was here, I was always leading her into bad things, but now we often speak t(H IN LABRADOR. 203 id all s him* ing of I have i Him, I will e satis- ired Je- iir more feel and ire, and ithing of ould. I J and in- hen I go ears me, )ving Sa- not for- jupations, er Jesus: am absent ;n up witli ay have a ie," mean- :s in their IS I ought, eading her speak to^ gether, that we will fix our mind only upon Je- sus, and both live only for him, loving and fol- lowing him. I am your poor Jonathan. William ! I salute you and your wife." The awakened Esquimaux were also examples of industry to their countrymen; and in the years of scarcity, the brethren remarked with pleasure, that they had a sufficiency, while the heathen were starving ; for with their Christianity, they had not only learned diligence, but economy and foresight. Nor did they now, as formerly, depend upon the stores of the missionaries, or tease them for food after they had wasted their own ; but rather suffered hunger, or were con- tented with a very scanty meal, while they showed a readiness to assist them in all their undertakings, in cutting wood, building houses, or making roads which were found necessary for the convenience of the station. While the missionaries in Hopedale were re- joicing in the great mercy shown to their belov- ed Esquimaux, the brethren at Nain were mourning over the sore backslidings of many of their congregation. "Weare sorry to say," are the lamentations of their letter, " that most of our Esquimaux flock seem to fall very far short of what we might expect, and the craft and pow- er of Satan is but too often visibly exerted to ■ WHi m I*' iiOi — . UD>^« f»^ .».. ■/.— ^•■' il .:/ ■ JJgWWl 'P W i MHi'* '' 204 THE MORAVIANS pluck up and to destroy the good seed sown in- to their hearts. We discovered grievous devi- ations into which some had fallen last summer, during their absence from us ; and we perceiv- ed with pain, that in difficult occurrences, or in sickness, they are too hasty to listen to the sor- cerers, and take refuge in their legerdemain tricks for help, rather than call upon our Sav- iour, and trust to him. S«ime, however, are of a different description, and give us good hopes of their being faithful." The brethren at Okkak likewise hung their harps upon the willows. " Our baptized breth- ren have not," say they sorrowfully, " been as steady as they ought. When we spoke with individuals after their return to us, concerning their spiritual condition, we discovered, to our great grief, among some of them, offences and wicked practices which had long been kept se- cret. We were obliged to advise several rather to leave us quietly than serve sin in secret, and attempt to deceive us by their untruths and hy- pocrisy. With some this produced repentance and reflection, and they begged to be forgiven and borne with ; but two persons were dismiss- ed, and two excluded from the communion. In general, there was great lukewarm ness of heart observed among the people, and we had but few aTitfLiaiij^tiiiiiti^ ;v.;.'.-.".i,;->'-.:i;v>£ IK LABRADOR. 205 {vn in- \ devi- immer, erceiv- s, or in , Lhe sor- demain ar Sav- r, are of >d hopes ing their ;d breth- '* been as )ke with mcerning d, to our jnces and kept se- rai rather cret, and IS and hy- epentance forgiven e dismiss- union. In ss of heart ad but few ►-1^ instances of genuine conversion. They were al- so invited by their heathen friends in the north to come and eat whale- flesh, and all our remon- strances were in vain, for they answered, " that if they stayed at Okkak they must^uffer hun- ger." An epidemic disease again visited this settlement, and carried oft seven individuals very suddenly, which struck such terror among the people, that the greater part of them Hed from the place to escape the contagion ; but the missionaries remarked, that neither upon the sick or the dying, nor upon the healthy, was any salutary effect produced. The dogs too were attacked with a similar disorder, and many died along the coast : a serious loss to the Es- quimaux. Meanwhile the awakening at Hopedale con- tinued to go forward, and early in the summer extended itself to the children. The young, as well as the old, had been addicted to a gross and loathsome sensuality, which, although both they and their parents considered as trivial, yet they kept it carefully concealed from the mis- sionaries. It happened now, however, that a grandmother, who herself perceived the iniquity of these depraved practices, caught her grand- daughter repeating some of the acts for which she bad formerly chastised her ; but instead of 3 !(■ I M f ■■«,.-» — » 206 THE MORAVIANS beating her, she carried her to the missionary, to whom she was ordered to confess every thing. Surprised and horror-struck at the disclosure, the missionaries immediately spoke to the par- ents and children, and with great earnestness and plainness represented to them the crimin- ality of such doings. To their inexpressible grief they found that the corruption had extend- ed even to the youngest, and that some of the parents had concealed, and even now excused their conduct : they therefore held a special meeting with the parents and children, and ad- dressing them according to their capacities, warned them in the most forcible manner of the frightful consequences of these secret sins, and exhorted all earnestly and aifectionately to flee to the Saviour — throw themselves at his feet — implore his mercy and forgiveness, and pray to be delivered from the slavery of sin and Satan. Then kneeling down with the whole company, they entreated the Saviour to heal the deep wounds they had inflicted on their souls, and the injury they had done to his cause. Their prayers were heard. A pungent sorrow for their former sinful lives^ was felt and expressed by old and young; this was followed by a general awakening among the children, which again had a powerful efl*ect in stirring up the more ad- iaitirirtlTifoir-tiilWt''Viiimi V.ii.1 aj»^j#^.d|»^j;atV IN LABRADOR. SOT I. T onary, thing. iosure, ,e par- jstness ;rimin- essible xtend- of the xcused special ind ad- facitieSj r of the ns, and to flee \ feet — pray to Satan, •mpany, le deep ulSj and Their row for spressed general gain had nore ad- vanced to seek a closer union with Christ, and to strive more earnestly after holiness. Child- ren were now observed to retire to mountains and to vallies, where, on their knees alone, and in groupes, they besought the Saviour with tears to have mercy on them, forgive their sins, and receive them into the number of his children : and many of the unbaptized little ones showed a great anxiety to be favoured with that ordin- ance. — It was a blessed time — all hearts were opened to attend to the instructions and exhort- ations brought from the word of God — all were inflamed with the love of Jesus, and the eager- ness to hear more and more of Him who was the friend of sinners, was indescribable. When the Esquimaux returned from their summer places, and settled at Hopedale for the winter 1804 — 5, their teachers found, to their great comfort, that they had not only been pre- served from sinful practices, but that the work of the Holy Ghost, so manifest during the fore- going winter, especially in the hearts of some of the women, had made farther progress. They had become better acquainted with the natural depravity of their own hearts, and the wretched state of a soul without Christ, which made them cry to him for mercy ; and they had truly ex- perienced grace and the forgiveness of sin in his ii '4 ■•ar ni»fi0ttm»i Mill I SOS TJIE MOUAVIAXS h precious blood, by which their hearts were filled with joy and comfort in believing. Out of the abundance of their liL»art8, therefore, their mouths spake of the love and power of Jesus, by which a very serious impression was made on the whole inhabitants of the settlement, and all longed to be partakers of the same grace. This spark of the Lord's own kindling spread rapidly ; and the missionaries had daily visits, either from inquirers crying out, what shall we do to be saved ? or from those who had obtained peace, to tell them what the Lord had done for them. A widow, in reference to a conversation she had with one of the missionaries the day before, ex- pressed herself thus : " Now I rejoice that I can again visit the meetings, where I hear of Him who, notwithstanding all my worthlessness, has so loved me ! When we are assembled, I will ever pray to Jesus that he would put such words in your mouth as will speak to my heart. " An- other said, *' I am often moved to tears when I consider what God my Saviour has done for me. I start back with terror when I reflect upon my former wicked life. I have been an abominable sinner ; and that Jesus should have received me in mercy, and granted me to believe that his blood can wash away all my sins, and deliver me from the power of eyil; is a favour so great that ' \ I IN LABRADOn. 209 I am amazed at it, aud sink clown with shame and gratitude. I can do notliing but look to him. I am as one talking upon a vsmooth sheet of ice, and obliged at every step to guard aj^ainst falling. He must uphold nie, and for this my heart is constantly lifted up in prayer to him." The observation of a third was, " I am con- vinced that I have hitherto failed in truly hun- gering and thirsting after the love of the Savi- our ; since my baptism 1 have been as one stand- ing where the road is divided. " Several others made similar declarations. While this heavenly flame was in full blaze at Hopedale, two young Esquimaux, Siksigak and Kapik, arrived there from Nain, February 1805. Their parents were both baptized ; they were as wild as the wildest of the heathen. The former had separated from his wife, who was baptized, for some time, and meant to con- vey her back to her mother, to get rid of an in- cumbrance, intending to marry another at Nain, who promised to second him better in his heath- enish abominations — to leave the believers alto- gether, and along with his companion, to enjoy his freedom, and live with him in the gratifi- cation of every evil lust. But they were both arrested by the power of the Lord. Siksigak, as soon as they reached Hopedale, took his wife. I ri I !l ' ■ , -..^..^/»,-,^^^^,»*i..*-y.^^j,^^*^^l»„-,....^.^^ -^ •'*.*-,. SIO THE MORAVIAXS n •^. Benigna, to her mother, the widow Rachel's, and pushing her in said, " Never come more in my sight." He then went to his own mother's house, on entering which he found the Esqui- maux engaged in prayer, as was their custom before they went to rest ; for she had been con- verted, joined the church, and was married to a second husband. The family did not allow themselves to be disturbed by his arrival, and he sat down quite astonished at what he saw and heard, till prayer was ended, when he in- formed them for what purpose he had come. The whole company then began to entreat him most earnestly not to part from his wife, but rather to turn with his whole heart to Jesus. The missionaries likewise added their exhort- ations, but without avail ; he still persisted in his determination. His relations perceiving that he was immoveably fixed, resorted to pray- er ; and, on the following day, they all assem- bled around him in his mother's house, kneeled down, and cried unto our Saviour that he would convert him. The mother expressed herself thus : " O ! my Lord Jesus ! behold this is my child, I now give him up to thee ! O accept of him, and suffer him not to be lost forever ! " Such a scene, so unprecedented and so unex- pected, had an immediate effect on the young ^lk^'.-.'iLiL:u.;_l^'^^»/it- . ■i IN LABLADOR. 311 Lachel's, more in mother's ; Esqui- : custom leen con- rried to a lot allow rival, and at he saw len he in- lad come. ;o entreat I his wife, t to Jesus. ;ir exhort- ersisted in perceiving ed to pray- all assem- je, kneeled t he would i5ed herself this is my 3 accept of rever ! id so unex- the voung man ; he was filled with concern for his soul's sal- vation. He burst from them, and in the greatest distress ran to brother Kohlmeister's, where Ka- pik was waiting for him with the greatest impa- tience. Provisions being placed before them Kohlmeis- ter sat down to write at a table with his back turned to them. While attempting to eat, Siksi- gak repeatedly sighed deeply, and at length be- gan bitterly to lament his wretched state in dis- jointed exclamations : ''01 how agonizing the thought ! I am so wicked ! I am lost !" " What is it ? what do you want ?" asked his companion in a rude and angry tone, " O ! I am so wicked ! I am lost !" replied the tortured Siksigak. Kohlmeister, who thought some ac- cident had befallen him, turned round in an in- different manner and asked him what is your name ? Kapik, supposing the question address- ed to him, answered, *' Kapik." " And will you always continue to be Kapik," said Kohl- meister. " I will always be Kapik," returned the other.* " Wilt thou go away then and be * The Esquimaux always receive a new name at bap- tism, and most of them have such an abhorrence at the recollection of their early life as heathens, that it sickens them when any one calls them by their old Esquimaux names. They regard the days past, in which they ful- filled the lusts of the flesh, as almost literally a state of death. .«< "i 1- n -M ^j ■tl 212 THE MORAVIANS quiet ?" said the missionary, sharply. Mean- while, he was observing Siksigak, whoj in his agony and confusion, was turning the spoon in his hand^ and bringing it to his mouth empty^ apparently without knowing what he was about. Kapik, still more distracted than his companion, threw his spoon from him and rushed out of the house. He was met at the door by another missionary, who, seeing his wild appearance, asked him, " Will you never change your life — never be converted ?" " I know nothing about conversion," replied Kapik, and went otr in a rage. Coming to his cousin's where he was to sleep, he f >und the whole family engaged in their evening worship, and at the instant he entered, he heard his relative praying for his conversion. That night he retired silently to bed. Siksigak, so soon as his companion was gone, broke out, and like one in despair, paced the room with quick and hurried steps, tearing his clothes and his hair, and crying aloud, " O ! unhappy man ! I am so wicked ! I am lost ! I am lost !" Kohlmeister now asked him affectionately who told him that he was so wicked and must be lost ?" Siksigak related what had taken place at his mother's, and how her words had pierced him ; and with IN LABRADOR. 213 Mean- , in his ipoon in empty, IS about, npanion, ut of the another )earance, your life nothing went otif re he was igaged in ^stant he ig for his silently to nion was air, paced )s, tearing ing aloud, ed ! I am low asked he was so ak related her's, and and with much compunction ingenuously confessed the abominations of which he had been guilty^ and the sins in which he had still intended to in- dulge. The missionary then asked him whether he sincerely resolved to amend his life ^ and be- ing answered in the affirmative, told him, he had put away his wife, that was a great sin, wholly contrary to the will of God ; and if he would be delivered from his present agony, he must, in the first place, openly take her back. " That," cried out Siksigak, " I will gladly do ; my wife is good, but I am bad ! very bad !" Immediately he ran to his mother and told her all ; and with such humility, that his counten- ance indicated the change that had taken place in his mind, and the begun answer to her prayer. They then proceeded together to his wife, of whom he begged forgiveness for all the ill usage she had received from him, and pro- mised, by the assistance of God, never more to give her cause to complain, if she would con- sent to come and live again with him. Agree- ably surprised at so sudden and unlooked for a change, she cheerfully and readily agreed to re- turn. Siksigak having given this proof of his sincerity, went to the missionary — for still he had got no rest to his soul ; and he preached to s Hi < i " " II aM • l"" * " * " !' *! ! I» > ••o^illMWW" ^1 214 THE MORAVIANS him the Saviour who receiveth sinners, and called upon him to turn to Jesus and pray to him, though he could say nothing else but, *' Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy upon me !" He followed this counsel, and that same night was delivered from all his distress, and could believe that his sins were forgiven. Kapik had spent the same night restless and almost hopeless — convinced that he deserved, and afraid that he would be everlastingly lost. £re the morning had scarcely broken he came to Kohlmeister, who presented to him the same Saviour and Redeemer, who would not rejeet him, and in whom he shortly found peace to his soul. These two now joyfully thanked and praised God their Saviour, who had redeemed them ; and, filled with life and spirit, set out on their return to Nain, where they testified with bold- ness of what they had heard, seen, and expe- rienced at Hopedale. They related to the missionaries with an ingenuousness and sincer- ity, which the latter say they had never before known among Esquimaux, how the almighty power of Jesus had awakened them, by giving them a proper sense of the wickedness of their ways, and caused them to resolve to turn to Him in truth as their Saviour. Now they be- IN LABRADOR. 215 Lnd f to out, ipon ame and 3 and ;rved, f lost. came J same reject » to his praised them; n their h bold- i expe- to the sincer-i |r before amighty ly giving of their turn to Ithey be- gan earnestly to declare to theii countrymen the necessity of a thorough conversion of heart, representing how they ought to believe and ac- knowledge themselves sinners, confess and re- pent of their sins, and flee to Jesus for pardon and deliverance from the power of sin ; for without this, all, so called conversion, was inef- fectual, and no fruits of righteousness would appear. Some of the baptized received their exhortations in the true spirit of the Pharisees of old, and in a rage upbraided them, saying, " Ye wicked and abandoned fellows, will ye speak to us ?'* " That we are wicked we well know/' was the meek reply ; " but yonder, in Hopedale, we learned that there is a Jesus who came to die for sinners, who receives such even as we, and saves them." Their old acquaintance heard them with as- tonishment — some mocked, and others hated them for it ; but several, who had been admit- ted members of the congregation, became gra- dually convinced, and began to doubt whether their cold formal Christianity were of the right kind, and whether they had not been de- ceiving themselves and others. They came spontaneously to their teachers, and with tears, and in a manner the latter had never before witnessed, confessed their sins, wept on account i' i nu "B.j:.1. ' U1]V « > »tUl.jj.,< ?l/ ':,i 216 THE MORAVIANS ; I- of the deceit they had so often practised ; and declared that the more they were led to con- sider their former life, the more deeply they were convinced of the treachery of their own hearts. The sensations of the missionaries are thus described by themselves : *' Though we could not but feel pain on account of their for- mer hypocrisy, our grief was counterbalanced by the joy we felt at the amazing power of our Saviour's grace, by which their hearts were thus broken and melted. Our faith and cour- age, which in some of us was indeed very weak, revived ; and we saw clearly, that with God, nothing is impossible. Thus the many prayers offered up, and tears shed by our breth- ren and sisters in Labrador, on account of the conversion of the Esquimanx nation, began, af- ter thirty -four years, to shew their fruit. And we now often encourage each other to pray our Saviour to give us the needful grace, strength, and gifts to declare the gospel unto them ; and so to fill our hearts with his love, that we may lead and serve those, his sheep, so as to pro- mote their growth in grace, and in his love and knowledge." The awakening here, as at Hope- dale, extended to the children. The frequent visits of the Hopedale Esquimaux 'Vcr-^ made very useful to the congregation at Nain ; many , ...^>.-.^. ,,. J " -.^ , .1"^*, .♦•'.% ^,. », "" if y* ' w Mi<»*' !. wi"'"'' '' f * , '"- and con- they own !S are h we r for- lanced of our J were 1 cour- i very it with 2 many r breth- of the gan, af- And 3ray our trength, |em; and we may s to pro- love and at Hope- 5 frequent r;, r-^ made Inn; many IN LABRADOR. 217 of whom moved to Hopedale, among whom were Siksigak and Kapik, who wished to re- side where they had been so powerfully laid hold of by the grace of Jesus ; " and," to use their own expressions, " be there thoroughly converted to Him" — hoping to receive much advice and assistance from the believers at Hopedale ; and being afraid that their old hea- then associates might hinder their progress at Nain; nor could they bear the thought of re- maining longer at a place where they had spent their former lives in sin, and might again be led into temptation. By means of these two converts the report of the awakening among the Hopedale Esquimaux spread to Okkak, and even farther north, cre- ating a very considerable sensation among the heathen, three families of whom arrived at that settlement with the avowed determination of becoming obedient to the gospel, and turning to Jesus with their whole heart. The schools were also attended with the blessing of God, and both children and adults made good pro- gress in their learning; and the missionaries remark, " That it was very edifying to hear them exercising themselves in their own dwell- ings, in reading and singing hymns." Morn- ing and evening prayer, ere the close of the i f s "^ [■t u^U .- ". ■' jBtiiia-L" ^s:^ (^ 1 218 Tin: MORAVIANS .it h year, had been set up in every family ; and while the melody of praise ascended from eve- ry dwelling, tears of holy gratitude mingled with the brethren's prayers for the stability and increase of the Redeemer's kingdom among the Esquimaux. The intercourse between the set- tlements became now more frequent, interest- ing, and profitable ; the converted natives, par- ticularly the sisters, when on these visits, show- ed such an ardent desire to describe to their countrymen the love and mercy of God, which they themselves had so savingly experienced, that '^ ;ey went about from tent to tent, and particularly to their own sex spoke so power- fully and movingly of the compassion of Jesus, and his desire to save them from sin and perdi- tion, that many were convinced of their dan- gerous state, and earnestly inquired what they should do to be saved ? The zeal of the newly baptized had often likewise a powerful effect on the old, in rekindling the dying embers of their profession. Several of these expressed their surprise at their former indifference, and seem- ed to doubt if they had ever truly given them- selves to Jesus ; and old and young now de- clared, weeping, that their only desire was to obtain peace and rest in their souls, and to be enabled to live in the undisturbed enjoyment of the Saviour, With their emotions of love were |v t IN LABT^ADOR. and eve- ngled ;y and lOP the le set- terest- !S, par- , show- their , whivcH rienced, nt, and power- f Jesus, ,d perdi- »eir dan- hat they le newly effect on s of their sed their ind seem- ren them- T now de- ire was to and to be oyment of love were ■ 5219 mixed deep shame and abasement, that they had not before perceived their true happiness ; but by their lifeless profession, and inconsistent conduct, had crucified the Saviour afresh, and put him to open shame. Nor were they less assiduous with the hea- then who visited the settlements, and their love for the truth was manifested in the gladness they expressed at every new accession to the congregation from among them, the kindness they showed, and the eagerness with which they endeavoured to retain tliem. Some of these new comers, at Hopedale, having express- ed their desire to receive the gospel, and to sub- mit to the rules of the place, young and old in- stantly ran to help them with their baggage, to arrange their little affairs, and cheerfully built new winter houses for their reception. Ano- ther party, however, refusing to stop, left a man with his wife and child, who were disin- clined to go, wishing, as he said, to be convert- ed. He had pitched his tent at some distance, but no sooner did the baptized Esquimaux learn his determination, than they immediately went, took it down, and set it up in the midst of their own dwellings, with such demonstrations of welcome, that he exclaimed, he had never met with any thing like it before ; nor could he un- derstand why they should shew such disinter- --t?' p m i nwn a 220 THE MORAVIANS ;i ■ ested love to him, a stranger. In visiting the sick, the missionaries had much satisfaction ; there was now no horror at the thought of death — no disposition to return to their sor- cerers ; hut calm, peaceful resignation to the Divine will, or holy joy in the prospect of soon seeing their Redeemer, face to face. Magda- lene, in the view of departure, said, ** I weep not over the pain I feel, though that is very great, but for joy that my Saviour is near my heart. O would but Jesus come and take me to him- self! I long to go to him, as a child longr, for its parent, to behold him, and to embrace his feet. I feel no gloom ; my heart is filled with joy in believing on him." Benigna, upon her recovery from a dangerous illness, thus express- ed herself: " I think that it pleaed the Lord to afflict so manv in our house with illness, and to restore them again, that he might prove us, to know whether we could place all our hopes in him, even in perplexity and pain ; and I have now found that he is able, not only to bring us safe through the most distressing circumstances, but to establish us more and more in full reliance upon his help alone. During this illness, the Lord has given me to feel his presence so sweet- ly, that if it had been his will, I should have rejoiced to go and be with him for ever ; but the ion ; of IN LABRADOn. fm but since it lias pleased him to restore me to health, my heart is filled with gratitude towards him." Among the strangers^ the power of God was no less wonderfully displayed in awakening them from the deep sleep of sin and death : they came and confessed their sins and their crimes, which, though formerly deemed light matters, now heavily burdened their consciences. '* Hu- man nature shudders and starts back," says the missionary diary, " on hearing the horrid de- tail of the abominations practised among the heathen;" and they themselves would often exclaim, " O ! how shocking the way in which we lived in sin ; but we were quite blind, and chained down by the fetters of Satan ; we will serve him no longer, but belong only to Jesus." One instance deserves more particular notice, that of a young man named Angukualak, the son of a most noted sorcerer, Uiverunna. His parents had instructed him in all the secrets of their art, and his confession gives at least plau- sibility to the opinion, that the influence of Sa- tan is permitted to be sometimes visibly exer- cised in the dark places of the earth, though, while the effects of that influence are palpable in the perpetration of the grossest vices and most barbarous cruelty, it is very immaterial whether it assumes a perceptible form, or mere- ■ •^t».,»*»*^-,*%,, >4-«^V*'.WO^..V*--.-^y..v*f^^.---«.H.V^.r-^'''*-K.#.«r«. ,,%-.*^-**-^:-t-*.* J wmm»m ^22 THE MOaAVIAKS n '\ : ■/ rv I ]y acts upon the imagination. His own account to the missionaries was as follows : " IVIy pa- rents told me, that their familiar spirit, or Torngak, lived in the water ; if I wished to consult him, I must call upon him, as the spi- rit of my parents, to come forth out of the wa- ter^ and remember this token, that I should observe, in some part of the house, a vapour as- cending, soon after which the spirit would ap- pear, and grant what I asked. Some years ago, when my little brother was very ill, I tried this method for the first time, and called upon the Torngak, when I really thought I saw a small vapour arising, and shortly after the appear^* ance of a man in a watery habit stood before me. I was filled with horror, my whole frame shook with fear, and I covered my face with my hands." His brother recovered, and the impression of this strange occurrence appears to have been for- gotten, when a terrible dream overwhelmed his mind with anguish and terror. " I thought," to resume his own language, " I thought I saw a very deep, dark cavern, the descent to which was a narrow, steep chasm. In this horrible place, I discovered my mother, my relations, and many others whom I had known, and who had led a very wicked life upon earth, sitting _ fa] IN LABRADOR. ZftS 30unt y pa- it, or ed to e spi- e wa- iliould »ur as- Id ap- rs ago, sd this ion the I small ippear-. before 5 frame ath my ssion of gen for- med his ht," to I saw a which horrible jlations, md who sitting in great torments, and exhibiting a dreadful ap- pearance. I was already with my feet slipping down the chasm ; and it seemed as if somebody said to nie, ' Unto that dark place thou must likewise dq art !' From that moment I found no rest anywhere, bnt having heard that true believers lived at Hopedale, I resolved to come hither, and with my whole family to be con« verted to Jesus, that I may not likewise descend into the place of torment, and be lost for ever. But alas ! I know not how to get released from evil, for I still feel as if I was bound with the chains of sin." To this account, the brethren added the fol- lowing pertinent remark : " We often hear the Esquimaux relate dreams; and certain it is^ that several of our Esquimaux have been led to very serious reflections, by occasion of a remark- able, and, perhaps, terrifying dream, and been convinced of their lost and wretched state. We do not encourage a belief in the fulfilment of dreams, nor pay any regard to them in gen- eral ; but yet vve find the words of Scripture true. Job xxxiii.l4 — 17' *God speaketh once, yea, twice, but man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men ; in slumberings upon the bed: u ti ; I ^9A THE MOIIAVIAKS then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw them from their purpose.' " Towards the end of this remarkable year, the missionaries, in their diary, thus exultingly break forth : " O ! that we were able, by words, to convey to our dear brethren and sisters, some faint idea of our sensations, and of the joy and gratitude we feel in beholding this work of the Lord among our dear Esquimaux. Could they but see the marvellous change wrought in the minds and conduct of some of these people, who were lately such avowed enemies of the truth, led captive by Satan at his will, and delighting in the most lilthy and outrageous practices, they would mingle their tears of joy with us. We now hear backsliders as well as heathen, those who have long heard, but never believed in the gospel, speaking the same language as those who have never, till now, heard of a Saviour ; all confess themselves most vile and unworthy, weep over their sins, and cry for mercy through the atonement of Jesus. Thus, in Labrador al- so, the word of the cross is the power of God unto salvation. We regard this gracious work of the Saviour, as the blossoming of a precious plant, which has been long germinating in the IN LABRADOR. 225 laletb them ir, the itingly words, }, some joy and c of the lid they t in the pie, who le truth, flighting ces, they us. We en, those red in the as those Saviour ; inworthy, jy through ibrador al- er of God jious work a precious ing in the «arth, and on whose growth we have been wait- ing with the utmost anxiety ; — now that it has at last sprung up, and is bearing beautiful flow- ers, may He cause it to prosper and bring forth fruit unto eternal life !" ■^--**- CHAPTER VI. t h: Mutual affection of the Christian Esquimaux and Green- landers — their correspondence — letter from Timothy, a baptized Greenlander. — Delight of the Esquimaux in religious exercises. — Order of the congregations—. distressing events, apostasy of Kapik — awful end of Jacob — peaceful death of believers — Judith, Joanna. .^•Revival among the communicants — A feast by a Christiau brother, to the Esquimaux — Winter ar- rangements — Childrens' meetings — schools. — The brethren's settlements contrasted with the heathen. Progress of religion at the different stations. Books printed in the Esquimaux language. — Number of the settled Esquimaux — Epidemic at Nain — its conse. quences. — General view of the mission. Love to all the members of the body of Christ, is the visible token of the vitality and truth of a Christian profession ; and as it rises or falls^ the progress of an individual or a community waxes or wanes. At this period, the converted Esquimaux felt a lively interest^ not only in their countrymen, but likewise in their fellow- Christians in Greenland ; the affection was re- :-t 1ifkM^^.., ,.',\. Green - mothy, nmaux tions— end of Joanna. it by a Iter ar- _The then. — _Books ;r of the i conse- Christ, ruth of )r falls, munity averted only in fellow- was re- T THE MORAVIANS, &C. 227 ciprocal, and though they had never seen each other in the flesh, they rejoiced over each other's welfare^ and communicated their feelings in affectionate letters. Jonathan had dictated an epistle to the baptized Greenlanders, in 1799; the annexed was from the Christian Green- lander, Timothy, an assistant at Lichtenfells, in return. " My beloved, ye who live just op- posite us, on the other side of the great water ! —You have the same mode of living that we have ; you go out in your kajaks as we do ; you have the same method of procuring your liveli- hood as we have ; our Saviour has given you teachers, as he has given us : be thankful to him that they make known to you his precious words, and all his deeds, which are full of life and happiness. I have, from my earliest in- fancy, been i' structed in this blessed doctrine, for I have grown up in the congregation. When you read this, you may very likely think that I have always lived to the joy of our Saviour ; but, alas, I have been, particularly in my youth, very often ungrateful towards him who died for me. But when this was the case, I was never happy, and I found no rest for my soul, until I cast myself at the feet of Jesus, and implor- ed his forgiveness; and even now I can do no- thing else, when I am distressed about myself i 7 V- J 228 THE MORAVIANS and my great sinfulness. When I am in my kajak procuring provisions, or on other occa- sions alone, and I call to mind that my Saviour was for my sake nailed to the cross, and suffer- ed for my sins, which are numberless, I ac- knowledge myseli the chief of sinners ; I then pray to our Saviour with deep abasement, and often with loud weeping. At such times I feel that he draws nigh, and fills my heart with such comfort that I am quite melted by his love. This is also the reason why I make our Saviour my most important object ; I cleave to him as a child does to its mother, and I will never turn away from Him. Nothing is more profitable to me than the contemplation of his sufferings. Of this alone I speak to my fellow- men. " Mv dear brethren and sisters, I must still tell you that I have been four times in danger of my life when running in my kajak, for so of- ten have I been overset when I was quite a- lone. When almost suffocated in the water, I prayed to our Saviour for deliverance. Each time I raised myself up by means of the blad- der, but it was God my Saviour who saved me from these dangers. In him alone I trust, and provide for myself, my wife and children, with pleasiire. Although, as long as I tm upon earth t «» .\mmi\i^'kM"^A IN LABRADOR. 2^9 my cca- iour flFer- [ ac- then , and les I ; with by his ie our ave to I will s more of his fellow- ist still danger so of- quite a- vater, I Each ne blad- aved me •ust, and •en, with Don earth T )r «♦ I shall feel my weakness and corruption, yet I go with it all to our Saviour, as a child does for help to its parent. I pray thus : ' O ! my Jesus ! thou lover of my soul, let me feel thy nearness, impress thy sufferings and death upon my heart, melt it and make it tender through the power of thy blood, and according to thy good pleasure, make me well-pleasing unto thee. Thou hast bought me with thy blood, that I might be saved ; throughout my whole life will I rely upon thee, my God and Redeemer ! I will place thee before my heart, as thou for my sake in agony and sore distress in the garden of Gethsemane wast weighed down to the ground with my guilt, until sweat mixed with blood, forced itself through thy body, and fell in great drops to the ground.* At such times my heart grows warm, and my eyes overflow. This alone is able to soften our hard hearts — this I experi- ence, and your hearts cannot be subdued and softened by any thing else. You must go to Jesus* cross, for there is no other way to hap- piness. — Take these my imperfect words to heart, which I write out of love to you, as a people related to us. Your Jonathan's words which he caused to be written to us, we have received to our joy; we have not forgotten them. It is very pleasing to hear such accounts. 3 m£ t - .4 MfB«H 0^, w El 230 THE MORAVIAXS "/ that we all, as one people, might put in prac- tice what our Saviour has commanded in hi» word, love him above all things, give him joy- by our conduct, and never again cause him grief. 1 write to encourage the heathen in your coun- try, of whom there are still many, to be convert- ed to the Creator. Let them hear much of his incarnation, sufferings, and death, and relate it to them when you are with them. Remember us also, and pray for us to our Saviour. We will also pray for you, and when we do this we shall also reap those blessings which our Saviour has promised to those who r^ay to Him. — I am your brother, Timothy." Diligence in the improvement of the means of grace, particularly in not forsaking the as- sembling of themselves together, is another evi- dence of the reality and health of the Christian life in any community : this awakening bore that stamp also of the genuineness of its nature ; and from the frequency of their meetings, which were punctually and cheerfully attended by the people, some idea may be formed of the hung- ering and thirsting after divine things which marked the Esquimaux congregations. The or- der of the different meetings of the congrega- tion at Hopedale during winter — and in the other settlements it was pretty much the same 4 IN LABRADOR. S81 "I n —was as follows : — Sunday. Public service in the fore and afternoon. In the morning the Lit'iny was read. The children then met. After the afternoon's service, the communicants sung a liturgical hymn, or the candidates for the Lord's supper held a meeting for instruction. — Monday Evening. All the baptized had a meeting, when a suitable discourse was deliver- ed to them. After a short pause, a singing- meeting was held. — This is a service peculiar to the brethren's church, in which some doc- trinal subject, commonly that contained in the Scripture-text appointed for the day, is con- templated by singing verses or hymns relating to it, so as in their connection to form, as it were, a homily on the text, according to the words of the Apostle, " Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs."— Tuesday Evening. A public meeting, with a discourse. — Wednesday Morning. The children had a meeting, the one Wednesday for all the children, and the next, for the baptized only. On the evening, there was a public service, when a portion of the harmony of the four Evangelists was read and explained. — Thurs- day Evening. The same. — Friday. Both the baptized and the candidates for baptism met, when, after a discourse on the text, a hymn 232 THE MOKAVIANS treating of the Saviour's passion was sung. — On Saturday there was no service in the church. Besides these meetings, the believing Esqui- maux had the worship of God regularly morning and evening in their own houses. But the crowning sheaf in this harvest of mercy, was the permanence of the awakening ; the impres- sions were lasting, not like a momentary blaze occasioned by some temporary excitement, but a pure and steady flame, which in a majority in- creased in brightness, till it was lost in glory. Lovely, however, and heart-cheering as this delightful period was, it is not to be imagined that it was a period of unmingled joy : there were several instances in which strong and vio- lent emotions were succeeded by coldness, for- mality, and hypocrisy, and in some cases by open apostasy, or by unequivocal marks of re- probation. The most remarkable were Kapik and Jacob; the former had been baptized by the name of Thomas, und his declarations breathed, or seemed to breathe, the very essence of a more than ordinary spirituality. " I have no other desire," said he upon one occasion to the missionaries, " but Jesus my Saviour, who has had mercy even upon me, the very worst of men ; and I pray, that I may now give him joy, and cleave to him to the end. Alas! IN LABRADOR. 233 ulas ! that I have known him so late ! For- merly I could not believe one word of what your predecessors and yourselves told us of Je- sus, and of the necessity of believing on him, and becoming his property. I only laughed, and mocked, and gave pain and trouble to my teachers. But how is this ? I now believe it all, and our Saviour has so powerfully drawn my heart towards himself, that I can find no words to describe what I feel." By this and similar speeches he so far imposed upon the brethren, that they believed him a humble follower of the good Shepherd, and a true child of God. But being attacked, autumn 1806, by a ma- lignant disorder somewhat resembling the small- pox and measles, which raged in the settlement, the severe pain he suffered from the virulence of the disorder, as the irruption in his face struck inward, and, assuming a cancerous form, destroyed his upper jaw bone, he became impa- tient, forsook his professions of confidence in the Saviour, and sought for help in heathenish practices, and if he had had opportunity, would have proceeded to greater leng hs in these abominations than ever before. His behaviour in his family too, had become very oppressive, and all the kind exhortations, as well as the se- rjous remonstrances of the missionaries, prcduc- a i «.H*^ I T itTiy^V- f'iii.m^ii 1284 THE MOIIAVIANS i ed no effect ; even after he recovered, he re- mained quite hardened. He some years after- wards professed sincere repentance, but his artifice had been so deep before, that the mis- sionaries could only say, that nothing was im- possible to God. Jacob came first to the brethren at Nain. He was, in the beginning, apparently very ear- nest in seeking his soul's salvation, and was baptized in 1801. But he afterwards fell into temptation, and again took refuge in his old practices, playing at the same time the part of a most consummate hypocrite : being discover- ed, he was excluded ; yet when his health be- gan to decline, the missionaries waited upon him, and as they saw him drawing apparently near his end, were the more earnest in exhort- ing him to turn to Jesus, who alone could deli- ver him from the bondage of sin and Satan. For some time he seemed to attend to their ad- vice, but his last days and final exit out of the world, gave sufficient proof that his heart was untouched. As his pains increased, his impa- tience increased with them. He demanded with violent cries that a knife might be given him to stab himself, which being refused, he called for a rope, and persisted with such ve- hemence that his wife and son, wearied out by «e— -*»^^ -«»W»-"»^- JN LABRADOR. 235 his constant shrieking, gave him one, with which he put an end to his own existence. La- mentable as these awful examples of the de- ceitfulness and depravity of the human heart were, yet they operated more powerfully than many exhortations, in inculcating upon the baptized the solemn warning, " Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall." At the same time there wanted not instances of an opposite description, to prove the reality of God's work, and the power of divine grace, to recal and establish the deluded wanderer, and to preserve the humble believer amid the strongest temptations and the sorest trials ; to enable him to maintain a consistent conduct through life, and to seal the sincerity of his faith by a peaceful, if not a triumphant death. Early in the year, Judith, a full communicant, died. She had come to Hopedale with her hus- band, Tuglavina, and always conducted her- self with great propriety. After his death she married Abel in 1801, and with him came to live at Hopedale, 1804. When the awaken- ing took place, she was greatly enlivened ; but like many of the old baptized people, who thought themselves converted because they had some, knowledge, and a fluent way of express- ing themselves on religious subjects, she did /I I a*l^i,„i£fc./^^"..-.!. \'A^^1^ S36 THE MORAVIANS not at first shew much of the divine life in her soul ; till, by the powerful work of the Holy Ghost, she was brought to see and acknow- ledge herself an unworthy sinner, and no bet- ter than those who were just then alarmed and brought from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan to the living God. Before partaking for the last time of the Lord's sup- per, she was much affected. " I perceive now," said she, *' that I am a great sinner, and am so ashamed that I dare hardly open my lips, for it is clear to me that I am far behind others in love to our Saviour. It appears as if he and I were yet strangers to each other, and I can do nothing but weep for him." Afterwards she became composed, and earnestly longed after communion with God. In her last illness, how- ever, she showed much uneasiness of mind, as if something disturbed her peaceful expecta- tion of dismissal. Brother Kohlmeister, who visited her very faithfully, encouraged her to look up to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; and on one occasion, particularly, offer- ed up a most fervent prayer to the Lord that he would remove all her doubts by a full assur- ance that her sins were forgiven through the merits of his precious bleod, during which the poor patient and all present melted into tears^ IN LABRADOR. 237 I her Holy now- ) bet- irmed I from Before s sup- now," nd am ips, for liers in e and I can do rds she ;d after ;s, how- lind, as xpecta- Iter, who Id her to >r of our y, offer- lord that ill assur- ►ugU the rhich the ito tears. and felt that their prayer was heard and an- swered. Then she unbosomed herself to her teachers, and confessed that she had hitherto concealed some deviations which burdened her conscience, and which she must make known before she departed. Having done so, she de- clared her firm trust that God her Saviour would wash away all her sins and remember them no more ; after which she exclaimed, " Now I am ready, and will go to Jesus. He will receive me in mercy just as I am, for he has died fo ' me." She now lay still in the joy- ful hope of being soon released. Both the missionaries' wives and Esquimaux sisters visit- ed her frequently, to whom she declared the happiness of her soul ; and on the night pre- vious to her departure, conversed in a most edi- fying manner with those that watched with her of the near prospect she had of seeing her Sa- viour face to face. She requested her husband to bring her clean white dress, which she al- ways wore at the Lord's supper, and to dress her in it after her decease. Her two youngest children she earnestly recommended to his care, and that they might be instructed in the ways of the Lord ; and sent a message as her last will, to the two eldest who lived at Nain, that they should remain with the congregation, and u I r .} lii."ita:^i*^■^iai^^ilJferj^■-.^Ailid^^^^^^ S3d THE MORAVIANS if' i 1 §1 i 1^ .» f ^ ii S ^- ill' 1 ' ,J devote their whole hearts to Jesus. When the sisters took leave of her with a kiss^ she ex- claimed with joy in her countenance, " I shall now go to Jesus and kiss his feet, adoring him for all his love to me, and that he has redeemed me also, a vile sinner, and called me to eternal life." Joanna, who died in childbed, was another example of the faithfulness and rich mercy of the Redeemer ; in the autumn, a wild igno- rant savage, she came to the settlement with her husband Aulak, and when asked what was her intention in coming — if she wished to be converted ? answered, " That's more than I know. I follow my husband, and as he chooses to live here, I will live here too !" But soon af- ter she learned to know what true conversion of heart means, and would not be satisfied with any thing of a superficial nature. '' She cried to the Lord for mercy, and obtained," says the diary, " real saving faith ; it was surprising to observe how well she comprehended the mean- ing of the gospel, and in how clear a light the mystery of the cross of Christ was revealed to her soul, insomuch that she could apply to her- self the sufferings of Jesus, as meritorious and all-sufficient for the remission of sin, and the sanctification of soul and body. She adored the crucified Jesus in truth, as her Redeemer, and liH 1 i i IK LABRADOR. m9 in the le ex- I shall [lim for ledme il life." mother lercy of d igno- int with hat was sd to be than I 3 chooses ; soon af- ►nversion fied with 5he cried says the irising to le mean- light the vealed to ly to her- )rious and and the idored the jmer, and nothing was so delightful to her, as to hear of him, and all he had done and suffered, to save her from sin and destruction. She sought him with earnestness, and found rest for her soul in his suiFerings and death. Her whole walk and conversation, from the time she joined the church, testified of the new birth which had taken place within her, and of a total change of heart and sentiment. Immediately after her delivery, there appeared symptoms of inward inflammation. She lay still and resigned to the will of the Lord, and seemed to take no more notice of any thing that was said ; but towards morning, raising herself up in the bed, she ex- claimed, ' Jesus is coming, and I am ready to meet him ; a very short time will bring me to him. Jesus' bleeding love is not cold toward those who are longing for him.' So composed was she, that, observing the place dark, she de- sired them to ' trim the lamps, and make the room light and pleasant,' and when the com- pany present proposed to join in a hymn, but could not immediately remember a suitable one, she herself pointed out that hymn of praise, ' Unto the Lamb of God,' at page 92. of the Hymn book. After it was ended, she fainted, and sunk down upon the bed ; her sight and hearing failed, and she fell gently asleep in Je- •*««• '— »*<<><»**;■*« w »i I ti^ o , *» >*r m m fm um ' '%'••!*-''* ■"" — "^^ ^-'«,^^^4,„»*^^^*/*»»-Ht-...*r'.«— ,« 240 THE MORAVIANS i i ) sus." During her short Christian career, she had become universally beloved ; and the hap- py manner in which she left the world, made a deep impression upon the minds of the Esqui- maux, " stronger," say the missionaries, " than all our words could do." Previously to the administration of the Lord's Supper, the missionaries usually have some conversation with the communicants, and at this time they were greatly refreshed by their simple, artless declarations. One said, " I am struck with astonishment when I re- flect that Jesus can, and does receive such abominable creatures as I am. Indeed I am one of the worst, but his love is infinite. He bled and died for me, that I might be saved. Oh ! how often have I crucified him afresh by my sins, and bid defiance to his mercy. But now he has forgiven me, and granted me to hunger and thirst after him. I pray to him continually that he would not forsake me, for I can do nothing of myself as I ought. The holy communion is, every time that I enjoy it, more valuable to me, because I feel the power of my Saviour's death, more than I can express in words." Another, " I have now only one ob- ject, and that is Jesus ; may I never more part with him. Since I have had the favour to yi-:iiiimM^>iii/L,u:^i.iuiiu. ¥i0m m w ^m ' ^t^ IN LABRADOR. S41 , she hap- ade a Isqui- 'than ! the have s, and led by i said, ti 1 re- e such [ I am . He saved, •esh by But me to to him e, for I he holy It, more |r of my )ress in )ne ob- )re part Ivour to : partake of his holy body and blood in the sa- crament, I continually cry to him to keep me under his direction, and to preserve me from the evil one, for I am indeed weak : He alone is my strength and refuge." A peculiar blessing also attended the admini- stration of the ordinance, not only to those who partook, but to those, likewise, who were permitted to be spectators. At Nain, in the month of February, when that holy feast was celebrated, three Esquimaux, Joseph, Lydia, and Ketura, were present as candidates, and Sarah with a view to confirmation ; the three women were so much affected that they cried and sobbed aloud, and after the service was concluded were so overpowered that they could liaidly stand, and still continued weeping. Be- ing brought into the mission-house, when they recovered themselves they said they were so overcome by a sense of the presence of the Lord Jesus, that they knew not where they were nor what they did. They wept on ac- count of their unworthiness, and would now give their whole hearts to him who died for them. On the following day Sarah came, and brought all the metal rings with which she had decorated her fingers after the Esquimaux fashion^ and wished to part with them, and as« 3 ^ 24S THE MORAVIANS ^: i >i signed as her reason, that she wished to delight herself in nothing now but Jesus. Lydia, Louisa, and others followed, and brought their pearl ornaments to dispose of, as they thought it improper for ChrivStian women to be gaudily decked out in costly pearls ; and this they did spontaneously, without being spoken to by the missionaries, who never begin with finding fault with the dress or ornaments of inquirers. Before the Esquimaux set out for their fish- ing or hunting stations, the members of the church usually partook of a love feast together, and united in thanksgiving and prayer for the mercies they had received, and for the contin- uance of the Divine blessing. Siksigak, now named Mark, and Joseph, at their return, hav- ing been remarkably successful, treated all the inhabitants of Nain with a meal of seals' fiesh. The entertainment was given in the open air, and Mark opened it in an edifying manner by singing some verses of a hymn expressive of thanks to their heavenly Father, for providing for their bodily wants, in which all the Esquimaux joined most devoutly, exhibiting a very different scene from the riotous gluttony of the heathen. After the people reassembled at the end of the season, the winter arrangements were made. The commrnicants were divided into classes^ 7 At IN LABRADOR. 243 leliglit Lydia, t theit lOUgllt ;audily ey did by the g fault I ir fish- of the gether, for the contin- k, now n, hav- all the s* flesh. >en air^ iner by ssive of ding for uimaux lilferent leathen. end of ■e made. classes^ male and female, the former under the care of the missionaries, and the latter under that of their wives. In their meetings the conversa- tion was unrestrained and profitable, many lit- tle grievances were done away, and brotherly love promoted. " That of the communicant sisters," the diary of Dec. 11. remarks, " was remarkably lively ; their conversation treated of the great love of the Saviour in dying on the cross to save them from death, and their own un worthiness to be so highly favoured as to be permitted to approach unto his table, and there to feed on him by faith, and to experi- ence the power of his sufferings and death in the quickening of their souls." They added, that upon that occasion they sometimes felt a desire to depart out of the world, to see him face to face, and thank him for his mercy re- vealed to them. Mark thus addressed his coun- trymen : " If we who belong to this class are with our whole hearts converted to Jesus, and determine, by his help, to put aside all the old deceitful and evil ways, and give ourselves up entirely to him, then we shall feel his power within us. It has been a very painful thing for me to leave my brethren at Hopedale, but I shall live here with pleasure if I perceive that we are come together with a view to be-. ; { i%:t"/ii'> :^it«ta^^.*^Ui^v.././L.jiJ..t.v^j\t'L'i?\"^wv':'^',K.iifa^'v."i!'r 248 THE MORAVIANS Hi ■■'4 \ would remain unoccupied. Three Europeans Jived about half a day's journey from hence, but as none of our Esquimaux went to them they did not call here." The report of the brethren in 1809 was : " Concerning our dear Esquimaux congregation, we may truly and thankfully declare that we have perceived a continued work of the Holy Spirit within their souls, loading them to a better acquaintance with themselves as depraved creatures, who stand in daily need of the saving grace of our Almighty Saviour. They are earnest in pray- er to him that he would preserve them from falling back into their former wicked and su- perstitious courses." The accounts from Nain were to the same effect. " Our communicants," say they, " have made a perceptible advance both in the knowledge of themselves as sinners, and of Jesus as their Saviour. They have been taught to know how needful constant de- pendance on, and communion with him is, if they would walk worthy of their heavenly call- ing." It is a melancholy and stumbling re- mark, that as the converted Esquimaux ad- vanced in knowledge and in decency of con- duct, so in proportion those who formed an in- timate connexion with the Europeans in the IN LABRADOR. 249 luropeans m hence, , to tliem >rt of the our dear truly and jrceived a ithin their ^uaintance ures, who ace of our st in pray- them from ,'d and su- from Nain lunicants/' le advance as sinners, They have onstant de- him is, if avenly call- imbling re- iiimaux ad- icy of con- :med an in- ans in the south, increased in enmity to the word of God, and to the Saviour's name in particular, de- clarin^G^ they would hear or listen to nothing about him. Oral instruction has, from the beginning, been the principal, and most efficient means, which God has employed in propagating the gospel ; but the written word has been always necessary for establishing and building up the churches in their most holy faith. Never did Sa- tan employ a more effectual method for cover- ing thb^ earth with thick darkness, than by I instigating his servants, under pretence of a high reverenct? for the holy word, to shut it up from the people; and when God wills mercy to a nation, he removes all the hindrances which obstruct its ^^MAd-Si^pia> — •>>— V* 25^ THE MOllAVIAKS ' i: I I '} I i good health, but were suddenly seized with a nervous affection, which, in a very short time, terminated fatally. Notwithstanding every assistance, Samuel died in the night. Next morning another boat arrived, and brought Adam and Isaac, both dead, though they had yesterday been both fishing in their kajaks; the four dead bodies were obliged to be imme- diately buried, as they quickly showed signs of corruption. The same evening, Daniel brought in his boat four dying persons ; at five o'clock the younger, Mark, died. On the 26th, early in the morning, the widow Rebecca, and in the forenoon, young Philip departed ; before twelve o'clock, the bodies became so offensive, that it was necessary to inter them. All were filled with alarm and terror, but to our comfort we also remarked submission lo the will of the Lord. The sick, in general, declared they were willing to go to the Saviour when he should call them ; some said they felt their unworthi- ness to appear before him, and yet expressed their reliance upon his sufferings as their only refuge ; but from total debility and oppression they could speak very little : they complained of great weakness, lameness, blindness, and a feeling of suffocation. At four in the after- noon little Abel^ and in the 3ame tent; the widow I^JJiM*^ ,^ ^M -4* 4VV ' 4 yy*^'^ - ••^■■»-«^J(i****^: ■• *•••♦*♦ '* »«• "^*' IN LABRADOR. 353 d with rt time, ; every Next brought ;hey had kajaks ; ]e imme- l signs of 1 brought re o'clock 1, early in nd in the ire twelve e, that it ere filled imfort we ill of the they were e should iiworthi- lexpressed ;heir only ippression ,m plained iss, and a he after- ;he widow Salome, and at six o'clock old Thomas, (Ka- pik,) died. 27th, There was little improve- ment ; besides those who remained ill many more began to complain, and cried out to us for assistance, so that we knew not where to go or who to help first. At eleven o'clock the four dead were buried, which made ten. On the 29th a great many were taken ill ; at four in the afternoon, Magdalene departed comfort- able and happy. Father Abel, who had wil- lingly assisted in burying the dead, followed the same evening. His wife, Benigna, who had faithfully attended the sick, was prevent- ed from nursing him, being herself laid up. The dead bodies were laid in their place of rest next day. We now felt that all of us were more or less worn out by this great affliction, some of us actually sick, and none certain but he might be seized the next moment. To add to our distress, many children were rendered orphans by the loss of both father and mother, which called forth our sighs to our gracious and merciful God and Lord for his compas- sion and assistance, and felt revived with the hope that he would hear and help us. Some of the sick began to recover : but on the even- ing of the 31st the Saviour took Abel's wife, Benigna, home to her blessed rest, and on the 3 I .'fi X > S54 THE MORAVIANS following morning, August 1, she was laid in her grave ; at seven o'clock in the evening we held a meeting with the Esquimaux, especial- ly with regard to improve the solemn warning given in that harvest the Lord had gathered from this church. From conversations held with several of the sisters on the 12th, we clearly perceived that the removal of so many of our number had made a deep impression on them, and had brought them to reflect on the necessity of constantly depending on the Sa- viour, and being ever ready to meet him when he shall come to gather them also into his garner." But to their great grief the missionaries disco- vered that this was not the happy state of all. When the disease abated they learned with the utmost pain, that some, even of their communi- cants, in their agony and terror, had had recourse to their old heathenish practices ; and what was worse, had endeavoured to appease their con- sciences by attempting to assimilate them to Old Testament rites imperfectly understood. They had killed a dog, and cut the ears off many others, that by sprinkling themselves with the blood of the dog they might prevent death from approaching them. Under the in- fluence of a fanatical delusion, they compared IN LABRADOR. S55 laid in ing we special- yarning fathered ins held 2th, we so many Bssion on :t on the the Sa- lim when ) into his ries disco- ate of all. I with the communi- td recourse what was their con- them to understood, iie ears oif themselves rht prevent ler the in- >y compared this with the offerings of the Jews, and parti- cularly with the slayin^^ of the Paschal Lamb, and sprinkling the blood jn the lintel and posts of the door. " Our situation we feel very dif- ficult," complained the anxious missionaries, " as the enemy uses all his ingenuity to blind the poor people, and knows how to employ their fear and distress to harden their hearts, and to prevent them from discerning their sins and re- penting. It appears as if he exerted every power to destroy this little congregation, but we hope that God will shortly bruise Satan under our feet, and not allow his attempts to prosper." They found it necessary to exclude several from partaking of the holy supper, and this se- verity was the blessed mean of soon bringing them to repentance and sorrow for their sins. Others who had fainted, but not fallen in the day of trial, expressed themselves bow con- vinced of the necessity of watching over their hearts, that they might not be seduced to seek false comfort or unlawful assistance : they had during the time of this awful visitation, as well as they could, kept close to Jesus and prayed to him ; but they were nevertheless troubled with fearful thoughts — as that they might all perish, and how sad it would be if th^ir teach- 2b6 THE MOKA.VIxVXS, &C. »' ' ers should turn away from them, when there Mas no one to come to their assistance, and when they could not help themselves. But they now saw that they had greatly erred in indulging these hard thoughts, for Jesus had delivered them in their necessity. They felt that they ought to be thankful, but they came far short of that gratitude they owed to him. Nain and Okkak were mercifully spared this year, and in the grand object of their labours the brethren had still occasion to bless the Lord that he graciously owned the preaching of the glad tidings of salvation, and accompanied it with power and the demonstration of his Spirit ; often was his presence powerfully felt, particu- larly when, from time to time, individuals were added to the church by baptism, or when they partook of the holy sacrament of our Lord's body and blood, in fellowship together. The GUI ward circumstances of the missions in Labrador this year were uncommonly pros- perous — they sent to England upwards of J 00 tons of blubber, 2000 seals' skins, and 2750 fox skins. .z !'•> ■';. CHAPTER VII. Desire of the heathen to hear the Gospel. — Brethren meditate a new settlement — voyage to explore the country. — Quiet course of the mission — advantages of their church discipline Death of Burghardt. — Ex- ertions of the aged survivors. — Schreiber, superinten- dant, arrives. — Anxiety of the native Christians to at- tend the ordinances of religion. — Advantages of the Bible as a school-book. — Four missionaries unexpect- edly carried to England — Baptized Esquimaux se- duced by traders. — Perilous voyage of the returning missionaries — striking accident. — Schreiber retires from the superintendance — Kohlraeister succeeds.— his journeyings to Okkak, to Nain. — Stability of the work of God at Nain — hopeful deaths — conversion and recovery of a young native. — Remarkable preser- vation of an Esquimaux youth. Ever since the settlement of the brethren on the east coast of Labrador, scarcely a year had passed, without their being visited by great numbers of Esquimaux from the north, either for the purposes of traffic or curiosity ; and lat- terly, to visit their friends and acquaintances who had become residents. From these stran- gers, the missionaries obtained much interest- , ,«.--,-<*v,,^»~^.. 'L 258 THE MORAVIANS ;, ,, » '9m ing information respecting the inhabitants along the coast ; they were told that the most con- siderable part of the nation dwelt beyond Cape Chudliegh, lat. 60 deg. 17^1., called by them Killineck ; that accounts of the settlement had reached them, and that they were desirous of teachers to instruct them in the good words. When some of these natives were asked by the brethren to remain and settle with them, they expressed a great inclination to have done so> but urged as an objection, the difficulty of pro- curing food for their families, and requested the missionaries rather to come to them, where they could be easily able to obtain a comforta- ble supply. The brethren, in consequence, had long meditated a new settlement, and the Society for the furtherance of the Gospel had repeatedly consulted with them about the best plan' for carrying their wiahes into execution. Various obstacles had, however, always pre- vented any effectual steps being taken, till, in consequence of repeated invitations, it became a subject of serious consideration, by what means a more correct idea of the extent and dwelling places of the Esquimaux nation might be obtained, and a general wish was expressed, that one or more of the missionaries would un- dertake the perilous task of visiting such places mtm IN LABRADOR. 259 ints along nost con- rond Cape , by them sment had esirous of [)od words, ied by the [hem, they ire done so, Ity of pr€>- requested lem, where a comforta- msequence, Xj and the ospel had lut the best execution. Iways pre- |en, till, in it became by what xtent and .tion might expressed, would un- such places as were reported to contain more inhabitants than the southern coast, but remained unknown to European navigators. When brother Kohlmeister was in Europe, it was arranged with the Synodal Committee for the management of the missions of the Unit- ed Brethren, that an exploratory voyage should be undertaken, for which Kohlmeister made preparation on his return to Labrador, and on the 17th of June, he and brother Kmoch set out from Okkak. The vessel engaged for the arduous undertaking was a tvvo masted shal- lop, 45 feet long, 12 broad, and 5 deep, be- longing to Jonathan (vide p. 201.) who also accompanied them as their captain. Jonathan was a man of superior understanding and skill, possessed of uncommon intrepidity, and looked up to, at Hopedale, as the chief of his nation. It was therefore no small sacrifice on his part, to agree to leave, for an indefinite time, the place where he was so much respected ; but he was ready to forsake all, and enter on an expe- dition of unknown length and peril, in the hope that it would be a means of introducing the gospel among his countrymen. The greater part of the other Esquimaux thought the voy- age impracticable, and an old Angekok pre- dicted that if the adventurers did not perish in S60 THE MOllAVIANS r I ♦. I M t ll !t fe the violent currents that set in round Capd' Chudleigh, they most certainly would never re- turn. But none of these dark forebodings made any impression on the mind of Jonathan. When told that the wild heathen would kill him, he generally answered, " Well we will try, we shall know better when we get there;" and once when conversing with the missioiJ^ries, who were not altagether without apprehension, re-' marked, " When I hear people talking about the danger of being killed, I think — JTegiJs went to death out of love to us ; what grea^ matter would it be, if we were to be put to death in his service^ should that be his good pleasure concerning us." Nor did his conduct belie his profession : under all circumstances, during the voyage, his firm, cheerful faithful- ness, proved honourable to his character as a true convert. Besides the missionaries, the ex- pedition consisted of four Esquimaux families, from Hopedale, and one from Okkak, who at- tended with a skin, or woman's boat, in case of any accident befalling the shallop, and to be. used in landing, as the larger vessel could nev- er safely be brought close to the shore — in all eighteen persons. As they coasted along, they met several L^ IN LABRADOR. S61 nd Caper never re- made any . When him, he ', we shall and once ries, who nsion, re-' ing about k—- JTeSiJs hat grea^ be put to his good s conduct stances, faithful- ter as a , the ex- families who at- n case of id to be Id nev- — in all several i Christian Esquimaux, who were scattered at dif- ferent summer provision places. At Kangerlua- luksoak, sixty miles north of Okkak, a fishing station, with a fine strand and excellent har- bour, where they rested on the 30th, [^Lord's* day,^ the missionaries went on shore, and visited the Christian families, whom they assembled to- gether for public worship. The congregation amounted to about fifty, including the boat's company. Brother Kohlmeister addressed them, and expressed his hope that they were all walk- ing worthy of their Christian profession — presenting a good example to their heathen neighbours. A number of strangers sat as listeners : and the missionaries felt their hearts dilate with joy, to hear the cheerful voices of converted heathen melodiously sounding forth the praises of God, and giving glory to the name of Jesus their Redeemer, in a place which had but lately been a den of murderers, and de- dicated by sorcerers to the service of the devil. Proceeding northward, they soon found their progress obstructed by drift ice, which forced them, after two days of incessant labour, to seek shelter in the estuary of a river, Nullatartok, where being blocked up, they went on shore, and pitched their tents on a beautiful valley, enamelled with potentilla aurea in full bloom^ 26^ THE MORAVIANS resembling a European meadow covered with butter-cups. The river abounded with salmon- trout ; and their hunters hilled two rein-deer, a seasonable supply, as they were detained here twelve days. On the 16th July, they reached Nachvak, where the high rocky mountains, glowing in the splendour of the morning sun, presented a most magnificent prospect. About fifty heathen Esquimaux, who had encamped here, received them with loud shouts and the firing of muskets, and while they remained, be- haved with great modesty, neither annoying them by impertinent curiosity, nor harassing them by importunate begging ; they also at- tended their morning and evening prayers with great silence, and apparent devotion. They heard the discourses of the missionaries with re- spectful stillness, but they listened with much greater eagerness to the exhortations of their own countrymen. Jonas, a son of Jonathan, ad- dressed them thus : " We were but lately as ig- norant as you are now; we were long unable to understand the comfortable words of the gospel ; we had neither ears to hear, nor hearts to re- ceive them, till Jesus by his power opened our hearts and ears. Now we know what Jesus did for us, and how great the happiness of those is, who come unto him-— love him as their Sa- IN LABSADOR. 36$ T, red with 1 salmon- ein-deer, ined here ^ reached ountainSj ning sun, . About jncamped s and the lined, be- annoying harassing also at- yers with a. They } with re- ath much s of their ithan, ad- ;ely as ig- unable to le gospel ; arts to re- pened our hat Jesus IS of those their Sa- viour, and know that they shall not be lost^ when this life is past. Without this we live in constant fear of death. VTou will enjoy the same happiness, if you turn and believe on Je- sus. We are not surprised that you do not yet understand us. We were once like you, but now we thank Jesus our Redeemer with tears of joy, that He has revealed himself unto us." This address, delivered with great energy, pro- duced, at least, a temporary effect, for one of the leading men of the party, Onalik, exclaim- ed, " I am determined to be converted to Je- sus '" and another, Tullagaksoak, made the same declaration, adding, " He would no long- er live among the heathen.*' Having spent two days with these people, the expedition proceeded on their voyage, and passing Nennoktok, were constrained by tem- pestuous weather to anchor in Kummaktorvik- bay. Here they met with four Esquimaux families, of whom John, and Mary his mother, had once been residents at Okkak, but had left the brethren, and retired to the heathen ; with them Kholmeister spoke very seriously, repre- senting the danger of their state as apostates from the faith, but they showed no symptoms of compunction, and seemed determined to per- sist in their ways. When the storm ceased. ■,'--.* . #S, f.-^ ♦"' ■'* ..„ , .^• ^ //*•.**- S64 THE MORAVIANS they resumed their course, and after a provi^- dential escape from shipwreck on a sunken rock, tliey arrived at Oppernavik, where they found Uttakyak, a chief of superior understand- ing, and of great influence among his country- men, with his two wives aud youngest brother, waiting to receive them. He had, while on a voyage to Okkak in 1800, given the brethren particular accounts of these regions, and as he had learned that the missionaries intended to take a voyage to Ungava-bay, he had waited during the whole spring for them, and put up signals on all heights surrounding his tent, that they might not miss him. Successive storms> and accumulating ice, prevented the progress of our adventurers till the 1st of August, when they left their harbour, and entered Ikkera- sak, a narrow channel between Cape Chudleigh Islands, and the continent : it is ten miles in length, and dangerous from the currents and w^hirlpools occasioned by the flowing and ebb- ing of the tide, but the missionaries passed through in safety at low water with a fair wind. On quitting the channel, the coast ran S. S. W. low, with gently sloping hills, and the sea [Hudson's straits^ appeared studded with small islands. Here they saw the Ungava country at a distance;^ stretching to the south before thena.. IN LABRADOR. «85 Tliree skin boats, filled with Esquimaux, came to bid them welcome, and followed them to Omanek, a small island, where they pitched their tents ; brother Kohlmeister visited them on shore, and explained to them the design of their voyage : they listened, but could not com- prehend the scope of his discourse ; they shouto ed, however, with joy, when he told them that he would come and see them in their own country. Many among them had never seen a European before, and not content with accu« rately inspecting them on every side, came close up to the travellers, and " pawed" them all over. Dismissing them highly grateful with some trifling presents, the voyagers proceeded, and on the 7th reached the entering of the great river Kangertlualuksoak, 140 miles S.8.W. of Cape Chudleigh, lat. 58 deg. 57 m. Sailing up the bay, they found a fine slope or terrace facing the south, covered with shrubs, from whence a wooded valley extended to the left, which they fixed upor. as the most suitable place for a set-« tlement. Uttakiyok, who had spent more than one winter in the Ungava country, assured them that there was an ample supply of native provisions both summer and winter, and that many of the Esquimaux would resort to them 266 THE MORAVIANS frem evefy quarter, if they were once fairly set- tled. And the missionaries were satisfied that Europeans might find the means of existence, as the place was accessible to ships, and had wood and water in plenty. Before departing therefore, they set up high marks of stones on two opposite hills at the entrance of the bay, and placed a board on the declivity of a hill to the right, on one side of which they cut G. III. R. and S. U. F. — Georgius III. Rex, Societas Unitatis Fratrum ; and on the other, the ini- tials of the missionaries, with the date of their arrival. This tablet was raised with some so- lemnity in presence of Uttakiyok aud his family, as representatives of the people of Ungava ; and the missionaries informed them, that they had taken possession of the place, in case they or their brethren should think proper to settle there, and called all present to bear witness : they then proclaimed that the name of the river should henceforth be called George River, after which three voUies were fired by those on shore, and answered from the boat. — The texts of Scrip- ture for the day, were very encouraging :— " From the rising of the sun, even to the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts," Mai. ii. 1. ''At the flame of Jesus every knee IN LABRADOR. 267 trly set- led that istence^ md had ^parting ones on ihe bay, a hill to G. III. Societas the ini- of their some so- s family, va; and hey had ' or their e there, ley then should r which ire, and Scrip- ing :— e going e great hosts," y knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth ; and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father," PhiL'ii. 10, 11. After the ceremony, pease and bread and beer were distributed among the Esquimaux, which enabled them to make a splendid feast, and the day was spent in the most agreeable manner. Next day QAug. 13th] they left George River, and after beating about till the 17th, they cast anchor near a point of land, Kerner- tut, where they expected to lie in safety, Qhe whole of the crew, except Jonas and his child- ren and two boys, had gone on shore in the skin boat;] but during the night, the wind blew a gale, which increased in violence till day-break ; the sea rose to a tremendous height, and the rain fell in torrents. Notwithstanding the shallop had three anchors out, she was toss- ed about dreadfully, the sea frequently break- ing quite over her, insomuch that they expected every moment to be swallowed up in the abyss. Jonathan, and the rest of their company, were obliged to be passive spectators from the beach, where they waited the event in silent anguish, looking every moment when the vessel should break from her moorings, and be driven on the rocks. About noon, the rope by which the small boat was fastened brake ; she was immediately ,>fej» r I ^68 THE MORAVIANS carried up the bay, and thrown, by the violence of the surf, on the top of a rock, where she stuck fast, keel upwards. When the tide turned, the raging of the sea and the wind be- gan to abate, and Jonathan and the other men, as soon as it was practicable, came to the assis- tance of the distressed and worn-out brethren. He was quite overcome with joy, unable to ut- ter a word ; he held out his hand, and shed tears of gratitude at meeting with them alive, for he had given them up as irremediably lost. The little boat was brought down jT'olii her pin- nacle, to the great surprise of all, without ma- terial injury. Since leaving George river, the expedition had made little more than fourteen or fifteen miles, and were at least seventy, or eighty, as far as they could judge, from the river Kok- soak, the western boundary of the Ungava country, which they had fixed upon as the final object of their voyage. The season was far ad- vanced, and the Esquimaux represented to them, that if they proceeded farther, it would be impossible to return to Okkak before win- ter. In this dilemma, the missionaries, unable to decide, retired to their hut, and after weigh- ing all the circumstances maturely, determined to commit their case to ^im in whose name 'iolence ere she tie tide ind be- er men, le assis- rethren. e to ut- nd shed m alive, bly lost, her pin- lout ma- pedition r fifteen ghty, as er Kok- Ungava the final 5 far ad- nted to it would re win- I, unable weigh- rmined le name IX LABRADOR. 269 1 they had entered upon this voyage, and kneel- ing down entreated him to hear their prayers in their embarrassing situation, and to make known to them his will concerning their future proceedings, whether they should persevere in fulfilling the whole aim of their voyage, or give up a part and return home. — " The peace of God," add the missionaries, " which filled our hearts on this memorable occasion, and the strong conviction wrought in us both^ that we should persevere in his name to fulfil the whole of our commission, relying without fear on his help and preservation, no words can de- scribe ; but those who believe in the fulfilment of the gracious promises of Jesus given to his poor followers and disciples, will understand us when we declare, that we were assured that it was the will of God our Saviour, that we should not now return and leave our work un- finished, but proceed to the end of our propos- ed voyage. Each of us communicated to his brother the conviction of his heart — all fears and doubts vanished — and we were filled anevv with courage and willingness to act in obedi- ence to it in the strength of the Lord. " Wheu they made known their determination to Jona- than, and the reasons which swayed them, he without hesitation replied, *' Yes ! that is also ;: V, I Eh: Ml 270 THE MORAVIANS my conviction ! We will go whither Jesus di- rects us. He will bring us safe to our jour- ney's end, and safe home again." With re- newed strength and spirits, the missionaries set forward, and their companions, who had been wonderfully refreshed and invigorated by their success among the seals and the rein-deer, willingly followed. They encountered a se- vere storm, and escaped many hidden dangers, as they coasted along a dangerous and unknown shore ; but, guided by His hand in whom they trusted, they had the pleasure of reaching the mouth of the Koksoak, August fi5th, 68 deg. 36 m. N. L. about 700 miles from Okkak — Cape Chudleigh half-way. To the west the coun- try is called by the natives Assokak, the coast turning again W. N. W. The Koksoak here is about the breadth of the Thames at Gravesend, and with its various windings, much resembles that river for twenty-four miles inland. As they sailed upwards, they were hailed by the natives in their kayaks, with " Innuit, Innuil ! man, man ;'* and when they hoisted their co- lours there was a general cry of" Kablunat, Kablunat ! Europeans ! Europeans !" About one p. M. they cast anchor close to an en- campment, containing fourteen families, some from a distant district called Aivektok. At IN LABRADOR. 271 fesus di- mr jour- Vith re- laries set lad been by their ein-deer, sd a se- dangers, mknown lom they jhing the , 68 deg. k — Cape he coun- the coast k here is avesend, esembles nd. As by the Jnnuii ! heir co- ablunat; About an en- 3s, some ok. At iirst they appeared shy, but upon receiving a few trifling presents became quite familiar ; and as many of them had never seen a Euro- pean, walked round them, and inspected them narrowly to see what manner of animals they were, having previously received some account of them from Uttakiyok's brother, who had joined them. Proceviding farther up the river, accompanied by most of the men and some wo- men, they arrived at a bay, which by the winding of the stream appears like a lake sur- rounded on all sides with gently rising grounds, well planted with woods of moderate size, chief- ly birch. Behind the woods are some low hills. This place they named Unity's Bay. Here they found another good situation for a missionary settlement — a fine slope, extend- ing for about half an English mile, bounded on each extremity by a hill, on both of which they erected high signals. Juniper, currants, and other berries, were growing in abundance — and some rivulets of water at no great distance. This spot they named Pilgerruh, Pilgrim's rest. The vitw of the interior was in general flat, with a few low hills and ponds in some places full of wild geese ; the largest trees were not more than eight inches in diameter, and fif- teen or twenty fee^ high. The Esquimaux in- i i 1 B ■ r I 1 1 I ' ^ \ ft' ' I 111 km S72 THE MORAVIANS formed them that farther up the trees were larger. The inhabitants were poor, and miser- ably equipped in comparison of the Esquimaux near the brethren's settlement; as those who accompanied the expedition, and who, from their intercourse with the Europeans, had ob- tained many conveniences by barter, and. from the teaching of the missionaries had acquired a knowledge of the gospel. These advantages the latter did not fail to expatiate upon to their heathen countrymen; and once the brethren met with Sybilla, Jonathan's wife, surrounded by a company of women under the shadow of a skin boat, set on edge, exhorting them with great simplicity and fervour to hear and believe the gospel. Even Uttakiyok occasionally en- gaged in advocating the same cause, explained as well as he could the reason of the Brethren's living in Labrador, and exclaimed, " My friends, let us all be converted to Jesus." Hav- ing finished their observations on this quarter, the missionaries resolved to return, as, from the account given by their able and faithful conductor, Uttakiyok, whose information they had hitherto found correct, the r/i^stern coast on the opposite side of the bay was bare and without any proper landing place, and at this season of the year uninhabited, the Esquimaux MilliUlllfiliiii IN LABRADOR. 273 trees were and miser- Esquimaux those who who, from ns, had ob- r, and. from ad acquired ! advantages ipon to their ihe brethren surrounded e shadow of 2 them with ' and believe isionally en- B, explained B Brethren's led, " My 5us." Hav- this quarter, as, from lud faithful mation they estern coast as bare and and at this Esquimaux being generally employed in the interior in hunting the rein-deer ; they, therefore, Sept. 1., left the river and shaped their course home- ward. The natives shewed the greatest reluc- tance to part with them, and called after them, " Come soon again ; we shall always be wish- ing to see you." Several of them, and among these their disinterested friend, Uttakiyok, fol- lowed them for some miles, repeating their en- treaties for their speedy return, and promising to settle beside them when they came. At parting, they presented Uttakiyok with their skin boat and several useful articles, as a re- compense for ^he important, essential, and af- fectionate services he had rendered them. On the 4th October they reached Okkak in safety, after an absence of three months and ten days, having performed a voyage of from twelve to thirteen hundred miles. An account of their expedition was transmitted home,* but circum- stances prevented the mission from being un- dertaken for several years. No very remarl'able alteration took place at any of the diffeuent stations, during the two succeeding years. The increase of t^ei^ num- ber was gradual, and their advance in the • The Journal of the Voyage, illustrated with a map, was published in a separate form. London, 1814. f 274 THE MORAVIANS i! I ^ I' i ' Christian course quiet but perceptible ; and at Okkak they had the pleasure of re-admitting, upon their repentance and acknowledgment of their sin, ihe members they had been forced to exclude for their misconduct during the past season ; and it is not the least among the mer- cies of God towards the brethren, nor one which ought to be passed over in silence, the benefit which their congregations derive from the kind and judicious, yet firm administration of church discipline ; in a majority of instances it answers the ends for which it was instituted —the brother is gained instead of being driven away to associate with the world, and to nourish a spirit of dislike, if not of hatred, towards those with whom he was formerly in fellow- ship — a melancholy consequence when this or- dinance of the Saviour is not attended to in the spirit of love. In 1812, the superintendent, Burghardt, was called to his reward : he had been able to ful- fil the duties of his oj£ce till within three days of his departure. He was obliged to take to his bed on the 24th of July, and had appointed the fiSth to confer with his brethren on various subjects, but when that day came, he was so much exhausted, that this was found impracti- cable. He had done with active service upon IN LABRADOR. 275 earth. He now lay quiet, in peaceful expecta- tion of the happy moment when his Lord and Master would call him to rest. About three o'clock in the afternoon, he breathed his last in a most gentle and peaceful manner, in presence of the family gathered around his bed. '•' Dur- ing this transaction," the missionaries add, in their letter announcing the event, " a powerful feeling of divine peace prevailed among us, and m^^ny tears were shed by us who are left behind, to follow the example of this devoted servant of Jesus." He had attained to the age of seventy nine years. His removal brought forward, in a very pro- minent point of view, the unwearied diligence of the Moravian missionaries, who unite so much active exertion in temporal affairs, with such devotedness to spiritual exercises, and in a pre-eminently apostolic conduct, exhibit the import of the injunctions, " not slothful in bu- siness," — " fervent in spirit," — " serving the Lord." " In consequence of this vacancy," they continue, " and the age of two others of us, who are fast approaching their seventieth year, we are not able to do any great things by manual labour ; however, we contrive to perform what is absolutely requisite, and intend, with the Lord's blessing, to prepare for the building ui i ■> : n i^ i ir \ ' I 276 THE MORAVIAN? of a new church, as the present is much too small, and gone to decay. We thank you for your readiness to assist us with the necessary help." Next year, 1813, brother Schreiber arrived to succeed the late lamented Burghart as superin- tendent, and brought with him two efficient missionaries. The general course of the mis- sion for some time continued pretty uniform, the meetings were always well attended, and so great was the desire of the people to be pre- sent, that some came at the hazard of their lives; especially the sisters, who, when they had no boat of their own, would venture across bays some miles in breadth, sitting behind their husbands on their narrow kayaks. The number of printed books circulated in the congrega- tions, and now constantly increasing, kept alive the desire to learn to read and understand the lioly Scriptures. The schools were thronged by young and old. It has sometimes been asserted that the sa- cred writings are ill adapted for school books ; that they are above the capacity of children, and do not possess those attractions which little stories, extracts^from entertaining wri- ters^ histories of our owxi a^d other countries ■ ■ -'i-'^A ' IN LABRADOR. 97 much too ik you for necessary arrived to 8 superin- o efficient f the mis- r uniform, nded, and to he pre- •d of their when they ture across ^hind their he number congrega- kept alive jrstand the ironged by lat the sa- ool books; f children, ons which ining wri- • countries present.* Without entering upon any argu- ment, it may be sufficient to remark, that at no time did our native Scotland produce a more intelligent, acute, and moral race, than that generation which was educated in schools where the Bible and the Shorter Catechism were the chief, if not the sole, medium of their instruc- tion. At the Moravian settlements the same effects flow from a similar mode of tuition, and the mind that has been early exercised in search- ing out the meaning of the Divine Oracles of truth, comes well prepared to estimate the rea- lities of life, and form a true and correct judg- ment upon common topics and matters of daily occurrence: they have been taught that the present ought to be improved with a reference to the future, not only in spiritual but in tem- poral matters, and the natural consequence is, that the converted Esquimaux and their child- ren become at once an intelligent and a provi- dent race. So long as they continued heathen their intellect in general appeared incapable of comprehending any thing beyond the immedi- ate and grosser cravings of nature, but now • " The children and young people have given us much pleasure ; they have made good progress in read- ing, and often speak to us of the pleasure it affords them to be able to read the Scriptures at home.'* Fe< liodical Accounts, vol. vi. p. 24 It s i ' .'1 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) V. z 1.0 I.I 1.25 1.4 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation ;V \ •SJ :\ \ [v ^ 33 WIST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO (716)872.4503 ,.yV .5^% '« l|Pw-.-lvlLW.:«5»^n4Ui^-IJWyiil S78 'J > THE MORAVIANS they understood and could converse upon more rational subjects ; then no arguments could in- duce them^ not even their own necessities^ to build store-houses, but now they willingly as- sisted the missionaries in erecting these build- ings for public use, while in some of the settle- ments they erected new ones for themselves. Along with reading, the natives were taught writing and arithmetic, in which many of them made no inconsiderable proficiency. Yet, not- withstanding all their care and watchfulness, the brethren were not without their trials from the members of their congregations, and they comn»9nly sum up their accounts of the pros- perous state of their people with some such conclusion as this : — " We must after all con- fess that much imperfection is yet seen, and some of those living here are not what they ought to be. The enemy is not idle, but en- deavours to sift those who believe on Jesus; and we grieve to be obliged to mention, that even of our communicants there are who have fallen into temptation and sin. This shall not damp our courage, but we will continue to di- rect them to Jesus." Hitherto little interruption had taken place in the communication between Labrador and England ; the vessel had sailed in safety amid IN LABRADOR. 279 ton more ;ould in- isities, to ingly as- se build- tie settle- emselves. re taught Y of them Yet, not- chfulness, rials from and they the pros- lome such jr all con- seen, and ^hat they , but en- in Jesus; ition, that who have shall not nue to di- Iken place irador and ifety amid enemies and storms, and although in some voy- ages had been in jeopardy, and in others de- tained, had always made it out to visit all the stations; but in 1806 the Jemima was not only prevented from reaching Hopedale, but carried four of the missionaries on an involuntary trip to England. The ship arrived at the drift ice on the Labrador coast on the 10th of July, which Captain Eraser found extending about two hundered miles from the land, and after at- tempting to get in first to Hopedale, then to Nain, and last of all to Okkak, he was at length completely surrounded by it, and in the most imminent danger during six days and nights, expecting every moment that the ship would be crushed to pieces, till after very great exertions he got towards the outer part of the ice. Nevertheless he was still beset with it, and did not reach Okkak before August 29. The very next day the whole coast, as far as the eye could reach, was entirely choked up by ice, and after laying at Okkak nearly three weeks, he was twice forced back by it on his passage to Nain, which place he did not reach till Sept. 22. After staying the usual time the captain proceeded, Oct. 3, from Nain for Hope- dale with fine weather ; yet, on account of the lateness of the season^ and a great deal of drift ir ili I 1 .i,t ■ » i ! 3 ^ ' 1" (' >% I 280 THE MORAVIANS ice> with but little prospect of reaching that settlement. This circumstance he mentioned to the brethren at Nain, notwithstanding which, however. Brother Kmoch and his wife, and two single brethren, Korner and Christensan, who were going to Hopedale, went on board and they set isail ; but the same evening it came on to blow exceedingly hard, with an immense fall of snow and very thick weather, so that they could not see the length of the ship, and being within half a mile of a dangerous reef of rocks, the captain was obliged to carry a press of sail to clear them, which he did but just ac- complish, for after that the gale increased to such a degree, the wind being right on shore, that he could not carry sail any longer, and was obliged to lay the ship to, when the sea broke often over her, and he was at last forced, see- ing every attempt to reach Hopedale vain, to bear away for England. He again experienc- ed a gale equal to a hurricane, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of October, which, during the even- ing between the 9th and 10th, was so violent that the captain expected the vessel would have foundered. She was at one time struck by a sea that twisted her in such a manner that the seams on her larboard side opened, and the water gushed into the cabin and into the mate's ..iX:, IN LABRADOR. 281 i birth as if it came from a pump, and every- body at first thought her side was stove in : however the Lord was pleased to protect every- one from harm, nor was the ship very materi- ally damaged^ neither was any thing lost. Winter set in severely on the Labrador coast, but this proved an advantage to the missions, as those at Nain were enabled to forward sup- plies by sledges to their brethren at Hopedale, who, although curtailed of some of their com- forts, acknowledged with cheerful thankfulness that they had suffered no essential deprivation. The Esquimaux were also deprived of their usual supply of food by the early winter, which prevented them from taking many seals, either by the net or in kayaks ; but, as not unfre- quently happened in their times of extremity, they were successful in killing a whale, which preserved from suffering much from famine, and for which they joined their teachers in returning thanks to their heavenly Father. Their number was reduced by the death of a venerable brother, Suen Anderson, who had served the mission forty years, as well as Chris- tensan, who had been carried to England ; but nevertheless, besides their usual daily labour, they were able to erect for their own use ^ t»-\ 'J Hi 282 THE MORAVIANS «;. ■■ building containing rooms for holding provisions and fuel, and a bakehouse. Easily contented, however, as they were with their stinted fare, and pleasantly as they could undergo both privation and manual la- bour ; they could not see, without the most poignant sorrow, those who had begun to run well, hindered in their progress, and the great- est affliction they felt, and the only one which extorted from them a complaint in this trying season, was the seduction of several of their con- gregation. Four traders from the south, with an Esquimaux family in company, spent that win- ter in their neighbourhood. They sent Euro- pean provisions to the native inhabitants, and invited them to come and traffic, which proved a great snare, and disturbed the peaceful course of the congregation ; for many of the baptized had lived formerly in the south, and contracted a taste for European indulgences, particularly for strong liquors, from which they had been weaned since their settling at Hopedale ; but these propensities revived when temptation was presented. The brethren spared no pains, by friendly exhortations and affectionate remon- strances, to avert the calamity, yet they had the grief to see three families of eighteen persons desert the station ; among whom were six com- IN LABRADOR. 283 municants and several hopeful young people. The women and children wept bitterly at part- ing, and even the men seemed affected, but the latter, led captive by the wiles of the seducer, forced their families to follow. " We cannot describe," say the missionaries, " the pain we felt in seeing these poor deluded people run- ning headlong into danger, and we cried to our Saviour to keep his hand over them in mercy, and not to suffer them to become a prey to the enemy of their souls." Kmoch and his wife, and the single brother Korner, who had so unexpectedly visited Eng- land, returned to Labrador in the brig Jemima in 18 17^ accompanied by single brother Beck, a descendant of the Greenland missionary, who in the third generation inherited the same spirit. Their voyage was perilous, and their preserva- tion afforded a new display of the mercy of God towards his devoted servants, engaged to pro- claim salvation to the utmost ends of the earth. On the 2nd of June the Jemima left London, and after stopping at the Orkneys^ they reach- ed within 200 miles of the Labrador coast be- fore the 4th of July : the weather had been re- markably fine, and they were pleasing them- selves with speedily arriving at their destina- tion^ when the ice-birds gave notice of their 4)J I 1 () 1 284) THE MORAVIANS approaching the ice.* Now the wind shifted, and on the 7th the drift was seen in every di- rection ; for six days they made several attempts to penetrate through different openings, but in vain ; fields of ice beset the ship on all sides, and towards the evening of the 13th they dis- covered an immense ice-berg approaching. They were sailing before the wind, and just when they neared it, became enveloped in so thick a fog that they could not see a yard from the ship, nor use any means to avoid a concus- sion which threatened instant ruin. After an hour of- helpless anxiety the fog dispersed, and they perceived that they had providentially passed at a very short distance. Next morn- ing land was discovered a-head, which the cap- tain endeavoured to reach, but was forced to seek shelter by fastening the vessel to a large field of ice three hundred feet in diameter, ele- vated about six above the water, and between fifty and sixty in thickness below. Here they lay with little variation from the 14th to the 20th ; when they attempted with a fine breeze to get clear out. In the evening, the sky lowered, and it grew very dark. At midnight the pas- * This bird is about the size of a starling, black, with white and yellow spots ; flies about a ship chiefly in the night, and is known by its singular notes, which resem- ble a loud laugh. IN LABRADOR. 285 r nd shifted > I every di- al attempts ngs, but in a all sides, h they dis- hing. They just when in so thick •d from the I a concus- After an persed, and Dvidentially N^ext morn- ch the cap- is forced to to a large imeter, ele- id between Here they 14th to the ne breeze to ky lowered. It the pas- ;, black, with chiefly in the which resem- sengers were roused by a noise on deck, and hastening to learn the cause, found they were driving fast towards a huge ice-mountain, on which they expected every moment to suffer shipwreck. The night was excessively cold with rain, and the sailors suffered much before they could again bring the vessel to her moor- ings. But this was only the prelude to greater terrors: shortly after mid-day on the 2l8t, the wind having risen to a tempest, the missionaries were alarmed by a tremendous outcry ; they in- stantly ran upon deck, and saw the ship with the field to which she was fastened rapidly driv- ing towards another immense mountain, nor did there appear the smallest hope of escaping be- ing crushed to pieces between it and the field. They all cried fervently to the Lord for speedy help in this most perilous situation — for if they had but touched the mountain they must have been instantly destroyed. And he hearrl them : the ship got to such a distance that the mountain passed between them and the field, but one of their cables was broken and they lost an anchor; and were left to the mercy of the storm and the current, in the midst of large masses of ice from ten to twenty feet thick. The following night was dreadful- ly dark and tempestuous, and the howling of A A ^ If iW 286 THE MORAVIANS ;^ . : l U the wind; and the roaring of the ice^ as the fields were dashed against each other by its fury, rendered it truly terrific ; while the frag- ments, as they were dispersing by the storm, struck violently against the vessel, and each blow sounded like the harbinger of instant fate. Such shocks were repeated every five or ten minutes and sometimes oftener; nor was there any possibility of avoiding them. In this awful situation they offered up earnest prayers to Him who alone is able to save, and about six in the morning they were carried into open wa- ter not far from the coast, after having spent ten long hours in a btate more easily to be con- ceived than described. During the remainder of their voyage they encountered several heavy gales, and were threatened occasionally with the gathering ice, and their vessel was leaky, but they happily arrived at their desired haven in safety. On the 9th of August they cast an- chor at Hopedale. Amid the trials which the brethren had to encounter, they acknowledge, with gratitude, the mercies that intervened : they witnessed many instances of the faithful leading of the Holy Spirit among the Esquimaux, particular- ly in the return of many to the good Shepherd, from whom they had strayed-^and during the ice, as the iher by its le the frag- the storm, , and each of instant rery five or •; nor was n. In this est prayers i about six to open wa- iving spent to be con- remainder reral heavy nally with was leaky, iired haven sy cast an- en had to gratitude, witnessed ing of the particular- Shepherd, luring the IN LABLADOR. 287 winter, the station of Hopedale was preserved from moral contagion by a striking providence. Some heathen who had set out to seduce their countrymen to go to the south, were overtaken at sea by a violent storm, which dashed their large boat in pieces, and being thrown on an unknown desert region, where no assistance could be obtained, perished miserably by cold and hunger. At the close of 1819, brother Schreiber re- turned to Europe, and brother Kohlmeister succeeded him as superintendent of the Labra- dor missions, for which he was well adapted, both by his knowledge of the country and the language. In the former year he had per- formed a voyage from Okkak to Nain, very different from that remarkable journey in 1804. The weather was fine and warm, with a gentle favourable breeze, and the varied scenery was delightful. He doubled the promontory of the Kiglapeit mountains with the greatest ease, and was wafted through the narrow channel to Nain, charmed with the verdure that decked the shores, the woods in foliage, the hills cov- ered with grass, and the vallies spangled with innumerable flowers. Early next year he visit- ed Hopedale, and the weather being again fine, he accomplished the journey in two days. The -< " i^H n n»< » r i 288 THE MORAVIANS i] I i I dogs drew the sledge over the frozen snow with great rapidity; no Engliih post horses could have done better. lie had formerly ministered in this settlement, and the inliubitants came out to some distance to meet, and bid him welcome. " I was deeply affected," says he in a letter to Mr Latrobe, " on again entering this pc e, in which I had spent so many happy days in the year 1804, when it pleased the Lord to send forth his Spirit, and awaken in the hearts of the Esquimaux, that hunger and thirst after righteousness and salvation, the fruits of which have been so manifest and encouraging ever since. I was then eye-witness of astonishing proofs of His power and love, and my heart and spirit revived in the recollection of the all-con- quering and superabounding grace which then prevailed, and by which he drew all hearts un- to himself." To the continuance and advancement of this blessed work, the brethren were, able to bear joyful testimony in the succeeding year. July 31. 1820, they thus write : " The Lord is gra- ciously pleased to cause his power to be made manifest in the conversion of sinners, and in the building up our dear Esquimaux flock in the faith by which we are saved. This we may truly testify to his praise. The Father draws '-v^.. * IN LAURA DOR. 280 now with )uld have stered in me out to welcome. letter to pee, in s in the to send liearts of rst after of which ing ever onishing leart and all-con- ich then arts un- ; of this to bear July is gra- le made and in flock in we may r draws I tliem to the Son, and the Holy Spirit leads them in the way of life everlasting. We find open ears and hearts when we declare to them the love of Jesus as their Saviour, and his* blessing rests upon our feeble testimony of his atoning death and passion. Many a heart, by nature hard as the surrounding rocks, has been broken by the divine power of the word of the cross." They had, however, to mourn over the loss of three of their most approved native Esquimaux brethren, in the prime of life : they were sud- denly seized with a mortal illness, which, after a short suffering of twelve hours, brought them to the grave ; but the joyful hope of seeing their Saviour face to face, and celebrating the praises of his redeeming love, supported them in their dying moments, and comforted the hearts of their teachers. Their widows, also, distin- guished themselves by their resignation to the Lord under this severe dispensation, which ren- dered them desolate, placing their whole trust in Him who is the faithful friend of the widow and the fatherless. A young married man, a candidate for baptism, was seized with the same complaint, and brought to the brink of the grave. In his extremity, he complained to one of the missionaries that he had never been tru- ly converted to Jesus, f^ !" exclaimed he, 8 n ! \ti I I I M 290 THE MORAVIANS " if but one drop of the precious atoning blood of Jesus would flow upon my soul to cleanse me from guilt; that I might be assured in my in^ ward parts, of the forgiveness of my many sins !" He was baptized on his sickbed — it was an af- fecting scene — a sense of the presence of the Lord was felt on the occasion by all present, by the peace and grace that accompanied the ad- ministration of the ordinance. The answer to the sick penitent's fervent prayer, seemed like that given to the poor repenting thief on the cross when he cried, " Lord remember me"— it was immediate. To the surprise of all, he recovered, and remained an instance of the love of Jesus, even to the chief of sinners. A remarkable preservation of another Esqui- maux youth, was likewise the cause of much joy at Hopedale. On the 10th of June, 1819, this lad had been carried out to sea upon a flake of ice, which separated from the main mass in a terrible storm, and was given up for lost. He, however, after having, for some time, been driven about, gained the larger body of drift ice, and was carried towards an island, on which he landed. Here he staid about two months. He had only a gun, a small knife^ and a few pieces of cord with him, but neither powder nor shot. Of the cord he made nooses and caught eide^ducks^ by wliicb; md their :-. ;..}.. ing blood ieanse me n my in- iny sins !" 'as an af- :e of the esent, by d the ad- inswer to ^med like if on the jr me"— of all, he F the love r Esqui- of much le, 1819, , upon a he main up for or some jer body island, out two knife, neither K nooses d their I , J il l 1 1>'»<» ' I- IN LABRADOR. 291 eggs, he kept himself alive : in the night, he crept under an overhanging rock to sleep. At length he discovered a piece of wood floating to the shore ,* of this he made an oar, and, get* ting on a flake of ice, rowed himself to an is- land nearer the main land, whence he reached two more islands nearer still. About the be- ginning of August, he observed two boats steer- ing towards the south, and made signals : these were not noticed by the first, which passed on ; but the second approached and took him in. They were southlanders from Kippolak, with whom he was obliged to go on to the south, and remain there till the ice was strong enough to admit o^ his travelling to Hopedale. He re- moved thence to Okkak, where he most unex- pectedly arrived, to the astonishment of all his relations, who received him as one from the dead. He declared that in his banishment from human society, Jesus had been his hope and refuge, though the prospect before him was indeed terrific. While he gave this account of his escape, his eyes overflowed with tears of joy and gratitude ; and at the conclusion of his narrative, he said to brother Kohlmeister— " Benjamin ! I declare to you that I was never alone ; Jesus was always with me, and I will ever follow Jesus, and belong to him in time and eternity." *--**^-' f I-.. ^ CHAPTER VIII. Fiftieth anniversary of the uiissionary vessel's first ar- rival 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 So- ciety. — British sloop of war, Clinker, visits Hope- dale. — Captain Martin's testimony to the good effect of the brethren's labours — visits Nain and Okkak— consequences of his favourable report. PiFTY years had now elapsed since the first ship arrived at Nain, 9th August 1771, vvith missionaries on board for the service of the Es« quimaux; and in the morning of the same day of the same months 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 ivilds as rude savages^ or infesting the seas as -•ir THE MORAVIANS, &C. 293 first ar- ;brated at gospel in maternal (ible So. ts Hope- )od effect Okkak— he first 1, with the Es- me day 820, at : in the ns for a undred athered ng the ng the seas as ruthless pirates. The day of the vessel's ar- rival 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, notwithstand- ing all risks, have been uninterrupted, afforded much subject for thanksgiving, which the breth- ren expressed by hymns, and likewise endea- voured 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 canon fired several shot, which were answered by the ship, and the Esquimaux fired their pieces as long as their powder lasted. Meanwhile, some tunes of hymns, expressing thanksgiving to God 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 fiag, and made them understand that it was the fiftieth time that a ship had come safely to Nain for their sakes, and how it had been pre*- ">>'*~"»**S,^ ,*,•«►.' ] i'. I .• ^ ■ ; il I w ^4 THE MOBAVIANS served, by the wonder-working hand of God, from all harm in these dangerous seas, and that this was the cause of these extraordinary de- monstrations of a joyful gratitude ; they listen- ed with great attention, and then exclaimed, " Yes ! Jesus is worthy of thanks I" 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 bap- tism 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 mis- sion in Labrador during half a century, in which he has led, preserved, and blessed us a- bundantly. His mighty arm has protected us in many dangers, and the preaching of his cross has been attended with power and the demon- stration 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 be- ginning of the mission, and of all the remarka- **>.m,«>'*-^« lt ^ji, y » * |aW |W i*' "" ** " '*' I of God, , and that inary de- ley listen- xclaimed, nor were a century ador, and the three 'ation day ?rvices of prevailed The bap- solemnize say the 'or all the the mis- tury, in sed us a- ected us his cross demon- dmany Ivard for the be- marka« 1 ■■^■«^'<»*%j » » »i «' I' m IN LABRADOR. 2ds ble 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 at the diiferent 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 cru- el bondage of Satan, God our Saviour wrought deliverance, and brought many of them into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 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 in- teresting circumstances. While on the ice with her daughter, it gave way, and they both feil in. The mother made great exertions to save her child, and with much difficulty succeeded, but, 1 296 THE MORAVIANS ir M i ■ f~ ) her strength failing, she was unable to extri- cate herself j 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 re- ceived 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 ad vantage. Having been informed of the nature and aim of the Bible Society, and of its labours in the dis- tribution 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 God, they ex- claimed : " How long have not we heard the pleasant and comfortable words concerning Je- sus Christ our Saviour^ and how many books IT .1 mmm IN LABRADOR. 297 ie to extri* le had led a ife, and her ing, was to he mercy of as likewise uimaux re- r Testament e expense of ity, and also [ley set upon they express ir advantage. e and aim of s in the dis- uimaux, of als' blubber, enses of the als, or half it. Others aritie of their gifts might d that other n they, had od, they ex- heard the cerning Je- 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 com- fortable words of God. We are indeed poor, but yet might now and then bring some blubber, that others who are as ignorant as we were for- merly, 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 forma- tion of a fourth settlement, and during this in- terval the tongue of slander had not been silent. Mercenary traders had represented to the Bri- tish authorities, the brethren's conduct, as hos- tile to the interest of the colony and their traf- fic with the natives: but fortunately the author- ities were not disposed to receive implicitly B B S98 TH£ MORAVIANS I these reports, and the governor of Newfound- land, 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 Mora- vian 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 ship of war, which lay at an- chor 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 La- brador where the brethren's settlements were situated, and to visit the settlements. On hearing this, the Captain (Fraser) of the mis- sion 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 ship of war, with three masts and fourteen can- non, anchored 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 IN LABRADOR. 299 ^ewfound- led a sloop tn Martin^ id with an jnt Mora- s after the ssionaries, mnt of his e received ammander iy at an- is that the 'ed him to ist of La- ents were nts. On the mis- hor here, e Clinker k p. M. a teen can- from us. Fraser, ider, who d with us expressed id him on «hore to examine minutely, into every Uiing 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 con- duct, quietness, and piety, seemed to strike him ; and he afterwards confessed, his expecta- tion 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 de- liver savage men, accustomed to murder, and given up to every vice, from their detestible habits, and introduce them into the circle of social order. Nothing but the operation of the Spirit of God 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 com- mandments of Jesus ; it is tliis, we said, that ',f>"'"**'^'—-%!'-<»"t.-.i **!*»•,.• 300 THK MORAVIANS causes tliem to live in peaceful and happy so- ciety together. " He next wished to be informed of the rea* son of our conduct with regard to merchandize, as he had heard that we did not wish our Es- quimaux 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 ad- vantage, 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 per- son with whom he chooses to trade. It must, however^ be remarked, that many Esquimaux r ■ I' lfi..«~»V**V5l*^'",^.' ,^...>..>.^,^^^ ^^^^ ^,.-^-''-.r-»s^;^^^l>.-^«jl»^^ IN LABRADOn. 301 li appy 80- of the rea* Tchandize, sh our Es- ans in the ve did not ?nts? To hing is so lembeis of sathenism, ) the south e they are lis account ainst such >n to these r own ad- ny longer the same who have id all our in vain, to trade. Ifrom our does not any per- |It mustj luimaux ^hcn pressed by hunger in winter^ take refuge with us, to whom we give every possible assist- ance : 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, regardkss of their obligations to us, take their articles elsewhere to barter, we frankly tell them our opinion of their con- duct, and endeavour to impress their minds with a sense of their ingratitude, not ouly to us, but to the Society in England, who from love to them, sends every year a ship with the ne- cessary 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 Euro- peans, 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 for- ty of the crew of the ship of war, assembled with us in our meeting for public worship, when vve recommended them to the gracious protec- 3 l.*wa:»-#«,\'T' ?.i^^-iny'>*-"*»v.^*\ .*. 302 THE MORAVIAKS ill tion of our almighty Lord and God; and we liave 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 surgeouj shook us heartily by the hand, and thanked us for our kind attention, and ex- pressed his delight at the happy results of our endeavours to improve the Esquimaux. All the ofticers likewise bade us farewell in the most friendly manner^ and said they would always reflect with pleasure on their visit to us. Af- ter 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 ren- dered my stay here so pleasant. I regret that it has been so short, but it husbeen sufficiently long, to convince me that your labours have been crowned by a blessed success : this must animate you under many difficulties, to con- tinue to devote yourselves with zeal to the ser- vice 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 ■ ' i i iti t iiummtti^mimtUl IK LABRADOR. £03 and we ay, that, 2d here, endly as 1 having together he hand, and ex- ;8 of our All the he most always 18. Af- sent us limself : is place lines to 3 in so on ren- •et that iciently rs have is must to con- he ser- One nighty these Esquimaux, both in regard to body and mind. It will give me the most Leart-felt joy, to com- municate this to his Excellency, the i^overnor of St John's, and also to bear testimony in Eng- land, to the happy progress of your labours.' Next day, at 6 a m., the ship of war set sail, when we, with our Esquimaux, ascended the height nearest the shore, and by signs took our last farewell of the crew. '' Continuing her course, the Clinker reach- ed Nain on the 21st, where Captain Martin be- haved in the same friendly manner. He was frequently on shore at the mission-house, and likewise attended worship 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 commemo- ration of the jubilee. The day after, he fur- nished a feast of boiled pease and biscuit, for all the Esquimaux living on the missionaries' land, and was himself present at the entertain- ment. The Esquimaux sat on pieces of tim- ber, 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 God for ever.* All of thetn expressed great thankfulness for this condesceading mark of the 304 THE MORAVIANS 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 superintendent 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 b^Sid 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 friendship, 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 Bore- alis, increased the enjoyment. The brethren. Stock and Halter, coming on board, we could not quit the deck till midnight ; sleep was not JMKU. IN LABRADOR. 305 em had a home, opedale in I of which ',r and his excursion, enjoyed : pany with idale, and Eime twice visit. As m and the account of jre rather ind means word that which the e^ and the with their the great rmined to g after the as a calm display of ora Bore- brethren, we could }p was not thought of. Captain Martin also displayed a number of blue lights, to the great astonish- ment and gratification of the Ewsquunaux." 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 God in the high- est,' and 'Hosanna.'" When he had accom- plished 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 ju- bilee of the mission acquired a peculiar and new feature, as we were at the same time assured of the favour of those, whom God has appointed to rule over us, and may hope in future also to ex- perience 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 impor- tant, as it tended to accelerate the formation of a fourth settlement. I CHAPTER IX. The Biethren obtain a further grant of land on the east coast of Labrador — projected fourth settlement de- layed. — Progress of the three settlements in the inter- val..— Instances of wonderful preservation-— Ephraim .—of Conrad, Peter, and Titus. — Report of the su- perintendent, 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 anxi- ous as the Esquimaux there were, that they should reside among them, providential diffi- culties, as above alluded to, prevented what appeared so urgent a call from being complied with, and, in a manner, forced upon the breth- ren'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 favoura- ble, all obstructions were removed, and next year the order which had been granted by the * f «^w«« I '■*«!■« 1^4 .jmi THE MORAVIANS, &C. 307 d on the east ttlement de- in the inter- n-— Ephraim rt of the su- 1 state of the of Hebron, establish a and anxi- that they tial diffi- ed what complied le breth- orming a hey had, vernment report of favoura- and next d by the Prince Regent in Council, 13th May 1818, se- curing to them the possession of the coast from Okkak to the 56th deg. n. I/., including the bays of Napartok, Kangertluksoak, and Sae- glek, was transmitted to Nain through Gover- nor Hamilton, accompanied by a letter written under his own hand, wishing them every suc- cess in their Christian undertaking. From the great increase of the population at Okkak, the attention of the missionaries was principally 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 con- tinue 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 ma- nifest in young and old, and the word of his cross, sufferings, and death, performs the same miracles, as in the earliest periods of Christian- ity. When we met to celebrate the holy com- munion, as well as on the different festival and memorial days of the church, the grace and pre* ffl ^ 308 THE MORAVIANS sence 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 haft 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 ex- tremely pleasant. This year, Ephraim, a com- municant, 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 assis- tance 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 companiort^ and his life saved. Though his fright and anxiety were in the be- ginning very great, he said, that he committed himself to our Saviour, and felt resigned to his will ; and when the danger seemed most im- minent, help was afforded, for which he gave IN LABRADOR. S09 vived our Ith praise ood which iring their heir lives* were not and their i generally them ex- m, a com- catch seals niles from his party, only time the ice to situation, g intense, 1 helped to for assis- nained for ense. At m, he was life saved, in the be- committed :ned to his most im- 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 car- ried 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 Titus, being engaged in fishing on the ice, that part on which they were standing broke loose from the shore, and was driven by a strong south-west wind out to sea. Conrad having a sledge with him, fastened some seal- bkins 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 com- panions to procure a boat, and send it to their assistance. The sea, by God's mercy, being calm, he reached the shore in safety, but be- fore he could procure the boat, the field of ice with his two compahions on it had drifted near- ly out of sight, ann 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 wea- c c M ^ SIO THE MORAVIANS t \ in. f ther. They bad caught eight seals on the day of their departure^ which afforded them nou- rishment^ though for want of fuel they could make no fire^ but ate the meat raw and drank the blood. Of their feelings during nine dread- ful days of anxiety and suspense, they wrote the following affecting account. Peter for him- self says, "When on the fourth of June (1824,) we were driven off the coast upon the field of ice, I was not much alarmed, for I did not ap- prehend much danger. At night when we lay down to rest we commended ourselves in pray- er to God 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 Tikkerarsoak^ I hoped that our brother Conrad, who had been with us, would come to help us with kayaks. We repeatedly thought we heard the report of tire-arms, and therefore fired off our pieces, but towards eve- ning, we perceived that we had been mistaken. Now I began to feel great fears about the pre- servation of my life, and thinking of my poor family, I wept much. With many tears I cried ferventlv 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 .t MMndkaMM IN LABRADOR. 811 I the day em nou- ley could id drank ne dread- ley wrote r for him- e (1824,) e field of d not ap« 3n we lay s in pray- our lives lued to do. ty near to that our us, would •epeatedly xrms, and shards eve- mistaken, t the pre- ' my poor y tears I I could and said ; the other or 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 grati- 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 com- fort. 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 pray- ed to him with many tears to help us, and di- rect 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 walk- ed about alone, several parts of Scripture oc- curred to my recollection, especially the ac- count of my Saviour's being taken captive. u u m I \ • t 312 THE MORAVIANS 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 l:eart on remembering our Saviour's words, and that he said to his disciples, ' Re- ceive 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 in- expressible 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 shore, 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 shore, and on the 1.3th, they reached home by travel- ling over the drift. This yoar the superintendent, Kohlmeister, who had served the Labrador mission thirty* '«^. disciples, ) me, and I felt joy Saviour's »les, 'Re- ,h, the fog /^liither we help,' and id, *Come and I will n you, and ly in heart/ I, 9th, and )unt of the ijoy the in- (ibered how the storm, Thus also uation. I us again to or bereaved n my eyes." of ice on the shore, by travel- ohlmeister, ion thirty- TN LABRADOJl. 313 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 set- tlements, is therefore too important to be a- bridged or omitted — it is as follows : " The work of God in the hearts of our dear Esqui- maux, proceeds in the power of the Spirit, and with rich blessing; and I may with truth assert, that they grow in grace, and in the love and knowledge of our Lord and Sa- viour 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 num- ber of heathen Esquimaux in their neighbour- hood 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 Chris- tian church by holy baptism, except a few child- ren, and no heathen live in their neighbour- hood. 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 par« 3 3U THE MORAVIANS 1^' it i I 7« ! :i M^ I ticuIarJy directed to instil into the minds of the youth the principles and precepts of vital Chris- tianity ; and to see to it, that by the grace of our Saviour, all the souls committed to their care become more firmly grounded and esta- blished in faith and love, 'and walk worthy of their high and heavenly calling. This is done by faithful admonition, accompained with watch- fulness 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 ven- erable British and Foreign Bible Society. Tl.jy read therein daily in their houses and tents with the greatest earnestness, delight, and edifica- tion. We have, indeed, ever since the arrival of this most precious gift, observed a great change. Their understanding of the word of God, 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 con- versation in conformity to truly Christian prin-* ciples. " The schools, which are held, with both child- ren and adults, from November to April, are a most powerful means of forwarding their im- provement in every thing good and profitable I IN LABRADOR. 315 nds of the ital Chris- le grace of d to their and esta- worthy of s is done by ith watch- ious means the reading ave now in of the ven- ety. Tl-jy tents with nd edifica- the arrival a great le word of itainSj has upon their now more t and con- itian prin-. oth child- Vpril, are their im- profitable fur them. IMost of the people attend them with great diligence, and with an earnest de- sire to be soon able to read the New Testa- ment for themselves. There are among the children some of live, and even of four years of age, who read well. The severest punish- ment that 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 be- loved labourers in that distant inhospitable clime; they were gratified, nearly under the above date Qat the close of 18iJl,] 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 ac- tive exertion, reluctantly retired from the heat of the day — it was addressed to a friend in 316 THE MORAVIANS w\ ^i' M Kdinburgli, and shortly but sweetly corrobor- ates 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 malig- nant cold and cough laged in Okkak, of which eighteen persons died, but last winter the wea- ther 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 Es- quimaux, and our dear fellow labourers, was very affecting." At lenif^th 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 mis- sionaries, Kmoch and Sturman, in 1828, erect- ed a block- house twelve feet long and eight broad, which the summer before had been pre- pared at Okkak, and sent to Kangertluksoak by some Esquimaux returning to the north. They completed the journey on sledges in fif- teen hourS; of which they transmitted the foU IX LADIIADOR. 317 robor- *' to )kkak, lirteen ns are ►per for mttUg- • which le wea- md my 'illingly uimaux are the our Es- rs, was f a new \e mean allotted he mis- 8, erect- d eight een pre- luksoak e north, in fif- the foU lowing notes: — " May 19th, at eight in the evening we arrived at Apparnaviarsak, in the neighbourhood of Kangertluksoak ; here we found four tents of our Etsquimaux, and in three, others of the Nain people who had re- solved the next summer to go to Okkak ; all ex- pressed 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 ; assured them of our constant remem- brance and prayers; then begged them to con- sider their present happy circumstances, 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 pur- i 818 THE MORAVIANS lA » (l^ y chased for us. The tears of many shewed the jdy 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 grass ; the snow was already melted, and the young grass began most beautifully to shoot up. The spring ap- peared 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 Saeglek, the distance to which is only about 5 or 6 hours, with a good sledge path ; conse- quently, it appeared admirably adapted for a mission station. Saeglek would afford excel- lent fishing 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, IN LABRADOR. 319 wed the itimated lid have 'here our tinent of jr houses rround is now was ss began »ring ap- t Okkak, ered with iteep, the sea: but 1 . squimaux I islands, y places, omontory ly about ; con se- ed for a d excel- ould the happen, )itants of [many of Tpon the lor seen, Kangcrtluksoak is one of the best fishing 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. The nearest forest lies to the south of Nappartok, and is about eighteen or twenty miles distant by land; by water the distance 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, in the neighbour- hood of their winter houses. 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 coun- try round the river, we resolved to erect our lit- tle dwelling here, and our Esquimaux having brought the wood, it was soon erected. All the natives who were present willingly assisted 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 em- inence, in the neighbourhood of a small lake, which the Esquimaux assured 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 build-* "•**£ 820 THE MORAVIANS '■ r 5 '\ if) ' ir. f i^< ii li ing, will: out 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 God under every circumstance, 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 gratitude 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 Esqui- maux. 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 shingles, were transported to Kangertluksoak from Okkak by sledges, which performed no less than one hundred and five journeys, and seldom spent more than a I IN LABRADOR. 321 21st, when floored the (ed a table ind set up a her Kmoch ffectionately e themselves ircumstance, to be led by illy to follow . at 3 o'clock, ut the newly p on the ice, re nine hours jfore, but we three in the iviour, whose lis visit, and that he also the Esqui- meed at the le erection of [e year 1829, transported I by sledges, hundred and lore than a day upon the road, the tract having been extra- ordinarily fine, beyond what the oldest inhabi- tant remembered to have seen, and which the brethren considered as the mark of a kind pro- vidence 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 ena- ble the missionaries to go on with their new settlement, named Hebron, and which oppor- tunely arrived, just when the house was made ready to receive, and place the stores under cover. Another missionary, Ferdinand, arriv- ed with the Harmony to assist brother Beck. Immediately they commenced unloading the Oliver, in which they were stoutly assisted 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 in- PD fi^ Z> ' ,i; i ' J ir. k 1 ! ■; ! 1, . . ' 1 i i ! i '_ 1 1 . - ■:\ 322 THE MORAVIANS terruptionSj first by the loss of their assistants 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 di- ligence, aud on the 7th of May, the second sto- ry of their hous9 was floored, and likewise habi- table. They had constructed besides some out- houses as cellars and store houses ; and when the vessels from Europe again visited the set- tlement 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 advanc- ed, and thus reported : " Our dear brethren," says he, " must have laboured diligently to ef- fect 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 IN LABRADOR. 3£5 r assistants : hunt, and ich carried r materials, tie 18th of 3, and they ible hut, in During the nded, but in ith fresh di- ; second sto- kewise habi- es some out- ; and when ited the set- ler supply of lel, who had n her, was far advanc- r brethren,'* ;ently to ef- true every ;ate ; chairs, e still to be ler Freytag, of shavings, church, is a it board has been nailed, and the whole is covered with a piece of coarse 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 inquire for rest to their souls ; the missionaries gladly received them, and directed their atten- tion to our Saviour's invitation to the weary and heavy laden. Among them an Esquimaux wo- man came from Saeglek, 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 re- plied 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 ci^nfirmed what his wife had said. On the 12tli 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 Q1832] 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^ Ui^-' t ■ww a t- j. •«iiid..M6»4a : PI if i I '. V ^ ' i S '( ! ■ r' 824 THE MORAVIANS, &C. 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 bad resided with them for some time, they bad the pleasure, on Easter Sunday, to baptize four adults and one child, being the first acces- sion to the church at Hebron from among the heathen. The number of their congregation in August, the date of their latest accounts, a- mounted in all, to 162 persons, of whom ^2 had joined from Okkak, and 10 from Nain r '. J* X'RINTEB BY J. UlTCUIE, 3. EAST ADAM SXSEETt ^ ." -.: '-*'•! J 'U; * y I ' - -fl ^ i-{ f'^ • > • '^' ;^;.,» *■♦ t '. i .' r'- , '.-- ■ ! f .' . '■ 4 THE END. 4,.; f^- 1 i:^l„: '! * J .' • . '"'' - 0:.- ■)':'% - • ' '. '*^: .-■' ' "■'' ■>• VI:' ' ■ - • . •<■■-■ ^ i - ' *i- ^ . r - % ^,, ■>■"•*■ *"^" •i. * »- ' ■; ^t _r ** consequences treat it with 3ghtful after on 8 removed t. Of those le time, they y, to baptize e first acces- 1 among the igregation in accounts, a- ^hom 72 had J'ain. ' T t t ,1 < # •%: AM STBEET.