IMAGE EVALUAT'ON TEST TARGET (MT-3) fe^- ^<^ 1.0 I.I iM 12.0 lUI 1-25 111.4 11.6 « 6" ► ^1 o^ /a 'V ^> Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTIR.N.Y. M5S0 (716) S72-4503 ^ V \ ^^ s \ \ ». O^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Ttchnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notat tachniquaa at bibiiographiquas Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproductlon, or which may algniflcantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad baiow. Colourad covara/ Couvartura da eouiaur pn Covara damagad/ Couvartura andommagia Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raatauria at/ou paliiculAa Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua nn Colourad mapa/ D Cartaa gAographiquaa an coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) I I Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ D D n D Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa an coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ Rail* avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ La raiiura aarria paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatortion la long da la marga intAriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibla. thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ 11 aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajoutAaa iora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta. maia, loraqua caia Atait poaaibla, caa pagaa n'ont paa At* f limAaa. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa aupplAmantairaa: L'Inatitut a microfiimA la malliaur axamplaira qu'il lui a AtA poaaibla da aa procurar. Laa dAtaila da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua bibliographiqua, qui pauvant modifiar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normala da filmaga aont indiquAa ci-daaaoua. |~~| Colourad pagaa/ Th( to Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagAaa Pagaa raatorad and/oi Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou palliculAaa Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxa< Pagaa dAcolorAaa, tachatAaa ou piquAaa Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa dAtachAaa Showthrough> Tranaparanca Quality of prir QualitA inAgaia da I'impraaaion Includaa aupplamantary matarii Comprand du matArial aupplAmantaira Only adition availabia/ Sauia Adition diaponibia I — I Pagaa damagad/ r~n Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ I — I Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxad/ |~~| Pagaa datachad/ r~l Showthrough/ I — I Quality of print variaa/ I I Includaa aupplamantary matarial/ j — I Only adition availabia/ Th poi of filr Ori bai th« •ic oti fin sic or D Pagaa wholly or partially obacurad by arrata aiipa, tiaauaa, ate, hava baan rafilmad to anaura tha baat poaaibla imaga/ Laa pagaa totalamant ou partiallamant obacurciaa par un f auillat d'arrata. una palura, ate. ont AtA filmAaa A nouvaau da fapon A obtanir la maillaura imaga poaaibla. Thi shi TIf wh Ma dif am bat rigl raq ma Thia itam ia filmad at tha raduction ratio chackad baiow/ Ca document aat filmA au taux da rAduction indiquA ci-daaaoua 10X 14X 18X 22X 2ex 30X y 12X 16X 20X MX 28X 32X Th« copy filmad h«r« hat b—n raproducad thanka to tha o^naroaity of: Library Division Provincial Archives of British Columbia L'axamplaira f ilmA f ut raproduit grAca A la gAnAroait* da: Library Division Provincial Archives of Britiih Columbia Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and laglbillty of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacificationt. Original copias in printad papar covara ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- aion. or tha back covar whan appropriata. All othar original copiaa ara filmad baginning on tha firat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- aion. and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraaaion. Tha laat racordad frama on aach microficha ahall contain tha symbol — »• (maaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol V (maaning "END"), whichavar applias. Laa imagaa auivantaa ont At* raproduitaa avac la plua grand aoin. compta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da l'axamplaira filmA. at 91% conformitA avac laa conditiona du contrat da filmaga. Laa axamplairaa originaux dont la couvartura •n papiar aat imprimAa aont filmAa an commanipant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant aoit per la darniAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration. aoit par la aacond plat, aalon la caa. Toua laa autraa axamplairaa originaux sont filmAa an commandant par la pramiAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration at •» tarminant par la darniAra paga qui comporta una talla amprainta. Un daa symbolaa suivanta apparaltra sur la darniAra imaga da chaqua microficha. salon la cas: la aymbola — »> aignifia "A SUIVRE ". la aymbola V signifia "FIN". Maps, plataa. charts, ate. may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratios. Thosa too larga to ba antiraly includad in ona axposure ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft hand cornar. laft to right and top to bottom, as many framas as raquirad. Tha following diagrams illustrata tha mathod: Las cartaa. planchas. tablaaux. ate. pauvant Atra filmAa A das taux da rAduction diffAranta. Lorsqua la documant aat trop grand pour Atra raproduit an un saul clichA. il aat filmA A partir da I'angia supAriaur gaucha. da gaucha A droita. at da haut an baa. 9n pranant la nombra d'imagaa nAcassaira. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 m 1 THE MISSIONS OF VBM ^viuls gjisgiottarg ^atiti^. ir° 2. THE BRITISH COLUMBIA MISSION ; OH, METLAHKATLAH. •'\ IH LONDON: CHURCH MISSIONARY HOUSE. SALISBUfnt SQUAIUC, FLEET STREET. 1871. {Prieg Skepenoe.) i • !c.^r'i""*"^r *i^ ] THE MISSIONS OP THE Cl^ttrcl^ i|issi0na;rg ^atui^. N°-2. THE BRITISH COLUMBIA MISSION; OB, METLAHKATLAH. LONDON: CHURCH MISSIONARY HOUSE, SALISBURY S( JARE, PLEJJT STREET. 1871. ^ i «!ll l/lb METLAHKATLAH ; OB, ^ctt iears' Wioxk ^monq tht ^mmshttm Ix^mm ot British Calmnbk. FOURTH EDITION. i;. I! hi ''I 1C6E54 in CONTENTS. II Inthodxtctiok PAGE . 1 CHAPTER I. OEiaiN OF THE MI8SI0X. Locality of ^the Mission— Tlie Missionary leaves England- Departure from Victoria— Arrival at Fort Simpson— Commence- ment of Missionary Work ..... e > im ,._ CHAPTER II. STATE OF THE INDIANS WHEN MISSIONAEY WOEZ WAS COMMENCED AMONGST THEM. Savage Condition of the Indians— Cannibal Scene— Tlie Medicine Parties— Murder of an Indian— Previous Roman Catholic Missions —Result of these Efforts . . ... , n CHAPTER III. ME. DUNCAN'S FIEST EFFOBTS AMONGST THE INDIANS. Visits from Indian Chiefs— Visits to Indian Houses— Interest taken in the Visits . . . , . , ,17 r ^^^ CHAPTER IV. P&BAOHING COMMENCED. Visits from strange Indians— First Tsimsheean Sermon— Interested Audiences— Effect of the SermoH . . . , ,21 yi ContcnU, CHAPTER V. ooimBvcxinKT ot bohool amoxobt the TtnfSnSBAVB. PAai Oppoiition to the School Work — Sad Scenes — Accident in the School Building— Renewed Efforts in the Work— Interest felt by the Indians . . • • • • • .24 CHAPTER VI. THE OPPOSITION OP THE HEDIOINE MXIT. Opposition of the Medicine Men — Commencement of the School — Visits to Sick Iridians — Attni?k of Medicine Men on the School — Attempts to hinder the School Work — Continued Opposition — Firmness of the Missionary — 'jlie Head Chiefs Address — Tem- porary Abandonment of the School— Christmas-day Oathering — Visits to the Sick ....... 30 CLAPTER VII. PBOOBESS OP THE WOBK. Regular Preaching carried on— Arrival of Visitors at Fort Simpson —Indian Fishing Season— Desire of Indians for another Missionary — Projected Removal of the Mission — Establishment of a Mission Settlement advocated — Attack by a Chief upon the Mission School — Murder and Riot — Hopeful Death of a Young Indian — First Attempt at Printing . . ... . . 39 CHAPTER VIII. VISIT OF MB. DUNCAN TO KAAS BIVEB AND TO VICTOBIA. Interest taken in the Mission by the Governor of the Colony — Letter of the Bishop of Columbia— Indians at Fort Rupert— Mr. Dun- can's Visit to Victoria — Efforts to benefit the Indians at Victoria —Indian Feast on the <' SateUite" . . . . 48 CHAPTER IX. ABBIVAL OP BEV. L. 8. TVGWELL, AND BETUBN OP MB. DUNCAN TO POET SIMPSON. Return of Mr. Duncan to Fort Simpson — Arrival of Mr. Tugwell — Diary of an Indian Boy— Progress of the Missionary Work- Nature of the Missionary's Labonn— Determination to build Mis- sion Premises • . . * . , . . S5 Contents, TU CHAPTER X. PB0V08AL TO BBMOTB JUOU VOBT SZMFSOK. FAOB Visit to tho Keetlirahtlah Indians— Arrival at an Indian Encamp* ment— Indian Tradition — Selection of a Missionary Settlement— Ketum Home of Mr. Tugwell — Hindrances to the Work— Pro- jected Removal of the Mission — Rcgulat' v to be enforced . 61 CHAPTER XI. 30 BBMOTAL TO MBliiAHEA'^LAr Preparation for Removal —Sorrowful Titl' ^--Outbreak of Small- pox at Fort Simpson — Liberal Aid given by tbo Governor— Cbarac- ter of tho Village Government — PuUlic WcVs commenced in the Village— Proposed Purchase of o Trading Vessel— ViHit of H.M.S. •*Hecnto" and " Devastation '—Biiptism of Cannibal Ch'of- Dcath of a Chrbtian Indian — A Model Villago . . . I - CHAPTER XII. VISIT OV THE BISHOP OF COLUUBIA. Testimony of the Bishop of Columbia — Bishop's Visit to the Settle* ment— Baptism of Indians — Answers of Candidates . . 80 39 CHAPTER XIII. TISIT OF BEV. E. J. DUNDA8. Visit of Naval Officers — Tsimsheean Service — Examination of Candi- dates — Baptism of Converts — Juvenile Feast — Departure from the Village • • • • • • • •96 C JlAPTER XIV. PBOOBESS OF THE I4E" SETTLEUEyT. X Trading Department — Sundav Services — Fresh Arrivals— Indepen- dent Testimony to the Work • . • • .91 CHAPTER XV. ETAirOEUSTIC TISIT TO FOBT 8IHFS0K, AKD ABBITAL OF A N£^ XABOITBEB. Visit to Fort Simpson— Speeches of Christian Chiefs — Treatment of an Offender— Native Missionary Efforts — ^Missionary Trials . 96 Yni Contents, CHAPTER XVI. COMMENCEMEITT OF THE MISSION IN THE NAAS EIVEB. FAGB Arrival of a New Missionary — Tisit to the Nishkah Indians — ^Welcome given to the Mistionary — Heathen Feast — Missionary's Address to the Indians — Commencement of Missionary Work at Naas — Firstfrnits ....... 100 CHAPTER XVII. SECOND TIBIT OP THE BISHOP OP COIUMBIA. Bishop's Report of the Native Settlement — Celebration of the Queen's Birthday — ''Addresses by some of the Chiefs — Prosperity of the Village — ^AflSnity between Indian Languages — Testimony of a Stranger — Appearance of the Christian Village . . 107 CHAPTER XVIII. CLOSE OP THE EEVIEW. Visit of the Governor — Report of Dean Cridge— Present State of the Settlement — Visit to England of Mr. Duncan • . . 115 I ■ if- blankets to the value of hundreds of pounds, and the rarest furs, are spread out for insjJection, and then given away in succession. In some instances blankets are- torn up in narrow strips, and the pieces scrambled for by the spectators." For details respecting the nature of the countr}-, and the character of the Indians, the reader is referred to the wor': of Commander Mayne, H.N., entitled "British Columbia and Vancouver's Island," where most valuable testimony is borne to the labours of the Missionaries. It has been thought desirable to trace, by means of the Missionary's journals and letters, thu gradual ad- vance of the work since the commencement ; and thus to exhibit the difficulties which accompany the attempt B 2 Si 4 Introduction. to introduce the Gospel amongst a strange and savage race, whose language was previously unknown, and whom no Missionary had previously visited. The work has been until lately almost entirely carried on by one Missionary, and owes its present state of prosperity to the blessing of God vouchsafed to the faithful and self- denying labours of Mr. Duncan, whose communications with the Committee of the Church Missionary Society furnish most of the details which are set forth in the following pages. The review of ten years' labours will serve to show the power of God's grace, in many very stiiking instances, in turning fierce cannibals into humble and sincere Christians, and in raising a large body of people fiom the degradation of heathenism to the position of happy and contented members of a civi- lized society. May God be pleased speedily to add to their number a hundredfold ! Chuech Missioxaky House, NovtiMler, 1867. CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF THE MISSION. Locality of tJie Mission — The Missionary leaves England — Departure from Victoria — Arrival at Fort Simpson — Commencement of Missionary Work. The circumstances which originated the Mission arc such as to indicate most distinctly the guiding hand of God's providence calling upon the Church Missionarj'- Society to undertake the work. In the spring of 1856 one of the Secretaries of the Society attended as deputa- tion the Anniversary Meeting of the Tunbridge Wells Church Missionary Association. There he met Captain Prevost, R.N., who had just returned from Vancouver's Island, where his official duties had brought him into contact with the Indians living upon the adjacent coasts. The spiritual destitution of these regions had much impressed him, and led him to desire most anxiously that a Mission should be commenced amongst the Indians. Availing himself, therefore, of the opportunity offered. Captain Prevost at once entered into conversation with the Secretary on the subject of the Vancouver's Island Indians, and earnestly inquired whether some effort could not be made on their behalf. He was told that the hands of the Society were at that time more than full ; that the occupation of new and important posts, such as Constantinople, Mooltan, and the recently an- nexed kingdom of Oude, had been just decided upon ; and that there was but little hope, when so many mil- lions in India and elsewhere were calling for Missionary labourers, that the Committee would be able to assent to the proposal to establish a Mission among a compa- ratively few scattered tribes of Indians upon the shores of Korth-west America. Captain Prevost was, however, invited to draw up a paper upon the subject, with the promise that it should be inserted in one of the publica- 11 f I 6 LocaUly of the Mission. ■ 1 i I i 1 ; ■ . I tions of vho Society. This he did, and a meinorandum appeared in the " Cliurch Missionary Intelligencer " for July 1850, giving some particulars of the country within which the proposed Mission was designed to operate (which extends from about 48° of north latitude to 55°, and from the Rocky Mountains on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west) ; mentioning some facts with reference to the character of the inhabitants, which made the field a most promising one for mission- ary enterprise ; and stating that " Some naval officers who, in the discharge of their pro- fessional duties, have lately visited these regions, have been most favourably impressed with the highly intelligent cha- racter of the natives ; and, struck by their manly bearing, and a physical appearance fully equal to that of the English, whom they also resemble in the fairness of their complexion ; and having their compassion excited by their total destitu- tion of Christian and moral instruction, they feel it to be their duty to endeavour to introduce among them the know- ledge of the gospel of Christ, under the conviction that it would prove the surest and most fi-uitful source of social improvement and civilization, as well as of spiritual blessings infinitely more valuable, and would be found the only effec- tual antidote to the contaminating vices which a rapidly- increasing trade, especially with California and Oregon, is bringing in its train." This brief notice produced its results. In one of the lists of contributions published in the " Church Mission- ary Record " shortly afterwards, appears the following item — "Two friends, for Vancouver's Island, 500/." It was Captain Prevost's notice of Vancouver's Island, and the aboriginal tribes there and on the mainland, that drew forth that contribution. Just about this time Captain Prevost was appointed to the Pacific station, in command of II. M.S. " Satel- lite ;'' and, with the sanction of the First Lord of the Admiralty, he offered a free passage, and every assis- tance in his power, to any Missionary whom the Society might be willing to send with him. Thus encouraged, the Committee determined to undertake the work ; but much difficulty was experienced in finding a suitable llie Miaamiary knees England. man for the post. Time ran on, and at length only ten days remained before the sailing of the "Satellite/* when the attention of the Committee was directed to- wards Mr. Duncan, who was at the time one of the Society*^ students in the Highbury Training College. It was judged that he was one to whom might be en- trusted the responsibilities connected with this new sphere of action, and it was proposed to him that he should go. Short as the time was, he was ready, and, trusting in Him who has said, " Lo, I am with you alway," he prepared to go forth, as the first Protestant Missionary to the Indians of the British territories on the Pacific. On December 19, 1856, Mr. Duncan took leave of the Committee of the Ch'irch Missionary Society, and on the 23rd he started from Plymouth. The voyage lasted until June 13th of the following year, when the " Satel- lite " arrived at Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver's Island. Being unable at once to obtain a passage to Fort Simp- son, where he was appointed to commence his Mis- sionary work, Mr. Duncan was obliged to remain at Victoria till October, and, during this interval, was the guest of the Rev. E. Cridge, the present Dean of Vic- toria, then the only Church of England clergyman in the island. A commencement was at once made in the study of the Tsimsheean language, which was that spoken by the tribe among whom the missionary had been appointed to labour. During this period of delay he was favoured with several interviews with the Go- vernor of the colony (Mr. Douglas) who took a deep interest in the proposed Mission, and continued during his tenure of ofiice to give his cordial support to it. There were, at first, objections offered by some of the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company to Mr. Duncan's proceeding to Fort Simpson. There appeared to be a general wish on their part that he should commence his labours a'c a station called Nanaimo, upon Vancouver's Island, about eighty miles from Victoria. The reasons alleged for this were, that the Indians there had been brought more into contact with the white men, and were consequently more prepared for Missionary efforts .1- I ■ I : « I 8 Departure from Victoria. to be carried on amongst them than those at Fort Simpson, who were entirely removed from contact with European settlers, and who were considered so savage, that Mr. Duncan was told that it would be quite unsafe for him to venture outside the Fort, and that the In- dians would not be allowed to come to him within it. But far from considering this an insuperable objection , Mr. Duncan and his advisers felt that there would bo more prospect of success to his Mission if it were begun amongst a people who had been free from intercourse with white men ; and as the instructions o' Lho Home Committee, based upon the advice of Capt i Prevost, were distinct upon this point, the Missionory was allowed to proceed, and the result has shown the wis- dom of this determination. Mr. Duncan left Victoria on September 25th, on his journey to Fort Simpson. Before leaving, the Governor sent for him, and read to him the instructions hu had written for Captain McNeile, the oflBcer in charge of the Fort, with reference to him and his work, which were very gratifying to him. In them the Governor ex- plained the Mission project which was to bo set on foot for the benefit of the Red Indians of the coast ; intro- duced Mr. Duncan as the pioneer of the work ; and told Captain McNeile to admit him into the Fort, provide him with the best accommodation at his command, allow him to have his food at the Company's table, and assist him in every way he could to promote the success of the undertaking. On their journey northward, the steamer called at several stations, where Mr. Duncan had opportunities of seeing the destitute and miserable condition in which the poor Indians were living. Espe- cially was this the case at Fort Eupert, where he de- scribes the Indians as " A fine, strong, intelligent-looking people, mustering at times upwards of 1000 to 1500, including all ages. Their houses are good, strong buildings, and large. Their cloth- ing is rarely any thing but a blanket thrown over one shoul- der. They form a striking contrast to the miserable and dejected Indians of the South. Mr. Moffat, the officer in charge, gave us some heartrending accounts of their deadly Arrival at Fort Smpaon. feuds, cannibal feasts, slave-catching expeditions, and infan- ticide. Kemains of the carcases of several Queon Charlotte Islanders, whom they had recently caught and murdered, we saw on the beach, a little distance from their camp. The murder of infants, chiefly females, arose, Mr. Moffat thought from nothing more than the disiuclinntion of the mother to bring them up. I mixed a good deal with the Indians during my ?hort stay. I saw several large images in and about their houses, but I do not think that any homaga is paid to them. A few of the leading men were made to un- derstand my business. They said it was very good, and hoped soon that I should come back and stay with them. They looked rather hurt that I was passing them by." On the night of October 1st, Mr. Duncan reached Fort Simpson, and was heartily welcomed by the In- dians. He thus records his iirst impressions of his future station : — " From what I have already seen of this place, my firm conviction is that it is just the place to commence the Mis- sion. A more inviting field, I feel satisfied, cannot be found on this coast. The testimony of the oflScer here, which I have gathered incidentally, and without referring to Mis- sionary work, is exceedingly favourable. The Indians are numerous, from one to two thousand being always resident here. They are also on the increase, which is quite the con- trary with nearly all other of the Indian tribes. They are a very fiqe, robust, and intelligent race. T have already seen specimens of their skill in both the useful and fine arts, which would not shame European skill to have produced. Their superior industry is universally acknowledged by those who know them. The difference of disposition which marks them from the Southern Indians, and has caused them to bo held in such dread, is nothing more than this, that they pos- sess a greater force of will, and are perhaps more easily excited to acts of cruelty. A great deal of this manifest boldness may arise also from their conscious superiority, both in numbers and ability ; but I do not believe that any honest white man has any thing to fear from them, so far as life is concerned : perhaps property is not so secure. I have already been walking about in nearly every part of their camp, and sat down in one of their houses for nearly half an hour, and I must confess that I felt myself as safe as I did ■I 10 Commencement of Missionary Work. i among any other Indians I have seen. I find the Indians here were all aware of my coming. Their people from Vic- toria had arrived before me, and communicated the intelli- gence. Of course they are yet in the dark as to my main object ; but the chiefs have told Captain McNeile that, after the ship is gone away, which has come for the furs, &c., they will assemble to hear and consider over ray business amongst them. On that occasion I hope to be prepared to converse with them in their own tongue. If I can do without using the trading jargon, or wanting an interpreter, it will be greatly to my advantage. I hear and see signs of their wealthy condition. They being also of such an independent spirit, and avaricious for learning, I intend from the first to demand co-operation, and from that advance, if possible, to the self-supporting system." Thus arrived at Fort Simpson, Mr. Duncan at once commenced his Missionary work, so far as his present imperfect acquaintance with the language would enable him to do so. On Sunday, October 11th, he held his first service, for the benefit of those who resided with him in the Fort ; and on the 13th he commenced school, with a few half-breed boys, whom their parents were delighted to consign to him as pupils. We are not sur- prised that, in the commencement of his work, the mo- tives of the Missionary were misunderstood, as will be seen from the following extract from his journal : — " Oct. 16th, — To-day a chief called, whose principal an- xiety was to ascertain whether I intended giving dollars to the Indians to get them to send their children to school. I think I shamed iiiin a little, at least I tried to do so, for entertaining such a selfish notion. I make a practice of telling all that I shall expect them to assist in erecting a ochoolroom outside the Fort as soon as I can talk their lan- guage a little better, ai\d without exception, they assent to my request." It was not long, however, before the Indians around began to understand iha nature of Mr. Duncan's work. He writes on October 20th : — " This morni 'g I have had a little talk with aTsimsheean chief. While we were together a group of Indians and an- other chief came round, seemingly desirous to know what I Savayc Condition of the. Indians. 11 was saying. Almoat immediately my friend began to ha- rangue tbem, and continued for about ten minutes in great earnestness. He theu told me he had been telling them about me and my business, which of course I knew, for their searching looks, significant nods and happy faces told me more than that. On leaving them every countenance greeted me with a grateful smile, and c /ery voice reiterated good wishes." CHAPTEE II. STATE OF THE I^'DIAXS WHEN MISSION ARY WOEK WAS COMMENCED AMONGST THEM. Savage Conuiilon of the Indians — Cannibal Scene — The Me- dicine Pcrties — Murder of an Indian — Previous Homan • Catholic Missions — JResult of these Mjforts. Interesting as it was to Mr. Duncan to find the people SO willing to receive him, yet increasing intercourse with, them served to show how terrible was the state of degradation in which they were living. The following extract from one of his early letters gives sad evidence of tliis : — *' The other clay we were called upon to witness a terrible scene. An old chief, in cool blood, ordered a slave to be dragged to the beach, murdered, and thrown into the water. His orders were quickly obeyed. The victim was a poor woman. Two or three reasons are assigned for this foul act : one is, that it is to take away the dif^fgrane attached to his daughter, who has been suffering some time from a ball wound in the arm. Another report is, that he does not ex- pect his daughter to recover, no he has killed this slave in order that she may prepare for the coming of his daughter into the unseen world. I think the former reason is the most probable. I did not see the murder, but, immediately after, I saw crowds of p'^ople running out of those houses near to where the corpse was thrown, and forming them- selves into groups at a good distance away. This I learnt w 12 Cannibal Scene, i if U !P i Hi i was from fear of what was to follow. Prosently two bands of furious wretches appeared, each headed by a man in a state of nudity. They gave vent to the most unearthly sounds, and the two naked men made themselves look as unearthly as possible, proceeding in a creeping kind of stoop, and stepping like two proud horses, at the same time shooting' forward each arm alternately, which they held out at full length for a little time in the most defiant manner. Besides this, the continual jerking of their heads back, caus- ing their long black hair to twist about, added much to their savage appearance. Por some time they pretended to be seeking the body, and the instant they came where it lay they commenced screaming and rushing round it like so many angry wolves. Pinally they seized it, dragged it out of the water, and laid it on the beach, where I was told the naked men would commence tearing it to pieces with their teeth. The two bands of men immediately surrounded them, and so hid their horrid work. In a few minutes the crowd broke again into two, when each of the naked canni- bals appeared with half of the body in his hands. Separa- ting a few yards, they conm:enced, amid horrid yells, their still more horrid feast. The sight was too terrible to be- hold. The two bands of savages just alluded to belong to that class which the whites term ' medicine men.' The superstitions connected with this fearful system are deeply rooted here ; and it is the admitting and initiating of fresh pupils into these arts that employ numbers, and excite and interest all, during the winter months. This year I think there must have been eight or ten parties of them, but each party seldom has more than one pupil at once. In relating their proceedings I can give but a faint conception of the system as a wbole, but still a little will show the dense darkness that rests on this place. " I may mention that each party has some characteristics peculiar to itself ; but, in a more general sense, their divi- sions are but three, viz. those who eat human bodies, the dog eaters, and those who have no custom of the kind. Early in the morning the pupils would be out on the beach, or on the rocks, in a state of nudity. Each had a place in front of his own tribe ; nor did intense cold interfere in the slightest degree. After the poor creature had crept about, jerking his head and screaming for some time, a party of men would rush out, and, after surrounding him, would com- mence singing. The dog-eating party occasionally carried a Worlc of the Medicine Parties. 13 dead dog to their pupil, who forthwith commenced to tear it in the most dog-like manner. The party of attendants kept up a low growling noise, or a whoop, which was seconded by a screeching noise made from an instrument which they be- lieve to be the abode of a spirit. In a little time tlie naked youth would start up again, and proceed a few more yards in a crouching posture, with his arms pushed out behind him, and tossing his flowing black hair. All the while he is earnestly watched by tlie group about him, and when he pleases to sit down they again surround him and commence singing. This kind of thing goes on, with several different additions, for some time. Before the prodigy finally retires, he takes a run into every house belonging to his tribe, and is followed by his train. When this is done, in some cases he has a ramble on the tops of the same houses, during which he is anxiously watched by his attendants, as if they expected his flight. By-and-by he condescends to come down, and they then follow him to his den, which is marked by a rope made of red bark being hung over the doorway, so as to prevent any person from ignorantly violating its precincts. None are allowed to enter that house but those connected with the art : all I know, therefore, of their fur- ther proceedings is, that they keep up a furious hammering, singing, and screeching for hours during the day. *• Of all these parties, none are so much dreaded as the cannibals. One morning I was called to witness a stir in the camp which had been caused by this set. Wlien I reached the gallery I saw hurdreds of Tsimsheeans sitting in their canoes, which they had just pushed away from the beach. I was told that the cannibal party were in search of a body to devour, and if they failed to find a dead one, it was probabL 'hey would seize the first living one that came in their way , so that all the people living near to the can- nibals' house had taken to their canoes to escape being torn to pieces. It is the custom among these Indians to burn their dead ; but I suppose for these occasions they take care to deposit a corpse somewhere, in order to satisfy these inhuman wretches. "These, then, are some of the things and scenes which occur in the day during the winter months, while the nights are taken up with amusements — singing and dancing. Oc- casionally the medicine parties invite people to their several houses, and exhibit tricks before them of various kinds. Some of the actors appear as bears, while others wear masks, ): ' 1' 14 Murder of an Indian. II the parts of which are moved by strings. The great feature in their proceedings is to pretend to murder, and then to restore to life, and so forth. The cannibal, on such occa- sions, is generally supplied with two, three, cr four human bodies, which he tears to pieces before his audience. Seve- ral persons, either from bravado or as a charm, pret^ent their arms for him to bite. I have seen several whom he has thus bitten, and I hear two have died from the effects/* Tw(< extracts from the earliest leaves of Mr. Duncan's journal will still further show what was the savage con- dition in which he found the Indians living at the time of his first going among them. On October 7th he writes : — "Immediately after dinner the second officer of the Fort, who had not been absent more than a minute, came rushing back, to report that an Indian had just been murdered close to the Fort gates. On repairing to the gallery, I saw this shocking sight. Several Indians, with muskets in their hands, were hovering about the dying man, and one or two ventured to go near and assist him. He was shot in the right breast, and apparently dying, but seemingly con- scious of what had happened. In a few minutes two In- dians, looking as fierce as tigers, carrying muskets, cam© bounding to the spot, and, after ordering aU away, one of them immediately fired at the poor fellow as he lay on the ground, and shot him in the arm. They then as quickly bounded away. All stood exceedingly alarmed at this dread- ful tragedy, but none dared to interfere. The particulars of this foul deed are as follows : — The head chief was the mur- derer. Being irritated by some other chiefs while partly intoxicated, he vented his rage upon the first stranger that came in his way, and, after shooting him, ordered two of hia men to finish the horrible deed. His victim was a Queen Charlotte Islander, a very fine young man, who had been working for the Fort some few days. The murderer, in order to extenuate his crime, gave out that a Q.ncoa Char- lotte Islander, of the same tribe as the murdered man, had shot a brother of his about ten years ago. Such is his idea of right. But the matter does not finish here. I learn that another from the same island must be killed before the affair can be settled. The chief, under whose care the murdered man has been living, must revenge his death, in order to maintain his dignity. The victim will have to be one of the I Previous Roman Catholic Missions. 15 same people, under the protection of the present murderer. Thus does one foul deed beget a never-ending strife amongst them." On December Tth we find a similar statement : — " Yesterday (Sunday) a chief and his wife were both shot in their own house by one of their tribe, who had just been giving away his property (blankets, &c.). It is hoped that the wounds are not fatal. It seems that the chief had in- sulted the man by refusing his present, , and that simply because another chief had had a similar present made him. A conflict is likely to ensue, because the chief and his wife are not of the same tribe, that is, her people will seek to revenge her injury upon her husband's tribe, because she had nothing to do with the quarrel. The boy I employ to get me wood, &c., asked me last night if ho might stay in the Fort, as he was afraid to go outside. I have heard since that a party of men were watching for him at the gates, so that, had he gone out, he would either have been killed or enslaved, all because he belongs to this unfortunate chief's tribe." We have spoken of Mr. Duncan as the first Protes- tant Missionary who had ever been amongst these In- dians ; it ought, however, to be said the Boman Catho- lics had sent their agents amongst some of the tribes, but these had effected no real change in their condition. " The sole result of their residence among them was, that the Indians who had been brought under their influence had imbibed some notions of the Deity, almost as vague as their own traditions, and a superstitious respect for the priests themselves, whicli they showed by crossing them- selves devoutly whenever they met one. Occasionally, too, might be seen in their lodges, pictures, purporting to repre- sent the roads to heaven and hell, in which there was no single suggestion of the dangers of vice and crime, but a great deal of the peril of Protestantism. These coloured prints were certainly curious in their way, and worth a passing notice. They were large, and gave a pictorial his- tory of the human race, from the time when Adam and Eve wandered in the garden together, down to the Eeformation. Here the one broad road w^as split into two, whose course diverged more and more painfully. By one way the Boman Catholic portion of the world were seen trooping to bliss ; ff if : s 'I 16 Eemlt of these Efforts. the other ended in a steep, bottomless precipice, over which the Protestants might be seen falling. IJpon the more sensible and advanced of the Indians teaching such as this had little effect. I remember " (says Commander Mayne, E.N., from whose book on "British Columbia" this ex- tract has been made) " the chief of the Shuswap tribe, at Kamloops, pointing out to me such an illustration hanging on his wall, and laughingly saying, in a tone that showed plainly that he attached little credence to it, 'There are you and your people,' putting his fingers as he spoke on the figures tumbling into the pit." Sucli was the kind of instruction tha' these poor In- dians had received previous to 1857, and its influence upon their minds may be illustrated by what took place in that year at Victoria, where a Roman Catholic Bishop and several priests had been resident for some time, and had made some converts amongst the Songhies Indians who live there. They had erected a cross of wood in their village, and some of them huu been baptized ; but when they were requested to come to the Bishop for confirmation, they refused, unless a larger present of blankets was made to them than had been made at their baptism. The Bishop was said to have been very angry with the priests when this came to his know- ledge, and he immediately caused a large heart to be painted on canvas, through which he drew a blanket, in order to represent to the Indians a symbol of their condition. The following extract from Mr. Duncan's journal will illustrate still further the effect of this erroneous teach- ing upon the minds of the poor, ignorant Indians : — " Nov. 10. — To-day an Indian, in apparent distress, requested the Eort gatekeeper to beg of me to accompany him to his house, as two of his sons were very ill, and he wished me to do the same to them as the Komish priest on Vancouver's Isle had done for him a few years ago. I told the gatekeeper to let him come into the Fort and I would speak to him. He came, and found me commencing school. His heart seemed full of trouble. After telling me his tale of sorrow, he begged me to go to his house after school, and, to induce me to comply, he began praising his heart and his house, and offered »-ie a beaver's sldn for my trouble. He First Missionary Efforts. 17 then related the circumstances of his being sick at Victoria, and the Eomish priest bringing water, and teaching him to touch it and cross himself, &c. ; and, recovering soon after- wards, and not having been sick since, he ascribes this good providence to the efficacy of these Popish ceremonies. To show me he had not forgot the lesson, he would now and then turn his face to the wall, and, with great gravity and exactness, bend his knee, and cross himself, instantly adding, by way of bravado, that he paid the priest two dollars. Being aware that it is a df^gerous thing to administer medicines to the Indians ; yet I thought I would go at least and see the sick men, to show ray sympathy ; for my visit would not only please the old man, but serve to illustrate the difference between a Christian and a Romish priest. I went, and found the young men very ill, one in a deep consumption, and evidently near his end ; the other was suffering much, but I could not, from his appearance, tell his complaint, as he had passed through a dreadful ordeal in the hands of the medicine men. The sights produced a kind of horror in one*s breast. I was afraid to do more than look, for my touching the sick would have filled them with superstitious fancies. "When they found I would per- form no ceremonies, nor take any bribes, I heard them remarking amongst themselves that I was different from the priest at Victoria. They did not think I understood what was said." » CHAPTER III. MR. DUXCAN's first EFFORTS AMONGST THE INDIANS. Visits from Indian Chiefs — Visits to Indian Houses — Interest taken in the Visits. Though Mr. Duncan was unable at first to hold much intercourse with the Indians, as he was living in the Fort, and only slightly acquainted with their language, yet, as will be seen from the following extracts from his journal, he was employing his time diligently in c 18 Visits from Indian Chiefs, the study of the Tsimsheean dialect, and was en- couraged to find that he was being anxiously expected by them as soon as he would be able to conversp with them. "Ifov. 17. — To-day a chief called to see me who is suffering from a bad cough, and seems weanng away fast. I per- ceived he wanted to tell me something rather serious by his countenance and muttering. Like a man soon about to take a long journey, he seemed grasping for directions about the way. I made him understand that I should soon be ready to teach all the Tsimsheeans about Grod ; that I had God's book with me, which I should teach from ; and that ray object was to make them good and happy. After a little pause, he remarked (what amounted to) ' Tou are going to teach the Tsimsheeans not to shoot each other,' which to him seemed, I suppose, as great a boon as I could confer." ^^ Nov. 24. — I have had the same chief as mentioned above. He asked me if I should expect pay from the Tsimsheeans for teaching their children. A volley of good expressions was his response to my answer. I then tried again to make him understand my main object in coming here, and added some account also of what we do in the Fort on Sunday. He requested to see Shimauyet Lahlcah ShaJiounsk (' God's book'), which I showed him. His anxious gaze and sighs told me how he longed to know its contents. Again «and again I mentioned the name of our Saviour, but could do little else." " Dec. 19. — This afternoon I assembled my little boys for a breaking up for a few days. They were clean and nicely dressed, with hearts ever so joyful. The father of each boy and another visitor or two were present. We sang the children's hymns, * There is a happy land,' ' Here we suffer,' ' Jesus was born,' ' Almighty God, Thy piercing eye,' and a little round. I then gave each of them a little present, and, after a little drilling, they marched away. Their fathers seemed highly gratified. Thus I feel as though something had been done these two months. May God prosper this small beginning, and make it the earnest of a great and future harvest!" " Dec. 31. — My instructor in Tsimsheean tells me that the Indians flock to him outside to hear how I am getting on, and what I say. I hope soon to go out amongst them Vuits to Indian Mouses. 19 myself; but really the acquiring of their language, with fiuch small aid as I have, is exceedingly diflficult." At the commencement of the following year (1858) Hr. Duncan determined to pay some visits to the Indians in their own houses ; for though he was not in a position to do them much good, he thought he might thus be able to win a little of their esteem and con- fidence, and at the same time get an idea of their num- bers. For this it was necessary that he should see as many of them as possible in their houses ; and the time of his visit was favourable for this, for the depth of snow on the ground, and the severe cold, had kept them all very close. He took Clah, his Indian servant, with him, to act as interpreter ; and on January 14th he writes, — ** To-day we have finished our calls. I have been inside 140 houses, all large and strong buildings. The largest would measure, I imagine, about sixty by forty feet. One house I was not permitted to enter, as they had not finished their sorceries for the season. However, they sent me out an account of their family. In all, I counted 2156 souls, namely, 637 men, 756 women, and 763 children ; an(?, making an addition for those away procuring fuel, and those at the Fort, I estimate the sum-total of residents to be 2325, which is rather over than under the true number. The total number rendered by themselves, which of course includes all that belong to them, whether married into other tribes or living south, is 2567. These are divided into nine tribes, but all speak the same language, and have one general name — Tsirasheean. So far as I am at present able to make out, I calculate that there are seventeen other tribes, all living within fifty miles of this place, which either speak Tsimsheean or something very near to it. " It would be impossible for me to give a full description of this my first general visit, for the scenes were too ex- citing and too crowded to admit of it. I confess that cluster after cluster of these half-naked and painted savages round their fires was, to my unaccustomed eyes, very alarming. But the reception 1 met with was truly wonderful and encouraging. c 2 On entering a house I was n : 20 Interest taken in the Visits. f-' '.' ■ saluted by one, two, or three of the principal persons with * Clah-how-yah,' which is the complimentary term used in the trading jargon. This would be repeated several times. Then a general movement and a squatting ensued, followed by a breathless silence, during which every eye was fixed upon me. Afte a time several would begin nodding and smiling, at the same time reiterating, in a low tone, ' Ahm, ahm ah ket, Ahm Shimauyet' (* Good, good person, good chief). My interpreter would then ask them to let us know how many they had in their family, whicii was instantly followed by a deafening clamour. Sometimes the vociferation was so general that it was really bewildering to hear it. Every body was talking and trying to outdo the rest, and nobody was listening. This storm would be abruptly succeeded by a general hush, when I was again pleasantly but rigidly scrutinized. Of course the attempt of every body to count was a failure, and so the business at last was taken up by one of the leading persons, who generally succeeded to the satisfaction of all. While this was going on, I managed to count and class the inmates of the house, and look at the sick. In some houses they would not be content until I took the chief place near the fire, and they always placed a mat upon a box for me to sit upon. My inquiries after the sick were always followed by anxious looks and deep sighs. A kind of solemn awe would spread itself at once. " I cannot describt the condition of this people better than by saying that it is just what might be expected in savage heathen life. How dreadful to see one's fellow- creatures like this, when the blessed Gospel has been 1800 years in the world ! Only a little time ago my Indian asked me what we meant by saying ' the year 1868.' How appal- ling to my mind when I tried to make him understand the origin of this date ! I never felt the fact to be any thing like so awful before. To me it seems that this must form one of the greatest stumbling-blocks to all the present gene- ration of intelligent heathen. What can Christians in past ages have been thinking about ? and what is the present generation doing? " There is one cheering feature connected with this people which my visit has prominently shown me, and that is, that they are longing for instruction. The presence of the whites, and their own visits to the south, have shaken their super- stitions and awakened inquiry, but that is all. There is a general belief amongst them that the whites do possess some Visits from strange Indians. 21 grand secret about eternal things, and they are gasping to know it. This is the propitious moment, and Popery, I am afraid, will not be long before it comes to find a ready prey. Oh, that the people of God would awake to their duty, responsibility, and privilege I" CHAPTER lY. PREACHING COMMENCED. Visits from strange Indians — First Tsimsheea/n Sermon — Interested Audiences — Effect of the Sermon. During the following months Mr. Duncan's time was fully occupied in the study of the Tsimsheean language, and at the beginning of May he was so far advanced as to commence preparing a written address to the In- dians. At the same time he continued to receive visits from distant tribes of Indians, anxious to obtain help and instruction from him. The following extracts from his journal give evidence of the interest felt by them in his work : — " May 10. — I have had two chiefs this afternoon. One came before I had finished school, and he heard us sing and pray. After school I had a long talk (or a long attempt) with them, and found myself a little more ready with the tongue. They both heartily and often responded their * Ahm, ahm ' (good), to what I said. One said he would give me his three boys, but he himself was too old to learn." " May 23. — Last week I had a great chief to see me from Queen Charlotte's Island. He seemed exceedingly anxious that I should go and teach his people, after I had stayed a little longer among the Tsimsheeans. He pressed me to give a decided ' yes ;' but I could only afibrd him a hope. I gathered from him that there are twelve tribes on the island, and all speak the same tongue. One thing comforts me with respect to these very wild people — that is, that a great proportion of those who come here to trade understand a 22 First Tsimshcean Sermon. Nl .: I lli: : little Tsimsheean, and thus I hope, by-and-by, the work going on here will waft an influence for good amongst them." ' At length Mr. Duncan was able ^^ .-*K:e his first attempt to convey to the Indians, in their own tongue, the niessage of salvation through a crucified Saviour. He thus expresses his feelings upon this most interest- ing occasion : — "June 13: ior,t«8 a great deal of firing and shouting, but I kept on with teaching. My chil- dren seemed somewhat alarmed. The disturbance was caused by selfishness. A party of Queen Charlotte Islanders had arrived with large quantities of food to trade, and being, I suppose, very profitable lodgers, jealousy arose among the Tsimsheean tribes about entertaining them. This led to a contention, which ended in the strangers being robbed, one or two wounded, and some taken prisoners." Again, on July 5th, — " Last Saturday, the 3rd, another serious disturbance took place. A second party of Queen Charlotte Islanders were coming with food to trade. They were fired into, and one woman shot : the remainder, carrj ing the wounded woman, fled into the bush. The canoes, three in number, were robbed of every thing, and then broken up. One Tsimsheean i m I t i Ml 26 Sad Scenes. tribe took the part of the strangers, returned the fire, and shot a Tsimsheean woman dead. This brought others into the quarrel, and the firing was kept up till late ou Saturday- night, and commenced again yesterday (Sunday) morning. Eive tribes are at war. Their houses are kept shut, and the inmates remain in holes sunk for such occasions. No fires are lit, and deathlike stillness prevails, except for the firing of a gun or two now and then. A short truce seemed vo be agreed upon this afternoon. To-night they are expt . ^ ! ing the arrival of the Tsimsheean whose wife has been shot. ' Two canoes have been despatched to bring him from his hiinting. He is a very tleaperate character, and sad work is looked for on his return.'* Mr. Duncan, however, did not yield to despair, but wisely occupied himself in endeavouring to set before the poor Indians what he knew to be the only remedy for all their evils. On the 10th of July he was able to write, — " My assistant in the Indian tongue has just gone away, and, thanks be to God, another address is prepared ^r these poor heathen. I went out this afternoon to annbunee my intention of teaching the people to-morrow, and every where I met with great kindness. I visited six chiefs, and sat some time with each. All are extremely well disposed to me and my work. I had some talk about this late fight amongst them. All were ready to assent to my disapproval of such proceedings, and one chief remarked they would do better when I taught them. Another topic was the school business. One chief said I should have all the people to teach when my own house was built, but they did not like to come to the head chief's house, which I now occupy. In two houses I had some talk about drunkenness, and the bad efiects of rum drinking. One chief, with hk boy, I found learning the letters of the alphabet from « r^oce of board on which the letters were chalked -Myh. iue Uoy ia one of my most promising scholars. The chief and his wife, whose house I occupy, learn with the children, and have constituted themselves monitors of order" " July 11 : Stmdat/. — I am thankful that God has enabled mo to proclaim the Gospel once again among these poor creatures. I went, as n the first occasion, to each of the nine tribes sepa*' v . id began and concluded with 0-: 'iJi n s Ifc Accident in the School Building. 27 prayer. At my concluding prayer all knelt, or the excep- tions were rare. I observed one man refuse. He is the chief of the cannibal gang, and seems hardly to relish any of my proceedings. He sits sullen, but says nothing. I fancy he is afraid of losing his craft. I certainly hope he will very soon, for the superstition he heads is the most de- basing and heathenish of any here, and the terrible scenes he occasionally enacts are revolting in the extreme." After a few weeks the school was suspended, in con- sequence of the absence of the chief in whose house it was held. It had been used sufficiently long, however, to show that it was appreciated by both parents and children, and to make the rest of the Indians desire the extension of the privilege to the whole body ; and it was an especial source of comfort to the Missionary, amoiigst so much to depress and harass, to iind that the people seemed to have settled in their minds that he had come to do them good, and that they were ready to place confidence in him. Thus encouraged, he deter- mined at once to commence to build a school-house. The wood had arrived in a raft, and a body of Indians were engaged to assist in the building ; but scarcely had they commenced to carry the wood up the hill for the school- house, when one of the men, who had started only a minute before from the raft along with two or three more, returned to say that one of the Indians had dropped dead on the hill. In a minute or two the news ran through the camp, and several Indians began to flock to the spot, and great alarm spread on all sides. Mr. Duncan at first feared that owing to the poor In- dian's sudden call, and the superstition of the Indians with regard to such events, the confidence which he had secured among the Indians would be greatly shaken, and his work amongst them retarded. But, through God's mercy, his fears were not realized. He deemed it prudent to suspend the work for a time, but, after repeated invitations from the Indians, he resumed it on Sept. 17th, when he thus records the interest taken by the Indiana in the renewal of the undertaking : — " The time was not at all favourable, nearly all the young Indians being away at their hunting, &c. ; but as I want to * i: mn 28 Renewed Efforts in the Work. i have the school done by the time the Indiana return fop their five months' uninterrupted stay here, I determined to do what we could. Yesterday I spoke to a few on the sub- ject, and all seemed heartily glad. One old chief said to me, * Cease btmg angry now,' thinking, I suppose, my delay was occasion^ ' anger. Ho assured me he would send his men to heli^ t was quite encouraging to see how ear- nestly they expreoaed their desire for me to proceed with the work, and I may safely say the feeling was universal. This morning I went to the raft at six a.m., but only one old man was there. In a little time came other two or three, then a few more, then two chiefs. By about half- past six we mustered seven or eight workers on the raft, though several more came out and sat at their doors, Indian like, as though they wished only to look on. This seemed greatly in contrast with their expressions to me yesterday, but such is the Indian. I knew it was of no use to push, so I patiently waited. About half-past six one of the In- dians on the raft sprung to his feet, gave the word of start- ing, which is a peculiar kind of whoop, and he, with the few so inadequate to the work, determined to begin. At this I proceeded up the beach to the place for building upon, but what was ray surprise when, on returning, I met up- wards of forty Indians carrying wood. They all seemed to have moved in an instant, and sprung to the work with one heart. The enthusiasm they manifested was truly gladden- ing, and almost alarming. Amongst the number were seve- ral old men, who were doing more with their spirited looks and words than with their muscles. The whole camp seemed now excited. Eoars of encouraging words and pleasant looks greeted me on every side. Every one seemed in earnest, and the heavy blocks and beams began to move up the hill with amazing rapidity. When the Fort bell rang for breakfast they proposed to keep on. One old man said he would not eat till the work was done. However, I did not think it good to sanction this enthusiasm thus far, but sent them off to their houses. By three o'clock p.m. all was over, for which I was very glad, for the constant whooping, groaning, and bawling of the Indians, together with the difficulties of the work, from the great weight of the pieces and the bad road, kept me in constant fear." On September 20 th the actual work of building com- menced, but the employment of Indians proved a great Interest felt by the Indians. 29 undertaking : they were so full of superstition, and so dreaded the slightest reverse in the shape of an acci- dent, that they kept Mr. Duncan in continual fear for their safety. He was, however, exceedingly delighted with the thankful spirit of the Indians, and the very deep interest they universally manifested towards him and his work. There were constantly a number of lookers-on, assisting with their advice, and now and then with their hands, while their presence tended to cheer the rest on. Mr. Duncan had thought of pur- chasing bark of the Indians for the roof and boards for the floor, but he found that they had settled amongst themselves to give him boards for both, for they were not satisfied to have bark on the roof, as it was so com- monly used amongst themselves. The interest thus taken by the Indians in the school building was Very gratifying to the Missionary. " I may safely say," ho writes, " that what they have given me would have cost me 5/. to buy I had to go to every house to receive their respective donations, which were presented with a great deal of ceremony and good feeling. Many took boards off" their own roofs to give me, and some even the pieces which formed part of their bed." Mr. Duncan had now resided one year at Fort Simpson, and it was evident by this time that his work was beginning to tell upon the Indians. The following entry in his journal affords pleasing evidence of this : — " Oct. 12. — Last night was the first time I had ventured out in the camp during dark. It was to see a poor dying woman, sister to the late head chief. I had seen her three or four times before, but could do her no good : still, as her friends had come to the Fort desiring aid, I accom- panied them back. On arriving at the house, I found the sick woman laid before a large wood fire, around which some twenty Indians were squatted. After administering a httle medicine, I began speaking to them a few words which the solemn scene suggested. I pointed out to them our condition and only remedy in Jesus our adorable Saviour, adding, too, upon what conditions we are saved by Him. They all understood what I said, and two of the women ^ 30 Oj)po8itwn of the Medicine Men. that sat close at the head of the sick person very earnestly- reiterated to her my words, and questioned her, if she un- derstood them. It was, I think, the most solemn scene I have witnessed since I have been here. Before I went away one woman said that she and her people did not know about God, but they wanted to know, and learn to be good." M n^t « S5 !.■■{. CHAPTER VI. THE OPPOSITION OF THE MEDICINE MEN. Opposition of the Medicine Men — Commencement of the School — Visits to Sid Indians — Attack of Medicine Men on the School — Attempts to hinder the School Work — Continued Opposition — Firmness of the Missionary — The Head Chiefs s Address — Temporary abandonment of the School — Christmas-day Gathering — Visits to the Sick. We have spoken of the effects of the school work amongst the Indians ; one of the most encouraging fea- tures in connexion with it was the blow which was given to their great superstition — the medicine work — which here, as among other branches of the Bed In- dians, had attained such a hold ovor the minds of the people. No sooner had Mr. Duncan set up his school, and commenced work in it, than the opposition of the medicine men commenced. They saw that if the Mis- sionary work progressed, " their craft was in danger of being set at nought,'* and so they determined to use their utmost endeavours to thwart and hinder it. On November 16th Mr. Duncan writes, — "My heart was gladdened to-day by the chiefs of one tribe coming to my house to say that they had made up their minds to abandon their sorceries, or medicine work. Since then I have heard of another tribe that has made the same resolution ; and on a visit to nn old chief yesterday afternoon, I gathered from him that his tribe were medi- tating the same thing. Thus I feel tliankful to God that Commencement of the School. 31 was rk— Iii- the lool, the Mis- er of use On ' one e up ivork. e the ?rday nedi- that one heathenish custom, and that one decidedly the most gross and deeply rooted, is tottering, and ready to Ml, since three tribes out of the nine here have already declared against it. Whenever I speak against this medicine mak- ing, as it is called, I am sure to be reminded of its long existence as a custom of great importance among them." On November 17th the school building was finished, and on the 19th work began. The following extracts from the Missionary's journal will show that the chief hindrances to its progress arose from the superstition of their medicine men : — " Nov. 19. — Through the mercy of God, I have begun school to-day. It has been a strange day to me, but the Lord helped me through. In the morning I plainly saw that a superstitious fear was spreading powerfully among the Indians ; crowds wanted to come to school, but who were to be the first to venture ? Here I reaped the fruit of my few weeks' labour in the chieFs house during last summer. The little flock I had there eagerly enough rushed to the school when they saw me coming, and one even gladly mounted the platform, and struck the steel for me, to call his more timid companions to the place. 1 had arranged to have the children in the morning, and the adults in the afternoon ; but I now see reason to change that plan, and have all together, at least for a while. My first start was with only fifteen children ; but, before we had finished, we mustered about seventy. In tlie afternoon came about fifty adults, and fifty children. I am very thankful that I am able to say there is amongst the Indians a great stir of opinion against their heathenish winter customs, and four of the tribes out of nine have, indeed, cut them off". Those tribes which still adhere to them are carrying them on ex- ceedingly feebly ; so much so, that I am assured by all whom I speak to about the matter, tliat what I now see is really nothing compared with what the system is when properly carried out. They tell me that they feel afraid to cast the custom away all in one year, but would rather that part should do so this year, and the rest next ; so, according to this, I sincerely hope that this is the last winter any of these savage practices will be seen." '* Nov. 25. — This morning about 140 children, and, in the afternoon, about 120. Adults seldom vary from about fifty each time. I am glad to see already an improvement in •*^mi zi Visits to Sick Indiana. h !' 1 : kg m their appearance, so far as cleanliness is concerned. I in- spect them daily. Some few have venturied to come with their faces painted, but we have less of it daily. A good many, too, have cast away their nose-rings, yet some come who have very large ones in use still. I visited three sick persons to-day, and was able to speak to two about our Saviour. One of them had been very anxions to see me, and when I went he said he had refused to call in the medi- cine men to operate upon him, and begged very earnestly for me to give him a little of my medicine. This is the first instance that has come under my notice in which the power of their medicine men or women has been slighted ; for, as a whole, these people place implicit confidence in these lying wonder-workers." ^^ Nov. 29. — After school-teaching was over this morning a chief remained behind. He had a serious diflBculty. His peo} e, who had decided before to give up their medicine- working, were beginning to repent of their decision. Ac- cording to the chief's statement, they professed themselves unable to leave off what had been such a strong and univer- sal custom among them for ages. He heard my remarks, and then set off, seemingly satisfied that I was right, and, I hope, in a mind determined to hold on its present improved course. I had some talk with another chief to-day on tiie same subject of medicine- work. He and his people seem steadfast in their purpose to cut the abominable system off: still he says he feels very much ashamed when he comes into contact with their chiefs who are carrying it on. I laboured to set before him the way of salvation, and he gave me serious attention, and looked eager to learn." " Dec. 1. — I was told to-day, by the manager of the Fort, that the head chief of the Indians (Legaic) is going to ask me to give up my school for about a month, his complaint being, that the children running past his house to and from school tend to unsettle him and his party in working their mysteries. After school, a chief, who is a regular scholar, came to inquire whether I had promised to close the school during the medicine season, as a report to that effect was afloat. I see now, that although I have been a^ areful as possible not to give unnecessary offence, yet a storm is in the horizon. I must prepare for fierce opposition, and that from the chief I had least expected." " Dec. 6. — Yesterday I passed a group of the medicine folks on the beach, when I was returning from visiting some '^\ Attack of Medicine Men on the School. 33 flick people in the evening. A large party were standing locking at a naked youth tearing a dead dog to pieces with ills teeth. The party kept up a horrid kind of bellowing. When the dog-eater saw me he turaed away. It is against all law for any to pass by or move about near to the place when these medicine folks are outside." Dec. 14. — I bless the Lord for His gracious care of me this day. As I went through part of the camp on my way to the school this morning I met a strong medicine party full in the face. They seemed ashamed and confounded, but I quietly walked on. Their naked prodigy was carrying a dead dog, which he occasionally laid down and feasted upon. While a little boy was striking the steel for me at school, some of the party made their appearance near the school, I imagine, for all at once the boy began to be irregular and feeble in his strokes, and when I looked up at him I saw he was looking very much afraid. On inquiring the cause, he told me the medicine folks were near. I told him to strike away, and I stood at the door of the school. Some few stragglers of the medicine party were hovering about, but they did not dare to interfere with us. When all were assembled, and the striking ceased, my adult pupils com- menced a great talk. I had seen, as they came in, there was something serious on their minds. After a little time, a chief came and told me that the Indians were talking bad outside, by which I understood that the medicine folks had been using more threats to stop us. However, I quickly stopped the consultation, and got them on at work. On leaving school I came into contact with the same medicine party which I met on going to school. I almost hesitated about proceeding, but the Lord did not let me halt. The medicine men were ashamed to meet me, and so took a short turn. They then became very much scattered, some hung behind, the charm seemed broken, and all seemed lost. On nearing the Port I met one of the most important men in the medicine business, a chief, and father of one of the little boys that are being initiated. I spoke to him. He stopped, and I then told him how angry God is to see such wicked- ness as he and his party were carrying on ; and also how grieved I was to see it. He spoke very kindly, and told me that if they did not make their medicine men as they had always been used to do, then there would be none to stop or frustrate the designs of those bad men who made people sick, and therefore deaths would be more numerous from D «-i1 34 Attempts to hinder the School Work. the effects of the evil workings of such bad men. I told him, if they put away their wicked ways, then God would take care of them. He did not say much more, except assuring me it was the intention of all soon to do as I wished them, but at present the medicine parties must go on. I learned shortly afterwards, from the chief officer of the Fort> that this very man and another had just visited the Fort to tell him they would now be content if I would stay school for a fortnight, and after that they would all come to be taught ; but if I did not comply, they intended stopping me by force, for they had determined to shoot at my pupils as they came to the school. I had a long talk to two of the officers about the matter, giving them plainly to understand that I did not intend in the least degree to heed the threats of the Indians, but go on with my work I would, in spite of all. I told them that Satan had reigned long enough here : it was high time his rule should be disturbed (as it is) . I went^ of course, to school as usual this afternoon. About ninety pupils were present. lAfter we had done, a chief who was present began to address them, encouraging them to con- tinue. After he had done I began to speak on the matted to them. I was afraid I should not be able to convey my feelings to them in their own tongue, yet, thanks be to God, I was enabled to do so. The effect I desired was produced : they all re-assured me of their continuing, come vfhat would." " Dec. 20. — This day has been a great day here. I have heartily to thank that all-seeing Father who has covered me and supported me to-day. The devil and wicked men leagued to overthrow me this day, but the Lord would not have it so. I am still alive. This morning the medicine party, who are carrying on their work near to the school, broke out with renewed fury, because, as they assert, the child of the head chief had just returned from above. The little boy that lights my fire came in great excitement to tell me that the head chief was not willing for me to have school to* day, and was anxious to know if I intended going. He seemed greatly amazed at my answer. On going to school^ I observed a crowd of these wretched men in a house that I was approaching. When they turned to come out, they saw me coming, and immediately drew back until I had passed. As soon as I got into the school, the wife of thd head chief came to beg me to give up school for a little time. She was certainly very modest in her mann^. snd a Continued Opposition. 815 request, but altogether unsuccessful. I spoke to her a little, and then she said (what I knew to be false) that neither she nor her husband desired to go on with the medicine-work, for they often cried to see the state of things, but it was the tribe that urged them to do what they were doing. When she saw she could prevail nothing, not even so much as to prevent striking the steel, which they have a peculiar hatred for, she left me. I then went up the ladder and struck the steel myself, as I did not like to send a boy up. Very soon about eighty pupils were in the school, and we went on as usual. " This afternoon a boy ran to strike the steel, and net many seconds elapsed before I saw the head chief (Legale) approaching, and a whole gang of medicine men after him, dressed up in their usual charms. The chief looked very angry, and bade the boy cease. I waited at the door until he came up. His first effort was to rid the school of the few pupils that had just come in. He shouted at the top of his voice, and bade them be off". I immediately accosted him, and demanded to know what he intended or expected to do. His gang stood about the door, and I think seven came in. I saw their point : it was to intimidate me by their strength and frightful appearance ; and I perceived the chief, too, was somewhat under the influence of rum. But the Lord enabled me to stand calm, and, without +he slightest fear, to address them with far more fluency, in : c ;r tongue, than I could haye imagined possible — to tell them of their sin faithfully — to vindicate my conduct — to exhort them to leave their bad ways, and also to tell them they must not think to make me afraid. I told them that God was my master, and I must obey Him rather than them, and that the devil had taught their fathers what they were practising, and it was bad • but what I was teaching now was Q-od's way, and it was good. Our meeting lasted for more than an hour. I saw a great many people at a distance looking anxiously at our proceedings, the school door being open. The chief expressed himself very passionately, now and then breaking out into furious language, and showing off" his savage nature by his gestures. Sometimes I pacified him by what I said, for a little time; but he soon broke otii again with more violence. Towards the close of the seen©, two of the confederates, yile^looking fellows, went and whirfi pered something to him, upon which he got up from a seat he had just sat do^u upon, stamped his feet on the fioor^ D 2 I i ■1 5 X ;;i i i; m ■.:■ i il 36 The head Chiefs Address. 'I raised his voice as high as he could, and exhibited all the rage ^Qd defiance and boHness that he could. This was all done, I knew, to intimidate me, but, blessed be God, he did not succeed. Finding his efforts unavailing, he went off, but not before he had been almost deserted by his £^ang. As he went away; he kept addressing those who had been witnesse'i ; but none seemed to heed him or give any encou- ragement. After this I shut the door, and found sixteen scholars presently around me, and we commenced work. We had not gone on long before the chief returned to the school. He gave a loud knock on the door with a stick. I went to open it, and my pupils began to squat about for shelter. When he came in I saw he was in rather a diffe rent mood, and he began to say that he was not a bad ma to the white people, but that he had always borne a good character with them : this he could prove by papers contain- ing his character, given him by the oflBcers of the Fort. After this he despatched his wife in great haste to fetch the papers. When they came, I read them, and then he foon left us again. It was now time to leave school, so we concluded by singing — * Jesus is my Saviour, for Jesus died for me ; I love Jesus because He first loved me.' All ap- peared solemn, and when they went away they wished me good night. "The leading topics of the chiefs angry conversation were as follows : — He requested four days' suspension of the school; he promised, that if I complied, he and his people would then come to school ; but threatened if my pupils continued to come on the following days, he would shoot at them ; lastly, he pleaded, that if the school went on during the time he specified, then some medicine-men, whom he expected on a visit shortly from a distant tribe, would shame, and perhaps kill him. Some of his sayings during his fits of rage were, that he understood how to kill people, occasionally drawing his hand across his throat to show me what he meant ; that when he died he knew he should go down ; he could not change ; he coul4 not be good ; or, if I made him good, why then he supposed he should go to a different place from his forefathers: this ho did not desire to do. On one occasion, whilst he was talking, he looked at two men, one of them a regular pupil of mine, and the other a medicine man, and said, 'I am a murderer, and so are you, and you ' (pointing ta each of these men ) ; * and what good is it for us to ootnfd io school* Here X broke in, and go Temporary Abandonment of the School. 37 blessed be God, it gave me an opportunity of telling the three murderers that pardon was now offered to them if they would repent, and amend, and go to Jeflus our Saviour. After school I took the opportunity of sper.king again to the one who comes to the school, setting thd mercy and love of God before him, and the terms upon which God will now pardon and save us. He seemed very solemn, and I hope the truth will sink into his heart." This conduct on the part of the head chief was the more discouraging, inasmuch as he had, in the first in- stance, as we have seen, given up his own house for the school. So persistent, however, was his hostility at this time, and so great were the difiiculties in the way of attending school, that Mr. Duncan was at length obliged to close the new buildiixg, and another chief having ojffered him the use of his house for a school, where the children and others would not be afraid to come, he readily availed himself of his kindness, and thus re- marks in his journal on the steady progress of the work: — " Dec. 21. — I have had school to-day in the chief's house. About 100 scholars attended. A medicine party &om a distant tribe has arrived to-day, and caused great stir among the parties here. In one house to-night, where I dropped in, I found about fifteen quietly sitting over the fire, two or three of whom were interesting the rest by going over the reading lesson of the day, which they had written on a slate I hod lent them." " Dec. 23. — I am told that the head chief is still doing, or rather saying, all he can to hinder my work. Tester- day, at a feast of the mediciae parties, he gave a speech full of bitter feelings towards us. I hear, too, he is taunt- ing the chief who has lent me his house." " Dec. 24. — At the close of school work thia morning I gave my audience an address on the coming Christian festi- val, which has hitherto only been distinguishable to the Indians as a time of riot and drunkenness among the whites. While in school there was a frightful outburst of the medi- cine parties, setting the whole of the camp lound about into a kind of terror. A party were on the beach with their naked prodigy when I went out of the school, but oa seeing me they immediately ran into a house until I got ^■1 %\ TT CJmstmaS'day Gathering, past. I hear that the chief of the medicine-party strangers, who have arrived lately here, has proposed to try the strength of my medicine, which means, he will try how strong I can talk, or whether I can resist his strong talk and his imaginary evilin;'aence." " Dec. 25 r Christmas-day, — Yesterday I told my scholars ix) bring their friends and relatives to school to-day, as I -wanted to tell them something new. "We numbered over -200 souIl. I tried to make them understand why we dis- tinguished this day from others. After this I questioned the children a little, and then we sang two hymns, which we al.'jo translated. "While the hymns were being sung, I felt I must try to do something more, although the language aeemed to defy me. I never experienced such an inward burning to speak before, and therefore I determined to try an extemporaneous address in Tsfmsheean. The Lord helped me : a great stillness prevailed, and, I think, a great deal was understood of what I said. I told them of our condi- tion, the pity and love of God, the death of the Son of God on our account, and the benefits arising tc us therefrom. X then exhorted them to leave their sins and pray to Jesus ; warning them of the consequences if they refused, and told *h*ini of the good which would follow to tLv-ira on obedience. 'On hearing me enumerate the sins of which they are guilty, I saw some turn and look at each other with those signifi- •cant looks which betokened their assent to what I said. I itried to impress upon them the certain ruin which awaits them if they proceed in th^^r present vices. Very remark- ably, an illustration corrobo rating what I said vras before their eyes. A poor woman was taken sick, not iour yards from where I stood, and right before the eyes of my audience. She was groaning under a frightful affliction, the efifect of her vices." *''** Dec. 28. — One man came to-day to return thanks to mo for giving him a little medicine, which, he says, has been the means of his recovery from sickness. It is rather an inte- resting case to me, because this person is the first, so far as I know, who, being dangerously ill, has refused to call in the aid of the medicine folks, from a conviction they cou^d do him no good, but only told him lies. Having recovered without them, he is making a great talk about it." " Dec. 29. — After school to-night I went to take a little medicine to a sick man, anc^ found in his house a group of Indians of the tribe -which have lately sent a party of medi- E^fiSMM.il...i„.*»^.* .HO Visits to the Sick. 39 cine-men here to show themselvea off. I therefore felt an increased desire to set the Grospel forth oii this visit, that these poor creatures might go back and tell their people something of the glad tidings they had heard. Their village is about eighty to one hundred miles away from hern, I think. For some time I could not begin : however, I would not go away, but stood musing and praying, my heart burix- ing, but full of misgiving. At last an opportunity was afforded me, and I began, and, by God's blessing, I was enabled to set the Gospel clearly and fully before them, that is, as to the essential and first great truths of it. While I was speaking, one or two would make remarks as to the truth and reasonableness of what I said. Several times one man exclaimed — j^hm melsTi ! Ahnz melsTi ! * Good news ! good news !' And another, when I had done, said, Shim- how, which means * lu is true,' and it is adequate, in their way of speaking to ' Aoien,' ' I believo.' They all seemed thankful for my visit, and I hope the Lord will bless it. I tried to enforce tho duty of love and obedience to God, by alluding to the attachment and obedience they expected from their children. To this they agreed, and fully believed the Indians would not be long before they would be alto- gether changed." I - I CHAPTER VII. PROGRESS OF THE WORK. , Begular PreacMvg earned on — Arrival of Visitors at Fort Simpson— Indian Fishing Season — Desire of Indians for another Missionary/ — Projected removal of the Mission — Estallishment of a Mission Settlement advocated-^ Attack hy a Oiief upon the Mission School — Murder and Biot — IlopefuX Death of a young Indian — First attempt at I'rinting. At the commencement of the nev/ year (1859) Mr. Duncan returned to hia own. school-house, which, as we have aeen, he had been compelled to abandon for ^ ^ :4 i 40 Regular Preaching carried on. time, in consequence of the opposition of some of the Indians. The medicine parties, as a whole, had ceased all open opposition, but continued to do what secret mischief they could. The head chief especially, of whom better things had been at first expected, proved, as we have seen, one of the great adversaries of the Mission work, stamping all Mr. Duncan's teaching as lies, and endeavouring to set others against him; but at the opening of the year we nevertheless find him writing : — " "We have had school new for about seven weeks. The enemy has done what he could to overthrow us, but, by God's mercy, we continue and prosper. Good eflfects are already apparent in the camp. Only last week the chief officer was noticing to me, with much wonder, the several changes that have taken place. He observed what very little medicinal working had been going on, and no murder committed. He emphatically stated, ' This is the quietest winter Fort Simpson has ever known.' In the face of this there has been more rum in the camp than has ever been known before at one time; and at the commencement of the winter, because such large quantities of rum had ar- rived, the officer predicted dreadful things, none of which, however, thank God, have taken place. At the same time the preaching was carried on, the proceedings being — singing, saying simple hymns, and repeating, in the native tongue, answers to a series of questions in religious truth, followed by a short address in their own tongue, and concluded with singing and a short prayer. Much interest was taken by the Indians in these simple services. Thus on Sunday, February 20, we find Mr. Duncan recording : — "During my address this morning I observed one man (a spirited, bad man he is) to be very uneasy, and, after a little time, he shouted out something which I did not understand, but, from his looks and tone of voice, I knew it was some- thing bad he had uttered. I went on as if nothing had happened. He looked enraged at me, and then hid his face in his blanket. Occasionally he would give me another severe look, and then put down his head again. When we stood up to pray he moved to the door. I went on, and he kept still. On finishing, he walked up to a woman and whispered something in hep ear, and then very quickly die- Arrival of Visitors at Fort Simpson, 41 appeared. As I was walking from school one of the little boys told me that this man had been talking bad ; and after- wards I inquired of a man that was present what it was all about, and he told me that the man thought that I was speaking about him, and telling the people his bad ways, and he was ashamed." Again, on Sunday, February 27 : — " About 150 souls present at school this morning. I gave an address in simple English, which many, I feel persuaded, can now understand. I frequently observed those who un- derstood interpreting to their neighbours who were not so able to comprehend. This afternoon I visited eleven houses, and received many a grateful look and word. On leaving one house I heard a voice crying out after me, AUahmautk, Allahmautkf * Saviour, Saviour.' Frequently I have to check their praises, and tell them tf thank God, and not me, for what I do for them." On February 28th the steamer arrived at the Fort, bringing, among other visitors, the Rev. E. Dow 4on, a Missionary of the Gospel Propagation Society to the Indians of Vancouver's Island. Mr. Duncan thus alludes to the visit paid by them to his school : — " March 3. — To-day I had five gentlemen from the steamer at school to witness our proceedings. One was the Rev, R. Dowson ; another the master of H.M.S. * Satellite ;' and the other three, the Hudson Bay Company's officers. More than 300 were at school. It was a great and notable day in this camp, and will long be remembered. The gentlemen seemed and expressed themselves greatly amazed and gratis fied at what they had witnessed. The remarks afterward made by Mr. Dowson were, * "Well, it is truly wonderful ;' * Seeing is believing ;' * What I have seen has given me great encouragement.' He had been told by the people of Vic- toria of the impossibility to benefit the Indians. He now sees it can be done, and feels very glad he has made this visit. Mr. Dowson considers the first great difficulties of this Mission are gone. What is wanted now is only to follow up what is begun." " March 8. — I had a long and serious talk to-day with some of the chiefs and leading men here against the ruinous and hateful practices of their people — rum-drinking and prostitution. Very frequently I heard their Shimhow pro- i (■ 4«. Indian Fishing Season, nounced, which means they believed what I said, and I hope, indeed, my words will not be lost upon them. The Indians are preparing now to leave for their spring fishing and grease making, which constitutes by far the most labo- rious and profitable undertaking in the year to them, that is, as a people. The fish (a small species, about six inches long) are taken in very laige quantities in a river about forty miles from here. They arrive about the 20th of March every year, and never vary over a week in their time of coming. Tor about two months Indians from every quarter assemble there to take the fish and make grease from them. The chief officer says he has seen over 5000 Indians there at one time. I had determined not to commence school again until this important season has set in, and then to go on with the few who are left here. I want to prove no hindrance to their procuring food as has been their custom. Several have asked me whether they are to take their chil- dren to fish, or whether they are to leave them here to attend school. I invariably recommend them to go, for if distress for food were to arise by-and-by, there would be many among them ready enough to put me and the school down as the cause. Besides, I need a little time for study and preparation, especially to compose a series of reading- lessons, and print them in large letters on cartridge paper." " March 17. — Most of the Indians have now left for the fishery. I hear that ray talking to them about the^!r evil and ruinous conduct, especially that of the women, has Caused a great stir amongst them. There has been a meet- ing at the head chiefs house, where my arguments were talked over and approved. The head chief sent a man to tell me that he wished I would speak strong against their bad ways (leaving Tiis alone, I suppose), and he would second what I said with strong speeches. He also wishes to come to school. Who would have thought it, after show- ing such opposition as he has ?" " April 6.— The head chief was at school to-day. His looks show that he well remembers his past base conduct, but I try to disregard the past, and show him equal kindness with the rest." " May 24. — Last time the ship came from Victoria, my dear friend, the Eev. E. Cridge, kindly sent me twelve illus- trated Scripture lessons. To-night my adult class (about twenty) were reading the lesson of the flood, and the picture showed Noah and his family sacrificing, when they returned rnSSttrliil"* fcgnftf 111 lis Desire of Indians for another Missionary. 43 thanks to God for their deliverance. In that religious act the Indians at once recognized an old custom of their own, and seemed quite astonished. I cannot describe the encou- raging feeling this circumstance supplied. I had at once a capital stepping-stone from their own system to lead to the great Sacrifice and Lamb of God. It was quite a new light to them. They saw an evident reason for the custom of sacrificing, and some reason for my setting forth a Saviour who had died for us." About this time the project of establishing a separate Missionary settlement for the Christian natives first came forward. It is alluded to, as will be seen in the follow- ing journal extracts : — " June 21. — I had some talk with a chief, who entreated me to beg for another Missionary, and to remove the well- disposed Indians and their children away to some good land about thirty miles from here, that they might thus escape the present scenes of wickedness." " June 30. — The old chief mentioned above came again to-day (knowing that I was writing letters to send away), and again urged his former requests for another Mission- ary, and for a separation to be made in the camp. He added that' the Indians are willing to give me their chil- dren to teach and bring up as I wish, but the grown people think it is good for them to die as they are. I endeavoured to dissuade him from the latter and distressing part of this resolution, and told him that God would judge us according as our privileges had been. On asking him why he did not come to my house to be instructed out of God's word on the Sunday, he told me that his daughter, who is one of my most regular scholars, never failed to tell him what she learnt." " July 28. — I had four chiefs at school to-day. One of them, an old man, named Neeslakkahnoosh, is the man who has so frequently expressed a desire of separating the chil- dren and well-disposed Indians from the general mass of the camp. It being the first time he had paid us a visit to the school (though I often have him at my house in the Fort), he brought me a present, which he tendered me when I had given him a seat. It was a carved spoon of his own workmanship, and which must have taken hinj a long time to have made, on account of his age and dimness of sight." iiis - 44 Projected removal of the Mission. The subject at length became, in Mr. Duncan's mind, of so great importance to the progress of his work, that he addressed the following letter to the Parent Com- mittee upon it : — " July 1, 1859. — I wish to bring before you a question which is occupying my thoughts a great deal at present. It is this — What is to become of the children and the young people under instruction, when temporal necessity compels them to leave school ? If they are permitted to slip away from me into the gulf of vice and misery which everywhere surrounds them, then the fate of these tribes is sealed, and the labour and money that has already been spent for their welfare might as well have been thrown away. The more thinking part of the Indian people themselves see this, and are asking, nay craving, a remedy. The head chief of one tribe (a very well disposed old man) is constantly urging this question upon me, and begs that steps may be taken which shall give the Indians that are inclined, and especially the children now being taught, a chance and a help to become what good people desire them to be. In the present state of affairs no real or permanent good, in my humble opinion, can be effected. " Victoria, although it is 500 miles away, will always prove the place of attraction to these tribes, and, to many, even much further away. There they become demoralized, and filled with disease ; and from thence they return, Icden with rum, to spread scenes of horror too awful to describe. It is easy to see that if this state of things receive no check, then ruin, utter ruin to the^-x all is not far distant. Numbers, even now, are beyond the reach of hope, being impregnated with disease, and enslaved to their vicious courses. But hope looks up, and says there is a generation of them left as yet uncontaminated by these self-destroying vices, and to the rescue of these, at least, wo Would beckon the efforts of the Christian. "And now permit me humbly to suggest how I think Christian effort ought to be directed. At once I say a colony ought CO be established on some spot where industry would be taught and rewarded, and where intoxicating drinks should be excluded. Such a spot exists (the Indians are frequently talking about it to me) about thirty miles from here ; and a goodly band of well-disposed Indians, I feel sure, are ready to engage hand and heart in the work ; and Establishment of a Mission Settlement advocated, 45 I several adults, who look upon their own case as hopeless, are exceedingly anxious about their children. They desire to hand them over to me (or, to use their own words, to pive them to me) to teach and bring up in my way, which, they see, is good. Now if such a place as I have spoken of were established, then we might reasonably expect the Gos- pel tree to take root, and, when once rooted, it would spread forth its branches of peace on every side, until all the land basked under its shadow. If no such place is established, then I fear I must live and see the dear children I have taught destroy 1 before my eyes." "We shall have occasion again to return to the impor- tant subject contained in this letter ^ ; but, previously to this, we add a few more extracts from Mr. Duncan's journal of this date, which show the progress of his work, and the difficulties with which he had to contend. " Auff. 18. — Having a good deal of writing to do in the books which I write for my pupils for home lessons, I announced we would have no school in the afternoon of to- day. After dinner a loud and an unusual knock was given at the door. I opened it. It was a chief bringing me the broken lock of the school, and the sad intelligence that Cushwaht (a notoriously bad man), being drunk, had with an axe broken my door open, entered the school, and smashed all the windows. The chief then entered into a passionate explanation of the cause of this foul deed, and assured me that Cushvaht stood alono in the mischief: not another Indian would have dared o? *'jiought of such a thing. Very soon several other Indian^ .ame, some to bring me the uten- sils of the school, and others to tender their sympathy. Thus it has pleased the Lord to permit us to have another check ; but I trust and pray He will make it administer good. This is the explanation. The Indian that did the mischief has a bad leg, and had sent to the Fort to beg a little salve for it, but it was refused on account of his bad conduct, he having only a few days ago struck a woman who lives in the Fort with a sword, and wounded her severely, and for no cause. Being denied the salve, and under the influence of rum, he went, Indian-like, to revenge himself on what came readiest of the white man's property, and that happened to be the school. Here is the good providence of God in ordering m m m JJi:l:S ;f:;j * Vide page 72. M ^if 46 . Attack by a CJmfon the Mission School. that I and my scholars were not to be in the building when the wicked savage was to vent his rage upon it. Had we been assembled, I tremble to think what might have been the consequences. The chief who came to my house to bring me the lock, &c., entreated me not to go outside the Port, as the enraged villain might fire upon me ; but I felt assured that the Lord would protect me while in the path of duty. On seeing me on the beach, several Indians came to speak with me, to tender their sympathy and express their anger with the man. I remember an old man saying * the whole camp was crying, and many guns were ready and waiting for the villain if he dared to appear.' I entreated them not to shed his blood ; that it was very wrong indeed what he had done, buc I was inclined to pity and forgive him. One house I had to go to was the next but one to that occupied by Cushwaht. On approaching it, many thought probably I was going to see him. They looked very much alarmed, expecting, no doubt, that firing would ensue. But on seeing me enter the house where the sick person was, many fol- lowed me, among whom was the wife of the mischievous rascal. I never alluded to my own troubles or wrongs, but applied myself to the case of the poor invalid, whose state was indeed alarming." " Sept. 15. — Some sad work has occurred in the camp this afternoon. A young man, an Indian, under the influence of drink, irritated one of the chiefs, who was also partly drunk. The chief immediately seized a pistol, and shot the brother of the man who had offended him. Then commenced a series of encounters, and two more were killed. The firing is going on, and ouite close to the school-house." - 7 J. " Sept. 19. — Another very serious disturbance to-day. As I went to che school-house, to see about repairing it, I ob- seryed that some of the Indians of one tribe were having a rum feast. On nearing the house of the man who broke the school windows (Cushwaht), I saw that his house was the point of attraction, and, from what I heard, concluded that a good many were already drunk within. I had nothing but civility shown me, both in going and returning, although I passed some that were drunk. I had only just got back to the Eort, when a quarrel took place in Cushwaht' s house, and Cushwaht himself, as usual, the cause of it. It was not long before firing ensued. Two women have been.killed^ one of them Cushwaht's sister, and Cushwaht has been shot in the hand. These murders and riots are all tending very Murder and Riot. 4T powerfully to awaken the minds of those who have heen under instruction, and to wean them more and more from this place of darkness. I find many flock around me now to speak of their trouble, and they listen with much more attention and seriousness to the Gospel message. I have been for some time desiring to speak to the cannibal chief. To-day the opportunity was afforded me, and I had some talk with him. This man heads the most degrading super- stition this people have got ; but he is a young man, and has a noble look. It will be a hard struggle if he ever sets himself to escape from the meshes of that horrid custom which he has taken upon himself to perpetuate ; but I hope and pray God may give him light and strength for the con- flict, and bring him clothed and in his right mind to the feet of Jesus." " Oct. 10. — A very solemn event has taken place this evening. I was informed, on comliig out of the school this afternoon, that a young man, who Las been a long time suffering in consumption (brought on by n severe cold), and whom I have visited several times, wa? dying ; so, after a little reflection, some misgiving, and prajer, I started off to see him. I found him, as his wife had said, dying. Over twenty people were about him ; some were crying, and two, I am sorry to say, were partly intoxicated. I looked on for some time in silent sorrow. When I wished to speak, silence immediately ensued. I rebuked the noise and tumult, and directed the dying man to fix his heart on the Saviour Jesus, to forget the things about him, and spend his little remaining time in praying in his heart to God to save him. His reply was, ' yes, sir ; O yes, sir ;' and for some moments he would close his eyes, and seem absorbed in prayer. On one occasion he spoke of his heart being happy or resigr.cjd. I could not make out the exact expression, as there was some talking at the time, and the remark was in Tsimsheean. He begged me, with much earnestness, to continue to teach his little girl. He wanted her to be good. This little girl is about seven years old : her name is Cathl. She has been very regular at school since I commenced, and has made nice progress. Much to my comfort, a young woman sat by his side, who has been one of my most regu- lar pupils. She is in the first class, and can read portions of the Bible. Her intelligence is remarkable, and I have observed her to be always listening to religious instruction. Thus, here was one sitting close to the dying man who ,1^ ' ^ ! i v.i , Vi ■■ It; .; f. i ':. \ * ;■. ;-5 :'' 1 ; ;.". I>< \t i 48 Hopeful Death of a young Indian, %; could tell him, much more accurately than I, the few direc- tions I desired to utter. "What remarkable providence it seemed to me ! With tears in her eyes, she begged him to give his heart to God and to pray to Him. I longed to pray with him, and watched anxiously a long time for the opportunity. The opportunity came, and the strength came, with it. I knelt down by his side. All was hushed, and I prayed from a full heart to the Lord our God to have mercy upon the poor soul about to come into His presence, for the sake of his dear Son Jesus. I feel sure that the Lord heard my prayer, and I can indulge a hope for this poor man's salvation." There was much in the case of this young man which encouraged Mr. Duncan in the hope that he was a true believer in Christ. He understood the main and leading truths of the Gospel, and he frequently prayed much to God. During his sickness he never permitted the medi- cine folks to operate upon him ; and this of itself showed a wonderful change in him. He died the following night, having reassured the people around him of his safety, and had a very solemn parting from his little girl. On October 22 Mr. Duncan was able to report to the Committee that he had made his first attempt at printing in the native language. A small Church Ser- vice had been prepared by him for the use of the Indians. It contained three Jiymns (a morning and an evening hymn and a hymn to the Saviour), comprising, in all, fourteen verses, which, together with a prayer, he had composed himself; then a short Catechism, partly compiled and partly written ; and, lastly, fifty-five texts of Scripture arranged in three classes ; some of them striking texts, which mark the difference between the good and the bad, the second class re- ferring particularly to doctrines, and the remainder to practice. Interest taken in the Mission hy the Governor, 49 CHAPTER VIII. VISIT OF MR. DUNCAN TO NAAS HIVER AND TO VICTORIA. Interest taken in the Mission hy the Governor of the Colony — Letter of the Bishop of Columbia — Indians at Fort JRupert — Mr. Duncan*s Visit to Victoria — Efforts to "benefit the Indians at Victoria — Indian Feast on the « Satellite:' At the cominencement of the year 1860, Mr. Duncan's heart was cheered by receiving the following letter, written at the request of the Governor, to convey the assurance of the interest taken by his Excellency in the work he was carrying on. It was dated " The Par- sonage, Victoria, Jan. 11,1860," and written by the Eev. E. Cridge (now Dean of Victoria), a clergyman several times alluded to in these pages, who had from.) the first taken the heartiest interest in Mr. Duncan's- Missionary labours : — *• I am requested by his Excellency the Governor to- express to you the great gratification he has received from conversing with several of the Indians who have been under your instruction at Fort Simpson, and who are now at Vic- toria ; and his pleasure at witnessing the great improvement in manners, bearing and religion, which you have succeeded in effecting in their condition. His Excellency trusts you will continue to show the same energy, perseverance, and zeal which he is sure you must already have applied to the work, and that your labour will be rewarded by a still larger measure of success. His Excellency also wishes me to say that he would feel obliged by your reporting to him from time to time on the progress of your Mission. Any sugges- tions you may make with regard to measures which may occur to you as likely to prove beneficial to the Indians under your care, such as settling them in any particular locality, or setting apart a reserve of land for their use, will receive his Excellency's best attention; who will also, if necessary, represent any such measures, with his favourable £ tJ^I'ili 50 II'! Letter of the Bishop of Columbia. recommendation, to her Majesty's Government. Praying that the Divine blessing may rest abundantly on your Mis- sion, believe me, &c., "*E. Ceidoe." In January, 1860, Dr. Hills, the first Bishop of British Columbia, arrived at Victoria, and on hearing of his arrival Mr. Duncan wrote to his lordship, taking the opportunity of laying before him the condition of the Indians at Fort Simpson, and the prospects of the Mis- sion. The Bishop wrote in reply, on March 9th, ex- pressing his warm interest in the Missionary's work : — " I thank God for the measure of Huceess He has thus far given you. In the recovery of the heathen to His truth and holiness we must not expect quick results. History leads us rather to count the years by nundreds than tens for any great impression upon savage nations. Our work is especially one of faith. * One soweth and another reapeth.' Quite sure are we of this, that none of our labour honestly done can be in vain. The Divine word going forth shall not return void of blessing and power to those unto whom it has been directed, but shall accomplish the pleasure of our God, and prosper in the thing whereto He sends it. It is certainly a cause of anxiety and sorrow that these little ones should be so led away and corrupted to worse things than they know by the example of evil white men. We could weep over them with feelings of shame that the Christian name should be so dishonoured. "Wo have doubtless more against us in consequence. Still there is a Power above all this, and we must trust, and work, and wait in patience. I had hoped ere this the Society would have strengthened your hands by a fellow-labourer. The Secretary informed me they were looking out for the right man. I am sorry to hear your health has not been good. "Would not a change be beneficial ? We shall gladly welcome you here, and I should really like to have aid in organizing a plan for the education of the children, and other matters. Tour ex- perience with them would be valuable. It would be desir- able, too, if you could pay a visit to the Tsimsheeans here, and see if we couvd not co-operate with the Fort Simpson work by some supervision here. Earnestly trusting God may bless your work, and make you an instrument of bring- ing many to Christ, believe me, &c., " G. Columbia." .wvlndiam at Fort Rupert. SI- At the same time that the Bishop's letter arrived desiring Mr. Duncan's presence at Victoria for the com- mencement of some work amongst the Indians there, two others from the Rev. E. Cridge and Captain Prevost were received, strongly urging him to visit Yictoria, both on account of his state of health, which was at that time far from strong, and also for the purpose mentioned by the Bishop, of commencing some work there to co- operate with his own work at Fort Simpson. He had long deplored before God and to his own friends the ruin which was setting in upon the Indian tribes since the rush of white men to Victoria on the discovery of gold in the Frazer River ; and as every account he had heard of Victoria showed that the condition of the In- dians there was becoming worse and worse, he felt that unless something was done his own work could not be expected to prosper ; because, while he was alone trying to do them good, many evil-disposed persons were tempting, corrupting, and brutalizing them at Victoria. With these feelings Mr. Duncan determined to avail himself of an opportunity which offered of a free pas- sage in one of the Company's steamers, and so he arrived at Victoria on May 28. Previously, however, to this, he paid two visits to other tribes of Indians along the coasts. The first to the Nishkah Indians upon the Naas River, and the other to the Keethrahtlah Indians ; but as these proved to be the prelude to future Missionary movements, they will be referred to subsequently. On his way to Victoria Mr. Duncan stopped* at Fort Rupert, and his journal thus records his visit : — " May 25. — Arrived at Fort Rupert. Here, too, there are three tribes of Indians, numbering, it is supposed, about 1000 souls. Their language is nearly like that spoLen at Millbank, but entirely different to Tsimsheean. The two priests had also been here, and taught the Indians to sing a hymn to the Virgin Mary in the trading jargon. They had also baptized some children, and promised soon to revisit the place and station a priest here. The Indians gathered round me opposite the Fort, and I instructed them as well as I was able, by means of the trading jargon. I told them of Jesus, the true and only Saviour, which the E 2 52 Mr, Duncan*8 Visit to Victoria. priests had neglected tc do. The Indians had heard of and seen some of the results of my teaching at Fort Simpson, and they new begged me to come and stay with them. One chief offered me the use of his house if I would come j and all were anxious to teach me some of their language, of which I got about 200 words. I promised to do my best to get them a teacher as soon as possible." Upon his arrival at Victoria, Mr. Duncan found about 3000 Indians congregated there from various quarters, living in the most deplorable state. Every female amongst them was being dragged to prostitution, and both males and females given up to drunkenness and riot. The bishop had just starlsd upon a three months' visitation tour, and Mr. Duncan, feeling the importance of an immediate interview with his lordship, at once determined to follow him to New Westminster, about seventeen miles distant. Arriving there on the 30th, he had the great joy of meeting Captain Prevost, whom he had not seen since his first departure from Fort Simp- son, in 1857, and who was just on the point of leaving for England. " We knelt in prayer together," writeb Mr. Duncan, " and blessed God for the mercies we had each received since we parted, and implored His aid and grace for future duties." Froru the bishop he received a hearty greeting, and at once they commenced to talk over the prospects of Missionary wock amongst the In- dians in Victoria. There was no doubt about the neces- sity of some steps being taken, for the sake of both the Indians in Victoria and at Fort Simpson, and the bishop was quite prepared to carry on a work, if it was only begun, but the question was, " Who was to Tiegin it ?" It needed some ore acquainted with their language, and as Mr. Duncan was the only person who knew it, he promised the bishop to do what he could for a little time, if some of his Fort Simpson scholars could be brought to Victoria ^ d fed while he carried on their education. Ketu 'nmg, therefore, to Victoria, he at once commenced to viri'^ uad instruct the Indians, but so de- plorable was their social condition that he felt that little could be done until the Government and law put forth their united power to 'lid. The Governor was then f^ way 5 55 b SE |l l lft WW IiH'tMW » lg >l ^ -w _' e Efforts to benefit the Indians at Victoria, 53 from home. Several members of the House of Assembly confessed their inability to deal with the Indian ques- tion, which was becoming more and more serious, and they requested Mr. Duncan's advice and aid. He ut once commenced two Sunday services in Tsimsh3ean — one in the morning, held as a kind of Sunday school, when about forty attended ; and the other in the after- noon, when he assembled the Indians on a rock close to their camp, where about 200 or 250 attended. Upon the return of the Governor to Victoria, he invited Mr. Duncan to a conference upon Indian «,ffairs. He had already prepared a plan to lay before his Excellency, embodying his own views with reference to the future management of the Indians. At first the wish of the Governor was only to have Mr. Duncan's assistance in getting the Indians awaj- from Victoria, inasmuch as they were quite unmanageable ; but when he had listened to the details of the plan which the Missionary had to lay before him he at once assented to it, and expressed his readiness to carry out the proposed scheme. With- out delay they rode out together to the Indian camp, and there the Governor made, through Mr. Duncan, who acted as interpreter, a speech to two crowds of In- dians, and invited the chiefs to meet him at Govern- ment House on the following day, when, upon their arrival, he placed before them (Mr. Duncan again at t- ing as interpreter) the details of the plan which be was about to introduce among them. The message was re ceived by them with good will, and the Missionary a'j once commenced to assist the Governor to carry out the plan. He remained amongst them from, morning to night, and in a letter written at the time be says, " The Indians so appreciate my exertions for their temporal welfare that many have come to receive i'oiigious in- struction who would otherwise have stayed away. They are continually coming to me with their tvoubles, and seem very grateful for my assistcnce. I h.^ve reason tr be very thankful to God for His directing me here, and guiding and prospering my W£(.y. Had I not come, most probably the Indians would have been driven away from Victoria, and that might have led to a quarrel. iniSv F 54 Indian Feast an the " Satellite J* i' i then a war, then we should have had a repetition of the misery and trouble the Americans have experienced in their western temtories." One of the propositions of the plan was, that a school should be built among the Indians, and this was soon done. On the 10th of July a public Missionary meeting was held, which was well attended, the chair being taken by Captain Prevost, and 65/. was collected, which was subsequently made up by the Governor to 100/., the cost of the school house. This, with a master's house, was at once commenced, and was nearly completed before the bishop's return. Much interest was taken in the meeting, and an account of it was given in the Victoria Gazette of July 13> 1860, which makes the following further allusion to Mr. Duncan's work : — " A feast was given on the'quarter-deck of the ' Satellite * (July 19) to the chiefs of the Tsimsheean and Nishkah tribes, twenty-eight in number, by Captain Prevost. The principal dishes were rice and molasses, strong tea, and bis- cuit. The object was to make a return to the chiefs for an entertainment given by them to Mr. Duncan on the Naas River. They were shown over the ship, and were astonished by the weight of the sixty-eight pounders, size of the guns, and quantity of powder in a cartridge. They were parti- cularly struck with a portrait of the Queen, when told she was the great chief of the English nation. They expressed themselves as highly honoured at being invited on board a man-of-war, of which hitherto they have had so much dread, and gave Captain Prevost some handsome beaver, ermine, and otter skins. "We commend the gallant captain for his judicious endeavours to establish a good understanding with the Indians, and regret he is so soon to leave this station.'* at iv 1! m\ } i;.vii ii'jviT I'liairj til)iu''2 ■au .iiiioJui/ iiio'it mm ■wMaaHMMilnM Bet urn of Mr. Duncan to Fort Simpson, 55 CHAPTER IX. ARRIVAL OF REV. L. S. TUGWELL, AND RETURN OF MR. DUNCAN TO FORT SIMPSON. jRettirn of Mr. Duncan to Fort Simpson — Arrival of Mr. Tugwell — Diary of an Indian Boy — Progress of the Mis- sionary Worh — Nature of the Missionary's Lalours — De- termination to luild Mission JPremises. On the 8tli August, 1860, tlie day on whicli the bishop returned from his three months* visitation tour, Mr. Duncan was rejoiced to welcome a long hoped-for co- adjutor in his Missionary work, the Rev. L. S. Tugwell, with his wife. After conference with the bishop, it was thought desirable that, as an opportunity offered for the new comers to proceed at once to Fort Simpson, they should be accompanied by Mr. Duncan, and introduced to their new sphere of labour ; and that then, having settled them, he should return to Victoria, and carry on the work which he had commenced, and to which he felt himself pledged for the winter. Previous to their departure, on August 10th, the Governor visited the new Indian school ; and upon his return, hearing from Mr. Duncan that he was about to leave for Fort Simp- son, assured him of his great satisfaction at what had been done there, and informed him that he had for- warded to the Home Government a plan embodying the- suggestions that he had made for the organization and improving of the Indians on their own lands. His Ex- cellency also thanked him very much for the important services he had rendered to him in organizing the Indians at Victoria. On Sunday, the 12th August, the bishop attended the Indian service in the newly-erected school, and ad- dressed the congregation, and on the following day Mr. Duncan left for Fort Simpson, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Tugwelh The steamier touched ^t Fort Eupert, as ii J 56 Arrival of Mr. TugwelL it had done in its journey to Yictoria, and the following interesting account of Mr. Duncan's interview with Captain Richards has been given in his journal : — " Aug. 19.— This evening we arrived at Fort Rupert, and found H.M.S. * Plumper' in the harbour. I went on board, and was warmly greeted by Captain Richards, who astonished me by saying that he had just been writing about me to the Admiral. I read his despatch. It stated that he had had some trouble with the Indians of that place, and at a large gathering they had asked him why Mr. Duncan was not sent to teach them, and then insisted upon the injustice of my being sent over their heads to the Tsimsheean Indians. During my coil vcrsation with Captain Richards, he said that the business he had just had with the Indians convincGuhim that it was not our ships of war that were wanted up this coast, but Missionaries. The Indian's ignorance of our power, and strong confidence in his own, in addition to his natural savage temper, render him unfit to be dealt with at present by stern and unyielding men-of-war, unless his de- struction be contiemplated, which of course is not. * Then,' asked the captain, ' why do not more men come out, since your Mission has been so successful; or, if Missionary Societies cannot afford them, why does not the Government send out fifty, and place them up the coast at once ? Surely it would not be difficult to find fifty good men in England willing to engage in such a work? And their expenses would almost be nothing compared with the cost which the country must sustain to subdue the Indians by arms.' Such are the earnest sentiments of one of Her Majesty's naval captains while among the Indians." It had been Mr. Duncan's intention to return at once with the steamer ; but finding much, on his arrival at Fort Simpson, requiring his supervision, he determined to remain until Mr. and Mrs. Tugwell should be tho- roughly settled to the work, and then return to Victoria by canoe, by which course a good opportunity would be oifered of visiting several tribes of Indians, whom he could not see if he went down by the regular steamer. It will be interesting to introduce here Mr. Tugwell's letter to the Committee, conveying his first impression of the state of things at Fort Simpson : — " How I wish," he writes, ** the friends of Missions in Diary of an Indian Boy. 67 England could see Mr. Duncan's congregation on the Sun- day. They would indeed * thank God, and take courage.* I have never seen an English congregation more orderly and attentive. "With but few exceptions, both the children and adults , jme clean and neatly dressed. The children sing several hymns very sweetly — a mo.ning and evening hymn, composed by Mr. Duncan, a hymn to our Saviour, and another, beginning * Jesus is my Saviour.' ' Here we suffer grief and pain,' &c., and some others in English, also one in Tsimsheean. The Indians all up the coast are crying out for teachers, * Come over, and help us.' Now seems to be the propitious moment ; soon hundreds, yea, thousands, of the poor Indians will have perished." Upon Captain Prevost's return to England he paid a visit to the Committee of the Church Missionary Society, and bore testimony to the ability, assiduity, and success with which, alone and unaided, Mr. Duncan had initiated and conducted, for four years, the difficult work with which he had been entrusted. Captain Prevost was accompaaied by Lieutenant Stubbs, of H.M.S. " Alert,'* who had himself spent four days at Fort Simpson in August, 1860, and who expressed the gratification he had experienced in witnessing the results of Mr. Dun- can's work in the school ; and as an evidence of the progress made by some of the children in the school. Captain Prevost brought with him a journal kept by one of Mr. Duncan's pupils, named Shooquanahts, a boy about fourteen or fifteen. It wao written during Mr. Duncan's absence, in a copy-book which he had supplied to him, that he might record his thoughts in his own way, with a view to his improvement in composition, but of course without any idea of its ever being publicly exhibited. « Tuesday, April Ul, I860.— If will die my father, then will very poor my heart 4 my brother all die : only one Shooquanahts save, and two my uncle save. I will try to make all things. I want to be good, and I want to much work hard. When we have done work, then will please. Sir, Mr. Duncan, will you give me a little any thing when you come back." " April 10.— I could not sleep last night. I must work hard last night. I could not be lazy last night. No good r i: li,it-, m i ^08 Progress of the Missionary Work. lazy — very bad. We must learn to make all things. "When we understand reading and writing, then it will very easy. Perhaps two grass, then we understand. If we no under- stand to read and to write, then he will very angry Mr, Dun- can. If we understand about good people, then we will very happy." " April 17 : School, Fort Simpson. — Shooquanahts not two hearts — not always one my heart. Some boys always two hearts. Only one Shooquanahts — ^not two heart, no. If I steal any thing then God will see. Bad people no care about Son of God : when will come troubled hearts, foolish people. Then he will very much cry. What good cry ? Nothing. No care about our Saviour; always forget. By and by will understand about the Son of God." " Mai/ 17. — I do not understand some prayers, only few prayers I understand; not all, I understand, no. I wish to understand all prayers. When I understand all prayers, then I always prayer ouv Saviour Jesus Christ. I want to learn to prayer to Jesus Christ our Saviour : by and by I understand all about our Saviour Christ : when I understand all what about our Saviour, then I will happy when I die. If I do not learn about our Saviour Jesus, then I will very troubled my heart when I die. It is good for us when we learn about our Saviour Jesus. Wl :^n I understand about our Saviour Jesus, then I will very happy when I die." Writing to the Home Committee on his return to Fort Simpson, in August, 1860, Mr. Duncan gives tlie following very interesting account of the progress of his work : — *' Hitherto I have been able to report (as a result of the Mission) little more than a few changes for good of a general kind among the Indians here ; but now I am happy to in- form you that some few are beginning to confess tlie name of Jesus, and give me good hope for their future and eternal welfare. I am occasionally cheered by seeing and hearing of fruit which I had not expected, and I have reason to be- lieve that many truths from God's word have penetrated the mass, and that many Indians are now in the constant habit of offering up simple prayers to Jesus. I will only relate one pleasing circumstance which evidences this. One night, when I was encamping out, after a weary day, the supper and the little instruction being over, my crew of Indians, exceptin|[ on© old man, quicjjly spread th^ir . Nature of the Missionary's Labmirs. 59 L0ir mats near the fire, and lay down to sleep in pairs, each sharing his fellow's blanket. The one old man sat near the fire smoking his pipe. I crept into my little tent, but, after some time, came out again to see that all was right. The old man was just making his bed (a thin bark mat on the ground, a little box of grease, and a few dry salmon for his pillow — a shirt on, and a blanket round him — another bark mat over all, his head too, formed his bed in the open air, during a cold dark night in April). "When everything was adjusted, he put his pipe down, and ofiered up, in his own tongue, this simple little prayer, ' Be merciful to me, Jesus,' Then he drew up his feet, and was soon lost to view " The next important branch of my work has been Visit- ing the Indians in their houses. In this duty God has both tried and encouraged me much. I have also had constant and numerous calls from the Indians for medicine, which is a sure mark of their growing confidence. Many times, when leaving school, I have found strings of people on the way to see me for advice and medicine for the sick. After dismissing these, my plan has been to take my pockets full of medicine, and proceed to the camp. It would be difficult indeed to give you any thing like a correct idea of this very interesting part of my duty. I can only say, that many times, when I have gone out weary in body and dejected in mind, I have been so refreshed with what God has permitted me to do and to witness, that I have returned with a heart leaping for joy. " Preparing religious instruction has been another neces- sary part of my duty, and one which has cost me many anxious thoughts, and led me much to the throne of grace. My plan has been to take the prominent portions of Old Testament History, and the most striking passages of the New Testament, in every case pointing to " the Lamb of God which taJceth aioay the sins of the world.'* My great difficulty hitherto has been the language. Many times have I gone to an assembly of Indians, with my heart, as it were, on fire, and stood before them with a stammering tongue, and dropped my words with fear and uncertainty ; but now, thank God, my tongue is loosed : I can stand now and speak the Tsimsheean tongue with plainness, fervency, and fluency. " Language. — Though I have not been able to devote much time specially to this duty, yet I have felt myself progressing daily. The little time I have afforded to it has 60 Detertnination to build Mission Premises. served me to hunt out some very important words to add to ray vocabulary, also to translate hymns for school work ; but most oi the little time I could spare I have spent in study- ing the grammatical construction of the T'limsheean. I am now prepared to say that it is copious and expressive ; and that, with few exceptions, the sounds are soft and flowing. There are five languages spoken along this coast^ and I have learnt a little of each, but find the Tsimsheean much the easiest to pronounce." As has been stated, Mr. Duncan's intention had been, after settling Mr. and Mrs. Tugwell, to return and spend the winter at Victoria, to prosecute the work he had commenced amongst the Indians there ; but, just as he was about to leave Fort Simpson, letters from Vic- toria arrived, announcing that two volunteers had come forward for the Indian work, and that he was conse- quently released from his promise to spend the winter there, and was again free to pursue his usual course of duties among the Tsimsheeans. Being thus set at liberty to prosecute his labours at Fort Simpson, Mr. Duncan's first efibrts were directed to building suitable Mission premises outside the Fort : for, in an interview with the chiefs of the Hudson's Bay Company at Victoria, just before leaving with Mr. and Mrs. Tugwell, he had been plainly told that the three could not expect from the Company the favours that had been granted to him so long as he was the single Missionary ; and Mr. Duncan at once, while expressing his gratitude for the kindness that had been shown him in the past, undertook to commence building a house. " Thus," he writes, " has the time come when Mission buildings must begin to figure among the poor Indians on this dreary coast, and thankful I am to say that I believe matters to be fully ripe for such a step. Of course we must expect many annoyances in thus putting ourselves entirely into the hands of the Indians, but I do not anticipate any danger to either our persons or property." 1 1 Visit to the Keethrahtlah Indians. 61 CHAPTER X. PKOPOSAL TO REMOVE FROM FORT SIMPSON. Visit to the Keethrahtlah Indians — Arrival at an Indian Encampment — Indian Tradition — Selection of a Mission- ary Settlement — Beturn Home of Mr. Tugwell — Hhi' drances to the Worlc — Projected Removal of the Mission — Regulations to be enforced, "When once the determination to build was taken, the question arose where the buildings should be erected ; and the project which Mr. Duncan had before enter- tained, and fully set forth in his letter to the Committee of July 1, 1859,^ was again brought forward. The In- dians were many of them very desirous to return to their own villages, situate in a lovely channel about seventeen miles from Fort Simpson, and would readily follow the Missionaries, if they would only lead the way, with the view of making a settlement. We have already referred (p. 51) to Mr. Duncan's visit to the Keethrahtlah Indians in the spring of 1860. And as it was that visit which decided the site of the subsequent Missionary station, we will introduce here some extracts from his journal with reference to those Indians. " May 2. — About noon we arrived at a beautiful channel, three or four miles long, in which are situated the sites of the villages the Tsimsheeans occupied before Fort Simpson was established. These villages have been deserted about twenty-five years, and the few remains still standing consist of massive uprights and horizontal beams of the chief houses which are now so rotten that I could easily push my walk- ing-stick through many of them. I could see that the houses have been large, and, in some cases, ornamented by an ugly wooden figure set up on each of the front corners. I saw, too, that several of the houses have been sunk ten or twelve feet to afibrd protection during war. I landed 1 See ante, p. 44 ^ TP 6B Arrival at an Indian Encampments and viewed the scenery from several points, and oh, how lovely did ifc appear ! A narrow placid channel, studded with little promontories and pretty islands ; a rich verdure ; a waving forest, backed by lofty but densely-wooded moun- tains ; a solemn stillness, broken only by the cries of flocks of happy birds flying over, or the more musical notes of some little warbler near at hand. But how strangely did all this contrast with the sad reflections which the history of savage heathenism suggests ! The thought that every foot of ground I trod upon had been stained with horrid crime, that every little creek was associated with some dark tragedy, and those peaceful waters had oft been stained with human blood, made my feelings soon change from delight to gloom. What would, indeed, those rocks unfold, if all the horrid yells and cries ot anguish they have echoed were but written ? or who can even faintly paint the scenes of savage riot committed on these beaches, when blood-thirsty marauders have returned with human heads for booty ? Why I was so particular to see this place, is because many of the Tsimsheeans have expressed a strong desire for me to build my school here, and they will return with me and begin a better history. May God grant it ! We proceeded about five miles from the old villages, got into the broad channel again, and encamped for the night." " May 3. — About four p.m. we found a few of the Indians I wanted to see. They were encamped on a little island about three miles from their proper village, living in tem- porary bark-houses, and watching for an opportunity to shift off to channels where they procure large quantities of halibut fish. On seeing us approach, numbers of men and boys came running on the beach to meet us. One man carried me on his back on shore, and all seemed happy at my arrival. The prin- cipal chief (called Seebassah), and the greater number of the people, left a few days ago for a fishing station about eighty miles away. The number of souls left is about 100. Their proper village, which I can see from here, is quite deserted, and will be for a few months. The chief at the head of this party inviced me into his house, and also all his principal men, to feast with me. He complained of having bad health, and no wonder, for I found out that he is a cannibal by profes- sion, one of the horrid gang who, in the winter months, awe and astonish the tribe by hunting for, exhuming, and eating corpses ! While the food was cooking they brought me water to wash with, and then handed it to my crew. The old men were talking to me as fast as they could, and the 1 Indian Tradition, 9S) women and children were crowding round the house outside, and peeping at me through every hole. I was particularly desired to understand that I found ther i in a very disorderly state, and that, had I seen them altogether in their large village, I should have been astonished at their greatness and number. Yet I do not think they muster over 500 souls in all. " One very old man, with great characteristic animation, related to me the tradition of the firgt appearance of the whites near this place. It was as follows : — ' A large canoe of Indians were busy catching halibut in one of these chan- nels. A thick mist enveloped them. Suddenly they heard a noise as if a large animal was striking through the water. Immediately they concluded that a monster from the deep was in pursuit of them. With all speed they hauled up their fishing lines, seized the paddles, andstr.iUed every nerve to reach the shore. Still the plunging noise came nearer. Every minute they expected to be engulfed within the jaws if some huge creature. However, they reached the land, jumped on shore, and turned round in breathless anxietv to watch the approach of the monster. Soon a boat, filled with strange- looking men, emerged from the mist. The pulling of the oars had caused the strange noise. Though somewhat re- lieved of fear, the Indians stood spell-bound with amazement. The strangers landed, and beckoned the Indians to come to them and bring them some fish. One of them had over his shoulder what was supposed only to be a stick : presently he pointed it to a bird that was flying past ; a violent poo went forth ; down came the bird to the ground. The Indians died. As they revived again, they questioned each other as to their state, whether any were dead, and what each had felt. The whites then made signs for a fire to be lighted. The Indians proceeded at once, according to their usual tedious fashion of rubbing two sticks together. The strangers laughed, and one of them, snatching up a handful of dry grass, struck a spark into a little powder placed under it. Instantly flushed another poo and a blaze. The Indians died. After this the new comers wanted some fish boiling. The Indians there- fore put the fish and water into one of their square wooden buckets, and set some stones in the fire, intending, when they were hot, to cast them into the vessel, and thus boil the food. The whites were not satisfied with this way. One of them fetched a tin-kettle out of the boat, put the fish and the water into it, and then, strange to say, set it on the fire. The Indians looked on with astonishment. However, the kettle II 64 Selection of a Missionary Settlement M/ ill did not consume ; the water did not run into the fire. Then, again, the Indians died. When the fish was eaten the strangers put a kettle of rice on the fire. The Indians looked at each other and whispered, '^Akshahn^ akshahn" or " Maggots, maggots." The rice being cooked, some molasses were pro- duced and mixed with it. The Indians stared, and said, " Coutzee um UaJcah ahket,^^ or " The grease of dead people." The whites then tendered the rice and molasses to the Indians, but they only shrank away in disgust. Seeing this, to prove their integrity, they sat down and enjoyed it them- selves. The sight stunned the Indians, and again they all died. Some other similar wonders were worked, and the pro- found stupor which the Indians felt each time to come over them, they termed death. The Indians' turn had now come to make the white strangers die. They dressed their heads and painted their faces. A nok-nok, or wonder-working spirit, possessed them. They came slowly, and solemnly seated theniiselves before the whites, then suddenly lifted up their heads and stared. Their reddened eyes had the desired efiect. The whites died.* I then gave a lengthy address, in which I fully set before them the blessed name and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the character and way of God, and warned them of coming judgment. During my discourse I frequently asked them if they understood, and they unani- mously assured me they did ; and, after I had finished, many of them spoke of the ready heart they and their people had to leam about God, and to learn to read and write. I bless God that another poor tribe of Indians have heard His word. May He bless the seed sown, and give the increase!" On the occasion of this visit Mr, Duncan had singled out a village called Metlahkatlah, where he was strongly of opinion that it would be desirable to commence the proposed Missionary station instead of at Fort Simpson. They would there be free from the influences of the Fort, which were decidedly adverse to the well-being of the Mission; they would have more opportunity of eflecting a social improvement among the Indians, which seemed well nigh impossible at Fort Simpson ; they ^yould have plenty of beach room, which was most essential to the comfort and welfare of the coast Indians, who have so many canoes to take care of, and the whole of the beach at Fort Simpson was already more than. Return Home of Mr. TugwelL 65 3d st conveni'>ntly occupied ; and, moreover, they would have plenty of land suitable for gardens, which they did not now possess at their present station, and a channel always smooth, and abounding with salrion and shell- fish, while its beauty formed a striking contrast to the dreary country around. As every thing seemed in favour of removing to Metlahkatlah, and as the project met with the entire approval of the Governor, it was at length resolved upon. The winter was occupied in pre- parmg wood for the building, in the expectation that the work would be completed in the spring, and in the prospect of this change, and the desirableness of under- taking fresh work among some of the other tribes, Mr. Duncan urgently appealed for a third Missionary to bo sent forthwith to join them. " Again I would earnestly crave for another helper. I can assure you that it is 710W or never, if the Indian races are to be benefited by Christian Missions." But instead of an increase of the Missionary band, it was, in the providence of God, destined to suffer a re- duction, and thus the plan of removing to Metlahkat- lah, which Mr. Duncan had so ardently desired to carry out, was necessarily delayed for a time. Unfortunately Mr. Tugwell's liealth was found unsuited to the climate of Fort Simpson, and he was compelled before he had completed a year's residence to abandon the idea of remaining at his post. This, as we may imagine, was a sore trial to Mr. Duncan ; but there was one great cause for satisfaction which had attended Mr. Tugwell's short residence, as will be seen from the following letter, written October 9, 1861, on the eve of his departure : — " I am sure that you will be delighted to hear, that since I last wrote, twenty-three Indians have been baptized — nine- teen adults and four children. The adults are, fourteen males and five females. More came forward, but, on examination, it was decided they should wait yet awhile. Others seemed ripe for baptism, and wished to come forward, but were de- terred by ungodly relatives. Mr. Tugwell was quite satisfied with those he baptized, and we truly hope they are children of God. The first baptism took place her« on the 2Gth July last — a day to be remembered by us. Since these have come P m m ' ! ' '•Mi \m II > 1 66 Hindrances to the Work, fairly out there has been more of a persecuting spirit abroad from the Lord's enemies. This we may expect to increase. The converts are severelj^ tried and tempted at present, but we pray they may be preserved faithful, While some have decided, and mnny (increasingly many) are anxious, others — the wicked — wax worse and worse. Drunkenness seems to gather strength as the fa3ilities for it increase." During the winter Mr. Duncan continued his solitary work at Vort Simpson, looking forward to carrying out his long cherislied plan in the summer of the following year. He thus writes respecting it on April 28, 1862 : — " I have many things at present, both inward and outward to cast me down ; yet I am happy to tel] you the Lord's work goes on here, and is beginning ;.o assume a more decided cast. The enerry is nuiVing much to do, and protesting strongly against us. The heads of the heathen have been taking counsel, issuing l/L eats, t.r}ing to shame or intimidate those on t'le Lcrd's side ; but, blessed be God ! we still advance. Only Sunday before last, one of our bitterest enemies, during the winter, attec^^ed both morning and aftcriT^ria service, with his wife and child. Shortly after Mr. Tugwell left for home I put up r, large, light building, for our use in the winter. On open- ing the new building, I sent to invite the Indians to attend divine service, and about 400 came. This was the largest assembly I had ever addressed at one time. Owing to the unusual severity of the winter, the efforts of the heathen, and the great quantities of intoxicating drink which found its way into the camp, only about 150 persevered in their attendance at school and church ; but I rejoice to say thc^t many of them begin to show a change of character. We had only used the big school house about a month, when, after a heavy fall of snow, followed by a strong wind, half of the roof fell in. Thanks be to God, our gracious Preserver, this did not happen when w^e Avere in the school. After this, I had all our meet- ings in the Mission house. About 100 to 120 attended school, but only numbered from seventy to eighty in daily attendance. What I regard as th*- most interesting part of my duty, during the past winter and now, is the two WH.^'.-day evening meetings, which I hold for the Christians ai. 3aii( idates or inquirers. I pressed none especially to attend ; but occasionally, in ray Sunday addresses, I alluded to our meeting, and iuviled those to attend who desired to practise what they heard. We began with about twenty (very few over the number of baptized), Projected Removal of the Mission. m oad ase. but lave :8 — 8 to tary ; out fving 2:— :ward work . cast, ■ongly unsel, DIl t '16 Only 3g the itb liis lelput open- attend argest to the ^u, and its way ndance oftbem sed the I fall of fell in. happen r meet- school, ndance. , during eetings, quirers. , in my ,ed those Tc began pti/X'd), but kept on increasing ; and at our last meeting, before the spring fishery called them away, we numbered over forty. These meetings have encouraged and comforted me much, as they have given m' opportunities of pressing home the word of God in a way 1 could not do on any other occasion. " If it shall please God to continue to me health and strength, I hope to carry out the plan this summer which I have long had in contemplation, viz. moving the principal ^Mission premises to a spot about twenty miles from here. This step was to have been taken last summer, but Mr. Tugwell's health failed, and he had to leave the station. I can scarcely say how many Indians will move with me: perhaps only few at first, as some who would have gone a year ago will now prefer staying behind to be near • the miners, who are expected to winter here. Though this move will be a^;;ended with much difficulty, and will make the Mission to be apparently doing less good, at least for a time, yet I feel assured, after much prayer and consideration, that it is the best step to be taken, and, in God's strength and name, I hope to take it. The need of this step is be'^OLAi.g more and more urgent, as miners are already rui?hiiig past us in search of gold ; and many will, no Joubt, make Eort Simption their winter-quarters. Hence a great change will come over the whole camp, and a serious train of evils spring up. How necessary, therefore, it seems to me, that an asylum should be at once built for the Christia'ns and others who desire to serve God, and especially as a place of retreat for the young ! But this is by no means the only reason for our moving, nor is it, perhaps, the most important. The following are some reasons for leaving here : — " 1. While we shall only he three and a half hours' sail in a canoe from the present Tsimsheean camp — and there- fore shall always be able to exercise some influence over it, and visit it often — we shall be that distance nearer six other tribes of Indir iS, speaking the Tsimsheean tongue. " 2. Again, Eort Simpson is physically unlit for us, as it oilers almost insurmountable clifliculfcies to the social improvement of the Indians ; but the place to which we hope to move affords us plenty of coast-room, so that houses can te built at respectable distances, and also some nice patches of good land for garden purposes, " 3. Again, the Christian Indians, and those who value instruction, wish to escape both from the sights and thrai- F 2 68 Regulations to be enforced. HI V- dom of heathenism. They, at present, suffer no small amount of persecution from having to live in the same houses with heathen and drunkards. " 4. Again, this step will put school operations on a more satisfactory footing. I shall always feei safe and happy in committing secular knowledge to those who seem in a fair way of making good use of it ; but sowing it broadcast among heathen who, having heard, reject the Gospel, I believe will result in much evil. " All we want is God's favour and blessing, and then we may hope to build up, in His good time, a model Christian village, reflecting light and radiating heat to all the spiritual iv dark and dead masses of humanity around us. I am nmon encouraged to think bhat we have the prayers of many of God's dear people ofton ascending on our behalf. Those most in danger frcrii the coming flood of profligate miners are the big girls ; and therefore I. have made a special point this winter of warning them individually ; but still some have gone astray. Others, I am happy to say, givt me great hopes that they will maintain a consistent walk ; but as their case needs special watchfulness, I deem it my duty to take them under my special care. I see no better plan than taking a number into my house, feeding, clothing, and instructing them, nntil they find husbands from among the young men of our >wn party. I calculate the cost of one child per year, at the present rate of things, to be about 7/. or 8Z., viz. 5/. or 6/. for food, and 21. for clothing. I shall also do my utmost, out of my own income, and try to get help from other quarters. Another important subject I have to keep in view, in order to promote the welfare of those Indians who go with me, is industry. I have thought over several branches of labour in which they can be pro- fitably employed, but we want funds. I held several meet- ings in the winter (calling those who intend flitting with me), to impress upon the Indians some regulations of a social nature, which I expected them to adopt in our new village. It may be interesting just to mention the least I expect from those whc will join us, and to obey these in- junctions, will bo to slay customs most dear to the heathen Indians — " 1. To give up their * Ahlied,' or Indian devilry ; 2. to cease calling in conjurors when sick ; ,3. to cease gambling ; 4, to cease giving awoy their property for display; 5. to cease painting tii«ir faces j 6. to cease drinking intoxicating Preparation for Removal, 69 drink ; 7. to rest on the Sabbath ; 8. to attend religious instruction ; 9. to send their children to school ; 10. to be cleanly ; 11. to be industrious ; 12. to bo peaceful ; 13. to be liberal and honest in trade ; 14. to build neat houses ; 15. to pay the village tax. " I need not again appeal to you for assistance^ for I feel sure you will supply Mr. Tugwell's place as soon as you are able. I may say that I have my eye upon some converted natives, who, I hope, will be fit to be employed in Mission work soon." CHAPTER XI. REMOVAL TO METLAHKATLAH. the one ;7Z. shall oget ct I lire of aght pro- ueet- with of a new 'ast I 2. to 5. to JPreparaiion for Bemoval — Sorrouful Tidings — Outbreak of Small-pox at Fort Simpson — Liberal aid given by tlie Governor — Charaeter of the Village Government — Public Works commenced in the Village — Proposed purchase of a Trading Vessel — Visit of H.M.S. '^Hecate ^^ and "Devas- tation " — Baptism of Cannibal Chief— Death of a Christian Indian — A Model Village. The following letter of Mr. Duncan to the Committee of the Church Missionary Society conveys the intelli- gence that the removal from Fort Simpson had actually taken place. It is dated — " Metlahkatlaht British Columbia, Gth March, 1863. " Eev. akd deae Sies, — I am exceedingly thankful to God at being once more permitted to write to you. Since my last letter, dated April, 1861, events have happened aroimd me of a very solemn character. In that letter I gave you an account of my plan for shortly removing the Mission premises from Fort Simpson, aiid the commencing of a new Indian village about fifteen or twenty miles south of that place. On tho 12th May, 1862, I began taking ■A ^^B ^ J ! i|r 70 Sorrowful Tidings at Fort Simpson. down the large temporary school. Three days later the materials of that building were rafted and on their way to the new site. Many difficulties rose up in my v.ay, and be- came more appalling as I advanced ; yet proceed I must, for I felt it to be the next proper sto in managing the Mission. J^ow I look back T can see that it was God's time for us toga — His hour for displaying His mercy and judgment before His people. Two days after the raft had started away a canoe arrived from Victoria, and reported that small-pox had broken out among the Indians at Vic- toria, and many Tsimsheeans were dead. The following day •other canoes arrived, and confirmed the sad tidings. I also received two letters, giving me mournful particulars of the virulence of the plague, and the stops that had been taken with the Indians. Sadder still, we soon learnt that many who had embarked in their canoes at Victoria had died on their way home, and that the disease still prevailed among those who had reached here. It was evidently my duty immediately to see and warn the Indians. 1 had previously determined to do this in a farewell visit to each tribe before my departure from Fort Simpson, but I now felt doubly pressed to call upon all quickly to surrender themselves to God. I therefore spent the next few days in assembling and addressing each tribe (nine in all) separately. Thus all in the camp again heard a warning voice ; many, alas ! for the last time, as it proved. Sad to relate, hundreds of those who heard me were soon and suddenly swept into eternity. " Having finished this solemn duty, I hastened to pack up and proceed on my new undertaking. On the 27th Mav, in the afternoon, we started off. All that were ready to go with me occupied six canoes, and wo numbered about fifty souls — men, women, and children. Many Indians were seated on the beach, watching our departure with solemn and anxious faces ; and some proiuised to f How us in a few days. The party with me seemed filled with solemn joy as we pushed off', feeling that their long-looked-for flit "had actually commenced. I felt we were beginning an eventful page in the history of this poor people, and earnestly sighed to God for His help and blessing. The next day, the 28th May, we arrived at our new home about two p.m. The Indians I bad sent on before with the raft I found hard at work, clearing ground and sawing plank. They had carried all tho raft up from the beach, excepting a few heavy beams ; erected two temporary houses ; and had planted about four Outbreak of Small-pox at Fort Simpson. 71 bushels of potatoes for me. Every night we assembled, a happy family, for singing and prayer. I gave an address on each occasion from one portion of scriptural truth suggested to me by the events of the day. " On the 6th June a fleet of about thirty canoes arrived from Fort Simpson. Thcjy formed nearly the whole of one tribe, called Keetlahn, with two of their chiefs. We now numbered between 300 and 400 souls, and our evening meetings became truly delightful. Not many days, how- ever, elapsed before a heavy cloud came over us. The small- pox had broken out at Fort Simpson, and I. clearly foresaw the trouble that awaited us. Still it was some time before the Indians felt their danger or took alarm ; not indeed till the disease had taken fearful hold of their camp, and shown its deadly power. Then many began to flee, but it was too late; the scourge accompanied them. Those who had the fear of God before their eyes fled to me, while the heathen sought refuge in their charms and lying vanities. They dressed up their hounes with feathers and rind of bark, stained red ; they sang their heathen songs, and kept the rattles of the conjurors almost perpetually going. But all these deceits proved of no avail: several of the charmers fell a prey to the diseasO; and death and desolation spread far and vdde. One of the :/ribes, which adopted heatlienism to the i'ull, went for a long time unscathed, and tliis filled theii' conjurors with pride and boasting words, and caused much perplexity in the minds of those who had partly shaken Oif heathen superstitions ; but, in the end, this tribe suffered even more than any other, and thus their refuge was proved to be a refuge of lies. Eventually many of tiie heathen camo crying to me in great fear ; but for the safety of those with me, 1. was obliged to be very cautious in receiving ai fresh comers, and some I could not receive at all. For the tem- poral and spiritual welfare of my own people, who now clung: to me like timid children, I was kepi in constant labour and. pressing anxiety. The heaviness which I felt I cannot de- scribe. Beat. I stared us in the face on everv hand. But God remembereci us in the day of our calamity. He never forsook me, but rather manifested His own strength in the helples^gness ^'f His servant. How tenderly we were dealt with will appear in the copy of a letter which I have written to the Governor of these coloniea, and which I now forwanl to you. His Excellency had promised to aid me with 50/. in settling the Indians under mv charge, and I had written ; K m m 72 Liberal aid given by the Governor. to request the sum to be spent in window-sashes and nails. These were sent me, and the following is my letter of acknowledgment to the Governor : — " ' MetlahJcatlah, Gtli March, 1863. « < SiE, — The Tsimsheean Indians, who have lately re- moved from Fort Simpson under my superintendence and settled here, are very anxious to tender your Excellency their warmest thanks for the liberal and timely aid which you have rendered them in building their new village. The 150 window-sashes and 600lbs. of nails, which came of your bounty of 601., arrived quite safely in September last by the Hudson-Bay Company's steamer "Labouchere," and have been duly distributed and appropriated as follows: — To thirty-five houses (averaging about 34 feet by 18) four window-sashes and 131bs. of nails each ; and to two smaller houses two window-sashes and 61bs. of nails each. Eive window- sashes and about 1301bs. of nails remain. The latter I have promised to distribute when the Indians parti- tion their houses, which they hope to do during the summer. Ground for several more houses has already been spoken for, and I have a hope that many of the Indians left at Fort Simpson will soon be induced to join us. " * In obedience to your Excellency's kind wish, I will proceed to lay before you a few particulars respecting our new Indian Mission settlement. " * Your Excellency is aware of the dreadful plague of tho small-pox with which it pleased Almighty God to visit the Indians of this coast last year, and by which many thousands, of them were swept away. It was on the 15th May last year, or two days before the sad intelligence of the outbreak of that fatal disease reached us, that we made our first move to our new settlement ; and very providentially indeed it was for us that all those who hf d intended joining me arrived before the plague began to spread at Fort Simpson. Though not fewer than 500, or one-fifth of the Tsimsheeans at Fort Simpson, have fallen,! have gratefully to acknowledge God'» sparing mercy to us as a village. We had only five fatal cases amongst those who crigiually left lort Simpson with me, and three of these deaths were caused oy attending tO' sick relatives who came to us after taking the disease. Yet so fearful was the amount of deaths and desolation on every side of us till about the end of September, that the Indians Character of the Village Oovernment. 73 had but little spirit left for building, or even for tbe gather- ing of necessary food for the winter. Thus it was that they found inclement weather upon them long before they were properly housed. In addition to the great amount of labour and trouble attendant upon moving and building new houses, we have had to encounter great opposition from many of the Indians at Port Simpson, who, in spite of the great warn- ings they have had, continue still to be steeped in drunken- ness and heathenism. Nor has the conflict been one wholly outward, if indeed mainly so. For to many who have joined me, the surrendering their national and heathen custon^s performed over the sick — ceasing to give away, tear up, or receive blankets, «fec., for display — dropping precipitately their demoniacal rites, which have hitherto and for ages filled up their time and engrossed all their care during the months of winter — laying aside gambling, and ceasing to paint their faces — had been like cutting off the right hand and plucking out the right eye. Yet I am thankful to tell you that these sacrifices have been made ; and had your Excellency heard the speeches made by the chiefs and some of the prin- cipal men at our Christmas evening meeting, alluding to these and other matters, you would, I am sure, have rejoiced. " ' On New-Tear's Day the male adult settlers came cheerfully forward to pay the village tax, which I had pre- viously proposed to levy yearly, viz. one blanket, or two and a half dollars of such as have attained manhood, and one shirt or one dollar of such as are approaching manhood. Out of 130 amenable we had only ten defaulters, and these were excused on account of poverty. Our revenue for this year, thus gathered, amounts to 1 green, 1 blue, and 94 white blankets, 1 pair of white trowsers, 1 dressed elk skin, 17 shirts, and 7 dollars. The half of this property I propose to divide among the three chiefs who are with us, in recognition of stated services which they will be required to render to the settlement, and the other half to spend in public works. " * As to our government : all disputes and diflSculties are settled by myself and ten C(^nstables ; but I occasionally call in the chiefs, and intend to do so more and more, and when they become sufficiently instructed, trustworthy and influential, 1 shall leave civil matters in their hand^^ I find the Indians very obedient, and comparatively easy to manage, since I allow no intoxicating drinks to come into our village. I may here remark, that though we are continually hearing of the drunken festivals of the surrounding tribes, I am u Public Works commenced in the Village, happy to tell you that Metlahkatlah has not yet witnessed a case of drunkenness siuce we have settled here — a period of ten monthy. Still, not all with me are true men. Some few, on their visits to Fort Simpson, have fallen ; and two, whose cases were clearly proved and admitted of no extenuation, I have banished from our midst. On Sabbath-days labour is laid aside, a solemn quiet presides, and the best clothing is in use. Scarcely a soul remains away from Divine Ser- vice, excepting the sick and their nurses. Evening family devotions are common to almost every house, and, better than all, I have a hope that many have experienced a real change of heart. To God be all the praise and glory ! " * We have succeeded in erecting a strong and useful building, capable of containing at least 000 people, which we use as church and school. "We held our first meeting in this building on the night it was finished, the 20th December last, our meetings till this being in the open air, or in my log cottage. ITiider these circumstances, we met three times every Sunday, and once every week-day evening, for religious instruction and worship. Through the multiplicity of my duties, I was not able to begin school in our new building till the 19th January. I have about 100 children, who attend morning and afternoon, and about 100 adults (often more) in the evening. I occupy the principal part of the time in the adult school, in giving simple lectures on geography, astronomy, natural history, and morals. These lectures the Indians greatly prize. " ' On the 6th February we commenced our first works, viz. making a road round the village. This will take us some time to complete, as the ground is very uneven, and much of it wooded. I propose, after the road is conveniently finished, to set about building, out of our public fund, two good-sized houses for the accommodation of stri nge Indians when they come to trade with us, and thus prevent the in- terference to domestic comfort and improvement arising to the villagers from these visits under the old system. I have other public works in view, such as fixing proper rests for canoes when unemployed, laying slides for moving canoes on the beach and into the water at low tides ; also sinking wells and procuring pumps for public use, &c., &c. I feel, also, that it is of vast importance to seek out profitable employment for those witb me, and thus keep them away from those labour markets which exhibit temptations too strong and vices too fascinating for the Indian, in his pre- Proposed purchase of a Trading Vessel. 75 sent morally infantile condition, to withstand. Hence, I have already measured out and registered over 100 plots of ground for gardens, situated in various parts of the channel in which we are settled. These the Indians are anxious to cultivate. I have also desired them to prepare salt and smoked fish, fish grease, and dried berries, which, with furs, will form our first articles of exportation. Other branches of labour will arise in due course. But in order to set about thus much, we need seed (especially the potato), salt, direct means of communication with Victoria, and an agent there. I intend using every endeavour in order to supply these wants this summer. " ' I am anxious that even the trading vessel should be in our own hands ; first, because the Indians would, on that account, feel a deeper interest in her, and exert themselves the more to keep her well and profitably employed ; secondly, the profits of the vessel would redound to the village; and, thirdly, it is necessary to avoid having intercourse with that barbarous class of men who are employed in running the small vessels up the coast. Of such are the "Kingfisher," the " Eagle," the " Petrel," and the " Langley," whicii, by trading in intoxicating drink, are all doing a work not easily describedj and not readily believed by those who do not wit- ness it. Their visits to the Indian camps are invariably marked by murder, and the very maddest riots. Pamily ties are broken. A young man, under the influence of fire- water, will shoot his wife or his mother, his sister or his brother ; and if he be spared through the revel, he awakens to bitter remorse, and becomes desperate. The peace of tribes is broken, war begins, blood is shed, and wounds made which will take generations of time to heal, and for which many innocent lives may have to compensate. To show that it is not an imaginary evil I am portraying, I may state that since I began writing this letter, news has reached me that the " Petrel " and the " Langley" have had to flee from Naas River, as seven Indians have just fallen (three dead) in a drunken riot, the drink having been obtained from these vessels. To purchase the vessel we need, I sup- pose from lOOZ. to 150Z. will be required. I therefore pro- pose that 100 Indians shall subscribe 1/. or II. IO5., or the equivalent in furs. The Indians are willing to do their utmost, and I expect to have to render them little help, beyond seeking out the vessel ; and I do not intend to give them any pecuniary aid, except to procure such things as, 11 76 Visit ofH.M.S. " Hecate " and " Devastation:* through ignorance or inexperience, they despise, but such as are, nevertheless, essential to their well-being and prosperity. " * Trusting, by God's blessing upon us, we shall go on improving, and continue to merit your Excellency's favour and good-will, " * I have the honour to remain, with warmest gratitude, " * Tour Excellency's humble and obedient Servant, « « W. Duncan. " ' To His Excellency, James Douglas, JEsq., C.B., , Governor of Vancouver's Island and British Columbia* " In September H.M. ships ' Hecate ' and * Devasta- tion ' came to Eort Simpson, to capture four Indians im- plicated in the murder of two miners, and the chief officer of the Fort despatched a canoe in the middle of the night for me, stating that serious work was expected to ensue there, and that Captain Pike, of the * Devastation,' desired to see me as soon as possible. Feeling that it would not be wise for me to remain alone among the Indians at Metlah- katlah while a conflict was going on between whites and In- dians at Fort Simpson, I resolved to obey the summons, and accordingly started at once. During the next ten days most of my time was spent in assisting the captains of the men-of-war in their business with the Indians. Three out of the four murderers were taken ; and several Indians from the same tribe, including an old and infirm chief, were seized as hostages to ensure the capture of the remaining murderer. Both the ships then came to Metlahkatlah, and spent a few days with us. Captain Bichards, of the ' Hecate,* kindly invited the Indians to see the ship, and about 200 or more accompanied me on board. Before we left, the officers and crew expressed themselves as greatly surprised and de- lighted with what they had seen and heard. As a proof of their goodwill, I may add, that Captain Richards gave a feast of plum-pudding to the children, over 15Z. was collected on board, and handed to me for the Mission, and a large bag of old clothing was gathered up by the men, and given to me for distribution. As I disapprove of the principle of abso- lute gving away such things to able-bodied people, I got the Indians to work for the old clothes, and a piece of good road to the village was the result. Captain Richards and his officers also kindly surveyed the harbour for us, and seemed very much to approve of the site and plan of our Baptism of a Cannibal Chief. 77 settlement. Captain Pike also took great interest in our Mission. He sent a party of men on shore, and put up a flag-staff, and assisted me a little in the building of tho church and school-house. " Now to come to a few more particulars of a much more interesting nature. The week-day meetings for candidates for baptism, which I commenced in the winter of 1861 and 1862, and of which I wrote you some account in my last letter, have gone on increasing in interest. I have now over sixty in attendance. Having no information to guide me as to when you would be able to send a minister to take Mr. Tugwell's place, and as many of the candidates were anxious for baptism, and had continued to walk consistently a long time, I wrote in August last to the bishop, begging him to send up a clergyman to baptize them. In September I heard from the Eev. E. Cridge, who told me that the bishop had not returned from Caribou, but that I might bo sure of aid as soon as it was in the power of the bishop to grant it. Being thus left alone, I was obliged to act a little out of order, so I will give you the entry in my journal of the cir- cumstance. " ' Saturday, \^th October, 1862. — Just as I was rising this morning I received intelligence that poor Quthray, the young cannibal chief, was dying. I have frequently visited him during his illness, and was with him for a long time a few nights ago. As he has long and earnestly desired bap- tism, and expressed in such clear terms his repentance for his sins, and his faith in the Saviour of sinners, I told him that I would myself baptize him before he died, unless a minister from Victoria arrived in time to do it. He always appeared most thankful for my visits, and, with the greatest force he could command, thanked me for my promise. Ac- cordingly this morning I proceeded to the solemn work of admitting a brand plucked from the burning into the visible Church of Christ by baptism. Though I was not sent here to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, yet I had no fear but that I was doing what was pleasing to God in administering that sacred rite to the poor dying man, as an officially-ap- pointed person was not within several hundred miles of him. I found the sufferer apparently on the very verge of eter- nity, but quite sensible, supporied by his wife on one side, and another woman on the other, in a sitting posture on his lowly couch spread upon the ground. I addressed him at once, reminding him of the promise I had made to him, and I % s^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4- W s^ 1.0 I.I |50 "^™ HhI 2.2 1^ 1^ i ■ 40 i il 2.0 m 1.25 III 1.4 III 1.6 -• 6" » ^ %' ^4- Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSM (716) •72-4S03 V iV # o % 78 Death of a Chriatian Indian, why, I also spoke some words of adviee to hinii to which he paid most earnest attention, though his cough would scarcely permit him to have a moment's rest. A person near expressed a fear that he did not understand what I said, being so weak and near death ; but he quickly, and with great emphasis, exclaimed, " / hear ; I underatand.** While I was praying his expression of countenance was most lovely. With hia face turned upward, he seemed to be deeply engaged in prayer. I baptized him, and gave him the name of Philip Atkinson. I earnestly besought the Lord to ratify in heaven what He had permitted me to do in His name, and to receive the soul of the poor dying penitent before Him. He had the same resignation and peace which he has evinced throughout his sidkness, weeping for his sins, depending all upon the Saviour, Confident of pardon, and rejoicing 'n hope. *' * This is the man of whom I liave had to write more than once to the Society. Oh the dreadful and revolting things which I have witnessed him do 1 He was one of the two principal actors in the first horrid scene I saw at Fort Simpson about four and a. half years ago, an account of which I sent home, namely, that of a poor slave woman being murdered in cool blood, thrown on the beach, and then torn to pieces and eaten by two naked savages, who were supported by a crew of singers and the noise of drums. This man was one of thoue naked cannibals. Glorious change ! See him clothed and in his right mind, weeping — weeping sore for his sins — expressing to all around his firm belief in the Saviour, and dying in peace. Bless the Lord for all His goodness.' " I cannot forbear to mention also the circumstances of the death of Stephen Eyan, one of the first baptized ut, Fort Simpson by the Bev. L. S. Tugwell. He died in a most dis- tressing ccndition, so far as the body is concerned. Away from every one whom be loved, in a little bark hut on a rocky beach just beyond the reach of the tide, which no one of his relatives or friends dared to approach except the one who nursed him ; in this damp, lowly, distressing state, suf- fering from the malignant disease of small>pox, how cheering to receive such words as the following from mm : * I am quite happy. I find my Savioiur very near to me. I am not afraid to ^ ; heaven is open to receive me. Give my thanks to Mr. Duncan : he told me of Jesus. I have hold of the ladder that reaches to heaven. All Mr. Dunqm taught me I now A Model Village. n feel to be true.* Then, saying that he wished to be carried to his relatives, his words were, ' Do not weep for me. You are poor, being left ; I am not poor : I am going to heaven. My Saviour is very near to me : do all of you follow me to heaven. Let not one of you be wanting. Tell my mother more clearly the way of life : I am afraid she does not yet understand the way. Tell her not to weep for me, but to get ready to die. Be all of one heart and live in peace.' ** And now, to draw my long letter to a conclusion. By God's mercy we have thus been carried through another and an eventful year. The Lord has sustained His work, and given marked evidence of His presence and blessing. Above one-fourth of the Tsimaheeans from Fort Simpson, a few Tongass, Nishkab, Keethrahtla, and Keetsahlass Indians (which tribes occupy a circle of about seventy miles round Fort Simpson), have been gathered out from the heathen, and have gone through much labour, trial, and persecution, to come on the Lord's side. About 400 to 600 souls attend Divine Service on Sundays, and are being governed by Christian and civilized laws. About seventy adults and twenty children are already baptized, or are only waiting for a minister to come and baptize them. About 100 chil- dren are attending the day school, and 100 adults the evening schooi. About forty of the young men have formed themselves into two classes, and meet for prayer and exhort- ing each other. The instruments of the medicine men, which have spell-bound their nation for ages, have found their way into my house, and are most willingly and cheer- fully given up. The dark and cruel mantle of heathenism has been rent so that it cannot be healed. Numbers are escaping from under its deadly embrace. Customs which form the very foundation of Indian government, and lie nearest the Indian's heart, have been given up, because they have an evil tendency. Feasts are now characterized by order and good will, and begin and end with the offering of thanks to the Giver of all good. Thus the surrounding tribes have now a model village before them, acting as a powerful witness for the truth of the Gospel, shaming and correcting, yet still captivating them ; for in it they see those good things which they and their forefathers have sought and laboured for in vain, viz. peace, security, order, honesty, and progress. To God be all the praise and glory ! Amen and amen." :ll m 80 Testimony of the Bishop of Columbia. CHAPTER XII. . VISIT OF THE BISHOP OF COLUMBIA. Testimony of the Sishop of Columbia — Bishop* s Visit to the Settlement — Baptism of Indians — Answers of Candidates. The new Mission station was visited by the Bishop of Columbia in April, 1863, and Mr. Duncan was privi' leged to present fifty-seven adults and children to his Lordship for baptism. Already the bishop had on seve- ral occasions borne the warmest testimony to the reality and success of Mr. Duncan's work, and on his return to England in the following year he spoke of it at several public meetings, and the following report has been pub- lished of one of his speeches : — " The work at Fort Simpson was begun some five years ago, under the zealous and devoted catechist, Mr. William Duncan, sent out by our Church Missionary Society. Eor two years and a half he was learning the language ; after that his work began to tell. Then opposition took place, and his life was sought on one occasion by a ferocious savage, called Legaic. At length the work increased ; the feeling became deeper among some Indians, and it was considered time that those who believed should be called on to come out of heathenism, and give up all for Christ's sake and the Gospel's. People who knew the Indian character said they did not think the Indians would make such a sacrifice ; but they did not know the power that was at work. The day was fixed, and the Indians came out of their lodges, and sat round in a semicircle, watching the proceedings. They knew something was going to happen, but they did not know what. When an Indian watches, he sits upon the ground, brings his knees up to his chin, wraps his mantle round him, puts his head down, and, mute and motionless, looks at a distance like a stone. Thus they were seated, and the ques- I' ■ i ! Bi8hqp*8 Visit to the Settlement, 81 tion was, ' WUl any one stand cut in the midst of the scoff- ing heathen, and declare themselves Christians P* First there came two or three trembling, and said they were willing to go any where, and to give up all for the blessed Saviour's sake. Others were then encouraged; and that day fifty stood forth, and gathered together such things as they needed, put them into their canoes, and away they went. On that day every tie was broken ; children were separated from their parents, husbands from wives, brothers from sisters ; houses, land, and all things were left } such was the power at work in their minds. " The Christian Indians moved to a place seventeen miles below Fort Simpson, and I visited them last April. I then found that the little band of fifty had increased to 600, who had come from different tribes and formed a village, con- sisting of well-built cottages, men having put their houses side by side who for years before could never look at each other without an attempt to take each other's life. When the gun of the ship I was in soi;nded her approach, we saw a canoe coming from the shore. She was manned by ten Indians ; and as she came nearer us we perceived that in the midst, as is the custom in canoes, sat a white man, our earnest catechist, Mr. Duncan. As the boat came nearer, an Indian was observed sitting side by side with him, not engaged in paddling the canoe. Who was that P He was a murderer. Six months before, the * Devastation * ship of war, in which I was, had been in those waters, seeking the three Indian murderers of two white men. The Indians gave up two, but they would not give up the third. Their law is life for life ; one life taken, one life to compensate. Two having been murdered, they gave up two, but they would not give up the third. The ship of war planted her guns against the village, threatening it with annihilation ; but still they would not give up the third murderer. As soon as the ship of war was gone, the murderer came and gave himself up to Mr. Duncan, saying, * Whatever you tell me to do I will do. If you say I am to go on board the gun-ship when she comes again I will go.' For six months he had been there at large, and when our gun sounded he might have escaped, but he said, ' What am I to do ? ' and the answer was * You must come with me a prisoner.' He- was accordingly handed over to us a prisoner. Thus we seot that what the ship of war with its guns and threats could not do for civilization, for protection of life, for justice, the G a2 Baptism of Indians, !Fv;'fl simple oharaotler and influence of one Missionary could accomplish for all those important objects. " It was my office to examine a number of those Indians for baptism. I was several days engaged in the work. One day I was engaged from eight in the morning till one o'clock the next morning. It was the last day I had, and they pressed on continually to be examined. Night and darkness came. The Indians usually go to bed with the sun, but now they turned night into day, in order that they might be * fixed in Qod'a ways,' they said. • Any more Indians ? * I kept saying, as eight o'clock, nine o'clock, ten o'clock, twelve o'clock, and one o'clock came, and there were always more Indians wishing to be ' fixed ' on God side. I shall never forget the scene. The little oil lamp was not enough to dispel the gloom or darkness of the room, but its light was sufficient to cast a reflection on the countenance of each Indian as he or she sat before me. The Indian countenance is usually inexpressive of emotion, but now when they spoke of prayer and trust in God, there was the uplifted eye, nnd evident fervour ; and when they spoke of their sins there was a downcast look, the flush came and went on their cheeks, and the big tear frequently coursed from their manly eyes. Their whole hearts seemed to speak out in their countenances. I put down in a book the answers they ibade me at the time, and some of them are given below. " I went up to their fishing-ground on the Naas Eiver, where some 5000 Indians have assembled for their fishing. That fishing is the * small-fish ' fishing. The salmon fishing is another chief season, at which they get food to lay up for the winter. These small fish form a valuable article of food. They come up for six weeks only. The Naas river where I visited it, at the north of British Columbia, is about a mile and a half wide, and the fish had come up in great quantities ; the river seemed alive with them, and 5000 Indians from all parts •—from the islands of the sea, from the Bussian territory, from the coast, and from the interior — ^had flocked to the fishing, decked out in all their finery. Their costumes are strange and fantastic. Their faces were painted red and black; they wore feathers on their heads, and imitations of wild beasts on their dresses. Under great excitement they had come on that gvand occasion of the year. Over the fish was an immense cloud of innumerable gulls: so many &id so thick were they as they hovered about looking for the fish, that^ as they moved to and fro, up and down, the sight Answers of Candidates, 83 resembled a heavy fall of snow. Over the gulls were eagle6 soaring about in their noble flight, looking for their prey. After the small fish, also, had come up larger fish from the ocean. There was the halibut, the cod, the porpoise, and the fin-backed whale. Such a scene of life — man-life, fish- life, bird-life — I had never conceived before. You may imagine the excitement. All that various animated life was to those people a life of spirits. Their custom was to meet the fish when they came, and speak to them. They paid court to them, and would address them thus : ' You fish, you fish ; you are all chiefs, you are ; you are all chiefs.* But what did the Christian Indians do on this occasion P They separated themselves from that ancient custom of their fathers ; they went apart ; they had a thanksgiving service to Almighty God ; they sang Christian hymns, and they prayed that God would make them worthy of His gifts. I had a Christian service among them. I bad heard the Christian hymns they sang, and I looked upon them as new creatures, for their faces were already so different from all the heathen around them. When the Sunday came, the first Sunday of their first fishing season as Christians, although the fish had come up in greater abundance than ever, and the season was so short, the Christians said, ' We cannot go and fish.' The heathen were full of excitement, gathering in the spoil ; but the Christians said, ' Xo ; we are God's people ; God will provide for us, and we will spend His day as He tells us to do.' And they kept holy each Lord's day in the midst of the fishing season." A few of the answers and incidents, noted down at the time by the Bishop of Columbia, are here given. It will be seen that the answers have reference chiefly to the depth and source of penitence, and the knowledge and personal application of the leading truths of the Gospel. MALES. Leoaio (Principal Chief), aged 40, answered, "We must put away all our evil ways. I want to take hold of God. I believe in God the Father, who made ail things, and in Jesus Christ. I constantly cry for my sins when I re- member them. I believe the good wiii sit near to God after death. Am anxious to walk in God's ways all my life. If I turn back it will be more bitter for me than before. I pray God to wipe out my sins ; strengthen me to do right ; pity o 2 iil^ M Anatoera of Candidates. ikLL ' me ; my prayera are firom my heart. I think sometimes God does not hear me, because I do not give up all my sins. My sins are too heavy. I think we have not strength of our- selves." Under instruction about nine months. On two occa- sions before attended for a short time, but fell away. Mr. Buncan says this man has made greater sacrifices than any other in the village. Is the principal chief, and has left his tribe and all greatness. Has been a most savage and desperate man ; committed all crimes. Had the offer of fortv blankets to return to his tribe. He now bears the ridicule of his former friends. Yet his temper, formerly ferocious, bears it patiently, and he returns kindness, so that some have melted and are ready to come with him. Lapfioh Ktjmlee, aged 30, answered, " I have given up the lucrative position of sorcerer. Been offered bribes to practise my art secretly. I have left all my mistaken ways. My eyes have been bored" (enlightened). "I cry every night when I remember my sins. The great Father Almighty sees every thing. If I go up to the mountains He sees me. Jesus died for our sins upon the cross to carry our sins away." Dates his change from seeing a convert reading a book, and he felt ashamed that he knew nothing, and he determined to learn, and soon he found his own system false. One case, when his spirit said there would be recovery, death came j and another, when he foretold death, life remained. NEEASH-LA.EAH-VOOSH (called " The Lame Chief." He is blind also of an eye. Fine old man), aged 70, when asked if he wished to become a Christian, said, " For that object I came here with my people. I have put away all lying ways, which I had long followed. I have trusted in God. We want the Spirit of God. Jesus came to save us. He compensated for our sins. Our Father made us, and loved us because we are His work. He wishes to see us with Him, because He loves us." When asked about the judgment, said, "The blood of Jesus will free those who believe from condemnation." "Under regular instruction for a year ; and before that Answers of Candidates, 85 for some time by his daughter. Is most consistent, try- ing to do simply what is right. The other day was benighted on Saturday, on his way to spend the Sunday at Metlahkatlah, seven miles off. Would not come on, nor let his people gather herring-spawn, close under their feet : he rested the Lord's-day, according to the commandment. Theak-sha-kawit (Sorcerer), aged 50, answered, " I wish to give up all wicked ways. Have been a medicine- man and know the lies of heathenism. I believe in the great Father who made us, in Jesus who died on the Cross that God would pity us. I want the Spirit of God to touch my heart. We must all stand before God. God will measure our ways. No one to be his master but God. I will not keep my eyes on the ground any more, but will look up to heaven all my life." He has had to bear much scorn, and to go through much struggle. FEMALES. Loosi (Widow of the cannibal Chief who died penitent), aged 25, answered, " I know how blind I have been. Was first turned to God by the news of the Savioiur. Was struck that He came down amongst us. God is a Spirit full of love. Christ came to carry away our sins. We must pray for the Spirit to help us. I confess my sins to God and cry for pity. I pray for my friends. After death the judgment. We must stand before God. Jesus will answer for those who trust in Him." Upheld her husband in his wickedness. Was turned by his turning at his death. NiSHAH-KiGH (Chieftainess of the Nishkahs, now the wife of Captain McNeil, the chief officer of Fort Simpson), aged 45, said, " I must leave all evil ways. I feel myself a sinner in God's sight. I believe in God the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. Gt)d sends down His Spirit to make us good. Jesus is in heaven and is writing our names in God's book. We must stand before God and be judged by Him. I feel God's word is truth. Have been for some time accustomed regularly to pray." Two years ago she was found giving Christian in- struction to a sick and dying person. Her husband tells II I i ae Fuit of Naval Officers, me she passed mucli time in devotion. When she first heard the Word of God, her sorrow was great, and her penitence more than she could bear. Some five years she has been earnestly seeking God. CHAPTER XIII. VISIT OF REV. R. J. DUNDAS. Tisit of Naval Officers — Tsimaheean Service — Examination of Candidates — Baptism of Converts — Juvenile JFeast — Departure from the Village. LiTER in the year the Mission station was visited by the Rev. R. J. Dundas, a clergyman connected with the Columbian. Mission, who has given an interesting account of h!i. visit, from which the following is extracted : — " Oc^ 28, 1863. — As soon as the * Grappler' (Lieutenant Vemey, commander) was moored, Mr. Vemey and I accom> panied Mr. Duncan on sbore. The whole resident popula- tion was waiting to receive us by the flagstaff; and close to the school-chapel were the twenty constables, in uniform, as fine a set of young men as one could wish to see — the very pick of the Christians. Their uniform was a dark blue surtout, with brass buttons, and gold twist epaulettes, a scarlet stripe on each leg, a white belt, and band round the cap. As we passed through the crowd we were greeted on all sides with, < Good morning to you, Sir.' ' Glad to see you. Sir.' " We went to Mr. Duncan's house. It is solidly built of large square timbers. We next went into his school-chapel, an immense circular building, some sixty feet in diameter, capable of holding some 700. Like English children, the young Indians, I dare say, prefer play to work. We stood at the door and watched them on the shingle below playing prisoner's base. At the sound of a gong they all hurried up to the school— of all ages and sizes, from fourteen down- wards. They ranged themselves in order, boys on one side, Ttinuheean Service. 89 girls on the other, and, led bj Mr. Punean, sang most beautifullj, ' See the conquering hero comes,* and ' See our oars with feathered spray,' which made me think I was back in England. They sang, too, several catches in three parts. Some had beautiful voices, and certainly their performance was quite equal to thoroughly good national schools at home. Afterwards we went through the village, entering several houses. Almost every where the same neatness and order were perceptible, the exceptions being generally new comers, still heathen ; for any Indian is received as a resi- dent who conforms to the laws laid down by Mr. Duncan^ and renounces all heathen practices. " Oct. 25, Sunday. — It was a pretty sight to see the whole population, old and young, at the sound of the bell, thronging to worship God. No need to lock doors, for there is no one to enter the empty houses. Every soul ia assembled in the one place, and for one purpose. As they entered, the men took the right and the women the left hand of the great circular hall. I was surprised to learn from Mr. Duncan afterwards that he had never bidden them to do this ; they seemed to have adopted the arrangement instinctively. Service began with a hymn in Tsimsheean. He led with his concertina. The air was very plaintive and beautiful — sung by some 200 voices, men, women, and children : it thrilled through me. Then followed prayers in Tsimsheean, at the close of which all joined in the Lord's Prayer in English. Then followed a chant, one of the Psalms he had translated and taught them, to a fine old Ore-- gorian. His address, or sermon, of nearly an hour, was^ upon the story of Martha and Mary. His manner and gesticulation was animated and striking, very much after their own style. Their attention never seemed to flag throughout. He asked me to address them, which I did shortly, upon their present light as compared with their past darkness, and the difficulties they must expect in their new cause of Christian discipleship. Mr. Duncan interpreted for me. Before separating they sang again in Tsimsheean a sort of sacred air, which seemed ^miliar to me and was exquisitely beautiful. I found afterwards it was the anthem, ' I will arise and go to ray Father,' somewhat altered and made more Indian in its character. It suited their voices ad- mirably. I closed with a short prayer in English, and pronounced the Benediction. The service was most striking. It was hard to realize that, three years ago, these all had it li 88 Ejcamination of Candidates, been sunk in the deepest heathenism, with all its horrible practices. What hours, what whole nights of wrestling in prayer, have been spent by this single-minded faithful ser- vant of God, and how has he been answered ! There is nothing too hard for the Lord. Service over, Messrs. Duncan and Yerney joined me in partaking of the Holy Communion. After the Bishop's next visit there will be, I hope, Indians ready to communicate wherever opportunity is offered. " Cannibalism is now extinct among the Tsimsheean Indians, and the whole medicine-syntem of imposture is likely to die out before very long. As Mr. Duncan's work was deemed to counteract the medicine-work and frighten away their spirit, his life was in open jeopardy from the medicine-band. Still he held on, battling against it in God's strength, and he has conquered. The principal can- nibal of the tribe died last year, a contrite yet believing Christian. It was no death-bed reper jnce : he had been gathered out of his heathen darkness while in strong, vigorous health. But so great was the effect of his dying words upon the tribe, that since his death no one at Fort Simpson amongst the heathen has dared to fill his place. " I paid a visit to the wife of the chief Paul Legale. He it was who nearly took Mr. Duncan's life at the bead of the medicine-band attacking the school. They were both bap- tized by the Bishop last April. Legale was the wealthiest chief of the Tsimsheeans at Fort Simpson. He has lost every thing — has had to give up every thing by his conver- sion to Christianity. It was with many of them literally a * forsaking of all things to follow Christ.* His house is the nicest and best situated in the village. A very little labour and expense in way of internal fittings would make it quite comfortable. He and his wife have one child only, a young girl of fourteen. She was a modest-looking, pleas- ing child — very intelligent — one of the first class in school. She did not look like one who had ever been ' possessed with a devil ;' and yet this is the child whom, three years ago, her teacher saw naked in the midst of a howling band, tearing and devouring the bleeding dog. How changed! She who *had the unclean spirit' sits now at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in her right mind. " On Tuesday, October 27th, I went on shore in the afternoon, to take up my quarters with Mr. Duncan. About four o'clock the bell was rung, and the whole village assem- bled at the Bchoolhouse, when Mr. Duncan told them that \ : i Baptiftm of Converts, 89 on the following Sunday those who deiired it, and also on examination approved themselves, would he admitted to holy haptismi At the hour appointed the candidates were assembled. Fifty-five gave in their names. Several were absent who would have come forward hu'^ ^/hey been at home ; but, as my coming was never antici| h ?a, at least 160 to 200 were away for their last huntitig and fishing excursions before the winter, and wouh^. not ]^e back for some weeks. " C . ' '.turday, October 81, 1 was hard at w "k with can- didates the whole day, from nine a.m. till eleven p.m Out ui the fifty-five who ofiered I accepted thiHy-eight — twenty- one males and seventeen females. I was strongly impre^ised with the real earnestness and devotion of those who came forward, and with their acquaintance with the simple saving truths of the Gospel message. Some cases were indeed most touching. " On Sunday, November 1, after service on boerd, Lieut. Yemey accompanied me on shore. The Baptismal Service was arranged to take place at two, for aaiilts, of whom there were thirty-nine. A second service was fixed for the infants of some of the Christians, thirteen in number, at five o'clock. A large number of the sailors fram the gun- boat were present, and seemed greatly interested in the solemn rite. The service of course had to be gone through twice. After each prayer and exhortation, in the adult form, had been ofiered or spoken by me in English, Mr. Duncan repeated it in Tsimsheean. The candidates were arranged in rows — the men behind, the women in front. At the proper point in the ser/ice, one by one the candi- dates stepped forward in front of the assembled congregation. Mr. Duncan called up each by his hea'-hen name. In answer to my request, * Name this person,' he gave the new Christian name, and by it I baptized him * In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' As I held the hand of each, while receiving him or her into the Church of Christ, and signing him with the sign of the cross, I could often feel that they trembled with deep emotion, and on returning one by one to their places, each knelt down in silent pr&yer. The baptism being ended, I ofiered up the two concluding prayers, all joining in the Lord's Prayer in English. I then addressed the newly- baptized, pointing out what Gt)d had done for them, and what they had vowed to do for Gk>d. Mr. Duncan took i i 'ii 90 Juvenile Femt. r down notes of my address, and repeated it to them in their own tongue. All seemed rapt in deep attention. There was a moment of perfect silence following upon the exhortation, and then I pronounced the Benediction. The service lasted just two hours. " At five o'clock I held a second service for the baptism of thirteen young children. They were all either infants in arms or just able to walk, the children of Christian parents. The parents of each little one stood as its sponsors with on© other if their friends, also a Christian. * Thank you, Sir,' each mother said, as I gave her back her little ones into her arms. Some of them, about three years old, were able to stand by themselves. English children of that age generally fight and scream ; but these little things stood as quiet as statues, looking wonderingly up at the figure in white that poured water upon their heads. "We named each girl after its mother, and each boy after its father. In a short address I explained to the parents and sponsors what they had undertaken to do, and why the children were baptized as they had themselves been. This ended our services for the day. It will be long before my recollection of it dies away. With those previously baptized, there are now 120 Chris- tian adults, besides a large number of children. Who can estimate the excellence of his reward who has been God's instrument in bringing these souls out of captivity, and giving them their blessed franchise of Christian liberty and the privilege of Christian sonship ? '* On Monday afternoon the school assembled ; about 150 juveniles were brought together by the sound of the gong, and were informed by Mr. Duncan that in an hour they were to return with their spoons, dishes, and mugs, the occasion being a feast, which Lieutenant Verneyand I were going to bestow. They came accordingly, in great glee. The banquet consisted of rice boiled, and sugar, treacle, and biscuit, that had been specially prepared on board the * Grappler.' The order was considerably greater than I have seen prevail at similar festive assemblies in England. Before they dispersed the young folk sang to us. They have several English sorgs and rounds and catches among their list. Their singing of ' God save the Queen ' is excellent. " My feasting for the day was not yet ended. In the evening I was invited to a wedding feast, given by t»yo whom I had that day married. Chairs were set in the centre of the room for myself and Mr. Duncan. Eice, Departure from the Village. 91 berries, salmon, sugar, with thin flour-cakes and tea, were set before the guests, who were ranged all round the large room of the host's house — not, however, squatting on the ground, as their usual posture is, but on seats temporarily made of plank. I contented myself with bread and tea. Supper ended, Mr. Duncan brought out his concertina, and played them sundry tunes, after which followed a regular talky-talky. They asked riddles, told fables, and discussed morals, with a degree of intelligence that very far surpacses that of many a rustic assemblage at home. " On Friday, November 6th, we took leave of the Chris- tian village. Mr. Duncan came off in his canoe to say good- oye. The Indians ran the British ensign up as we passed the flag- staff, which Lieutenant Verney acknowledged by hoisting all his colours — red, white, and blue — at main, fore, and mizen. And so I bid good-bye to this most interesting place. It takes its position now as one of the civilized towns or villages of British Columbia. But it is more than that : it is the enduring witness of the faith and patience and love of one unaided Christian teacher, whose reward (the only one he has ever coveted) is the souls he has been the honoured instrument of bringing from darkness to light. ' I have seen Missions in various parts of the world before now,' said Lieutenant Verney to me, * but nowhere one that has so impressed me with the reality of what has been accomplished.' " i! CHAPTER XIV. PROGRESS OF THE NEW SETTLEMENT. Trading Department — Sunday Services — Fresh Arrivals — Independent Testimony to the Work. The satisfactory advance of the new settlement is evi- denced by the following letter from Mr. Duncan, dated Metlahkatlah, January 23rd, 1864 : — " Tou will already be aware of my having purchased a schooner for 300Z., and commenced supplying our new set- 92 Trading Department, h ■■A- tlement with goods at my own risk. All the aid I had was 100/. grant from the Government, and 807. raised among the Metlahkatlah Indians towards the schooner. You will remember bow often I have deplored the misery and ruin which had set in with dreadful force upon the Tsimsheeans while I was at Port Simpson, arising from the visits of ne- farious traders, and also from the Indians themselves visit- ing Victoria. The current of evil thus set a-going tends mightily to check, if not to prevent, any permanent good being done amongst them, and threatened at no very distant period to sweep them away. "Thus, in commencing this new Christian colony, my mind was pressed with constant anxiety as to how I was to keep off nefarious traders, — how I was to keep the settlers from Victoria, — find work for them at home, and establish laudable trade on proper business principles amongst them. All the steps I have taken of late of a secular nature have been simply to answer these requirements, and I am thank- ful to tell you that they have answered them successfully thus far, and to G-od be all the praise and glory ! I saw it to be necessary that I should for a time be every thing to this settlement, and the Indians naturally and confidiugly look to me to be every thing to them ; thus I have placed myself at the head of their trade, I am appointed their magis- trate, they pay their taxes to me, I carry on their public works, as well as attend to the duties which properly be- long to my sphere. I look forward, however, to soon being able to escape from the trade department, as I am endea- vouring to form trading companies among themselves ; and as these increase in capital and knowledge of business, I shall gradually withdraw, and when I can consider it safe to leave them to themselves, I will retire altogether. " As to our progress in spiritual things, I feel I cannot at this time do justice to the subject ; but I am looking for- ward to the spring fishing season, when most of the Indians will leave me for a short time, and then I hope to give you an account of every thing connected with this part of the work, the most interesting to you, and which, when you receive it, will, I am sure, cause you to raise your hearts and voices to God in grateful praises for His mercy and goodness to this poor long-lost people. " I must, however, just mention, that since the bishop was here and baptized fifty-seven adults and some children last spring, we have had a visit from the Bev. B. Dundas, who I, Sunday Services. baptized thirty-nine adults and thirteen children. A great number are now preparing for baptism, and I hope that very soon the whole settlement will be Christian. All the baptized have been, and are, greatly tried. Many we can rejoice over exceedingly^ and are a great comfort to usfex- hibiting as they do the true signs of a real and living con- version to God ; but some few have fallen, and have been excommunicated ; but with one exception all such have bit- terly repented, and are struggling to regain their footing. " Our Sunday Services continue to be well attended, from 800 to 400 at every service; and the evening meeting amongst themselves, of which I have apprised you before, continues to increase in numbers and interest. TJpwards of 100 often attend. They have singing and prayer, and one or two of the young men exhort, making the two addresses I have given during the day the basis of their remarks. Nor is it only in our own settlement that good is being done. "Wherever these Indians go they carry their religion with them, always assembling themselves together for wor- ship on the Sunday, and getting as many of the heathen to join them as possible. An Tndian of Fort Simpson, who has received a good deal of instruction from me (though he is not a resident at our new village), came here a few days ago, bringing seven young men with him from one of the highest villages up the Naas E>iver, over 100 miles from here. He brought them that they might witness for them- selves the things of which they had heard him speak. He has been residing at this village as fur trader, but he has also diligently employed his talents for God, setting forth the Gospel where ii; had never been preached before, and has met with great encouragement and apparent success. I had the whole party at my house last Wednesday even- ing, when I endeavoured very solemnly to impress upon their minds and hearts the first principles of the Gospel of Christ. Though intending to return home on the following day, they decided to remain over the Sunday, that they might receive further instruction to carry back with them to their waiting and thirsty tribe, " The" were anxious to carry in their hands a portion of God's Word, so I wrote out for each, on a piece of paper, — ' This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.* I also gave the Indian trader and teacher some further instruc- tions, and pointed him out portions of Scripture suited to 94 Fresh Arrivals. fs-i him and his flock. Before he arrived here he wrote me a very encouraging letter (for I have taught him to read and write), a copy of which I should like to have forwarded you, but I must forbear. *< I am happy to tell you also that our new village goes on increasing in size. Five new houses are being erected, and several Indians have applied for plots of ground to build upon during the next summer. Some of the fresh arrivals are from two other tribes, not the Tsimsheeans, but speak- ing the same tc ague ; their homes being about 100 miles from here, and about 50 miles from each other." The following extract from the Daily British Colo- nist, a Yictoria newspaper, February 29, 1864, gives a pleasing account of the state of the new settlement : — " Progress and condition of tJie Metlahhatlah Settlement. " The schooner * Carolena,' Captain Patterson, arrived on Saturday from the Church Missionary settlement at Metlah- katlah, bringing as freight a full cargo, consisting of fish-oil, furs, Indian food, cypress plants, &c., prepared by Indians at the settlement. " After the arrival at Metlahkatlah of the * Carolena,' on her last trip from Victoria, a meeting of all those interested in the vessel was held, and after providing for the expense of new sails and anchors, a dividend was declared by Mr. Duncan of five per cent, upon each share. This somewhat puzzled the Indians, who imagined when the money was given to them that they were parting with their interest in the vessel. As soon as the matter was satisfactorily ex- plained to them, they at once gave her the appropriate name of ' Ahah !' or slave, signifying that she did all the work and they reaped the profit. "Mr. Duncan is endeavouring by degrees to vest the entire ownership of the vessel and profits of the trade in his people. Hitherto the profits derived from his own share have been devoted to the Mission. " On New-year's day, after a devotional meeting, there was a business meeting, attended by the whole settlement, when Mr. Duncan announced the expenditure of the last year's taxes, and read the village rules and regulations. An out- line was also furnished of the proposed expenditure for the current year, which met with general approval. Immediately after the meeting the tax of 2'50 dollars (or a blanket) for Independent Testimony to the Wbrii, 95 adultS;, and IgSO dollars (or one sliirt) for boys, was paid. Some feeble old men, who could hardly walk, came tottering along, with their blankets, anxious to become good citizens, but were exempted from the levy. " Mr. Duncan has been working hard to ascertain what his people's inclination and abilities are, so as to class their occupation, and has in a great measure succeeded. He has now a number at work, making shingles, building a new Mission house, road making, hunters, sawyers, &c. He has also taught them to make clogs for themselves, which are much prized. Those who break the laws are tried for the offence, and if found guilty, are sentenced to labour on public works. The settlement is assuming quite an im- posing aspect. There are at present eight substantial houses in the course of construction, and many are inquiring for sites. The constables, eighteen in number (who are volun- teers, and desire no pay), do their duty admirably, without fear, favour, or prejudice, and are held in awe by trans- gressors. " It was truly encouraging to witness the many earnest entreaties made by the people of the village that their friends in Victoria might be urged to flee from the snares and vices which lead them astray here, and to return to their homes. Several letters were written by themselves in English, and couched in fervent language, beseeching rela- ti" " to return there, and thus save both body and soul, which they say must be inevitably and irretrievably lost by their residing there. No sooner was it announced that the vessel was about to proceed to Victoria, and was prepared to receive orders to execute, than the people flocked to it Avith commissions for every conceivable variety of goods, includ- ing even wall-paper and household furniture, to adorn their own residences." ^; 2-' 4 oa Vmt to Fort Simpson, CHAPTER XV. EVANGELISTIC VISIT TO FORT SIMPSON, AND ARRIVAL OF A NEW LABOURER. Visit to Fort Simpson — Speeches of Christian Chiefs — Treat- ment of an Offender — Native Missionary Mffbrts — Mis- sionary THals. We must not omit to notice a visit to Fort Simpson, which Mr. Duncan paid early in the following year, with a view to try whether he might, with God's nelp, be the means of reclaiming some of the heathen who had been left behind when he and his party removed to Metlahkatlah. His journal thus refers to his visit : — '* Feb. 6, 1864. — I have just returned from a visit to Port Simpson. I went to proclaim the Gospel once morb to the poor unfeeling heathen there. I started on Thursday, preached twice on Friday, and returned to-day. There is evidently a shaking of the dry bones there ; but this I could see plainly, that the Indians are by no means ripe as a whole to remove to us yet. Some talk of coming soon, and spoke well. I laid the Gocpel again distinctly before them, and they seemed much affected. The most pleasing circum- stance of all, and which I was not prepared to expect, was, that Paul Legaic and Clah (the one in times past a for- midable enemy and opposer, and the other one among the first to hear and greet the Gospei) sat by me, one on either side. After I had finished my address on each occasion they got up and spoke, and spoke well. " Legaic completely shamed and confounded an old man, who, in replying to my address, had said that I had come too late to do him and other old people good ; that hi d I come when the first white traders came, the Tsimsheeanihad long since been good. But they had been allowed to grow up in sin; they had seen nothing among the first whites who came amongst them to unsettle them in' their old habits, Speeches of Christian Chiefs, 97 but these bad rather added to them fresh sins, and now their sins were deep laid they (he and the other old people) could not change. Legaic interrupted him and said, * I am a chief, a Tsimsheean chief. You know I have been bad, very bad, as bad as any one here. I have grown up and grown old in sin, but God has changed my heart, and He can change yours. Think not to excuse yourselves in your sins by saying you are too old and too bad to mend. Nothing is impossible with God. Come to God ; try His way ; He can save you.' He then exhorted all to taste God's way, to give their hearts to Him, to leave all their sins ; and then endeavoured to show them what they had to expect if they did so — not temporal good, not health, long life, or ease, or wealth, but God's favour here and happiness with God after death. Clah also spoke at great length. He said from his youth he hated heathenism, and could never be prevailed upon, not even by threats, to join them in its follies. But he did not know of any better way ; but by the time he becamo a man God sent His word to the Tsimsheeans. He soon saw that he and his people were in the dark, and that God's word was a light, a great light shining in the darkness. He kept his eye fixed upon it, and staned, several id one took ely housed, T side. My me to his ad put his itre, placed mber of his ;y of us, all 1 was first large horn My plat© •ge wooden efore every 1 molasses, ed. While irge spoon- feast I had Bsting that lould meet give them : readiness jested that J assemble, He there- his house, lie. Kah- me. The old man very Bolemuly sat down before me, fixed his eyes upon the ground, and began beating time by striking his foot with his hand. He was assisted by Kahdoonahah, who not only sang, but kept up a thumping noise with a largo stick. A few boys also clapped their hands in proper time. After they had sung two or three songs I told them we would have a change. I drew my few boys around me. One of them immediately warned the chief and his company that we were going to sing songs to God, which were the same as prayer*', and therefore they must be very reverent. We sang several little hymns, some of which I translated. The party soon increased, and sat very attentively." " April 20. — After breakfast, two men entered the house, anu stood just within the door. Looking at me, one of them shouted out, "Woah shimauket, woah shimauket, woali 8himau?:et, woah." After repeating this twice, they went away. This was an invitation from a chief who wanted me and my crew to breakfast with him. I took two of my party, and set off. When I was entering the chief's house, he stood up, and, beckoning me to a seat, cried out loudly, " Teah shimauket, yeah shimauket, yeah shimauket, yeah." As soon as I was seated, he stopped, and sat down. These words, rendered into English, are, "Welcome chief, welcome chief, welcome chief, welcome." We feasted on boiled salmon, and rice, and sugar and molasses, after which the chief presented me with five marten skins and a large salmon. When I returned to Kahdoonahah's house, he had got three large iron kettles on the fire for the feast ; and I was informed that an old chief had given ir.ii a large black bear's skin. The drum began to beat, and a general bustle prevailed around me. I sat down to collect my thoughts, and to lift up my heart to G-od to prepare me for the important meeting about to take place, at which the blessed Grospel was to be proclaimed to these poor tribes of Indians for the first time. "About twelve o'clock they began to assemble. Each took a place corresponding to his rank. We soon mustered about sixty chieff. and headmen. Between one and two p.m. we began to feast, which consisted, as usual, of salmon and rice, and molasses. Just when we had done eating, a cauoo of Tsimsheeans arrived : it was the cannibal chi^' and his party. I cannot say whether their visit was designed for the purpose of hearing what I said to these Indians, or not ; but I think it vas. They came dressed, and sat in a row amojagst 1. i fii* 104 Missionary's Address to the Indians. us. We now mustered, with waiters and lookers-on, about 100 souls. In the morning I had heard Elahdoonahah saj that they intended to perform before me their * Ahlied ;' but I requested him to have no playing, as I wanted to speak very solemnly to them. He promised me they would do nothing bad ; but now that the feasting was over, much to my sorrow, he put on his dancing mask and robes. The leading singers stepped out, and soon all were engaged in a spirited chant. They kept excellent time by clapping their hands and beating a drum. (I found out afterwards that they had been singing my praises, and asking me to pity them and do them good.) The chief Kahdoonahah danced with all his might during the singing. He wore a cap, which had a mask in front, set with mother-of-pearl, and trimmed with porcupine's quills. The quills enabled him to hold a quantity of white bird's down on the top of his head, which he ejected while dancing, by jerking his head forward : thus he soon appeared as if in a shower of snow. In the middle of the dance a man approached me with a handful of down, and blew it over my head, thus symbolically uniting me in friendship with all the chiefs present, and the tribes they severally represented. After the dance and singing were over, I felt exceedingly anxious about addressing them ; but circumstances seemed so unfavourable, on account of the excitement, that my heart began to sink. What made the matter worse, too, was, a chief, who had lately been shot in the arm for overstepping his rank, began talking very pas- sionately. This aroused me. I saw at once that I must speak, or probably the meeting might conclude in confusion. I stood up, and requested them to cease talking, as I wished them to rest their hearts, and listen to the great message I had come to deliver. Instantly the chief ceased talking, and ever^ countenance became fixed attentively towards me. I began, and the Lord helped me much. I was enabled to speak with more freedom and animation than I had ever done before in the Indian tongue. Much to my encouragement, the Indians unanimously respo^-ded at the finish of every clause. The most solemn occasion of this kind was when I introduced the name of the Saviour. At once every tongue uttered Jesus, and, for some time, kept repeating that blessed name, which I hop i they will not forget. " After I had finished my address, I asked them to declare to me their thoughts upon what they had heard, and also if they desired to be further instructed in God's word. ins* Commencement of Missionary/ Work at Naas. 105 >kers-on, about hdoonahah saj * Ahlied ;' but anted to speali bhey would do over, much to i robes. The e engaged in a clapping their ifterwards that ig me to pity snabah danced ) wore a cap, r-of-pearl, and mabled him to op of his head, head forward : snow. In the with a handful ilically uniting and the tribes 3 and singing iressing them ; account of the /"hat made the Y been shot in king verj pas- that I must 3 in confusion, g, as I wished eat message I d talking, and wards me. I ks enabled to had ever done icouragement, oish of everj' d was when I every tongue % that blessed em to declare ;ard, and also God's word. 1 Immediately a universal cry arose of, ' Good is your speech: good, good, good news! We greatly desire to learn the book : we wish our children to learn.* After being assured that there was not one dissenting voice, I concluded the meeting ; and in a very few minutes I was in my canoe, and floating down the river. " I ought to mention, that I f.ad other presents of fur made me during the afternoon by two chiefs. One gave me the skins of three martens and two lynxes ; and the other, three beavers, a black bear, and a fisher. Of course I am expected to return these chiefs some presents of equal value, the transaction itself being only to induce a reciprocation of good feeling, and the articles exchanged are as pledges of the same. The Tsimsheean cannibal invited me to sleep in his house, at his temporary fishing-village, on my way down. I arrived back at Fort Simpson on the seventh day." Anxious as Mr. Duncan was to help these people, it was impossible for him to do it while he was alone ; so that, notwithstanding their urgent entreaties for a Mis- sionary, they were left without one until the beginning of 1864, w hen they again claimed his attention ; and having paid another visit to them in the spring of that year, their wants were again pressed upon him ; and as, in the providence of God, Mr. Doolan arrived just at that time, it was agreed between them that he should at once proceed to the Naas River, and commence Mis- sionary work there. He was accompanied by Robert Dundas, a young Tsimsheean Christian, who, it was hoped, would prove of service in assisting him with the language, and helping in the school. During his short stay at Metlahkatlah he saw something of the working of the Mission, baptized one adult and four infants, and married one of the girls adopted by Mrs. Tugwell while there, a truly Christian girl, to the young man, S. Mars- den, who promised to be a great help in the, school. Mr. Doolan thus describes the welcome they received from the Indians at Naas : — " On the 20th of July we left Metlahkatlah, and, on our arrival at Naas, took up '^nr residence in the house of one of the chiefs. The Indians seemed very much pleased that we had come. Our first step was to look out for a suitable site for a house, hoping before winter we might have a 106 Firstfruits, !>■ . !! small house erected, but we eventually agreed to rent from one of the chiefs an old deserted Indian house, which we at once proceeded to put in order. The chiefs, and some of the other men, came forward very readily, and lent us bark and plank for roofing and flooring the schoolhouse, telling us they did intend treating us as the Tsimsheeans had treated Mr. Duncan. As the time of the year when we arrived was midsummer, most of the Indians were away making food, but from the very first a small band of young men stuck to us, and these, with others, we employed in cutting wood for the house. To show the anxiety mani- fested by some among them to learn " the book," as they call the Bible, I will give you one instance. Two young men came down from their own village, a distance of thirty miles, and remained with us over two weeks, till forced to return by want of food. Their sole motive for coming was to learn. Another lad, the son of a chief, has from the first remained with us. He has been sorely tempted more than once to leave. Four times in one afternoon men came to him, as he was working for us, trying to induce him to ac- company them to a whisky feapfc. He refused to go, telling them if he did we should ba ashamed of him. I trust he will soon learn to resist temptation from higher motives than these. His father and mother are very angry with him, and have cast him off. He tells us he constantly prays to God. At Mr. Duncan's suggestion, he will remain with hira during the winter. I trust the Spirit is leading him to inquire after the Saviour, and that in the spring, should it be tlie will of God, he may be ready for baptism, the first- fruits from iN'aas. The manners and customs of the Naas Indians are so similar to the Tsimsheeans that to describe them would be giving but a repetition of what Mr. Duncan has already written. "We have some diflBculties to contend with, which he did not find among the Tsimsheeans : one will arise from the different circumstances through which a man becomes a chief amongst them. With the Tsimsheeans, the chieftainship is hereditary ; but at Naae, if a man ac- cumulates, either by industry (and they are, without excep- tion, the most industrious of the Northern-coast Indians) or by marriage, a certain amount of property, he becomes a sort of chief amongst them. Polygamy is very prevalent among thera: one chief has no less than five wives. In becoming a Christian, he loses his precedence among his fellow-men, and one of the most difficult questions that will Second Visit of the Bishoj). 107 to rent from , which we at and some of lent us bark bouse, telling isheeans had ear when we B were away ind of young employed in mxiety mani- >ok," as they Two young nee of thirty till forced to p coming was from the first ed more than men came to ee him to ac- to go, telling iim. I trust gher motives angry with 3tantly prays remain with ading him to Qg, should it am, the first- of the Naas t to describe Mr. Duncan 18 to contend heeans : one >ugh which a Tsimsheeans, if a man ac- thout excep- ast Indians) le becomes a ry prevalent wives. In i among his ons that will arise is this — How to maintain a chief's social position on his embracing Christianity ?" " Jtily 31, Sunday. — ^e went to every house in the three villages, inviting the people to attend service. Segan service about ten a.m., and had fifty-eight at our first meet- ing. Charles Ryan, a Christian man from Metlahkatlah, who happened to be then at Naas, gave a nice address." The limits of our space will not allow of our giving any further details of the work at this advanced post on the Naas River. It will be sufficient to say that God has been pleased so to bless the labours of His servants, that a promising settlement has now been formed there similar to Metlahkatlah, to which the Missionaries have given the name of Kincauleth. CHAPTER XYII. SECOND VISIT OF THE BISHOP OF COLUMBIA. Bislwp^s Beport of tlie Native Settlement — Celebration of the Queeii's Birthday — Addre'^ses hy some of the Chiefs — Prosperity of the Village — Affinity hetiveen Indian Lan- guages — Testimony of a Stranger — Appearance of the Christian Village. In the summer of 1866 a second visit was paid to the Mission by the Bishop of Columbia, who thus reports with reference to it in a letter from Vancouver's Island, on June 27 : — " I have recently returned from an interesting visit to the Tsimsheeans at Metlahkatlah, where, I am thankful to say, the work of God continues to prosper. Assisted by the Eev. R. A. Doolan and Mr. Duncan, I carefully examined about one hundred catechumens, many of whom had been several years under preparation, and on Whit-Sunday bap- tized of them thirty men and thirty-five women, in all sixty- five adults. I trulv believe most of these were sincere and in- .'J Ml 108 Bishop's Report of the Native Settlement, telligent believers in Christ — as worthy converts from heathenism as have ever been known in the history of the Church. The mistake sometimes made in saying that the only hope of Missionary labour is in the young, and that little may be expected from adult heathen, receives encou- raging contradiction here from the number of elderly per- sons who give every proof of the sincerity of conversion. At the same time the young are growing up with all the more hope from the Christian example of their parents and friends. " The Female Institution has borne good fruit in planting out one set of young women in domestic life. The present inmates are nearly of an age to follow, and others are waiting to supply their room. The arrival of the Eev. F. and Mrs. G-ribbell* will be of great advantage to this part of the work, and will relieve Mr. Duncan of a most difficult duty, but one which he has admirably discharged. Mr. Duncan's influence is great upon surrounding and even distant tribes, who frequently ask for teachers to come and reside amongst them ; and it is of much importance that the present op- portunity should not be lost, for terrible are the evil agencies for effecting the deeper contamination and rapid destruction of the native race of this country. " Besides this Mission to the Tsimsheeans, two other cen- tres urgently call for the Gospel — Fort Rupert and Queen Charlotte islands — from which may be reached about 5000 Indians, speaking the Quoquolt, and the same number speaking Hydah tongues. Two Missionaries should go to each. For the Tsimsheeans there needs an addition of three labourers — one to assist Mr. Doolan on the Naas Eiver. a second to reside at Fort Simpson, and a third to go to the Skeena Eiver, south of Metlahkatlah. Metlahkatlah is destined to become the centre of the northern Missions on this coast, and probably of just trade, from which Christian civilization may spread around. It would be desirable co have an institution for boys as well as girls, frooi whicb might be drafted the future teachers of the tribes, leading eventually to education for the ministry. It is of conse- quence to make this Mission strong with the earnest life of faithful Missionaries from the mother land." * Tho Rov. F. Gribbell had been Bent out by the Church Missionary Society to assist Mr. Duncan ; but through the failure of Mrs. Grib- bell's health, he, like Mr. Tugwell, was obliged to abandon tho work. lement. Celebration of the Queen* 8 Birthday. 109 converts from history of the laying that the oung, and that receives encou- of elderly per- of conversion. up with all the their parents ruit in planting . The present lers are waiting jv. P. and Mrs. lis part of the b diflScult duty, Mr. Duncan's I distant tribes, reside amongst the present op- are the evil ation and rapid two other cen- )ert and Queen led about 5000 same number 3S should go to Idition of three Naas River, a rd to go to the [etlahkatlah is rn Missions on «rhich Christian be desirable to s, from which tribes, leading [t is of conse- earnest life of buroh Missionary re of Mrs. Grib- mdon tho work. The following interesting account of the celebration of the Queen's birthday at Metlahkatlah is extracted from the Victoria Daily Chronicle of June 1, 1866 : — tt It had been usual every year to keep the Queen's birth- day at Metlahkatlah. The presence of a ship of war in- duced Mr. DuDcan to resolve to observe the festive occasion a few days earlier than customary. By the kindness of Captain Porcher of H.M.S. * Sparrowhawk,' he was enabled to do this. At an early hour on the 21st of May a party from the ship decorated the bastion and the principal build- ings with a festoon of flags of various nations. The day was perfect, the sun shone bright, and all the beautiful scenery of islands, placid sea and distant mountains, contri- buted to the delight. Precisely at twelve o'clock a royal salute of twenty-one guns boomed forth from the ship, to the great satisfaction and some astonishment jf the clean, orderly, and well-dressed groups of Indians, who had now gathered to the village square to participate in the pro- ceedings of the day. There were healthy children playing at ball and taking turns at the merry-go-round ; young men were striving at gymnastic bars ; the eighteen policemen of the village were in regimentals, ready for review ; and the elders walked about the happy scene, comparing the old time and new, and thanking God for increase of prosperity and of blessing. " During the earlier part of the day a distribution of gifts took place : biscuits were given to 140 children, who sang in English * God save the Queen,' and other pieces. Better behaved children, more orderly and obedient, there could not be found in any land. Next came 120 elderly men and women, to whom a few leaves of tobacco were an acceptable token of sympathy ; the sick, too, were remem- bered ; and last, not least, the councilmen and constables. Gifts, however, are not the order of the day in Metlahkatlah. All who come there are taught to depend upon their own industry. Ifot a few have suffered the loss of all things by leaving home, friends, and property elsewhere, to come here. The most exciting thing of the day was the race between five canoes, manned by forty-one young men, and men in their prime. The course was about two miles, round an island in full view of the village. Three canoes, two of women, had their contest. Poot races, boys running in \\\\ w no Addresses hy some of the Chiefs. sacks, blind man's buff, and such like amusements, completed the programme of that part of the festivities. The crew of the ' Sparrowhawk ' had their holiday on shore, and appeared equally to enjoy the occasion. A remarkable contrast was afforded by the arrival of a fleet of Bella Bella canoes, whose savage owners, with black and red painted faces, dirty, un- combed heads, and tattered blankets, showed off to advantage the well-dressed and respectable Metlahkatlans. After a time the heathen visitors became convinced of their disad- vantage, and prudently retired from observation. " In the evening, before the exhibition of a "^'•agic lantern, a public meeting was held, at which were present Captain Pcrcher and several of his oflBcers, the Bishop of Columbia, the Eev. E. A. Doolan, and Mr. Duncan. Addresses were delivered, to which the Indian chief men replied. The fol- lowing are the brief words of three of these : — " Kemskah. — * Chiefs, I will say a little. How were we to hear when we were young what wo now hear? And being old, and long fixed in sin, how are we to obey ? We are like the canoe going against the tide which is too strong for it. We struggle, but in spite of our efforts we are carried out to sea. Again, we are like a youth watching a skilled workman. He strives to imitate his work, but fails : so we. We try to follow God's way, but how far we fall short ! Still we are encouraged to persevere. We feel we are nearing the shore. We are coming nearer to the hand of God — nearer peace. We must look neither to the right nor left, but look straight on and persevere.' " Thralc'shah-Jcaun (once a Sorcerer). — * Chiefs,'I will speak. As my brothers before me have entreated, so do ye. Why have you left your country to come to us ? One thing has brought you here. One thing was the cause — to teach us the way of God, and help us to wtdk in it. Our forefathers were wicked and dark : they taught us aTilied'' (sorcery). ' My eyes have swollen : three nights I have not slept. I have crept to the corner of my house to cry, reflecting on God's pity to us in sending you at this time. Tou are not acting from your own hearts. God has sent you. I am happy to see so many of my brothers and sisters born to God. God has spoken to us : let us hear.' " Woodeemeesh. — ' I will speak to my brethren. What has God done to us ? What does He see in us that He should be working for us ? We are like the fallen tree, fa. mts, completed . The crew of )f and appeared [e contrast was k canoes, whose aces, dirty, un- »ff to advantage lans. After a of their disad- ion. "^"•agic lantern, resent Captain p of Columbia, Addresses were )lied. The fol- How were we iw hear? And to obey ? "We ih is too strong efforts we are ith watching a Tork, but fails : low far we fall We feel we er to the hand ler to the right ?fs,'I will speak, do ye. Why One thing has e — to teach us )ur forefathers led ' (sorcery) . not slept. I reflecting on You are not nt you. I am sisters born to bhren. What in us that He ;he fallen tree, Froiperiip of the Village, 111 buried in the undergrowth. What do these chiefs gain by coming to us ? Did we call them ? Do we know from whence they are ? Or did we see the way they have come ? Tet they arrived to us ; they have torn away the under- growth ; they have found us, and they have lifted our hands and eyes to God, and showed us the way to heaven.' " The magic lantern came after that. The Bella Bella chief was present, and declared the white man could conjure better than the Indian. All departed at a somewhat late hour, highly delighted with the Queen's birthday for 1866." A few extracts from Mr. Duncan's letter to the Com- mittee of this date will give a general idea of the state of tHe Mission colony at this time. On July 10, 1866, after referring to the pleasure which the Bishop's visit had given to the little community, he writes, — " Tou will be happy to hear that our village trade prospers. I had hoped to have transferred this department to other hands, but have been disappointed. Had I done so I think I should now have had upwards of lOOOZ. surplus, which I had intended laying out in the village, and in building a new church, and thus raising a substantial monument of the industry of the village during the past four years of its existence. This result is the more encouraging alongside the fact that most of the other traders with the Indians are complaining of losses. Some have failed altogether, and now several of the liquor vendors have fled insolvent. " 1. As regards the trade department, I have instructed a white man, the only one in the village besides myself, who is married to a Metlahkatlah Indian, to keep the store, and he, with four Indians, manages the schooner. Now, instead of the savage altercation so common to Indian trading, the Metlahkatlah store demands and obtains quietness and courtesy. We have continued to supply the Indians with all goods answering the convenience of civilized life, and tending to elevate their tastes and improve their appearance. " 2. Matters of law. — All private, domestic, and civil troubles find their way to the Mission house, and now the Indians from surrounding tribes bring in their every trial of a serious nature. Thus my duties in this department are very trying, demanding much patience, energy and explana- 112 Affinity between Indian Languages. h? I Ij II if > tion. But it is satisfactory to see peace and quietness prevail in the village, and to bo able to extend the same bless- ings to some little extent to the surrounding tribes. " 3. Ta^es and village worJc. — The Indians, on the whole, this year have been very prompt in paying their tax, namely, a blanket for each male adult. And hence the village work is progressing. The chief, Legaic, the twelve councillors, and the eighteen constables, are all doing as well as I can expect. I am particularly pleased with their loyalty and strict obedience, even in matters very trying to their own: private feelings. " 4. Building department. — Our Mission premises are now nearly complete, and are very ample. With God's good hand upon us, we hope soon to set about building a,. real church on an elevated portion of the village, and we will try to do it without any expense to the Society. Mr. Doolan and myself think that 1007. a year will be quite sufficient in future for the general expenses of the Mission. " 5. School department. — There are about 130 children on the books, but many of them are necessarily away a great part of their time each year, gathering food. My regular scholars are the boarders, and some few from the villages. For the adults I carry on an evening school in the winter. The great want I feel for the adults is a book in their own tongue. This I am preparing, and hope ere long to have it ready for printing. We will try to print it with our own press. " I may now mention a pleasing discovery that I made this spring. In one of the trading parties of Indians from the Skeena river there were two men from the far interior, both married into the Tsimsheean-speaking tribes on the river, and able to speak Tsimsheean fluently. I went to address the party in the house where they were lodging during their stay here. A day or two afterwards I bethought myself of a letter I had received from Kev. W". Kirkby, one of our Missionaries on the Mackenzie river. He had in- quired about the Tsimsheean language, and so I at once went to these two strangers to compare their own tongue with the language of Mr. Kirkby*s Indians, and, to my great joy, I found them agree. I cannot tell you how delighted I was at this discovery: thus I can now communicate through the Tsimsheean tongue with the various Indians speaking the language known to Mr. Kirkby. Testimony of a Stranger. 113 English. Sun. Fire Wood. Man. Hand. Foot. Mr. Kirkby's Vocabulary. Sa. Kun. Touchon. TenDa. La. Ka. The two stran- gers' Native Tongue. Sa. Lun. Tichen. Tenne. La. Ka. Tsimsheean. Kammuckcumcheeoost . * Lak. Kan. Touefc. Annon. Ahsbee. "6. Beligiom Services department. — I have now three services on the Sunday, and village prayers every week-day night, all of which are well attended. Thus the Lord is blessing us. I rejoice to report that three families have lately left Fort Simpson to join ua, and I have notice of another coming, and others- who are thinking of it. The three which have come are of the right class — four penitent sinners, feeling their way after God. To God be all the praise and glory ! Amen." / We have already inserted several testimonies to the progress of the Mission work from various quarters, in- cluding that of the Bishop of the diocese, the Governor of the colony, officers in Her Majesty's service who have visited Metlahkatlah, and others. These might be largely multiplied, as will be found by reference to the Society's periodicals. But the following extract from the Nanaimo Tribune deserves to be specially noticed, inasmuch as it comes from the pen of a Eoman Catholic gentleman, who visited the Mission station in 1866, and is therefore of especial value as an independent testi- mony : — " Being requested by several of my friends to give a sketch of my three months' trip north as far as the Eussian posses- sion, I comply cheerfully, my principal motive for so doing being the vindication of the character of some noble, self- sacrificing men in the Missionary cause from the scandalous aspersions cast upon them by a portion of the press of the colony. Knowing by experience the many efibrts that have been made by the people of this island to aid the Missionary • Kammuck is " hot." Cheeoost is " daylight " — thus Kammuck- cumeheeoost is " the heater of the day." I Ill i ii; l: t ill 114 Appearance of the Christian Village. in his exertions to preserve, if possible, a few of the many Indian tribes north, and knowing also how little help they have received from the Executive in this particular, I could not but feel surprised and gratified at the vast improvement in the condition of the Indians, both morally and socially, that I witnessed at the difierent Missions since my last visit. Ab Metlahkatlah, the charge of Mr. Duncan, this improve- ment was particularly marked. The ccafidence reposed in Mr. Duncan by his dusky flock has never for a moment been shaken, in fact, is daily on the increase, as the many additions to the population from outside sources will attest. . . . The town is triangular in shape ; the Mission buildings being located on a bold promontory forming the apex. The view from the southern entrance of the harbour, looking town- ward, is extremely pretty. The church, of octagonal form, having a handsome portico and belfry, and surmounted vrith the emblem of Christianity and peace, occupies a prominent position in the foreground : adjacent to this are the parson- age, store, and sawpits, the latter supplying lumber of good quality, the product of native labour, at the rate of fifteen dollars per 1000. The houses, numbering about fifty, are nearly all of a uniform size — 16 by 24 feet — good frame, weatherboarded and shingled, glazed windows, and having neat little gardens in front ; the whole forming two hand- some esplanades, one fronting the outer and the other the inner harbour. The interior of the houses did not belie the promise held out by the exterior. Every thing was neat and scrupulously clean. The inmates were as well supplied with the requisites to make life comfortable as any of our labouring class here. Cooking stoves and clocks were common to every dwelling, and, in a few instances, pictures adorned the walls of the more luxuriously inclined. The sight at church on Sabbath morning was pleasant to behold. The congrega- tion numbered about 300, the females preponderating, the major portion of the males being at that time out fishing. They were all well clad — ^the women in their cloth mantles and merino dresses, and their heads gaily decked with the graceful bandanna ; the men in substantial tweeds and broad- cloth suits, and having the impress of good health and con- tentment on their intelligent features. Their <}onduct during divine service was strictly exemplary, and would have done credit to many a more pretentious edifice than that at Met- lahkatlah. As a whole, Mr, Duncan's people are industrious and sober; they are courteous and hospitable to strangers, Close of the Review, 115 of the many Je help they ular, I could improvement and socially, my last visit, bhia improve- e reposed in moment been any additions !st. ... The ildings being X. The view ooking town- itagonal form, mounted with J a prominent •e the parson- imber of good rate of fifteen )out fifty, are pgood frame, 3, and having ttg two hand- the other the L not belie the •was neat and supplied with our labouring e common to js adorned the ight at church The congrega- uderating, the 18 out fishing, cloth mantles icked with the eds and broad* ealth and con- londuct during uld have done Q that at Met- ire industrious e to strangers, and, if properly protected by their Government against the poisoU'Veuders of this island, will in time become a numerous 4ind wealthy people." CHAPTER XVIir. CLOSE OF THE REVIEW. Visit of the Governor — Beport of Bean Oridge — Present State of the Settlement — Visit to England of Mr. Duncan. We have now come to the end of the period which we undertook to review. It was in September 1857 that Mr. Duncan had left Victoria for Fort Simpson ; and now, on September 20, 1867, we find him giving the following report to the Home Committee : — " I have still the pleasing and encouraging announcement to make, that the good hand of our God is upon us. His blessed work in this land is still growing both in strength and extent. The days of our trembling weakness are past : the sapling has become a tree, an offshoot of which is already bearing fruit. To God be all the praise and glory ! Amen. " In the last week of January a deputation of the Indians waited upon me, praying that I would procure a saw- mill for the village, as our present pit-saws did not produce sufficient material to meet our necessities for building. I needed, of course, little urging in the direction they pointed ; and so, having several other pressing reasons for my paying a visit to Victoria, and a favourable opportunity being afibrded for my quickly performing the trip, I suddenly resolved to go. Mr. Doolan willingly undertook the charge of everything during my absence. I spent about three weeks in "Victoria, and finished all my business. On the 10th of March I arrived back at Metlahkatlah, bringing with me 700 copies of our first tract printed in the Tsimsheean tongue. Many of the Indians can already read it, and are greatly delighted with it. The cost of printing it was only twelve dollars^ I 2 I !l m 116 Visit of the Governor. which expense Mr. Doolan kindly bore. Tou will, I am sure, be glad to learn that our village is attracting new settlers from surrounding tribes of Indians, and ranidly improving in appearance. "On the 12th of June last His Er-'' .^y Governor Seymour paid us his long-promised visit, and expressed him- self very much gratified with all he saw. Though he had heard much of Metlahkatlah, yet the reality, be said, far exceeded his expectations. " On the 20th of May we welcomed our new Missionary brother, Mr. Tomlinson. At once we sat down to consider the advisability of recommencing the Naas Mission*, as Mr. Doolan's recent visit to Naas had convinced him that little good can be expected to result from occasional visits. It was decided that Mr. Doolan and Mr. Tomlinson should proceed without delay, and endeavour to establish the little band, already gathered out of the heathen at Naas, into a Christian settlement. On the 4th of June, Messrs. Doolan and Tomlinson started away for their arduous work, I trust to be greatly blessed in their labours. Their letters and journals will give you the account of their proceedings and success. " On the 9th of last month I ^el'jomed here my very dear friend — a warm and tried friend of the Mission — the Dean of Victoria (Eev. E. Cridgi?;), jn his first visit to us. The Dean has long anxiously desired and prayed for the oppor- tunity to pay us a visit, and now, at the end of ten years from my first arrival in the country, his prayers have been heard, and he is with us, to the great joy of his heart. He purposes, I believe, writing to you himself upon all that he has seen and done here, so that I will say no more than that I have had the great pleasure of assisting him in examining over a hundred catechumens : the result being, that he ac- cepted, and, on the 8th instant, baptized ninety-six adult Indians and eighteen children. " The same steamer that brought us the Dean, brought us a letter calling upon Mr. Doolan to return home. Tou will learn from the minutes of the Committee meeting held here, and now sent you, the circumstances of the case. It is a great loss to the Naas Mission his going &way, but the loss has been most providentially alleviated by the step which he • ThiB had been temporarily suspended, owing to difficulties that had arisen. >u will, I am tractiDg new and rabidly ^y Governor pressed him- ough he had , he said, far TV Missionary n to consider aion*, as Mr. im that little lal visits. It inson should lish the little Naas, into a essrs. Poolan work, I trust r letters and iceedings and my very dear n — the Dean to us. The or the oppor- of ten years P8 have been 8 heart. He m all that he ore than that in examining y, that he ac- ety-six adult Report of Dean Cridge. 117 1, brought us ae. Tou will ing held here, case. It is a , but the loss step which he difficulties that and Mr. Tomlinson took this summer in moving the cate- chumens to their new home. He thus leaves the result of his labours collected, and in a condition to be easily taken up by his successor. I regret very much Mr. Doolan*B going away, but to every thing we sav, * The Lord's will be done.' He has lived to do God's work here, and takes with him the grateful affections of many hearts." Upon Dean Cridge's return to Victoria, after a visit of seven weeks to Metlahkatlab, he sent to the Com- mittee of the Church Missionary Society a full and most interesting statement of the condition of the Mission after ten years of labour. This review has already ap- peared in the pages of the Church Missionary Intelli- genceVy and has been published separately by the Society. A few words in conclusion as to the results which, after a period of ten years, Christianity has been able to attain amongst the Tsimsheeans. The first attempts of the Missionary were made at Fort Simpson, and there, in spite of many hindrances, we saw how Christianity, when faithfully introduced amongst a wild and degraded race, will make its way amidst the gravest obstructions, and so lay hold on men's consciences as to lead them, in spite of their prejudices, to yield themselves to its in- fluence, and profess it before their countrymen, although exposed, because of this, to much persecution. Mr. Duncan, after a few years, removed to his present post, Metlahkatlab, about seventeen miles from Fort Simpson, and there, as Mr. Macfie testifies, in his work on Vancouver's Island, " during the first four years a work has been accomplished whose success has rarely, if ever, been equalled in the history of Missions to the heathen." Kesults have been achieved of such a nature as to assure us that Christianity, when believed, has power so to change men, that they become a marked contrast to their former selves ; nay, not only so, but that it brings hope to imperilled races, and, by raising the tone of individual character, prepares the way for a great national renovation. Thus the Gospel of Christ has proved a refuge to the shipwrecked and perishing Indians of British Columbia, by gathering a portion of I'l i!! m Present State of the Settlement, them witbin its protecting influence. A new community has been formed, purged from the degrading practices of preceding generations, and endued with such a moral tone, that the vices which emanate from Victoria, in- stead of being imbibed with a miserable facility, are strenuously resisted and repelled. And there is evi- dence that the work has begun to spread so as to affect beneficially a large portion of the nation. To God be all the praise ! It is not to glorify the man, or the Society which sent him out, that w© dwell upon this remarkable testimony. Moreover, Metlahkatlah is not without its Christian discipline; but it is an easy yoke compared with the burden of heathenism, which is harsh and grinding, and is necessary to perpetuate a condition of moral health in the midst of such abounding unhealthiness. The houses of the native Christians are no longer after the Indian fashion, but adapted to the proprieties of a Christian life. As offences will arise, an efficient body of police is organized, and evil-doers arc? repressed. Industri:>us habits are diligently encouraged, and the people culti- vate the soil, extract oil, hunt furs, gather berries. A schooner, also, has been provided, which traffics with Victoria, exporting the produce of the little colony, and bringing back in return such supplies as are needed. These are some of the material results. But that which is the very strength of the Mission at Metlahkatlah, is its citadel and central keep — the church, where the converts gather on the Lord's day to worship God through Jesus Christ, and listen to His holy word. Christian ordinances are the backbone of the new community. In the faithful use of them they imbibe those high principles which give robustness to the moral character. The strength of the whole Mission lies in the pure Christianity which is communicated from or.o earnest heart to 9nt)ther, and thence breathed forth in prayer to God — prayer which returns, in divine blessing to thti soul. May the Iiord be pleased to multiply many such instances throughout the wide Missionary field I Visit to England of Mr. Duncan. 119 oomiininity g practices ich a moral ''ictoria, ia- ■acility, are lere is evi- as to affect To God be man.) or the 1 upon this ,ts Christian sd with the rinding, and •al health in The houses c the Indian a Christian dy of police Industri:>us )eople cnlti- berries. A traffics with I colony, and are needed. the Mission il keep — the lord's day to isten to His backbone of if them they robustness to hole Mission »mmunicatec! lice breathed •ns, in divine Postscript, Jan. 1871. — Since the publication of the first Edition of this pamphlet, many letters have been received from Metlahkatlah, giving encouraging ac- counts of the progress of the settlement. And during the past year Mr. Duncan has himself visited England for a few months, with the special object of procuring additional means for carrying out industrial pursuits amongst the Indians. He has given, in various parts of the kingdom, interesting accounts of his work, and has referred specially to the desire of the native Chris- tians to improve themselves in the knowledge of God's word, as is shown in their meeting together, sponta- neously, after the conclusion of divine service, for the purpose of reading the Bible. A market-house has been built, with the view of attracting natives of other tribes, and affording opportunities for speaking to them upon the subject of Christianity ; and it has already been several times occupied with parties of strange In- dians, who were very attentive while the Gospel was preached to them. Mr. Duncan speaks hopefully of the prospect of employing some of the native Christians as teachers amongst tlio surrounding heathen tribes,, One young man, well qualified, has already offered himself for the work. Mr. Duncan has now returned to the pceno of his Missionary labours, refreshed in spirit, and encouraged by the sympathy shown by many Christian friends in L'.^ work, and hopeful that the Gospel may soon spread .-:L.ong some of the surrounding tribes, who are now so earnestly stretching out their hands unto God. I many leld ! such CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. J:- 1866. December 23. 1857. June 13. >t October 1. 1858. June 13. »» November 19. » December 20. 1859. October 22. 1860. January *i May 28. II August S. 1861. July 26. li October 10. 1862. May 28. 1863. April » October 28. 1864. July 2. 1867. May 27. II . August 1870. January 28. >i March 13. 1 September 8. 11 »» I) Mr. Duncan leaves England. „ arrives at Vancouver's Island, reaches Fort Simpson, preaches his first Sermon in Tsim-sheean. opens his School, encounters opposition from Legaio and the medicine-men. Church Service printed. Arrival of Bishop Hills in the Colony. Visit of Mr. Duncan to Victoria. Arrival of Rev. L. S. and Mrs. Tugwell. First baptisms of twenty-three Indians, includ- ing nineteen adults. Beturn home of Mr. and Mrs. Tugwell. Bemoval to Metlahkatlah. First visit of the Bishop j baptism of ilfty-seven adults. Visit of Bev. B. J. Dundas ; thirty-eight bap- tisms. Arrival of Bev. B. Doolan. „ Bev. B. Tomliusoi . Beturn home of Bev. B. i, cbn. Mr. Duncan leaves Metlahkatlah for England, arrives in London, retnma to Metlahkatlah. » II OILBSET AMD UtVlVQTOV, VftlVTIEt, IT. JOHN'S tWLKt. .jsa ., 5r's Island. ion. t Sermon in ion from Legale e-men. lolony. Tugwell. Indians, includ - 'ugwell. ini of ilfty-seven tdrty-eighf bap- >V m. ail for England, katlah. avA.ai. ^1.— i.-4j^._ at ^^v THE MISSIONS OF THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY I. TH. SIEftBA LEONE MISSION. Threepcnee. II. METLAHKATLAH. Sixpence. III. THE CHINA MISSION. Threepence. Church Mispionart House, Salisbury Square. MONTHLY PUBLICATIONS OB THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. X. The CHURCH MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCES {Price Sixpence.) 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