Chapter 18

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

Fifty years had now elapsed since the first ship arrived at Nain, 9th August 1771, with missionaries on board for the service of the Esquimaux, and in the morning of the same day of the same month, August the 9th, 1820, at eight o'clock, the Harmony cast anchor in the same bay, bringing stores and provisions for a Christian settlement containing one hundred and sixty-eight inhabitants, chiefly gathered from among the heathen, and exercising the habits of civilized life, instead of roaming the wilds as rude savages, or infesting the seas as ruthless pirates. The day of the vessel's arrival was always a day of gladness, as she brought tidings from their Christian friends in Europe to the missionaries; and good tidings from a far country, especially when brought to such a secluded spot, were doubly welcome. That this communication should, notwithstanding all risks, have been uninterrupted, afforded much subject for thanksgiving, which the brethren expressed by hymns, and likewise endeavoured to show by some little external tokens. They hoisted two old small flags and a white one, on which the sisters had marked, in large figures, the number 50, surrounded by a wreath of green laurel; their small cannon fired several shot, which were answered by the ship, and the Esquimaux fired their pieces as long as their powder lasted. Meanwhile, some tunes of hymns, expressing thanksgiving to God for his mercies, were played on wind instruments, which altogether made a good impression on the Esquimaux, and gave them an idea of a jubilee rejoicing. Brother Kohlmeister explained to them the meaning of the number 50 on the flag, and made them understand that it was the fifteenth time that a ship had come safely to Nain for their sakes, and how it had been preserved, by the wonder-working hand of God, from all harm in these dangerous seas, and that this was the cause of these extraordinary demonstrations of a joyful gratitude; they listened with great attention, and then exclaimed, "Yes! Jesus is worthy of thanks!" nor were the sailors unmoved.

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

Many had, during that period, departed full of hope, and in the preceding summer, among others, a sister of much worth, Joanna, had been taken away at Hopedale, under very interesting circumstances. While on the ice with her daughter, it gave way, and they both fell in. The mother made great exertions to save her child, and with much difficulty succeeded, but, her strength failing, she was unable to extricate herself, and was drowned. She had led a humble, consistent, and exemplary life, and her last words, when in the act of sinking, was to commend her departing spirit to the mercy of her Saviour. This happy year was likewise marked as that on which the Esquimaux received complete copies of the New Testament in their own language, printed at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and also for the proof they gave of the value they set upon the Holy Scriptures, by the desire they express that other nations should enjoy similar advantage. Having been informed of the nature and aim of the Bible Society, and of its labours in the distribution of the Scriptures, the Esquimaux of their own accord, began to collect seals' blubber, as a contribution towards the expenses of the Society. Some brought whole seals, or half seals, or pieces, as they could afford it. Others brought portions of blubber in the name of their children, requesting that their poor gifts might be accepted. And when they heard that other converted heathen, even poorer than they, had contributed to spread the word of God, they exclaimed: "How long have not _we_ heard the pleasant and comfortable words concerning Jesus Christ our Saviour, and how many books have _we_ not received, treating of Him, and yet we have never known and considered whence they come. We have indeed sometimes spoken together, and observed that these many books given to us without pay, must cost a great deal somewhere; but we never have before now known, that even poor people bring their money out of pure love, that we may get these comfortable words of God. We are indeed poor, but yet might now and then bring some blubber, that others who are as ignorant as we were formerly, may receive the same gospel which has been so sweet to our souls, and thereby be taught to find the way to Jesus and believe on him." The donations of these poor Esquimaux were accompanied with expressions of thanks for the favours they had received, and earnest requests to the Society, that more heathen might be presented with "that Book, so far more precious than any thing else in the world."

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

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

"Soon after his arrival, our usual meeting was held with the Esquimaux, whose good conduct, quietness, and piety, seemed to strike him; and he afterwards confessed his expectation in this respect had been greatly exceeded. He asked us several questions--First, What means we had used to civilize such rude and savage men? We answered that whatever good he observed in the Esquimaux, was entirely to be ascribed to the power of the gospel, the preaching of which was the only purpose of our being here; besides this, we possessed no other power, nor did we believe any other could deliver savage men, accustomed to murder, and given up to every vice, from their detestable habits, and introduce them into the circle of social order. Nothing but the operation of the Spirit of God on their hearts, convincing them of the truth of the gospel, and the happiness of true Christians, could induce them to deny their evil propensities, and incline them to receive instruction, and walk according to the commandments of Jesus; it is this, we said, that causes them to live in peaceful and happy society together.

"He next wished to be informed of the reason of our conduct with regard to merchandize, as he had heard that we did not wish our Esquimaux to trade with the Europeans in the south; and when they did so, if we did not drive them away from our settlements? To this we replied as follows: 'Nothing is so painful to us, as when any of the members of our congregation fall back into heathenism, which easily happens when they go to the south to trade with the Europeans, where they are exposed to many temptations. On this account we find it necessary to warn them against such journeys, and if they pay no attention to these admonitions, intended chiefly for their own advantage, we cannot regard them as any longer belonging to us. And our conduct is the same towards those who reside among us, who have not received the gospel, when we find all our affectionate and serious exhortations in vain, and they persist in returning thither to trade. But no Esquimaux is driven away from our settlements on this account, for he does not sell his merchandize to us alone, but to any person with whom he chooses to trade. It must, however, be remarked, that many Esquimaux when pressed by hunger in winter, take refuge with us, to whom we give every possible assistance; there are also some, who, during their harvest, save a portion against a time of need, which we lay up for them, and they receive the full value, when their necessities require it. Now, when these, regardless of their obligations to us, take their articles elsewhere to barter, we frankly tell them our opinion of their conduct, and endeavour to impress their minds with a sense of their ingratitude, not only to us, but to the Society in England, who from love to them, sends every year a ship with the necessary supplies. If any one take offence at our reproofs, and leave us in anger for the south, we cannot help it, but we are certain he dare not affirm any such falsehood to the Europeans, as to say, that he was driven from our settlement because he treated with them.' Captain Martin replied that he had not the least doubt of what we said, and was perfectly satisfied, by what he had seen and heard, that we laboured to promote the best interests of the Esquimaux."

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

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

From Nain the Clinker sailed for Hopedale in company with the Harmony, on board of which were the superintendant Kohlmeister and his wife. The latter thus speaks of the excursion, which she appears to have highly enjoyed: "We had the pleasure to sail in company with his sloop [Captain Martin's] to Hopedale, and had a most agreeable voyage. He came twice on board the Harmony to pay us a visit. As we approached Hopedale, the brethren and the Esquimaux not having received any account of the arrival of the sloop of war, were rather alarmed at its appearance, but we found means before we cast anchor, to send them word that all was peace and friendship, upon which the music began to play a hymn of praise, and the Esquimaux afterwards fired a salute with their pieces. The sloop answered with the great guns, but the Esquimaux were determined to have the last word, and went on firing after the cannon had ceased to roar. It was a calm night without moon, but the brilliant display of numberless stars, and a glorious Aurora Borealis, increased the enjoyment. The brethren, Stock and Haller, coming on board, we could not quit the deck till midnight; sleep was not thought of. Captain Martin also displayed a number of blue lights, to the great astonishment and gratification of the Esquimaux." The Captain having here also given a feast of bread and pease, she adds, "We were present, and were pleased to hear how the Esquimaux expressed their thankfulness, and afterwards sung the anthem, 'Glory to God in the highest,' and 'Hosanna.'" When he had accomplished the object of his cruise, Captain Martin returned to St John's.

By this extraordinary and friendly visit, the brethren remarked, "the celebration of the jubilee of the mission acquired a peculiar and new feature, as we were at the same time assured of the favour of those, whom God has appointed to rule over us, and may hope in future also to experience a continuance of that protection we have hitherto enjoyed. The Lord has also caused his work to be glorified in the sight of men." But this visit was still further important, as it tended to accelerate the formation of a fourth settlement.