CHAPTER II.ToC

"Greatly perplexed at this discourse, the savages made him repeat it again and again, saying to each other, 'saog?' what does he say? when an old man undertook to interpret. 'He means,' said he, 'Silla,'[D]throwing his handsaround his head, and at the same time blowing with his mouth. 'Yes!' repeated Drachart immediately, 'Silla!—the great Creator of the world, is our Saviour.' A young man, somewhat astonished, stepping forward, exclaimed, 'Saviour! what is that? I do not understand what that means.' Another asked, 'Where is he?' Drachart then moving his hand in circles around his head, as the old man had done, said, 'He is every where in Silla, but he became a man, as we are.' 'Are you a teacher?' asked one. 'Yes, I was in the east,' replied the missionary. 'Are you an Angekok?' was the next question. 'It may be,' was the cautious response. On which two aged men, with long beards, coming up to him, said, 'We are Angekoks.' Drachart took them by the hands, and introduced them to Sir Thomas Adams, who, with the sailors, had been standing by during the conversation, and told them, 'This is our captain, who is sent by a greater captain to invite you to visit him to-morrow.' Sir Thomas then hastened back to Pitt's harbour, to give an account of this interview to the Commodore, who had remained there, and we continued our course a few miles farther north in St Louis Bay, where we remained during the night."

Now scarcely a day escaped without thebrethren's having some intercourse with the Esquimaux, though this was attended with much difficulty, and many a sleepless night, as, in passing and repassing to their encampment, they often had nothing but the canopy of heaven to cover them from the wind and the rain. Sir H. Palliser employed Mr Drachart as his interpreter in the negociations which followed, for placing the trade with the Esquimaux on such a footing that all violence should from that time cease on both sides, and that mutual confidence might be restored and maintained. He also learned by his means the chief places of their residence, and their actual numbers—important points for regulating his future intercourse with that nation. In these respects, the missionary was unweariedly diligent, and his efforts were so successful, that, during the whole time he and his brethren remained, peace and good will was preserved among all parties.

But at the same time he neglected no opportunity to exhibit the crucified Jesus, and commend him to the heathen as their Saviour. The following excerpts from his diary may serve as a specimen:—When he spake to them of the corruption and depravity of all men, they thought he only meant the Kablunat, or foreigners, not them, they were good Karalit."Have you ever," said he, "any bad thoughts?" "No." "But when you think we will kill the Kablunat, and take their boats and their goods, are not these bad thoughts?" "Yes." "Would you not then wish to be delivered from your bad thoughts, words, and actions?" "We do not know,"—concluded their catechism.

When the missionary told them that the Greenlanders had been washed from their sins in the blood of Jesus, they were amazed, and said, "they must have been very wicked fellows!" and when he spoke to them of eternal damnation, they supposed it was only the Kablunat that were sent to hell, (because they did wicked things,—as for them they were good Karalit.) Having upon one occasion mentioned God to them, they said, "Thou speakest of Torngarsuk." He then asked them if Torngarsuk created all things; they answered, "We do not know." But an Angekok said immediately, "Torngarsuk ajungilak,"—the great spirit is good and holy; and another added, "Ajuatangilat,"—nothing is impossible to him; and a third subjoined, "Saimavot,"—he is gracious and merciful. They, however, could form no idea of what he said to them of a Saviour and Redeemer; he was obliged to explain that word tothem by parables, when they would ask if this mighty Personage would be their good friend, for they could conceive of him in no other way than as a great lord who was to come and deliver them from the Kablunat, and assist them against the northern Kraler. With the fickleness so natural to savages, they would listen attentively to the first instructions, but when it was often repeated, they would say, as both ancient and modern Athenians, "we know all that already, tell us something new," or like the Greenlanders, sometimes profess to believe it, and the next moment declare they neither understood nor cared about it. With those who had patience, and were so disposed, the missionary went over every doctrine about which they spoke in a catechetical way, and endeavoured by short questions, to see if they comprehended it, and tried to allure them to make further inquiry.

During their whole intercourse, the Esquimaux showed themselves very friendly, and were particularly glad when they saw Jans Haven again; some of them recollected many things he had told them the year before, and praised him for keeping his promise of returning, and others boasted of the good they had heard of him from their countrymen. The brethren could go any where among them withthe utmost security; but they were under the necessity of submitting to their curiosity, and allowing them to handle every thing they saw, even when they perceived this liberty to be attended with danger; yet even now, such was the influence of their friendly behaviour, that very little damage was incurred. In one tent, they searched Drachart's box, and carried every thing off, taking also his hat along with them. Without uttering any reproachful complaint, the missionary went to some of the older people, and said, "Now I have got no hat to skreen me from the sun." They instantly called to the young men, and desired them to give him back every thing, which they did with the utmost coolness, and only requested a knife as a keepsake.

At another time, when they had secretly emptied his box, no sooner did the chief elders of the tribe perceive the circumstance, than they called every person belonging to the tent to come before them, and desired that what had been taken away should be restored; the thief immediately came forward, and without betraying any consciousness of having done wrong, threw down what he had taken, saying, "Thou needest it thyself!"

Though at a great distance, and scatteredover a considerable extent of country, Haven and Drachart were especially anxious to visit them in their own houses: this they seized every opportunity of doing, searching them out, and under every difficulty wandering after them. But they were gratified by the reception they generally met with; for when they informed them that they intended next year to come and live among them, the answer uniformly was—"Come and build a house with us, and live with us; but do not bring Kablunat with you, bring only Innuit—men as we are, and you are; and Jensingoak shall help us to build boats, and to repair them; and Drachart shall teach us to read and write, and we shall live together as friends: then our flints[E]and harpoons shall no more be used against each other, but against the seals and rein deer."

A dreadful storm of wind and rain occurred on the 12th September, which gave rise to some interesting incidents, and appears materially to have furthered the object of the missionaries, by shewing the Esquimaux their fearless intrepidity and unsuspecting confidence, which strongly affected the savages,and greatly increased the affection and respect in which they before held them. The missionaries, when attempting to get on board their vessel, were prevented by the violence of the tempest. Their shallop was driven on shore and grounded on the rocks. In vain they endeavoured, with the assistance of the Esquimaux, to get her off: eight of them waded into the water breast-deep and toiled for upwards of an hour, but could not move her; meanwhile the vessel went away, and they were left alone with the natives. Hill and the ship's surgeon endeavoured to follow the vessel in a small boat, in order to attempt some arrangement; but just as they had reached her, they were dashed by the waves against the ship's side and overset, and narrowly escaped with their lives. Drachart and Haven now betook themselves to the stranded shallop, but they were destitute of provisions, and the rain fell in torrents. The Esquimaux, who perceived their wretched situation, came and represented to them that the boat could not possibly float before the tide returned in the morning, and invited them to lodge for the night in their tent, a proposal with which the poor drenched brethren were glad to comply. Immediately Segulliak, the Angekok,plunged into the water and brought them successively on his back to the shore; he afterwards carried them to his tent, caused his wife to procure them dry garments, and spread a skin on the floor for them to sit and sleep on. The tent was soon crowded with people, who frequently asked them if they were not afraid? "We do not know what you intend," answered they, "but you are our friends, and friends are not afraid of each other." "We are good Karalits," was the universal rejoinder, "and now we see you are not Kablunat, but Innuits, and our friends; for you come to see us without weapons, we will do you no harm." The Esquimaux then gave the brethren fish, water and some bread they had got from the sailors, and in about half an hour prepared for rest, Segulliak kindly covering them with two other skins. The conjurer himself did not, however, appear inclined for repose: falling into an ecstacy he first sung with his wives, then muttered some unintelligible jargon, made strange gestures, blew and foamed at the mouth, twisted his limbs and body together as if convulsed, throwing himself into every possible posture; and at intervals emitting the most frightful shrieks, then again he held his hand on Drachart's face, who was next him, andconcluded the first act of his demoniacal pantomime by groaning out, "Now is my Torngak come!" Observing Drachart, who was awake, appear startled when he came near him, as often as he laid his hand on his face he kissed him. He then lay still for a while as if dead—after a little began to moan, and at last raised himself up, and requested that they would kiss him, as that gave him some relief, after which he sat down and began to sing. The brethren told him they would sing something better, and accordingly sung some Greenland hymns—to these the Esquimaux were very attentive, and repeated every word, observing, "We know only a little of what you say."

Wearied and restless, the brethren lay down, but could not sleep; they therefore frequently arose and went out of the tent: but Segulliak, who appeared to view their motions with suspicion, always took care to go out along with them: in the morning, at his desire, they divided among his people glass-beads, fish-hooks, sewing needles, &c. as payment for their night's lodging. At parting, Segulliak addressed them, "You may tell your countrymen in the east that you have slept a night with me in safety—you are the first foreigners that ever remained a night in my tent—yet you are notforeigners but men, our friends, with whom all dread is at an end, for we know each other." Drachart being taken ill, it was not till the 21st September that the brethren were able to take their final departure, on which occasion Jans Haven, when bidding the natives farewell, made them promise that they would not forget what Drachart had spoken to them. "We shall now," said he, "see you no more this year; but remember your Creator and Redeemer, and when we come again next year we shall be happy with each other—The Saviour be gracious unto you and bless you, Amen!" On the 30th September the four brethren returned to Newfoundland, and after a friendly interview with the governor, embarked on board the Niger, Nov 5th, for England, being again granted a free passage by government. On the 25th they landed at Plymouth, and reached London on the 3d of the same month.

[A]The difference of aspect between a spot in summer, for a few weeks, and during winter, is altogether extreme.

[B]Vide "Moravians in Greenland."

[C]Pitt's Bay and St. Louis Bay are creeks quite in the neighbourhood of Chateau Bay, or York's Harbour.

[D]Sillain Greenlandish, signifies sometimes the air, sometimes the understanding, and sometimes the world, or theπνευμα, the soul of the world.

[E]A poetical expression for pistols and muskets.

Contests between the Colonists and Savages revive—Murderous skirmish.—Mikak.—Karpik, his conversion and death.—The Moravians receive a grant of land on the coast of Labrador—resolve to renew the mission—voyage to explore the land.—Jans Haven, Drachart, &c., arrive at Labrador—their interview with the natives—meet Mikak and Tuglavina—their kindness.—Segulliak the sorcerer.—Anxiety of the Esquimaux for their remaining among them—ground purchased for a settlement—manner of bargaining with the Esquimaux—sail for Esquimaux bay—the natives troublesome—the Captain's method of checking them—conduct of the missionaries—they preach on shore.—Conversation with the Esquimaux—search out a place for a settlement—purchase it of the natives—ceremonies used on the occasion—take formal possession.—Deputation return to England.

Various impediments prevented any further negociations with the government of Great Britain, in regard to establishing a mission among the Esquimaux, for nearly five years. During this period the English merchants and the natives on the coast of Labrador were anew involved in strife and bloodshed. With the missionaries all confidence had left the country;the colonists had no check, and the savages had no friend. The mercenary views of the traders were ever leading them to cheat and deceive these poor untutored unprotected beings, who in return, deemed retaliation no crime; nor in balancing the amount of guilt would it be easy to settle which of the parties were most deeply implicated; the one who gave trifles, or worse—beads or brandy, for articles of real value; or the other, who secretly pilfered some useless toys or iron implements, for which in fact they had greatly overpaid. Both were rogues in their dealings, only the Europeans had the advantage of superior knowledge, which enabled them to rob with superior dexterity, and to cloak their knavery under the name of barter.

But at this date—1766-9—the Esquimaux, from their intercourse with their civilized neighbours, had learned to estimate the value of European arms and vessels, and they stuck at no method by which they might possess themselves of them, while the murders which the whites committed with impunity, led them on every occasion that offered, eagerly to gratify their cupidity and revenge. They accordingly watched their opportunity; and in 1768, when the Europeans were off their guard, killedthree men and stole two boats. A battle was the consequence, when twenty of the savages were left dead on the field, and four women, two boys and three girls were taken prisoners, and brought to Newfoundland. Among the women prisoners wereMikak; one of the boys was her son; the other, Karpik, about fifteen years of age, had previously lost his mother, and his father fell in the engagement. Their own story forms a remarkable episode in the history of the mission. These three were sent to England, where they were treated with much kindness.

Mikak, who seems to have been a person of very superior understanding, was noticed by many of the nobility, and particularly by the Princess Dowager of Wales, mother to George III; but nothing could overcome her love for her native land, or erase from her mind the deep sense she entertained of the sufferings of her kindred. We are not furnished with the facts of the case, but it appears sufficiently plain, that from all she saw in England, and during the time of her captivity, that she discerned and appreciated the immense superiority of the Europeans over the Esquimaux, and was extremely anxious to return home, and, if possible, carry with her themeans of their amelioration. Providentially Jans Haven came to England in 1769 for the purpose of endeavouring to renew the mission, and meeting with Mikak, she immediately recognised him as an old acquaintance, who had formerly lodged in her tent, and expressed the most unbounded joy at meeting with a friend by whom her language was understood. Her first and constant theme was the condition of her countrymen; and she incessantly entreated Haven to return to Labrador and endeavour to do something for their relief. Besides, now that she had a medium of communication, she never ceased to urge her prayer among those distinguished personages, by whom she had been patronized, and her applications had no small influence in paving the way for a renewal of the mission. Soon after she was sent home in a King's ship, and rendered essential service to the brethren who followed.

By the especial direction of Sir Hugh Palliser, Karpik was consigned to the care of Jans Haven for the purpose of being properly educated, that he might afterwards be employed in the important service of introducing Christianity, and the peaceful arts of civilized life, into the savage and inhospitable coasts of Labrador—the Governor being deeplyimpressed with a sense of the great benefits to be derived from a well conducted mission among the wild tribes in the neighbourhood of the colony, with whom they meant to carry on a safe or a gainful traffic. Naturally ferocious and untractable, Karpik was very averse to restraint; and it was not till after the most unwearied display of disinterested kindness, that Jans succeeded in gaining the affections of this stubborn boy, and persuading him willingly to accompany him to his dwelling.

Here, perhaps, the good man's most trying labours began. Karpik inherited the prejudices of his nation: he had a high opinion of himself, and despised all others; and when told that God the Creator of the world desired to make him happy, received the information as a matter of course, replying to his teacher with a comfortable self-complacency, "That is right, for I am a goodkaraler!" The filthiness of his skin had superinduced a cutaneous disorder, which, when the care and attention of Haven had got removed, he expressed high delight, but he soon became dissatisfied with the clean plain clothing in which he was dressed; boys of any rank at that time being absurdly decorated with ruffles and lace, and such like trumpery; and as if human folly had wishedto caricature its own ridiculous extravagance, some of the children were even introduced into company with cocked hats and swords.

Poor Karpik, it seems, caught the infection, and conceived a violent passion for a hat and coat bedizzened with embroidery; and it is amusing to remark his wayward ingenuity, when insisting upon being gratified. On one occasion Jans had remonstrated with him upon the uselessness of finery, and exhorted him to apply himself to useful learning; and above all, to seek to know the Lord who dwells in heaven—"Poor clothes," retorted he instantly, "will not teach me that! my countrymen, who have poor clothes, die and know nothing of God. The king has fine clothes, and knows God as well as you, and why should not I? give me fine clothes, I can still know God and love him!" Haven told him he had no money to buy him fine clothes—"Then go to the king," said Karpik, "and get money from him." "Well," replied the missionary, "we will go; but if the king asks, what has Karpik learned? can he read, or write, or is he acquainted with the God in heaven? what shall I say? If I am forced to answer, He has learned nothing; the king will say, Take him on board the man of war, let him serve my officers and clean their shoesfor seven years, till he has learned something.—You know how these boys are treated." Karpik perceived the force of this simple reasoning, fell on the neck of his instructor, and promised all obedience in future. It was not, however, till some time after, that eternal things began to make a serious impression on his mind.

At length he grew thoughtful, and under the powerful conviction of his wretched state as a sinner, would often exclaim, "Woe is me! I am good for nothing, I am a miserable creature!" Under these uneasy sensations he at first felt exasperated, and he wished he had never heard of a God or of a Bible; but as the truth beamed in upon his soul, he became calm and peaceful, and manifested a strong desire to be further instructed. He was in this interesting state of mind, when Haven, being called away, committed him to the charge of Mr Drachart, who was then residing at the Brethren's settlement in Yorkshire, under whose tutilage he made rapid improvement in knowledge; and evidenced, by the change of his disposition, and his mildness of manner, and simplicity of conduct, that the gospel had taken powerful hold upon his heart; and this heevidenced still more clearly, when early called to grapple with the last enemy.

From the encouraging progress he was making, his friends were fondly anticipating the time when he should go forth as a zealous missionary of the Lord Jesus among his benighted countrymen, but their hopes were suddenly overcast. On September the 22d, he was seized with the small pox, which, in spite of the best medical assistance, speedily proved fatal. He bore his distemper with patience, and some of his last expressions were, "O! Jesus, I come to thee, I have no where else to go. I am a poor sinner, but thou hast died for me! have mercy upon me! I cast myself entirely upon thee." The day before his death he was baptized by Mr Drachart, who, at his own request, made use of the Greenlandish language in administering the rite. On the 4th October 1769, he expired, the first fruits of Christ's vintage among the Esquimaux; and although not employed to spread the savour of his name among his heathen kindred by the living voice, yet he was honoured by his death to encourage the exertions, and strengthen the faith of those soldiers of the Lord who were buckling on their armour for the glorious combat.

Whether the ruinous effects of the state of anarchy, and murderous contests which prevailed whenever the natives and the Europeans came in contact, or whether the various memorials with which they had been for several years annoyed, had most influence, we know not; but the Board of Trade made a representation early in 1769 to the king, (George III.) and on the 3d May, the same year, a Privy Council was summoned to consider of a petition from the Brethren for establishing a mission on the coast of Labrador. The result of their deliberations was, "That His Majesty in Council gave, and authorised the Brethren's Unity, and the Society for the furtherance of the gospel among the heathen, to take one hundred thousand acres of land (belonging to the Esquimaux,) on the coast of Labrador, where, and in whatever place of the same was most convenient for their purpose." And the Governor of Newfoundland was directed to afford the brethren in their settlement every protection, and to furnish them from the royal stores with fifty muskets and the necessary ammunition.

Following up this favourable opening, the Moravian Synod, which was held at Marienborn, resolved to renew the friendly intercourse with the Esquimaux, and to search out a convenientsituation for the establishment of a mission. In consequence, Jans Haven, Drachart, and Stephen Jensen, received this in charge; and some other brethren resolved to take a part in it, and go themselves as sailors in a ship which a Society of the Brethren in London had fitted out, and which they resolved should annually visit the coast of Labrador to carry out supplies of the necessaries of life to the missionaries. They first made land at a place called Arnitok, an island about six miles from the spot where Nain now stands; there they found twenty-nine boats full of Esquimaux, but they behaved in a very unruly manner and with great insolence, till the report of the great guns, fired over their heads, frightened them into order; they then showed themselves friendly, and the missionaries, who understood the language, preached the gospel to them. After this the two brethren, Haven and Jensen, traversed the coast unmolested in search of favourable ground for a settlement; but being unable to find such a spot they set sail again, and on the 15th July ran into an harbour upon the most eastern point of the mainland, near Nain, 55 deg.N.L.Here they found many Esquimaux, and the joy on both sides was greatly heightened, when they recognisedamong them several of their old acquaintances, in particular Segulliak, who said to Jans Haven, "When I first saw your boat I was afraid, but I no sooner heard that little Jans Haven was there than all fear departed, and I am very glad to see you again, for I have a great love to little Jans." He then bound a strap of leather round Drachart's arm, at the same time saying, "We love thee much!" and laying his right hand on Drachart's breast, continued, "This band on thy arm shall from henceforth be a sign that our love shall never cease. I have not forgot what I heard of the Lord in heaven, and I long to hear more." Drachart answered, "You may indeed be assured that I have a great love for you, when I, an old man—he was then in his sixtieth year—have come again to visit you, that you might hear more of your Lord in heaven, your Creator, who became a man and died on the cross for your sins, for mine, and for the sins of the whole world." The Esquimaux replied, "We will hear the word you have for us!" Drachart continued, and spoke of the great love of the Creator of all things, which moved him to come down from heaven to earth, and by his sufferings and death to redeem us from our sins and eternal punishment. When the brethrenconfirmed to the savages what Mikak had formerly told them, that they intended to settle among them, they rejoiced like little children, and every one of them gave Jans Haven a small present.

As Mikak had told them that her relations, who had gone to the south, anxiously wished to see them, the missionaries sailed on the 19th July back to Byron's Bay, and sent the Esquimaux boats before them. It was not long before a kaiak arrived with the father of Mikak, who instantly coming on board said, "My daughter and her husband are here on the island before you, and they strongly desire to see and speak with you." Indeed, scarcely had they cast anchor in the open creek, when Mikak with her husband Tuglavina, and their son and daughter, came to them. The man had a white woollen coat, but Mikak herself wore a finely ornamented dress, trimmed with gold, and embroidered with gold spangles, which had been presented to her by the Princess Dowager of Wales, when she was in London, and had on her breast a gold medal with a likeness of the king. Her father also wore an officer's coat. Being invited into the cabin to partake of some refreshments, Jans Haven asked her if she would receive the brethren as herown people. "You will see," she replied, "how well we will behave, if you will only come. We will love you as our countrymen, and trade with you justly, and treat you kindly." On account of the tempestuous weather, the whole party, amounting to fourteen, were detained during the whole night on board the vessel. Early next morning they left them, followed by Messrs Haven and Drachart, who, going from tent to tent, preached the gospel to them. Mikak acted in the most friendly manner—assuring her kindred of the brethren's affection for them, and telling them of all the kindness she had experienced in England, where she had lived in a great house, and been most liberally treated. The missionaries being about to take leave, Segulliak came up to Drachart, and renewed his expressions of attachment; the latter replied, "I do not forget that five years ago you assured me of your love; and only a few days since you bound this thong on my arm as a token of your affection, and by this you have declared that you are willing to hear the word of the sufferings and death of Jesus." When the others heard this, they all cried out, "We also are willing to hear." The missionary then mentioned some particulars of the history of the life and sufferings ofthe Saviour, and asked if they would wish, as the Greenlanders did, to hear something of Jesus everyday? "Yes! yes!" they all replied. "Then," said Drachart, "if that be the case, we will look out for a piece of land in Esquimaux Bay, where we may next year build a house."

Although these good men had received the extensive grant we have mentioned from His Majesty of England of the Esquimaux country, they did not consider that that gave them any right to take possession without the consent of the inhabitants, or without giving them an equivalent, notwithstanding the settlement was intended solely for their advantage, and was to communicate to them what was of infinitely more value than millions of acres in the finest country of the world, instead of a patch of barren ground on the bleak and inhospitable coast of Labrador. When they mentioned that they meant to "buy" the land, the whole crowd, who perfectly understood the term, cried out, "Good! good! pay us, and take as much land as you please!" Drachart said, "It is not enough that you be paid for your high rocky mountain; you may perhaps say in your hearts, when these people come here, we will kill them, and take their boats and all their valuablearticles." "No! no!" they exclaimed, "we will never kill any more, or steal any more; we are brethren!" "That gladdens my heart," said Drachart; "but how shall we buy the land? You have no great chief, and every one of you will be lord of his land. We will do this: we will give each of you what will be more useful to you in your fishing than the land you may give us." "Pay us," they repeated, "pay us, and take as much land as you please." Drachart and the other brethren then going from tent to tent, divided among the men, women, and children, all kinds of tools and fishing tackle, which having done, he produced a written agreement to which all their names were attached, and telling them its import, required each to put a mark before his name with his own hand, that it might be a perpetual memorial of their having sold the land. When they had done so, he again shewed each his name with his mark, adding, "In time to come, when yourselves or your children shall learn to read and write, as the Greenlanders have done, they will be able to read these names, and they will remember what they have just now seen and heard." Drachart next informed them, that when they should return to Esquimaux Bay, after the rein-deer hunt, they would see four greatstones erected with figures on them, which were called letters, and these would mark out the boundaries of the land which had been bought from them. The Esquimaux, of whom about one hundred were present, then gave the brethren their hands, and solemnly promised to abide by their agreement "as long as the sun shone."

After this sacred transaction the brethren, along with Mikak and her family, returned to the ship, which set sail the same day for Esquimaux Bay. On the dangerous passage, Mikak and her husband were of essential service in directing their course among rocks and islands, and likewise in trading with the Esquimaux they met with on their way, and inducing them to receive the brethren favourably, and attend to their instructions. Notwithstanding, however, the uniform expressions of love with which the savages everywhere hailed them, the missionaries found it necessary always to be upon their guard, and use the utmost circumspection in their intercourse with their new friends, especially on shipboard, where they behaved with a rude intrusion, often extremely troublesome, and not always without showing marks of their natural propensity to thieving; they therefore prohibited more than five from coming on board at one time to trade, and that only during theday; and informed them that if any were found in the ship during the night, they should be treated as thieves; and, to fix the time allowed for trading more exactly, a cannon was fired at six o'clock in the morning, and another at the same time in the evening. Finding that his regulations, however, were not so strictly observed as he could wish, and the natives becoming rather troublesome, Captain Mugford, while lying off the Island Amitok, deemed it necessary to show them that he possessed the power of punishing their misdeeds if he chose to employ it. He fired several shot from his great guns over their heads against a high barren rock at no great distance. When the broken pieces of the rock rolled down threateningly towards them, they raised a mournful howl in their tents, as if they were about to be destroyed; but they afterwards behaved more orderly, and not with the savage wildness they had done before, yet the missionaries were always obliged to act with firmness and decision, in order to prevent all approaches to any transgression that it might have been necessary to punish, or that might have exposed any of the men to danger.

During the voyage, Drachart held a meeting morning and evening, in the cabin, with the young Esquimaux, who seemed to take greatpleasure in it, and were highly attentive. Some of their expressions were remarkable. "They wished they had such a desire for the Saviour as a child has for its parents"—"or a man to hunt the rein-deer, and obtain his prey."—"They would not cease to think of Jesus' sufferings and death, but would remember that merciful and generous Saviour who had died from love to them, and learn to know and love him." In the evening of the last day of July they cast anchor in the southernmost corner of Esquimaux Bay, and on the following day entered the harbour of Nanangoak, in which lay fourteen European and two women's boats, and on shore fourty-seven tents were pitched. Here Mikak and her husband had wished to rejoin their countrymen. Before they left the ship Drachart reminded them of what he had taught them, and recommended to them every morning when they rose, and every evening before they went to sleep, to think on the Saviour and his sufferings; and exhorted them, when any wicked thoughts should arise in their minds—theft, adultery, or murder, or any other bad thing they had heard from their youth up from the Angekoks their teachers—that they should pray to him that he would take them away, adding, "if you thus turn to Jesus and diligently seek to him,then you will no more belong to the heathen, but to the Saviour, who will receive you as his own, and write your names among the faithful." Jans Haven accompanied them to their friends, who rejoiced to receive them in safety, and among them Jans found his old acquaintance Seguilliak. Next day Drachart and Jensen went on shore, when they were immediately surrounded by a great crowd, who took the missionaries under the arm, and shook them by the hands, and then conducted them from tent to tent, where they proclaimed to them the unsearchable riches of Christ. Mikak invited them into her large tent, and begged they might hold a meeting in it. Soon upwards of seven hundred Esquimaux were collected within and around it, to whom Drachart, for the first time, preached the gospel, and was heard here, as elsewhere, with the utmost apparent attention. When he had finished, Mikak and her husband began to testify, in their own simple manner, how the Lord in heaven had become man, and died for their sins. Supposing that this alluded to their own murders, some of their countrymen appeared startled, and cried out, "Ah! that is true, we are sinners, and old murderers; but we will never more carry concealed knives, either under our arms or under our clothes; and we shallnever have bows and arrows hid in our kaiaks, because the Lord in heaven has said, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed. If we kill Europeans, as we did three years ago, then we deserve that they should kill us and our countrymen." But they seemed likewise alarmed lest the boats they had then taken should be demanded back; but Mikak and her husband explained that the Europeans did not come to desire them to give back the boats, but that certainly if they did so any more they would be punished. "That is good!" they replied "we believe your words, Mikak; and shall also love the great and powerful chief you saw in London, and his people, and will trade honourably with them;" and renewed their protestations of affection for the missionaries, telling them, "Now we are brethren." Drachart seized the opportunity of explaining what he meant by brethren:—"Ye have heard that many of the Greenlanders are our brethren; now you must learn rightly to understand why we call one another brethren. Hear what the reason is,—our hearts and the Greenlanders are fast bound together by the love of Jesus our Saviour, who died on the cross for our sins, therefore do we call the Greenlanders, and all who are united in thedeath of Jesus, our brethren. If you will now be converted to Jesus, then shall you be such brethren as the Greenlanders are." At a subsequent meeting, the missionaries informed them that they were desirous of finding a proper place on which to build a house, as it was their intention to return next year and settle among them, and requested their opinion as to where would be the best spot. They told them there were many good places on the continent which they might examine and choose for themselves; or if they would prefer an island, they were welcome to the best; and the old men added, "You may build and dwell in our country, and do what you will, either on land or sea—you shall have the same liberty as we have, for you are Innuit, as we are, and not such Kablunat as the other wicked Europeans." "Well," replied Drachart, "you and we and the Greenlanders are also as one family." "Yes," returned the old men, "we are friends and brethren." "Then, dear men, when you speak thus, do you in your hearts really think so?" "Yes! yes! you may firmly believe that." The brethren then proceeded from tent to tent, and distributed gifts, and obtained the marks of the old men, to the number of sixty-seven, to an agreement similar to that whichthey had made with the other Esquimaux, and the land from Monenguak to Kangerlack being marked out with four great stones, was given to the brethren for a possession. The ceremony being concluded, Drachart addressed them thus: "These signatures will shew to your children, and your children's children, that you have received us as friends and countrymen, and have given us the piece of land marked out by these stones, and then your children, and your children's children, will remember this transaction after your death, as if you spoke to them, and said, We, your fathers and grandfathers, called the brethren here for our sakes, and your sakes, and they have built a good house to meet daily with you, in that you may hear of the Lord in heaven. Do not forget that we your parents have given this piece of land for an inheritance to our brethren that came to us from the east of Greenland; and when you are converted to Jesus, you must live near the meeting house, love your teachers, and follow them as the Greenlanders do. Will you," continued he, "tell your families what you have now heard, as well as what you have now said? that your wives and children may know." They answered, "That we will,—and we have already begun to spread it through our country,and shall continue to do so." The missionary proceeded:—"The Lord, your and our Saviour, is over all. He is truly here with us—I feel his presence in my heart; he knoweth all things, and hath heard your words and mine; he is calling for your hearts—will you now give them to him? And will you keep to the words you have now said to me?" "Yes!" cried all the men, and gave him their hands, and some kissed him.

Having concluded the solemn transactions of the day, the missionaries, towards evening, returned to the ship, and the next day the Esquimaux began to set out for their hunting stations. But Tuglavina and his wife remained some days longer to assist the brethren in seeking out an island, and then parted with tears on both sides. The missionaries rewarded them liberally for their services; and they were not forgetful of the favours they had now and formerly received. Mikak begged the brethren would take charge of two white fox skins for the Dowager Princess of Wales, of a black one for the Princess of Glocester, and two red ones for the Governor Palliser, as acknowledgments for their kindness.

The place pitched upon by the brethren for their settlement was 56 deg. 36 m.N.L., wellsupplied with good wood for building, and numerous rivulets of excellent water, and where ships could conveniently find an excellent anchorage. The stones they erected were placed, one on King's point, marked G R III. 1770, the other marked U F (unitas fratrum,) 1770, and the land was taken possession of in the name of King George, for behoof of the United Brethren—a very important process, as it secured the protection of the British government for the new settlements; the other two stones were marked and placed in the interior merely as boundary stones. This first sacred spot was consecrated by thanksgiving and prayer. Amid the heathen tribes and their rude rocks, the missionaries kneeled down, and with the deepest expressions of humility, thanked the Lord that he had thus so far prospered them in their undertaking, had guarded them through the perils of their journey, and graciously granted them a resting place. Having thus accomplished the object of their mission, they returned to England, and reached London 16th November 1770, blessing and praising the Lord that no evil had befallen them.

Preparations for establishing a settlement in Labrador.—A love feast.—Missionaries leave London—erect a mission-house at Nain—regulations for their intercourse with the natives—visited by great numbers—manner of instruction—they retire in winter, are visited by the Brethren in their houses.—Death of Anauke.—An incantation.—Adventures in search of a dead whale.—P.E. Lauritz deputed by the conference—visits the missions—his excursion along the coast.—A sloop of war arrives to examine the settlement—the Captain's report.—Jans Haven's voyage to the north—interesting occurrences.—Lauritz leaves Nain—his concluding address.—The Brethren propose new settlements—disastrous voyage in search of a situation.—Liebisch appointed Superintendant.—An Angekok baptized—his address to the natives.—Jans Haven commences a new station at Okkak—received joyfully by the natives—six Esquimaux baptized—proceedings at Nain.—Missionary accompanies the Esquimaux to a rein-deer hunt.—Third settlement—Hopedale founded.—Remarkable preservation of the Missionaries.

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