Kalli, the Esquimaux Christian: A MemoirMurray, T. B. (Thomas Boyles)
Religion
Kalli, the Esquimaux Christian: A Memoir
Murray, T. B. (Thomas Boyles)
Eskimos; Kallihirua, approximately 1834-1856
Beyond the haunts of men
They urge their tedious way,
When lo! a wandering tribe appears
By yonder northern bay.
But who so wild, so lost
In ignorance and sin!
No God they know, no Saviour own,
Is there a soul to win?
Yes, in that heathen race
One heart at least is found
That yearns for better things, by grace
In unseen fetters bound.
Warm is the Christian's heart,
Outstretch'd the Christian's hand,
"Assistance" lends her friendly aid
To reach a Christian land.
In this our calm retreat
He finds a peaceful home,
Is taught such learning as is meet,
In store for years to come.
He learns to know and love
His Saviour and his God,
And now he is a brother dear,
By faith in Jesu's blood.
O gracious Spirit! hear
Our prayer with one accord;
And train this new-born Christian heart
In thy most holy Word.
Have pity on his race!
And bring them still to see
Their wretched state, and teach them all
The Father, Son, and Thee!
To God the Father, Son,
And Spirit, glory be,
Who call'd, and saved, and sanctifies,
The co-eternal Three!
Some of these verses were sung in the College Chapel on the evening of
Advent Sunday, 1853.
Kalli at St. John's, Newfoundland
The time having now arrived at which, according to the opinion of the
Bishop of Newfoundland, and the Warden of St. Augustine's, the
qualifications of Kallihirua might be turned to some account, as an
aid to missionaries in their efforts among the Esquimaux of Labrador,
he left England, in the autumn of the year 1855, for further training
at St. John's, Newfoundland. This step was taken at the expense of the
Admiralty, who agreed to allow him 25 pounds a year for three years.
The following notice of his character appeared in the 'Occasional
Paper,' published in St. Augustine's College at the time of his
removal to Newfoundland. At every step of his short but remarkable
course, such willing testimony always awaited him.
"Kallihirua, whose name is known as widely as that of his College, has
arrived at another crisis in his eventful history. Having resided more
than three years in College, he has been transferred to the
experienced care of the Bishop of Newfoundland, with the view to his
probable usefulness among the Esquimaux of Labrador. If integrity of
moral principle, gentleness of spirit, docility of manners,
willingness to be useful, and true Christian politeness, are essential
requisites in a Missionary, then is Kallihirua certain to fill his
place well, if only the right place is found for him."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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