these their disinterested friend, Uttakiyok, followed them for some
miles, repeating their entreaties for their speedy return, and
promising to settle beside them when they came. At parting, they
presented Uttakiyok with their skin boat and several useful articles,
as a recompense for the important, essential, and affectionate
services he had rendered them. On the 4th October they reached Okkak
in safety, after an absence of three months and ten days, having
performed a voyage of from twelve to thirteen hundred miles. An
account of their expedition was transmitted home,[I] but circumstances
prevented the mission from being undertaken for several years.
No very remarkable alteration took place at any of the different
stations, during the two succeeding years. The increase of their
number was gradual, and their advance in the Christian course quiet
but perceptible; and at Okkak they had the pleasure of readmitting,
upon their repentance and acknowledgment of their sin, the members
they had been forced to exclude for their misconduct during the past
season; and it is not the least among the mercies of God towards the
brethren, nor one which ought to be passed over in silence, the
benefit which their congregations derive from the kind and judicious,
yet firm administration of church discipline; in a majority of
instances it answers the ends for which it was instituted--the brother
is gained instead of being driven away to associate with the world,
and to nourish a spirit of dislike, if not of hatred, towards those
with whom he was formerly in fellowship--a melancholy consequence when
this ordinance of the Saviour is not attended to in the spirit of
love.
In 1812, the superintendant, Burghardt, was called to his reward; he
had been able to fulfil the duties of his office till within three
days of his departure. He was obliged to take to his bed on the 24th
of July, and had appointed the 28th to confer with his brethren on
various subjects, but when that day came, he was so much exhausted,
that this was found impracticable. He had done with active service
upon earth. He now lay quiet, in peaceful expectation of the happy
moment when his Lord and Master would call him to rest. About three
o'clock in the afternoon, he breathed his last in a most gentle and
peaceful manner, in presence of the family gathered around his bed.
"During this transaction," the missionaries add, in their letter
announcing the event, "a powerful feeling of divine peace prevailed
among us, and many tears were shed by us who are left behind, to
follow the example of this devoted servant of Jesus. He had attained
to the age of seventy nine years."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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