This year the superintendant, Kohlmeister, who had served the Labrador
mission thirty-four years, was constrained, by his increased
infirmities, and by the severe indisposition both of himself and his
wife, to return to Europe. His last report respecting the state of the
settlements, is therefore too important to be abridged or omitted--it
is as follows: "The work of God in the hearts of our dear Esquimaux,
proceeds in the power of the Spirit, and with rich blessing; and I may
with truth assert, that they grow in grace, and in the love and
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Their number is
likewise on the increase. The congregation at Okkak, in particular,
obtains a great increase from year to year, by the arrival of heathen
from the coast to the north of the settlement; the number of heathen
Esquimaux in their neighbourhood is indeed decreasing, but Okkak may
yet be called a mission among the heathen. Nain and Hopedale are now
Christian settlements, all the inhabitants being initiated into the
Christian church by holy baptism, except a few children, and no
heathen live in their neighbourhood. Their increase, therefore,
depends upon the rising generation, and upon the accession of persons
coming from a distance to reside among them. On this account the
endeavours of the missionaries, in these two settlements, are
particularly directed to instil into the minds of the youth the
principles and precepts of vital Christianity; and to see to it, that
by the grace of our Saviour, all the souls committed to their care
become more firmly grounded and established in faith and love, and
walk worthy of their high and heavenly calling. This is done by
faithful admonition, accompanied with watchfulness and prayer. The
most efficacious means of promoting their growth in grace, is the
reading of the New Testament, which they have now in their hands
through the generosity of the venerable British and Foreign Bible
Society. They read therein daily in their houses and tents with the
greatest earnestness, delight, and edification. We have, indeed, ever
since the arrival of this most precious gift, observed a great change.
Their understanding of the word of God, and the doctrines which it
contains, has greatly increased; and the influence upon their moral
conduct is manifest, for they now more than ever desire to regulate
their walk and conversation in conformity to truly Christian
principles.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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