Of those who appeared truly converted there are some delightful
examples in the diary of 1799, who evince the power of the grace of
God; though the missionary, under a sense of his own unworthiness,
cried out, "My leanness! my leanness!" It is a practice with the
missionaries, occasionally, to read to the Esquimaux extracts from the
accounts of other missions, particularly those of Greenland, that
nation having so great a resemblance to themselves, in their language,
manners, and way of procuring their livelihood; these generally give
rise to interesting conversations, and draw from the natives some
striking remarks. At Nain, upon an occasion of this kind, one of the
baptized observed, "If we had so far advanced in grace, that our walk
and conversation shone as a light among our heathen countrymen; and if
some who are baptized had not, after their baptism, behaved again as
bad as the heathen themselves, we should soon see an increase of our
number; for the heathen would soon perceive the difference between a
believer and an infidel, and seek to obtain the same happiness, but we
ourselves are in fault." Upon a similar occasion Jonathan--of whom the
missionaries write, "He is, without a particular commission, a
faithful assistant among his nation, and proves useful in averting
much mischief, and in exhorting them to obedience to the
Saviour,"--dictated the following remarkable letter to the believing
Greenlanders:
"My brethren and sisters, you who live on the other side of the water,
and are baptized, I salute you by these lines, and send my words to
you in the name of Jesus. When I hear your words come forth out of the
written accounts, I ardently desire to be a partaker of your faith;
for whenever these writings are read to us, my heart begins to burn
within me. Of that long period since my baptism, (fifteen years) I can
reckon but about three years during which I have had solid and
constant thoughts towards Jesus; and have begun to enjoy my Saviour's
peace in my heart. I reflect also, that the time of my life in this
world may possibly be soon past, since I begin to grow old. At the
time when I was baptized I was still very ignorant, and for some time
after walked in error and darkness. But now, I cleave with my whole
heart to Jesus, my Lord and God, and weep for desire after him. I
search my heart frequently, and examine my conduct on account of my
sinfulness; for I find myself exceedingly depraved and sinful,
therefore it is my concern that I may never lose sight of him again.
Of myself I am not able to abide faithful; but Jesus my lover will
help and protect me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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