During the period that had elapsed since the foundation of the mission, they had been repeatedly tried both by pestilence and famine, but they now found their heavenly Father a ready help in every time of need. In one season, when the seal-catching had entirely failed, and the Esquimaux were deprived of the means of subsistence for the winter, the brethren joined with them in crying aloud to God for help, and he so directed it, that in a short time two dead whales were found, which preserved them from starving. The missionary families depended chiefly upon the supplies from Europe for their healthful subsistence, and it is an instance of the superintending providence of a gracious God which these missionaries acknowledged with humble thankfulness, that the voyages of the vessels which carried their stores, were never interrupted by storms or enemies. The Amity was preserved so long as employed in the service, but the very year when about to quit it on her return home, she was taken by the French, yet was restored without much detriment. And the Harmony, which had been purchased to supply her place, had now for more than twenty-six years traversed the wild and icy ocean, amid sunken rocks and in the sight of enemies, without accident.[G] The missionary settlements during this period, had been threatened with an attack from the French. Two of their ships of war arrived on the coast in 1796, but having landed at Chateau Bay, after plundering and burning that town and blowing up the fort, they were mercifully restrained from harming the more peaceful habitations of the brethren. In concluding the account of this past century, it is impossible not to notice the extraordinary spirit of love and of Christian affection which pervaded the missionaries in Labrador and their brethren in Europe; they loved each other with pure hearts fervently; and it is remarkable, and worthy of peculiar observation, that before these servants of God were honoured to carry the tidings of the gospel to the heathen, a spirit of love for the brethren, and for all the members of the body of Christ, was poured out largely upon the churches at home. Twenty-six missionaries were employed in Labrador in the year 1800. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote F: This refers to them making their nets for catching salmon-trout, of which there are immense numbers. In 1798, in six nights, 5000 were taken, and in 1799 they got 1800 at one haul.] [Footnote G: The Brethren's Society in London, now undertook to supply the missions, and relieved the merchants from a losing concern; they built the brig Harmony of 133 tons, which made her first voyage, 1787, under Captain James Fraser, and continued to sail in safety till 1802, when she was laid aside, and the Resolution was employed.] CHAPTER V.