With the Harmony to Labrador: Notes of a visit to the Moravian mission stations on the north-east coast of LabradorLa Trobe, Benjamin
History
With the Harmony to Labrador: Notes of a visit to the Moravian mission stations on the north-east coast of Labrador
La Trobe, Benjamin
Indians of North America -- Missions; Inuit -- Missions; Labrador (N.L.) -- Description and travel; Moravian Indians -- Missions
What a different landscape this will be in winter, when all those
waterways among the islands are frozen! It must be very difficult even
for an Eskimo sledge driver to know his way through the snow-covered
labyrinth on so large a scale, indeed almost impossible when the
driving snow hides his landmarks. But He, to whom we are wont to
commend our travellers by land and sea, cares also for those who
traverse the ice-plains of Labrador, that they may serve Him or join
His people in worship. Not only our missionaries but the settlers have
often experienced His goodness in answer to prayer in moments of
perplexity or danger. It is indeed praiseworthy that, to gain a
blessing for their souls, the latter are willing to run the risks and
bear the expenses of a two or three days' sledge journey to the
stations, often in terrible cold. Sometimes their children are sorely
disappointed when the parents cannot venture to take them to the
Christmas or Easter Festival. Last Christmas Eve, two boys, aged
sixteen and fourteen, started from their home in Kamarsuk bay and
walked through deep snow to Zoar, which they reached after ten
laborious hours. English services are held for the settlers at this
station as well as at Hopedale, though they are more frequent at the
southern place owing to the visits of the crews from the Newfoundland
fishing schooners.
FROM ZOAR TO NAIN BETWEEN ISLANDS.
Our voyage from Zoar to Nain occupied just twelve hours. We left about
5.30 A.M., and our anchor went down again before 5.30 P.M. The day was
fine and warm, and the scenery changed continually. Often the way
seemed barred before us, but, as we sailed on, a narrow strait opened
to right or left, and as we neared Nain our voyage between the islands
became more and more interesting. Presently some Nain Eskimoes caught
sight of the "Harmony," and posted off to the station in their sailing
boat, which kept ahead the whole way. Two men came to meet us in their
kayaks, and paddled alongside for some time, their light skin boats
skimming over the water as easily as the flock of ducks which had just
crossed our bows. Passing the island Taktuk, a salute fired by the one
Eskimo visible was followed by such a concert of howls from his dogs
seated in a row on a rock as made us all laugh. Next the Kauk came in
view, a great rock looking like a skull, or, as its name implies, "a
forehead," a very recognizable landmark often anxiously looked for on
sledge journeys. Paul's Island, with its deep inlets, was to our
right, and now a good wind sent us forward past headland after
headland till Nain came out from behind the Suederhucke. First we could
see the Eskimo village, whose inhabitants were, as usual, firing their
guns and shouting; then the church came in sight, and the
mission-house with flag at the mast head; then the store and the
little pier, which, as we approached, was crowded with Eskimoes
singing, "Now let us praise the Lord."
THE FIRST EVENING AT NAIN.
[Illustration]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account