The Moravians in Labrador by Anonymous
page 100 of 220 (45%)
page 100 of 220 (45%)
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Europeans in the south we can have plenty to eat. And when one was
turned out from the palasadoes, he angrily remarked, the Europeans have no palasadoes. By these representations the greater part of the baptized were seduced and deceived; the brethren with meekness endeavoured to put them right, reminded them that at their baptism they had promised to love Jesus only, and to follow him, not to leave the congregation of the faithful, and to obey their teachers. They also particularly described the dangers to which they would be exposed in their journey to the south, and desired them to consider the impressive warnings the Commander-in-chief had so lately given them--but all was in vain. In the following winter, a famine broke out among the Esquimaux in Nain; their number amounted to eighty-two souls, whereof thirty-five were baptized and candidates for baptism. All these looked to the brethren when in want of the necessaries of life, who afforded them assistance to the utmost of their ability; but received little thanks for their kindness, for if they did not give them what they thought enough, they upbraided them with the conduct of the good Europeans in the south. On the 4th December a dreadful accident happened at Ankpalluktak, about six hours distant from Nain. A large mass of snow was precipitated from a mountain and overwhelmed an Esquimaux winter house, wherein were thirty persons, young and old. No one could escape to tell the tale of their disaster or procure assistance; but it happened, by the merciful providence of God, that Nathaniel, with another Esquimaux, went to Ankpalluktak to bring Sirmek to Nain; to their astonishment they found him lying half-frozen, unable either to stand or walk, yet still alive. They then heard a voice from the midst |
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