The Moravians in Labrador by Anonymous
page 127 of 220 (57%)
page 127 of 220 (57%)
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to follow him only, and to give up all connection with the
unbelievers. And he was diligent in speaking to all the strangers who passed that way, beseeching and exhorting them to turn to the Lord. When the century closed, after thirty years' labour, the missionaries at the three different stations had the pleasure of numbering two hundred and twenty-eight resident Esquimaux under their care, of whom one hundred and ten were baptized. This involved them in various other avocations. They had not only to instruct them in matters of religion, but to teach them habits of industry and of economy and to show them the example; they induced them to build, and assisted them in building, substantial houses; they made them tools for working and implements for fishing[F] and gardening, which last process they had to superintend and to direct. Besides, they erected and kept in repair their own dwellings, cultivated their own gardens, fabricated tools for themselves, and used every exertion to lessen the demand for, or supply the deficiency of their European food. They had also to collect and bring home firewood for their domestic purposes--no small labour; and to fell timber and build boats for the purposes of barter, as they took nothing gratuitous from the natives, heathen or Christian. Since the mission commenced, they had, in the mysterious ways of providence, lost two missionaries by shipwreck; and in 1800, they were tried with the loss of another, in a yet more distressing manner. One of their new assistants, Rieman, on the 2d December, had gone out to hunt alone, and had wandered, but whither was never known, as he never returned; nor, though diligent search was made for him five successive days, could any traces be found. During the period that had elapsed since the foundation of the |
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