VII.

METLAKAHTLA--MATERIAL PROGRESS AND MORAL INFLUENCE.


Metlakahtla is no hermit's cell in the wilderness, removed faraway
from the haunts of men, and exerting no influence upon them. Rather is
it a harbour of refuge, whose lights radiate forth into the darkness,
inviting the bark in distress to seek its friendly shelter, and guiding
even the passing vessel in its course. Very rapidly it acquired a
recognized position of importance and influence as the centre--one
might almost say the official centre--of all good work of every kind
among the coast Indians.

The growth of the settlement naturally added greatly to the heavy
burden of accumulated responsibilities which Mr. Duncan found himself
compelled to undertake. He was lay pastor and missionary, treasurer,
chief trader, clerk of the works, head schoolmaster, and the father and
friend of the people. In addition to this the Colonial Government
appointed him a magistrate, in order that he might have legal power to
dispense justice, not only at the Christian settlement, but along the
whole coast, wherever his influence extended. Thee village council and
constables referred to in the report already quoted (p. 4) were a great
assistance at Metlakahtla itself. But outside the settlement
magisterial duties brought sometimes a heavy burden of anxiety and
responsibility upon Mr. Duncan. In 1864, for instance, the authorities