PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE. 301 ther and sister Lundberg, brother Glitsch, and the whole ship's company in good health to our coast. No one can conceive what sensations of joy and gladness fill the hearts, both of us Missionaries, and of all our Esquimaux, when, after our expectations have been raised to the highest pitch, about the time of the ship's arrival, the glad tidings burst upon us, that the Harmony has arrived safe, and brought us accounts from our Brethren, and friends in Europe. We adore the goodness of God, our heavenly father, that he has again protected this small vessel in her dangerous passage through the ice. At one time the danger was so great, that she could move neither forward nor backward, but, the ice. pressing upon her from all sides, was in imminent danger of being crushed, and overwhelmed by the towering masses surrounding her. The help of man was vain, and she seemed left to her fate, when at once, as if by an unseen hand, she went forward without wind or sails, pushed for herself a passage through the tremendous fields of ice, and escaped into open water. All on board stood astonished at this merciful deliverance, and even the sailors exclaimed, this is the work of the Almighty!' nor could the Missionaries on board refrain from tears of gratitude." The reader has already been informed, that of late years, Okkak, the most northern Missionary Station, had become the principal resort of the heathen Esquimaux, and hence the number of residents at that Settlement, in the latter period of the Mission, very much exceeded the number of inhabitants at Nain or Hopedale, which derived little accession, except from the ordinary increase of population, by the birth of children. In 1826, a Missionary resident at Okkak, writes: "I believe that the number of our inhabitants has not reached its full limit. I think that a great many Esquimaux from the north are in a state of preparation, and desire to hear the Gospel. Four boats full of them came to us this summer; and we did not fail to press upon them the necessity of conversion, if they would save their souls from de A NEW SETTLEMENT CONTEMPLATED. 303 struction. In many I discovered great attention and thoughtfulness; but most of them were prepared with excuses, why they could not, just now, be converted. Several declared, that after they had obtained this and the other object of their wishes, they would then turn to the Lord." Hence the Brethren were, early led to desire the establishment of another Missionary Station, to the north of Okkak. The interesting facts connected with the several attempts which were made from time to time this object into effect, must constitute to carry CHAPTER XII. The Missionaries learn that the northern districts of Labrador are thickly peopled-Are invited by the Heathen to settle among them-An unsuccessful voyage-Another voyage undertaken by the Brethren, Kmoch and Kholmeister-Devotedness of the Esquimaux pilot-Various perils-Intercourse with the Heathen-A providential meetingAmazement of the Savages-Prayer answered— Return to Okkak-A mysterious providence-Desire of the heathen for Christian instruction-Final arrangements for the establishment of a Missionary settlement at Kangertluksoak in 1830—A ship sent out with building materials, &c.-Joy of the natives -Conclusion. So far back as the year 1800, the Missionary Brethren had learned from the reports of Northlanders, who occasionally visited their settlements, that the coasts and islands of the north were more thickly peopled than the more southern districts of the country. On asking this people whether it MISSIONARY VOYAGES. 305 would be agreeable to them, to have a Mission established in their country, they assured the Brethren, that it would give them the greatest pleasure. "The whole land," they said, "would welcome them with one shout of rejoicing." Encouraged by these appearances of a providential opening for the further propagation of the Gospel, preparations were made by two of the Brethren in 1800, for a coasting voyage, to explore the country, but the Lord's time was not come, and their plan was frustrated by unfavourable winds and weather. This project, however, though suspended for some time, was not abandoned; and in 1811, the Missionaries Kholmeister and Kmoch cheerfully engaged in this perilous and difficult enterprise, for which they were peculiarly qualified. The latter, to other essential qualifications, joined great cheerfulness and intrepidity. The former, having resided seventeen years in Labrador, was complete master of the language, and was gifted in an eminent degree with a kind and affable manner, which was particularly calculated to conciliate the |