The Moravians in Labrador

by Anonymous

They now found themselves a second time delivered from the most imminent danger of death; but the remaining part of the night, before the Esquimaux could seek and find another more safe place for a snow house, were hours of great trial to mind and body, and filled every one with painful reflections. Before the day dawned, the Esquimaux cut a hole into a large drift of snow, to screen the woman and child, and the two missionaries. Brother Liebisch, however, could not bear the closeness of the air, and was obliged to sit down at the entrance, when the Esquimaux covered him with skins to keep him warm, as the pain in his throat was very great.

As soon as it was light, they built another snow house; and miserable as such an accommodation is at all times, they were glad and thankful to creep into it. It was about eight feet square, and six or seven feet high. They now congratulated each other on their deliverance, but found themselves in very bad plight. The missionaries had taken but a small stock of provisions with them, merely sufficient for the short journey to Okkak. Joel, his wife and child, and Kassigiak the sorcerer, had nothing at all. They were therefore obliged to divide the small stock into daily portions, especially as there appeared no hopes of soon quitting this place, and reaching any dwellings. Only two ways were left for this purpose—either to attempt the land passage across the wild and unfrequented mountain Kiglapeit, or to wait for a new ice-track over the sea, which it might require much time to form. They therefore resolved to serve out no more than a biscuit and a half per man per day. But as this would not by any means satisfy an Esquimaux's stomach, the missionaries offered to give one of their dogs to be killed for them, on condition that in case distress obliged them to resort again to that expedient, the next dog killed should be one of the Esquimaux's team. They replied they should be glad of it, if they had a kettle to boil the flesh in; but as that was not the case, they must suffer hunger, for they could not even yet eat dogs' flesh in its raw state. The missionaries now remained in the snow-house, and every day endeavoured to boil so much water over their lamp as might serve them for two dishes of coffee a piece. Through mercy, they were preserved in good health, and brother Liebisch quite unexpectedly recovered on the first day of his sore throat. The Esquimaux also kept up their spirits, and even the rough heathen Kassigiak declared that it was proper to be thankful that they were still alive, adding, that if they had remained a very little longer upon the ice yesterday, all their bones would have been broken to pieces in a short time. He had however his heels frozen, and suffered considerable pain. In the evening the missionaries sung an hymn with the Esquimaux, and continued to do it every morning and evening. The Lord was present with them, and comforted their hearts by his peace.

Towards noon of the thirteenth, the weather cleared up, and the sea was soon, as far as the eye could reach, quite freed from ice. Mark and Joel went up the hills to reconnoitre, and returned with the disagreeable news that not a morsel of ice was to be seen even from thence in any direction, and that it had been forced away from the coast at Naasornak. They were therefore of opinion that nothing could be done, but force their way across the mountain Kiglapeit. This day Kassigiak complained much of hunger, probably to obtain from the missionaries a larger proportion than the common allowance. They represented to him that they had no more themselves, and reproved him for his impatience. Whenever the victuals were distributed, he always swallowed his portion very greedily, and put out his hand for what he saw the missionaries had left, but was easily kept from any further attempt by serious reproof. The Esquimaux eat to-day an old sack made of fish skin, which proved indeed a dry and miserable dish. While they were at this singular meal, they kept repeating in a low humming tone, "You was a sack but a little while ago, and now you are food for us." Towards evening, some flakes of ice were discovered driving towards the coast, and on the 14th, in the morning, the sea was covered with them. But the weather was again very stormy, and the Esquimaux could not quit the snow-house, which made them very low-spirited and melancholy. Kassigiak suggested that it would be well "to attempt to make good weather," by which he meant to practise his art as a sorcerer to make the weather good. The missionaries opposed it, and told him that his heathenish practices were of no use, but that the weather would become favourable as soon as it should please God. Kassigiak then asked, "Whether Jesus could make good weather?" He was told that to Jesus was given all power in heaven and in earth, upon which he demanded that he should be applied to. Another time he said, I shall tell my countrymen at Seglek enough about you, how well you bear this misfortune. The missionaries replied, "Tell them that in the midst of this affliction, we placed our only hope and trust in Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who loves all mankind, and has shed his blood to redeem them from eternal misery." To-day the Esquimaux began to eat an old filthy and worn out skin, which had served them for a mattress.

On the 15th the weather continued extremely boisterous, and the Esquimaux appeared every now and then to sink under disappointment. But they possess a good quality, namely, a power of going to sleep when they please, and if need be they will sleep for days and nights together.

In the evening, the sky became clear and their hope revived. Mark and Joel went out to reconnoitre, and brought word that the ice had acquired a considerable degree of solidity, and might soon be fit for use. The poor dogs had meanwhile fasted for near four days, but now, in the prospect of a speedy release, the missionaries allowed to each a few morsels of food. The temperature of the air having been rather mild, it occasioned a new source of distress; for by the warm exhalations of the inhabitants, the roof of the snow-house got to be in a melting state, which occasioned a continual dropping, and by degrees made every thing soaking wet. The missionaries report, that they considered this the greatest hardship they had to endure, for they had not a dry thread about them, nor a dry place to lie down in.

On the 16th the sky cleared, but the fine particles of snow were driven about like clouds. Joel and Kassigiak resolved to pursue their journey to Okkak by the way of Nuasornak, and set out with the wind and snow full in their faces. Mark could not resolve to proceed farther north, because, in his opinion, the violence of the wind had driven the ice off the coast at Tikkerarsuk, so as to render it impossible to land; but he thought he might proceed to the south with safety, and get round Kiglapeit. The missionaries endeavoured to persuade him to follow the above mentioned company to Okkak; but it was in vain, and they did not feel at liberty to insist upon it, not being sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances. Their present distress dictated the necessity of venturing something to reach the habitations of men, and yet they were rather afraid of passing over the newly frozen sea under Kiglapiet, and could not immediately determine what to do. Brother Turner, therefore, went again with Mark to examine the ice, and both seemed satisfied that it would hold. They therefore came at last to a resolution to return to Nain, and commit themselves to the protection of the Lord. On the 17th, the wind had considerably increased with heavy showers of snow and sleet, but they set off at half-past ten o'clock in the forenoon. Mark ran all the way round Kiglapiet before the sledge to find a good track, and about one o'clock, through God's mercy, they were out of danger and reached the bay. Here they found a good track, upon smooth ice, made a meal of the remnant of their provisions and got some warm coffee. Thus refreshed, they resolved to proceed without stopping till they reached Nain, where they arrived at twelve o'clock at night. The brethren at Nain rejoiced exceedingly to see them return, for by several hints of the Esquimaux, who first met them going out to sea, and who then, in their own obscure way, had endeavoured to warn them of the ground swell, but had not been attended to, their fellow missionaries, and especially their wives, had been much terrified. One of these Esquimaux, whose wife had made some article of dress for brother Liebisch, whom they called Samuel, addressed sister Liebisch in the following manner:

"I should be glad of the payment for my wife's work." "Wait a little," answered she, "and, when my husband returns, he will settle with you, for I am unacquainted with the bargain made between you." "Samuel and William," replied the Esquimaux, "will not return any more to Nain." "How, not return, what makes you say so?" After some pause, the Esquimaux returned in a low tone, "Samuel and William are no more! all their bones are broken and in the stomachs of the sharks." Terrified at this alarming account, sister Liebisch called in the rest of the family, and the Esquimaux was examined as to his meaning; but his answer was little less obscure. He seemed so certain of the destruction of the missionaries, that he was with difficulty prevailed on to wait some time for their return. He could not believe that they could have escaped the effects of so furious a tempest, considering the course they were taking.

It may easily be conceived with what gratitude to God the whole family at Nain bid them welcome. During the storm, they had considered with some dread what might be the fate of those brethren, though at Nain its violence was not felt so much as on a coast unprotected by any islands. Added to this, the hints of the Esquimaux had considerably increased their apprehensions for their safety, and their fears began to get the better of their hopes. All therefore joined most fervently in praise and thanksgiving to God for their signal deliverance.

In August 1783, Liebisch returned to Europe, and took his place in the Unity's Elders Conference as a member, and Lister, with some assistants, exercised the office of superintendant until 1786, when John Christian Ludwig Rose was appointed to this office.