The bishop was much gratified with the progress made by the Eskimo, their earnestness was so evident, their attention so fixed; his heart was lifted in gratitude to God. After another week spent at Fort George, his mission completed, his face was once more turned homewards, and he reached Moose just about ship time. ‘In all this journey God’s hand has been on me for good.’
Soon after the bishop had returned to Moose, Mr. and Mrs. Nevitt went to take charge of Rupert’s House, the Rev. E. Richards and his wife coming to assist the bishop at Moose. Great preparations were made for the Christmas of 1890. The old mission ox brought home several loads of pine and cedar-brush from the woods for the church decorations. On Christmas Eve a high tea was provided at Bishop’s Court for the joyous band of workers, a dish of splendid trout gracing the hospitable board. Christmas morning dawned not too cold for enjoyment, and hearty, cheery services followed throughout the day. A feast had been planned for the school-children. Cakes were made by ‘the Rev. E. Richards and his wife;’ a large heap of biscuits were provided from the bishop’s own store; huge kettles were suspended in the school-yard; tea, sugar, and milk were there in abundance, and one afternoon in the Christmas week the scholars all assembled and enjoyed a substantial meal.
A Christmas-tree followed, which Mr. and Mrs. Richards had decorated with artificial flowers and ornaments, lights and gifts. The children’s parents were there, and the European residents and all stood round the tree, and sang ‘God save the Queen.’
Muncto pinache Kicheake-maskwas,
O Pimache; Melche puskilakat,
Kitche mihwaletuk Kinwaish
Pimatesit, O Pimache.
Other gatherings there were that joyous Christmastide spent by the bishop amongst his own especial flock; and doubtless, as he said, for many days to come the pleasures and wonders of those happy evenings were subjects of comment in every house.
The bishop had brought with him from York Factory a very promising youth, Isaiah Squirrel by name, whom he hoped to train under his own eye for the Christian ministry. He was now at Moose, ‘learning all sorts of things, and showing himself very teachable.’
At the beginning of the year 1891 the bishop announced with thankful joy, ‘I have now ready for the press the Pentateuch, Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel; the Psalms and New Testament have been in print some years. The whole Bible will, I trust, form the crown of my missionary life. I take the deepest delight in this translation work, which has always engaged very much of my time and attention.’