AFTER the Treaty of
Paris, in 1763, Labrador was annexed to the Government of Newfoundland,
including “all the coast of Labrador, from the entrance of Hudson’s
Straits to the River St. John’s, opposite the west end of the Island of
Anticosti, including that island, with any other small islands on the
said coast of Labrador; also the Island of Madeleine, in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, and of all forts and garrisons erected or established, or that
shall be erected or established, in the said island, or on the coast of
Labrador, within the limits aforesaid.” Shortly after which, Captain
Hugh Palliser was appointed Governor of Newfoundland, who was a man of
great energy and enterprise. He encouraged the fishery on the Labrador
coast, which was then in the hands of a few monopolists, who had
obtained grants illegally from the Government of Canada. Captain
Palliser annulled the exclusive claim of these parties, and ejected
them, which led to the separation of Labrador again from the Government
of Newfoundland, and its annexation to the Province of Quebec by the Act
of George III., Statute 14, cap. 3, in 1774.
In 1817, Labrador was
re-annexed to the Government of Newfoundland with Anticosti, but since
then Anticosti has been re-annexed to the Government of Canada. In 1811,
an Act of Parliament was passed, authorising the holding of Surrogate
Courts at Labrador. Subsequently, a Circuit Court was established there,
but was abolished in 1833. Since then a judge visits there annually, and
revenue officers during the summer season. (For statistics of the
fishery see “Fisheries.”) Captain Loch, in 1849, gives the following
very interesting account of Labrador :
“BELLE ISLE NORTH.
“The fisheries round
this island are very valuable, and I grieve to say are principally
gathered by the French. During the afternoon, night, and next morning, I
was off this island, I only saw two vessels, and those were EDglish
Jacks ; but nevertheless, I ascertained that the French had been fishing
round its shores the entire season, and had only departed on the visit
of the man-of-war being reported by their look-outs.
I do not see how these
fisheries can effectually be protected while the French possess the
facilities of numerous and convenient ports in its vicinity, with only
the opposing influence of two Jersey establishments in Chateau Bay to
contend against them. The most effectual protection would be the
constant presence of a small cruiser during the entire season, to act in
conjunction with the small government schooner the French themselves
employ for this service. If it were practicable to form establishments
on the island itself, this exp use, perhaps, might be saved, but owing
to the total absence ot safe beach or boat harbours, this would be
almost impossible.
“These fisheries are
capable of yielding 40,000 quintals in the season, and I am told the
French take upon the average 30,000.
I could not visit
the establishments at Chateau, owing to the bay being blocked up by
icebergs—83 were counted between Belle Isle and the coast of Labrador. ’
“RED BAY
“Is a beautiful little
harbour, perfectly sheltered from every wind, and is capable of
admitting ships of the largest class. It is formed by Saddle Island
laying off the entrance of a round basin with a narrow neck; there is
good anchorage behind the island, which forms what may be called the
outer harbour, the hills of the main are nearly 500 feet in height,
somewhat higher than those directly to the north-east and south-west of
the port.
“The hills are close to
the shore, formed of reddish granite and covered with moss, some stunted
spruce, birch, and juniper bushes.
“Three small rivulets
enter the basin, but water cannot easily be procured for ships, owing to
sandbars extending across their mouths.
“The port is not very
easy to make, as the features and indentation of this portion of the
coast are very similar, one of the best marks is a small flat island a
little to the eastward of Saddle Island, named “Oil” Island in the book
of sailing directions, and White Island by the fishermen.
“There are thirteen
rooms at this station, all belonging to separate planters, small
proprietors, employing altogether 50 fishermen (exclusive of the shore
men), the principal person among them is a Mr. William Penny, of
Conception Pay. He comes to this port in his schooner every spring, and
arrived this year on the 17th of June, with 95 people on board—forty
men, the rest women and children. During the season there are about 100
inhabitants—40 reside for the purpose of seal-fishing during the winter.
They commenced cod-fishing this year 5th June. They use both seines and
lines, and have 25 boats of different sizes, employing two to three
hands each, and capable of containing from five to ten quintals. They
send their fish to St. John’s, Carbonear, and Halifax. They dispatch it
twice in the season if the fishing is moderately good. Their catch to
the present date (30th July), has been 3,500 quintals, which is the
greatest amount of fish they have taken so early for the last three
years. They expect to average before the close 100 quintals a man. They
would not be contented with less than 70. (The French consider 50
quintals per man a paying season.) The fishing generally ends about the
5th September, when the ice begins again to form, and the bait strikes
off into deep water. The bait they use is caplin, herring and lance in
rotation. Although the latter may be procured throughout the season,
they use the caplin when it can be had. which is frequently from June
until the end of August. They can place no reliance upon the strike of
the herring. They consider the climate during the summer and autumn
months dryer and of more equal temperature than upon the north-east
coast of Newfoundland.
“They say that they are
much disturbed by the French and Americans. The former coming over from
the other side in squadrons of batteaux, sweeping all their best fishing
grounds —while the latter enter their harbours in schooners of about 60
tons, catching their fish, and drying them close to their own stages,
which they boldly assert they have a right to do by treaty.
“I examined several of
the planters separately, and all agreed that there are about 600
Frenchmen employed in fishing vessels of different sizes, between
Forteau and Red Bays alone. There is no agriculture, if we except a few
cabbages and turnips planted round the door of their huts, which they
use with their common diet of fish and salt pork. The fisherman are paid
principally in bills of exchange given by the merchants, and receive
from £18 to <£25 currency a year. Those employed for the summer season
only, generally receive half their catch.
“The planters of the
harbour expressed so much dissatisfaction at the encroachment of the
French, who, they assert, are encouraged in their depredations by some
of the principal English inhabitants residing in the bays to the
westward, that I have thought it advisable to give the evidence of the
three principal parties I have examined at length:
“What are your names?
“Robert Ash, of
Carbonear, and Francis Watts. We have been fishing eleven years out of
this harbour. Watts has resided on the coast of Labrador for the last
two years, and would continue to do so if not so much interfered with by
the French.
“Benjamin Coomes came
straight from England. Has been residing between Black and Red Bays, and
on the coast of Labrador, for twenty-five years, cod-fishing and sealing
on his own account. They all asserted that their fishing is very much
injured by the encroachment of the French—fishing on the coast to the
westward in Black Bay and Forteau Bay, &c., which prevented the fish
from passing down the coast, but more particularly are they injured by
the French sweeping all the caplin off the ground, which otherwise would
remain a month longer if they were not so disturbed and cleared by them.
To give an idea how much we suffer by these encroachments, and how much
the French benefit by them, there are parties employed purposely to
catch and cure caplin to supply the Great Bank fishing vessels.
“Q.—Who are the
principal people in Black Bay?
“A.—One family, Mr.
Odell’s.
“Q.—Do they agree to
the french going there?
“A.—Yes, they encourage
them, and lend and build stages for their accommodation, and receive the
livers of the fish in payment,
“Q.—What may this be
worth to them?
“A.—A quintal of fish
produces a gallon of oil, which sells for 2s. per gallon.
“Q.—Have you ever
remonstrated with the English residents at the bays to the westward, and
stated how prejudicial their encouiagement of the French was to your
interests?
“A.—Yes, and they are
well acquainted that the French fishing must injure ours.
“Q.—What do you suppose
is the reason why the French are enabled to surpass our fishermen in
cheap fishing on our own coast?
“A.—Their fit-out is in
the first place much cheaper—not one-fourth the prime cost of ours.
Secondly, they receive a large bounty from government. Thirdly, the
wages are not one-half those we pay our fishermen.
“Q.—How many Frenchmen
do you suppose are fishing between lied Bay and Forteau?
“A.—From 1,000 to 1,500
men.
“Q.—In how many boats
or vessels?
“A.—About 200, large
and small.
“Q.—Do you think the
Government of Newfoundland could make any arrangement that would
effectually prevent the encroachment of the French on the coast of
Labrador?
“A.—Yes, a cruiser
stationed in the straits from the 1st July to the last of August; or
resident magistrates, say at Black Bay or Forteau, and perhaps Chateau.
“Q.—Would the planters
on the coast of Labrador think it worth their while to pay £300 a year
in support of the salaries of magistrates to clear the coast of the
French?
“A.—We think we pay
taxes enough, aud we imagine that the Government of Newfoundland ought
to defray such a charge for the benefit of its subjects and its own
commerce.
“Q. —Are you aware if
there are individuals residing between Red Bay and Forteau Bay who have
made sums of money by their encouragement of French fishing?
“A.—Yes, Samuel Toms,
formerly residing at Great St Modeste. Last year he went to Quebec,
having cleared £1,000 in the last few years by the sale of oil from the
cod livers.
“Q.—Do the residents of
Labrador receive any assistance from the Government of Newfoundland
during the winter?
“A.—No, none. Last
year, for the eight months, which is the usual length of the winter, we
were hard put to it in consequence of the French having deprived us of
our means of living by plundering our coasts. Many of the poorer
inhabitants were alone supported by the charitable assistance of those
in better circumstances.
“Q.—You say that
certain parties have had to give up trade in vessels in consequence of
the French encroachments—state who these were?
“A.—Francis and
Claudius Witts, William Udel, and Mr. Pike. These parties had to give up
their vessels, finding that the catch of fish was so much reduced from
what used to be before the French came in such numbers, that none of the
parties could procure even half cargoes by the close of the season.
“Q.—How do you know
that the French fishing interferes with yours?
“A.—Because on the
Monday our catch is double what it is any other day of the week, owing
to the French not fishing on the Sunday, thereby permitting the fish to
pass up the coast.
“CARROLL COVE.
“This is a small
fishing station, five miles west of Red Bay* where there are only two
rooms belonging to a Mr. Lardragan. He employs thirty men, six of these
reside there during the winter to trap seals. They catch them in frame
nets, which are laid down the 20th November, and taken up the last of
December ; then again put down the 1st of June, and taken up the middle
of July. 300 seals a year is the average catch.
“They send their cod to
a Jersey house in Blanc Sablon.
“There are three seal
fisheries between Chateau Bay and Carroll Cove, fished by men from Red
Bay, who abandon them in summer for the cod fishery. Their average catch
is 350 seals.
“Black Bay, or Pin
ware,
Is a wild open
roadstead, but a good fishing station, and caplin are always to be found
in great abundance during the season i.iside the bar formed by the river
at its head, and which the French are said entirely to appropriate, by
dropping nets across the channels, and placing watoh-boats to guard
them. This intelligence caused me to despatch an officer in the barge
from Red Bay, who might be enabled to take any intruders by surprise and
give me accurate information. He counted twenty fishing boats at anchor
under Ledge Island, and boarded sixteen vessels at anchor inside Little
St. Modeste belonging to Nova Scotia, one American, and three French
from St. Pierre's.
"These latter had been
fishing on the Labrador shores, and according to my directions he took
away their registers.
“At ‘Shipbroad,’ on the
western side of lilac-k Bay, he boarded the French brig ‘Novelle St.
Pierre,' of St. Malo, wind-bound from ‘Quiipon,’ bound to ‘ Port-au-Choix,'
laden with salt and a small quantity of fish, which apparently had not
been taken on this coast. He also boarded two French boats fishing for
vessels at 1 Port-au-Choix,’ which he ordered away He observed twelve or
thirteen French boats off Cape Diable to windward of him but these he
could not reach as it blew too strong."
“Forteau Bay
Is almost an open
roadstead to the south and south-east, but safe even with winds from
those quarters, owing to its depth and the protection it receives from
the opposite coast of Newfoundland.
“It is surrounded by
table lands of sand stone covered with the usual moss, the dw arf
spruce, birch bush and some mountain ash. A salmon river of some size
enters the sea at the head of the bay. Seals, salmon, cod, and
remarkably fine herrings are very plentiful. The fishings are carried on
with considerable profit by five establishments, four connected with
Jersey, Poole and St. John’s, are in the bay, and the fifth is planted
upon the eastern point, belongs to a Mr. Grange, a wealthy colonist from
Anchor Point, Newfoundland. Upwards of four hundred people are employed
by these various planters, but their catch this year has not been (in
proportion) so good as that of their rivals of Red Bay.
“The resident agents
and partners are Messrs. Ellis, employed by Mr. Bird of Poole, and
Leroux, a Jersey merchant, and agent for Mr. De Quetteville the most
extensive planter on the coast of Labrador. He has besides this, other
establishments (one of Blanc Sablon) and supplies most of the winter
rooms and resident fishermen with goods, clothes, and stores much to his
own profit. Messrs. Young and Janeaut, and George Du Heaume and David
Janners are the remainder.
“There are nine fishing
stations between Red Bay and Forteau—namely, Carroll Cove—East St.
Modeste—Black Bay— West St. Modeste—Captain Island—Lance Dialla—River
head of Lance a Loup and Lance Amour. Except at Lance a Loup where a Mr.
Crockwell, of Torquay, has a room,all these stations are fished by
colonial fishermen, who send their produce to St. John’s by vessels from
that port, and to the Jersey houses in Forteau Bay and Blanc Sablon.
“These small stations
employ about two hundred and twenty men, and average a catch of
twenty-five thousand quintals throughout the year.
“Cabbages and Turnips
are grown at every station for the summer consumption of the
inhabitants.
“Those who reside upon
the coast during the winter shoot deer, partridges, ducks, geese, curlew
and other wild fowl, amply sufficient for their support. They have,
nevertheless, stores of pork, flour, tea and molasses supplied by
traders from Quebec, Halifax and St. John’s.
“Much of my time was
occupied during the ship’s stay at Forteau in settling innumerable
disputes between the rival firms and fishermen, and in trying an action
brought by Philip Landragan, of Caroll Cove against Messrs. George du
Heaume and Daniel Janvers for having taken a schooner belonging to the
former, under pretence of purchasing her, and having used her for nine
months ; and in consequence of the collector of customs of St. John’s
declaring the register to be incorrect returning her to the plaintiff
who accepted a bill of thirty pounds as an equivalent for her use, and
for having boarded her after delivering her over and taking out gear
belonging to the vessel.
"A case of a much
graver description was brought before me by a man named Charles Dicker,
a planter, resident on Grant Point, three miles west of Blanc Sablon,
and a settler of twenty-four years, who, upon hearing a man-of-war was
at Forteau, walked across the country to lay a charge against a stronger
party for having torn up his seal and salmon nets, as he asserted they
prevented his own catch being so great as it otherwise would be. The
poor man was thus deprived of his season’s profit, and probably his
winters subsistence. 1 was enabled fortunately, to succeed ill restoring
his rights to him
“Blanc Sablon
Is seven miles west of
the Western Point of Forteau Bay. It is open to the eastward,
nevertheless the westerly winds are those most feared, as they throw in
heavy cross swells between Wood and Greenly Islands, and vessels are not
unfrequently driven on shore by them.
“It is the principal
fishing station on the Labrador coast. There are four Jersey
establishments—two belonging to Messrs. Philip de Quetteville (under the
charge of Thomas Leroux), and the other to Philip Bray—and Leroux—there
are upwards of three hundred inhabitants during the season, and only
four families reside there during the winter. They all arrived this year
in June, and commenced fishing on the 18th, and found both cod and
caplin very abundant—they had never seen fish so early before and
greatly regretted not having arrived sooner. Besides the cod, they fish
seal and herring, the latter they use lor bait when caplin is scarce.
They commonly find the caplin on the coast by the middle of June, and it
generally remains till the end of July.
“De Quettevil'e’s
establishments both at Forteau and this Bay, cure and export caplin.
They also extract oil from the herring as well as from the cod liver.
Twelve Jersey vessels and eighty boats were in use, employing altogether
three hundred hands. Bray trades to twelve different ports in the
Mediterranean and occasionally to their own island, Jersey.
“The fish is sent away
as fast as they can load the vessels ; the first sailed this year, 7th
July, and another will sail to-day (9th August), and four in September.
There were sixteen vessels at anchor in Blanc Sablon harbour,
namely—-one barque, three brigantines, anti twelve schooners. They were
all waiting for cargoes.
“Notwithstanding the
abundance of fish at the commencement, they consider they have only had
a fair catch—15,000 quintals—owing to their late arrival, and the fish
leaving early ; they consider from 15 to 16,000 quintals a good season.
Last year their fishing did not terminate until the end of August. This
year it closed 25th of July.
“The fogs lay longer
against this portion of the coast than further to the eastward, owing to
its being at the entrance of the straits, and more exposed to the
southerly winds which drive them out of the estuary of the St. Lawrence.
Blanc Sablon is sometimes enveloped for a week at a time, while a few
miles beyond the sky is clear and dry. This is much against the
planter’s interests. Americans occasionally spread their nets, and fish
early in the season, on their way through the straits towards Cape
Charles; but they do not disturb the settlers. There were about ten this
year—they used to appear in greater numbers. Four French brigs had been
fishing off Green Island for three weeks or a month—they left the day
before yesterday, when they heard we were on the coast. They fish along
the Labrador coast throughout the season, and only retire upon the
appearance of the man-of-war. All the small planters complain grievously
of this intrusion; while the more wealthy encourage it, for (as I have
already stated), the liver oil they receive for stage room. The
Americans carry the fish away green.
“The people are
supported, as at the other stations, by supplies from Jersey, Halifax
and Quebec, and all the large establishments pay the men £2 sterling a
month, instead of giving them half the catch.
“There are no resident
fishermen in this particular harbour, but a few along the coast to the
westward at Grand Point, Bradore, and Esquimaux Harbours, but no regular
rooms are maintained.
“The river running into
this port separates the dependency of Newfoundland from Lower Canada.
The harbour is always completely blocked up by ice from November until
June, occasionally to the end of the latter month. At this station all
the fishermen are Protestants, and from Jersey.
“The fishery is much
what it has been for the last fifteen years ; but people are commencing
to pass up the coast, and they anticipate a gradual supply of permanent
settlers from the south of Newfoundland and Canada.
“When on the point of
sailing, the son of Mr. Grange, of Anchor Point, Newfoundland, came on
board to complain that the French had stopped his father fishing a
salmon river that has been in his family for upwards of a century; that
after much opposition on his father’s part, he had to yield to the
French one-half, and afterwards two-thirds of the produce of the river.
This year they had taken it from him altogether.
“As I could find no
definite instructions relative to the assumed right of the French over
the river, as well as the sea fishings, and as this question bears so
gravely upon the interests of so many settlers, and dignity of Her
Majesty’s colony ; and feeling that any inquiry on my part, after
ascertaining the statement to be true, without forcibly expelling the
French from property which has been in possession of English colonists
for so long a period, would be ineffectual, I advised Mr. Grange to draw
up a memorial for the consideration of the Colonial Government, and
promised to lay the facts of the case before His Excellency the
Governor.
“The inhabitants of any
particular bay or station along the coast of Labrador have not the right
or power, in my opinion, to permit the French to lay out their nets
along the coasts or in their harbours, for by so doing the rights of
other fishings are naturally interfered with, by stopping the passage of
tlie fish along the coast, and after fair warning, I think they should
be subject to the same punishment for ‘aiding and abetting,’ as the
intruders are themselves.
“In my opinion it would
be most advisable, nay, absolutely necessary for the prosperity of the
British subjects that magistrates should be appointed from St. John’s,
to administer justice and control the society resident at the various
fishing stations in the Straits of Belle Isle during the season.
“This extensive coast,
commencing from the estuary of the St. Lawrence, and stretching far
north to the regions of perpetual snow, is one of the most barren and
desolate in the world ; and it seems that nature has removed the means
of supporting human life from its surface to the waters which surround
it, the abundant production of which offer the inducements, and reward
the industry and perseverance of thousands of adven turers who resort to
it from both Europe and America
“The portion forming
the northern boundary of the Straits of Belle Isle is not so well marked
or grand in feature as where it recedes from the Island of Newfoundland,
either to the north or south. From the sea the country has a green and
alluvial appearance, and it is not until close to it that this is lost,
and nothing is seen but bare granite rocks, partially covered with moss
and stunted shrubs ; juniper, birch, and poplar trees grow in valleys
where the soil is of sandy clay, the temperature much higher, and the
fog less frequent than upon the coast. Here deer, bears, wolves, foxes,
martens, otters, beavers, and a great variety of wild fowl take up their
abode until driven to the coast by the snow-drifts of approaching
winter. The ice does not usually leave the bay free for vessels to enter
before June, and it begins to form again in the shallow bays and pools
in the beginning of September.”
About a hundred years
ago, the Moravian missionaries extended their mission from Greenland to
the Labrador Coast, where they now have several flourishing settlements.
The principal one is called Nain. A very interesting volume has been
published, giving an account of the Moravian Missions at Greenland and
Labrador. In 1824, the Rev. Thomas Hickson, one of the Wesleyan
Missionaries at Newfoundland, was appointed to ascertain the state of
the Esquimaux on the Labrador Coast, in order to establish a mission
among them. The following is an extract from Hickson’s Journal:—
“Visited the only
resident family in the place, an Englishman, who has been united with an
Esquimaux, by whom he had three children. She died about three years
ago. I spoke to him on the all important concerns of his soul. We bowed
our knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the poor man
expressed his warmest thanks ; having been so long with the natives, he
possessed much information respecting them. He said, he believed they
had but very confused notions of a Supreme Being, if they had any ; they
had some notion of the existence of the devil, whom they suppose to be
the author of all pain; and that in cases of dangerous illness,
believing him to be the cause of it, and also supposing him to be
present, the oldest person in the place hangs all the pot-crooks, or old
hoops, or any such articles about him, and taking a poker, he turns over
all the skins in the wigwam, intending to drive him away.
I am also informed that
they frequently strive to appease him by sitting in profound silence,
insomuch that a child is not allowed to go quick across the floor. When
this is ineffectual, they have recourse to sacrifice, which is generally
that of killing their best dog. I have only heard of one instance of
their having recourse to human sacrifice. About three years ago, an
Indian man, supposing himself to be in dying circumstances, but
believing that the devil would spare his life could he only accomplish
the death of another, fixed upon a neighbour’s wife who was pregnant,
and he imposed the bloody task on his own wife; she showed some
reluctance, but he enforced his commands by seizing a hatchet and
threatening to take away her life. She then prevailed upon another
female to assist her, by whose help she hung up the poor unfortunate
woman. But this did not prevent the death of her deluded partner, and
she herself has been almost frantic ever since.
“When an Esquimaux
departs this life, his remains are carried away immediately, wrapped up
in skins, and laid upon the surface of the ground, and a large pile of
stones is raised over it; with the corpse they bury the canoe, darts,
kettles, &c., supposing that the deceased will have need of them.
“The Esquimaux are
generally low in stature, their complexion of a dusky yellow, with broad
foreheads, high cheek bones, small eyes, wide mouth, teeth white and
regular. The chin, the cheek bones from the nose to the temples, and the
foreheads, of the elder females were many of them tattooed.
“This is performed by
pricking through the skin with a small sharp instrument and rubbing some
dark substance into the wounds. This, it appears, is a custom only in
use among those of riper years, as none of them In early life bear the
marks. Their cassock, or upper garment for the summer, is made of
swan-skin, which they procure from the merchants for sealskins, &e. They
are curiously wrought, and trimmed with different colours of thread and
cloth. The females have a larger hood, in which they carry their
children, &e. In the front, that part of it which serves as a very small
apron is trimmed with pewter, cast in a small mould for that purpose.
Behind, they have long
hair reaching to the ground. They also, as well as the men, wear small
clothes, made of the same materials as their upper garment. They make
their own boots of seal skin, after they have taken off the hair and
dressed it. In the winter, their dress is principally of seal skin,
which they make in a manner which shows them to be possessed of
considerable ingenuity.
“The morning and
evening examinations of the candidates for baptism were seasons of much
consolation; and the improvement they make far exceeds my most sanguine
expectations. I married six couples, and the deep seriousness of the
poor Indians on these occasions would have reflected honour on long
experienced Christians.
“24th.—I had a good
congregation in the morning when I expounded a portion of God’s word,
and questioned the candidates for baptism. A few other families came
from distant parts of the Bay; among them were three Englishmen, who had
families by Esquimaux women, and who desired to be married. They
afterwards got so much intoxicated that I fear their shameful conduct
will prove very injurious to the natives, as they are in danger of
supposing all to be Christians who come from Christian countries.
“25th—This has been a
day much to be remembered. At the morning prayer we were much crowded;
deep seriousness rested on every countenance, and I believe all were in
a state for receiving good, excepting a few drunken Englishmen. Our
house was far too small for our forenoon congregation. I first preached
to as many as were able to understand me, and among these were English,
Irish, Canadians, and Labradorians, who heard with attention. I had then
to remove the Europeans to make room for the poor Esquimaux, to whom I
preached through the interpreter. Their cheeks were soon bedewed with
tears, and I was much interrupted by their expressions of approval. Some
iiaving come with expectations of being baptized, I explained to them
the nature and obligations of that ordinance. On examination I found
that two of them, father and son, had each of them two concubines. It
was not difficult to convince them of the evil of their doings; and
though it was generally supposed that the senior adulterer would have
parted with his life rather than give up either of his concubines, the
Lord applied what was spoken to his conscience, which caused him to
tremble exceedingly, and he. expressed a willingness to act in any way
that I should direct. This person was taken by Captain Palliser to
England, about .forty five years ago, with his mother, who had a gown
presented to her by the Queen. This gown, richly trimmed with gold, and
veiy fresh, was worn by one of the women. The man bears the. name of the
above mentioned Captain who took him. I had much comfort and enlargement
in preaching to the same mixed crowd in the after, noon. After much
deliberation, I admitted a few of the adults to baptism, whose minds I
judged to be in a prepared state, with their children. It was truly
pleasing to witness not only the adults, but the elder children,
conducting themselves with so much propriety. Many of the Indians joined
us again about 9 o clock p.m., at our family altar, with some Europeans.
May the good resulting from the Sabbath’s labours be seen after many
days !
“26th.—Preached to an
attentive congregation in one of the wigwams. The gratitude of the
natives was very great, and expressed in the most feeling manner. When I
questioned them whether they continued the use of family prayer, they
answered in the affirmative. The Lord teach them to pray the effectual
prayer !
“28th.—A few of them
assisted me to ascertain the probable number of the inhabitants of the
Bay, which is as follows :
Real Esquimaux adults .
. . . . . .100
Real Esquimaux children .... .60
Half Esquimaux . .60
European settlers ........ 90
Canadian settlers . . . . . . . .16
Total number, exclusive of any other part of the coast. 326
“The connection between
the English and Moravian Church has been remarkable from the beginning
of the Reformation. Huss was the founder of the latter, and Wicklife of
the former. It was from Wickliffe’s writings that Huss derived his
knowledge of the true faith, and Wickliffe’s protest against the
sentence of burning pronounced upon the Hussites by the Archbishop of
Prague first excited persecution against himself.
Hence, it is not
strange that a strong sympathy should be felt and manifested by these
Christian bodies towards each other, and it is delightful to observe the
noble liberality which the prosperous Church of England has shown to her
afflicted yet faithful sister at various periods of their history. This
is one of many aspects in which our mother church has proved her self to
be the protectress of the ‘Protestant religion,’ and entitled herself to
the love and gratitude of the Protestant world.
“This subject has been
briefly alluded to on a former occasion, but it is believed that the
facts are worthy of being more fully set forth.
“A volume is still
extant which contains ‘ the Acts of the British Parliament touching the
Moravian Brethren, A.D. 1749.’ The occasion of these ‘Acts’ was a
petition of Deputies from the United Brethren, for the Sanction and
Encouragement of Parliament to their Settling in His Majesty’s Colonies
in America, especially in Georgia. Before leave was given them, the
character and claims of the Brethren and their church underwent a severe
investigation. Among other grounds of confidence which the deputies
alleged, was, that the said church had been already countenanced by the
King and State of England. To support this assertion, the deputies
produced twelve vouchers, among which was a document containing an
Account of the Distressed State of the Ancient Church of the Fraternal
Unity, addressed to the Church of England, given in the Synodal
Convention of Lyssa in Great Poland, Feb. 10, 1683— which account was
recommended by Archbishop Sancroft, and Bishop Compton, of London, to ‘
the consideration of all pious and compassionate Christians.’
“In this address it was
set forth (among other things), ‘ that the Bohemian Church had been free
from her infancy, for almost seven hundred years, from the encroachments
of the Romish See; but that crushed at last by its prevailing power, it
was sinking apace with death and ruin ; when being ready to expire, she
brought forth a Benoni, a progeny which, growing up in the several parts
of Bohemia, animated and acted by one spirit, obtained the name of
Fraternal Unity.’
“That this church, the
heiress of the truly ancient faith, watered and enriched by the blood of
Huss, and Jerome of Prague, taking deep root in Bohemia, spread its
boughs as far as Poland, renouncing the growing errors of Popery, and
preserved the succession of Episcopal orders.
“That King Frederick of
Bohemia being routed and dispossessed of his realm, this church shared
the same fate.
“That this church in
Poland continued for many years prosperous, under several privileges
granted and confirmed of diverse kings and princes, but nothing able to
contend with the more potent strength of the Roman Catholics, she was
bereft of her former protection, languishing ever since under the rage
and fury of those who violate ail faith.
“That it was through
the bounty of the English Church they were formerly saved from a fatal
ruin, but that after so great suffering they have scarce recovered their
spirits.’ The deputies also produced an account of the sufferings of the
Episcopal Reformed Churches, and an address to the Church of England, by
the encouragement of George the First, and the solicitation of
Archbishop Walker and Bishop Robinson, of London, A.D 1715-6.
“So that on four
different occasions, viz., at the dates of those two documents, 1(583
and 1715, at the ‘former’ period here referred to 1736, and again on
occasion of this very application, 1749, substantial aid was given to
the Moravian Brethren by the Anglican Church, together with the highest
testimony to the validity of their claims, and again at the date of this
very application, A.D. 1749.
"Their petition, on
this last occasion, was presented and strongly supported by General
Oglethorpe. It was under consideration from February to May; in March it
passed the House of Commons unanimously, and in the House of Lords,
after a speech by the Earl of Halifax, and one by the Bishop of
Worcester, in which he declared the approbation of the whole Episcopal
Church, the Bill passed nem. con. The Venerable Bishop Sherlock, of
London, at first objected, but after full consideration withdrew his
opposition, and ever after became a a firm friend of the Brethren.
“Again great calamities
were experienced in their Continental settlements during the campaigns
of 1803 and 1812-13, at which times large sums were remitted from
England for their relief. Another fact is worthy of notice in this
connection. Archbishop Potter, the well known writer on Church policy,
was waited on by a committee appointed by the Board of Control for the
Colony, to desire his opinion concerning the Moravian Brethren, to know
whether anything in their doings were so far repugnant to those of the
Church of England as to make it improper to employ some of the brethren
in instructing the negroes in Christianity. On this occasion the
Archbishop was pleased to declare :
“That he had been long
acquainted, by books, with the church of the Moravian Brethren, and they
were Apostolical and Episcopal, not containing any doctrines repugnant
to the Thirty-nine Articles, and that he was confirmed in this opinion
by the conferences he had lately had with Count Zinzendorf.’
“The Archbishop
addressed to Count Zinzendorf, on the occasion of his election to the
office of Bishop in the Moravian Church, a congratulatory Latin epistle,
of which the following is a translation :
“John, by Divine
Providence, Archbishop of Canterbury, to the Right Rev. Count Nicholas
Lewis, Bishop of the Moravian Church, sendeth greeting :
“ Most sincerely and
cordially do I congratulate you upon your having been lately raised to
the sacred and justly celebrated episcopal chair of the Moravian Church
(by whatever clouds it may be now obscured) by the grace of Divine
Providence and the plaudits of the heavenly host; for the opinion we
have conceived of you does not suffer us to doubt it. It is the burden
of my ardent prayer, that this honour conferred, and which your merit so
justly entitles you to, may prove no less beneficial to the church, than
at all times acceptable to you and yours. For insufficient as I am, I
should be entirely unworthy of the high station in which Divine
Providence has placed me, were I not to show myself ever ready to use
every exertion in my power for the assistance of the universal church of
God ; and especially to love and embrace your church, united with us in
the closest bond of love, and which has hitherto, as we have been
informed, invariably maintained both, a pure faith and primitive
discipline, neither intimidated by dangers, nor seduced by the manifold
temptations of Satan. I request, in return, the support of your prayers,
and that you will salute, in my name, your brother Bishop, as well as
the whole Christian flock over which Christ has made you an overseer.
Farewell.
“Given at Westminster,
July 10, 1737.”'
In 1825, another of the
Wesleyan Missionaries at Newfoundland, the Rev. Richard Knight1
visited Labrador. The following is an extract from his letter, addressed
to the Wesleyan Missionary Society in London :—
“We sailed from Brigus
on the 6th of July, in the schooner Surprise, belonging to G. Cousins,
Esq., who himself formed one of our company, which I hailed as a most
favourable circumstance. 11th. By noon we arrived abreast of Cape
Charles, the south extremity of the. coast of Labrador. We had designed
to anchor in Battle Harbour for the night, in order to get some
instructions respecting the coast, as ah on board were strangers to it,
and the numerous islands make the navigation very dangerous ; but we
could not effect our purpose. The wind came ahead and blew so violently,
that we were obliged to bear away for Cape Charles Harbour. To this
place, the Indians some years ago resorted much ; at present, however,
there is but one female there. 1 hoped to be able to gather the few
Protestants in this harbour for Diviue service, but found it
impracticable. 12th.—Visited Battle Harbour. This place has derived its
name from a battle which was once fought here, between some Europeans
and the natives. Tradition reports that the Indians were at that time
numerous on these parts of Labrador. We could only stay here a few
hours. During this time we distributed some tracts, these were much
wanted, and I trust by the blessing of God, will be of use to those who
have received them. 17th. By noon we arrived at the Seal Islands. Here
we did not intend to tarry, our object being to proceed to Batteau
Harbour, where many of the inhabitants of Newfoundland prosecute the
fishery, and at which place we had contemplated holding divine service.
I was mach pleased to find them resting on the Sabbath-day, as most of
them are my stated hearers when in Newfoundland. I went on shore, and in
the evening preached to about fifty persons, who heard me with much
attention, aud with few exceptions manifested by their presence, that
they were glad to embrace an opportunity of hearing the word of God, on
the desolate shores of Labrador. After the public service 1 baptized a
child of European parents. Batteau is a fine harbour well adapted for
fishing, and abounding with excellent sea-fowl. The land is barren, and
though an island, it abounds with hares, wild geese, foxes and deer. On
Monday morning, I visited Black Tickle. To this place I was under the
necessity of going for my boat, which had been taken thither by Mr.
Nathaniel Munden, of Brigus, our own schooner being too small to take it
on her deck. At this place I fell in with the first Indian family I had
seen, consisting of the Indian, his wife and a fine boy, they were about
to leave the harbour when I first saw them ; but anxious to hold an
interview I ran and called to them. The Indian could speak a little
English. The wife and child either knew nothing of this language, or
would hold no conversation in it, for I could get no reply to several
questions I put to them. The Indian had been informed who I was, and was
very glad to see me. Before my return to Batteau, I visited a place
called Domino. Here is a mercantile establishment, but no settlers. I
found Mr. Smith, the agent of this establishment, exceedingly kind. The
Indian above-mentioned is well known to this gentleman. He supplied him
the last fishing season with everything necessary for the fishery, and
in the fall, at the time for adjusting the accounts, it was found that
the Indian had a balance in his favour. Mr. Smith showed me his account,
and I am happy in being able to say that no advantage had been taken of
the Indian’s ignorance of the transactions of trade. He was charged fair
prices for all he had taken, and credited in current price for all he
had remitted. Such merchants -would be a blessing to the poor Indians of
Labrador. The case of this Indian may be viewed as a fair specimen of
what the Esquimaux (to say the least), are capable of being brought to.
Here is a family purely Indian, who by dint of their own industry,
support themselves without the savage desultory mode of living which
characterises their tribe in general.
“24th.—Left Batteau
Harbour, and had a safe and speedy passage to Sandwich Bay. We arrived
at half-past three o'clock at a place called Handy-Harbour. One of the
people residing here came on board, and I proposed preaching to them in
the evening. About forty were present, partly English and partly
American, all of whom manifested much attention. In Handy-Harbour are no
Indians, nor any settlers; it is merely visited by some fishermen from
Newfoundland and America. I was pleased to find that the former were so
far regarding the Sabbath as to rest from labour. On returning from this
place we. saw the Aurora Borealis, and entered into the beauty of the
description by Thomson:
‘Silent from the north
Ablaze of meteors shoots: ensweeping first The lower skies, they all at
once converge High to the crown of Heaven, and all at once Relapsing
quick, as quickly re-ascend, And mix and thwart, extinguish and renew
All ether coursing in a maze of light.’
“Without seeing those
lights under similar circumstances, no one can properly appreciate the
descriptive excellence of these lines.
“29th.—We put out for
Esquimaux Bay, but the wind soon came a-head, and we were obliged to put
aito Partridge-Har-bour. Here are no Indians or settlers, but several
families visit this place from Brigus. All was hurry : the people being
engaged in what is called the heart of the fishery; I could not
therefore publicly perform divine service. I visited and prayed,
however, with some of the families. They were very desirous for me to
stay with them the ensuing Sabbath, which I should gladly have done had
not my passage been already so long, and the necessity of my being in
Esquimaux-Bay so urgent.
30th.—Put out from
Partridge-Harbour. Soon after the wind came against us ; but the weather
promising to continue fine, and the tide not running very strong against
us, we determined on staying out all night.
“31st.—This morning wo
had the entrance of Esquimaux-Bay in full view; but it took up the
greatest part of the day to get as far as Tub-Island, at the entrance of
the bay. We arrived here about three o’clock p.m., and soon after I was
visited by Mr. Craze, from whom Mr. Hickson received much kindness
during his visit to this bay last summer. I found him equally kind to
me.. He appears to take much interest in the projected mission, and
will, I am fully persuaded, tender all the aid he can to the Missionary
who may be appointed. I requested the fa-* our of holding service in his
house, a proposal to which he most readily acceded. About six o’clock I
repaired thither, with Mr. Cousins, and as many of the crew as could be
exempted from duty. We had a congregation soon collected, amounting to
about seventy, half of whom were Indians. On seeing the latter crowd
into the house, their strange attire, brown complexion, and method of
huddling themselves together in one corner of the room, as if conscious
that they could not presume on mixing with Europeans—and, more
especially on reflecting upon their moral destitution, feelings were
excited within me which altogether elude description. Their attention
was at once fixed on me, while I addressed the congregation from, ‘ God
so loved the world,’ &c. But though I felt much comfort in speaking to
those of my audience who could understand me; yet when I reflected,
that, to one-half of my hearers I was as a barbarian, and they as
barbarians unto me, my mind was pained. I could give them no instruction
from the want of some one to interpret. I found that the Indians had
been anxiously expecting me; yet that some of them had left the harbour
under the impression that I should not come. Some were present who were
not in the bay last summer; these had lately arrived from the north,
having heard that a missionary was coming to reside in Esquimaux-Bay Two
of them could read the Esquimaux language, and could sing some of the
Moravian hymns. I gave them to understand that I would visit them next
morning.
“Aug. 1st.—According to
promise, I went with Mr. Cousins to the Indians, who had erected their
wigwams on the opposite side of the harbour. They were in anxious
expectation of my coming. I entered the first wigwam I came to, which I
had no sooner done, than the Indians flocked in. The place was
excessively warm, and the effluvia of the seal skins was very offensive.
I made a sign to them to lift the coverings of their wigwams at the
bottom for the circulation of the air; they saw at once what I wished,
and readily complied. I had an Indian with me who knew a little English,
and, for the want of a better, I employed him as my interpreter. Having
been informed the preceding evening that some of this group of Indians
were good singers, I requested that they should sing a hymn. They
replied that they could not sing in my tongue. I told them I did not
expect that. The few who could read then took their books, handed one to
me, and made a sign for me to come and sit down among them. This I did,
and they then burst forth with one sweet accord in praising God. This
constituted an event in my life which I shall never forget. I have heard
singing scientifically performed, but this exceeded all. Such melody I
never before heard; from the most aged to the child of four or five
years old all moved in the sweetest unison. I have often heard tunes,
the hai monies of which were delight ful—here, was one solemn tune which
quite overcame me; the air was most affectingly plaintive. They sung ten
verses, and I am compelled to say, that I thought it the best singing I
had ever heard--of this I am sure, it was to me the most affecting.
“In this opinion I am
not singular, for Crantz, in liis history oi' Greenland, says, he was so
pleased with some of the Esquimaux singers in that country, that he
thought they ex celled some of the congregations in the civilized parts
of the world. He describes, with the greatest accuracy, in that account,
the manner of the singing he heard. Like the Greenlanders, the voices of
the men are low, and rather hoarse ; the women’s soft and clear ; and
they sing so regularly and harmoniously, that at a distance the whole
seemed as if it were but one voice. I felt desirous of ascertaining how
they had thus learned to praise God ; and found, on enquiry, that two of
the females had been at the Moravian settlement; these had learned to
read the Esquimaux language, and had books given them by their teachers.
These females had married two Indians further to the southward, and had
taught their husbands and children some of the hymns, and the tunes to
which they are set. Brown, in his ‘Propagation of Christianity among the
Heathen,’ observes, relative to the Labrador Mission established by the
Moravians, that the missionaries complained, ‘ A number of the baptized,
particularly from Hope-dale, were seduced to the south, where they
purchased fire-arms, associated with the Heathen, and plunged
themselves, not only into spiritual, but into temporal ruin.’ This, to
the minds of those holy men of God, must have been exceedingly grievous;
but the circumstance I have mentioned would, in a great measure afford
them consolation were it known to them. The Indians alluded to above
were not baptized by them yet the books they gave are used the hymns
they taught are sung, and the excellent music to which these hymns are
set vibrates its melodious sounds in those wild wastes of Labrador to
which their pious labours have not extended.
“I conversed with the
Indians as well as I could through my imperfect interpreter, and, as I
knew that, though they could not fully understand me, God would hear
prayer on their behalf, we bent our knees, and supplicated the throne of
mercy. In short, on parting, I feel no hesitancy in saying, 1 could
reflect on the past hour as one of the most happy and interesting of my
life. But this group of Indians must not be taken as a sample of what
they are in general in Esquimaux-Bay. These are an exempt company, and
are indebted to the Moravians for what they know above the rest. I went
on the evening of the same day to Cuff Harbour, where I found Indians
and half Indians, eighteen in number, but could say nothing to them for
want of an interpreter. One of them, an old female was sick. I was told
that she knew a little English, but could not prevail on her to
converse. From her husband I learned she was born near the Moravian
establishment at Hopedale, and was the first scholar that went to the
school in that place.
I received very kind
attention from Mr. Langley, from Newfoundland, who has a summer
establishment here.
“3rd.—We arrived this
evening at Cullingham’s Tickle, the place of Mr. H.’s residence last
summer. But, quite contrary to my expectations, and much to my regret,
the Indians had left the place. About twenty had gone for the North
Point, a place ten leagues distant, and the remainder had gone up the
Bay. Having expected my arrival, they had waited for nearly a fortnight,
and had left the place, thinking my coming hopeless. T should have been
just in time for them had not our passage been about four times the
usual period.
4th.—Went up the Bay in
search of the Indians, and fell in with about thirty, and obtained
information of the residence of twenty besides these. I requested their
attendance as soon as they could conveniently come. I conversed with
those I saw, though very imperfectly ; my interpreter having a very
defective knowledge of the English language.”
Subsequently the Rev.
George Ellidge visited Labrador, and remained a summer and winter. A
Wesleyan Mission was, however, not established, and 110 minister of that
denemi nation visited it again until the summer of 1858, when the Rev.
J. S. Peach spent a few months there, and, in 1850, the Rev. Charles
Cornben was there for a few months. In 1849, a minister of the Church of
England in Newfoundland, the Rev. Mr. Gifford, was stationed at
Labrador. The following is an account of the Bishop’s visit during the
same year:—
“Monday, Aug. 13th.—The
Church Ship sailed to Bed Bay, which is the limit of Mr. Gilford’s
mission to the north, as Blanc Sablon is to the south. These places are
thirty-three miles apart, and as many miles, or more, of the opposite
Newfoundland coast will be included in this mission. The settled
inhabitants number about 400 souls. The Church Ship was detuined in Red
Bay by fogs and contrary winds four days, during which services were
regularly performed on shore, and the children baptized and received
into the church. It was the first visit of a clergyman of our church to
the settlement. Here Mr. Gilford was left to begin his ministry
single-handed, but ‘not alone,’ on Friday the 17tli of August, when the
Church Ship sailed from Battle Harbour,
“Saturday, Aug.
18th.—On approaching Battle Harbour, the wind failed and the Church Ship
was towed in by five fishing boats, in gallant style. 19th.—Divine
Service was twice celebrated in the same store as last year, which, as
before, was on both occasions quite full. On the following day, after
Prayers in the store, the Bishop explained to the inhabitants in what
manner he expected, through the liberality of the merchants (Messrs.
Hunt & Co., and Messrs. Slade), and the Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel, with their own contributions, to establish both a clergyman
and schoolmaster in this Harbour ; the former to have his head-quarters
here, and to visit from thence the whole shore from Henley Harbour to
Seal Islands, ninety miles; the schoolmaster and schoolmistress to be
permanently resident, and to receive boarders from the neighbouring
settlements. The inhabitants cheerfully engaged for their part £75 a
year; and the same sum is expected from the other settlements on this
line of coast. The chief diificulty in establishing the Mission arises
from the necessary buildings, and particularly of a suitable residence.
“During the summer and
autumn months of 1857 the Bishop accomplished another of his long and
perilous voyages of visitation along the coasts of Newfoundland, and up
to the Missions in the Labrador. In one place—St. Anthony, where the
Hawk was detained by fog and contrary winds—many services were performed
on beard, and the people were visited in their houses. There was a great
demand for Bibles and other religious books, and some of the largest and
most expensive were bought and cheerfully paid for. A lay-reader was
also appointed for the people living at too great a distance to come
within the Missionary’s ordinary circuit.
“At Battle Harbour the
Church was consecrated, and a considerable number of candidates
presented for Confirmation ; among them five Esquimaux Indians, the
first, it is supposed, of that race ever confirmed by a Bishop on the
coast of Labrador.
“Several persons were
baptized and received into the Church; some of them from Quirpon on the
northern coast of Newfoundland ; and an earnest hope was expressed that
the Bishop would be able to visit that settlement and others in their
vicinity, on what is called the French shore. No clergyman of our Church
had ever been among them.
“Tuesday, Aug. 21.—The
Bishop had not intended to extend his voyage beyond Battle Harbour,
having many settlements to visit and services to perform along the
eastern coast of Newfoundland ; but hearing that his presence was much
desired at St. Francis’ Harbour, it was determined this morning, the
wind being fair, to proceed. The same evening, during Divine Service,
his Lordship baptized the child of the respected agent (Mr. Saunders),
and three Esquimaux children. On the following morning, his Lordship
baptized and received into the Church a family of Esquimaux Indians
(four adults and three children), and celebrated the Lord’s Supper. The
graveyard, which was consecrated last year, had been enclosed with a
neat and substantial fence ; and a strong desire being now expressed to
erect a Church in the settlement, the Bishop selected and set apart a
convenient site. After these services the Church Ship began her homeward
course, leaving St. Francis’ Harbour about four o’clock on Wednesday,
August 22.
“Thursday, Aug. 23, and
Friday (St. Bartholomew’s day), were spent in Henley Harbour, and on
each Divine Service was performed on board the Church Ship for tlie
benefit of the inhabitants, who attended in considerable numbers,
particularly on the Holy-day—and several children were received into the
Church. There are not more than four or five resident families in this
and the neighbouring Harbour of Chateau Bay, but many families visit the
place every summer to fish, and traders from Nova Scotia and the United
States. The fishery appears to be prosecuted with success.
“Saturday, August
25.—An attempt was made to cross the Straits, ;n order to pass the
Sunday at Quirpon on the Newfoundland shore, but the wind failed, and
the Church Ship returned to Chateau Bay.
“On Sunday, August 26,
Divine Service was celebrated publicly on board the Church Ship twice,
and in the morning the congregation, with the ship’s company, numbered
sixty-three persons, who were all conveniently accommodated in the cabin
Most of the strangers were from Carbonear. The Bishop preached on each
occasion; in the evening his Lordship visited a sick person on shore.
“The Rev. A. Gifford,
having been called by the death of his father, and his own failing
health, to leave his lonely Mission late in the autumn of 1856, spent
three months in Newfoundland, supplying the vacancy caused by the
lamented death of the Rev. J. G. Mountain.
“With regard to his own
Mission, he states that, by the expiration of the lease of lands
purchased by the Mission, and held hitherto by a Dissenter, there is a
prospect of the establishment of a school, to be supported in part by
the contributions of the people. He speaks in grateful terms of the
liberality of his little flock, which, in spite of his absence in the
winter, has exceeded its former measure. Mr. Gifford has good hope of
seeing the Church (the foundations of which have been long laid) at Red
Bay, 1 finished this season.’ At this, and another Station, there are
indications of an increased ‘ attachment to the soil,’ and a prospect of
a settled population. The Bishop, during a fortnight’s visit to these
distant shores, confirmed fiifteen young persons, and consecrated the
Church at Forteau by the title of St. Peter.
“The Mission of the
Rev. A. Gifford includes twenty-one harbours on Labrador, and nine on
"Newfoundland. The distance travelled in visiting them in succession is
seventy-seven miles of water and eighty-seven of land. Tha population
varies from 450 in winter to 832 in summer, more than half being members
of the Church of England. From October to May Mr. Gifford’s
ministrations are necessarily confined to Labrador; but as soon as the
sea is open he sails to the opposite coast of Newfoundland, and visits
the Stations in order, celebrating Divine Service, and if possible
gathering a congregation in each house in which he lodges. His attempts
to establish a school in the Mission have not met with permanent
success. The Mission contributes ,£51 annually to the Diocesan Church
Society.”
The Rev. Mr. Gifford
states, that during the winter of 1857-8, he travelled twice to the
settlements of Forteau, and thrice to those in the West, the five
journeys comprising a distance of 235 miles, performed over snow and
ice, with the aid of dogs and a sleigh (comitique). Many visits were
paid to less remote places. The congregation at Forteau improved in
numbers and steadiness of attendance. The Chapel at Red Bay was not then
begun.
Some communicants have
been added to Mr. Gifford’s list, but he is still unable to acquire the
influence which he desires for the good of agents and men in some of the
Jersey fishing establishments. The following extract from his journal
will give a fair notion of his labours:
“December 31st.—Weather
being fine (glass — 10°), we set out at 10 a.m., on my proposed journey
to the west. The dogs running well, in scarce ten minutes we reached the
opposite side of the Bay. I visited and read prayers for the sick child,
and think him much worse bodily than upon my last visit. We walked up
the steep acclivity of the western hill, encouraging the good dogs by
kind words, to draw up the comitique : for the renewal of their better
speed at the top, gave them and ourselves a few moments’ breathing time,
and then proceeded with comfort and speed another stage of about ten
miles. In crossing the plateau between Forteau and Beau St. Clair, we
pass over a series of fine ‘ponds,’ (our most magnificent sheets of
fresh water are always thus humbly described), and tracts of underwood,
which but for the snow and ice of winter would be utterly impassable.
The weather was somewhat too severe to be quite agreeable, yet upon
reaching L’Anse au Cotard, at about one, and remembering the shortness
of the last day of the year, we took some slight refreshment, appointed
a part of the coming Sunday, if God will, to be spent here, and
proceeded again, calling at Blanc Sablon, and reaching Grand Point at 5
p.m. At this point I suppose we had travelled about eighteen miles, and
I was very glad to see the poor dogs (eight in number) untackled and led
to supper—that is to their only daily meal. At this place I found C. D.
quite well and very glad to see me. Poor fellow ! in August last, I
attended him, as I thought, on his death-bed. He seems deeply thankful
for his restoration to health, and is, I hope, drawn nearer God by sense
of his mercies. The other family, close neighbours, I was grieved to
find were holding a social meeting, of such a character as to prevent my
having public worship as I had hoped and intended. I spent the evening
with C. D., and concluded it, as I always do wherever I lodge, with
family worship, comprising the reading and explanation of scripture and
prayer.”