With respect to the fatal attack under which he soon sunk, it has to
be mentioned, that he had gone out to bathe with one of his
fellow-students at St. John's, on Saturday, the 7th June. From
continuing too long in the water, which was very cold, he caught a
chill, and showed many symptoms of inflammation for some days. On
Wednesday, good medical assistance was called in, but his constitution
had received too violent a shock. The Surgeon had fears from the first
that his patient would not recover. It has been observed by medical
men, that Esquimaux have but little stamina, and generally fail under
the first attack of serious illness. Kalli was kindly watched and
assisted by the Rev. J. G. Mountain, and Mrs. Mountain, and his
fellow-students. He got rapidly worse. On the Thursday he seemed
utterly powerless, and could not lift up his arms, nor put them out of
his bed. He was very restless during the greater part of Friday night.
"Soon after ten o'clock on Saturday morning, June 14th," said the
Bishop of Newfoundland, "his gentle soul departed. I saw him
frequently during his illness (three times the last day), and he
always assented most readily, when I reminded him of God's gracious
goodness in visiting him; and that it would be better for him to
depart, and be with Christ. It was remarkable that his English was
more clear and distinct in his illness than I had ever known it; and
though he said but very little, he seemed to understand better than
ever before. The last seizure was so sudden and violent, that he did
not articulate at all. He expired, whilst I was commending his soul to
his faithful Creator and most merciful Saviour."
He is stated to have died of "melanosis of the lungs," a disease in
which the whole substance of the lungs turns completely black. It is
very slow in its first advances, but fearfully rapid in its latter
stages. The Bishop had the chest examined after death, and sent a copy
of the Surgeon's report to the Warden of St. Augustine's.
In a full communication, made to the Warden, the Bishop said, "The
almost suddenness of our good gentle Kalli's removal makes it
difficult to realize the fact that 'he is gone.' I still look for his
familiar strange face among the students, wondering at his unwonted
absence. He seemed quite identified with our little company. We all
miss him greatly, but he has now entered on that perfect rest which he
seemed made for, and is delivered from a troublesome, naughty world
for which he was certainly not made."
The Bishop also spoke of Kalli's _submission to those set over him;
his kindness to all around him, and his attention to all his religious
duties_.
Many young persons, born and bred in our own country, and brought up
from the cradle in the very midst of Christian instruction, may glean
a valuable lesson from the character of this lamented Esquimaux
Christian. They may ask themselves, with some feeling of self-reproof,
whether they should have merited such praise from one so revered, and
so well qualified to judge. "Perhaps," added Bishop Feild, "I was a
little proud at being able to exhibit a far-off Esquimaux brought
near, and among my own scholars."
During Kalli's last illness, which, though short, was not without
considerable suffering, the same spirit of resignation and
thankfulness, which he had always shown, was evinced. "Mr. D---- very
kind," "K---- very kind," "Mrs.---- very kind," "Sorry to give so much
trouble," were expressions continually on his lips, as he was visited
and assisted by his fellow-students, and other friends in succession.
His gentle spirit departed in the presence of the Rev. Thomas Wood,
the Rev. Principal of the College, and all his fellow-students.
The Rev. J. F. Phelps, Vice-Principal of St. John's College,
Newfoundland, who had been a fellow-student of Kalli's, at St.
Augustine's, wrote thus, June 25, 1856, respecting him.
"I have every reason to believe and hope that he has been translated
to a better state, and that he now rests in his Saviour: for though
he had not much knowledge, yet few indeed act up to their knowledge so
well and consistently as he did to his. It must be a comfort to you,
Sir, to be assured that in his last moments he was cared for, and
attended by all members of the College here, the students constantly
being with him, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Mountain and myself. He showed
himself very grateful for all that was being done for him, and
expressed great sorrow at giving so much trouble. He always spoke of
his friends in England with great affection, and was delighted
whenever he received letters from them, which he was always eager to
answer. Altogether, his was a very amiable character, and we all felt
his loss very much."