_Sunday, August 12th_.--To-day the festival of the thirteenth of
August, the spiritual birthday of the renewed Brethren's Unity, has
been celebrated in this far northern congregation, incorporated in the
one bond with those in Germany, England, America, and our various
mission-fields scattered thousands of miles apart over the surface of
the globe.
In the early morning the congregation band played suitable chorales in
good time and tune, and the solemn strains were well adapted to
prepare hearts and feelings for the spiritual privileges of the day.
At nine o'clock Daniel kept the morning blessing. Picture the neat
clean, church, simple and suitable for the worship of an Eskimo
congregation. Behind the table sits the worthy native-helper. To his
right hand the missionaries face the men and boys; to his left are the
missionaries' wives, and opposite them a more numerous company of
women and girls. The benches are without backs. The little organ is
played by Ludolf, an Eskimo, well and devotionally, and the singing is
further accompanied by other musicians with one clarionet, five
violins, and a violoncello. The choice of tunes is such as would
puzzle most congregations in England. The people are very devout in
their demeanour and sing well. Their faces are mostly brown, with high
cheek bones, but on the whole they are much lighter in complexion than
photographs had led me to conclude.
Daniel did his part reverently and simply, for, as he had told me
before by word and gesture, God has made the heart and the mouth. His
long and earnest prayer, spoken extempore in his own language, was
evidently well prepared, and thoroughly suitable to the occasion. He
asked the Lord to be among us with His blessings, His faithfulness,
and His mercies. He continued: "O Saviour, Thou hast all fulness; Thou
wast able and willing to bless the brethren at Herrnhut a hundred and
fifty years ago, bless us now. True, we are worse and much lower than
they were, but Thou canst do it. Bless us to-day. We are very bad, but
Thou wilt bless those among us who believe. As to those who do not
believe, bless them too, and, if possible, let them be partakers of
Thy salvation.
"We think of our teachers, those who have come to us and those who are
about to leave us by the 'Harmony.' O bless them for their works'
sake. We do not always obey them as we ought. Help us to be more
obedient. Lord, do these things for us, and though we are not able to
praise Thee sufficiently here on earth, we will praise Thee in heaven
for ever."
The next service was commenced with a choir piece, when the organ and
other instruments accompanied seven singers, four women and three men.
The women especially had voices of power and compass. Alto, tenor, and
bass were fairly sustained, as well as soprano, and the whole effect
was good. The piece, which was not easy, but suitable in liturgical
character, was well rendered both in forte and piano passages. This
time Ambrose, another native, presided at the organ, and Ludolf played
the first violin.
Mr. Kaestner's sermon on 1 John iii. 1 was followed by a baptism, in
Labrador suitably the closing part of the public service. The
congregation as ever take up the long responses well and devotionally,
and in this service the children repeat portions of Scripture (1 Pet.
iii. 21, Tit. iii. 5, and Matt. xix. 14). These were spoken distinctly
and simultaneously by the boys and girls. The infant having been
brought up to the table by the parents, the minister baptized it with
the formula Susannah, Jesusib tokkun-ganut baptipagit Atatab,
Ernerublo, Anernerublo ajunginerub attinganut. (Susannah, into the
death of Jesus I baptize thee, in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost.)
I took the English service at three o'clock. Soon after we again
assembled in the church, for the Eskimo choir had sent a deputation to
request that they might sing some more of their pieces for us. The
programme of their really excellent performance included such pieces
as Hosanna, Christians Awake, Stille Nacht, Morgernstern (Morning
Star), and an anthem (Ps. 96) containing effective duets for tenor and
alto. When they had finished I spoke a few words of thanks and
farewell, and then Mr. Dam bade good-bye to the people he had loved
and served for ten years. They were much moved at the thought of
parting with their faithful pastor and his wife.
Shall I ever forget that communion at seven? I felt it a great
privilege to partake of the Lord's Supper with my brethren and sisters
in Labrador. How much He has done for these dear missionaries, simple
earnest Christians, experienced in the things of God, men and women of
mighty faith, who do "move mountains." How much hath God wrought for
these dear Eskimo Christians, who sit down at His table with beautiful
reverence and real appreciation of this act of faith.
The benches not needed for the communicant congregation had been
removed from the centre of the church. On the men's side two empty
benches stood together, on the women's three or four. After the
trombonists had played a solemn chorale outside, the first chapel
servant Joshua and his wife Bertha opened their respective doors, and
about twenty men and more than thirty women entered from right and
left and took their seats. Both men and women were all attired in
their light braided sillapaks, and they are very particular to have
clean ones for this service. The women who are communicants have a
lock of their hair plaited in front of each ear. The vessels used on
this occasion were presented to this congregation by two American
ladies, who recently visited Hopedale. They were present on a similar
occasion and were much struck by the solemnity and reality of the
service. In grateful remembrance of the kindness of our missionaries
they have sent this valuable and beautiful gift of communion plate.
Though unacquainted with the language, I was able to follow the
simple, familiar communion service. The words of institution sounded
solemn, as pronounced in Eskimo, and truly when one knelt with the
congregation, and partook of the bread and wine, one could discern the
Lord's body, and feel that, though these dear people have their
temptations and their failings, yet there are many souls here who feed
on the Bread of Life and live by Him. When He cometh it will be
manifest, and even now He is glorified here in them that believe.
After the communion we went down to the boat to embark. The rock that
stretches out into the harbour was crowded with Eskimoes, who had
hurried to bid their departing missionaries a loving farewell.