"Good luck to you, sir!" That was meant for "Good-bye," and is the
sort of English the Eskimoes to the south of Hopedale have learnt.
Both at that station and here at Nain I have had curious visits from
such as prided themselves on their knowledge of my mother-tongue. Some
spoke it very fairly, but my conversation with the natives was, of
course, mostly through an interpreter. These visits are quite a
feature of mission-house life. One afternoon at Hopedale Jonas and his
wife Lydia came to see me. The good man said: "As there are so many
souls here, I would ask our angayokaks (elders or superiors) in London
and Berthelsdorf for God's sake to let us have teachers, as long as
there are people here. We cannot do without them. We have undying
souls, and must be cared for." With tears he added, "When I cannot
sleep, I ask God for this. We thank the angayokaks very much. I hope
God will grant those who are leaving us a good passage. We may never
meet again on earth, but I hope we shall in heaven."
I had specially interesting visits from some of the native-helpers at
different stations. They expressed their humble sense of unworthiness,
and their gratitude for the benefits which come to them and their
countrymen through the mission. They also promised faithfully to stand
by their missionaries. My conviction is that the spiritual life of
each congregation very much depends on the Christian character,
stability, and influence of its native leaders.
[Illustration: ESKIMO HOUSES.]
Visits of the Eskimoes to my room, however, took up much precious time
of the missionary requested to interpret, so I preferred to get one of
the pastors to accompany me on a round of calls in the village. Let my
visits to the native-helpers at Nain give a view of the interiors of
some of the better dwellings.
_Wednesday, August 22nd._--Mr. Bourquin kindly conducted me to the
homes of Jonathan, Abraham, and Matthew. Through the little porch or
vestibule, where the dogs lie, one enters the house. Sometimes there
are two rooms, one for sleeping and the other the dwelling room; but
mostly the beds are in corners, more or less partitioned or curtained
off. A little stove serves for warmth and cooking. A small table
stands by the wall, and there are one or two short benches, but the
articles of furniture most frequent are the boxes, which accompany the
Eskimo in his nomad life, and hold his possessions, whether he be in
his house at home, in his boat fishing, or in his tent at some distant
hunting place. The walls of the houses are ornamented here and there
with pictures cut out of old _Illustrated London News_ or _Graphics_.
Some remains of Christmas ornamentation showed considerable taste. The
present is not a favourable season to gain a good impression of the
houses, as their owners are most of their time away from home hunting
and fishing. Before Christmas they have a thorough turn out and clean
up, and then await the usual visit from their missionaries, who wisely
speak a word of commendation where it is deserved. Undoubtedly the
invariable neatness of the mission-houses, and the special care
bestowed upon the churches, have a great influence on the cleanliness
of the Eskimo dwellings.
Husbands and wives were at home in all three houses visited to-day.
Jonathan spells his own name "Jonatan." He is a godly and worthy man
of mild disposition yet decided Christian character. His Leah is also
a native-helper among her sex, and a chapel servant. They gave us a
friendly welcome. True, it did not occur to them to ask us to sit
down; but our Eskimoes are pleased if one takes a seat in their houses
without the asking. Jonatan's grandchild was sleeping on one of the
beds, and its young mother sat in a corner sewing. The little
harmonium by the wall belonged to her husband, who lives with his
parents. The older people thanked me for the visit, and desired their
greetings to the great teachers over the water.
Our second call was on Abraham, or more correctly "Abraha," for the
genius of the Eskimo language always requires a name to end with a
vowel. He is also an excellent and intelligent native assistant. He
and his Pauline were very pleased to see us, and expressed themselves
in the same strain as the former couple. As his harmonium and violin
show, he is very musical; indeed, he is a leading member of the Nain
choir.
Lastly we called on Matthew and his young wife. His quiet, rather shy
demeanour and humble estimate of himself, as a recently appointed
office-bearer in the congregation pleased me well. Perhaps his house
was the neatest and best furnished of the three.
I wish I could have heard Abraham or Jonathan speak at some service. I
am told their addresses correspond with their dispositions. The former
is warm, and vigorous, the latter more calm and affectionate in tone.
Matthew has yet to overcome his diffidence.
By the way, when I went over to the ship to-day. I found Abraham and
his family on board. His little two-masted smack was lying alongside
the "Harmony," ready for a start to his fishing place. It contained an
interesting variety of possessions. Tent-poles and oars lay along both
sides, and his kayak was lashed to the right gunwale. Tackle, tent,
skins, utensils, and boxes were secured in the bottom of the boat, and
in a small pen at the bows lay his seven dogs.