INTERCHANGE OF VISITS WITH THE ESKIMOES.

“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.