The chapter entitled “A busy week at Nain” would serve as a general description of the time spent at this or any of the stations.  Conferences with the missionary band, daily services in the Church or the house, the special meeting for my address to the congregation, visits to and from the natives, inspection of the mission premises and their surroundings, pleasant strolls in the intervals of daily duty and the routine of a mission-house, one or two more extensive walks on the hills around, profitable evenings in the mission circle, all these made eight days at Hebron pass very quickly, whilst as ever I was lovingly cared for by my hosts.  Hebron is, to use the expressive term of the Newfoundland fishermen, a “blusterous” place.  It is beyond the northern limit of trees on this part of the coast, and the wind sweeps down the bare, rocky slopes with great force.  This is the reason for the exceptional construction of the mission premises.

THE VISITING MISSIONARIES’ LEVEE.

My dear fellow-travellers from Hopedale used to be stationed at Hebron, and it is astonishing to see how affectionately these people gather around them.  Their temporary abode here is the schoolroom, and it is just as well that it is a good size and easily accessible.  Look in upon them at any hour of the day, and you will probably find that they have Eskimo visitors.  Last Sunday they held quite a levee, for men, women, and children flocked in after service to greet them.

Come and make acquaintance with some of these Eskimo brethren and sisters.  Several are introduced as relatives of Abraham and Tobias, who visited Germany and France in 1880.  In their letters home the poor fellows confessed that there was far more sea between Labrador and Europe than they had any idea of, before they and some heathen from Nachvak were induced by an agent of Hagenbeck’s in Hamburg to allow themselves to be brought over and exhibited.  They were very home-sick for Labrador, but they never returned, for one after another was taken fatally ill.  The last survivors died in Paris early in 1881.  The Christians among them did credit to their profession, had their daily worship, exercised a good influence over the heathen members of the party, and died in simple trust in Jesus as their Saviour.

Sarah needs no introduction.  I had heard of her before reaching Hebron, and one cannot be in the place long without making her acquaintance.  She is a woman of energy and resource.  Last year she lost her good husband Hieronymus, the oldest native helper at Hebron.  She continues, however, to be a leader in the concerns of the community, and her influence is good.  She is a prominent chapel servant, and a leading singer in the choir.  To be sure, tact is needed to keep Sarah in good humour, and direct her energies into useful channels.  She has a turf house for winter occupation, but when I visited her she was living in her summer abode—­a log hut.  The interior was very tidy.  In the outer room I noticed a harmonium; and in the inner one, besides a table and some chairs, there were pictures and ornaments and a sewing machine, on which she kindly did some work for me.