Before the Esquimaux set out for their fishing or hunting stations, the members of the church usually partook of a love feast together, and united in thanksgiving and prayer for the mercies they had received, and for the continuance of the Divine blessing.  Siksigak, now named Mark, and Joseph, at their return, having been remarkably successful, treated all the inhabitants of Nain with a meal of seals’ flesh.  The entertainment was given in the open air, and Mark opened it in an edifying manner by singing some verses of a hymn expressive of thanks to their heavenly Father, for providing for their bodily wants, in which all the Esquimaux joined most devoutly, exhibiting a very different scene from the riotous gluttony of the heathen.

After the people reassembled at the end of the season, the winter arrangements were made.  The communicants were divided into classes, male and female, the former under the care of the missionaries, and the latter under that of their wives.  In their meetings the conversation was unrestrained and profitable, many little grievances were done away, and brotherly love promoted.  “That of the communicant sisters,” the diary of Dec 11 remarks, “was remarkably lively; their conversation treated of the great love of the Saviour in dying on the cross to save them from death, and their own unworthiness to be so highly favoured as to be permitted to approach unto his table, and there to feed on him by faith, and to experience the power of his sufferings and death in the quickening of their souls.”  They added, that upon that occasion they sometimes felt a desire to depart out of the world, to see him face to face, and thank him for his mercy revealed to them.  Mark thus addressed his countrymen:  “If we who belong to this class are with our whole hearts converted to Jesus, and determine, by his help, to put aside all the old deceitful and evil ways, and give ourselves up entirely to him, then we shall feel his power within us.  It has been a very painful thing for me to leave my brethren at Hopedale, but I shall live here with pleasure if I perceive that we are come together with a view to belong to our Saviour, and in truth to believe on him, and to become his faithful followers.  I am indeed not fit to teach you, but yet I wished to say what I hope from your love, and our being bound together in one mind, to live unto the praise of God.  You all know that formerly I led a very wicked life, but at Hopedale Jesus Christ called me by his powerful voice, saved me from death, and forgave my sins.  As my conversion to him began at that place, I feel a peculiar attachment to it.”  He was heard with great attention, and all exclaimed, “Yes! we all desire to become such people, over whom Jesus may rejoice, and pray him to grant us all true conversion.”