happy days in the year 1804, when it pleased the Lord to send forth his Spirit, and awaken in the hearts of the Esquimaux, that hunger and thirst after righteousness and salvation, the fruits of which have been so manifest and encouraging ever since.  I was then eye-witness of astonishing proofs of His power and love, and my heart and spirit revived in the recollection of the all-conquering and superabounding grace which then prevailed, and by which he drew all hearts unto himself.”

To the continuance and advancement of this blessed work, the brethren were able to bear joyful testimony in the succeeding year.  July 31, 1820, they thus write:  “The Lord is graciously pleased to cause his power to be made manifest in the conversion of sinners, and in the building up our dear Esquimaux flock in the faith by which we are saved.  This we may truly testify to his praise.  The Father draws them to the Son, and the Holy Spirit leads them in the way of life everlasting.  We find open ears and hearts when we declare to them the love of Jesus as their Saviour, and his blessing rests upon our feeble testimony of his atoning death and passion.  Many a heart, by nature hard as the surrounding rocks, has been broken by the divine power of the word of the cross.”

They had, however, to mourn over the loss of three of their most approved native Esquimaux brethren, in the prime of life; they were suddenly seized with a mortal illness, which, after a short suffering of twelve hours, brought them to the grave; but the joyful hope of seeing their Saviour face to face, and celebrating the praises of his redeeming love, supported them in their dying moments, and comforted the hearts of their teachers.  Their widows, also, distinguished themselves by their resignation to the Lord under this severe dispensation, which rendered them desolate, placing their whole trust in Him who is the faithful friend of the widow and the fatherless.  A young married man, a candidate for baptism, was seized with the same complaint, and brought to the brink of the grave.  In his extremity, he complained to one of the missionaries that he had never been truly converted to Jesus.  “O!” exclaimed he, “if but one drop of the precious atoning blood of Jesus would flow upon my soul to cleanse me from guilt, that I might be assured in my inward parts, of the forgiveness of my many sins!” He was baptized on his sickbed—­it was an affecting scene—­a sense of the presence of the Lord was felt on the occasion by all present, by the peace and grace that accompanied the administration of the ordinance.  The answer to the sick penitent’s fervent prayer, seemed like that given to the poor repenting thief on the cross when he cried, “Lord remember me”—­it was immediate.  To the surprise of all, he recovered, and remained an instance of the love of Jesus, even to the chief of sinners.