grace of our Saviour during that period, was read to all the congregations in their native tongue, and heard with the greatest attention and surprise.  Since the commencement, 48 brethren and 28 sisters had been employed, and at this time there were 15 brethren and 10 sisters at the three mission stations of Nain, Okkak and Hopedale.  Of the Esquimaux nation, there had been baptized 392 adults and 388 children; and at the end of this year, there were residing in the different settlements, 471 baptized, 45 candidates for baptism, and 68 new people, making a total of 584 persons.  Truly it might be said of the Esquimaux nation, that for them who sat in the shadow of death, under the cruel bondage of Satan, God our Saviour wrought deliverance, and brought many of them into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Many had, during that period, departed full of hope, and in the preceding summer, among others, a sister of much worth, Joanna, had been taken away at Hopedale, under very interesting circumstances.  While on the ice with her daughter, it gave way, and they both fell in.  The mother made great exertions to save her child, and with much difficulty succeeded, but, her strength failing, she was unable to extricate herself, and was drowned.  She had led a humble, consistent, and exemplary life, and her last words, when in the act of sinking, was to commend her departing spirit to the mercy of her Saviour.  This happy year was likewise marked as that on which the Esquimaux received complete copies of the New Testament in their own language, printed at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and also for the proof they gave of the value they set upon the Holy Scriptures, by the desire they express that other nations should enjoy similar advantage.  Having been informed of the nature and aim of the Bible Society, and of its labours in the distribution of the Scriptures, the Esquimaux of their own accord, began to collect seals’ blubber, as a contribution towards the expenses of the Society.  Some brought whole seals, or half seals, or pieces, as they could afford it.  Others brought portions of blubber in the name of their children, requesting that their poor gifts might be accepted.  And when they heard that other converted heathen, even poorer than they, had contributed to spread the word of God, they exclaimed:  “How long have not we heard the pleasant and comfortable words concerning Jesus Christ our Saviour, and how many books have we not received, treating of Him, and yet we have never known and considered whence they come.  We have indeed sometimes spoken together, and observed that these many books given to us without pay, must cost a great deal somewhere; but we never have before now known, that even poor people bring their money out of pure love, that we may get these comfortable words of God.  We are indeed poor, but yet might now and then bring some blubber, that others who are as ignorant as we were formerly, may receive the same gospel which has been so sweet to our souls, and thereby be taught to find the way to Jesus and believe on him.”  The donations of these poor Esquimaux were accompanied with expressions of thanks for the favours they had received, and earnest requests to the Society, that more heathen might be presented with “that Book, so far more precious than any thing else in the world.”