A new trial, of perhaps a more distressing kind, afflicted the brethren, from an attempt made by a Roman catholic priest to seduce the baptized and the inquirers, by presenting them with a form of Christianity which had some appearance to that they saw among the Moravians, while it permitted an indulgence in those vices which the doctrines of the latter could not tolerate.  A warm and a flattering invitation sent by a Frenchman named Macko, from Canada, who had an establishment in the south at Avertok, awakened with redoubled force the propensity of the Esquimaux to go to the south, though they now could get shooting materials at the settlements, better, and on more advantageous terms, than they could there.  This Frenchman, who acted not only as a merchant, but as a Roman catholic priest, made them the most extravagant promises; and besides, he said he would pray daily with them to Jesus, and that he had the most beautiful writings—­i.e. pictures—­of the Saviour.  In consequence, a company of thirty-two persons, and among them fourteen of the baptized, went thither in the summer of 1787, so that the number of inhabitants in Hopedale was reduced from fifty-nine to thirty.  Macko invited the Esquimaux to worship God with him; this seemed more pleasant and convenient than to remain under restraint with the brethren, for there they saw “Christian” sailors who allowed themselves to follow every species of sinful dissolute conduct.  On their return they said, the Europeans have meetings yonder as you have, and they have Jesus as you have here.

The repeated distressing accounts from the brethren of the apparently insurmountable obstacles with which they had to struggle in attempting the conversion of the heathen, gave occasion to the venerable Bishop Spangenberg to write an impressive letter to the believing Esquimaux.  This letter was translated into their language, and read to the baptized and the candidates for baptism at all the stations.

Particularly anxious to root out these heathenish weeds which were chocking the growth of the good seed, Superintendant Rose, in 1787, inspected Hopedale, where they appeared most thickly scattered, and producing the most baneful effects.  He spoke to every member of the congregation separately; and when they had given their assent to the contents of the letter, he made them, in a fellowship meeting, solemnly promise to give up their feasts with their heathen neighbours, and withdraw from the government of Kapik, a powerful Angekok in Avertok.  This sorcerer, whenever he chose, seduced the Esquimaux to commit the greatest enormities, by threatening to kill them through the power of Torngak, if they did not obey his commands.  But coming soon after to Hopedale, the missionary spoke seriously with him, and extorted a reluctant promise from him to renounce his usurped authority over the believers.