the power of God manifested among our people, and upon the whole we have had more cause for joy than grief.  Whoever is acquainted with this people in their natural and unconverted state, and sees them met together at the church, attentively listening to the word of God, tears flowing down the cheeks of many, or beholds a company of converted Esquimaux surrounding the table of the Lord, and favoured to enjoy his body and blood sacramentally, under a deep and comfortable sense of his gracious presence, must stand astonished at the power of Jesus’ love, which is able to melt the hardest heart, and make them partake of heavenly blessings.” 1803 was a year of trial at Okkak; several of their members were seduced to go south among the heathen, and the arrival of some Europeans who came to hunt, and took up their habitation within the bounds of the settlement, caused the brethren many a heavy hour.  An epidemic distemper visited them; but although many in the time of sickness promised to love the Saviour and seek to know him, no permanent effect followed; yet they attended the daily meetings during the passion-week to hear of his sufferings, and seemed attentive to what they heard, which somewhat encouraged their teachers, who thus wrote to England, “We do not despair.  We believe that the agonies of Jesus are not in vain, and that the Esquimaux shall share in the merits of his passion.”  Nain was similarly situated—­their wine also was mixed with water.

But at Hopedale the work of the Lord went steadily forward; several were added to the church, and those who departed gave good evidence that they went to the Saviour, particularly Benjamin, who died of an inflammatory fever in the month of February.  From the first he was convinced that his dissolution was at hand.  Being asked whether he thought he should go to Jesus, he cheerfully answered in the affirmative.  After some conversation on the subject, the missionary present sung that verse:—­

    “The Saviour’s blood and righteousness
    My beauty are—­my glorious dress;”

and others of the same import, in which he joined with great fervency of devotion.  He then, of his own accord, began to sing other hymns, “Christ my rock, my sure defence” “Jesus my Redeemer liveth” “No, my soul he cannot leave” “Thy blood, thy blood, the deed hath wrought.”  Before his departure he was frequently delirious; but even during this period of his illness, we, and the Esquimaux who visited him, were delighted and greatly affected by the subjects his spirit seemed always engaged in.  His thoughts were occupied with nothing but Jesus Christ his Saviour; and he kept repeating the most beautiful and appropriate texts of Scripture:  “This is a true and faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”  “The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleanseth us from all sin;” never failing to add, “Yes! on account of my sins he shed his blood.”