iction of
the water. After supping on salmon-trout, caught in the first-mentioned
river, we retired to rest; but had some fears even here for the safety
of our boat, the ice pushing in towards us, and our people being
employed day and night in warding off the large shoals with their
boat-hooks.
4th. The weather being fair, Brother Kmoch ascended to the top of the
highest part of the mountain near us, from whence he could see nothing
but drift-ice, powerfully in motion towards the bay. Four of our
Esquimaux went up the country to hunt reindeer; saw eight head and two
fawns; but got none.
Perceiving that our abode in this place might be of some duration, we
for the first time pitched our tents on shore. Our morning and evening
devotion was attended by the whole party; and on Sundays we read the
Litany, and conducted the service in the usual way, which proved to us
and our Esquimaux of great comfort and encouragement in all
difficulties. We were detained here, by the ice, from the 3d to the
15th, and our faith and patience were frequently put to the trial.
Meanwhile we found much pleasure in walking up the declivities of the
hills, and into the fine green and flowery vallies around us.
5th. We went up the western extremity of the bay, but found nothing
worth notice. Here the rocks appeared to be of a species of freestone.
6th. In the evening we met in Jonathan's tent. Brother Kohlmeister
addressed the company, and reminded them, that to-day the holy communion
would be celebrated in our congregations, which we could not do in this
place, under present circumstances. Then kneeling down, he offered up a
fervent prayer, entreating the Lord not to forget us in this wilderness,
but to give us to feel His all-reviving presence, and to feed our hungry
and thirsty souls, out of the fulness of His grace. A comfortable sense
of His love and peace filled all our hearts on this occasion.
In the evening, Paul began to read out of the Harmony of the four
Evangelists, which we shall continue as often as circumstances will
admit of it. Jonathan and Jonas generally conduct the daily morning and
evening worship.
7th. We were so hard pressed by the ice driving towards us, that we were
obliged in part to unload the boat, to be able to bring it into a safer
situation in shallow water; and took our turns, three relieving three,
to watch and guard off the larger shoals with boat-hooks, by day and
night. We were glad to have reached a
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