the people there. We then reached a large island, which separates the southern branch of the fiorde from the middle one, and sailed along it; we met, however, with so much ice, that we could advance no further, but had to land and wait. Here I made my dinner, consisting of a piece of dry bread dipped in muddy water. - Meanwhile, the sea was again navigable, and we now reached, without any difficulty, a place which is called the Seagull Corner, on account of the abundance of sea-gulls, which build their nests in the clefts of the highest rocks. Here the currents of the southern and middle branch of the fiorde meet together, rendering the sea difficult to pass at flood-time, owing to the masses of floating ice. We passed it at low water, but encountered, nevertheless, much ice. Thence we were accompanied, at a considerable distance, by flocks of sea-fowl, which we had scared up whilst sailing under the rocks, especially stormbirds (Uria grylle), and club-auks (Alca torda), which build their nests rather low; less of the higher nestling sea-pigeons (Larus tridactylus). The sea-gulls (Larus glaucus), which inhabit the summits of the cliffs, were not disturbed by us. We observed several of them pursued by arctic-gulls (Lestris parasitica.) The latter live on the fishes, of which they rob the sea-gulls; they pursue them, until they drop the fish they have caught. The plaintive cry of the sea-gulls, when thus chased, resembles so much the voice of a crying child, that I sometimes mistook it for that well-known sound, forgetting for a moment in what an uninhabited corner of the world I was.

When gliding across the waves in a kayak in this vast solitude, surrounded by the wonders of nature, it is quite strange how inclined the mind is to indulge in fancies and reveries of all kinds. I can perfectly understand, how people, with so lively an imagination, and so limited a knowledge of the laws of nature as the Greenlanders, may often fancy to hear and see that which does not exist in reality.

At Kornok, where we arrived before the flood-time, I took up my quarters with Frederick, the successor of our aged Jephthah, in the office of national assistant. He inhabits a large Greenland house, which, in comparison with the dwellings of the other natives, might be almost called a palace.

I now made an attempt to enter the northern branch of the fiorde; great masses of ice forced me, however, to return and to direct my course towards a spot opposite Kornok, called Igdlunguit. This place has been inhabited from time immemorial. Last year, when a plot of ground was levelled for the erection of a house, a harpoon was found, of quite unknown workmanship, and evidently pointing to a very distant period. At present two families reside here, one of which I saw for the first time, for they have never visited New-Herrnhut since my arrival at that place.

66

This family had a repulsive, almost heathenish aspect. The other, though of a lighter complexion, was quite disgusting on account of its filthiness. The members of the latter expressed to me their great regret, that, owing to their distance from our settlement, they were altogether deprived of the means of grace; and the wife, more especially, complained, that she had not been for years to partake of the Holy Communion. "When that lad was my youngest child," she said, pointing to a boy of about five years of age, "I went for the last time to New Herrnhut." This is the consequence of the scarcity of the umiaks, or women's boats. Among the 160 Greenlanders who reside along the fiorde, there are unhappily only four such boats to be found; and in our congregation, consisting of 426 members, only ten; and not above 20 to 30 persons can find room in a women's boat. Whilst the meat-kettle, with the contents of which, notwithstanding my protestations, we were to be treated, was boiling over the fire, I held a meeting, endeavoring to lay hold of their hearts by the Word of God, which is so scarce among them.

In the evening I returned to Kornok, where I again held divine service, and examined the children. When I was going to rest, late at night, my host was much concerned, because I had not yet eaten anything in his house. I refused all his offers, and lay down; he would not, kowever, accept my refusal, and brought me some fresh boiled herrings, fine and large, and carefully selected, saying: "Thou hast come hither on our account; now allow me to shew thee a kindness." I could not resist his well-meant offer. On the following forenoon, I took leave of the people at Kornok, and proceeded as far as Karosuk, twelve good miles from thence; I had, however, to go on shore for a while, for sitting in a kayak with outstretched legs, which can be neither stirred nor moved, is extremely fatiguing. At Karosuk I held a meeting, towards evening, and addressed the company with peculiar earnestness, as the families residing at this out-station belong to those who are going rather backward than forward. The helper, Charles, had kept school only five times during the whole of the winter, and I found, consequently, the children rather ignorant. We conversed afterwards on various topics, and I took occasion to impress upon them several considerations in reference to their temporal condition. This appeared to have some effect, they promised at least to procure a boat, which they might easily do, if they all were to join together. I rather dreaded my night quarters in this house; partly on account of the heat, (as 32 persons were here crowded together, and the stove was constantly heated for the sake of boiling meat), and partly on account of the vermin. However, when on the place where I was to rest, the half-living skins had been removed, the boards turned, and two new seal-skins spread out, I had no reason to fear more than the ordinary amount

of discomfort. The heat was likewise tolerable, thanks to the many holes in the windows and walls; so that the night was, after all, better than might have been expected in a den like this.

Early the next morning we took our departure. The wind turning against us, its gusts became gradually stronger, and the intervals between them shorter, till at last it blew with violence, producing a wild and boisterous sea, to encounter which was no easy task for a person as little experienced in the management of a kayak as myself. About an hour's distance from New Herrnhut I landed again, intending to walk the rest of the way. But finding my path much obstructed by ice and snow, and very dangerous, because a single slip of the foot would have precipitated me into the abyss, I was obliged to return again to my kayak. We reached New Herrnhut at nine o'clock at night, having abundantly experienced the Lord's protecting care. I had seen on my

voyage many tares among the wheat, but also, I may well add, many an incontestible proof of the continuance of the work of grace in the hearts of the members of our scattered flocks, to the praise of the mercy and patience of the Lord."

LICHTENAU. The missionaries communicate the following in reference to the spiritual state of this flock: "Our congregation has sustained a painful loss by the departure of our aged national assistant, Benjamin; yet the lively faith in which he left this world gave us ample reason for rejoicing. He had always faithfully attended to the duties of his office; and though he used to speak out more plainly, and reminded his erring brethren of their faults more earnestly, than any of the other helpers, which the Greenlanders are in general not much inclined to take in good part, they all loved him as a father. No festivity was arranged without his being invited to it. He always knew how to lead the conversation in an edifying manner, and nobody ever dared say anything that was unbecoming in his presence. He used regularly to visit the out-dwellers, even in his old age, when he could drag himself only with difficulty to the sea-shore, leaning upon two sticks, and requiring the assistance of other persons to get into his kayak. His discourses were very much valued, for in them earnestness and love were duly combined. On the 5th of August, he addressed the congregation for the last time, exhorting them most impressively to follow Jesus faithfully. Towards the conclusion of his discourse, he said: "I have again received a letter from one of our fellow-believers in the East (an esteemed friend of our Mission in Germany) who loves us very much, and prays often for us to the Savior. He expresses his joy on account of many things which he has heard of you; but now he inquires after the main point, and wishes to know, whether all of you truly

Oh let us all make

believe on Christ, and love Him with all your hearts? What am I to answer him? I am afraid lest I should not state the truth, were I to write to him that this is the case. new efforts! Would that none of us might continue indifferent! The Savior will give us His grace if we ask Him." On the 3d of September he left this world in peace. painfully felt.

His loss will be long and

View of Lichtenau.

For the celebration of Christmas many out-dwellers had repaired hither, among the rest nearly all the people from the so-called "Large Island," the field of labor of our national-assistant Amasa; and this festival proved a season of rich blessing to both old and young. December 24th, the children remained on the open place in front of the church from early morning, in expectation of the Christmas-Eve service. Several anthems, which they had practised before at school, were sung by them on this occasion, with faces beaming with joy. Nearly all of them appeared in new dresses, which was rather a matter of surprise to us, as the sealhunt had by no means turned out a very successful one; however, the parents had done their utmost to cause pleasure to their children, and to give evidence of the high importance they themselves attach to the celebration of this festival."

From a Letter from Br. V. Mueller.

We visited also last year all our outposts. In the "Large Island," where Amasa, the most active of our assistants, resides with about 40 persons (he ministers to three places with about 80 inhabitants, and is much beloved by his countrymen) I felt quite at home among the brethren and sisters. I held with them, besides the customary discourses and reading, meetings for singing and prayer. Much would be gained, could we but visit our outdwellers more frequently, especially during the winter; but the climate of the country places almost insurmountable obstacles in

our way.

In September, br. Warmow and myself visited the out-dwellers on the Sermelik fiorde, 20 miles from Lichtenau. Great joy was produced among them by the distribution of tracts, translated and printed through the kindness of our esteemed friend, Dr. Barth. On our voyage home, we were exposed to most imminent danger, when being obliged, for an hour's time, to contend against the drift-ice, and to employ hatchets to clear the way before us. Our boat sprung two leaks, and we were now obliged to use all our exertions to bale out the water, which continually rushed in, and thus prevent the sinking of the vessel. One time we stuck fast upon an ice-field, of which there are many below the surface of the water; and we expected, every moment, that our boat would be destroyed by the ice; the Lord, however, protected us graciously, gave us our lives for a prey, and brought us home in safety.