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Page 8
At seven P.M. we arrived at _Saeglek_, and were saluted by the firing of
muskets and bonfires on the hills. The Esquimaux have their dwellings on
a small flat island, between two of larger size, but the strand is bad,
and full of sharp shingles. There are about five or six winter-houses at
Saeglek, containing each about two or three families.
July 1st. Early, two Esquimaux men, _Joas_ and _Uiverunna_, came in
their kayaks to pay us a visit. They, with their families, inhabited
some tents we had seen yesterday. Brother Kohlmeister spoke seriously to
them on the necessity of conversion, especially to Joas, who had
Christian parents, and as a child, was baptized at Okkak. He reminded
him of his having been devoted to Jesus from his birth; that he
therefore ought not to belong to the unbelievers, but to Him who had
created and redeemed him; and that the greatest of all the sins he now
committed, was his persisting in his determination not to return. He
seemed to listen with some humility to the loving and earnest reproof
and exhortations of the Missionary, but at last excused himself by
laying the blame upon his mother, who kept him back, adding, that he
still intended to be converted.
Our people had meanwhile made a fire, and put the pot on to boil pease;
but the wind changing, Jonathan determined immediately to proceed. The
pease had just begun to swell, and as the two Esquimaux had presented us
with some fresh meat, they had been asked to partake of our meal; but
finding themselves thus disappointed, they fell to, and having greedily
devoured a quantity of the half-boiled pease, and filled their gloves
with the rest, they took leave, and set sail about 11, A.M.
Hearing from some Esquimaux who made towards us in their kayaks, that
the Saeglek people were all on the north side of the island of
Kikkertarsoak, we proceeded thither, and having doubled the point, saw
seven tents full of people. Two of them contained families from
Killinek. But the violence of the wind was such, that we could not stay
in this unsheltered place with safety. We therefore worked our way, with
the help of the Esquimaux, round another point, into a roadstead, rather
more sheltered than the former, though open to the sea. A little tobacco
is the reward expected and given for such assistance.
The beach is composed of numberless black pebbles, polished by the sea,
and each about the size of an hen's egg.
Brother Kohlmeister immediately landed, and visited the Esquimaux in
their tents. Many heathen were at this place, to whom he preached the
gospel, and invited them to believe in Jesus, as the Saviour of men, who
would deliver them from the love, power, and curse of sin, having shed
His blood, and died on the cross, to redeem their souls. He was heard
with great attention. A venerable old man, with hair as white as wool,
particularly attracted our notice. He called Brother Kohlmeister by
name, took hold of both his hands, and begged him to sit down by him.
Brother Kohlmeister inquired, whether he knew him. The old man replied:
"Thou art Benjamin, often have I heard thy name at Okkak. I therefore
rejoice to see thee." He seemed quite at a loss, what way to express his
affection; and at length delivered a strap of seals'-leather to Mr.
Kohlmeister, with these words: "I am poor, and have nothing else to give
thee, yet I wish to give thee some token of my love." Brother
Kohlmeister accepted of his present, and inwardly cried to the Lord, to
show mercy to this poor ignorant heathen. "You are old," said he, "and
have not much more time to live in this world, will you not turn to that
Jesus, who has died for your sins also? It is not His desire that you
should perish, and be lost in everlasting darkness, but that you should
live with Him in the place of light and immortal bliss." The old man
replied: "What shall I do? thy words are very pleasant, and I would fain
hear much more of Jesus. I do not wish to be lost in the place of
darkness." Brother Kohlmeister answered, that if he sincerely wished to
be saved, and was troubled on account of his sinful life he should
believe in, and call on the name of Jesus, who would certainly hear and
reveal Himself unto him. Many people were present in the tent, who
behaved with great decency, and whom Brother Kohlmeister earnestly
addressed on the necessity of conversion. He wished to prolong the
conversation especially with the old man, who promised, that he would
never forget the words spoken to him, but it was growing late, and we
returned to our cabin. The poor old man having sore legs, some medicine
was left for him.
The passage from Kangertluksoak to Saeglek is about twenty English
miles. Saeglek is a considerable promontory, open to the south.
CHAPTER IV.
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