Metlakahtla and the North Pacific Mission

and comparatively fair in their complexion; but they are a cruel and vindictive race, and were long the terror of the North Pacific coast. They even ventured to att

e proximity of the white man's "civilization." Drunkenness an

fore, a young Tsimshean woman had been captured by a party of Hydahs, and carried as a slave to Queen Charlotte Islands, where, after a while, a son was born to her. Five and twenty years passed away, and then she was restored by her owner, for a consideration, to her relatives at Fort Simpson. The Hydahs seem to have thought this a good opportunity to make friends with thei

f the northern island, Graham Island. Here Mr. and Mrs. Colliso

d the offer. This I immediately put under repair, covering it with barks outside, and putting up a stove inside. The house was very small, measuring eighteen feet by twelve, and, in order to secure a little privacy, I partitioned off eight feet, leaving for all purposes an apartment ten feet by twelve. This has usually been well filled with Indi

r, and for some weeks his life was despaired of, and then Mr. Collison himself was struck down and brought nigh unto deat

on describes a remarkable pec

all kinds of figures, many of them unintelligible to visitors or strangers, but fraught with meaning to the people themselves. In fact, they have a legend in connection with almost every figure. It is in the erection of the

y trying to pick up their language, and making himself known as their friend; then opening a school; then seeking to win them from some of their most degrading customs. Very quickly he gained a remarkable influence over them, and though the medic

services were generally attended by three hundred and fifty Indians. Gambling, heathen dances, and the manufacture of "fire-water" from mol

was very low indeed and his heart weak. I directed him to withdraw his mind from everything, and look only to Jesus, who alone could help him. He thanked me again and again whilst I instructed him, and when I asked him if he would like me to pray with him he replied that he would very much. I then called upon all to kneel, and, with bowed head, he followed my petitions earnestly. He informed me that, had

ndescribable-shrieking, dancing, tearing and burning their hair in the fire, whilst the father of the deceased, who had just been pulled out of the fire,

s well I heard it even then, as I learned that they had determined to shoot him, and a man had been told off who had his gun ready for the purpose. I lost no time in calling the chiefs and the friends of the deceased together, and showed them the wickedness and sinfulness of such proceedings, and how, by their thus acting, they had probably kept up a feeli

rom the usual custom of dressing and painting the dead, and, instead of placing the corpse in a sitting posture, they consented to place it on the back. The remains were decently interred, and I gave an address an

t. Prevost, H. M. S. 'Satellite,' trusting that the bread thus cast upon the waters may be found after many days." More than twenty years had passed away, and now that prayer was answered, though not by the instrumentality of the gift that bore the record of it. Cowhoe became a regular attendant at Mr. Collison's services and school, and we are told that at a m

as obliged to be satisfied by assembling together all the chiefs, and reminding them of the power I held to punish the guilty. In my own mind, I believe Edensaw was the guilty person. From that time up to this hour, he has "been halting between two opinions"-a proud man-he could not give up his power, his wealth and standing over the heathens, to follow the Lord God; still he knew the Missionary had brought something better than he had ever possessed in all his glory, and it was expedient for him to be friends with the white m

er, the first native teacher from the Hydahs. I trust the good seed has taken root in many hearts. "God moves in a mysterious way,

nces of the Spirit's work gladdened the mi

about the message which the white chief brought us, but I can be so no longer. Even at night, when I lie awake on my bed, I cry to God to pardon my many sins and save m

ng of these great things. But Jesus has opened my eyes, and now I see. Jesus is the way, and I am in that way now. I am

effects he took charge of, and promised to give away property, and put up a carved pole to his m

hat heareth say, Come'; and at the salmon fishing and elsewhere ha

eviewing the winter's work

ened with a hymn, after which I prayed, and then delivered a short Gospel address, at the close of which I invited those of them who underst

ho were in earnest, and who had received the truth into their hearts, more closely together, and

confronted the heathen customs on the one hand, and drunkenness and gambling on the other,

y offered up on behalf of themselves, their families, and the surrounding villages; whilst, at the same time

were graciously answered, and a

of the day attended by almost all encamped, as well as by a n

to acquaint them of the weekly return of the day of rest, now no longer hangs alone; but nine of

ith the Christian hymn or the song of praise where formerly the noise of the heathen dance, or the frantic orgies of the medicine man drowned all o

self abandoned his sorceries, a

m up, and he is now an earnest inquirer after the truth and is always present at the services. He

ffering from a severe attack of 'brain fever', brought on by his swimming for s

s to how they should nurse him. This resulted in his resting more easily and i

ped up the inlet. He arrived at midnight, and at once commenced his whooping and ratt

cine man, or 'Scahaga,' as he is called in their own tongue, had ju

ence, and commenced by informing me that he had found out the cause of his sickness. A man from the other village had caused it by snatching the cap from the head of the sick man when up the inlet together, which had led to h

for themselves and also on behalf of the sick man. The medicine-man was evidently humbled and discomfited, though ashamed to acknowledge it before so many. Shortly afterward

ut that he had replied, saying God's Word had come, and he was determined to give up his practice, and seek the salvation of his own soul. His long hair, which has never been cut, and which folded up serves him for a pillow at nigh

with their bodies blackened," was dispensed with, and in lieu of it the visitors were received by a choir of a hundred Hydahs, children and adults, chanting

f Scripture, a simple catechism, the Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the General Confession and Thanksgiving, several c

ed several tribes at a

th, and on the coast of

divides the two princip

a particularly

te that he had thirty names on the list of

taken by Mr. G. Sneath, a zealous young missionary artizan, who twice went to East Africa to join the Victoria Nyanza Mission,