Letter from the Bishop to Robert Tomlinson 16 July 1880
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[1] (Copy) The B[isho]p to Mr. Tomlinson
[2] Metlakatla July 16/80
[3] My dear Mr. Tomlinson
[4] On my way from Victoria last month
[5] I wrote you a letter but cannot tell whether
[6] it has been forwarded or not. In either
[7] case I wish this to be a final and to super-
[8] sede the others in respect to the subject of
[9] this letter. I have given prolonged
[10] and most careful consideration to the
[11] Inland mission so that I have no feeling
[12] of uncertainty lingering in my mind
[13] as to the proper course to take respecting
[14] it. The C.M.S. left the fixing of the precise
[15] locality for this centre of the Inland mission
[16] to me. Until I had visited the
[17] Interior your plans were tentative and
[18] the determination of the Missionaries
[19] place of residence left open. I was so
[20] favourably impressed with the natural
[21] beauty and agricultural promise
[22] of Ankaitlast, together with the energy
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[1] you have thrown into the place that if
[2] I could possibly persuade myself that
[3] success could ultimately be achieved
[4] I would gladly suppress the growing thoughts
[5] of the conviction that all your labour
[6] (as a missionary) will be lost and the
[7] C.M.S. funds wasted. But I see no
[8] hope not even the faintest hope of ^any^
[9] success. There is not in my opinion a
[10] single advantage that the mission cause
[11] gains by your settling down at Ankiatlast.
[12] This leaves no option. I must
[13] sacrifice the strong disposition I
[14] naturally feel for leaving you and your
[15] plans to the test of experience. The responsibility
[16] of deciding the matter has been placed
[17] on me. I accepted it. Nothing remains
[18] for me but to place my directions before you
[19] and in so distinct and plain a form that
[20] you cannot misunderstand me. This will
[21] be the truest kindness and I hope I need
[22] not assure you of my {decfaist?} interest
[23] and sympathy. However much my
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[1] letter may distress you. it distressed me
[2] beyond expressions. I earnestly pray
[3] God to give you grace to learn of Him
[4] who is meek and lovely in heart.
[5] I know how my sinful nature would
[6] chafe under your circumstances.
[7] It is this knowledge that leads me to
[8] {prorrate?} against a possible refusal on
[9] your part to act on the directions that
[10] I am bound in conscious in send you.
[11] They are as follows. First, to forthwith
[12] abandon Ankaitlast as a missionary
[13] post. No consideration for farming, or
[14] trading, or building must for a moment
[15] leave this first permit optional to you
[16] if you wish to wish to remain the C.M.S. missionary
[17] to the Inland mission. It must be
[18] acquiesed in whatever representations
[19] you may feel bound to make to the Society
[20] severally. The village called by the whites
[21] Hazelton sometimes “the Forks“ that one
[22] in which I left my canoe when I paid
[23] you a visit is to be the centre of the Inland
[24] Mission. To that the missionary will go
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[1] at once. There he will open a day school
[2] and conduct it so as to claim the government
[3] grant. A good school there is of the first
[4] imperative and to that the missionaries best
[5] energies must be devoted: until he can obtain
[6] a schoolmaster. A congregation will follow this
[7] establishment of this school as a matter of course.
[8] When these two principal elements are {delured?} then
[9] will follow hospital work itineration &c. &c.
[10] Were it possible I should like Kishpiyoux secured as
[11] an out-station. A second and rigourous centre will
[12] soon provide native evangelists for such extension.
[13] The danger is that in the meantime the ground may be
[14] preoccupied to the damage of our work and this
[15] injury to the future native church. I am so very
[16] anxious to be certain that these plans should
[17] be carried out in their integrity, that I shall
[18] be thankful to have your written assurance
[19] that you are prepared to act upon them. and may
[20] God bless you at every step. If unfortunately you
[21] must decline to do so will you kindly ask
[22] Mr. Collinson to shew you his letter of instruction.
[23] With my kind regards to yourself, Mrs. Tomlinson, Miss.
[24] Woods and Mr. Woods. I remain most sincerely
[25] Yours (sign) W. Caledonia
