Robert Tomlinson Annual Letter 1873
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[1] Annual letter Kincolith Station
[2] Sept 30th 1873
[3] Reverend and Dear Sirs
[4] I am so pressed for time that much as
[5] I regret it I can only give you a very brief sketch of the events
[6] of the past year. On 6th of November I started with three
[7] Indians to visit the Kitiksheans. 7 inland tribes. We took
[8] a magic lantern with us. I succeeded in reaching 5 out of
[9] the seven tribes. I was well received in attentively listened to
[10] at all villages. All invited me to come again several of the
[11] speeches made by the Chiefs were very good. They spoke of their
[12] medicine work and their other practises and begged me not
[13] to think it was carried out because they despised God but
[14] because they knew no better. Come and teach us was the
[15] one request. and we will gladly hear. I did not stop long
[16] at any of the villages as the year weather was so far advanced that
[17] we feared we would be caught in the snow. but though my
[18] stay was short I accomplished what I wished viz. to make
[19] myself acquainted with the relative position of the several
[20] villages. the number of natives at each. The seasons of
[21] year at which it would be most desirable to visit them
[22] and the route by which they could be most easily reached.
[23] We travelled altogether about 350 miles. About 270 miles
[24] of this on foot. We had splendid weather. though the frost
[25] for part of the time was very severe and rendering the ground rough and
[26] hard under foot. but we had plenty of dry dry wood for firing
[27] and consequently were a little troubled with the cold at night.
[28] I sent you a rough sketch of the trail and the positions
[29] and name of the several villages. On our return we
[30] received the melancholy intelligence that one of the Christians
[31] had been drowned a day or two before by the upsetting of a
[32] canoe. We had a similar accident the winter before.
[33] This led the people to press upon me the absolute necessity
[34] of having a store at the village. This necessity had {???}
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[1] been foreseen by Brother Duncan and myself but you know
[2] that our attempt to meet it when this mission was first
[3] established proved unsuccessful. By the kind assistance and
[4] counsel of Brother Duncan we were enabled ^to^ open a little
[5] store last January. So far it is proven at success and the
[6] people feel the benefit of it so much that they are determined
[7] not to let it discontinue again. Of course in starting
[8] any undertaking there is necessarily some anxiety. {???}
[9] would it become us to risk anxiety by declining to supply what
[10] we plainly se is needed for the advancement of the people.
[11] In the beginning of January I left Kincolith to visit Victoria
[12] but was detained at Metlakatla about 3 weeks awaiting
[13] the arrival of the H.B.C. Steamer “Otter”. While there I baptized
[14] a number of infants. This delay also proved
[15] opportune by enabling us to fully discuss many matters
[16] affecting the welfare of the two missions. My objective visiting
[17] Victoria was to be priested. I have already in a former
[18] letter informed yourself of the reasons which induced me
[19] when I got to Victoria to decline to be presented
[20] for priest orders. I returned in the middle of March
[21] and was very thankful to find that all had gone on
[22] well while I was away.
[23] In May accompanied by Mrs. Tomlinson
[24] Miss Woods, the borders in the mission house and our two little
[25] ones, we took a tour of up Nass River. Stopping a day
[26] or two with each of the tribes on the river. On arriving
[27] at the head of the navigation we started off the trail to try
[28] and catch several parties from the two tribes which I had
[29] not succeeded in visiting in the winter . These parties have
[30] come to buy fish grease and were returning. Though our progress
[31] was necessarily slow. Theirs was still slower owing to the number
[32] and weight of the boxes they were packing. When they have
[33] more than a box each they carry the first a short distance
[34] generally about a quarter of a mile. Set it down return
[35] for the second and carry it the same distance. When they have
[36] brought them all this far they begin with the first again and
[37] so over again until evening. The boxes weigh 50 lbs to 100 lbs.
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[1] We succeeded in coming up with them this on the second day.
[2] They were very glad to see us. Mrs. Tomlinson and Miss Woods were the only
[3] white women many of them had seen. but the interest of the wom[en] [was]
[4] centred in our little baby. They would sit down their heavy boxes
[5] and take ^her^ in their arms and fondle her. Before sundown on Saturday
[6] afternoon we had outwalked all the parties and so
[7] seeking a little spot we made a camp and as each party
[8] came up and asked them to camp and rest for the Sunday.
[9] Not one refused and soon our camp was surrounded
[10] with similar encampments. before 8 am on Sunday morning
[11] we had no less than ten of the encampments representing
[12] five different tribes. I addressed them on Saturday evening
[13] On Sunday we held two services. The interval between the
[14] services was spent in teaching them four verses of B[isho]p {???}
[15] evening hymn translated into Nishkah. I consider this
[16] very suitable as it contains in a short form many of the
[17] essential doctrines of Christianity. Practice and prayer. forgiveness
[18] of ^ones^ sins through Jesus Christ. our need of God‘s care for body and
[19] soul. We sang it to the tune “Irish” which they easily mastered.
[20] At evening service it was delightful to hear many voices
[21] hitherto devoted to other uses now for the first time sweetly singing
[22] in this beautiful hymn of praise. Next morning we started for
[23] home while they continued on their journey.
[24] The new mission house is all but complete and we hope
[25] to be in it before the 1st of February. When it is finished
[26] I propose, please God, sending you a ground plan and any
[27] other information that you might ask for. I purchased the furniture
[28] myself when in Victoria and thus made sure of getting what
[29] will exactly suit.
[30] During the year two new houses have been erected
[31] by the settlers and two one old entirely rebuilt and reroofed
[32] and otherwise improved.
[33] The schools have been well attended during
[34] the year as also the services. After morning service Sunday
[35] School is held by some of the more advanced acting
[36] as teachers. Afternoon service is held about 3 pm.
[37] About 7 pm they meet again in one of their own houses.
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[1] When the service is conducted entirely by one of themselves. This
[2] plan seems to answer very well.
[3] We cannot report any great increase in numbers during
[4] the year but we can report a decided improvement in the
[5] tone of the Village and that the influence for good exercise
[6] by the [Chris]tians is making it self felt not only among those
[7] settled here but also among surrounding tribes.
[8] I enclose the Hospital report which will shew
[9] how it progresses.
[10] I feel that this is an illdigested service of the
[11] last year but even from this much you will be able
[12] to see the hand of our God has been with us/ and to join
[13] us in practising and blessing him for prospering his work
[14] and in humble prayer to him as he has been
[15] pleased to continue to bless us with health and strength
[16] he would also take away all coldness and deadness
[17] from our hearts and make us earnest and fruitful
[18] labourers in his kingdom.
[19] Hoping you excuse the hasty way in
[20] which I have penned this.
[21] I remain
[22] Rev[erend] and Dear Sirs
[23] Obediently yours
[24] Robt Tomlinson
Statistics for the year ending September 30, 1873
Clergymen: European 1; Total 1
Native Christians
including children: 52
Baptisms during the year:
Adults 0; Children 1; Total 1
Seminaries and Schools: 1
Native seminarist and scholars:
Boys and girls10; Adults 29; Total 39
