Robert Tomlinson Annual letter 1874
Page 1
[1] Annual letter Kincolith Station
[2] February 1875
[3]
[4] Revd and Dear Sirs
[5] It is with deep feelings of thankfulness
[6] for the measure of success granted to us by our Heavenly
[7] Father, that I sit down to give you a short sketch of the
[8] events of the past year. With the opening of the year 1874
[9] was set on foot a subscription for a Church Bell. in this
[10] way a sum amounting to nearly £25 was raised among our
[11] villagers for the offered willingly, with this sum we
[12] purchased a bell which has since arrived safely, and
[13] meets with general approval. Nor was it a mere wish to add
[14] to the outward attractions of the place which attracted them
[15] as may have be gathered by the fact that which in former years,
[16] during the fishing season at Nass, it is only those Indians
[17] from the missions at Metlakatla and Kincolith who
[18] observed the sabbath this year through the influence of
[19] some of the Christians from Kincolith the great body of the
[20] Nishkahs who are camped near there not only rested on the
[21] Sabbath but attended services regularly held among them by
[22] the same Christians. The results of this are most cheering.
[23] Never in any previous year have we had so large an increase
[24] in our numbers as you may see from the subjoined table
[25] though that does not fully shew the increase as some have
[26] joined us to lately to appear in that list. It will also interest
[27] you to know that many of those who joined us last year
[28] are from the number of those who regularly attended the
[29] preaching of the word of by brother Doolan when the mission
[30] at Nass was first started and though they have held back
[31] for many years did acknowledge that it was hearing the word
[32] spoken by him which first lead them to think about
[33] their souls welfare.
Page 2
[1] Once during the summer the progress of the Mission was
[2] threatened, not by tribal quarrels nor yet by the assaults of
[3] heathenism but by an insidious attempt of a strong party at
[4] Nass who dissatisfied with their present position wished indeed
[5] to come to Kincolith, but only on condition of being
[6] able to change the essentially Christian character of the village.
[7] By GOD’s good help we were enable to baffle this design
[8] and since then the village steadily progresses.
[9] A few days before Christmas accompanied by about one hundred
[10] of the natives from Kincolith we visited Metlakatla to be
[11] present at the opening of the new Church. While at
[12] Metlakatla brother Duncan and I spent many days in a
[13] solemn and careful examination of the catechumens from both
[14] missions. I baptized twenty two adults and seven children from
[15] Kincolith. so that combined with the pleasure of joining
[16] our Christian brother in at Metlakatla in praising GOD.
[17] At the opening up their new church erected by their own
[18] hands, was superadded the gratification of seeing so many
[19] more brought out of heathenism and joined the number
[20] of those who have confessed Christ.
[21] In an accompanying sketch of the tour to the
[22] Kitiksheans I have referred to a call for Christian instruction
[23] from a tribe forty five miles from the mouth of the Nass River
[24] in answer to this call I have sent forth a native teacher. I
[25] hope please GOD to give you some account of his work in
[26] my next.
[27] The world concerns at the mission also continue to
[28] prosper. The mission house is finished and proves a very
[29] convenient and comfortable residence. About seven years
[30] ago the mission sustained pecuniary loss by the closing
[31] of a store which have been established as a branch to
[32] Metlakatla store. This store has been reopened for
Page 3
[1] sometime at the request of the Indians and has succeeded
[2] so well that this year we are enabled to repay more than
[3] half of that loss.
[4] Personally we have enjoyed excellent health and we
[5] feel that while we have had to meet some trials and
[6] obstacles. the good hand of our Heavenly Father hath been
[7] ever over us smoothing our path, strengthen our hearts
[8] and prospering our work. To Him be All the Glory.
[9] Yours Very respectfully
[10] and Sincerely
[11] Robt Tomlinson
Page 4
Statistics for the year ending September 30, 1874
Clergymen: 1 European
Lay teachers: 2 Female European
Total of Christian teachers: 3
Native Christians: 90
Baptims during the year:
Adults 22; Children 8; Total 30
Seminaries and Schools:
1 Seminary, 1 School
Native Scholars and Seminarists:
Boys 10; Girls 10; Seminarists 4; Total 24
