Letter Robert Tomlinson to Church Missionary Society 10 Februray 1876
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[1] Metlakahtla
[2] Reverend and dear Sirs. Feb. 10/76
[3] The time appears to have arrived when I should bring
[4] under your consideration a matter which I have long foreseen
[5] must one day be considered, but about which I have for[e]born
[6] to speak until I feel that longer silence on my part may
[7] become a fault, and in bringing this subject before you I
[8] have every confidence that neither the distance from which the
[9] appeal comes, nor the many weighty matters before you will
[10] prevent you Committee giving it that amount of kind an
[11] prayerful consideration they may think the case requires.
[12] More than eight years have elapsed since we first settled
[13] at Kincolith and amid many faults and shortcomings we
[14] have endeavoured to build up the Mission.
[15] The present position of the mission is this — It stands on
[16] a government reserve specially granted for the purpose.
[17] The schools are now assisted by a yearly grant from the
[18] Indican Department. This grant to be increased in proportion
[19] as the number of scholars increases. Law and order have
[20] been so far established in the surrounding district that
[21] we are no longer exposed to those intertribal quarrels which
[22] so long set a barrier to all progress. The opposition from the
[23] medicine men and others is rapidly disappearing, and
[24] many who had long turned a deaf ear will not willingly
[25] hear the Gospel. Not only the [Chris]tians at Kincolith but also the
[26] great body of the Nishkahs are becoming sensible to the
[27] advantage of living as civilized beings. So strong is this
[28] feeling at Kincolith, that we have at present under our serious
[29] consideration the construction of a saw mill. By the aid of
[30] this mill we hope to be able to erect substantial cottages suitable
[31] to the requirement of the people, and arranged in streets
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[1] Then again there is an earnest desire on the part of many of the
[2] [Chris]tians to spread the Gospel. but they are still as babes in
[3] religion needing constant instruction and guidance.
[4] From all this you will see that the present is a critical
[5] time for the mission at Kincolith and that it will need
[6] the constant presence of a European Missionary able
[7] to direct their spiritual, moral, and temporal interest.
[8] Meanwhile another door has been opened. another
[9] work has sprung up. I mean the work among the
[10] Kitiksheans, of which I have sent you short accounts
[11] at various times. With them too the present seems to be
[12] a critical time. They occupy a district roughly
[13] estimated at one hundred square miles. The great
[14] draw back to any permanent settlement among them
[15] has hitherto been the difficulty of easy communication
[16] with the coast. Over this difficulty the Local Government
[17] are kindly helping us and the Indian Department have
[18] promised to grant a supply of agricultural implements
[19] and seeds. if we make a settlement among them. Much of
[20] the soil is rich and well fitted for tilling and raising
[21] cattle.
[22] Up to the present time I have endeavoured to carry on
[23] both works single handed but I clearly perceive that
[24] this cannot be much longer without spoiling both.
[25] If we should let the work among the Kitiksheans remain
[26] in abeyance. we know not that we can again command
[27] so many advantages and it is almost certain that the zeal
[28] of many who are now anxious will grow cold. evil
[29] influences be brought to bear upon them and we may
[30] have to mourn over the wreck of what might have been
[31] a flourishing mission.
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[1] On the other hand if we divide our attention between Kincolith
[2] and the Kitiksheans the summers here are so short and
[3] the distance between the two places so great that the settlers
[4] at Kincolith will feel that their progress is hindered, though
[5] they have by right a prior claim on our time and care
[6] This we have learned by experience – and for this reason I lay
[7] the case so plainly before you.
[8] If after due consideration. you think that it is not wise
[9] any longer to neglect the claims of so large a district
[10] inhabited by seven separate tribes, with the present opportunity
[11] of opening a mission among them. and decide to send
[12] us a brother from home. so that the work already begun
[13] may be prosecuted with vigor, without interfering with the
[14] advancement of Kincolith, the next point to decide
[15] would be whether he should reside at Kincolith (where
[16] by availing himself of the assistance of some of the {Chris]tians who
[17] know a little English he could more easily acquire the
[18] language. and where he would find some of the difficulties
[19] of his position smoothed) and I proceed to the Kitiksheans
[20] or vice versa.
[21] In this matter I do not wish, by expression any preference
[22] to bias your judgment. Only I would have you bear this
[23] in mind, that it will be no trial to Mrs. Tomlinson and myself
[24] personally to leave our {???} home and start again in a
[25] log hut. provided that we feel that it is the will of our
[26] Heavenly Father. and see his hand guiding us in the matter.
[27] Whether you decide that he remain at Kincolith or move
[28] on among the Kitiksheans. he right, it appears to me, to
[29] remain at Kincolith for some months at least, when he
[30] could get an insight into the way things are managed
[31] and the reasons which have induced us to adopt that plan
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[1] that so there may be a continuance of that unity and
[2] sympathy in all our plans which has ever existed
[3] between the missions at Metlakahtla and Kincolith
[4] and proved no mean assistance to the progress of both.
[5] It will moreover prove a great help to him to have
[6] even a slight knowledge of he language and habits of
[7] those among whom he will have to work. before he takes
[8] the reins in his own hand.
[9] I need only to add that the whole matter has
[10] cost me much thought and not a little anxiety and
[11] I earnestly pray that the great Lord of the harvest
[12] will guide and direct you in your deliberations on it.
[13] I am
[14] Reverend and Dear Sirs
[15] Yours very sincerely and respectfully
[16] Robert Tomlinson
