Second Annual Report of the Kincolith Mission Hospital
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[1] SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
[2] of the
[3] KINCOLITH MISSION HOSPITAL
[4] with
[5] LIST OF CONTRIBUTIONS
[6] 1872-1873
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[1] PREFACE
[2] KINCOLITH MISSION HOSPITAL was founded
[3] to meet a real want—there being no building for
[4] the admission, and treatment of sick Indians with-
[5] in a radius of 600 miles.
[6] It was thought by many that this effort would not
[7] be appreciated by the natives; and there seemed to
[8] be good ground for supposing this, as they are
[9] still very suspicious, and can hardly understand
[10] any efforts being made on their behalf, except
[11] from motives of worldly gain. The number of pa-
[12] tients who have applied for relief since the open-
[13] ing of the Hospital shews clearly that the natives
[14] do not look upon this effort to help them with sus-
[15] picion, or distrust. At certain seasons, during
[16] the past year, the applications for admission were
[17] more numerous than the Hospital, in its still un-
[18] finished state, could accommodate: moreover many
[19] of the applicants came from distant tribes; speak-
[20] ing different languages; and who had only heard
[21] of the Hospital in their intercourse with interven-
[22] ing tribes.
[23] The objects of the Hospital are three-fold—
[24] 1.st. The gratuitous dispensing of medicine to all
[25] applicants; irrespective of tribe or moral standing.
[26] 2.nd. The reception into the wards of all such
[27] cases as are considered suitable: and the medical
[28] and surgical treatment of these cases as far as cir-
[29] cumstances will permit.
[30] 3.rd. The instruction of the patients in the doc-
[31] trines of the Christian Religion.
[32] A perusal of the accompanying report will shew
[33] how far these objects have been attained, during
[34] the year
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[1] REPORT
[2] THE BUILDING.
[3] No attempt has been made, during the past year,
[4] to complete, or improve the building; which still
[5] remains only half finished.
[6] As all the buildings, for mission purposes, at this
[7] station are erected by natives, under the supervis-
[8] ion of the missionary; it has been found unwise to
[9] attempt more than one such work in a summer.
[10] There being no funds in hand at the beginning of
[11] the year. it was decided to finish another building
[12] which was in course of erection; and to put off the
[13] completion of the Hospital until next summer, in
[14] the hope, that, before that time, should it please
[15] God to bless and prosper us, we would have a lit-
[16] tle fund to begin with, and could give our undivi-
[17] ded attention to complete the unfinished half, and
[18] to make any little changes, which experience has
[19] shewn to be necessary, in that already built. Nor
[20] has our hope, thus far, been disappointed.—
[21] On refering to the balance she we find that there
[22] is a sum of $39.00 (7l.19s.3d.) to the credit of the
[23] Hospital ; and we have the promise of additional
[24] help: so that, with the “good hand of our God up-
[25] on us” we may look forward to having the build-
[26] ing nearly, if not quite complete before the close
[27] of another year.
[28] Kincolith Mission Printing Press.
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[1] INDOOR PATIENTS.
[2] Twenty six were admitted during the year: being
[3] an increase of twelve on the previous year. Of
[4] these, Three died in Hospital. —Two were dis-
[5] charged incurable. —Six left when greatly reliev-
[6] ed. —Ten were discharged cured. —One was admit-
[7] ed while I was absent on a visit to some inland
[8] tribes, and remained in Hospital for three weeks:
[9] but left, before my return, to be cared for in a
[10] friend’s house where he was afterwards treated by
[11] me. —One (a surgical case) was admitted for a few
[12] days; but not being willing to undergo an opera-
[13] tion, was discharged. She was afterwards read-
[14] mitted, and successfully operated upon. —and Three
[15] remain in Hospital.
[16] The Two reported remaining in Hospital at the
[17] close of last year were discharged cured.
[18] The migratory habits of these tribes, and their
[19] natural uneasiness under restraint, make it diffi-
[20] cult to get them to remain until they are quite re-
[21] covered.
[22] DISPENSARY.
[23] The attendance at the Dispensary has also increa-
[24] sed. During the year it has varied from twenty
[25] a month, when many of the people are away hun-
[26] ting, to over a hundred a month, when the tribes
[27] are congregated on Nass River making small-fish
[28] grease.
[29] RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
[30] It is gratifying to be able to report steady pro-
[31] gress; and to feel that, to some extent at least, the
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[1] Hospital has proved a real benefit by affording re-
[2] lief in cases of physical suffering. But the object
[3] of the institution is not merely to relieve bodily
[4] pain. It has a higher, a holier aim; — that those
[5] who are admitted for treatment may also hear the
[6] simply Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it is taught in
[7] God’s Holy Word. And therefore, though deeply
[8] sensible of the many opportunities of pressing this
[9] subject which I have neglected, still we may re-
[10] joice that He, who uses various means to lead men
[11] to repentance, has been pleased to stir the hearts
[12] of some while under his chastening rod.
[13] With the exception of one; all heard the truth with
[14] attention, and apparent interest.
[15] One of those discharged incurable declined to re-
[16] turn to her own village; even at the earnest en-
[17] treaty of her father and her other relations. She
[18] died expressing a sense of her sinfulness, and her
[19] trust in Jesus to save her, and wash her from her
[20] guilt. Six years ago she had almost made up her
[21] mind to settle here; but was drawn away. While
[22] health and strength lasted, she mingled in the
[23] giddy whirl of sinful pleasure. With pain and
[24] sickness came also remorse, and a consciousness
[25] of her unfitness to meet her God. while we can-
[26] not but rejoice that she was led to see the error of
[27] her way, and to express her repentance: still we
[28] must feel how different would have been here own
[29] feelings, and how different here position in our
[30] memories: had she, when in health, cast in her lot
[31] with the people of God.
[32] Four of those discharged cured expressed their
[33] determination to give up their former mode of life,
[34] and to join the number of those seeking to walk
[35] in God’s way. By what I have since learned of
[36] their conduct, I believe they are sincere in this
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[1] determination. Details of many of the cases ad-
[2] mitted would, no doubt, afford much interest to
[3] those who love to watch the working of God’s
[4] Spirit; and the means He uses to break down the
[5] strongholds of Satan. But in a short report like
[6] this; such particulars are necessarily omitted.
[7] INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS.
[8] The resident missionary and his wife have full
[9] control of the Hospital. And all patients are ex-
[10] pected to render implicit obedience to their com-
[11] mands. As far as possible, the Hospital is made
[12] self-supporting; patients providing their own food,
[13] and bedding; also fire-wood, and a suitable attend-
[14] ant. It is only in cases where they are too poor;
[15] come from long distances; or have no near relat-
[16] ions living; that they become a burden on the funds
[17] of the Hospital.
[18] FINANCIAL.
[19] In presenting the annexed balance sheet, I think
[20] it right to contradict a statement (made, I know
[21] not on what authority, and circulated in some
[22] quarters) to the effect, that there is a debt on this
[23] institution. The Hospital is not, and never has
[24] been in debt. While we would depend, in humble
[25] faith, on our Heavenly Father to supply the means;
[26] I do not feel, that in an experiment, such as this
[27] is, we are justified in proceeding any farther than
[28] He has been please to open up the way.
[29] Robert Tomlinson, clk.
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KINCOLITH MISSION HOSPITAL BALANCE SHEET.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER, 30.th. 1873
| RECEIPTS | EXPENDITURE | |||
| $ cts. | $ cts. | |||
| Dr. Powell, Superintendent of | Washing, and sweeping Hospital. | 1 12 | 1/2 | |
| Indian Affairs. 2 bxs medicine. | Fire-wood. | 4 50 | ||
| Lewis Hart esq. Two bedsteads. | Food. | 3 75 | ||
| Ditto. | 20 00 | Two second-hand blankets. | 2 50 | |
| A Friend in Victoria | 5 00 | One case of medicine, &c. | 10 50 | |
| Mr. Mitchel. For medicine | 2 00 | Three mats. | 62 | 1/2 |
| Mr. R.A. Brown, donation. | 2 50 | |||
| A Miner. For medicine. | 50 | |||
| A Trader. For medicine. | 1 50 | |||
| A miner. For nitric acid. | 50 | |||
| Rev. R. and Mrs. Tomlinson | 30 00 | Balance | 39 00 | |
| _______ | _______ | |||
| $62 00 | $62 00 | |||
| _______ | _______ |
