138 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



inviting place. What with seal's flesh, blubber, 

 the awful smell, and the continual uproar of dogs 

 and children, one's quarters are certainly not to be 

 envied. On the other hand, the kindly spirit of 

 the people, their desire for instruction, and the 

 prospect of leading them to life eternal, these 

 things surely ought to make amends for all. The 

 classes for children and adults have been very well 

 attended. Several of the children can now read 

 their books, and can give very fair answers when 

 catechized on the leading truths of Christianity. 

 As regards the adults, some of the younger members 

 have learned to read very well, but several of the 

 elderly people do not seem to make much head- 

 way. They often deplore their ignorance, and some 

 tell me, in their own simple style of speech, that 

 because their heads are thicker than the young 

 people's therefore they cannot learn like them, etc., 

 etc. The number of baptisms during the year is 

 another bright, cheery point which contrasts favour- 

 ably with last year. There have been nineteen 

 adult and some ten infant baptisms since sending 

 last year's report. The number of adult Eskimos 

 now baptized is sixty-four, and that of the children 

 forty, to which may be added the forty candidates 

 for baptism, making the total of Eskimo Christian 

 adherents 144. This doubtless is but " a little 

 flock " ; let us pray the Lord to increase it. Let 

 us ask Him to add many living members to the 



