8 



of a native, Brother Torgersen made a third trip to the 

 mouth of the river, for more lumber. Favored with pro- 

 pitious winds, the entire trip was accomplished in four days. 



Brother Torgersen and I left Bethel, July 28, after a 

 fourth load of lumber, while Brother Weinland was to do 

 what he could towards getting logs for the foundation, in 

 addition to looking after the lumber in the Kashima. About 

 this period we had great need of the strengthening power of 

 faith. Brother Torgersen and I experienced one difficulty 

 after another; were exposed to a pitiless storm for three 

 days; and finally, August 10, when within sight of the sta- 

 tion, Brother Torgersen fell overboard, and, before help 

 could reach him, was drowned. I informed Brother Wein- 

 land of what had occurred, and asked him to come to my 

 assistance. He sent word that he was sick in bed and 

 therefore could not come. Owing to a calm, I was unable 

 to proceed any farther, and furthermore, my eyes, which 

 had been inflamed, now, that I was compelled to use them, 

 became worse, and the pain almost unbearable ; so accord- 

 ing to instructions, I anchored the boat, made everything 

 snug, and then getting into the birch canoe with a native I 

 went home. 



The meeting at home was sad, for we truly felt the hand 

 of the Lord, but He granted unto us faith to look to Him 

 for comfort and strength. The following day I went in a 

 bidarka to the scene of the accident, and with the help of 

 natives, dragged for the body, almost the entire day, but 

 without success. It was not until five weeks after, that the 

 body was found. It had been carried down an unfre- 

 quented channel, and cast upon an island and it was only 

 by accident that it was discovered by a native. The re- 

 mains of Brother Hans Torgersen now lie in peace on the 

 summit of a hillock, to the west of the Mission House, 

 from which can be seen the place, where according to his 

 wish he died while upon the Lord's battle-field. "Who- 

 soever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's the 

 same shall save it," is the promise of Him, to whom Hans 

 Torgersen clave with all his strength." 



The situation was indeed serious. Two young men, ut- 

 terly inexperienced in house-building — the one, Weinland, 



