THE LAST CRUISE OF THE MIRANDA. 87 



snow were near not many nor large, but enough to show 

 what Greenland dog-days are. 



"With the second bell the people hurried from their houses, 

 almost simultaneously, and the congregation was quickly as- 

 sembled. We waited outside until all were in but a few strag- 

 glers, then went in, and were shown front seats, probably 

 seats of honor ; but I should have preferred to have been in 

 the rear, where I could have seen the congregation better. 



The elderly people sat in the rear and the children in 

 front : women on the left, with the girls in front ; men on 

 the right, with most of the boys in front. There was very 

 much coughing by the natives, especially when they came 

 in ; less so later, although there was much all through the 

 service. The people sat very close ; there were many chil- 

 dren, and an almost continuous cooing of the babies. 



The little church is of stone, the walls over three feet thick, 

 whitewashed without, sealed with boards within ; the boards 

 painted a dull pale-blue on the sides, the ceiling white. 



A raised platform extended along one end ; on our right a 

 plain desk, on the left a melodeon, or parlor organ ; a 

 reading-stand was moved to the middle by the clergyman for 

 reading. 



Back there was an altar with crucifix and two unlighted 

 candles ; in front a railing and kneeling-step, as if for com- 

 munion and confirmations. The preacher was a little old 

 man with thin face and spectacles, in blouse and hood and 

 sealskin boots. He was probably a Dane, but so bronzed that 

 he was as dark as many of the natives. He had a kindly face 

 and kindly, plaintive voice, his whole look and voice in keep- 

 ing with the place. The service began at 10.45 and ended 

 at about 11.50. 



After invocation and prayers, there was singing by the 

 congregation, with the organ. There seemed to be less dif- 

 ference between the male and female voices than with our 



