Mission Inmates. 
13 
made every such sacrificing effort ineffective. So long as the watchful 
eyes of the missionary rested on his grown-up scholars, he could find 
no more willing pupils: but hardly were he to turn his gaze aside, than 
what he had hidden them do was forgotten, the old inclinations again 
became their absolute masters, and one Indian disappeared after the 
other: indeed the prohibition about drinking spirituous liquors alone 
had already proved sufficient to drive them away. That the seed sewn 
by Messrs. Armstrong, Youd and Bernau has not been entirely destroy- 
ed however, is quite apparent from the fact that on Sundays certainly 
a number of visitors from settlements near and far are to be seen con- 
tinually coming to church without any invitation just as unexpectedly 
as they take their departure when service is concluded. 
255. When, after innumerable attempts, Mr. Bernau recognised 
that his sacrifices on behalf of the older generation were in vain, lie ex- 
erted his utmost with the younger members and, in connection with the 
Mission, established a school for Indian children, especially for the 
orphans whom he gathered from among the different tribes. At the 
time of my first visit the number of little brown proteges had amounted 
to 50, by whom he as well as his wife, were most dearly loved. Every 
year the zealous missionary takes a trip among the different tribes, 
with the object of inducing the parents to trust him with their children 
of any age, but he only rarely succeeds in doing this because the Indians, 
especially the mothers, are exceedingly fond of their youngsters and 
look upon them, especially the girls, as little “helps” for the household. 
If orphans whose support falls upon the relatives are found in a settle- 
ment they are in most cases readily and freely handed over to him . 
The success with which Mi*. Bernau’s noble efforts have been crowned, 
borders on the marvellous, and one might search Germany in vain for 
a school where the pupils pick up with equal ease and rapidity that 
which is brought before their juvenile understanding, and where, par- 
ticularly in so short a time, the scholars learn to count or speak or to 
read and write a foreign language like these little brownies do their Eng- 
lish. One little Carib boy learnt to read and write readily within four 
months; another, of the Akawai tribe, within fourteen months managed 
to reckon up to the Rule of Three. The little pupils had also made most 
striking progress in singing and T shall never forget the impression which 
their soft pleasing voices made on me. Two teachers assist Mr. Bernau 
with the boys, and a governess helps Mrs. Bernau with the woman’s 
work and in minding the little kiddies, some of whom are not yet two 
years of age. 
256. Besides school-work, the boys are taught all kinds of manual 
labour, in which Mr. Bernau himself shows unusual skill. When the 
boys are confirmed, those who desire and are fit for a trade are appren- 
ticed to a master. Tf any show the necessary abilities for teaching, the 
Mission itself affords opportunity for such a training, so that later on 
they may act, as teachers amongst their own people. The girls are also 
either trained as teachers or else sent to the best families in George- 
town as servants. 
^.57. As soon as a child is handed over to Mr. Bernau, it is no more 
permitted to visit its parents in their village but on the other hand thev 
can come to the Institution whenever they wish and stay as long as they 
