to the protection of the Lord.  On the 17th, the wind had considerably increased with heavy showers of snow and sleet, but they set off at half-past ten o’clock in the forenoon.  Mark ran all the way round Kiglapiet before the sledge to find a good track, and about one o’clock, through God’s mercy, they were out of danger and reached the bay.  Here they found a good track, upon smooth ice, made a meal of the remnant of their provisions and got some warm coffee.  Thus refreshed, they resolved to proceed without stopping till they reached Nain, where they arrived at twelve o’clock at night.  The brethren at Nain rejoiced exceedingly to see them return, for by several hints of the Esquimaux, who first met them going out to sea, and who then, in their own obscure way, had endeavoured to warn them of the ground swell, but had not been attended to, their fellow missionaries, and especially their wives, had been much terrified.  One of these Esquimaux, whose wife had made some article of dress for brother Liebisch, whom they called Samuel, addressed sister Liebisch in the following manner: 

“I should be glad of the payment for my wife’s work.”  “Wait a little,” answered she, “and, when my husband returns, he will settle with you, for I am unacquainted with the bargain made between you.”  “Samuel and William,” replied the Esquimaux, “will not return any more to Nain.”  “How, not return, what makes you say so?” After some pause, the Esquimaux returned in a low tone, “Samuel and William are no more! all their bones are broken and in the stomachs of the sharks.”  Terrified at this alarming account, sister Liebisch called in the rest of the family, and the Esquimaux was examined as to his meaning; but his answer was little less obscure.  He seemed so certain of the destruction of the missionaries, that he was with difficulty prevailed on to wait some time for their return.  He could not believe that they could have escaped the effects of so furious a tempest, considering the course they were taking.

It may easily be conceived with what gratitude to God the whole family at Nain bid them welcome.  During the storm, they had considered with some dread what might be the fate of those brethren, though at Nain its violence was not felt so much as on a coast unprotected by any islands.  Added to this, the hints of the Esquimaux had considerably increased their apprehensions for their safety, and their fears began to get the better of their hopes.  All therefore joined most fervently in praise and thanksgiving to God for their signal deliverance.

In August 1783, Liebisch returned to Europe, and took his place in the Unity’s Elders Conference as a member, and Lister, with some assistants, exercised the office of superintendant until 1786, when John Christian Ludwig Rose was appointed to this office.

CHAPTER IV.