The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-05

Bishop Bachman's Journey to q
Frozen Esquiomaux Land.

Bishop Bachman's Journey to the
Frozen Esquiomaux Land.
Bishop Henry T. Bachman will leave
this city on Thursday next for . journey
of 2, 800 miles to the farthest ice fields OF
Alaska. The reverend gentleman is presi-
dent of the executive board of the Morav-
dent church in the United States. He left
his home at Bethlehem, Pa, three weeks
ago. Before coming to San Francisco he
stayed for few days of inspection at the
Indian mission of Potrero, near Banning,
in Southern California.
Bishop Bachman intends now to in
spect the Moravian missions established
among the Esquimaux in Northern
Alaska. His visit may result in the es-
Enlistment of another mission, as he has
authority so to do should the conditions
warrant it. At present there are two
prosperous missions in the country. One,
the Bethel mission, located on the Kusko-
quin river, sixty miles from its mouth, is
under the direction of a full-blooded, but
remarkably intelligent Indian. the Rev.
John Kilbuck. The other, the Carmel
mission, is located on the Nushagak river,
and is also governed by two natives.
Each of these missions has q popula-
ton of $50 Esquimaux, and are esteemed
the most thriving evangelical commune
ties in Alaska. One great obstacle to their
growth and permanence, however, is the
fact that the diminutive natives move
from place to place in obedience to their
laws of living and occupation. taking up
different quarters for winter add summer.
At Carmel the determined antagonism of
the Greek church also tends to retard the
progress OF the new work, which Is but six
years old. Many, in fact most, of the
Esquimaux are ostensibly members of the
Russian church, which exercises over them
a spell which they dare not throw off,
The Moravain church has taken up the
work after other denominations have va
Gated the field. 1t has found but very lit
tie opposition from the Esquimaux them
selves. Bishop Bachman has never been
in Alaska himself, but his wife has re-
he has obtained very clear idea of the
character of the people, and of the dangers
and difficulties Of missionary work among
them.
He knows them to be peaceable, hon.
est, upright people. A trading post at
the mouth of the Kuskoquin is for months
left unguarded In it are stored provisions
of all sorts and valuable furs, But the
Esquimaux have never been known to
steal from it, though they have an extrav-
agant fondness for tea and tobacco, which
are stored in abundance in the unguarded
house. Experience has also shown that
the little men are very receptive. They
have only very primitive civilization
and are still in some degree under the
pernicious influence of their Shamans.
Still, they take readily to innovations, and
new modes of religion and of life find favor
and adoption. The influence of the two
young Moravlan missions has been potent
one. Habits of stability have been incul-
Gated with excellent success, and, as the
people are naturally gentle, industrious
and thrifty, good results have beey OBJ
tanned.
Many of the Esquimaux are victims of
consumption, induced and encouraged by
a peculiar and dangerous pastime. They
have what is called q kashhina, large
bathhouse. where, by heating stones and
sprinkling water upon themselves, they
produce an intense perspiration. When
the warmth has become almost suffocating
they rush out naked into the snow. in
which they roll until chilled to the bone
The outcome is not particularly conducive
to long life.
1t is to destroy such practices as these
and to lead the supplemented people to
higher level of moral life and civilization
that the missions have been established.
They are yet under serious disadvantages.
Bethel has communication with the out.
side world but once year. Very little in.
tercourse is possible between it and it's
sister community because of the door
almost useless boats of the natives
Bishop Bachman would like very much to
secure steam launch for the work in the
north, but has been unable to do so.