The Moravians in Labrador

In Short

This chronicle details the late 18th-century efforts of the Moravian Church to establish missions along the Labrador coast. It records the logistical struggles, the building of permanent settlements like Nain and Hopedale, and the slow, arduous process of converting the indigenous population. The book serves as both a historical log and a testament to the persistent, often dangerous, work of the Brethren. Its endurance stems from its detailed, firsthand account of an intersection between European religious ambition and the realities of life in the high North.

The Story

The narrative begins with the initial, fraught attempts by the Moravians to reach the Labrador coast. Early efforts are marked by deep mistrust; the missionaries are met with hostility and suspicion, and their initial contact is hindered by a lack of shared language and the violent reputation of the local population. Jans Haven, a pivotal figure, arrives to find the local people terrified of visitors and the sailors openly mocking his mission. Despite these setbacks and a brush with a planned massacre of the natives, Haven persists, eventually securing the trust of the local Inuit.

The mission takes root when the Brethren identify suitable sites for permanent settlements. They methodically stake out land, mark it with stone cairns, and secure the formal protection of the British government. This transition from transient visitors to permanent residents shifts the focus of the mission to the rhythms of daily life. The Brethren build homes, establish schools, and begin the work of religious instruction. They contend with the harsh climate, frequently suffering from severe hunger, cold, and the isolation of the Arctic landscape.

The middle of the narrative is dominated by the complex cultural evolution of the mission. The missionaries work to integrate the Inuit into their religious community, holding daily meetings and attempting to replace traditional beliefs in figures like Torngak and Supperguksoak with Christian doctrine. They find a mix of success and disappointment. Some individuals adapt quickly, while others return to their old ways or struggle with the strictures of their new faith. The missionaries record these internal conflicts with a mix of lamentation and hope, documenting the backsliding of some members alongside the genuine devotion of others.

The final arc follows the expansion of the mission to new sites and the maturing of existing congregations. The missionaries encounter formidable challenges, from the dangerous influence of sorcerers like Karpik to the occasional famine that forces the community to the brink of starvation. A powerful moment of collective spiritual awakening occurs following a series of meteor showers, which the people interpret as a sign of the end times, leading many to seek baptism. By the close of the century, the settlements are established, and the Brethren have successfully woven their faith into the fabric of daily life, despite the persistent struggles against the elements and the stubborn remnants of old customs. The account concludes with a sense of stability, illustrating a community defined by endurance, recurring rituals, and a shared, if complex, religious identity.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Jans Haven arrives on the Labrador coast, facing immediate hostility from the native people and ridicule from the sailors. He persists through extreme personal sorrow, eventually winning a measure of trust by appealing to the conscience of those around him.

Securing a foundation The missionaries return to select permanent sites for their work, marking the land with stones to establish both physical and political boundaries. They consecrate these spots with prayer, feeling they have finally gained a foothold in the rugged, icy wilderness.

Life on the edge The daily reality involves extreme physical hardship, including near-starvation and the desperate struggle to survive in snow-houses during winter. The missionaries must rely on the resourcefulness of the Inuit to find food, even as they work to instruct them in their faith.

The struggle for souls The mission expands its influence through schools and constant religious meetings, but faces significant resistance from established sorcerers. Success is measured by the baptism of families, who begin to adopt new habits of industry and economy, though the missionaries continue to battle against apostasy and the influence of old traditions.

A new century of faith The missions at Nain and Hopedale solidify their presence, with the missionaries finding comfort in the growing number of congregants who demonstrate genuine religious conviction. The narrative ends with a report on the state of the settlements, where the missionaries reflect on their enduring trials and the quiet, steady growth of their work.

The People

Jans Haven is the driving force of the mission, possessing an unwavering resolve that allows him to face down both hostile sailors and skeptical Inuit. He acts as the primary bridge between cultures, using his moral authority to command respect even from powerful figures.

Tuglavina represents the most dramatic arc of the book. Once a feared chief and sorcerer who wielded influence through violence and the purported favor of spirits, he eventually encounters the missionaries. His transformation—from a man defined by a "furious" desire for power to one who humbles himself and confesses his sins—is the central example of the mission's goal. He struggles with his past, yet his gradual move toward the church highlights the missionaries' belief in the possibility of redemption.

Mikak is another significant figure, acting as an intermediary who facilitates the missionaries' work. She demonstrates a lasting loyalty to the Brethren, even providing gifts for the European aristocracy as a sign of her respect for the mission.

The missionaries, as a collective, are defined by their tenacity. They operate with a sense of duty that remains unshaken by their surroundings. They are often portrayed as observers who suffer alongside the people they teach, struggling with the same hunger and the same cold. They emerge as figures defined by their persistence in a landscape that seems designed to defeat them.

In Its Own Voice

"The Esquimaux, however, crept into the mouth and cut off what they wanted from the interior to supply themselves; but the wants of the brethren were only increased, they could make little use of such flesh, and they were without wood to dress it, had it been even more palatable."

The author describes the dire conditions faced by the missionaries and the Inuit during a period of famine while attempting to harvest food from a beached whale.

"At one time, when he returned from the south from Chateau Bay, where he had purchased a two masted shallop, arms and ammunition, &c. he presented himself before Haven dressed in an English officer's old uniform, swaggering with a cocked hat, and sword by his side."

This scene captures the strange, dissonant meeting between the powerful local leader Tuglavina and the missionary Jans Haven.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book examines the friction between two vastly different worldviews and the endurance required to bridge that gap. It explores the power of religious conviction to fundamentally reorganize a society, moving from a way of life dictated by the immediate, physical needs of hunting and the authority of sorcerers toward a life structured by Christian liturgy, literacy, and community-based morality. The book also implicitly questions the nature of "civilization," contrasting the missionaries' definitions of progress and order against the survival skills and traditions of the Inuit. It is an argument for the necessity of persistence in the face of environmental and spiritual hostility.

Why Read It Today

This book will appeal to readers interested in the history of exploration, the mechanics of mission work, and the stark realities of life in the Arctic during the 18th century. It offers a window into a world where the margin for error was non-existent; the descriptions of freezing temperatures, the search for food, and the constant threat of ice are visceral and haunting.

However, readers should be prepared for the distinct perspective of the era. The text reflects the cultural biases of its time, often portraying the indigenous population through a lens of condescension or moral judgment. The tone is frequently didactic, and the prose, while precise, can be repetitive, as it often cycles through lists of births, baptisms, and mission logistics. The language is archaic, and the religious fervor may be overwhelming for some. Despite these challenges, the book rewards the patient reader with a remarkably detailed account of how a specific group of people attempted to transplant their entire way of life into the most unforgiving corners of the earth. What remains with you is the sheer scale of the quiet, daily labor—the building of schools, the printing of books, and the slow, often painful process of building community in a landscape that feels indifferent to human survival.