Introductory. 3

of my diocese, especially the Hydahs, have been so savage
as to make the trader’s risk greater than his hope of gain.

“ This section of the people now draws upon our sympathy.
A great opportunity is ours. The material prosperity of
Metlakatla has aroused in them a spirit of emulation, and
shed upon them a gleam of hope. The Christian’s heart
cries, ‘Is there a future for them among the nations?’ and
from Metlakatla comes the answer, ‘ Yes, only do as you have
lovingly done here.’ The trial is being made at four other
mission stations in my diocese, and success is already visible.
The greater the breadth of sea between the islanders and the
mainland the better for their future. Their ignorance of the
benefits of civilization is a greater good than a knowledge of
them, until they are fortified morally and spiritually by the
Gospel against its evils. The enterprise of commerce, which
we shall be glad of then, is beforehand with us now in bride-
ine over the broadest channels, so that the plague is begun.
We must enable the missionary at once to emulate the
merchant. The very noblest Indians must be enriched with
the pearl of great price, or they will sell themselves to
perdition while we tarry.”

The Bishop made an appeal for a steamer, and it was not
very long before he had the joy of knowing that friends in
England had come to his help. Before the vessel arrived the
Bishop was overtaken by a gale in a small canoe in which
ten men were crowded, and wrote afterwards, ““ How I longed
for my steamer; unless I get one a new Bishop will soon be
wanted, for the risk in these frail crafts is tremendous, and
a short career the probable consequence.”’

On August 12th, 1880, the little vessel was launched, and
was well named the Hvangeline, for its errand was to carry
the Gospel to the Indians up and down that indented coast
and among the many islands. It was not available for river
navigation, and even on the sea expense was sometimes saved
by the use of a sailing boat. The Bishop was captain and
often chief engineer also. Some years later he wrote to the
S.P.G., “ What would your Committee think could I have