Letters of Archbishop William Ridley, Missionary to Canada

Archbishop William Ridley [22 July 1836 – 25 May 1911] was a missionary to British Columbia in Canada. This collection of his letters appears by kind permission of the Church Missionary Society. Wikipedia gives a brief summary of his life and work. The file size of this PDF is larger than usual because the book contains numerous images which I wanted to include in greyscale.

Alice J. Janvrin, ed., Snapshots From The North Pacific. Letters Written by the Right Rev. Bishop Ridley (late of Caledonia). London: Church Missionary Society, 1904. Hbk. pp.192. [Click to download in PDF]

Contents

1. Introductory
2. A Summer’s Journey and a Winter’s Campaign
3. Storms Fulfilling His Word
4. A Cry and a Response
5. In Journeyings Often
6. A Triumph Song
7. New Work and Old
8. Peril by Water
9. Visitation Work
10. Regions Beyond
11. An Abundant Entrance
12. A Memorial Mission
13. Enlarged Opportunities
14. First·Fruits From The Stikine River
15. More Perils in the Sea

Chapter 1: Introductory

The following letters are not in any sense a continuous history of the British Columbia (formerly known as the North Pacific) Mission. Rather, they are snapshots taken at varying intervals, and developed by a skilful hand, so bringing out details of scenery and work with a vividness that is sometimes almost startling. The prevailing thought in the mind of the reader will probably be, that beautiful as are the rushing streams, the gloomy forests, the snow-clad mountains of British Columbia, far more beautiful to the Indians are the feet of those who have taken good tidings and published peace to them. The wilderness and the solitary place have indeed been glad for them, and the desert has rejoiced and blossomed as the rose.

Fifty years ago no attempt had yet been made to reach the Zimshian Indians and other tribes on the north-west coast of the great continent of North America-now Christianity is the rule and Paganism the exception. Neat villages, with their churches, schools, and well-ordered homes, testify to the power of the grace of God to civilize as well as to Christianize. Medicine men have laid down their charms and submitted to the Cross of Christ, and hymns of praise resound where once were heard the fearful sounds of the heathen potlach. [Continue reading].