Most Importantly: St. Jacob Understands the People

St. Jacob of Alaska was also an astute observer of the native people: their habits, their customs, and sometimes even their disposition towards the gospel. Every once in a while, his journals have an aside to explain points of interest—the dangers of navigation and shipping in Alaskan waters, the entryway of native houses in different regions, and such—in some of which, he speaks about the people’s receptivity to the gospel:

“In matters of religion, I found the Kuriles to be devout or, as one may say, ready to be devout. However, presumably because of very rare approaches to them on behalf of the Christian Religion, they have no proper understanding either of the Christian faith or of their obligations as Christians.”

In another of these asides, St. Jacob offers an almost humorous comment on the Tlingit people as he dwells on the prospects of a Protestant missionary who has come to convert them:

"February 28: (1829) A second three masted American vessel [the barque Volunteer, Capt. Charles Taylor] entered the local port. On board was a pastor [Rev. Jonathan S. Green] of the Reformed [church] who had been in the Sandwich Islands for the purposes of conversion of the local population to the Christian faith, an endeavor in which he was, according to his own statement, successful. He came to Sitkhan shores with the same aim, to convert the inhabitants of this coast, the Koliuzhi [Tlingit] as up to this time they have not accepted Christian faith and remain in [the state of] heathenism. His [projected] undertaking did not take place, as conversion of the Koliuzhi to any kind of [Christian] faith is not an easy business. This nation's heathenism in itself is rough, they are accustomed much more to battles and bloodshed. Being nourished by the spirit of brutality and daring and bravery, which is in opposition to [concepts of] love of mankind and meekness, they are not easily approached in matters of religion, one may safely say. Besides, in this enterprise (of conversion) it is essential to have the command and thorough knowledge and understanding of their language."

This is less an attack on the methods of this Protestant missionary, and more a comment on St. Jacob’s knowledge of the local people. It will take more than a “short term mission” to make a difference among this people who are “accustomed much more to battles and bloodshed”. “They are not easily approached in matters of religion, one may safely say.”

Ultimately, the most important trait of a missionary is one that St. Jacob possessed and developed: his understanding and love for the people. He set up his mission station far away from the comforts of and access to the outside world. The locals took care of him when he was willing to go without. He understood their need for the gospel, but was not so impatient as to attempt to coerce them into a speedy conversion. May we learn from St. Jacob and apply these same principles to our own lives and struggles for the salvation of our fellow man.


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