A 250-Year-Old Mystery: the Disappearance of Johann Christian Erhardt in Labrador

• Published in: Journal of Moravian History
• Main Author: Schattschneider, David A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: JSTOR 2007
• Subjects: Religious studies; History; inuit
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/41179826; https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/psup/moravian-history/article-pdf/2/1/76/1539862/jmorahist_2_2007_76.pdf

Abstract The Moravian mission to Labrador began in 1752, but quickly stalled with the disappearance of one of the missionaries, Johann Christian Erhardt, and six companions while on a trading venture with some Labrador Inuit in September of that year. Erhardt's disappearance has never been fully explained, although several theories involving accident and murder have been proposed. Mission efforts ceased there for almost twenty years until 1771, and have continued ever since. The author examines the evidence and speculation surrounding Erhardt's disappearance in light of the political climate at the time and the changing stance of the Moravian Church towards linking trade with mission. Initially, Zinzendorf had advised against any practice which may bring mission work under moral scrutiny, such as forging political alliances or linking commerce with mission. After his death, however, the position of the church changed. The mystery surrounding Erhardt's disappearance serves as an interesting case study of these ethical dilemmas.