PERIODICAL ACCOUNTS RELATING TO THE MISSIONS OF THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN^ ESTABLISHED AMONG TH£ HEATHEN, VOL. IIL LONDON: PRINT£D FOR THE BRETHREN'S SOCIETY FOR TH* EURTHERANCE- Of THE GOSPEL, BY JOHN MARSHAI-Lj NO. 4, A L D E RMyfTT^CH U RC H- Y AR D, JSOW-LANC, CfiZAPSlJe. PERIODICAL ACCOUNTS RELATING TO TH MISSIONS OF THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHRENy ESTABLISHED AMONG THE HEATHEN, LONDON: PRINTED rOR THE BRETHREN'S SOCIETY FOR THl FURTHERANCE- Of THE GOSPEL, ay JOHN MARSHALLj NO. 4, ALDERMA«T*^C H U RC H-Y AR D, JSOW-LANfi, CHJCAPSiJe, N. B» The Brethren's Society for the Furtherance oF the Gospel among the heathen, (which meets monthly at No. lo, Kevirs Courts Fetter -Lane,) befides doing as much as possible toassift all the Missions of the Brethren, have from the beginning undertaken the whole charge of the Mission among the Esquim.aux in Labrador, which, on accouLt of circumftances, is rendered an expensive con_ cern. There are at present three settlements eftablifhed on the coaft, Hopedale^ Kain, and Okkak, and as the absent miCmbers of the liocieiy and other friends to' the cause have always felt particularly interested in the welfare of that Mission, the letters annually received by the return of the ship, are ini:erted at length, especially as they contain a brief account of aM the remarkable occurrences in the Mission. Those received in 180 s, begin the presenC- Volume of the Periodical Accounts. PREFACE, I WHENEVER we take a view of tnat great work, in which it has pleased God to dis- tinguish the ministry of the Church of the Brethren, in making it instrumental to the conversion of many souls from heathen nations in various parts of the earth, our hearts are filled with gratitude and asto- nishment. Far be it from ws in the least degree to attribute that success, which has hitherto attended the Bre^ thren's Missions, to our own contrivance, wisdom, or exertion. A^very slight acquaintance with their history and situation muft convince the moil self- sufficient, that neither the origin nor the efFe6ts of the Missionary labors of the Brethren, can at all be attributed to human powers. In whatever view we consider them, we humbly and gladly exclaim i " Not unto us, O Lord ! not unto us, but unto *« Thy name give Glory ;" yea, we attribute all to His sacred purpose, in choosing " the weak things *^ of this world to confound the things which are ^* mighty : and base things ^f this world, and things «' which are despised, yea, things which are not, to Vo^. HI. A « bring H PRE FA C E. '* bring to naught things that are ; that no flesh •'should glory in His presence." The progress of the Brethren's Missions for these seventy years past has not, in general, been rapid, or attended with that addition of numbers to the Christian Church, which men are apt, in prospecl, to pronounce as a certain fruit of the zeal and perseve- rance of so many Missionaries, whose only aim in life is the promotion of Christ's Kingdom on earth. Nevertheless, it has been marked with such peculiar proofs of the blessing and favor of God our Saviour, and such unequivocal evidences of the benefits thereby bestowed upon mankind, that it excites the most lively sensations of gratitude in all, who wish well to the human race. We, on our part, are encouraged confidently to believe, that the gracious aim of God, in admitting the Brethren's Church to so confiderable a share in the Missionary work will be yet more fully obtained, and His name yet more glorified, by His continued blessing upon our feeble exertions, to spread the gospel in foreign parts. * At present, there are twerjty-nine Mission- settle- ments establised by the Brethren, and about 24,000 souls*, residing in, or belonging to them, who have been brought to the knowledge of the truth, among * See the concise account of the Brethren's MissIonSj printed January 1, i8ou som» PREFACE. Ill some of the most ignorant and barbarous lieathen-na^ tions; besides some thousands, who attend the public preaching of the gospel in all the settlements, and request farther instruftion. Thousands also, v/ho have died in the faith of Christ, stand now around the throne of thel^amb. and join in the song of the Blessed, in fellowfhip with many of their beloved teachers, who having not loved their lives unto the death, have, through the mercy of our Saviour, re- ceived an eternal reward of grace. The general Synod of the Church of Brethren, as- sembled at Herrnhut in Upper Lusatia, in 1801, among many other important deliberations, directed its attention particularly to the Missions among the heathen, and the report of their internal and external state, given in by the Committee appointed by for- mer Synods to superintend that extensive concern, filled the hearts of all present, with joy and grati- tude, and with renewed humble confidence in God our Saviour. During a war, in which not only the common calamities, attendant upon hostilities, op- pressed almost every part of the globe in an extraor- dinary degree, but which seemed to threaten an al- moft total subversion of every thing hitherto held sacred among men, He has preserved all our Mis- sion-setttlements in perfed peace, and establifhed and extended His work in many of them, without the least opposition. He averted impending dan- gers, protefted His servants both on their voyages A 2 and IV PREFACE. and in their several stations, and opposed to that, delusive spirit of licentiousness, which, alas, has made such bold advances in Christendom in this our day, a spirit of humility and a deep sense of thankfulness for the priveledges enjoyed by the children of God, so that its baneful influence has been happily checked in all our Missions. Not that there has been no cause for mourning, and no ad- mixture of painful occurrences to fhow the necessity of constant watchfulness and prayer, lest we enter into temptation, and lest the enemy of souls obtain an advantage over us; but yet we can declare, that, amidst all our imperfections and mistakes, and outward and inward dangers, Christ has approved Himself as the Saviour and Almighty Prote6lor of his people. The preaching of the word of the Cross has approved itself everywhere, among nations the moft different in charafter, and under every curcurnftance, as the power of God unto salvation, and we have therefore determined anew to know nothing amongst men, but Jesus and Him crucified. We rejoice also, that, though differing in names and forms, we are herein united with all the true followers of the Lord Jesus in every denomination, for the success of whose labors in the same cause, -we most fervently address our supplications to God ; yea, may Grace and Peace be with all them, that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, in every place. But PRE FACE. V But whilst unto Him alone, whose strength is tnade perfed in our weakness, we give all the honor land ail the praise, yet we cannot omit making grate- ful mention of the inftruments he uses, both at home and abroad, for the promotion and support of this great work. Many, both in our own congregations and amongst His people in other denominations^ have felt themselves excited to take the moft adive share in it, by furnishing, according to their ability^ the means of its outward subsistence, or by their ad- vice, their labors and their prayers, cordially co- operating with those, who are immediately engaged in bringing the gospel to the heathen. They de- serve and receive our warmest thanks, and though we still attend to the general wish, in not publishing their names to the world, yet we are sure, that He, to whom they are *' known by name," will graci- ously remember and reward them, even on that day, when they themselves " will not remember to " have ministered in the least unto him and his bre- *' thren." Matthew xxv. 37. For the favorable reception, which the Periodical Accounts of the Brethren's Missions have met with from all, who have become acquainted with them, we are likewise thankful. They were printed with no other view, than to furnifh to our friends and be- nefaQors such communications concerning the dif- ferent Missions, as are due to those who assist in supporting them. The manner, in which they ap- pear, Ti PREFACE. pear, seems likewise to meet with the approbation of moft of our friends, viz. as extrads of letters and diaries, in the plain language of the Missionaries, without any additional observations, unless where absolutely necessary for the sake of explanation. We shall therefore adhere to this mode in the third Vo- lume also, and pray the Lord to lay His Blessing upon it. May he also in future graciously accept of our poor services, and grant, that the Spirit of a true and faithful Witness of Jesus, may ever rest upon every member^f the Church of the Brethren, and upon all His people everywhere. LONDON, January ist, i8o«. LETTERS [ 7 3 LETTERS Received by the Brethren's Society for the Fur- therance of the Gospel in the Year 1801. From Hopedale, .a^/2/(?i July 26tb, i8ot' DEAREST BRETHREN, /^N the 1 6th. of July, at eleven, A.M., we had the ple^-. ^^ sure to see the Harmony come safe to an anchor, in our harbour, being the first time since the Establishment of the Missions, that the vessel arrived so early on this coast. Our hearts were filled with thanksgiving and praises to God our Saviour, for having again preserved her by his almighty power, from all danger, both of the enemy and the seas. At the same time we received your most welcome letter of May 22d., for which we return you our cerdial thanks. In reading with what earnestness and brotherly affeftion you commend us and our Esquimaux in this Country to God in prayer, we were deeply affefted with a sense of our own un- worthiness, and with gratitude to you, dearest Brethren, nor can we sufficiently describe to you, what comfort and support it has been to us under the trying affliftions we have met with during the year paft, to know that our dear Brethren and Sisters in Europe offer up continual prayers for us, that the Lord mav be with us, and give us grace to see the reward of the travail of His soul gathered in, from among this rude nation, for whose salvation also his precious blood was shed •n the Cross, is a great encouragement to us. We likewise return our most grateful acknowledg«ments to you, for the parental care and kindness with which you kave again provided every thing necessary for our external support. C 8 ] support, and we have the pleasure to inform you, that every thing sent has arrived without the smallest damage. May our gracious heavenly Father abundantly bless and reward you, and all who assist you by their kind contributions. We can easily conceive, that under the pressure of the pre= sent circumstances and the general dearness of every article of subsistence, you may sometimes feel anxious concerning the future support of the Missions, and when we consider, how particularly expensive the Labrador Misson is rendered by* the mode of supplying it with what is needful, we feel our debt towards you doubly great, and ourselves bound by every means in our power to lessen your burden. We heard, with sorrow, that the war still rages, and thai even England itself is threatened with invasion. O that it would please the Lord, to continue to keep His protefting hand over this country ; to ward off all hostile attempts against it ; to give unto you wise and faithful men in every department of state, who may counsel and aQ for the prevention of evil with success; and to hear also our poor prayers for England, that by its means the cause of God in the earth may continue to be promoted far and near. We are the more earnest in our good wishes and prayers, because we know that He, has so many witnesses and followers in England, who gladly spend and are spent in His service^ and for the gospel's sake. But, dear Brethren, we muft now disclosetoyou an event, which took place last winter and has filled us all with the deepest and most pungent grief. It happened on the 2d of December, last year, that our dear brother Reiman, by oc- casion of his going out alone to procure some frefli provi- sion by shooting, probably lost his life and has never since %een heard of. The weather was fine and calm and the sun ^hone warm. Towards evening no^ seeing him return, we felt ( 9 ) felt much perplexed, particularly as the whole country was covered with ice, rain having fallen the day before upon the snow. About seven o'clock, we sent out four of our most approved Esquimaux with muskets, to seek him and to direft him, if in their neighborhood, by repeated firing. The moon shone bright, and the air was calm and warm. Towards daybreak however, they returned, without having ^een or heard any thing of him. As soon therefore as it was light, all the Brethren set off, accompanied fey all our Ex- quimaux, to make a general search, the weather remaining fine. We discovered indeed in several places hi? foot- marks upon the snow, but they were soon lost in the ice. Thus we persevered for nine days suc4 } pose, that out of love and gratitude towards Him, who loved us unto dcatfe, we will devote ourseWes to Him alone, abide faithful confessors of His truth, and gladly give up body, soul and spirit to His service, that we may bring forth fruit unto Him well -pi easing* He has in the year past, laid a paj^ticular blessing upon our weak teftimony concerning His great love to sinners, nianifeft,ed in His holy incarnation, life, sufferings, and death, and He opened the ears and hearts of the Esquimaux, insomuch that they were more than ever eager to hear the gospel, and diligent in their attendance upon divine wor- ship. The work of the Holy Spirit was diftinQly per- ceived in most of them, and in some in a remarkable degree. The communicants have walked worthy of the gospel. They have learnt more than ever to know and acknowledge, that there is no good in us, but they also have been con- firmed in their love and dependance upon Him, who gave Himself to death for us, that we might die unto sin. They remained with us till very lately, all but two widows, and ©n July i8th. partook with us of the Holy Communion — - previous to which, the manner, in which they expressed the state of their souls and their desire after the Grace of Jesus, proved a great joy and comfort to us. The baptized (not yet communicants) and candidates for baptism showed a greater desire than ever, to be admitted to all the piive- ledges of the church of God : and they often repeated their assurances, even with tears in their eyes, that their only desire was to live to God in the world, and to keep his Commandments. We notice, w^ith peculiar satisfaftion, the evident work of God among those Esquimaux, who, though they have leave to live on our land, do not yet be- long to the candidates for baptism, especially in the hearts of some young men : who declared to us, that they could no C «5 ) no longer live in the sinful prafticcs of their countrymen^ but were convinced, that there is no happiness but in com- munion with Jesus Christ, and begged therefore to be ad- mitted into the class of catechumens. It surprised and pleased us not a little, that on December 31st., 1800, that noted Sorcerer Siksigak, who ior many- years has lived at Nukasusuktok in our neighborhood, came unexpeftedly with his whole numerous family in sledges to Nain, and begged most earnestly that we would receive him as an inhabitant on our land; for that he had now refolved in right good earnest, to forsake his former heathenish man- ner of living and to turn to Jesus, and would conform to all the rules of the settlement. Hitherto he has kept his word, and it appears that he likes to live with the believers, and is still intent upon '* giving his heart to Jesus.'* Since the departure of the ship last year, two adults and one child have been baptized here, one man has been ad- mitted as a candidate for baptism, one woman to the Lord's Supper, and two to be candidates for the same. One Com- municant Sister departed this life in faith, rejoicing. Our small Esquimaux congregation consists of thirteen communi- cants, three candidates, eight baptized adults, (not yet com- municants) five candidates, sixteen baptized children ; in all of forty- five persons, besides whom thirty-one persons had leave to spend the last winter on our land. Nommbcr 20th., 1800, Sister Nissen was brought to bed of a daughter, who was called Christina Maria in holy baptism. In autumn we hope to be able to move into our new house, though it is still in an unfurnifhed state.— ;During the last winter the cold was moderate, and the summer has hitherto been warm and fruitful. Our garden looks well, and we cxpea a tolerable crop. But we were in want of fresh meat, very few partridges teing found here last winter. Now ( 16 ) Now and then however sometljing fresh was procured, for > which we are always thankful to our gracious heavenly Fa- ther, as it tends so much to our health. We are likewise thankful, that our Esquimaux suffered no hunger, though in spring and autumn, they had, as usual, but scanty earnings^ We were glad at those seasons to be able to help them out •with dried fish. What shall we say more ! The Lord our God be praised and adored ; for He has done again in the year past more abundantly for us, than we were able to ask, or think, or worthy to receive, both as to soul and body. Might He al- ways have cause to rejoice over us, and obtain His aim with us, his poor servants and handmaids. For you, dearest Brethren, we offer up our most fervent prayers, that He would graciously preserve, help and bless you, that you may joyfully continue to further His cause in the world. We commend ourselves anew to your loving remembrance and prayers, and remain in the bonds of true brotherly love and peace, Your ever affeftionate and faithful Brethren and Sisters, {JACOB NISSEN, C. F. BURGHART, J. T. MARTIN. SUEN Nf DERSON. From Okkak, dated September 6th., 18® j, DEARtST BRETHREN, ' I ''HE joy we felt on the 29th. of July, on receiving in- ■*- ten mat ion from Hopedale that the Harmony had safely arrived there on the 16th., was the greater, as it was quite unexpected. August £3d. we had the still greater satisfac- tion of seeing her come safe to an anchor at Okkak, — On the C 17 ] the 29t!i, Jufy We received your very agreeable letter dated May 2 2d., the reading of which in our family meeting af« forded us particular encouragements We join you, dear Brethren, most cordially in the sen- timents you express in your letter, concerning the repeated preservation of the ship and com.pany from all harm, now for near thirty years, even in the most dangerous times, that it may be considered as a proof of our Saviour's thoughts of peace over the poor Esquimaux nation. Even when the greatest difficulties present themselves to impede the pro- gress of His work in the earth, we see His powerful arm stretched out in behalf of his people, and surely this must excite us all to confidence in Him, and to a firm hope, that he will fulfi^ll all His gracious purposes in and by us. In general, the c®rrtents of your whole letter were par- ticularly pleasing to us, as it so feelingly expressed your- loving remembrance and the kind participation of so many friends and wellwishers to the cause of God in the world^ who join their prayers and supplications with ours before the Throne of Grace, that still many human souls, involved in darkness and misery, may receive the light of the pre- cious gospel, and be called to be partakers of the same sal- vation with us, to rejoice in the experience of the power and grace of Jesus, and in time and eternity to praise the name of God our Saviour,, with us, for His redeeming love. We bless God our heavenly Father for granting His blessing to us in the year p^st in all that relates to our out- ward subsistence, and we trust to Him, that alfo in future He will do the same and give us our daily bread, in answer to our prayers. To you also, dearest Brethren, we feel ourselves under great obligations for all your trouble ia providing again so abundantly for all our wants and external comforts by this opportunity. Vol. UL C Th# E >8 ] The Lord has graciously helped us thus far : He heard •ur prayers, whenever we appeared as supplicants before Him, either in our own or our people's concerns, comforted us in all distress, blessed Our feeble testimony of His suf- ferings and death, delivered indeed in weakness, but with hearts deeply impressed with a sense of its great importance, so that it has proved the means of a new awakenino- amons: many of our baptized. As to the heathen, we most fer- vently pray — O Lord, have mercy on these poor souls, who have cost Thee Thy life and blood, and yet afford so little hopes of ever becoming the reward of the travail of Thy soul but turn their backs upon Thee : Though our diary will give you a more circumstantial account, yet we will quote a few particulars. In the begin- ning of Oftober, Brother Schmidt returned to us from Nain, having assisted our Brethren thereto build their new house. Two Esquimaux families came also from Nain to reside here. Isaac's familv, one of the first baptized here at Okkak, but who had left the congregation and gone astray among the heathen for several years, returned to us, and ob- tained leave, at their earnest request, to live again on our land. They were afterwards all readmitted to the congrega- tion. Thus the good Shepherd, who came to seek and save the lost, has followed these poor straying sheep, till He brought them back to the fold. About ninety persons, small and great, spent the last winter with us here. A can- didate for baptism lost his life at sea, and we had the g^ief afterwards to see his baptized wife leave us with her child^ and marry an heathen man. In November, all the Esquimaux of this country were diligently employed in catching whales, and were successful in taking a very large one. Glad as we are that thereby Our people are enabled to lay in a stock of provisions for the winter, we much regret, that always r '5 ] aWays on such occasions, they must join with heathen com- panies ; and half-hearted people find again pleasure in the follies and sorceries of the heathen, and are seduced to follow their ways. The celebration of Christmas and Epiphany was a season of much blessing, both for us and our Esquimaux, and we felt the divine presence of our Lord amongst us, to our great comfort. Three baptized women were admitted to the Lord's Supper and one man was added to the class of candidates for baptism. In February a man was baptized, and called Samuel, another was added to the candidates, and theinfantdaughter of a baptized married couple was baptized.- The schools of the children were held diligently and with fervent prayer to the Lord, that He would not suffer the instruftions they receive, to be in vain. The newly- printed history of our Lord's passion, extrafted from the Harmony of the four Evangelists, furnished a desirable oppor- tunity, to catechise the children, and to explain to them, as well as weare able, in a language so difficult and deficient in expression, all that appertains to their souls' salvation. Some of them have come so far, that they can understand it, and as they read it to others, living in the same house, it may be justly expe6led that much good will be done by it. In the beginning of March, we had a very agreeable visit from Brother Burghart from Nain, with whom we had se- veral conferences concerning the course of the Mission. From January to March our settlement was agreat rendezvous and thorough-fare for fledges from all parts, five whales having been taken in the north, by which the trade of the Esquimaux was rendered very brisk. Five men however, in two different places, lost their lives on this occasion. During the Passion-week and Easter-holidays our Es- quimaux were almost all absent, on account of the rain- C 2 ^ieer- t 'o J 4eer-hunt. We were grieved to see them thus deprived of the opportunities then afforded to hear the history of our LordV sufferings, death and resurre6lion, the reading of which is always accompanied with His spirit and grace. But as about that time there is generally a great scarcity of provisions, and nothing to be got in our neighborhood, we are obliged, however reluftantly, to let them go. In gene- ral, they had no want of food and raiment all last winter, and their walk and conversation gave us more cause for joy than grief. We perceived likewise from their declarations, on many occasions, that most of them have a great desire to become more acquainted with our Saviour, to love him and to keep His commandments. May He keep and preserve them, that the enemy may not again gain an ascendancy over them, either by craft or force. We European Brethren and Sisters have much reason to be thankful to the Lord, that amidst all our weakness and faults. He has preserved within us that mind, to serve Him with gladness, and to live in peace and love with each other. He has likewife granted us our health, and we have been able to follow our several callings without inter- ruption. July i8th. Sister Hastings was safely delivered of a daughter, which was baptized the day following and called Christina Dorothy, but in a few days was taken home by the Lord into eternal safety. As we have hitherto been always in want of a place to keep our stock of codfish, and of a shed for empty barrels and other stores, during the rainy season, we have resolved, if possible, to build a proper shed for them; however not to occasion additional expences, we mean to procure timber for it out of the forests of this country, and only request you to send us the necessary stock of nails, which we hope you will approve of. We also wish this autumn to build a small f II ] small house for the reception of Esquimaux strangers, whea they come here on a visit, as they otherwise become trou- blesome guests in our people's houses ; as we experienced^ last winter. Thus, dearest Brethren, we have given you a brief account of ourselves and our small Esquimaux flock. Our prayers ascend daily to the Lord, that He would soon put an end to this destru6live war and its baneful consequenees, and re- store to the nations of the earth peace and concord : but in particular we com.mend Great Britain to His continued favor and proteftion. To conclude, we salute you, all our dear Brethren and friends everywhere, who, by their benevolent exertions, support the cause of our Lord in the world, most cordially, recommend ourfelves to your faithful remembrance and pravers, and remain, your faithful Brethren gnd Sisters employed in the Mission at Okkak. f ANDREW LEWIS MORHARDT, ! BENJAMIN KOHLMEISTER, * Signed < jQ^^ HASTING, tjOHN HENRY SCHMIDT. EXTRACTS OJtwa Letters rtceivtd by the Secretary of the Sociei) from Chrisiian Lewis Rose, Missionary among the Hottentots, Bavian's Kloof, August 24th., l8c». 1 PEAR BROTHER, N confident hope, that the letters I sent to London on my arrival at the Cape, dated May 13th., as likewise my short [ 22 ] s^iort note, written off St. Jago, have safely arrived, I slial! proceed to give you some farther information respefting this Mission. I sent likewise a packet of letters, dated June 6th., to go by London or Copenhagen, but am not so sure of its safety,* I now send you our diary from April 1st. to the end of July, 1800, with other papers as per list. All this renders my entering more into the detail of our proceed- ings unnecessary. However I will add somethings, which, I am sure, will not seem uninteresting to you. First 1 have to express our gratitude to you 'and all our good friends, who, during our stay in London, made up those bundles of old cloathes,linnen, &c. for the Hottentots, (according to a hint given in one of Brother Kohrhamme- 's diaries.) They desired me repeatedly to return their best thanks for them, and you can hardly conceive with what gratitude, bowing and courtseying, they received that por- tion of them, which we thought prudent to distribute among them for the present. The poor people rejoice like children, if they can get possession of an old coat orVaist- coat, or of any old rag, most of them being next to naked, and suffering much from the severity of the weather during this^ season, which is even felt by ourselves. For these eight weeks past, an epidemical disorder has been rife among the Hottentots. It has the appearance of a bilious fever and is very infe6lious ; hardly one house is * The letter from St. Jago arrived safe (See Per. Ace. Vol. IL p. 477.) but the packet of May 13th. has never come to hand. That of June 6th. arrived safe at Copenhagen. This first letter, with the diaries, which accompanied it, was given up for lost, and was not received till January 10th., i8o2. free [ S3 3 £ree from it, and if it once gets into 'the family, not one escapes. Twenty and thirty at a time have been taken ill, and as there are at present above 1300 souls residing at Bavian's Kloof, it is a most affli£Hng dispensation; and they all take refuge to us. You may easily imagine, that «nder these circumstances, we have enough to do. Few however have as yet died of it here, but in other parts of the country the mortality has been great. If we hear of it in time, we have found a vomit to afford the best, relief, but it generally lasts long, before the patients recover. When we creep about in their kraals and see the poor sick people lying there in the greatest misery, upon a sheep- skin thrown on the bare ground, without medical aid, and often without a morsel to eat, and those that are recovering, tormented by famine, and perhaps the hut full of poor naked children lying together and crying for hunger, we are ready to sink down with grief. But when we begin to speak with them of the great love of Jesus to poor sinners, and see with what eagerness they receive the gospel, and forgetting all their external wretchedness and misery, can not find words sufficient to extol the grace and favor bestowed upon them, that God has sent this blessed message to Mv. On C 38 ] On the 38th. a baptized woman, Leise Sontag, departed this life. In her last illness she could not sufficiently ex- press her thankfulness for all the mercies the Lord had bestowed upon her. She said : " i am not afraid to die, " for that will bring me to my Receemer, who has shed *• His blood for me also, and I am confident, that blood ** speaks good things for me also." She was followed into eternity bv another baptized woman, who had been long ailing, and departed rejoicing in God her Saviour. The festival of V/hitsunday was celebrated with blessing, and our people were very attentive and devout. In speak- ing vvith them previous to the Lord's Supper, we perceived, that our having omitted it last month, for the reasons above stated, had a good efFe6l. They did not accuse each other, but each found i ause to appear as a sinner betore the Lord, and they declared, that they had been led to reflet on that declension in love and faithfulness, which is the cause of all deviation from the rule of Christ, and to pray Him for grace to be more obedient in future. June 1st., we met at nine in the morning, and in fer- vent prayer commended the General Synod of the church of the Brethren to the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that He would preside therein, and direft all things according to His will, and grant that the blessing, bestowed upon that assembly, may spread far and near, and extend even unto us in this remote corner of the earth. On the 3d. three Hottentot families, consisting of twenty- three persons came hither from the lower country and re- quested leave to live here. We spoke seriously wuth them about their intentions in leaving their native home, and desired them to come again to us to-morrow, and tell us why they wished to live here. They came accordingly, both the men, women and children, and said, ** that they had no other view [ 39 1 view than to be saVed ; therefore, having heard that the word o£ God was preached here, they were come to hear and be- lieve it." We then gave them leave to stay here seme time on trial. On the 15th. early, Sister Rose was called to visit a sick communicant, Mary Blessier. She found her in extreme weakness, but present to herself. She said, with a wieak voice : ** I am resigned to the will of our Saviour, whenever He *' mav come to fetch me home : May He do unto me as " seemeth good unto Him." Some verses were then sung by those present, for which she thanked them with dying lips, and, in half an hour after, her soul took flight. She was baptized by Brother Kuehnel in the year 1794 and in 1796 admitted to the Lord's Supper. In 1799 she was ap- pointed chapel-servant. Ever since her baptism, she re- mained in an even, uninterrupted course ; her whole walk was exemplary and edifying, and an honor to the cause of the gospel and the congregation. Wherever she found an opportunity, she testified of the love of Jesus to her country people, and as she could speak the Hottentot language as well as Dutch, she was always the interpreter, when new people arrived, and took great share in their wel- fare. Her declarations concerning her own state of heart were always pleasing. She placed her sole reliance upon the meritorious death and sufferings of our Saviour, and could never cease extolling that mercy, by which He had delivered her from the bondage of sin, and granted her peace and comfort for her soul. She cleaved also to Him and received out of His fulness daily new grace and strength to walk in His ways. When she grew ill, she was particularly thankful to partake of the holy communion with Sister Schwinn, who was likewise aiUng, in her room. During the last stage of her illness, she spent her time in converse with the JLord, waiting patiently for His appearing. Oh [ 40 ] On the 20th. it snowed upon the mountains for the first time, since the approach of winter. Our poor people are now under the necessity of going up and down the country to seek bread with the farmers on any terms, and many of them cannot return for months. This causes us much anxiety, and exposes them to danger. On the 27th. however, a large party returned home. On the 28th. a most violent storm arose in our Kloof and raged in such a manner, with tremendous gusts, that we ex- pefted to have all our buildings unroofed. They trembietl with every blast, but the Lord averted all harm. A Hottentot woman came to-day to Brother Rose and re- lated to him her whole course of life. Among other things she said : *' 1 have long perceived that something was want- ing in me. I remained ten years a widow, because I thought I might still get to a place, where I should hear what is good and bad, and what I should d© and leave undone. After that pe- riod I was married to a man who had the same views with me. We lived near the Bushmen, who used to distress the farmer, with whom we worked. At last we heard, that a church- warden, called Klude, preached to his Hottentots. We tlierefore resolved to go to him, but when we came to his house, we found no entrance, on account of the scarcity of provisions, and therefore came hither, &c." Towards the end of the month the mountains were co- vered with snow, and the cold, wet w^cather made us glad to use our new stoves. July 4th. a girl, called Koba Constable, departed this life very happily, r he w:as not yet baptized, but went to school and to the meeting for religious instruftion. When she came home, she used to tell her mother and other relations, what fhc had heard and learnt, and the word of God was truly her greatest delight. On her sickbed she begged to , thank [ 41 .1 thank her teachers once'more. for then' kindness towards her, and added ** I am not afraid of death, our Saviour has for- *' given me my sins and I shall not be lost." She always distinguished herself by her quiet walk and obedience to her parents. The continued rains caused the rivers to swell much, and one of our people was about this time in great danger, in cros- sing the river Sonderend. His waggon, upon which was his plough and seed-corn, was carried away by the stream. He iiowever retained his presence of mind and cut the oxen loose, by which thev were saved and swam over to the other shore. The waggon was hurried off by the torrent. About the loih. a sharp frost set in and the waters subsided. On the 15th. many of our Hottentots went out to seek ^■iid almonds, acorns and rt;ots, for food tor themselves and their childreri, but the wild almonds, which afford good nourishment for them, are very scarce this year. Some went to work with the farmer?. On the 14th. one of the inhabitants returning from the Cape-town with his waggon, purchased andbrougt\t hither a keg of biandy, which he disposed of to others, who drank of it to excess. We spoke very seriously with our people on this occasion, reminded them of the old rule, that neither wine nor any spirituous liquors should be sold here, andim- formed them, that whoever in future should transgress, should be sent away. On the :3d. a family of Hottentots came and requested leave to live here. They were examined as to their views ; ^hen one of then said : '* We have heard that 3avian'» •* Kloof is a place of reluge for poor, distressed souls, who *• seek salvation. Such a one am I. 1 have wallowed in " sin and uncleanness all my life, and have done all that is ^* bad, n(T did I see any thing else at the farm, where I Vql. III. JF " worked, [ 4^ J ** worked, but now I seek pardon and rest, as a wretched *" sinner.'* An ©Id woman, one of our communicants, who speaks but a few words of the Dutch language, which fhe always ac- companies with the Hottentot click of the tongue, spoke in such a delightful manner of the Communion, and the state of mind necessary to receive it worthily, that we heard her with astonishment and edification.. On the 30th. we had again a tremendbits storm, which did some mischief to our church and other buildings, and caused us much additional labor. To-day a Hottentot family came and desired permission to live here ; but having heard, that they had been sent away by a farmer on account of pilfering, we declined re- ceiving them, and told them, that our settlement was on))r intended for such, who truly seek to be delivered from sin, and turn to God with their whole hearts. We bonclude our diary, dear Brethren, with our most cordial salutations to you all. Pray for us and the work com. mitted unto us, that our Saviour's name may be glorified ink this country. We remain, &c. C. L. ROSE, H, MARSVELD, J. C. KUEHNEL, D. SCHWINN, J. P. KOHRHAMMER. — ' ■■ ■ ■ --""■ — — ^ }, VARIOUS ACCOUNTS. 1, TJ Y invitation of the Cherokees the Brethren Abrahant -^^ Steiner and von Schweinitz left Salem in Wachovia,^ August 25, 1800, to visit their towns a second time. They found means to converse with the chiefs both of the higher and lower country, and of hearing the determination of a council assembled on 06lober 6th. to this effeft, "that both nations were ready to receive th-e Brethren among them, in tokeft I 43 ] token oi which tV.ev gave'them the right hanSof friendship.'* In consequence of these promising appearances the Brethren determined to begin a Mission among the Cherokees. On the I2th. of April, 1801, the two Brethren, Abraham Steiner and Gottlieb" Byhan, who had accepted a call for that purpose, were in a solemn meeting of the congregation at Salem, commended to the grace and protection of the Lord, and the guidance of His holy spirit in their important call- ing and shortly after set out for the country of the Cherokees^ JiU our Brethren in Wachovia expressed great joy on this occasion ; hoping that the Lord's time is now come, when the glorious light of the gospel should shine forth from their settlements also into the neighboring heathen countries, be- ginning with a nation, to whom, upwards of sixty years ago. Brother John Hagen in Georgia resolved to bring the gos- pel, and to sacrifice himself to the service of our Saviour ^ among them.* The two Missionaries request the prayers of all the congregations and of all friends of the cause of God in the world in behalfof themselves and the nation, to whom they are goings. 2. A letter from Brother Peter Kluge to Brother Ettwein at Bethlehem,.dated, Goshen Maich 20th., mentions that he ;and his felloW-laborer, Abraham Luckenbach, were about to proceed with several christian Indian families by water to the river Woapikamikunk, a branch of the Wabash, in order to begin the new Mission among the Delavv^ares ia those parts. (See Vol. IL p. 500.) Previous to their set- ting out, the Indians at Goshen had sent a solemn message to those on the Woapikamikunk, to inform them, that in " consequence of their request, several Indian families from ■ Goshen would come to them, with some Europeans, to in- • f See Loskiel's Hist<3ry of the N. Am. Miss. Book IL p. 6. ^ strua ( 44 ) Stru8: them in the word of God. and to enqu're, whrtber they would receive them now. The message was recci. cd by their chief Pakangihill with great civility and an answer returned, that all the Indians, young and old, would rejoice to see them come. A piece of land was likewise fixed on for the Missionaries* dwelling, nine miles diilant from the heathen Indians. These are of different nations and inhabit six large towns, so that there is good reason to expeft, that there will be no want of hearers, when the gospel is preached in that country. 3. According to letters from Antigua, St. Kitt's, and Bar- baboes, our Missionaries in all these islands were well. In Antigua the celebration ot the Passion-week' and Easter was attended with particular biessing. From Easter 1 800 to Easter 1801 there had been 356 negroes baptized, and 272 ad- initted to the Lord's Supper. The latest accounts received from Brother John Church in Tobago mention, that since it has pleased God to remove the first and principal supporters of that Mission, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Wilson and Dr. Carrie, the negroes in ge- Tieralare less diligent in their attendance on diviiie worship. It was indeed to be supposed, that many of them attended more to please their masters, than from an earnest defire to know what they should do to be saved. " With such people,'* (he writes,) '■ sincere repentance is wanting, and they rest satisfied, if they can only obtain baptism and a christian name. We are pleased however that some of the baptized seem to be in earnest ; and it will now be more clearly seen, which of them arc truly sensible of the favor bestowed upon them in having the gospel preached here. We have also lately begun to preach on Mr. Walker's estate, New Pro- vidence, once a month." In a subsequent letter he gives an account of a very se* vere illness, by which he was attacked and brought so low, that C 45 ] that his departure out of time was expefled. It pleased the Lord however to restore him again to a tolerahle share oC heahh and aftivity, but the physicians advised his return to Europq. Sister Church and Brother Shirmer and his wif« vrere well, and they had all been preserved from contagion during the dreadful mortality, which prevailed in Tobago last summer, concerning which Brother Church writes j, dated Oaober 28th., 1801. *' We have had, far these three last months, most aweful times. A malignant disorder" (believed by some to be the yellow fever) '* has prevailed, and swept off a great number of the white inhabitants. Forty died in the course of about six weeks, exclusive of the military. The weather ha» likewise been at times tremendous, with lightcnii\g an4 thunder and torrents of rain. Last Wednesday we were much struck to hear of the death of three white people on Mr, Walker's estate, wherf Brother Shirmer had been to prcach. The disorder is still raging, but with abated fury. It has chiefly attacked the younger part of the inhabitants. What a comfort is it ta know in whom we believe ! This sweetly composes the^ mind, even in the midst of alarm and trouble. Thus we^ have remained at home, hearing with surprize, but not with terror, of one falling to the right, another to the left. It has frequently happened, that persons, with whom we hai shortly before conversed in health, have been ^^n^tched away, and we invited to their funeralji, hefoic w^ heard that they were ill." 4. To supply the place of three Missionaries, who hadd«^ parted this life shortly after their arrival in Surinam in iSoo, the married Brother Lewis Lange, and two single Brethren^ Schulz and Schwartz, arrived in Paramaribo in February iSoi, by way of London., But w© have received the gainful intelligence, that Broilicr John Gottlieb Scbulta, nine ( 46 ) nine days after their arrival, and Sister Lange on May 6th., the former at Somclsdyk, and the latter at Bambey, (being the places of their destination,' were called into eternal rest, ta the great grief of all our Missionaries there. Yet Brethren and Sisters have ao;ain been found willing to go to the as- sistance of those Missions, and a company of five persons sailed from London for Surinam, in December 1801. The latest accounts received from thence concerning the state ®f the Missions, are in general pleasing. At Paramaribo five adult negroes were baptized in Fe- bruary, and three admitted to the Lord's Supper in June. At Somdsdyke all the ncgroe houses belonging to the Brethren, were burnt down by accilent on the 16th of October 1800. Our Missionaries were thankful to God that theii" other buildings remained unhurt. At Bambey the small congregation of free-negroes were in a pleasing course. Brother Wiez had again visited the free-negroes in the Highlands with satIsfa6lion. At Hoop on the Corentyn the small-pox prevailed dur- ing the latter part of the year 180©, and twenty. fourSj bap- tized Indians departed this life by means of it. They all testified their happiness in, and full reliance upon the me- rits of our Saviour. Four unbaptized Indians followed them into eternity. During that time, the greatest part of the congregation retreated to Aporro. Eight adults and six children were baptized there. Fourteen were admitted to the Lord's Supper. Brother Theodore Schulz had al- ready made such progress in the Arawack language, that he could venture to deliver public discourses in it. 5. From Greenland the last accounts, received in 06lober were dated in July 1801. The winter had continued with great severity and much snow, till the end of June. This occasioned a scarcity of seals, and our Brethren began to be apprehensive of a famine among the Greenlanders, but_ t\\t [ 47 } the Lord helped them graciously, that they expedenced no want. In spring, violent colds and dysenteries- prevailed, in New Herrnhut and Lichtenfels. At the former place all the patients recovered, but at the latter, many of our Green- land Brethren and Sisters departed this life. Their end was joyful and proved very edifying to the survivors, who were awakened to greater earnestness in seeking to make their calling and eleftion sure. At New Hernihut two adults had been baptized; twelve persons, baptized as children, were solemnly received into the congregation, and eight admitted to the Lord's Supper^ fourteen persons departed this life, and they lament the joss of a most worthy and approved Greenland Sister, called Sybilla, who was a useful assistant among her own nation. At Lichttnfds a girl was baptized ; seven young "people received into the congregation, and eleven persons de- parted this life. Among these were three assistants. The ship, which brings the annual letters from Lichtenau^ bad not arrived at Copenhagen in the beginning of De» •ember i8ar. 6. A letttV from Brother Staal, who unexpe6ledly arrived at Copenhagen on January ^th. 1803, mentions, that whea he left the Brethren's garden near Tranquebar, on March 26th., 1 801, the place was not yet disposed of, but there was a prospeft of its being done soon. The two Mis- sionaries Weber and Ramsch were in good health. Brothe^ Staal had a long and troublesome passage, of which ho gives the following short account : ** March 29th. we set sail. In the beginning wc- "fead very heavy gales, but having doubled the Cape, ©n July ioth» we got fair wind and weather and on the 59th. reached St. Helena. Here we were detained by aa English man of war. Our people were taken out and Eng- iisk f 4« 3 lish sailor? put oti Board. August sc!. we sailed back to- wards the Cape, and feared that onr »hip would he declared "•a good prize but on arriving at False-bay, on September 6th., we heard of tlie peace between England a*:d Denmark. At Cape-town we received much kindness from Mr. Schm.idt and other friends.* September 24th. we returned to F^^lse- bay. During our stay at the Cape, a black sailor had made a plot to set fire to the ship, but it was discovered in time, and the fire extinguished. September 30th., in a dark njght, we ran foul of ano- ther large vessel, by which we lost our mizen-mast and much oi the rigging, which was repaired on the pas- sage. We now proceeded rapidly with fair wind and wea- ther, till we reached the Cattegat, where we had the mis- fortune to run aground near Anholt, on December 7th. in the morning. In the afternoon our whole ship's companv, teventy in number, took to the long-boat, with nothing but the cloathes we wore, and during a storm of snow and sleet, reached the shore. Having sent information to our Brethren at Copenhagen, they dispatched a vessel to fetch us, which like- wise ran aground. We were therefore obliged to go in an open boat, in very severe weather, to Hornbeck. Our voyage lasted two days and two nights. From hence we proceeded in sledges, and were twice overset, before we reached Co- penhagen. O that we might praise the Lord ior all His goodness and mercy, shown unto us in the midst of danger. '* * j:5roLher Rose writes from ^avian's Kloof, on Scpietn- ber 21st. i8©i, that, having heard of Brother Staal's arrival at Cape-town, he and Brother Marsveld prepared to go and visit him, but the rivers were so much swollen, and the tor- rentisorapidjthat they were obliged to desist from theirpurpofc. Printed by J. Marfhalf, No, 4, Aldermary Church-Yard^ [ 49 ] Extra5f of the Diary of the Mission among the free Negroes at Bambey iji Surinam. \ T the preaching on New-year's-day, 1798, our church •*- ■*- was pretty well filled with hearers. A strange negroe- woman from a neighbouring village, declared to the assis- tant Andrew, that for a confiderable time past, she had fclt a desire in her heart to come to our church ; but la- boring under a malignant disorder, called Boafli, she had hefitated to make it known, fearing it might not be granted. Andrew, who is in the same situation, appealed to his own person as a proof, that none need be hindered by that dis- order from attending the church, and encouraged her to come. The day following she mentioned her concern to us likewise. Ker request was readily granted, and we ex- horted her, not to suffer others to dissuade her from seek- ing her soul's salvation, which too often succeeds in this country. She paid great attention to all our words, and was quite unreserved in her conversation. Many strange ne- groes were here on a visit, chiefly from the river Marowina ; and the assistants improved every opportunity to declare to them the love of Jesus. On the 19th. our baptized children gave us much pleasure. Placing themselves in the evening in the midst of the road, they sang some verses, and came afterwards into our house to desire us to teach them that new hym.n, which Brother Wiez had lately made, and of which they had heard some verses at the morning-meeting. Accordingly we repeated some new verses, and they ex- pressed a great desire immediately to get them by heart ; which is the more remarkable, as they are naturally slow and indolent. In the sequel, these children came often to Vol. Hi. G us C 5<5 ] lis in the same view ; when we endeavoured more fully t© explain the contents of these verses to them. Having been under the necessity of building a ncw pigeon-house,. the negroes looked at it with much astonish » ment, and one of them expressed his regret, that none of them could work in such a manner. Brother Mehr answer- ed ; that they should only set about it ; for he himself had not been accustomed to such work in his own country. *' Nay," replied the negroes, " those are gifts, which ** God has bestowed upon the Europeans, but not upoa *' the negroes.'* In the beginning of February, our negroes were employ- ed, in fishing and hunting. Of a herd of wild boars, which made its appearance quite near to the village, they killed nineteen. Christian had the misfortune to tread upon a fish in the water^ with two spikes upon its head (a species of the sting-ray) by which he was so much hurt, that it was some weeks before he was thoroughly restored to health. The savages, who were present with him, told him, he was well served, because he spoke so much in favor of his God, and had lately shot an alligator, considered by the negroes to be a divine being. The same Brother met soon afterwards with another affliftion, which he made known to us. His mother-in-law, a heathen, had bedaubed his children with paint, to prevent their going to church : for as painting is considered by the free-negroes as an Obia, or charm, those who come painted to the church, are refused admit- tance, till they have washed themselves. However the old woman did not quite obtain her end ; for the two smallest children washed the paint off" that same day, and came to- the children's meeting. We took this opportunity to tell them, that in these things they were not bound to obey Bian ; and that the next time sh« offered to treat them in the C 5> ] ^smc way, they should tell her, that they were determined to 'be children of God and notto serve Satan. On the 20th a strange negroe, with several women, came hither from the upper country. While we were conversing with them, John Arabini came running, and with great authority, with- out ceremony drove them away from us out of the village. We were quite astonished, and knew not what to think of such conduft, as visitors are always well received. But he afterwards told us, that the above-metitioTtednegroe pro- fessed the art of mixing poison, and boasted that he had already destroyed many people hy it, so that he was every where to be shunned. The above-mentioned woman from a neighbouring village, and another from the same place, who had hitherto frequented our church and given good hopes of their conversion, v/ere in April kept back by the chief man of the village, Grange Moweri, who had absolutely forbidden them to go to church, telling them for their comfort, that as soon as he should be converted and go to church, they should have the same liberty. Soon i^- ter he came hither, .endeavouring to excuse his conduct towards the two women ; but Brother Weiz reprimanded hina seriously for thus disturbing the work of God. This had the desired efFeft, he promised not to lay any thing in their way, and expressly called upon John Arabini to be a witness of his promise, adding, that he was not pleased, that the women had not them,selves asked leave of him ,t|? go to church. About this time Brother Mehr was taken ill, with hoils and the pleurisy. With respeft to the latter complaint Christian soon procured him relief by the application of some herbs, but the former k-ept him awake four days and nights, without his being able to lie down. Ke suffered great pain, until Brother Weiz wa5 enabled to afford him Q 2 surgical t 5^ J surgical assistance. Yet he was so much reduced, that all he could do was to drive the birds from the rice-fields * a necessary work, and at times enough for four or five persons. In the sequel, however, he finished a sugar-pres^. We have planted a considerable portion of land with sugar- canes, which grow here very well ; and we hope in time to be able to boil sugar here too. Having for some time resolved to make a visit to the upper country, and a fa- vorable occasion presenting itself about the end of June, as a company of free-negroes from those parts, who ha4 been visiting here, were about to return. Brother Mehr re- ceived a commission to undertake this visit. The twp assistants, John Arabini and Andrew, were willing to gs> ivith him. They set out June 15th., with the best wishes and prayers of our small negroe congregation, and arrived again here at Bambey, July loth. Of this journey Bro- ther Mehr gives the following account. We were in all five persons. The vessel was small, and carelessly laden, so that immediately on setting out it was half filled with water. After baling the water, and stowing the lading more conveniently, we proceeded. We first landed at the village Bilahatti, where we found about twenty persons sitting together in an open place at din- ner. When we had told them the aim of our visit, they declared their approbation, and listened in silence, while ■we preached to them Jesus, and His grace and love. The Chief of the village, who is both old and lame, assured VIS particularly, that as ?oon as his feet grew better, he would himself come to us, in order to hear m.ore about Jesus. We staid over night at Pratie-creek ; and found here also an opportunity to preach the gospel to a few men and one old woman, who came to our quarters. The 26th, >c dined at Kilimatta with a negro acquaintance, whos^ mother" C 53 ] mother-in-law also loves to hear the gospel. In the after- noon we passed the greatest water-fall on this river, and in ascending it, were obliged to wade up to the middle in water. We slept to-night at a place where only one family lives. The fnistress regretted, that through poverty she was; unable to give us any thing to eat. We took the op- portunity to speak to her on spiritual poverty, and how by faith in Jesus we may become rich towards God. John Arabini spoke to these people with peculiar energy on the love of Jesus, and when at the conclusion they were desired frequently to think of v/hat they had just heard, they all promised to do so: On the 27th. we reached the village Cayenna, and were received there with acclamations of joy. The day following we visited in the houses, and in the evening held a meeting, which was attended by more than thirty people. When I bad done speaking, John and Andrew began, and con- £rmed what I had said, from their own experience. On the 55th. still more hearers attended. Among the rest vras the Chief of the village, a noted Idol-priest. At ^he conclusion of my discourse, in which I had introduced an account of the life, sufferings, and death of Jesus, and of his resurrection and ascension, the priest pronounced in form, that it was for the most part true. Upon this John Arabini replied : It is not only, mostly, but altogether Uwt, and the word of God for your salvation. On the 30th. we could have but little time to ourselves, many coming to us in private, in order to hear more good words : to whom we preached Christ crucified with warmih of heart. In two men and one w^om.an the work of th« Holy Ghost was more especially perceived. They both Rejoiced and were astonished at the gospel, which they de- clared they had never heard with such clearness, adding, that [ 54 ] that they felt it in their very hearts to be the right way to happiness. In general this village, where also a baptized woman, belonging to us, lives, contains many souls, who are concerned for their salvation. These would willingly live at Bambey, but the Chief will not permit them. On this head he was spoken to July ist. by both my compa- nions, but in vain. 1 was meanwhile engaged in profitable conversation with a few women who visited me. On the ad. we passed through Peto-creek, a new village, where we met with one of our baptized and with a candidate for bap- tism, whom we admonished to remain faithful to the Lord. The baptized man said my admonition was very necessary, for they lived, as it were, among ravenous tigers. In the evening we arrived at Nieuwe-crcek, but found this fine village nearly empty; only two houses being inhabited. The other people had retired, for fear of death, as the idol- ])riest had given them warning, that the gods would no longer dwell in this place. One old man who had staid behind expressed his dissatisfaftion with the white people, meaning the government of Surinam, for ceasing to make presents to the free-negroes. Upon this John Arabini an- swered : Why art thou so much concerned about temporal things ? seek those things rather that are eternal ! and on his enquiring where he should seek them ? he preached to him the only Creator and Lord of all things, and the Re- deemer of mankind. He objefted : that the great God had however created the other gods to be worshipped ; and when we were beginning to give him instruction on that head, he returned for answer, that he was sleepy and must now go to-bed. On the 3d. we arrived at Sebunnu-creek, being the last village of the free-negroes. We lodged with J()hn*s daughter, and she greatly rejoiced once more to sec her father. She told us of a disagreement which had lately ariseii [ 55 2 arisen among their friends, and which the Chief had not as yet been able to settle. John undertook the business and held a council on the 4th., in which he heard the com- plaints of both sides, and then pronounced sentence ac- cording to equity. After this, all who had been engaged in the dispute filled their mouths with water, and then spat it out again, to signify that their hearts were now freed from all bitterness. Yet some was probably left behind • for we found not that entrance with the gospel, which we could have wished. However both this and the following day a few attended, who shewed a desire of hearing us. On the 6th. many fishes were caught here, and we also received, as a consideration for our visit, such a quantity, that on our return, we had plenty to eat. Being asked, at taking leave, whether I should soon come back, I in my turn asked, wliether they 'wished to hear the gospel and to become believers ? they all answered, "Yes, ** we do !" On the 8th. we staid at Cayenna, intending, as it wa*, Sunday, to speak to the people. But they were disperse:! in their plantations ; and when they came home in the even- ing, and we announced our intentioji, it was frustrated by a disagreement, which had arisen amonff some of them ; many choosing rather to be witnesses of the quar- rel, than to come to hear the gospel, so that only four at- tended, to whom, we spoke of the dying love and merits of Jesus. On the 9th., as we were sailing briskly down a small ca- tara6l, our boat struck against a rock : but though the wa- ter was very deep at the place where the accident happened, yet, by the preservation of God, we received no damage. On the 10th. we arrived in safety at Bambey, thankiul to the Lord, for having owned us his poor servants, and hope, i 66 1 hope, that, through his grace, this visit will not be quite unproduftivc. /uly 8th. Christian, in the meeting of the new-comers and candidates for baptism, (the greater part of the baptized being also present) spoke with simplicity and feeling con- cerning the experience of the power of Jesus' blood ; and how every one who sincerely wished for it, might receive from our Saviour grace, and deliverance from all sin, and already here, live a happy and comfortable life in communion with Him ; of w^hich he himself was a living example. To this he added a variety of useful admonitions, which were received by his heareis in love. In August Brother Weitz visited Paramaribo, and re- turned at the end of six weeks. In October we were engaged in repairing our house, of wliich we made the front and back walls, and one gable-end of palm-leaves. As these leaves are full of prickles, which must first be removed in the woods, before they can be laid hold of and brought home ; the work goes on but slowly. But it need not be often repeated : for these walls will last from ten to twelve years. November 2d, many fishes were taken ; cdn- siderably more than an hundred men being employed. To preserve them, they dry them at a fire and by smoke^ w hich indeed keeps them from putrifying, and from worms, but not from a kind of mill-dew or small insefts, which gnaw their way through every part of them., and thus devour them. In our last Diary we desciibsd the manner of fifhincr, by means of a species of poisonous wood, pre- viously beaten. By this process indeed many fishes are taken ; but great numbers are also destro)ed to no purpose, as probably all the young fry in tlie neighbourhood perish ; as we have frequently observed, that the year following such a destruftive capture has been remarkably unpro- duBive in the article of fish. On C 57 1 On the 4th., we had a conference with the assistants, some circum^stances having occurred which required our in- terference. Their coanexions. (mafiy of their relations being yet heathen,) sometimes bring them into situations dangerous to their souls ; and often, while from real faith- fulness they wifli do good among them, they miss their end, and produce mischief. They were in this point of view earnestly but lovingly reminded of the words of our Saviour, "Let the dead bury their dead." They owned their mistakes; and begged us to continue our faithful ad- vice. December i8th., we had a troublesome day. About midnight a heathen negroe came to Brother Mehr, waked Jiim, and asked for a little snufF, to give to a man of some consequence, who had fallen into a fit. But the remedy was of no avail, and the man died the following morning in the village ; and as a child died at the same time, the noise ahd howling for the dead became excessive. The child was buried the same day ; but the corpse of the man was suffered to remain till the day following, because many people were to be invited from other villages, to bear a part in the funeral ceremony. When Brother Mehr visited the men who were making the coffin, he found them engaged in conversation, how unfortunate it was, when death came upon one so un- expeftedly, as in the case of the deceased. Upon this the assistant, Christian, replied : " I am not afraid of death, should it even come to-day : for I know, that my soul will go to Jesus Christ, my Saviour." A heathen, who has long been uneasy, but has not yet come to the serious determi- nation to be converted, replied : " Represent to yourself a man, who wishes to go the Strait road, but is prevented by a tree which stands in his way, and obliges him to take a rough and thorny path." ** If he h in earnest," replied Brother Mehr, ** he may remove the tree, and thus clear Vol, III ' H tl^e C 58 J the way which he wishes to go." By the tree the negroc meant the hindrances laid in his way by his relations. On the two Christmas-holidays we had but few new people in our meetings, because the funeral rites for the above-men. tioned deceased person still continued. Yet notwithstanding the noise from without, we commemorated the memorial of theBirthof our Saviour, with blessing. Concerning the year now concluded, we'may in general observe ; that the Lord hath graciously been present with us, both at our family- meetings, and the public preaching of the gospel. He has supported our courage ; though we have often been con- cerned about this mission and the slow progress made in it, especially when we compared it with other missions of the Brethren, where the blessing of the gospel spreads so abun- dantly. We can say with truth however of our people, that they continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and in self-knowledge. This is more espe- cially the case with our assistant Brethren and Sisters, with whom we stand in cordial connexion. In regard to our youth, the children of our baptized, we have reason to hope, that they will prosper for our Saviour. They have the peculiar privilege to be preserved from the abomina- tions of the heathen, and thereby to escape many hindrances in the way of those, who have grown up in heathenish customs, and superstitious observances. 1 he Missionaries have this year been occasionally very ill ; yet able to do their duty uninterruptedly. For our external support, the Lord has also faithfully cared, and though we have missed many a refreshment, v^^hich would have strcngtliened our feeble bodies, yet we have suffered no real want. In this year two persons have been admitted to the Holy Communion, and one child has been baptized. At the conclusion of the year the congregation of free-negroes CQasisfed [ 59 ] consisted of seventeen communicants, nine baptized adults eight candidates for 'baptism, and nine baptized children. In all forty-three persons, besides new people. 1799. January 1st, such a silence prevailed in the village, as we had never yet known on this day. We could therefore for once cele'brate it in peace. The cause of this unusual stillness, was partly the death of a principal leader in their amusements, partly the present scarcity of gun- powder. In these days Brother Weiz finished copying and revising the hymn-book in the language of the Surinam negroes, having also enlarged it, by adding a considerable number of new verses ; and now began to revise the transla- tion of th€ four gospels, our manuscript copy having be- come by length of time, and frequent use, almost illegible. At a m.eeting on Epiphany, some women from Mattawarri on the Sarameca, were present, and attentive. One of these women is Ruler, or Lady, of the above-named place; the rest not being able to agree with her, had fled thence to this neigbourhood, as their husbands live on the Surinam. The lady now required, that these women should be giveii up to her ; as no woman, according to the customs of the free-negroes^ is to leave the place of her residence for the sake of her husband. In order to settle this dispute, John Arabini held a council on the 10th,, in which the debates continued from morning till night. As at the conclusion ihe three fugitives declared, they would rather die than surrender themselves : they were no farther troubled about returning, and the lady was under the necessity of return- ing home, without having succeeded. In February a ne- groe came from the Upper Country to Brother Wiez, beg- ging earnestly for a visit in tho.se parts, and that a Missionary juight live there : as the inhabitants were hungering after H 2 the [ 6o ] the gospel, and ready to receive it ; but they knew not how to come through without teachers. Brother Wiez answer- ed : that he could not believe that they longed so much for the gospel, as for the external advantages which they hoped to de- rive from us ; lie had too much reason to doubt their sin- cerity ; especially when he observed their disposition to beg, and to gei possession of whatever they sav/ among us. When the negroe again assured him, that they really longed for the word of God, he was advised to have a little pa- tience : at present we were too few in number : but as soon as circumstances would permit, one of us should corne and visit them, March 4th., the assistant Andrew brought us the joyful news, that a sick negroe-woman was deeply concerned for her salvation, and begged that Brother Wiez would visit her. He went immediately to her, and found her full of sorrow and penitence on account of her sins. After she had confessed them with deep humility, Brother Wiez preached to her with a warm heart the gre^t love of Jesus to sinners, re- ferring her to the example of the thief on the cross. Upon this she exclaimed: Othat God would but show the same mercy to me also ! On the 5th. Sister Wiez came to the patient, and found !her quite comforted. She said, that since the visit of yesterday, her heart had been greatly relieved, and she could now believe that our Saviour had forgiven her all her sins. She then exhorted her two adult daughters to give up their hearts entirely to Him, and made them promise, in future to frequent our church, and to continue to do so, as long as they lived ; which promise they made rather reluc- tantly, but with tears in their eyes. The patient also put away from her person every thing belonging to idolatry and sorcery, that they might not, according to her own .express sion^ C 6« ] s.ion, stop up the way between her and God. She warned her children also against that idolatry, to which she had her- self been so long addifted, and by which the devil had deceived her ; and exhorted them on the contrary, to seek the way to the true God, with whom alone help was to be found, &:c. Our assistants visited her often, and expressed great joy at the grace which the Lord had shown to this soul. Rebecca ivas day and night with her. And the patient having repeatedly declared to them, how much she longed to be baptized ; John was direfted by us to visit and speak solidly with her on that head, [after which, we could no longer refuse to grant her request. Accordingly, on the 6th., she was baptized into the death of Jesus, and called Mary, in the presence of all the Missionaries, and the greater part of the negroe.con- gregation. Great silence and attention prevailed on this occasion, and the answers given by the sick person, though she was already much reduced in strength, could be dis- tin£lly heard. Being asked : "Do you believe, that Jesus Christ, by his death, has procured also for you the forgive- ness of sins, and eternal life and happiness?" she answered in so feeling, sincere, [and energetic a manner, that all pre- sent were much afFefted, and many tears were shed. After the baptism was over. Brother Wiez turned to the heathen, w^ho were standing without doors, and had lieard all that passed, and g;:ve them a short and serious exhortation, to emlpoy well the time of their visitation, and not to persist any longer in indifference towards God and His word. The newly baptized woman declared, that she now wished immediately to depart and be with our Saviour. Her for- mer name was Domossi. She is the widow of our late Bro- ther Simon Janki, who departed happily at Quama in tlie year 1774. He was the first Surinam free-negroe who de- parted in reliance upon the merits of Jesus. On the 7th. Sister C 62 3 Sister Wiez visited the patient again, but found her so weak, that she could not speak much. Being encouraged to cleave close to the Lord, she replied : " I do." At a second visit in the evening, she could no longer speak, and was in great pain. Being reminded, how great pain our Saviour had endured on our account, she signified bv her looks, that she understood what was said. On the 9th. the hour of her dissolution arrived. We im- mediately got John Arabini to request of her family, to let the corpse remain with us ; but they begged that we would suffer it to stay with them over night, promising to make use of no heathenish ceremomies on the occcasion. On the 10th. in the forenoon the corpse was borne by some Brethren into our church, and at four in the afternoon was the interment; at which Brother Wiez delivered a dis- course from the words: The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life. The hearers could not all find room in the church, .but many were obliged to stand with- out. They were all still and attentive; and at the funeral itself every thing went on in good order, which we mention, because it is unusual. The whole occurrence not only made a good impression on the negroe-congregation, but had also a happy effeQ upon a heathen, the mother of Chris^ tian, of which she gave an account after the baptism, first to him, and afterwards also to us. She said she was now con-? vinced, that we taught the true way to happiness ; and that she, like her son, would walk in it, lest she should be lost j and she entreated the great God to wash her from her sins. At the same time she begged leave to come to church, which was readily granted her. The 21st. Christian brought us the account that David, a negroe who had been excluded, lay very ill of the pleurisy, at about an hour's distance ; and as we could not visit him the next day, which was Good- Friday, C 63 3 Friday, be was brought hither on the 23d., early in the inornirig. H knew us, folded his hands, as if he would have prayed, but could not speak. With sorrowful hearts and tears in our eyes, we commended this poor soul, now in the agonies of. death, to the grace of the faithful friend of sinners, and an hour afterwards, he departed this life. This was a very painful event to us. The deceased was a son of our old Brotherjoshua, who, even before he himself belonged to us, had given him into the care and instruction of the late Brother Rudolph Stoll. In the sequel he sought and found grace through the merits of Jesus, and was admitted to holy baptism and to the Lord's Supper; but not being faithful to the grace received, he fell into deviations, and would not hearken to our entreaties and representations: we were therefore under the necessity of excluding him from the Lord's Supper. Yet he remained uneasy in his mind, considered several misfortunes which bcfel him,,' as a punishment for his sins against the Lord and the congre- gation, and as often as he was here never missed any public meeting. Towards us he was always submissive, and as wc could clearly discern the uneasiness of his heart, he was so much the more an objecl of our compassion. In his lase illness, the negroe-brethren visited him frequently, and di- refted him to that Saviour, who has compasssion even upon the disobedient and backsliding, when they again seek His face. The assistant, Christian, his former school-com- panion, was more especially attentive to him, to whom he confessed his sins with pain and sorrow. The day before his departure, he said to the above-named Brother: my mouth cannot fpeak much : but my heart cries to God my Saviour. This occurrence gave us an opportunity of de- claring salvation in Jesus with confidence to several souls, and to introduce many an useful exhortation, concerning the C 64 ] the faithful employment ot the day of our visitation, ancf we trust, not in vain. In April most of our negroes dispersed into their plan- tations, but came however now and then to Aurch. And we also were employed during that time in gathering in the fruits of the eatrh. First we reaped our Indian-corn,- then Coffee, which this year was uncommonly plentiful, afterwards Tonka-beans, and lastly Rice. Of all these em-^ ployments, the gathering of Tonka-beans is the most trou- blesome ; and attended with some danger. For it must be clpne in the midst of thick woods, where, in the long rainy season, it is very easy to contraft disorders from the moisture and impure vapors. Besides the most constant care is re- quisite to avoid being vv^ounded by serpents and scorpions. On account of the former, it is not easy to walk many steps, without a sword or hanger. These serpents, some of which are mortally venemous, are often so concealed, that in ga- thering the fruits of the earth, we are near laying hold of them Avith our hands ; and are glad to discover them in time, to avoid touching them. In the course of the present har- vest, we killed eight serpents of various kinds. Toward the end of June, all our people being again at home, they were spoken with individually, as were also the children. In the Missions' conference, which was afterwards held, we came to the resolution, that next prayer-day ayouthfhould be received arrtong the candidates for the holy communion, an adult among the candidates for baptism, and a negroe-woman iixty year of age should be baptized. JOHN MEHR. LEWIS WIEZ. EXTRACT [ ^3 ] EXTRACTS or REPORTS and LETTERS JF7'om the Brethren s Society for the Propagation of the Gofpel in North-America. Dated August 21st., 1801. 1. ^Fairfield in Upper Canada. TNour former report, we informed you that it had pleased •^ the Lord to call into His eternal joy our much-beloved Brother Gottlob Senseman, hitherto first Missionary at Fairfield. Our Brethren there requested to receive assist- ance as soon as possible, and shortly after, they had the pleasure to welcome Brother Christopher Frederic Denke, who arrived there August 29th., i8co, after a short passage of only a fortnight, from Goshen on the Muskingum. They write as follows ; " Both we and our Indian congre- ** gation received him as out of the hand of God, and as a " token that He does not forget us, but by His gracious *'^ providence sent us help when most v/anted. How great ** will be our joy, should he soon be able to accomplish the " work he is more particularly destined for, namely, to *' bring the gospel to the Chippeway nation ; and O that '• many of these poor ignorant heathen might become the ** reward of the travail of Christ's Soul. *' The letters he brought with him afforded the most en. ** coura26 ] We thank you, dear Brethren, for fending us the Num- bers of the Periodical Accounts, and beg you to continue to do fo. We find them alfo ufeful in our endeavors to learn the Englifh language. We have great caufe to thank God for. what he has be- Jowed upon us, as to the outward concerns of the miflion, and truft he will grant us in future alfo the heedful fupply. for its fupport. We are willing, on our part, to do what we can to render our maintenance here as eafy as pofTible. to you ; for we did not come hither to ferve ourfelve?, but the Lord has called us to fpend and be fpent for him. However our chief employ is and remains, to preach the gofpel of our crucified Redeemer to the Efquimaux na- tion, and we can affure you, that we are fincerely intent upon improving every opportunity to" fpeak to them both in public and private, of the only way of life and falvation. We lament that the converfibn of the Efquimaux proceeds fo flow, but we will not lofe courage. Pray for us, dear Brethren, that we may always have our Savior's fupport ia every thing we have to do in His name. Permit us ftill to add a few words concerning the help we want at Okkak. Various circumftances require, that there fliould be three married couple and two fingle Bre- thren at Okkah, but you will perceive that after all we have received no additional afliftance, and the Sifters efpecially have a hard fervice at prefent : there being but two to ma- nage the houfe-keeping, and if one is ailing, the other mull do every thing. We therefore entreat you to take further fteps that we may be fupplied with the above-mentioned number, efpecially ss the Sillers receive no help from the Efquimaux. To hear of the continuation of the war gave us no fmall uneafmefs, efpecially as many of our Brethren and Sifters- in Germany have experienced its difaftrous effects ; though indeed [ 127 1 indeed they have been wonderfully preferved, by the mercy^ of our Savior, from all bodily harm. May He foon grant peace to the nations, and till then, continue to proteft all thofe who are in diftrefs or danger. We efpecially commend to him the Harmony and the dear company on board on her return to England. We are alTured, dear Brethren, that your prayers always attend us, and we commend both ourfelves and our Efqui- maux to your future loving remembrance. May the Lord grant them firm faith and a fure confid«nce in His mercy. We pray him to blefs and fupport you, and defire each of you to accept our moft cordial falutations. In His com- munion and peace we remain your moft faithful Brethren and Sifters ferving the Miffion at Okkak. Benjamin Kohlmeister. Signed James Rhodes, John Hasting* From Nain, dated Jugiijl 26tk, 1797. Dear Brethren, YOUR kind letter of May 29th laft, we received from Okkak on the 4th of Auguft, and on the i6th had the pleafure to fee the Harmony come to an anchor in our bay. Brother NifTen and his wife, and the fmgle Brethren Reiman and Kmoch from Europe, alfo the fingle Brother James Rhodes, and the widow Sifter Branagin, the two latter on t-Iieir return home arrived in her. We all joined in offer- ing praifes and thankfgiving to our ever faithful and graci- ous God and Savior, for his merciful proteftion, in again conducing the veffel fafe to and fro. Mi^ht we always be truly C »8 3 truly fenfible of this great favor, that now for twenty-fix years no interruption whatever has happened in the com- munication between the Miflionaries on this coaft and our Brethren in Europe, through the gracious Providence of qur heavenly Father ; who particularly in thefe dreadful times of war and danger, preferves the fhip and company from all harm. We were not made acquainted with the danger which approached fo near to us laft autumn, till during the prefent fummer, when an Efquimaux boat arriving from the fouth brought an account, that a French fquadron had come to Chateau bay and burnt that fettlement ; after having com- mitted various depredations on the coaft of Newfoundland. We firft doubted the truth of it, but found it confirmed by the receipt of your letter. O that the Lord, the Prince of Peace, might foon be pleafed to grant peace to your coun- try, and to all nations, for which we alfo offer up our moft -fervent prayers. But to return to your letter, we can affure you, that our hearts were greatly comforted and ftrengthened by the kind affurances it contained of the continuation of your love, and of the (hare you take in all our circumftances. We acknowledge alfo, dear Brethren, with great grati- tude, the liberality with which you have again provided for all our wants and outward fubfiftence. We cannot make any recompenfe, but pray the Lord to blefs and reward you for it, and often include in thefe our fuppli ca- tions, thofe dear friends, who, though not belonging to our particular church-denomination, are built together with us upon the fame foundation of hope and faith in Jefus, and take fuch aftive fhare in the promotion of the caufe of God in the earth, efpecially in this country. May He him- felf be their everlafting portion. It afforded us inexpref- lible fatisfa€lion this year to receive that fupply of afTiftants from C •129 ] from Europe, for which we have been fo long looking with earneft expeftation ; and we cannot omit returning to you, dear Brethren, our moft unfeigned thanks for all the kind- nefs and care you have fhewed unto them, during their ftay in London. Our joy in feeing them fafely landed on our coaft cannot be defcribed in words. Brother Niffen and his wife, and the fingle Brother Kmoch will rthde here for the prefent. Brother Schmidt at Okkak, and Brother Rei- man at Hopedale. Brother Suen Anderfen will come to us, and Brother Schmidtman with his wife aad child will go to Hopedale, We will now mention a few particulars relating to the courfe of our Efquimaux lince our laft report. You will indeed receive a copy of our diary, and there fee every thing in detail, but we cannot omit inferting a fhort furn- mary in this letter. We had lafl winter one of the moft trying feafons we have ever experienced in Labrador, chiefly on account of a violent epidemical diforder, which raged am^ong the Ef- quimaux. Already in the beginning of Decem^ber 1796, an infeftious fever and^pleurify m.ade its appearance. This continued till in March 1797. Young and old were feized with it, but it was a providential cnxumftance, that it did not attack all at one time, but only a few, and then pafTed on to others, while the firft were recovering. The cold was exceflively fevere, and the men were prevented by fick- nefs from going to fea in queft of provifions. Some who ventured out too foon after their recovery, got a relapfe, « their fmall ftock laid up for the winter was foon confumed, and they were threatened with famine. It may eafily be fuppofed, that their manner of living prevented their re- covering faft, and two of our communicants, Daniel and SolomoH, departed this life on the occafion. Vol. IL S Their [ 13® ] Their internal courfe was truly pleafing till the epidemi- cal diforder was at its height. They attended the meet- ings in the beginning of the winter with diligence and bleffing, and a new awakening feemed to take place among them. But after they were all taken ill, one after the other, we were obliged in January to leave off meeting them in the chapel ; and w^hen now and then we met, the few who could attend were fo much difturbed by coughing, that hardly a word could be underftood. This lafted near two months. Some of the Efquimaux were alfo feduced during this period, to take refuge to the old vain and ridiculous praftices of the forcerers, if the medicines we adminiftered to them had not immediately the defired efFeft. Samuel's family particularly were guilty of thefe pra6lices, and alfo fuffered moft by the diforder. Before his illnefs he had been in a hopeful way, and it cannot be denied that there was a vvork of God upon his heart. In January he went to Hopedale and caught the infeftion, and returning in ex- ceffive cold weather, his diforder rofeto an alarmiing height. He got a rheumatic pain in his head and no medicines were of any ufe. The exceflive pain he endured made him feek relief from the forcerers'^, and twice he threatened to lay violent hands on himfelf. Thefe circumflances had a dif- agreeable efFeft on the minds of his mother, wife, and bro- thers, and they fuffered damage in their fouls. Towards the end of July he recovered, and went with his family into the inland country to hunt rain-deer. We muft now wait and fee how their fituation will be on their return. * Thefe men pretend to great medical fkill, and accom- pany their applications with ridiculous grimaces and an affec- tation of iufpiratigti Affa's, C >3» 3 Ada's, Daniel's, Serkoak's, and William's families re- mained firm in their reliance upon the help of our Savior, and were not feduced to any thing repugnant to the golpel. William (Tuglavina) more efpecially, and alfo his wife continue firm in their love and confidence to our Savior and give us much pleafure. Serkoak and his wife, w! > are candidates for baptifm, lived in William's houfe, and were much edified by their walk and converfation. They feem to have taken a firm refolution to turn to Jefus. Three adults and three children have been baptized laft year. Of the latter, two boys are twins. Of the firft, one was a woman, who was baptized four days before her de- parture, at her earneft requeft. The other two are young men, John, the late Daniel's fon, and Jofliua, Samuel's brother. The heathen living in our neighbourhood, have as yet but little inclination to receive the gofpel and to be freed from the chains and fetters of Satan by the blood of Jefus, which he (hed for the remiflion of fin. This however we may fay of moft of them, that in converfing with them about their foul's falvation, it is evident that they teel un- qafy, and acknowledge the neceffity of converfion of heart, if they would be happy here and hereafter. 1 hev alfo fuf- fered much by the epidemical diforder, and five of them departed this life, O that the Lord would foon open thefe blind eyes, that they might turn from darknefs unto light, and from the power of Satan unto the living God, ?.nd ob- tain pardon and peace. Dear Brethren ! continue cis hither- to you have done, to implore Him, to whom all power is given in heaven and on earth, and whofe precious blood is able to deliver all fouls held in bondage by the devil, that he would exert his almighty power in behalf of this poor people. We alfo beg an intereft in the prayers of all levers of Jefus, and well-wilhers to his caufe, in every de- S s nominatiQiij [ «S2 ] nomination, that the kingdom of God may come and prof- per even here in Labrador, and Satan's kingdom be deftroy- ed. As for us, who ferve the caufe of our bleffed Savior in this country in much weaknefs and poverty of fpirit, we confiderourfelves only as direftingpofts put up on the road- fide, pointing out to the weary traveller, which road will bring him fooneft and with the greateft fafety to his jour- ney's end. For it is God alone who can open the hearts of men, and melt and break down the moft obdurate and itubborn. To fay a fev/ words more concerning ourfelves, we will add, that we are deeply bowed with humble thanks to our merci- ful Savior, when we confider, that amidft all the above- mentioned trials, he gracioufly led, comforted and ftrength- cned us, and owned us as his children. He alfo preferved us in the fpirit of true brotherly love and peace, granted us health and flrength, and even when we had to endure our fhare of the general epidemical diforder, we were fo much fpared, that no one was confined to his bed. As to frelh provifions, Vv^e acknowledge with thanks the fupply you fent us lafl year, the more as we never knew partridges (rieper) and rain-deer fo fcarce as they have been this feafon. Having now received more hands, we fliall beo-in to do all in our power to complete the neceffary building of a new Miffion-houfe, though we hardly expeft to finilli it in 1798. To conclude, we repeat our wifh and prayer, that our Lord may fafely conduct the fiiip and company to you, and preferve them from all harm. Continue to remember us in Jove and in your prayers, as Your affeftionate and faithful Brethren and Sillers ferving the Million at Nain. Christopher Fred. Burckhardt, Signed Stephan Jensen, GjSORGE SCHMIDTMAN. ^ ( 133 ) From Hopedale, dated September i8//z, 1797. Dear Brethren, E were filled with the moft lively fenfations of joy w when on the 16th of Auguft, we received the pleaf- ing intelligence from Nain, that the Harmony had arrived fafe at Okkak, July 27th. We received by the fame op- portunity your kind letter of May 29th, brought by Titus. Often hav,e we felt anxiety when we confidered the dangers the Harmony has to encounter in thefe troublefome times, in paffing to and fro between you and us, and we all joined in praife and thankfgiving to our merciful Savior, who preferved this fhip and company on her paflage home lall autumn, and now conduced her again fafe to us, with one married couple and three fmgle Brethren on board, fent to aflift us in His work in this country. They have all re- ceived their particular deftination, and Brother Reim.an is come to live with us. As Brother Beck will go from hence to Europe, Brother Schmidtman from Nain arrived with the Harmony to fupply his place, as alfo Brother James Rhodes, who will return to England after a fervice of twenty-fix years in the Miffion in Labrador. The widow Sifter Branagin from Okkak, had likewife intended to re- turn to Europe, and had come with the fhip as far as Nain, but being there taken ill, fhe could not proceed, and fhortly after the Harmony had left the bay of Nain, a kajak was fent after her, to inform our Brethren, that it had pleafed the Lord to take her home to eternal reft. Brother Suen Anderfen availed himfelf of Titus's boat to go from hence to Nain, where he will refide for the prefent. He has ferved the Miffion at Hopedale for fourteen years fucceffively with great faithfulnefs, and deferves our warm- eft thanks fpr all his labors of love. We commend our dear Brother Brother and Siller Beck, and their daughter Louifa, whom they intend to place in one of our fchools in Germany, to your kind care. Brother Beck has ferved the Labrador Miffion twenty-four, and his wife twenty-two years, halv- ing refided in all the three fettlements, and rendered wiU ling and faithful fervices to each in various ways, for which we pray the Lord to reward and blefs them abun- dantly. We perceive by your letters, that nothing gave you fa much pleafure in perufing our report of the lall feafon, as. the increafe in grace which had been evident in our fmall Elquimaux congregation, and we are happy to be able to inform you again, that our Savior has mercifully prcferved them in the way of life and happinefs, fo that not one has deviated again into heathenifm, and, as far as we can judge, the enemy has not been able in any wife to deflroy the good work v/ithin them. Our daily fervent prayer to God our Savior is, that He would not fufFer any one to pluck them out of his hand, but caufe them all to be more firmly rooted and grounded upon him, learn to know him better every day as an ali-fufucient Savior, and grow in grace and ipiritual wifdom. A widow woman was laft year admitted to the Holy Sacrament, but we have had no baptifms, nei^ ther of adults nor children. The fame epidemical diforder mentioned in the letters from Nain, and Okkak, raged here with violence laft winter. Its fymptoms were chiefly a violent cough and running at the nofe, -with great fever-heat. Not one perfon on our premifes efcaped, even all of us Europeans had our fhare, yet not in the fame degree as the poor Efquimaux. How- ever in no inftance it proved mortal, and they all are now, thanks to God, recovered. During this period, we had much to do, in vifiting the fick and adminiflering medicine. When an Efquimaux is taken ill, he expefts an inHantane- [ 135 ] oils cure from the means ufed, and that man would be deemed truly great among them who could perform won* ders, fpeak them well with a word, or at leaft prevent them from dying. But when they perceive that the ufual medicines are flow in their operation, they feel a great in- clination to try the old way, and are apt to place much confidence in the mutterings and woeful grimaces of the forcerers. We always direft them in every illnefs, to turn with confidence to tlie Lord their only healer, to pray him to blefs the means ufed for their recovery and to truft to his mercy at all events. Their fears at the thoughts of death are deeply rivetted and fhew themfelves even in the believers at the beginning of any dangerous illnefs, but when death really approaches, the latter are fo refigned and willing to depart and be with Chrift, that we cannot but be allonifhed at the change. Laft winter an old widow, mother to Jofhua, Kapik and Jacob, about ninety years of age, died on our premifes. She was to the laft unwilling to hear and receive the gofpel. There were three winter-houfcs on our land inhabited by forty-four fouls. Two Efquimaux families w^ere here as vifitors, one belonging to Nain, and the other to Okkak. At Arvertok were three winter-houfes, inhabited by forty- fix perfons. For after the Flarmony had left us laft year, two boats arrived from the South, with Jolhua, Nakfuks and Niakungetok's families on board : Okumailinek's family had a houfe of their own. Of ourfelves we can truly fay, that by our Lord's mercy we have lived in peace, and that brotherly love bore the fway amongft us. We have fpent the year agreeably, and in the enjoyment of the grace and prefence of our Savior, which we often felt in a particular manner. May he form us [ '36 ] US more and more according to His mind, and give a blef- fing to our weak teftimony oi his blood-lhedding and death, that the word of the crofs may penetrate into the hearts oi the Efquimaux and bring forth good fruit. O that their hearts might burn more in love towards their P.edeemer, and their walk and converfation be more to his honor. This is our conftant prayer. Excepting the epidemical diforder beforementioned, our Savior has preferved us all in good health and fpirits. Sifter Wolf, whom you will re- member, by our laft year's report to have been very poorly, has greatly recovered, though fhe retains a weaknefs in her hands. The aged widow Sifter Schneider was for the greateft part of laft winter, and more particularly from the middle of April to the 13th of Auguft, confined to her bed on account of great weaknefs and a conftant fwimming in her head, and we all expefted that fhe would then have departed this life. But ihe has now recovered a little, fmce fhe has been able to get up and enjoy the frefh air. Her former painful diforder feems entirely removed, and we fuppofe that flie will gradually grow weaker, and be gently tranflated into the kingdom of our Savior above. You have confirmed in your letter what we had already heard on the firft of July by two boats from the South, namely, that the enemy had endeavored to commit depre- dations on the coaft of Labrador. The Efquimaux re- lated, that three French fnips had arrived, and demoliflied the fettlement at Chateau bay, and burnt Mr. Benzen's fifhery and houfes, all the Europeans having fled. H[ow- ever it does not feem to have deterred the Efquimaux from going to the South. Three fhallops went thither this fummer. Auguft 11th, a fliallop arrived from the South with three families on board, who intend to fpend the winter with Kapik C 137 ] Kapik at Arvertok. They left four boats with Efqulmaux farther South, who mean to flay at Keppokak, where more Europeans, are cxpeQed. Two Englifhmen mean to fettle nearer to us, in the bay of Kangerdluarfukfoak. What may be the confequences we cannot tell, but you will be aftonifhed to hear, that an Englifhman, William Watfon, arrived here on, the 25th of January, when the cold was fo intenfe, that Fahrenheit's Thermometer was 34 dea;rees be- low o. He flaid here three days, and defired us to let him have all manner of ftores, fuch as beef, pork, bifcuit, but- ter, molaffes, and tobacco. But we were obliged to tell him, that we had barely fufficient for our own confumptlon, and in cafe of accident in thefe times of war, might come into diftrefs ourfelves, and therefore could not ferve him. During his ftay we fiiowed him all kindnefs and attention. Three Europeans lived laft winter at Keppokak, three at Marrovik, and one at Allavik. Two of them have married Efquimaux women. Now may our gracious heavenly Father conduft the fliip and company fafe back to you. Accept of our moft cordial thanks for your kind care of us, and that you have from year to year fupplied us fo bountifully with all the necefTaries of life, and even in thefe dear times have not in the leaft dedufted from your liberality. And what great caufe have not all of us to be thankful for the aftonifhing mercy of our Lord in preferving the Harmony fafe, and fcreening her from every accident, fo that our connexion has now remained uninterrupted for more than twenty-fix years. We firmly truft that He will alfo this time, and in future, do the fame. We have received every article, mentioned in your lift, fafe and without any damage, and may our Lord reward you and all our friends and welUwilhers in the moft graciou* manner. Accept our cordial falutatigas, snd never ceafe Vol. n. T \9 [ >3S ] to pray for us, your poor Brethren, joined to you in the fellowship of our Lord Jefus Chrift. Signed John Christopher Wolf, John William Reiman. N. B. The Harmony left Hopedale on the 22d of Sep- tember, and reached Stromnefs in the Orknies on the loth of Oftober atter a fafe and expeditious voyage of eighteen days. Here they found the Apollo frigate of 44 guns. Captain Manley, deftined to convoy the Hudfon Bay fhips home. Two of the latter arrived on the nth at Stromnefs, but the third being yet miffing and not arriving before the e^th, the Apollo failed in queft of her, and after fome days fell in with a Ffench frigate cruizing for the Hudfon's Bay fhips, which fhe attacked and compelled to ftrike. The Har- mony had difcovered this frigate fome days previous to her ar- rival at Stromnefs -in a moon-light night, fome miles diftant to the South, and we confider it as a merciful interference of God's providence that flie was not perceived by the ene- my and captured. During the Apollo's abfence the third fhip arrived, and on the 23d of November the whole con- voy left Stromnefs and reached the Thames in fafety. Our Miffionaries were very kindly received at Strom- nefs by a gentleman belonging to the Edinburgh Mifhonary Society, who took every opportunity of converfing with them, and introducing them to his friends. He alfo pre- fented them with a copy of all the numbers of the Miflio- fiary Magazine publilhed by the Reverend Mr. Ewing of Edinburgh, by the perufal of which they were much pleafed and edified during the voyage home. Captain Manly of the Apollo honored them with a vifit ■;id fliewed them every mark of attention, Extrad [ 139 3 Extra5i of a Letter from Brother Chrifliah Lifter, Mijfionary in Jamaica. CarmeU September 19M, 1797. " T BEG you to acquaint the Brethren's Society for the ■■- Furtherance of the Gofpel, of the fafe arrival of our new afTiftant, Brother Nathanael Brown and his wife from North America. The following occurrences in their paf- fage from Philadelphia hither, deferve notice. On the 19th of June laft they left Philadelphia, and had a tedious paflage, owing 10 conliant calms. July 25th, they were quite near the Mole, but before they could get in, were taken by a French privateer and carried to Jean Rabel in Hifpaniola. Here they remained prifoners till the 6th of Auguft. The French treated them well, fearched their goods and papers, but took nothing of any confequence from them. At laft by means of an American gentleman, they obtained a paffpprt from the Governor, and on the 7th of Auguft failed with an American brig (which was engaged as a flag of truce) for the Mole, where they arrived in a few hours. But here they had to wait till the 25th of Auguft for a paf- fac-e to lamaica. Thev then failed under convoy with feveral veffels to Port Morant, where they arrived Auguft Qift. September 4th, they left Port Morant and reached Kingfton in a few hours. On their arrival Brother Brown wrote me a letter, requefting that I would contrive fome conveyance for them by land, as he felt great unwilling- nefs to go to fea again. I therefore refolved to go myfelf and fetch them, and arrived ou the 12th early at Kingfton, where I found them both well in health* They had met with many good friends among the Methodifts, who lodged them and me, and flaowed great attention and true brotherly T 2 love [ M» 3 love towards us. They have here a large chapel, which is frequently crowded. The Reverend Mr. Fifh, the Me- thodift minifter, treated us with great kindnefs and preffed us to ilay longer with them. May the Lord reward thefe good people and grant that their labors may be at- tended witli his blefTmg and crowned with fuccefs. We left Kingfton on the 14th, and arrived fafe at Carmel on the 16th, where we all united in thanks and praife to God our Savior, for having brought Brother Brown and his wife fafe to us, after fo many dangers and troubles. They join with us and Brother Howel, who is here on a vifit, in cordial love to all our Brethren and friends in Europe.'* E^traH of a Letter from Brother John Frederic Reichel at Grace- bay in Anrigua, to the Secretary of the Society^ ^c, dated O^ober gth, 1797. *' T WILL endeavor to anfwer your enquiries concern- •^ ing this new fettlement, as well as I can. We moved hither from St. John's about the beginning of February. Old Road Town is about twelve miles from St. John's, and lies on the South fide of the ifland near the fea. It is furrounded by high hills and is faid to be a healthy fpot. The town fo-called is very fmall and hardly deferves the name, confifting only of a few houfes, all out of repair, and a few ftores or warehoufes for the ufe of the neigh- boring eftates, to depofit rum and fugar before it is fhipped off. No white people live here now befides ourfelves, the former white inhabitants having moved to St. John's, as the trade of the ifland is carried on there, on account of its good harbor. The inhabitants here confifl of one mulatto family and fome old negroes ferving as watchmen to the ilores. The C Ml 1 The two houfes purchafed by us were in a moft ruinous ftate, furroundcd with thorn buflies, and full of noxious in- fers. Till the dwelling-houfes were finifhed, in May laft, we lodged in that which is now fitted up for the church. This was an uncomfortable fituation. All our flores and many building-materials were in the fame room with our- felves. The mice made great havock of our provifions, and at night we were vifited by fuch a number of bats, that we could hardly fleep for them. We found it very difficult to provide the needful fupply of provifions for ourfelves and the mafter carpenter from St. John's. No vegetables were to be had in the countiy, on account of the uncommon drought which has lalfed now for two years, and we lived wholly on rice and fait provifions, which were very dear, and we were thankful we could get them at all. In (hort, the beginning of this fettlement has been connefted with a great many hard and trying circumftances. It was fometimes al- moft impoifible to get carpenters and raafons, either for love or money, and the poor negroes, though very zealous to promote the work, were by various circumftances pre- vented from lending that affiftance they have done here and in other idands in the building of chapels for their ufe. This has greatly encreafed our expence. I have found in general that the fituation of the negroes on this ifland is not fo good as in St. Kitt's, where I lived beforCj and the Miflion reaps more advantage in the latter place by the countenance of the planters than here. We were fix months engaged in thefe repairs, which in- deed might almoft be called new creftions, and on the 30th of July we had the fatisfaftion to be able to confecrate the church. This was a day of particular grace and bleffing to all prefent, and will not be forgotten by us. You have pro- bably received a more detufiled account of this event. The [ H^ 1 The church is forty feet by twenty-five, the fmallcll building of the kind we have in Antigua, but large enough at prefent for this corner of the iiland. The congregation nov/ belonging to Grace-bay eonfifts of up- wards of 600 negroes, including the candidates for holy baptifm. They formerly belonged partly to St. John's and partly to Gracehill divifion, but a great many of them could liardly ever come to either of the above-mentioned places^ and are now exceedingly glad to have a church in their neighborhood. A good many new people begin to come to us, who formerly never went to any church whatever. I trull in our Savior, that this new arrangement will prove the means of great bleffingto many fouls, and think it a moll important advantage to the Miflion in Antigua, that we have obtained a third fettlement. It could not be expefted, that fuch numerous congregations could be ferved from . St. John's and Gracehill, fcattered as the people were all over the ifland, nor could they be vifited often. You will remember, that fometime ago a propofal w^as made to en- large our church, at Gracehill, but that w^ould not have an- fwered the purpofe, and would have coil at leaft half as much as the prefent fettlement, nor would the negroes have, derived the fame benefit from it which they now do, nei- ther would the Miilionaries have had the fame opportunity t>f vifiting them and obtaining that knowledge of each, which is fo effential in maintaining found church-difcipline. We all much regret the heavy expences which necefTa- rily mull fall upon our Brethren in Europe ; and ufe our utmoft endeavors to live as frugally as pofhble. But we truft the Lord will enable you to provide for this and ail other Miffions as hitherto, and incline the hearts of many friends to lend a helping hand. Thanks be to God, we enjoy a good ftate of health, aad 1 am aftoniflaed, when 1 look back to the time of our re- fidence C M3 ] fidence in the old riunous houfe, as above defcribed bow both I and my wife enjoyed perfea health, though our fare was very indifferent, and the charge, which lay upon us, might fometimes have appeared too heavy, as we were not only all day long engaged about the building, but had no reft at night for fear of thieves. In this fituation the Lord alone has been our ftrength and fupport. Yet I muft obferve, that though we have not been attacked by any ilU nefs, we begin to feel that we have lived in the Well Indies, where the human body, as well as all other fub- ftances, goes fooner to decay than in Europe ; but we trufl in our Savior, that he will grant us that bodily ftrength and courage which we want in his fervice, as long as he chufes to make ufe of us. Mean while we will ferve hisf caufe with ail faithfulnefs and diligence. All the MiiTionaries here are well. We foon expe6t Brother Verbeck on a vifit. Brother Adolph, who lately arrived as an afliftant in the Miffion, has already made great proficiency in the Englifh language, and is very adive and cheerful in the work. With the moft cordial falutations, I remain, &c. &c." VARIOUS ACCOUNTS, i.'C'ROM Fairfield in Canada, Brother Senfeman writes. May 31ft, " We and our Indian congregation are well " in health. Our Lord and Savior dwells amongft us, and " bleffes us with his peace, and likewife with reft from ^* without. For all thefe fpiritual and temporal bleffino-s " our hearts are filled with gratitude to Him. We have " lately had many vifits from ftrange Indians, and hear - that feveral on the other fide of Lake Erie have fignified • their intention of coming to Yiwq with us." 2. From [ 144 3 «. From South A'nerica letters have been received by Brother J. Meder at Philadelphia, dated April 27th. Brother Wied at Paramaribo, after exprefling great for« row at the interruption of communication with the Bre- thren in Europe, writes : ** We go on in our ufual •* courfe, and are well in health in all places, enjoying reft •* from without ; and though for thefe feveral years paft •* the neceffaries of life have been extravagantly dear, we ** have fuifered no real want. Our gracious heaveniv Fa- " ther cares for us, and gives us what we ftand in need of *' for the iupport of the miffion. The word fown is not ** unprodu6live of fruit, though at prefent we cannot fpcak '•* much of great awakenings, Among the Indians at Hoop ** on the Corentyn, of whom now above 300 live with our •* Brethren, there has been a confidcrable revival, and it *' appears as if our Savior would receive the reward for the ** travail of his foul in a more abundant m.eafure from ** amongft that nation, than was at firft expefted." 3. From the Cape of Good Hope, letters dated May 20th, 1797, inform us, that our Brethren and their Hottentot con- gregation at Bavian's^ Kloof enjoy reft and peace, and that God caufes his work to flourilh, and to be refpefted by uU. The congregation had encreafed to 112 perfons, and fome hundred Hottentots come to hear the Gofpel. At the clofe of 1796, there were 93 boys and ^^o gn^ls in the fchools. 4. The lateil accounts trom Greenland^ are dated in June 1797, and are very fatisfaftory. Some heathen have been baptized, and che congregations at Lichtenfels, New Heirn- hut, and Lichtenau, have enjoyed the prefence and peace of our Savior, throughout the preceding year. C 53 3 -Letters received ly the Brethren's Society for the Furtherance of the Go/pel, from the Miffions on the Coajl of Labrador, i. From OKKAK, dated Augujl 9/^, i'/^B* Dear Brethren, TT afforded us very great joy to receive your laft letter J- of May 23d, by the fafe arrival of the Harmony in our bay, on the 28th of July in the afternoon. The fight of the fhip on her return hither, always fills our hearts with thanks and praifes to God, who hears our prayers, and him- felf preferves her from all harm in failing to and fro, efpe- cially in the prefent dangerous times. We immediately went on board, and heard from the captain many things which excited us to praife the Lordj and foothed our fears. For during the whole of laft year, we could not help having fome perplexing thoughts^ how our dear Brethren and Sifters beyond the feas might have fared in thefe times of war, efpecially in thofe countries jWhich are near to the fcene of aftion. .But to return to your kind letter, we cannot fufEciently exprefs to you how we were affefted and encoraged, when we perceived with what concern of heart you take fhare in our labors, and in the welfare of the nation 3vhich we ferve. We rejoice greatly that you not only join with us in fervent prayer, that the Lord would blefs our poor ftammering teU timony of his gofpel, and crown it with fuccefs, but that you feel the fame gratitude which infpires our hearts, when Vol. II. H wc C 54 ] we confider that a few are given unto us, who receive the gofpel and become partakers of falvation in Jefus, and that you refolve anew to venture all upon his work, and to per- fevere in fupporting it with all your power. Receive our cordial thanks for having again fupplied all our wants in the moft liberal manner, and be affured, dear Brethren, that wc feel our hearts bound to you in true brotherly love, and in the fellowfhip of our common Savior. Having entertained the moft confident hopes that we fhould receive fome afliftants from Europe, we confefs that we felt much forrow at our difappointment, fuch afliftance being moft effentially necefTary. Concerning the many and various proofs of our. Savior's love and mercy towards us, and our fmall Efquimaux flock during the year paft, we will give you here a fhort prelimi- nary account. As a family, we have often experienced that He is In the midft of us, and by his prefence comforted our hearts when- ever we met in his name, fo that we have been favored with a continuance of peace, love and harmony, by which cur joint labor Was rendered pleafant and eafy. We pray him that he would preferve unto us the precious jewel of brotherly love, and caufe us to grow and encreafe in it. This and €very other bleffing wc enjoy, %ve acknowledga as proceeding folely from his grace, experienced in confUnt looking unto Him, the author and finiflier of our faith, and in the fprinkling of our hearts in his precious blood. He has frequently caufed the preaching of the gofpel to be at- tended with great power, and we have had laft winter many- proofs, that it has been the means of awakening the hearts of the Efquimaux. ^ We have alfo in general enjoyed a pretty good fliare of health. Of other circumftances we will mentipn the following: November [ 65 ] November 7th, having flept for five weeks in our tent •in the wood, we finifhed cutting fire-wood, and returned home. In the following days we fpoke with every indi- vidual of our congregation, all of them having arrived with us, and on the 13th, began the meetings with them accord- ing to the ufual winter-regulation. We celebrated this day as the anniverfary of the opening of our chapel, in a folemn manner, with a powerful fenfe that God owns and blefTes us as his people, Jofeph and his wife Juftina were re-admitted to the congregation, as were Boas and his wife Ketura, on the following day, to the Lord's Supper. They and the communicant Tabea, who had juft recovered from a very dangerous illnefs, were partakers with us of the Holy Sacrament, and have proceeded ever fmce in a fteady and edifying courfe. December x8th, Ruth, Boas* wife^ departed this life rejoicing. On the 24th, Tiketok, a mar- ried woman, was admitted to the clafs of candidates for bap- tifm, and March 28th, Juliana, Kanigak's wife, was re-ad- mitted to the congregation. December 24th, Ogikfuk's infant daughter was baptized and called Magdalene. The Paffion Week and Eafter were days of great bleffing both to us and our Efc^uimaux, after which the latter began to difperfe and go to their hunting places for the remainder of the fpring. In the beginning of winter we had great plea- fure in perceiving how diligent the Esquimaux children were at fchool, in learning to read and fing; biit in fpring, various illnelTes, and particularly the great accumulation of work of all kinds, being fo fliort of hands, caufed fome interruption in this part of our fervice. Our Efquimaux congregation confiiled, at the clofe of lygs^ of three com- municants, ten baptized adults, three of whom are candi- dates for the Lord's Supper, three candidates for baptifm and ten baptised children. In all of 26 perfons. Forty- eight perfons, great and fmall, lived on our premifes in H 2 fouf [ 56 3 four winter houfes. In general we may fay of all our bap- tized, that they proceeded throughout the winter in a pleaf. ing courfe, and that their declarations and whole behaviour gave us joy. But Solomon, who laft winter lived here with his family, having fent his fecond wife away, declaring that he would return to Jefus, fent for her again from Killinek'and took her to his houfe on the 17th of July. He faid, he knew well that he was doing wrong, and that he would bring ruin upon himfelf by this ftep, but that he could not help it. Ogikfuk's family, with their three baptized chiU dren, removed from hence on the 29th of July laft to Hope- dale to his fifter. As to externals, our people had a plentiful fupply of pro- vifions, though it was a cold winter. The Efquimaux of IJivak, with the help of our people, got feveral whales, one in autumn, and in the fequel eleven, partly found dead and partly caught at fea. This caufed a great number of fledges to pafs to and fro towards the north. But the many ilrange Efquimaux, who came to Okkak to barter, were fel- dom feen at the chapel, and many of them even fhowed a rooted averfion to the word of God. A few indeed exprefs a defire to be converted, but they find many excufes, why they cannot refolve juft now, and are partly fo entangled in their connexions with the heathen, that their minds are too muchdiflipated to take the matter into ferious confideration. We know, dear Brethren, that our ftrength avails nothing, and we therefore turn to God our Savior with prayer and fup- plication, that he would deftroy the power of Satan in this country, and by his good fpirit infpire the hearts of the Efquimaux with attention to his word, that they may learn to know him, and find life and falvation in his death and merits. We moft cordially join in your prayers, that we may all overcome by the blood of the Lamb. May we daily find our higheit happinefs in the enjoyment of his peace. \^ 57 1 peace, that we may poflefs the blifs of his faved ones, and rejoice that He has chofen us out of this evil world, made us his children, and honored us to ferve him in his king- dom, till he fhall call one of us after the other to fee him as he is. We covenant anew with you to be his faithful ferv'ants and handmaids, and remain, Dear Brethren, Your very afleftionate Brethren and Sifters at Okkak, Geo. Schmidtman, Signed James Rhodes, Benj. Kohlmeister. II. From Nain, daUd Augufi 26, 1796. Dear Brethren, T Tf 7E received your kind letter on the 5th of Auguft by ^ ' two kajaks, fent from Okkak, together with other letters and accounts, and felt great encoragement and com- fort in perufmg them. We thanked and praifed God our Savior that He has again conduced the Harmony fafe to «ur coaft, efpecially when we faw her come to an anchor in our harbor on the 14th of Auguft. It is God alone who preferves her in the mid ft of the dangers occafioned by the prefent dreadful war, fo that fhe pafTes to and fro unhurt, for which we feel the moft fervent gratitude. With her we had the pleafure to welcome Brother and Sifter Schmidt- mans and their infant fon, who will refide here for the fu- ture. Brother Morhardt will go with a favorable oppor- tunity by boats to Okkak, to ferve that Miffion. We can afl'ure you, dear Brethren, that your laft letter proved a particular refrelhment unto qui fouls, for we not only [ ^8 ] only felt how near a fiiare you take in our weal and woe, but experience that you provide for our neceflities with a chearfulnefs and liberality, which nothing but fervent love could infpire. We render thanks to our Lord and Savior, , and pray him to lay his choiceft bleflings upon yeu, and to give you always an ample fupply of the means of carrying on the work committed unto you. We mull confefs, that our joy in the return of the fhip was in fome degree diminilhed, when we heard that the afliftance of more Brethren and Sifters, which we had fo eagerly expefted, had again failed ; but we can believe that you, dear Brethren, have done all in your power, and were equally forry that it was impofTible to fend us help. Wc cry the more fervently unto God, that as you could not, ac- cording to your wifh, fend more hands to take part in the labor, he would give to us few the needful ftrength and health to do what is requifite for his fervice here. To give you fome account of ourfelves as a family, we will men- tion the following particulars. Our Savior has preferved us in love and peace, and granted us to be of one mind in the profecution of our labors, • and when trying circum- ilances intervened, he was our heft counfellor and helper in all need, leading us into all truth by his Holy Spirit. When we met in his name to read his precious word, to praife, or to offer up prayers and interceflions before Him, he was truly in the midft of us to blefs us. His prefencc attended our conferences, and we have been more than ever flrengthened in our confidence towards him, fo that we could commit all things into his hands, as the faithful fa- ther and fhepherd of his people. Though confcious of many wants and imperfeftions, we can fay this, that we love our crucified Lord and Savior with all our hearts, and make him the fum and fubftance of all our preaching to the Efquimaux, for there is no other name given, by which we [ 59 ] we and they can be faved. Notwithftandlng that this pre- cious gofpel of peace is not in general received by the Efquimaux nation, as it deferves, yet what the Lord has done, and is now doing in the hearts of fome, calls for our warmeft thanks and adoration, and we certainly believe that we ftiall once meet a blelTed company of redeemed Efquimaux around the throne of the Lamb, joining in the new fong, to him that was (lain, and has redeemed us to God by his blood. We had in fpring an agreeable vifit from Brother Hail- ing from Okkak, who fpent Eafter with us, being pre- vented from returning by bad weather till the 2d of April. On the fame day Brother Burghardt fet out for Hopedale, and after an agreeable and ufeful vifit returned to us on the 13th of April. As to our Efquimaux congregation we will briefly men^ tion the following, which you will find more at large in our Diaries. In their meetings the prefence of the Lord has been powerfully perceived, and our weak teftimony of the Savior's love unto death was not without fruit. We per- ceive with great pleafure in feveral of our Efquimaux, that their hunger and thirft after the word of God is on the eri- creafe. We cannot fpeak of any great awakenings among the heathen, but the mercy and faithfulnefs of our Savior, experienced by our fmall Efquimaux congregation during the courfe of laft winter, was great, and gives us the beil hopes that many yet will be called to falvation out of this dark and fmful nation. O how do we long for the day of their vifitation, that they may be convinced of their loft and undone ftate without a Savior, fall at his feet, feek par- don from him, and thus experience the blifs felt by a poor felf-condemned finner, when he finds remifTion of fins in the blood of Chriil, We truft in him, who loved them unto [ 6o ] unto death, that he will yet fee of the travail of his fau!^ even, in this land, and be fatisfied. We have held the fchools regularly, and the diligence fliewn both by fmall and great gave us great fatisfaftion. Some know their little fchool-book ajmoft by heart. We are thankful that our Brethren are willing to permit more books to be printed in the Efquimaux language, and regret that we cannot fend any manufcripts by this opportunity for want of time to revife them, for thofe Brethren, who have the moft fkill in the language, have been otherwife em- ployed. We can affure you, that it is a matter of great concern with us, that we may obtain a true knowledge of the grammar and idiom of the Efquimaux tongue, and we are endeavoring, if pofhble, to fend you a tranflation of the hiftory of the Paflion Week and Eafter, revifed and ready for the prefs, by the next return of the fhip. Since our laft, two perfons have been admitted to the Lord's Supper, one was re-admitted, one grown perfon baptized, and five added to the candidates for baptifm. William Tuglawina is continually harrafled by his hea- thenifh acquaintance, who wilh to feduce him, but, by the grace of God, he has remained faithful to the grace be- llowed upon him, and his humble and unreferved conver- fation gives the heft hopes. He is truly a moft aftonifhing inftance of the power of the cleanfing and healing Blood of Jcfus.''^ May he with all our Efquimaux be preferved in the faith, and be more and more firmly grounded upon Chrift the rock. As to externals, both we and the Efquimaux have expe- rienced the kind care of our heavenly father in a manner never to be forgotten. Laft autumn the opportunities of catching feals upon the thin ice were fo fcarce as never be- * See Vol. I. p. 254. fore [ 6i ] fore rememberer!, fmce our Brethren have reHded on the coaft, and, in all human probability, all means of fubfift- ence for the winter were taken away. But juft when Fa- mine threatened their deftru6libn, and we with them cried aloud to God for help, He fo direfted it, that in a fhort time two dead whales were found, by which they were de- livered from the mofl imminent danger of ftarving. For this proof of his mercy may they and we always remain thankful. Now may He fend the fhip and company home to you in fafety, that you may hear how great caufe we have to blefs and praife his name for the innumerable proofs of his loving kindnefs, experienced by us in the year paft. Think on us dear Brethren, and on our fmall Efquimaux congregation, when you bring your fupplications unto the throne of grace. We join with you in one covenant, founded upon the rock of eternal love, and remain your faithful and affeftjonate Brethren and Sifters ferving the Miffion at Nain, C. F, BURCKHARDT. Signed Andrew Lewis Morhardt. Fred. J. Muller. III. From Hopedale, dated September 9, 1796. Dear Brethren, "TT 7E cannot exprefe to you the pleafure we felt, when ^ ' we received your laft letter, dated May 23d, on the 25th of Auguft, by a poft kajak. We fav/ with what hearts' concern you take every circumftance relating to us to heart, and how you rejoice at the mercy our Lord fhows. both to us and to our Efc^uimaux, Who can defcribe the Vol, II, I power [ 62 ] pt)wer of the Blood of Jefus, made mantfeft in the hearts of fuch blind and corrupted heathen, buried in fm and evei-y fpecies of abomination. Here we are convinced that our Savior fhed his blood, even for the worjfl of mankind, to fave them, and make them eternally happy. We experience, in rich meafure, in the inftance of the poor Efquimaux, that Jefus loves fmners. Since moft of our people here hav» become partakers of the Holy Communion, and learn to know more of their natural depravity and helpleffnefs, and that they have no power to refill fin, but by the power proceeding from a crucified Savior, we can obferve their walk with real fatisfaclion, and rejoice in their fouls' happi^ jiefs. They often declare to us, that there is no pleafure but in Jefus, and the contrail between them and the wild Efqui^ maux, who are continually unhappy and unfettled, is truly remarkable. Even in trying circumflances they fly to the Lord for counfel, comfort, and peace. We have now for thefe two years pall had caufe to rejoice over them, for we perceive that they are preferved from their old finful habits and deviations, and cleave with all their heart to our Savior. Both in the public worfhip and in the feparate pieetings of the baptized and communicants, his prefence is powerfully perceived, and greatly llrengthens our hearts. As a family, our Lord has laid his blefTmg upon us, and direfted us in all our Heps, being with us always. Love and harmony have prevailed among us. We know indeed that we are poor, infufficient beings, who by day and night need the faving and fupporting grace of our Savior, efpe- cially in our labors among the Efquimaux. May He there- fore never leave nor forfake us, but by his grace promote and jncreafe his work in this country from year to year. You will fee by our Diary, that fome of us have been ailing dur- ing laft winter. Brother Beck has ftiil his old complaint, which is alternately more or lefs troublefome. Brother Suen [ 63 ] Suen Anderfon had in November 1795, fuch pains in his back, that he could hardly walk or move at all. This lafted three weeks^ and in fpring he was attacked by a re- markable and painful fwelling of the thumb of his left hand, which kept him confined upwards of five weeks, during which he could do very little work ; and this, as you may fuppofe, put us few to no fmall embarraffment. We hoped to have received fome afliftants from Europe, but we find, and are willing to allow, that the war and confequent un- comm.on expences have prevented it. By your letter we learn how gladly our Brethren would have Tent us help, but that they found it impraaicable. Sifter Wolf was confined to her bed by illnefs, from the middle of Oaober, 1795, to March 1796, with violent rheumatic pains in her hands and feet. Her hands trembled in fuch a manner, that fhe could not hold any thing, and flie became a pitiable objeft. As fhe could neither cook nor waQi, all that part of the labor fell upon Sifter Beck, who, though (he had a bad breaft, was favored with ftrength to go cheerfully through her work. Towards the end of July Sifter Wolf had fo far recovered that flie could work again, and is now, thanks to our Savior, well and cheerful, though fhe feels yet a lamenefs in both her wrifts. Brother Wolf has been well in health, though for fome time he has fufFered much from a fore finger. We were very thankful for his health; for fince Hopedale exifts, there never was fo much work to do, and Efquimaux are feldom to be got, being always out upon their hunting expeditions. Our gracious heavenly Father has abundantly provided both the Hopedale and Arvertok Efquimaux with food and raiment, though the winter was very cold. In Arvertok there were two houfes with fifty-four inhabitants. In Hope- dale our number was thirty-eight, in all ninety-two* 1 o We [ 64 ] We have baptized one married couple, being gut lad candidates for baptifm, and two infants. A widow was ad- mitted as a candidate for baptifm, and one married Sifter became a partaker of the Lord's Supper. One excluded married pair were re-admitted to the clafs of baptized, and the wife to the Lord's Supper. We have now nine Efqui- maux communicants. March 27th, we heard by an Efqnimaux from Keppokak, that four Europeans had fettled there, chiefly with a view- to catch foxes, martins, and badgers, and that they had been pretty fuccefsful. They fent word to our people and thofe of Arvertok, that they fhould have bifcuit, powder, and fhot, for fkins and blubber, but only a few men from Arvertok went to them. In April we had an agreeable fortnight's vifit from Bro- ther Burckhardt. He fpoke with every individual belong- ing to our congregation, and rejoiced with us over their in- ternal courfe, and that they grow in the knowledge an-d love of the Lord. We alfo were greiJtly encoraged by his vifit. Our joy was great indeed, when on the 20th of Auguft, we were informed, that God had again brought the Har- mony fafe to us, and, Auguft 31ft, we faw her come to an anchor at Hopedale. It is a gi'eat favor conferred upon us, that this fhip is thus prefervcd in all dangers from the ene- my's fhips, and the many funken rcscks on our coaft : May fhe be again fafely conducted to you. We give yom our moft unfeigned thanks for your liberal fupply of pro- vifions and every other neceffary, and are affured, that you do it all with a willing heart. The two pigs and potatoes you fent us this year we received fafe. You cannot con- ceive how ufeful pigs are to us, not only on account of the European meal of frefh meat they furnifh, but for their kt, which ferves for a confiderable time to drefs our garden Huff"., [ 65 ] ftuff. May our Lord abundantly blefs and reward you, for not only we in Labrador, but other MifTions alfo require your kind care and affiftance. Receive the moft cordial falutations from each of us, and continue to remember us in your prayers unto the Lord our Savior,, that he would further blefs and lead us and ouf dear Efquimaux flock. We often think of you in love, and remain always your faithful and affeftionate Brethren and Sifters, ferving the Miflion at Hopedale. c- J JOHN Lewis Beck, oigned ^ ' John Christopher WoLF^ Extra^s from the lajl Diary received from Brother WiEz, Mijfionary among the Free Negroes at Bambey, in South America, of 1793 and 1794. A UGUST 30th, the negro Cornelius, who had been out a -*■ -^ hunting, was brought home very ill. He was yefter- day bitten in the leg by a rattlefnake and fuifered very great pain, tlie fwelling having fpread beyond the hip. In. the following days the poifon fpread further, and the offenfive fmell^ occafioned by its effefts upon him, rendered it very unpleafant to be with him. September i6th, he fent for me, being in great torment both of body and mind. He feized m.y hand with eagernefs, and held me fail; confeffed that even fince his baptifm he had frequently com.mitted fin^ and declaied that he now felt forfaken of God,, and expelled foon to be call out into everlafting daiknefs. His parents, and younger brother, who are baptized, and the former aflillants in the MifTion, were prefent and ex- ceedingly [ 56 j ceedingly affe6led. I encoraged the patient to tiirn wklt confidence to Jefus^ our compaffionate Savior, who ha3 received gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious alfo. But lie feems to refufe comfort, and accufed him.felf before all Ivho vifited him without referve, as a miferable perifhing finner, adding, that the Lord could not now receive him, as he had behaved too bad. On the iSth, he again fent for me, and was in the fame ftate of defpondency. He entreated me and all the negroes prefent to pray for him, that he might receive mercy ; which we did, kneeling around his bed, and he himfelf prayed moft fervently and incefTantly. When I vifited him the day following, he received me with joy, and tefti- fied that he had obtained forgivenefs of his fms, and felt the peace of God in his heart ; and that he now greatly de- fned foon to depart and to be with Chriil. He then ad- drelTed the company prefent to the following effecl : ** Ah, my friends, abide in Jefus ; give him your whole heart ; do not turn again to the ways of fin ; look at me and con- fider how things have gone with me ! I am a great finner, but I have obtained mercy and pardon ! yea, moft affuredly, every thing has been forgiven me; 1 have obtained mercy! Ah! join me to praife and thank our Savior!" On the 26th, he departed this life rejoicing, and a large company attended his funeral. This man was eldcft fon of our alTiftant Andrew, and was imder ftrong convlftions when a boy. The beft hopes w^ere entertained of his profperity, and in 1784, he was admitted to the clafs of the candidates forbaptifm. However he departed from the path of truth, and got entangled in the fnares of fin. God then made ufe of various extraor- dinary means to bring him to reflefcion. As he was fifhing in the Sarameca, he was ftung by a poifonous fifh, and it was with difficirlty that his life was preferved. For fom^ time [ 67 3 time he fhowed figns of repentaace, which however, were not lafting. Some time after he was attacked and bit by a wild boar, and again lay dangeroufly ill. He then con- fefled it to be a chaftifement for his unfaithfulnefs, and feemed willing to forfake his heathenifti connexions, and turn with his whole heart to the Lord. But, alas ! by degrees all his good refolutions again vanifhed away. Laft year, as he was hunting in the woods, a tyger fprang upon him, and tore him in a fliocking manner. However, to our' great aftonifhment, he recovered. He now was brought to more folid refleftion, andexprelTed a great defire to be truly converted. January 6th, he was baptized, and for a fhort time appeared to be ferioufly awakened. Yet he did not remain faithful to the grace received, but feemed gradually falling into his former habits. When therefore the above* mentioned accident happened, he immediately cried out ; ** This is of God, and a juft judgment, which will coll me my life." His departure and the circumflances attending it, made a deep impreffion upon the minds of the negroes, efpecially of the young people, and on the fame day, an old companion of Cornelius, who had alfo been excluded on account of his bad conduft, came and entreated me to take him again under our care. December 17th, a peculiar circumftance occurred here with an old heathenifli negro, called Panfa. He belonged to the Okamifh tribe of free negroes, inhabiting the banks of the Moravina, and was accufed of being a mixer of poi- fon, for which he was to have been burnt alive. He there- fore fled, and came into thefe parts, when his fears ope- rated fo flrongly upon him, that he grew raving mad, and ran to and fro in the neighborhood of our fettlement by day and night, till at laft he was found dead, about an hundred paces from our houfe. A report prevailing here, that Pan/a had vowed tp the god of the Okamilh negroes, that lie L 68 ] he would not quit his own country, the heathen now be- lieved, that that god in great wrath had followed him hither and killed him for not performing his vow. They were therefore exceedingly frightened, and not one of them would touch the corpfe to bury it. Many v/omen and children fled into the woods to hide themfelves for a feafon from this angry god. At length, a conjurer undertook to appeafe the angry god for the proper fees, and as the people be- lieved in his fkill, they ceafed to fly. The deceafed had a good houfe, well built and furnifhed after the manner of the negroes, which was pulled down, and as no one durft ven- ture to touch any thing belonging to him, the conjurer got w^ell paid. In the beginning of January 1794, I felt very unwell, and on the 19th, was obliged to take to my bed. On the fame day, two negroe Brethren, v/ho are both affiflants, vifited me. They fat {fill for fomc lime and wept, for they were afraid that I fhould not recover. They knew, that of late I had often expreffed much concern of mind about feveral inconfiftencies in the conduB of fome of our people, and that I was not quite fatisfied with the afliftants. At laft they began to fpeak with great humility and contrition about the ftate of their own hearts, and begged that I would not pray the Lord to take me hence ; for though they well knew that my life was rendered heavy am^ong them, yet they could not live without the word of God, and without the care of the Miffionaries, fhould foon relapfe into their former evil ways. It pleafed the Lord to reftore me, fo that on the 26th, I began again to keep the daily meetings, though in great weaknefs. The negroes had improved the intermediate time, when the church could not be ufed, to repair the floor, that is, they dug it up, and covered it with new lime, by which operation a number of noxious infefts are deftroyed for a time, which breed in the filTures of the Old clay, fuch as forty-legs, fcorpions, &c. During [ 69 ] fiuritig the lafl week of February, the village was all in an uproar, the heathen being employed in making a new fet of idols ; on which occafion there is no end of drura-^ ming, dancing, and {hooting. Notwithftanding all this noife, the peace of God was felt amongft us in all our meetings, and we prayed fervently, that the time might fo©n come, when thefe poor blind and idolatrous people fhall receive and believe the gofpel of our Savior. On the 24th of March, I went into the woods to feek Tonka-beans. The trees on which they grow are very high, much refembling the fir trees in Europe in appear- ance, and now, according to the report of the negroes, the branches were full of fruit. The common deftruftive cuf- tom of the country to cui down the trees for their fruit cannot be prafiifed with them, for the wood is inconceiv- ably hard. It is alfo unfit for building, being apt to rot foon. I found a great number of thefe trees not far from our fettlement, and picked up a good many beans off the ground. In the following days I went frequently into the woods for the fame purpofe, for by the fale of thefe beans at Paramaribo, we are enabled to earn fomething towards the fupport of the Miffion. In one of thefe walks I met with a fingular inftance ©f God's preferving care. Mr. Specht, a gentleman belonging to the poft, was with me> and as we were walking along, we difcovered a large ferpent lying at our feet. Mr. Specht immediately pointed his gun towards it, but finding he had loft the flint, he retreated; when in an inftant the ferpent reared it felf up and made towards us. Having a Iharp billet in my hand, I went to meet it, and was fo fortunate as to cut it dewn and kill it. I then tied a (lender twig round its neck and dragged it home, in order to enquire of the negroes, what kind of ferpent it was. They expreffed the greateft aftonifhment at my ef- cape, faid it was of the moft venomous kind, and that its Vol, II, K bite [ 7° ] bi'.e was certain deatli. It was about feven feet long, as thick as a man's arm, and of an alh grey color. The celebration of the Paflion Week and Eafter was at- tended with much bleding. Several of our people declared, that the hiftory of our Savior's fufferings appeared to them as new as if they had never heard it before, and they found more than ever, that nothing could fave them but his pre- cious blood, fhed for the remiflion of their fms. In one inllance particularly, the great change wrought in them is apparent. Whereas a heathen negro dreads the idea of death fo much, that he would not on any account approach the grave of a deceafed friend, our people meet with plear fure on Eafter-Sunday morning, according to the cuftom of the Brethren's Church, in the burying ground to pray the Eafter morning Litany, and declare that they feel com- fort in confidering that they fliall alfo once reft with their Brethren in the grave, till the Lord fhall call them again by the power of his refurreclion. On Eafter-Monday we had a meeting with all the baptized and candidates for bap- tifm, at which a lively converfation took place. When a wilh was expreffed by fome, that more of their countrymen might be converted, John Arabini obferved, that efpeci- ally the heathen women were exceflively hardened in ido- latry and other abominations, and wilhed that the baptized women might in all things give them a better example, by forfaking even the flighteft remnant of fuperftition. After- wards 1 addrelTed them ahogether, and declared, that I firmly believed, that our Savior had thoughts of peace over this nation. He had now permitted the gofpel to be preach- ed here for a great number of years. Many a Miflionary had ventured his life in this fervice, and the word fown had been watered with innumerable tears. Nor can we deny that our Savior has gathered a fmall flock in this wildernefs, who may be called living members of the Body of Chrift. Yet C 7« ]■ Yet there were fome things among ft them, about which we could not be quite fatisfied. Old prejudices ought not to prevail, and fuperftition of every kind was a difgrace to children of God. From thefe things, as from all fin, the Blood of Jefus alone can cleanfe us. We then kneeled down and prayed the Lord not to be weary, faithfully to keep and lead this poor, fmall congregation, which he has purchafed with his own moft precious Blood, as he has xlone hitherto ; and not to let any foul here prcfeut have any reft, till he has obtained his whole aim with it. May the 5th, the free negroe, Primo, a candidate for bap- tifm, and another young man of Grang Adama's people* came hither from the high country to vifit us, and we had much ufeful converfation with them. They brought us cordial falutations from our two baptized, and our other acquaintances in their country, and related that they now and then met to pray in fellowfhip and to encourage each other. Several circumftances have rendered it impoflible for me to vifit them before Eafter, and now the long rainy feafon fets in, when it is quite imprafticable. Our vi{itors fpent one Sunday with us. In June the rivers overflowed their banks, and much ilU nefs was occafioned by the dampnefs of the feafon. How^ ever the Lord preferved me in tolerable health, , for which and for all his loving kindnefs towards me, may I ever re? main, thankfully^devoted unto him and his fervice. J. WiEZ. • See Vol. L p 23^. K 2 Diary [ 72 1 Diary of the Brethren s Mijfionaries at Bavian's Kloof, near the Cape of Good Hope, from the 23^ of June^ to the 10th of September, 1796. JUNE 25th, early, Brother Schwinn fet out for the poft to buy flour, but found it very fcarce. We intended to have fent our Diaries and letters to Europe by an oppor- tunity to the Cape Town, but the rivers were fo fwollen that we were obliged to commit them to a perfon, who faid he fhould go thither on the 27th ; for having heard that a great number of Ihips had arrived, we fuppofed that fome would foon fail for Europe.* To-day we had a bleffed par^ ticipation of the Lord's Supper. On the 28th, fix Hottentots arrived here from the Cape Town, having obtained a fortnight's furlough to vifit their families. They told us, that the General had exprefled a wifh that more Hottentots would come to the Cape Town, and that if he could get a thpufand, there would not be one too many. They alfo reported, that a major with three hundred men was to have come into thefe parts, and to have marched further up the country, but accounts having been received, that the French were expefted at the Cape, thi? meafure had been poftponed. July 5th, we fpoke with all the candidates for baptifm, and could rejoice over moft of them. Some indeed are {lill deficient in fpiritual life, and we were obliged to ex- clude one woman, whofe conduft had been deceitful. On the 8th we received a letter from the Landdrofl of Stellen- * The Diaries, &c, here mentiuaed, appear to have been mifl^id or loft. hokk C 73 ] bofch, enclofing one from Major General Craig, in which he mentions, that the old Privy Counfellor C. had com- plained that the cattle belonging to the Hottentots of Ba- vian's Kloof trefpaffed upon his land. Mr. C. had offered to give a piece of land, twenty minutes (about an Englifli mile) in breadth, to the Hottentots for pafture, and then to enclofe the remainder with a ftone fence. The General ap- proved of his propofal, and added, that all cattle found tref- pafling beyond the fence fliould be feized and fold. He alfo made mention of us, and defires the Landdroft to admonifh us to exhort our people in the moil ferious manner, to prevent their cattle from going upon ftrange ground, and to behave in all refpefts well to their neighbors : that if they behaved well, they fliould always find him ready to help and protefl them, but if ill, they muff expeft juftice to take its courfe. Indeed we cannot do more than we have done already, for we repeat our admonitions inceflfantly. However we in- formed them again this evening of the contents of the General's letter, and gave them an earneft exhortation to obey his orders faithfully and willingly, Neverthelefs we cannot help remarking, that this order furprized us not a little, for not long ago the Landdroft de- clared, that the land in this neighborhood was not to be dif- pofed of for farms, and that all Mr. C. could do, was to make a garden, defended by a proper fence to keep out the cattle. The prefent contrivance is artful indeed, and while Mr. C. appears to be a friend to the Hottentots by giving up an Englifh mile of his land to them for pafture, he in iaa feizes upon their property. The General therefore having been mifinformed, we refolved to go to Mr. Wol- fram, a fenfible man and our friend, and afk his advice, how to proceed in this bufinefs. Mr. Wolfram advifed us to await the announced vifit of the Landdroft, and then to fppak freely with him, anal inform him that we muft appeal to C 74 ] to the General himfelf and acquaint him with the whole affair. Indeed we perceive that we have no other way of eounterafting this fpecies of oppreflion. lathe evening Peter Dohi, with his and another family, came to us. They I^aid over night, and fpent the Sunday with us. Brother Schwin preached upon the Gofpel of the day to an attentive auditory. The wives of thofe Hottentots who are at the Cape Town doing daty, begin now to go thither to fee their huf- bands. This difperfion of our people perplexes us exceed- ingly, but what can we do ? The Lord alone can help us. On the 11th we received letters from the Cape Town, among other things, the reports concerning an attack of the French upon the Cape was mentioned with much conr fidence. What we feel under fuch circurnftances, we cannot defcribe. On the 12th we had a fblemn meeting, and our gracious Savior blefifed and comforted our hearts richly by his pre fence. One man and two women were baptized, and called Peter, Rebecca, and Eleonora. On the 13th two women fet out for the Cape Town, one of whom went on a vifit to her fon. This young Hottentot •svas fervant to a man who, to prevent him from going to our fchool, as his parents had done, lamed him. However he recovered fo as to be able to accompany his cruel mafter to the Cape Town. As foon as they arrived, the young man went and offered his fervices to the Englifli officers. The mafter complained to the General, and demanded that his fervant fliould be fent back. The General anfwered, *' The Hottentots are a free people, if he likes you, he may ftay with you and we fliall not keep him, but if he wifhes to quit your fervice, he is at liberty to do it." More in- ftances of this kind have occurred. The farmers come to town with their Hottentots, and no fooner have they ar- rived, [ 75 3 rived, than the letter run to the Engllfii, and leave their old mafters to find their way home again as well as they can. In the afternoon the infpe6lor of the warm bath arrived here to aflifl us in making a large pair of bellows, which we were much in want of. 0n the i/th in the afternoon, fourteen Hottentots, with the Brethren Marfveld and Kuehnel, went on horfeback to hunt a wolf, who had been a mifchievous vifitor here for fome time. He was feen, but not taken. It is necelTary to be on our guard as to thefe creatures, and we are rather in want of fire-arms, having only three fowling-pieces in the fettlement. On the 20th we fpoke with all the baptized, and found much caufe to thank the Lord for their growth in his love and knowledge : though the prefent circumflances tend to create much difhpation in their minds, their relations being at the Cape Town. On the 24th, after the evening meeting, we fpoke with the men, and exhorted them to go to the wood and to get a large tree to lay acrofs the river; the old one being fo rotten that it is dangerous to crofs. They refolved accordingly to fet about it to-morrow. On the 25th, early, they came, twenty in number and begged that one of us would ac- company them, or nothing would be done. Brother Kuehnel therefore went with them. The wood is about two hours ride from our place and is free to all. There are large trees enough in it, but it is hardly poffible to get at any of them, they are fo jammed in between the rocks, and the men who defcend into the glens where they grow are in danger of their lives. They muft let themfelves down by thongs and afcend in the fame way. After the tree is felled and the branches cut off, the ftem muft be dragged by thongs in a perpendicular direftion up the rocks, and then drav/n by men up a very fteep hill, where it is difficult to ftand upright. t 76 3 Upright. Oxen cannot be put to, till it arrives at the fum-- ttiit* We wanted two trees, one to lay acrofs a branch of the river, and a larsrer for the river itfelf. To-day both were felled, and the fmaller one had been brought about half way up the hill, when it grew quite dark. The Hottentots now loft all courage, and defpaired of ever getting the large one out of the glen. However the next day they repeated the attempt and with the help of twenty oxen brought the trees home. As the water had fallen, the infpeftor, who with his daughter had been detained here upwards of a fort- night, returned home. A Hottentot who came hither from the vineyards near the Cape Town, informed us this evening that twenty-one Englifh fiiips had arrived in Falfe Bay. We were glad to hear this news, and flattered ourfelves with the hopes that letters and other things might be on board for us. On the 31ft, we called to mind that day of forrow, when we were banifhed from our dear people this day twelve- month. We joined in thanks to the Lord our Redeemer, who fo gracioufly helped us in the time of need, and fincef that time had caufed a fpecial bleifTing to reft upon our weak teftimony of His fuffbrings and death for fmners, fo that many heathen hearts have been gained for Him. At the clofe of this month we have much reafon to praife Him, that the labor of the Holy Ghoft is powerful in the hearts of moft of our people. Augujl 2d, a child not quite one year old was baptized in the evening meeting, at the requeft of both parents, the mother having been lately baptized. The 10th was a day of gladnefs to us, for we received feveral letters from Hol- land, dated in 06tober 1795, and two from Copenhagen, dated April 15th, 1796. By thefe it appears that our Bre- thren have fpared no pains to fend us letters and various neceflaries of life ; but to our great forrow and difappoint- ment. C n 1 ment, we have not received one of the articles mentioned. Jt appears alfo that a parcel of goods for us, have been feized by a French privateer. Letters from Copenhagen dated in November and December, 1795, to which our Brethren refer, are alfo mi (Ting. We read with gratitude, that our dear European congregations remember us in love, and in their prayers before the Lord, fympathize with us in our prefent troubles and take the moft cordial fhare in-lhe work of God among the Hottentots. Brother Trefchow of Copenhagen writes, that our Brethren m London have re- ceived an affurance that the Britifh Government is vyell dif- pofed towards us, and we pray God to blefs this Govera- raent and to incline the hearts of our prefent rulers, to do that which fhall be moft advantageous .to His caufe in this country. The accounts we received concerijing Zeift and Neuwied were moft intereftlng. We praifed God for hav- ing fo gracioufly protefted the former place, and implored his mercy and help for the latter, where the war rages in all ks horrors. O that He would reftore peace and reft to th^ nations of the earthy for his infinite mercy an4 companion's Cake. On the nth we were all diligently employed in our gar- den, this being the proper time for planting. We have hired a good number of Hottentots to aflift ijs to plant as many fruit trees as we can. Whether we Oiall enjoy their fruits or not, God alone knows.. Hpwevejr the peach-trees yield already a moft ufefu} and wholefome fupply o{ food, and we dry and boil theip as fauce during the winter. On the 13th, we had a folemn meeting with the bap- tized early in the morning, in which we explained to them the circumftances which have made this day impor- tant to the Brethren's Unity. (See Cranz's Hiftory of the brethren.) At ten, though we had not expefted many Jiearcrs, the place was crowded, and after the difcourfe. Vol. JL L Jacob's t 78 ] Jacob's daughter v/as baptized into the death of Jefus, and called Gertrude. In the afternoon we partook of the Lord's Supper with all our Hottentot coin'muni cants. On the 14th, a Dutchman called upon us knd had much converfation with us about fpiritual things^ enquiring aftier the differ- ence between us and the Lutherans or Calvinifts, We endeavored to point out the infignificance of forms and opinions, and that Jefus Chri'ft is the Only way, the truth and the life. He brought us a letter from Baas Tennis, in which he informs lis, that a flefet of men of war had ar- rived in Saldanha Bay, fuppofed to be Dutch. Some peo- ple in this neighbourhood exprefs great joy that the French are come, and begin already to take liberties, fully expeft- ing to haVe it all their own way. They have already driven away a family of Hottentots on Serjeant's River, and threaten to come to-morrow, and if they find any cattle on the pre-- mifes,- to fhoot it, and beat the Hottentots unmercifully. They ufe the mo ft fhoc'king expreflions to terrify the poor people. As to us, they have faid to our Hottentots, " we Ihall now foon do for thefe Moravians ; fmce the Englifh have been here, you have been mafters, but now that the Jrench are come, we will be mafters." Many poor Hot- tentots on Serjeant's River have been moft cruelly beaten by fome of thefe people, and though they receive many promifes of proteftion from the Landdroft, they can get np tedrefs. But lately the Englifti General wrote to Baas Teunis, that he had heard that the farmers proceeded to great violence in inflifting arbitrary punifliments on the Hottentots. He demanded to be informed of the firft cafe of this nature, for he fhould not permit fuch outrage againft common juftice. Baas Teunis having charged us to let him know, if any of our geople were hurt in this nlanrier, we thought it our duty to givehimiiotice by an efxprefs of the above proceedings. On C 79 J On the 17th, in the evening, was the funeral of a bap- tized child. We had fent to the mother, who is very poori and let her know that fhe need not hire any body to make the grave, and when we fpoke with three of our baptize^ men about it, they were immediately willing to join in this a6l of charily. The brother of the deceafed child, a boy about four years old, came the next day with his mother to us, wept, and faid *' he wifhed to be a child of God, and to go to his fifter into the arms of our Savior." Such inftancesj of a work of grace in the hearts of the ypung children oc- curred frequently about this time. A girl about nine year? old came of her own accord to us, and faid with many tears: ** My heart is melted within me, when I think of what our Savior fufFered on the crofs for me, poor child! Now I will mind none of the things of this world, but live alone for him." This fincere defire to be faved and num- bered among God's people, appears both in the meetings and at other times, and the grown people even come in companies to fpeak with us, fo that fometimes we are all three engaged with them at once. In the following days we heard all manner of terrifying accounts about the French, who were faid to have arrived in Saldanha Bay, and as we heard that a Mr. Nelfon had arrived in our neighborhood from the Cape Town, we refolved that Brother Kuehnel {hould go and enquire into the truth of thefe reports. Mr. Nelfon informed him, that the fhips which had arriv- ed in Saldanha Bay, were nine large Dutch men of war. (Saldanha Bay is two long day's journey from the Cape Town.) The General immediately proceeded with an army of four thoufand men by land, Hottentots included; and fourteen Englifh men of war went round by fea. When they arrived, the Dutch Admiral furrendered without a fliot being fired. Thus this difturbance has been quelled with- out lofs of blpo4, for which we are very thankful to God, L 2 The t 80 J The Nationals now expeft a French fleet to follow, *' antf^ then," fay they, ** the General will find himfelf miftaken if he thinks to take them as eafily as he has done the Dutch." Brother Kuehnel returned to us with the above-mentioned account, but very poorly in health, having for fome time paft had a flow fever, which rofe to its height on the 27th, On the 28th, Brother Schwinn was called to fee a fick Hottentot woman who was near her end. He found her in a very comfortable ftate of mind. She faid, *• I continually meditate upon our Savior, and what he has fufFered for my fins upon the Crofs, and pray him to grant me remiflion of all fin in his precious blood." She was afked, " whether Ihe knew where her foul would go to when fhe died:'* Ihe replied, *' I fhall go as a poor, unworthy, but recon- ciled finner to my heavenly Father." This vifit gave us more fatisfaftion, than one made by Brother Marfveld fome days ago to a fick man, who had wilhed to fee us. His lirft demand was for a pint of brandy. That being refufed, he alked for a bottle of wine. Brother Marfveld fpoke moft earneflly to him, befeeching him to confider that he was on the point of death, that either heaven or hell would foon be his portion, and that as Jefus had loved fuch poor finners as himfelf unto death, and called them to repentance and favor, he fhould quickly fly unto him, for the time waS very fliort." He had lived here fome time^ but only came twice to the chapel. On the 30th another patient was vifited, who was in a happy frame of mind. On being alked, whether he knew what would be his ftate after death, he exclaimed, " O yes> I fhall go to our Savior, for I have prayed him to forgive me all my fins, and I am affured, that he will not caft me out.** On the 31ft, we fpoke with all the candidates for baptifm. They all promifed to live unto the Lord alone, and many begged earneftly to be baptized. Some are very deficient in t 8« } in point oF real fpirltual life, but we can rejoice over mofi of them. September 4th, we baptized two of this number. On the 6th we had again the inexpreflible fatisfaftion to receive letters from Europe, both from Hermhut and London. We alfo received the weekly accounts for January and February. As we wifhed to fend the carpenter from the Cape home again, (who has been a long while at work for us, and is a flave,) and could not find any other opportunity, we re- folved that Brother Schwinn fhould go with him, buy feve- ral articles for our houfe-keeping, and convey this Diary with our letters, &c. thither, to go with the fir ft velTel bound to England. You will fee, dear Brethren, that the Lord ftill carries on his work here, and that the eagernefs of the Hot- tentots to hear the word of God is not upon the decline, but rather encreafes. Our Hottentot congregation confifts at prefent of feventy-fix fouls, whom we recommend, together with ourfelves, to your love and prayers before the throne of grace, and remain, &c. your faithful and affe£lionate Brethren, H. Marsveld. Signed Dan. Schwinn. J. C. KUEHNEL. N. B. When this prefent number was juft going to leave theprefs, we receive again, by letters from the Cape of Good Hope, dated January 2d, 1797, the moft fatisfaftory intel- ligence of the welfare of our Miflionaries at Bavians Kloof, together with a Diary of their proceedings to the end of the year 1796, by which it appears, that the earneft defireof the Hottentots to hear the Gofpel continues, and many have been brought from darknefs unto light. The congregation of believing Hottentots alTembled at Bavians Kloof, con- fifted [ 8* ] filled 9t tfee clofe of 1796, of eighty-three peiTons. One hundred and feventy-three children of both fexes attended the fcbools daily. In recounting the memorable events of the year 1796, a circumftance is mentioned, which deferves infertion here, particularly as it ferves to prove, both to what danger this Miflion is expofed, and how mercifully the Lord prote6ls his defencelefs children by his almighty power, bringing to nought the counfels of the wicked. In February laft, a florm of much more dangerous appearance than any hitherto experienced, feemed to be gathering for the deftruftion of the Miflion. Some evil-minded people had brought together above an hundred armed men, for the exprefs purpofe of putting their former refolutions into execution by one decifive blow. Their rendezvous was at B. T's houfe, and they had already met, when the Englifli General, to whom notice had been fent by the Hottentots, fent a meflage to B. T. threatening, that if any fuch outrage was committed, the perpetrators Ihould not efcape punifliment, but that he fhould treat them with the utmoil rigor. Finding their defigns betrayed, and the magi Urates prepai'ed to defeat them, they quitted their leaders and difperfed. For this proof of God's mercy, the Miflionaries exprefs the moft lively fenfe of gratitude. VJRIOVS [ 83 1 VARIOUS A C^'t 0 U N T S. ;*», f. T ETTERS received at Bethlehem, in PenhlyTvatiia, -Li dated June 20, 1796, mention the well-being bit our Miflionaries and their Indian congregation, at If^'airfield in Canada. The blefringof God attends tjiem hotli in their external and internal affairs. The Indians turn theit- mihds more than formerly to agriculture, and had hjad a rich har- veft. Vet, though they appear well fettled where they .now, are, many of them are willing and ready to go to any ptlier part of the Indian country, whenever a (door is opened for the preaching of the gofpel and the fettling of a chriftian con- gregation. Since the Britifh have ceded the forts of De- troit, &c. to the American States, the commivnication be- tween this Miflion and our North American Brethren is again free. ^, ./ 2. It afforded us no fmall pleafure to receive lome ac- count of our MifTions in South America by way of Phila- delphia and Hamburg. They are dated in June and July, 1796. Brother Hans Wied, at Paramaribo, writes, ^h^% having received no letters "from Europe for a long' tlme^ they rejoiced the more at the arrival of two packets of let* ters and diaries, fent by Brother Meder of Philadelphia, by. a Brother going to Surinam on bufmefs. Our MifTioharies at Paramaribo, Sommelfdyk, Berbice, and Hoop on the Corentyn were all well, and had enjoyed reft and peace- Nor had they perceived any of the calamitous effe^s of war, except fcarcity of provifions, but in this refpe6i alfb, the Lord had helped them fo gracioufly, that they felt no particular want, and had no caufe for complaint. He alfo bleffed the labor of their hands for their needful fup- port« Brother C 84 ] Brother Kluge of Hoop happened jull to be at Berbic(?, when that colony and Demerary were taken poflefTion oi hy the Englilh. But he not only received no harm, but the Englifh officers treated him kindly, as a Miflionary belong- ing to the United Brethren, and informed him, that the Miflionaries ftiould always have a free paflage to and fro^ and tranfaft their bufinefs without the leaft moleftation, 3. By letters from Antigua, dated in November 1796, we learn that Brother John Frederic Reichel had received a commifllon to begin the new Miflion-fettlement in Old Road Town, which is to be called Grace Bay, and intended to move thither in the beginning of 1797. Brother Tfchirpe of St. John's, had been preferved in a remarkable manner from drowning. He was returning from vifiting the fick in the country, and flopping with his horfe to drink at a deep pool, the animal flipt, and plunged fuddenly into the water. Providentially a chriftian negroe belonging to the Hiethodift congregation was juft pafling by, by whofe kind and timely afliHance Brother Tfchirpe was brought out of the water. ThehuiTicane feafonhad p a ffed over without damage, and God had likewife preferved both that ifland and St. Kitt*s from hoftile invafion. 4. Letters from the Danifh Weft India iflands of Decem» ber 13, 1796, mention that fome of the Miffionaries had been dangeroufly ill of bad fevers, but by the blefling of God, were again reftored to heahh. A report prevailing in Europe, that the fo-called yellow fever had made its appeair^ ance in thefe iflands, is not confirmed by the above-men^ tioned letter. C ^1 J CONTINUATION Of the Diary of the Mission among the Hottentots ai Bavian's-Kloof. ^ANU^RY ist. i8ba, The number of our visitors en- ^ creased and our church was crowded with hearers of all descriptions. As we had not received the texts appointed for this year, v/e resolved to make use of those of 1796, till we obtain a copy^ 6th. Epiphany ; after the forenoon's service one adult and two children were baptized : and late in the evening a Hottentot woman was baptized by Brother Rose ©n her death bed and called Lydia. I ith. The Brethren Rose and Kuehnel went on businesf to the Cape-town. 1 2th. Several baboons cam.e into our garden and did isome mischief. They seldom venture so near, since s<» many people live here, being a timid animal. 13th. The abovementioned Lydia departed this life. Long before her baptism she had declared her hope and trust to be in the all-sufEcient merits of our Saviour alone, being sure that He would forgive her sins and cleanse her in His precious blood. This she declared to every one who visited her in her last illness. The night before sh«, departed, she said to one of the baptized who waited upon her, " I shall not sleep to-night, and 1 beg you not to fall asleep, but to remain in prayer for me till day-light, then you will have no occasion to pray for me any more." And so it really happened ; for as the day dawned, her spirit went over into the presence «f her Redeemer. [ 98 ] l6th. Antoinettc,wife oFLsberecht Saul, 1 - -» r' .^ 1 life. They lived in great harmony, and edified others by their walk and conversation. She was seized about tea days ago, with violent pain, which we endeavoured as much as we could to relieve by medicines ; in the beginning they seemed to take effeft, but it pleased God to remove her out of this world. A large company attended her funeral, among whom was a very old man, called Kokkas, v/ho got himself carried in a chair to the burying-ground. i8th. The schools and meetings for instru6lion for the adults, which had been ornitted during the harvest-time, be- gan again. To-day Mr. D. junior came with his wife and children to see us. His father had been here on New- Year's Day, i8oi, and was present at all our meetings. On his return he said to his son : " This is the fifth time in my life that I have been at church, thrice at Schwellendam and twice at Bavian's-Kloof, but what I have felt at the latter place I am not able to utter in words. I never closed a year in my whole life as I did there. I charge you to go and at- tend christian worship, and do not pass by Bavian's-Kloof^ If you negleft this, you will never have God's blessing on your affairs." 19th. One of our people experienced a singular preser- vation of his life, fie was ill in bed, and during the nlpht perceived every now and then something stirring under him. At break of day the people found a large yellow serpent working her way through a chink in the wall into the bed, and killed ir. 23d. .The Brethren Rose and Schwinn returned from Cape-town. Their business had chiefly been to represent the case of our Hottentots to the Governor, General Dun- das ; some neighboring farmers having siezed upon part of their lajid* His Excellency received them very kindly, Sin 4. [ 99 ] and promised to do what was in his power to redress the grievance. He regretted that his dep^iitnre was at hand, and that he had been prevented by business from visiting Bavian's-Kloof. He appointed the Brethren to come a^ain in the evening w^ith the Fiscal, Mr. Rhynefeld, who spoke on this occasion very decidedly in i^ehalt oi the Mission. He represented " that the Mission at Bavian's-Kloof had existed now ten years ; that about looo Hottentots lived there, and distinguished themselves by their obedience to the Missionaries and their orderly conduft, so that he had- never had any complaints from that qp.:;rter. They did not want a Fiscal, (justice of the peace); though in other places, wherever 300 people got together, a justice had enough to do. That in the well known period 01 famine, sickness and mortalitv, no relief had been granted to the poor Hottentots, but the Missionaries alone had supported the burden, and cared for the poor, sick and famishing people. And the more they d'escrve well ot the cause ol humanity, the more unjufl were the encroachments made upon them," &c. \t taking leave Brother Pvose begged his Excellency, that he would recommend our Mission to the future government, which he declared he would do, not only verbally but by- writing. 24th. we had a great many friends here on a visit, so that we could scarcely find room for them. 31st. Having spoken with each of our Communicants with much satisfaction concerning the state of their souls, we had a blessed participation of our Lord's body and blood in the Holy Sacrament. February 4ti), late in the evening we received a letter from the Landdrost of Stellenbosch, wuo in very friendly terms acquainted us, that he was come by desire of General Dun- N 2 elatj, [ 100 ] alas, to examine into the encroachments made by farmer G, and desired, that some oF us would attend the survey. The Brethren Rose and Kuehnel went accordingly on the ^th. and found the commission to consist oi Mr. Barnard, Secretary to the Government, the Landdrost, a Surveyor, and several other gentlemen. (Here follows a particular account of the transa61;ion, by which it appears, that muck art was used by the influence ®f the oppressor to make the whole process unavailing; but by the firmness of th» Missionaries, a just statement was at last delivered to Mr. Barnard, who took it with him and made his report accord- ingly, promising that every thing should be done according to truth and justice.) I2tb. Tv70 English officers were present at church and afterward heard the congregation sing a hymn on the passion of our Saviour. They seemed much moved and said ; they had never believed any thing like this possible, in a con- creffation just collecled from amongst an heathen nation, and 4hat no one could deny the special favor of God to rest upon our undertaking. At taking leave they very cor- dially wished us every blessing. 13th. a large company came to see us. One of them was a farmer, Mr. Larow, a member of the German Society, who holds meetings for edification with his Hottentots and slaves. They attended divine service on the 14th., and had so sooner left us, than another company with two Eng- lish officers arrived and staid over night. Three other English officers called here on the 17th. We were occu- pied in these days in drying peaches, which is a most neces- sary article of provision here, and costs much labor in a wet sifeson like the present, ft I St. we C »ot ] £lst. we had the joy to baptize four men, two women arid three children into the death of Jesus. Among them was a mother with her child, which was the first time this had happened at Bavian's-Kloof. When she wa^ previously informed of it, her tears more than her words testified of the gratitude of her heart. After the service was ended, they all came to return thanks, and we spoke with them once more, exhorting them to remain faithful to the grace bestov/ed upon them. One of them was an old man, called Acuwkain, to pronounce whose name the click of the tongue is required. He was born on the banks of the Sontags Rcvier near CafFraria, but' being convinced that he was not in the way to everlasting life, but still under the condemnation of sin, and hearing that the gospel was to be heard at Bavian's-Kloof, he sec out with his wjfe, and, as he said, found here a place, where his poor soul may be cared for : he understands Low-Duteh tolerably well, but cannot speak intelligibly and must employ an interpreter, by whom he sends us messages and declarations, which of- ten surprize us. He told us, that he longed to go to his father in heaven, and Jiad gladly left all, that he might be- come His child; that he had committed many sins m his youth, but he could believe that God for Jesus' sake would forgive them., &c. A great company were present at the chureh on this occasion. 23d. the weather became very hot. Though it had appeared at the end of last year as if the caterpillars and ground-fleas had devoured every thing, yet, having en- larged our garden, we had a larger crop of beans than we cxpefted, but cabbages and other plants of that kind will not thrive with us as yet. Perhaps we may succeed bet- ter in future. 24th [ 102 ] ' ft4th#, the mother of one of the last baptized men, came to see us, and thanked us for the baptism of her son Sa- muel. We represented to her, that she was very old, and knew not how soon it might please God to call her out of this world, that therefore she should well consider, what excuse she would have to make if she did not be- come acquainted with her Redeemer in this world ; for she could not say that she had never heard of the way of salva- tion through Jesus Christ, as set forth in the word of God taught here. She said nothing, but stood trembling and •[uaking before us. In the following days, we spoke with all our communi- cants. They all expressed an earnest desire after a renewal of their first love, and begged us to remember them often in our prayers. On the 27th. they partook with us of the Holy Sacrament. At the close of this our report we salute all our dear Brethren and Sisters and friends everywhere, commend ourselves and the congregation committed to our care to ^eir loving remembrance and prayers, and remain. Your faithul Brethren, e. L. ROSE, J. p. KOHRHAMMER. H. MARSVELD. I. C. KUEHNEL. . D. SCHWINN. LETTERS LETTERS Received fr6m the Mission SettUments on the Coaft of Labrador. i^rd?;?^ Hopedale, dated Kugu^t i^th^ 1802. Dear Brethren, 'XT'OUR kind letter of May 24th. last we received ^ August ift. by the arrival of the brig Resolution, We were greatry surprized and delighted, when, after our evening-meeting, wc found, that she had meanwhile arrived and come to an anchor in our bay. All the Brethren hastened on board and thanked the Lord, not only that He had brought the ship and company safe across the ocean, but that we found a fellow-laborer, Brother Samuel Stur- man, arrived in her. We soon bade him and captain Fraser welcome in our house, and united in praise to God our Sa- viour for this repeated proof of His goodness towards us praying Him to bless Brother Sturman in his new vocation, and to impart unto him, out of the fulness of His grace, every thing he may want, to render his services profitable, and acceptable to God. Wc also offered up our humble and fervent thanksgivings for the return of peace in Eu. rope, which we have so long wished for. On the 4th. the Brethren Fraser and Sturman gave us very pleasing accounts of our dear friends and acquaintance in Europe, in a meet- ing of our Vv'hole family, Wc read with gratitude, with what tender sympathy you express yourselves concerning the heavy trials we met with last year. It is of much importance and a great comfort to us, that we are assured of your prayers for and remembrance of us before our Saviour ; for we know that the prayers of those who are accounted righteous, through the merits of Jesus' bloodshedding and death, prevail much before God ; and we stand in need of them, both for ourselves as indi' vidfeials. [ «°4 3 "Viduals, and for our service in the work of Goi in tlilg country, We were much concerned to hear, that it had pleased the Lord to take two members of your fociety from us, by their happy departure to eternal rest ; namely, the Brethren' Philip Hurlock and Isaac Edmonds. As to the former his great age led us to expeft his removal, and he certainly- longed to be at home with Christ. We thank the Lord with you for the past labors of this his faithful servant. As to the latter, we had reason to hope that he might have been many years longer an aftive and useful assistant in the cause of God, as he was not far advanced in years ; but we re- sign them to Him, who does all things well. The me- mory of these His servants remains blessed among us. In giving you a short account of the course of our fa- mily, we can declare to the praise of our Saviour, that throughout the year past, He has again led us graciously, imparted unto us all the health and strength requisite for the performance of our several duties, blessed us with His presence in our family-meetings, and granted to us to live in peace and brotherly love : and if any thing would dis- turb that precious bond. He soon gave grace, that all dif- ferences, arising from human infirmity were peaceably set- tled. His cross and death has been the source of all good untQ us, and we pray Him to grant us more hungry and thirsty souls, that we may both live in the enjoyment oi Him by faith, and by the power of His blood be enabled sucessfully to do the work committed to us. Concerning the course of our small Esquimaux congre- gation, you will find a more detailed account in the diarj- and the minutes enclosed, but we will just mention the fol- lowing. Among some of our Esquimaux families a parti- cfular awakening was observed last winter, and indeed the work L >°5 ] work of the Holy Ghost was evident in the hearts of most of our people. One man and two children were baptized, and seven admitted to the class qf candidates for baptism. We rejoice greatly on such occasions, and pray fervently to the Lord, that He may establish their hearts, that they may grow in His love and knowledge, and that we may once have the pleasure to see a man of this nation, who not only exhibits a living example of the power of the grace of God, but may with confidence be employed to te Stify tohis countrvmen, from his own experience, what the blood of Jesus can efFeft in changing and cleansing the heart of a] sinner, making him an heir of everlasting life. In ge- neral our Esquimaux have been healthy, and supported m their external affairs by God's good providence, though some have also at times suffered by hunger; The schoels of the children were diligently attended and the scholars showed a desire to learn. In some there is no want of capacity ; as for instance in the man lately bap- tized, who not only can read pretty well, but even find the. hymns and verses in the hymn-book, when the page and number is given out. The Europeans in our neighbourhood have not troubled us much. Two Englishmen, who lived a little nearer to us than last year, one of whom paid us a visit, seemed quite tired of spending another winter in this desolate region. We have both in this business, and especially in the main obje6l of our wishes, the spread of the gospel among the Esquimaux, no other help and trust, than in our Lord and Saviour, who has placed us here. We have the confi- dent hope in Him, that He will not suffer ws to remain un- fruitful, but hear our fervent supplications in behalf of the poor Esquimaux nation, and cause the hour of their visi- O tat ion [ »o6 ] tation to strike, that the number of thofe who are the re- ward for the travail of His soal may be encreased. We commend ourselves to your continued kind remem- brance and prayers, saluting you all, as if named, and remain, in the fellowship of Jesus, your faithful and very afFe61ionate Brethren, Geo, Sckmidtman^ I.CWolf^ F. Jf, Muller^ T.Chris tens en. P, S, You may wish to know how far we have ad- ranced in the building of our new storehouse, &c. &c. Immediately after the departure of the ship last year, we put up the frame. We then built a proper shed to preserve our stock of gunpowder; and we have now just finished a saw- mill, from which we expeft great help in cutting plankg. The wcatherboarding of the storehouse has likewise been compleated ; but as various changes are to take place, ac- cording to direftions received, (Brother Schimdtman going to Nain and Brother Wolf to Okkak, and the Brethren Kohlmeister and Martin coming to us) ; it will occasion some interruption in our usual work, till wc are all settled again. From Na,in, Dated SepUviber gih,, 1802. Dear Brethren, ^TPHE 8th of Jugust was the joyful day, when a post- -*" kajak from Hopedale brought us the agreeable intelli- gence of the safe arrival of the ship in that place. At the same time wc received your letter of May 24th. The assurances of your kindness and brotherly love towards us, and the renewed proofs of your care for us in send- ing us all we want, fill our hearts with such gratitude, that [ 107 ] that we are not able sufficiently to express in words what we feel on this occasion. But we beg you, dear Brethren, to be assured, that amidst the enjoyment of all the good you bestow upon us, we remember you with the most •incerc love, and pray God to reward you abundantly and to grant unto you the choicest spiritual blessings. We rejoice greatly, that after so long and bloody a war, it has pleased God to give peace unto the earth. May He grant it to be a lasting one. We felt some apprehen- sions, on hearing that the Cape of Good Hope and Suri- nam were to be delivered up by the English, lest our Missions in those countries, particularly at the Cape among the Hottentots, should be deprived of that prote6tion they have experienced under the British government. But we trust to the Lord, that He will cause every thing to work together for good, for the promotion of His kingdom on earth. You will no doubt expe£l to be informed of the course of our Esquimaux congregation, since our last reports. Wc compare it to an infirmary, in which patients of all descriptions are to be met with. However we can plainly discover the power of God manifested among our people, and upon the whole, we have had more cause for joy than grief. Whoever is acquainted with the people in their na- tural and unconverted state, and sees them met together at the church, attentively listening to the word of God, tears flowing down the cheeks of many ; or beholds a company ef converted Esquimaux surrounding the table of the Lord, and favored to enjoy His holy body and blood sacramentally, under a deep and comfortable sense of His gracious pre- S'Cence, — must stand astonished at the power of Jesus* love, which is able to melt the hardest hearts, and make them partake of heavenly blessings, O 2 The [ io8 ] The celebration of the igth, ol Novtmhn, 1801, was at- tended with great blessing to us and our Esquimaux con- gregation. We presented ourselves before our Saviour as the chief Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, with thankg and praises to Him for His faithfulness towards us His poor sheep, and fervent prayers that He would continue to lead and feed us. At Christmas alfo, the important history of our Saviour's incarnation was heard by them with renewed emotion of heart. January 6th. we had the joy to baptize a heathen woman into the death of Jesus, and to receive another, baptized in infancy, into the congregation. This was truly a festival day unto us, which the Lord Himself had made. February 19th., being the anniversary of the opening of our church, which we celebrated with praise and thanksgiving, a man called Siksigak, mentioned in our former letter as having been a noted sorcerer, and two women, were admitted among the candidates for baptism. We offered up fervent prayers to our Saviour,* that He would continue and perfe61 the good work begun in them. March 4th. we had again the joy to baptize a man, whom we called Isaac ; and this transaftion was distinguished by a most encouraging perception of the presence of God amongst us. During the Passion-Week our Esquimaux came diligently to hear the daily lessons, and the history of our Saviour's sufferings and death. And we have good hopes that several of them have obtained an abiding im- pression of what He has done and suffered in Gethsemane and on Calvary to redeem us from sin and eternal condem- nation. Having spent the Easter holidays with them in joyful contemplation on his glorious ressurreQion, we had our usual meeting with them, previous to their departure to their spring-hunting places, and admonished them not ^o forget what they had enjoyed, but to cleave to the Lord, whenever ( I09 ) ♦wherever tliey might be employed in procuring the means of their external support. Soon after Easter they dis- persed, commended by us to the grace and protetlion of God, that none of them may by any means be seduced by sin and fall into the snares of the devil. They have had a very hard time last winter. The pro- visions they had in store, as likewise the few seals they caught upon the thin ice, were all spent in the' first half of the winter- season ; after which, both the land and the ocean were so completely covered with snow and ice, that they could hardly procure any food. Many therefore suf- fered hunger, and it was very providential, that we bad this year a very large supply of dried fish in our store. This however towards the close of the season was nearly consumed, so that we were afraid we could no longer assist them. We wish that ^hey would take more pains in sum- mer, when there are cod-fish in plenty, though at some distance from hence, to gather a sufficient stock for win- ter-consumption. We encourage them continually, to be more diligent, and hope they will attend better to our advice. We will now say a few words concerning our own fa- mily. As soon as the ship had left us last year, we were busily employed in finifhing the building of our new house, that we might move in before winter, and got so fast forward, that we could inhabit it in Oftober. On the 7th. of that month, we had our firft solemn meeting in it, praising the Lord for his gracious support and proteftion during the building, not having met with any harm, but remained healthy and chearfully aftive in the work. We pray Him to make this house a dwelling of peace, and we can truly say, that He has heard our prayers in this respeft. We also repeat our thanks to you, dear Brethren, for hav- ing so liberally supplied us with all the materials we wanted. We C 110 ] We have done in this business what is was our duty to do, according to our best ability, and did not expe£l nor deserve the thanks you express in your kind letter. As our sawmill was in a very ruinous condition, and, for these three years past, quite useless, the building of the new liouse having prevented our repairing it, we are now busy in that work, and hope by next spring to finish and make "use of it in cutting the planks we are still in want of. We have received this year a tolerable supply of fresh meat, partly by purchase from the Esquimaux, and partly by our own exertions, so as not to be confined too much to the use of salt provisions. For this we are truly thank- ful to our heavenly father, and consider it a great benefit, not only in promoting our health, but in saving the provi- sions sent out. The winter was pretty severe, with very sharp frost from January to near the end of April. We had some violent storms from the north, lasting three or four days, Fahrenheit's thermometer standing at fl6 degrees be- low o ; and for some days at 30 and more degrees below it^ We have not had any changes at Nain for several years, but we now lose at once, the Brethren and Sisters Burg- hardts and Martins, who were much beloved by us. Bro- ther and Sister Schmidtman arrived here from Hopedale in the Resolution on Auguft 29th. to supply the place of the former. And as Brother Burghardt is going to you, we hope we may refer you to him for a more detailed ac- count of our situation and of the occurrences amongst us, as he can do it much better by word of mouth, than we can by letter. We recommend these faithful servants of our Saviour to your love ; and heartily wish, that after their long service of eighteen years here in Labrador, they may be truly refreshed in soul and body amongst you in Europe, that we may have the pleasure to sec them return to us next year ; which would be to us a most welconac event. [ lu 3 *ro conclude, we commend ourselves and our dear Es- quimaux flock to your loving remembrance and prayers. We salute you all beyond the ocean most cordially. May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and be your everlasting portion. We remain in His love and fellowship, Your faithful Brethren and Sisters at Nain, yacoh Nissin, Chr, G. Parchwitz^ Suen Andersen^ G, Kmock. From Okkak, dated September 3d., 1802. Dear Brethren, "T X TE received your very kind and encouraging letter of ^ ^ May 24th., 1802, on the 13th. of August by the Es- quimaux Kapik from Hopcdale, for which we return you our best thanks. We rejoiced particularly at the welcome in- telligence that peace was reestablished in Europe, and hear- tily wish that it may be a lasting one. We expcfted the the new ship to arrive first at Okkak, having some hopes, that an attempt to reconnoitre the more northern coast might have been made this year. But having touched first at Hopedale, we had not the pleasure to see our new fel- low laborer. Brother Sturman, whom we however com- mend in spirit to our Lord and Saviour, that He may bless him, and grant him to be a useful servant in His work among the Esquimaux in Labrador. We join in your wish that the change of ships may turn out advantageous and our agreeable communication remain uninterrupted under that proteftion of our Lord, which we have hitherto through mercy enjoyed. As As to our course, both as a family and a congregatioiT, We have cause to extol the great faithfulness and mercy of our Saviour, who has again preserved us in health, and un- assailed by any heavy illness or any kind of danger, granted us to live in brotherly iove and peace, and if any thing would disturb it, gave us grace to speak with each other simply and humbly, to confess our faults one to another, for- giving and bearing with each other. We are in ourselves poor, sinful creatures, and often to blame ; but whenever we appeared before Him, either in private or as a family, to ask his forgiveness and blessing, or to lay before Him the state of the Mission here, and to complain of our fre- quent want of faith and confidence, when we consider the slow progress made by the gospel among this nation, we always found Him near to bless and comfort us, filling our hearts anew with peace and confidence towards Him. To our feeble testimony of His love to sinners in preach- ing the word of His cross to the Esquimaux He granted a particular blessing. Our congregation consisted at the close ot 1801 of seven communicants, five candidates for the communion, four baptized adults (net yet communicants),, nine baptized children, and eight candidates for baptism. In all thirty-three. To these, and particularly to the com- municants, our Saviour has approved himself as the good Shepherd, and imparted His help to each according to their several wants, granting them also to encrease in faith and love towards himself. We have experienced peculiar blessings on all solemn occasions; at the enjoyment ot the Lord's Supper, at festival seasons, in the meetings of the baptized and candidates, and in the schools for the children. Though the latter are rather slow in learning, their love for It gives us pleasure, and encourages us to hope the best. The main hindrance to their retaining better what they have heard [ 1^3 J heard and learnt, is the roving life of 'the Esquimaux, whick being necessary for providing their maintenance, we cannot prerent. Bkt our Saviour is so gracious, that He always awakens them anew ; which gives us courage and exciter. us to diligence and patience, and to constant prayer in their behalf. The heathen living hereabouts, as well as those who come from the north to barter, always contrive, i£ possible, to avoid coming to church, and if they even enter it by invitation, they seem, alas, to pay little attention to the word. But we seek to improve other opportunities, t» proclaim the death and sufferings of our Saviour to them, and the blessings thereby procured for us. Nov» i6th. we had our first meeting, according to the winter regulation, with those belonging to our congre- gation, when we delivered your salutations. They ex- pressed their thanks for your love, and desired us to write to you, that it was their whole hearts' desire, to know and love Jesus better. They also beg you to continue to remem- ber them in prayer; Dec, i8th. three persons were added to tha candidates for baptism. The Christmas holidays were celebrated m a spirit of joy and thanksgiving. January 6th., 1802, was a day of much blessing for the whole congregation. One woman was baptized and called Amelia, and a youth admitted to the class of the candidates, January 9th. Sister Kohlmeister was delivered of a daughter, called Henrietta Elisabeth in baptism. Bro- ther and Sister Kohlmeister went on the 18th. of August with -their three children to Nain, from whence they will go in company of Brother Martin and his wife to reside at Hopedale. Their son Lewis will go with Brother Burg- iiavdt to Europe for his education. Brother Kohlmeister served twelve years in this Mission vath great faithfulness, p Bsfor* C "4 3 Before Easter most of our Esquimaux went as usual to liuMt raindeer, and were pretty successful. The few remaining, as likewise some from Kivalek, attended diligently the daily lessons in the Passion-Week, not without blessing. Before our people left us, we read tot hem the history of our Lord's sufferings, death and resurrection. But it did not seem to be attended with the same solemnity, as in the Pas- si«n-Week ; we shall therefore appoint the celebration of that season for them at some other convenient period, before their minds are taken up with plans for the raindeer-hunt. Last winter was uncommonly severe and stormy ; and the Esquimaux both here and in other places suffered hunger, having been unsuccessful in getting whales and seals in au. tumn and winter, and negle6>ed the laying by a store ot cod- fish. They then came and demanded assistance from us, which we did not refuse, as long as we had any thing to give. But some of our baptized went out of impatience to Saeglek, being invited by the heathen there to eat with them, and to procure some viftuals for their families. The ice being good, we had many visitors from the north, especially as they had caught several whales and many seals at Saeglek and Nach- ▼ak. One family have left us and now live with their heathen relations. Two heathen have moved hither, John of Hopcdale with his family, who had been there excluded^ came to live here, c«s>nfessed their transgressions and begged for readmission, which we have promised to consider of. A baptized woman from Nain, who had leit the congrega- tion and was roving about in this neighbourhood with her heathen relations, came nearer to us, was visited on her death-bed by the Missiona ies, and exhorted to turn with all her sins and misery to Jesus Christ her Saviour. She departed this life, calling on the name of the Lord and pleading his mercy. /tigust C >'s ] Augujl 2jcl. an old communicant Sister, called Tabea, departed this life here rejoicing, after a short illness, during which the state of her heart and her declarations were trulr edifying. An unbaptized child likewise departed on ovir land. Thus our dear Brethren have a summary of what h*s passed here since the date of our hst letter. For further accounts we refer you to our diary. We entreat you to continue to oper up your prayers in behalf of this Mission, that the Lord would dispose the hearts of the poor heathen Esquimaux to accept of that salvation, which has now been offered unto them for so many years. He will hear our joint prayers and grant us still to rejoice in beholding the works of His power and love. We have always remained in a confidential correspond- ence with our dear Brother Burghardt. We recommend him and his wife to your particular kind attention and love, as they are now going to you with the child Lewis Kohimeister. May they be truly refreshed in their visit to the European congregations, after their long and faithful services, for which we love and reverence them. The building of the shed, approved of by you, we hope to finish next summer. We have prepared the materials and made the shingles necessary for it, but were too busy this season to go farther. For all the necessaries of life and other articles you have again kindly supplied us with, we return you cur most cordial thanks, and pray the Lord to bless you and all our dear friends who take share in pro- moting the cause of God in the world, with an everlasting reward of grace. We have experienced some disturbance by the settling of two Englishmen in our neighborhood, who endeavoured to firaw the Esquimaux to their place to barter. We fear the consequences of such intrusion to the morals of the Esqui* P 2 maiif [ ii6 ] maux, but as we have no power to prevent it altogether, we leave the matter to the Lord, our Preserver. They ar- rived from the south on Oftober 4th. with an Esquimaux family in a fishing sloop, built a hut in the wood and set traps to catch foxes. The place they chose is about five miles from Okkak, and lies within our territory, as marked by the stones. OSioher 5th, we wrote to request them to call upon us, that we might speak with them concerning their intentions of settling so near us. They promised to come as soon as they should have finished their dwelling. They said they were not come to disturb us in our laudable un- dertaking to convert the natives, but only to catch foxes and other creatures. January 1st. one them came to us, with whom we spoke, and desired him and his compa. nions in future to pay more regard to our boundary^. The oifcher had been some years ago at Nukasusuktok, where he spent the winter and also visited our Bre- thren at Nain. This man had an Esqimaux woman and her brother in his company, from whom they had gained good information respefting the whole coast and the dwellings <)f the Esquimaux farther north, of which they delivered 9 soil of map to Brother Kohlmeister. They meant to have gone farther north to Nachvak, but were prevented by the quantity of ice. They quitted these parts again for the south on June 25th., not very well satisfied with their success. May the Lord prevent all harm which may arise to the Mission from this circumstance. We took a sympathing share ii\ the loss sustained by the Society, by the departure of our two dear Brethren Philip Hurlock and Isaac Edmonds, who always took such pleasure in serving the Missionaries passing through Lon- don. They are now at home with the Lord and will re- ceive from Him, through grace, the reward He has pro- mised to His servants. In [ >'7 1 In the transaftions of the synod last year we felt our- selves much interested and are thankful that the Mission in Labrador was also an objeft of their deliberations. We have received with much pleasure the accounts from the synod. The Periodical Accounts of the Missions, are an inaportant present to us, and we generally receive intelli-r gence from our other Missions through them, much earlier than by the MSS. accounts sent to us. The Resolution arrived safe on September 22d. We recommend ourselves and the small flock of Esqui- maux gathered together here at Okkak to the remembrance and prayers ot all our dear Brethren and Sisters ^nd friends to the Missions everywhere. May He bless you and U5, with His peace aid presence till we are called to meet Him above. In His fellowship and love we remain ever, Your very aiFePtionate and faithful Brethren and Sisters, serving the Mission at Okkak, Signed J. X. Morhardt^ H, Schmidt, L S, Meisner, J, H^siing^ Ssitra^ of a Letter Jrom Brother H. Tfchirpe, Missionary at St. John's in Antigua, U the Secret aryt. of the Society ^ dated July 23(1., 1 802. TTTITHOUT any farther preface, I am going to give ^ ^ yom a short account of the loss this Mission has sustained by the happy departure of our late Brother Luke Turner. (See page 93J. Oa [ i,S ] On the iith. of January, he was diligently engaged in visiting the sick and in other official duties. In the Even- ing of the T2th., he delivered a discourse to the class of new people with uncommon unftion and chearfulness, which made a deep impression upon all present. His wife asked |iim afterwards, what made him speak so loud and so long ? His answer was ** There were so many good people pre- sent ; this encouraged me.** On the 13th., he was attacked \Y symptonis of ^ malignant fever, which required the immediate assistance of several physicians, who are our friends. His disorder continued in the following days till the i7.th., when he was so ill, that the doftor ordered a new course of medicines. As they seemed to operate favorably, we conceived hopes, that this useful servant of Christ would yet be spared unto us. However on the 18th., he grew worse, notwithstanding |he most attentive exertions of the medical people were applied. Messages were therefore sent to the other two settlements, to give our fellow laborers notice of the dan- gerous state Brother Turner was in. On the morning foK lowing, Brother Adolph from Gracebay and Brother Gan^ son from Gracehill came to visit him. After dinner I had a confidential conversation with him. He said : *' It is not yet clear to me, that I shall depart this life by this illness, but I wish, that our Saviour may cause you all to experience the same strong sensation of comfort which I feel, that He will receive me to Himself as a reconciled; sinner, redeemed by His blood, that, when I am gone, you may know assuredly, that I am with Him for ever. I have nothing more particular to say : It is hard to part witli such friends. May the Lord comfort my dear wife, you and your children and every one of you.'* He then asked : ** Pray what do the do^lors say ?** I answered — " that yo* t »^9 ] y<^u are in a very dangerous situation, unless a change soo« takes place." It is well," he replied, ♦* but it is not yet clear to me." On the aoth. however, he had altered much, and it seemed certain to us, that he would not remain long with us. His wife asked him, whether he thought he should soon depart and be with our Saviour ? He answered; ** The Lord's will be done," then lifting up his hands he turned to me as if to speak to me, but forgot what he had to say. His rccolleftion now began to fail. In the after- noon he very devoutly attended to some hymns sung at his bedside Towards the evening a physician called ; Af- ter contemplating him some time, he addressed me thus : ** For these many months, Sir, we have not lost one white patient. However your friend is best prepared for it, though he cannot speak. His verycountcnance shows the peace of his heart and the rest of his soul. He will be re* warded in heaven. Look at his christian composure: big end will be as his life, easy and mild. I pity you, that you should lose a man of such a charafler." The tears then stole down his cheeks, and he went away. At eight o'clock, all of us, with several negroes, assembled around his bed, and, after singing a few verses, we knelt down and thanked our Saviour for the labors of this His faithful ser- vant amongst us, which we, alas, had enjoyed but too short a time, commended his departing spirit into His hands, and prayed Him to bless and comfort his poor wife in this great affliftion." H« lifted up his eyes and kept them in that posi- tion, till shortly before nine o'clock, when his soul took flight. On the 21 St. in the evening, we met to the interment of he remains of this our beloved fellow-laborer. Several white people and a considerable number of negraes attended the funeral. I took my text from Galatians ii. 20. ** I live^ yH not /, but Christ livetk in rm, And the. life which I nota live [ ^^® 3 iim in the Jlesk^ I live by the faith of the Son of God, wh$ loved me and gave hlmstf for me" This was the true cha- raftcr ©f our late Brother. He was born February 22, 1756, at Ealand in Yorkshire, and in his thirteenth year became an inhabitant of Fulnec, In process of time, he was appointed to various services in that congregation* As an assistant in the school, he dis- tinguished himself by a degree of attention, diligence and faithfulness, peculiar to himself. He afterwards was called to serve the congregations at Fairfield near Manchester, and Okbrook near Derby. In June 1791, he was ordained a deacon of the Brethren's church by our late venerable Bro- ther George Traneker. In November 1799, he arrived with tJs in Antigua, after a perilous voyage. We soon found liim to be a true and genuine child of God, whose heart and soul cleaved unto our Saviour. The negroe-congregation loved and valued him highly. His discourses to them were plain, evangelical and full of spirit, dircfting all poor sin- ners of every description to come to Jesus, and to Him alone, for pardon and deliverance from the power and curse of sin. If he discovered any offence in the congregation, or perceived that some turned again from the Lord and fol- lowed the ways of iniquity, (of which, in so large a congre- gation, we have, alas, some instances,) his sorrow was very great. His patience and forbearance with the weak and faulty was a pattern to us all, and his general behaviour pleasing and obliging. He thought humbly of himself and knew his own weaknesses, but his strength was in his God and Saviour, with whom he lived in close communion. If he found himself in any degree unequal to the duties of his station, he felt uneasy, and wished always to be able to assist in every thing, but his health was on the decline and would not admit of much exertion. What he could d^o, he did [ 121 ] did gladly and with his whole heart. He loved and soHght to keep peace with all mankind, and was scrupulously atten- tive to avoid every thing in his own cohduft, by which it might be in the least interrupted. In short, we have lost in him a brother, a friend, a faithful, serious well-pre* pared and well-iiistrufted laborer in the Lord's vineyard. Our prayer is, that the Lord would only grant his place to be supplied by a man, for whom we may thank Him with the same fervency, which we feel when we consider the service of this our departed brother. During the funeral discourse, a general emotion was felt, and most of the hearers were obliged to give full vent to their tears. The corpse was borne by six negroe assistants, and accompanied in deep silence to the grave, where the usual Liturgy was prayed. He now beholds Him face to face, whom here, though he saw Him not, he loved, and rejoiced in Him with joy unspeakable. Nothing was left undone for our dear* Brother's recovery, but the Lord had prepared him for life eternal, and we are resigned to His divine will. On the 17th. during Brother Turner's illness, we had a remarkably blessed prayer-day, nine men and fourteen wo-~ men were added to the candidates for baptism, and nine Hien and twelve v/omen were baptized. I have now served this mission ten years, and have nothing to say in behalf o£ myself, but that the pardon and peace of my Saviour is my only comfort. But when I consider what He has don^ during this period, I sink astonished and ashamed at His feet. To JHim be all the glory ! Amen ! I remain evsi". Your affeftionate Brother, Henry Christian Tfchirpe. <5 Extras [ 12 J ExtvaEl of a Letter frem Brother C. F. Gregor, Mi^ nihttr of the Congregation of the Brethreyi at Sarepta, on the V\fo\^s 3 are nearly allied and have the same language, ^vhen the principal chief of the Chippeways, Nangi^ rose and said : " I will gladly receive you," pointing oat at the same time the place, in which Brother Denke should dwell. A letter dated Oftober 29th. mentions, that all our Bre- thren at Fairfield were well in health, though lower down the river and at Detroit a malignant fever had carried off a great many people. In Oftober they received a friendly vjsit froni Mr. Elkanah Holmes, sent by the Newyork Missionary Society to the Tuscarora nation. At his desire the christian Indians at Fairfield gave him a letter, exhort- ing the Tuscarora Indians to receive and believe in the gospel of our Saviour. January i6th., 1H02. Brother Schnall writes, that a new ^wakening had taken place among our Indians at Fairfield. ^Brother Denke continues to apply himself diligently to learning the Chippeway language, and in spring intended to pay another visit to that nation. One hundred and fifty believing Indians lived at Fairfield at the close of 1801.. since which time, one had been added, viz. Benjamin^ who was led away as a child of eight years old by the white people, after the massacre of our Indians on the Muskingum in 1782. Several other Indians, who were led aVay captive at that disatrous period, are still living among the Indians. 4. At Hope near Salem in Wachovia our Brethren have begun to preach regularlv to the negroes in their neighbor- hood. Above forty negroes attended. When Brother Herbst visited Graceham in Maryland, he preached to fifty- six negroes, who had assembled to hear the Gospel. These poor people arc chiefly employed in the Iron-founderies. They expressed great thankfulness for the attention iiioy/n to them. VARIOUS [ 126 ] VARIOUS A C CO U NTS. 1. T^HE latest accounts from Jamaica are of a more pr«- -»- mining nature, with respeft to the Mission, than those received for some time past. Brother Ellis writes : *' July I2th- I went to Unidn (a new place,) where I met ** the attorney, and according to the promise he had given *• me some time ago, the meetings for the negroes were re- ** gulated anew. The plan agreed on is, that I am to meet •' them one week at seven in the morning, and the next, ** at three or four in the afternoon. Accordingly this being ** the day {July 17th.) I went early in the morning and *» after waiting about half an hour there were above loa •* negroes and five white people assembled, to whom I spokd •' with much freedom, being encouraged by the attention cf ** the audience,'* Brother Jackson mentions, that at Mesopotamia six adult negroes have been baptized, since his settling there ; dud, that the negroes seem more attentive than ever, in coming to church and requesting instruftion from the Missionaries, from the Bogue the same pleasing information gives us hopes, that it may please the Lord to revive His work in Jamaica, and give a blessing to the renewed efforts of our Brethren, and the means adopted by several benevolent proprietors, for the spread of the gospel among the negroes. 2, In Surincmi all our Brethren and Sisters employed in the various settlements were well in February last. A com- pany of Missionaries, wlio w^ni in December 1801 to supply the places, vacant by the decease of several of those sent -in the preceding year, arrived there safe on February ist., after a passage of only thirty-three days from Gravesend. Eighteen aduk negroes were baptized at Paramaribo isfifl^he year t 127 J year 1801. But we are very sorry to add, that Brotheir John Lewis Wiez, who had served this mission for many years, both at Paramariho and among the free-negroes at Bambey amidst great difficuhies, with exemplary and perse» vering faithfulness and zeal, being obliged by the bad state of his heahh to visit Europe, departed this life at Altona, ifn the fiftieth year of his age, on his return to the West Indies. He seemed to have profited much by the change of air, and other means, and wished to devote the remainder q{ his health and strength to the service of the Lord among the negroes, towards whom he felt a parental affeftion.. For this purpose he had accepted of a call to Antigua, and was on his passage thither with another Missionary. On his journey from Saxony to Altona he was taken ill, and reached the latter place with difficulty. Perceiving his dissolution approaching, he toek an afFe£lionatc leave of the Brethren present, and on April 2d. entered into the joy of the Lord. 3. The reports from the Danish West India islands, St.- Thomas, St. Croix and St. Jan, of the year 1801, mention that amidst all the difficulties attending the hostile move- ments in that quarter, the work of God among the negroes had proceeded with much blessing. One hundred ninety- four adult negroes were baptized, and i^j admitted to the Lord's supper in the year 1801, in the different settlements. 4. In St. Kitts, 169 adult negroes were baptized and ninety-nine admitted tothe Lord's supper, from Easter 1801, to same period 1802. They much wish to have a third set- tlement in another part of the island for the convenience of the negroes. The Brethren Schneller and Hofman be- gin indeed to feel the effe6ls of old age, but exert them- selves to the utmost of tkav power in the service of the Mission. ^. ^rom I «28 ] 5. From Antigtia, a letter from Brother James Light to a member of the Society mentions the following : ** /V- *' bruary 17th., 1802. About twelve o'clock at night I was '* waked out of a sound sleep by the shock of an earth- " quake, the earth continuing to tremble under us. This *' trembling was supposed by the best judges to last about ^* one minute. In the morning we found the west-and- ** north-walls of the church cracked in several places ** and stones and mortar lying about on the floor. So se- ** verc an earthquake has not been felt here for some years, ** nor was this the season, when they ..are expeftcd. On ♦* some estates, chiranies were thrown down. We were glad " and thankful to our heavenly Father for His gracious pro- *' teftion. On the 24th. we had a violent storm, which *^ did considerable damage to at least thirty sugar-mills '* on the island, and some vessels were driven on shore." 6. The latest accounts from Greenland were received by letters from Lichtenfds of June and August 3d., i8o$, writ- ten by the Brethren Pliegel and Gorke. There has been a long and severe winter in Greenland, by which the poor Greenlanders were in a great degree prevented from gaining the needful sustenance, and suffered much by hunger. Ala- Toine must have ensued, unless our Missionaries had come to their assistance with a supply of provisions. But notwitli- standing all outward distress, the internal state of the con- gregation at JLichtenfels was pleasing. The ship destined for Julianenhaab, for the fate of which much anxiety pre^ vailed, arrived safe at last, but on account of the immense quantity of ice, could not get farther than Fredericshaab, from whence the Brethren at Lichtenau were not able to fetch any part of the provisions destined for them sooner than in May last. [ 129 J Extra5i of the "Diary of the Mijfion at Hoop, on the i?zt/er CoRENTYNj in Surinam, of the Tear i%oo, /'^N Epiphany, January 6th, a child and a youth were ^^ baptized by Brother Loesche, In the evening meeting the children sang the anthem " O sing praises to the Lord,'' in a very cheerful mrmner, February 28ih, we received the affecting intelligence from Paramaribo, that the missionaries sent to our assist- ance from Europe and North America had arrived, but that two of them, the Brethren Ertel and Metz had already de- parted this life; Brother Schulz and his wife were destined to serve the Ind'an mission here, and we immediately took, steps to conduf^l them hither from Paramaribo. March 3d, Brother Kluge set out with some Indian bre- thren for that purpose, and on the 24th returned with Bro- ther and Sister Schulz, gyrd Brother Thomas Langballe, whom we received with great joy. Brother Langballe had been commissioned by the missions' conference at Parama- ribo, to take a view of the present external and internal state of the Indian mission. They had had a quick passage, and spent only four-and-twenty hours in crossing the sea from the mouLh of the river Surinam to the Corentyn; but Brother Schulz was attacked by a fever on the voyage, and arrived here in a state of great weakness, In a few days however he recovered. On Sunday, March 30, the whole Indian Congregation met to bid them welcome. They were informed, that Bro- ther Schulz and his wife had come across the great ocean, out of love to the Indians, to reside amongst them ; and that it was a plain proof that God our Saviour had thoughts of peace arvd love towards them, that he disposed the hearts R of [ ^So ] of his people to come over and teach them the way of sal- vation. We therefore most ardently wished, that His gra- cious purpose might be obtained, and especially, that all the baptized might approve themselves as true children of God. Brother Schulz then deHvered salutations from all the Coa-f gregations in Europe, and the Elders' Conference of the Unity, and particularly from Brother Liebisch. whom many Indian Brethren are personally acquainted with, (he having been here on a visit) ; after which, some letters written to the Indians, by Brethren at Hcrrnhut and Bethlehem, were read to them. They came afterwards to express their joy and gratitude, that the Congregations beyond the great ocean should remember them with so much Love. Jpril ^th, in the evening, the widow Mary Magdalene sent for us, being near her end. She was quite resigned to the will of the Lord, and expected her dissolution in peace. During her whole illness, she had often declared her great desire to be at home with the ^ord forever. She was 44 years old, and was, whea a child, baptized in 17<56, by Brother Schuman, sen. The Passion-Week and Easter-holidays were celebrated with much blessing, and the presence of our Saviour and His spirit sensibly felt in the congregation. On Palm Sun- day our children sung that anthem '''' Hosanna! blessed is. He that comes ^"^ with cheerful voices; and, on another oc- casion, that ait, ** Hen are tie, weak and jeeblt,'' &c. On Easter-Eve most of our Indians were present at a meeting in the afternocvn, when Brother Loesche spoke with them in a familiar and affeftionate manner concerning their attendance at the church, and begged them to come to it as often as possible, and also to omit no opportunity of mak- ing the gospel known to their countrymen. Some said, that -the church at Hoop was too small, and that at Pilgcr- ruk C '3' 3 ruh had been larger. They were told, that it would be easy to enlarge the church ; which, indeed, would have been done before now, if we had not intended to begin a new settlement at Aporro. On Easter-Sunday morning, the congregation went early in procession to the burying-ground, where we prayed the Easter Litany. We had just finished the repairs of this ground, and provided each grave with a broad upright post, upon which the number of the person deceased, answering to that in the church-books, is painted. After the fore- noon service, the Indians made a colleftion among them- selves, towards the expences attending the church, which amounted to more than ever before; viz. three pounds and a half of spun cotton, and a florin and a half in cash. Jpril 1,5th, early, the missionaries Loesche, Langballc, and Schulz, with nineteen Indians, set out for Aporro, up the river Corentyn, to take a view of the land granted to this mission by government, and to fix upon the most eli- gible spot for the building of the new mission-settlement. They give the following account of this expedition : *' It is about eight hours row from Hoop to the nearest part of the said piece of land, the river winding in an ex- traordinary manner, insomuch, that at one place it takes a course direttly opposite to the former for a considerable way. it was a very hot day, and but little wind, so that we did not arrive at the Kabuli-creek, being the lower boundary, till two in the afternoon. The Kabuli is a very considera- ble stream. It being just then ebb-tide, we proceeded very slowly with oars, and about three o'clock landed at Simirri- kurru, to give our people some rest. We then took three Indians and penetrated about an English mile into the wood, where wc found the land low, and poor in quality. Wc visited some Indian families living in the wood, who R 2 treated t '32 ] treated us with fish and cassabi. According to the tndiart custom, they placed the food intended for us on the ground, and laid a board near it for us to sit upon. Being mucfc fatigued by the heat, we found the repast very relreshing; but th«. pepper-sauce, with which the fish was dresse'd, was so intensely hot, that Brother Schulz, as a new-comer, felt his lips as if scalded by it. Having again reached our boat, we proceeded along the "banks up the river till seven o'clock, when we reached the landing-place near the Aporro-creek. Here a piece of ground has already been cleared and planted. We took up our night's lodging in an old hut, fourteen feet square, hav- ing first secured it from falling by some props on the out- side. On the i6th, we penetrated through the wood, from the Aporro to the Apokilli-creek. An Indian went before us with a hatchet to cut a path through the bushes. Here we found the land pretty good, and high enough for dwellings and plantations. At noon we returned to our hut, where our dinner was prepared by an Indian Sister, Salome. In the afternoon /.e went through the new plantations of Indiait corn and benanas, which were so much overgrown with strong weeds, as to render it very troublesome and even dangerous, to walk about among them. The Indian corn being ripe, it was resolved to begin the harvest to morrow. On the 17th, we went with two Indians in the boat along, the banks up to the Kauli-creek, which is the upper boun- dary of the land granted to the mission. This creek ha^ not as much water as the Kabuli, which forms the lower boundary. Having rowed for twenty minutes up the Kauli, we founlthe land low, so as to be under water in the rainv season. We spent the afternoon in walking to and fro through the high grounds on the Aporro-creek, anJ C »S3 ] and our Indians were all day employed in cutting Indian corn. On the 1 8th, it rained so much, that wc were obliged to remain under shelter till towards evening, when we went in a small canoe to measure the land on the uppe waited on the Governor, General Dundas, in a matter relating to some assistance promised us by the go- vernment. His Excellency, with great generosity, ful- filled iiil he had kindly promised in our behalf; of which, in the above-mentioned letter*, I sent a farther account. *' You mention that a fr'end of our missions had sent ns :i lian-dinill, to grind corn for the use of our settlement. This will, when It arrives, h^*. a very acceptable present: for which we return many thanks, as likewise for the stock of medicines our good friend Mr. H — k has destined for us. We stand in great iieeJ of sucli a supply. Seldom a day passes, that 1 have not to Cie..p obout in the kraals with my medicine-bottle in my iiand. To one I would ghdly give Kiedicine, to another something to eat, if I could afford it. We have p«.;rchased some medicine for them at the Cape- town, [ «57 ] town, but there every thing is extravagantly dear, ^nd our Hottentots are so very poor, that we cannot think of requir- ing to be reimbursed. " My wife is pretty well recovered from her last illness and though the wound is not yet quite healed, yet she grows better every day. Sister Kuehnel was safely delivered of a healthy son on the 23d of November, which was called Christian Henry in baptism. " Towards the end of 06l;ober we received a parcel by way of Holland, containing the resolutions of the last synod, which we have read with much thankfulness and profit. We commend ourselves and the work of our Lord among the Hottentots here, to the remembrance and prayers of all our brethren and friends in Europe.'* iV"« B, This letter arrived on the 16th of April, 1S03, and refers to letters and diaries sent in 061ober, which we have not yet received. Yet, as it gives some account of the welfare of our Missionaries at Bavianskloof, and seems to imply, that the blessing ot the Lord continues to intend their labours, this extract is inserted for the satisfaction of our Brethren and Friciids, who take so kind a share in the mission among the Hottentots. We hope that the packet alluded to will yet arrive safe. VARIOUS ACCOUNT S. i. T>Y letters from Lichtcnau in Greenland, dated in -^--^ April iBoa, we iearn, that that c-jngy egation had experienced no want in its external support, thouo-h their supply of provision was not as large as usual. Thirteen Greenianders C 158 ] Greenkndcrs had been baptized since the date of their last letters. The Heathen, however, visited them but seldom, and few became inhabitants of the settlemeat. In the two > congregations at Ncivherrnhut and Licktenfds, no adult Greenlander had been baptized last year, as there are but few natives in those parts, who have not been baptized, cither by our Brethren, or by the Danish Missionaries. 2. In Antigua, the hurricane season passed off very quietly. Some slight shocks of earthquakes had, however, been felt, at different times. Brother Nicholas Ganson went to Barbadoes on 06lober 4, 1S03 : and the mission in Antigua has received assistance by the arrival of Brother Schnepf from St. Jan, and the Brethren Becker and Sau- ter from Europe. Sister Becker, however, departed this life soon after her arrival; in which, not only Brother Becker himself, but the Mission has sustained a great loss. She was a worthy handmaid of Christ, whose devotedness to the Lord, and triendly disposition, promised great useful- ness in the work of the mission. 3. The following is extraQcd from letters received from Surinam. Brother Loesche^ missionary at H§op on the Corentyn* in making a voyage to Berbice, in April i8oe, with some of our Indians, met with a severe accident. Their boat be- ing overset by the violence of the wind and waves, they \vere driven to and fro in the water, sitting upon her keel, for four-and-twenty hours, in the mofi imminent danger of losing their lives. It pleased God, however, to strengthen Brother Loesche and his companions in so wonderful a manner, that, after uncommon exertions, they all got safe to land, by means of planks and boards, near Berbice. Having suffered much distress, and the loss of the boat and cargo, they arrived safe at Hoop, where they immediately exerted E »59 3 exerted themselves to build a new boat, which is most es* sentially necessary for their outward support. An epidemical disorder had prevailed at Hoop, by which the wife of Brother Langballe was translated into eternity ©n July 28, 1802. The Missionaries, and the whole Indian Congregation, very much lamented the loss of this useful Sister. The Brethren Schulz and Berg had likewise been severely attacked by the same disorder, but it pleased God to restore them. Brother DitlifF, newly appointed to serve the mission at Bambey, had also recovered from a dangerous illness. The rest of our missionaries there were well, as likewise at Paramaribo and Sommelsdyk, The work of God, in Surinam, proceeds, though not rapidly, yet with a manifest blessing upon the labours cf our Brethren. In all the four settlements they are earnestly and diligently engaged in inviting poor lost sinners to hear and believe the Gospel of their Redeemer. At Paramaribo, sixteen adult negroes had been baptized from January to tbe end of September 1802. 4, The latest letters from the three Danish West-India islands, give a satisfaftory account of the welfare of the Missionaries, the progress of the mission, and the preser- vation of the islands during the hurricane sea^n. . ^. Brother Jackson, in a letter to the Secretary dated Af;- sopota?nia^ in Jamaica, January 10, 1803, after mentioning some points relating to r^the general state of the mission, adds : ** Since my last to you, I have been again in St, Elizabeth's, on business, and spent New-Year's-Day with Brother Ellis at Island. I went on horseback through the mountains, a very troublesome road, but which here and there abundantly repays all trouble and fatigac, by de- lightful prospects opening on all sid^js. I met the first night night with a very hospitable reception from Sir D. K. The track (for it can scarcely be called a road) lies through the thickest woods, which seems to have stood there ever since the Flood, and are next to impenetrable. After a short stay at Carmd^ I went with Brother Lister to Island, where, on the last day of the year, I had the plea- sure, in the evening, to meet about forty negroes, who were ranged in great order on th« floor of the hall, and listened very attentively to my discourse. May our Lord grant that this new year may prove a period of renewed grace and mercy, both for us and our negroes, that a true hunger and thirst after Him and His Word may be excited in their hearts. We are sure of your best wishes and prayers." 6. The number of Brethren and Sisters employed in the missions of the Brethren, in various parts of the world, to- wards the close of the year 1802, is as follows : In the Danish West India islands, in six settlements,. . 32 In Greenland, three ditto, 1$ In Antigua, three ditto, 17 In St. Kitts, one ditto, 4 In Jamaica, three ditto, .--.. S In Barbadoes, one ditto, 2 In Tobago, one ditto, 2 In South America, - - . four ditto, 24 In Labrador, three ditto, 2^ Among the Indians inNorth America, three ditto 19 Among the Hottentots at the Cape of Good Hope, one ditto, 10 Near Tranquebar, one ditto - 2 In all, 161 Prini«t uj j. MA»ii»»»l, AW.';«*jrv Uiti.ch Yard, [ "6i 3 Extract of the Diaries of the Brethren s Missions in the Danish Islands St. Thomas, St. Croix^ and St. Jan^ of the years 1801. *' I ^HE year 1801, was diftinguifhed by occurrences of a peculiar nature, which affected our Negroe-Congrega- tion in various ways. We met with trials which thefe Mif- fions had not experienced fince their firft eftablifhment in 1732. But though the cloud which pafTed over us, feemed, in Its approach, terrible, and big with difaftrous efFefts, yet, by the Lord's goodnefs, our truft in him was not in vain. The difficulties we encountered had a blelTed effect upon the hearts of our people ; the fupport we enjoyed during their continuance, and their fpeedy conclufion, excited within us the moft lively fenfe of gratitude, and caufed us t(> praise the Lord with heart and voice. Our confidence in His never-failing mercy and faithfulnefs has alfo been more confirmed. Before we enter upon a detail of facis we will premife fome general account of the courfe of our Negroe- Congre- gation, previous to this period. Though we had, and always have, occafion to pray unto the Lord, that He would grant unto our dear Negroe-Brethren and Sifters in general more life and power from God, and by the influence of His Holy Spirit, renew within their hearts that ardor of love, which infpired them when they firft heard the Gofpel, yet, in fpeaking with them previous to the Prayer-days, and the enjoyment of the Lord's Supper, we had always the fatis- faftion to perceive, that the light of His grace was by no means extinguifhed in their hearts, but even {hone bright in X many [ ,62 ] many of them. Wlien we fpokc with the communicants at Ncwherrnhut, in St. Thomas, individually, before the firfl Communion in this year, we were particularly encouraged. Their declarations concerning the (rate of their fouls were •fpontancous, and accompanied with great earnellnefs. They complained of their advancing fo liowly in the knowledge and grace of our Saviour, whom they loved fo little, and whofe fpirit they fo often grieved by not attending to, and obeying, his word, which was fo often explained to them, and appeared unto them fo precious. At the fame time they ei^prelled their great thankfulnefs for the bleflings they had enjoyed during the Chrifl mas-holidays, and at the com- mencement of the new year. Several Members of the Cono"regation were however in a lukewarm and indifferent ftate of heart, and we were under the neceflity of excluding them. Yet Jefus, the good S4icpherd, did not leave thefe poor {fraying flieep to perifli, but brought many a one back to himfelf, and even in the laft hours of their lives led fome to repentance, and imparted to them forgivenefs and peace. At Ncwherrnhut a Negro was excluded. From that time , he improved in liis outward affairs, and he feemed to profper in the world. He grew thoughtful, and faid to one of the MifTionaries, *' When I was poor, I loved our Saviour, and was much happier than I am^ now, though outwardly well provided for. But I feel uneafy, like a loft child, being feparated from the Lord and his people." Another of the fame defcription was taken ill, and be- ing vifited on his death-bed, began to exprefs himfelf with great contrition concerning his late fmlul lite and praftices. The Miffionary, v^'iftiing to ^ive him occafion to fpeak freely, defired the Negroes prefent to retire, but the patient ex- claimed, " Oh» no, let them flav, let them hear what a great C >63 ] great finner I am." He then, with many tears, made a moft afFeBingconreffion of his fins. The Lord blefled* the kind admonitions and advice of th,e Miifionary in fuch a manner, that retorc his departure the poor man was com- forted, and rejoiced in the infinite mercy of his Sa- viour. An excluded woman at Emmaus, having Freqaently ap- plied for readmilTion, and left us again, was, upon re- peated application, feverely reproved by the Miflionaries, who exprelfed their doubts of her fincerity. She an- fwered, " I do not come now as formerly. The Spirit of God will not fuffer me to reft by day or night. My fins ftare me in the face, and I am compelled to return and afk forgivenefs. When I eat or drink, I have no enjoyment of it, tor the anguifh of my heart makes every thing tafte bitter. Imuft have help, have mercy upon me." Others again remairyed in error, and, as we had heard, that fome, who were excluded from the Lord's Supper, ex- prelfed themfelves fatisfied, if but their exclufion was not generally known, we found it necelfary at Newherrnhut to make a rule, that all the excluded fhould be mentioned to the Congregation by name. We muft likewife quote an inflance of the danger, into which fouls are plunged, who, though appearing outwardly to belong to a flock of believers, indulge in things, contrary to the Jaw and mind of Chrift. A perfon, who had been readmitted to the Lord's Supper at Bethany ; some months after, and on the Saturday before the Communion, after having exprefied a defire to partake of it, went to a neighbouring plantation and joined in a heathenifli dance. As fhe was coming to our Church on Sunday, with a view to go to the Lord's Supper, another Sister met her, who had heard of her unfaithfulnefs, and accofted her with great ear- X 2 neftnefsr C »64 3 nellnefs, " What/* faid fhe, " do you intend to go to the Communion to-day ?" On being anfwered in the aOirma- tive, fhe replied, " Well, I have nothing more to fay, I am indeed aftonifhed !" The former was feized with violent head-ach on the day following, and obliged to take to her bed. In the beginning fhe meant to conceal her fault, but as her pains increafed, and death feemed approaching, (he confefTed her fin and hypocrify to an affiftant fent to vifit her, declared her repentance, and promifed to feek the pardon of the Lord, which fhe repeated feveral times. For the laft three days fhe could not fpeak, and thus ex- pired. In the feveral Diaries there are alfo many encouraging in- ilances of new people, who after a long flruggle with their conviftions, at laft yielded to them, and obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit, turning with their whole heart to the Lord. An old Negro at Niefky, in St. Thomas, who partly by his own diflblute life, and partly by ill treatment, was brought to a ftate of illnefs, in which he loft his leg, always excufed himfelf from coming to church, becaufe he could not walk fo far upon a wooden legy though he could walk much farther to enjoy fome worldly pleafure. When he was far advanced in years, he at length hearkened to the voice of the Spirit of truth, by which he had once been awakened to a fenfe of his loft eftate by nature, and then came diligently to church, heard the word with gladnefs, and received eagerly what \\'as told him of the love of Jefus to poor fmners. In the fame year he was baptized, and be- came a partaker of the Holy Communion. He now re- joices in the Lord, and that he has received the grace to know, that he is a child of God. One evening late, when Brother Schnepf, atEmmaus, in St. Jauj [ i65 ] St. Jan, had already retired to bed, a Catechumen came to him, who had of late neglefted coming to church. He began moft lamentably to complain of his loft and undone ftate. He faid, " I am afraid of dll men, and look upon every one I meet as my enemy and perfecutor. In ftiort I do not know which way to turn, for diftrefs and anguifh of mind. I was alfo afraid to come to you, my confcience tormenting me, that I had fo long withftood the grace of God. But I can bear it no longer, and venture to come as a difobedient fmner to afk forglvenefs.'* A Negro in Bethany, in St. Jan, who had been baptized,, but afterwards left us and fell into the fm of drunkennefs, was taken ill, and earneftly requefted to be vifited. As foon as he faw the Miffionary enter his room, he wept for joy, and faid, *' O how did I long to fpeak with you. I am a great fmner. I have fhamefully mifpent my time, and reje61:ed the offers of my Saviour. I was fatisfied, if I could only get rum, for rum was my idol, and I had no greater defire. Now I am ill and near dying, and fee what I have loft, and to what a wretched fta e I am come. Aftift me to pray to our Saviour, that he would have mercy upon me, and receive my foul at laft.'^ He, as well as the former, was encouraged to turn to that^loving Lord, who has re- ceived gifts for men, yea for the rebellious alfo. The latter departed this life, believing and calling on the name of the Lord Jefus. Speaking generally, we could not but lament, that our' Negroe-Congregations were rather in a flothful courfe, and we therefore confider the trials which we have experienced, as fent by the Lord, to excite new life in them, and to caufe them to turn anew to him, from whom alone all help cometh. One trouble arofe from this circumftance, that Ppd permitted our peaceable government to be drawn into a difaftrou^ [ '66 ] difaitrous war with the pngUfh nation. We received the firft intelligence of this painful event at St. Thomas, in the beginning of March. At firft we took it for idle report, but received too foon a confirmation of it, by feeing two Eng- liOi frigates and other Englifli fnips of vv'ar, cruizing off the ifland, and blockading our harbour. They took many Danifh (hips and fent them to the Englifh iflands. Two of them attacked an armed brig in the Ring's fcrvice, paffing from St. Croix to St. Thomas, which, however, by carry- ing a prefs of fail, and continuing a running fight, was fo fortunate as to gain the harbour. This event fpread terror and confternation among the inhabitants of the town, fo that many began that fame night to take fteps to fecure their property in the country. All the three iflands were foon filled with rumors of war, and our JMifl^ionaries had enough to do to comfort their poor timid congregations, ad- inonifhing them to look to that Lord alone for help, who has power to quell the raging (form, and to prcferve his people ; and quietly to refign themfelves to His all-wife and gracious difpenfation ; not to enter into any political difcufTions, but rather to continue to pray for our King and Government. The regular Church-fcrvlce was continued, and the Prayer- dav, w^hich was held at this time, was well attended, withoiu moleftation. However, on the nth ot March, in tlie evening, the reft we had hitherto enjoyed at Newherrnhut, w^as interrupted by ^ fudden fright. Five horfemen of the Land Cavalry paffed our door in full gallop, rode to the plantation called Char- lotte Amalla, where they canfed the alarm-bell to be rung, and hurried off to the eaft end of the illand. The beils and the blowing of the tutu caufed a general alarm, and the Ne- groes ran out of the fields to the plantation -houfes. We confider^d this, in the beginning, as nothing but an alarm qt fire, [ 16/ ] fire, but as we faw neither flarae nor fmoke, and heard the report of three cannon from the fort, we immediately fup- pofed, that either the enemy had already landed, or an in- fiirreftion had broken out among the Negroes. In this fla:te * of perplexity we remained, till forac Brethren, returning from the town, informed us, that it w^as altogether a falfe alarm, ordered by the Government, to try the difpofition of the people, and the ftate of preparation in the Militia, in cafe a landing of the enemy fhould require ofFenfive meafurcs. The Brethren in St. Croix were alarmed in a fimilar manner. A Communicant Negroe Sifter trom thence, beino- on her pafTage to Newherrnhut, wnth a recommendatory letter from the MifTionaries at Friedensthal, was taken by an Englifli privateer, and brought to Tortola, where, how- ever, fhe ranfomed herfelf for 24 Spapilh dollars, and loil none of berthings. The terror and difmay of the people was nowhere greater than in St. Jan's, as this ifland lies farther off, and has many convenient landing-places. It was a lingular fight to fee blacks and whites running about like people diflrafted, feeking to bide their property in the w^oods, or in pits dug for that purpofe in the mountains. At Emmaus our Brethren were w'itnefles of a battle between two Englifh fhips of war and a large Danifli bark, when after fliort oppofitioa, the Dane, being overpow^'"red, was obliged to flrike his flag. At Bethany the Miffionaries faw (as they exprefs them- felves,) ^ith the deepest forrow, a large EngHlh fleet .of upwards of twenty fail, among which were three of the line, paffing by their fettlement, and fteering ftraight for St. S[. Thomas. They arrived on the fame day and anchored in the mouth of the harbour. Arrangements were made to repel force bv force, and we were in anxious cxpe6lation of i^rribb { >68 ) terrible and bloody fcenes. Brother Shcdewig, wlio was in the town, hurried away, on hearing the alarm-guns fired, and was in danger of being flopped by the immenfe concourfe of people. Towards evening the Englifh Admiral fent a floop on fliort, and fummoned the town and fort to an immediate furrender, threatening in cafe of refufal, to commence hofti- lities. The Commandant, finding refjflance to fo formidable and unequal a force, of no ufe, refolved to capitulate, and on the fame evening the capitulation was figned by both parties. Thus our merciful and faithful God and Saviour directed events, for the fparing of the blood of innocent people, which mufl have been flied in vain, had any means of force been ufed, and an attack provoked on the part of the enemy. March 19, early, the fort was furrendered with the ufual' forms, and we faw ourfelves placed under a new Govern- ment. Our Brethren in St. Croix and St. Jan foon expe- rienced the fame fate, both iflands having furrendered to the Englifh, without refiflance. At Friedensthal they remained quietly at home, but after the fmoke of the guns fired in token of victory had cleared away, and they faw the Danifh flag, under which they had now lived 69 years in uninterrupted peace and reff, taken down, and the Englifli hoifled in its place, they could not help burfling into tears, on taking leave, as they exprefs it, of their old father and benefaftor, and their only comfort was this, that they had, however, become fubject to a Government, of whofe well-known good difpo- (itions and generofity they might expect to enjoy the fame favour and protection. In the firff days after the furrender, all the male inhabitants were called upon to fwear allegiance to the new Govern- ment, only the Brethren were exempted from taking the oath, in conformity with an Act of Parliament, palled in their fa- vour* ( 1^9 ) vour in the year 1749, to which they appealed. The Englifh officers, however, aiTured them of their goodwill and protec- tion, faying, they knew them to be faithful fubjects, and ex- j'refTed a particular regard for them. Neverthelefs our Negroe-conjrregations have had to fuffer the burdens and troubles attendant on war, in various degrees. To thefe belong the dearnefs of all provifions, the interrup- tion of the uiua! correfpondence with each otlicr, with the European congregations, and the Elder's conference of the Unity, from whom no letters or accounts were received till November, the impofhbility of our celebrating the Paf- fion Week, from which we and our Negroes always derive the greateft bleffing, (for it happened that the Englilh landed in that week,) and the manifcfto of the Englifh government, that no one, on pain of being fufpefted, fliould be ken in the public Iheets in the evening ; by which the daily meet- ings of our Negroes were for a confiderable time fet afide. St. Thomas in particular, fufFered moll. Everv land- holder was obliged to furnifh a proportionate number of Negroe-men for military fcrvices. Our Brethren were not exempted, and as they wanted the few Negroes belonging to them, they were obliged to furnifli fubftitutes at a confider- able expence, St. Jan was more than the other two Iflands liable to be in- vaded and plundered by privateers, who fwarmed all about the ifland, and the inhabitants were obliged to keep Ifrict watch, efpecially at night. One of the baptized belonging to the congreo-ation at Emmaus, on his pafla^e to St. Thomas, being taken by a privateer from Portorico, loft his boat and a Have. Thj?nas Renatus, ol Friedensthal, the fame Negroe- brother, who carried brother Verbeek, in 1797, from St. Croix to St. Kitts, having just then been liberated from a cojifinement of fix weeks at Portorico, had got a cargo for Y S:, St. Croix, and was ajain fo unfLiccefsful, as to fall into the hands of a Portorico privateer, and to lofe his vefTel with 5000 dollars worth of goods. Our Brethren at Emmaas had given him a large paixel of fire-wood for Friedensthal, which was alfo loft. But the feverefl; confequence of the war and the new ar- rangements fell to the lot of our Brethren at Friedenfberg, their dwelling-houfe being occupied as an hofpital for the Britifh troops. Of this event they give the following, ac- account : Jpril 27. As we v/ere fitting quietly at dinner, two Eng- lifh furgeons, from the garrifon, appeared at the door, and enquired, whether this was the dwelling of the Miflfionaries belonging to the Unitas Fratrum. On being anfwered in the affirmative, they defiredto fee the houfe, and took a view of every room in it, after which they announced to us, th?t we must immediately quit it, and take away our goods, as they fliould bring, early on the next day, a party of Tick fol- diers to occupy it. We were exceedingly alarmed at this propofal, but conceiving it to he contrary to the capitulation, by which not only the free exercife of religion, but protec- tion of all private property, was fecured to the inhabitants, \ve could not believe, that this requifition was made by order of the General, and miade ferious remonftrances againft it, but in vain. Brother Flolm w^ent immediately w^ith this news to Friedensthal, where the Brethren joined us, and did every thing in their power to fupport our remonftrance. They alfo ^vent to the General's lioufe, but found him net at home, and their labour was in vain. We therefore begged only to wait,, till an anfwcr could be obtained from the General, but in- ftead of an anfwer, an officer with a party of foldiers arrived on the 28M in the forenoon, feized upon the houfe, and placed guards at every entrance^ M^e w^ere foon after in- formed^ formed, that this raeafure had been resolved upon in a council ot war, and that no remonftrance would avail ; the General rather expressed his furprlze, that v.e fliould object to it, when it was apparent, that oar hcufe was the moil proper for the purpole, on account oi its healthy fituation. We therefore cleared it^ as {ail as we could, of all our furniture, which we were obliged, for the prefent, to put into the church, the Brethren from Friedensthal cheerfully affift- ing us. The baptized Negroes flood around us and wept aloud. Even the centinels wereliioved by this fcene, and exprefTed their compaffion, adding, " Poor people, you have to thank your own wicked neighbours for this." We found indeed afterwards, that the government was not to blame in this affair, but that fome evil-difpofed perfons had fecretly brought it about. Our comfort was, that as nothing happens to us without our Lord's permiflion, He no doubt had gra- cious views in this difpenfation. We now left Fricdensberg, and met with a very cordial reception at the neighbouring plantation La Grange, in the houfe of our worthy friend, Mr. Karley, the manager. Mrs. Heinrich, the miflrefs of another plantation, and her overfeer, took alfo a cordial ihare in our circumftances, and affifted us with a waggon and horfe, to convey our goods thither in fafety. Brother Holm and his wife {laid at La Grange, the rest of us went to Friedensthal. Meanwhile the fervice in the church at Fricdensberg continued without any interruption, and our new mailers treated the fame with fo much rever- ence, that one of the two furgeons, who firfl announced to us the ufe to v/hich our houfe would be applied, always kept watch himfelf during fervice, that we and, our people might in no wife be molefled by any foldiers appearing without. Our ( 17^ ) Our Lord and Saviour gracioufly owned the meetings of the congregation, during this feafon, with a remarkable perception of His comfoi table prefence. The firft fermon after the lofs of our houfe was, in particular, attended with • great blefling. The church could not contain the very large number of Negroes affemhled on this occafion, and a great many flood without. Hardly a dry eye was to be feen : all feem.ed deeply penetrated by a fenfe of the love of Jesus. We were on this account the more concerned to quit this manfion of peace. For after fome time, the dread- ful and dangerous fmell occafioncd by the fick and dying in the hofpital pervaded the whole place, and we were obliged to difcontinue our fervice in the church, and to meet our people in the Negroe-houfes ; but here likewife our Lord was in the midft of us, and by His prefence made thcfe inean cabins, temples of his glory. Death in the mean time made great ravages in the hofpital. Numbers were carried off every day, and in the fpace of two months there were J 20 dead, among ^vhom was our good friend, the above- mentioned furgeon. The Government then perceived, that they had been mif-informed, in being told, that our place was the m.oft healthy in the ifland, and found, that if they meant to preferve the lives of the reft, they muft remove them to a - more convenient fpot at the Weil End. This was done accordingly, and by a friendly letter from Mr. B. the fur- geon, the Miffion-houfe was reftored to us, on June 30th. Having thoroughly cleanfed, fumigated, and repaired it, we moved again into it with joy and thankfgiving, on the 2d of Auguft. We are not able to exprefs the joy felt by us and our congregations, on being iniormed towards the clofe of the year, that preliminaries of peace had been agreed on between Great ( '73 ) Great Britain and Denmark, and that we ihould probably be reftored to our former Government. During thefe troubles of war, our Saviour caufed our Negroes to fearch tbeir own hearts, and examine how they flood with refpeft to their love towards Him, and thole, who labour amongft them in His name, and how they had regarded His word, preached unto them. There are vari- ous inftances in the Diaries of thefe Miffions, both of men and women, whofe faithfulnefs became more manifeft by thefe trials. There was once a falfe report at Friedensberg, that tlie whole Chrifiian congregation would be driven from the ifland. The Negroes faid, " If we onlv can get to a place where we may hear the Gofpel, and live in conformity to it as children ot God, we are willing to leave all the reft.^' A Negroe-brother at Newherrnhut, in St. Thomas, expref- fed himfelf in a very moving and edifying manner, con- cerning the lofs of this world's goods, at a time, when every one was filled with great apprehenfions concerning the calamiries, with which we were threatened, and faid at laft, *' The enemy may fhoot me dead, or do with me what they pleafe, if they only do no harm to our teachers, nor drive them from the ifland. A Lieutenant of the Free-negroes, a mulatto, belonging to the congregation at Emmaus, in St. Jan, who was lying ill of the rheumatifm, complained with tears to a brother, who vifited him, that his illn\;fs kept him fo long from go- ing to the church, and faid; " If I cannot go to church, I lofe indeed a great deal, for I mifs tlie pafture my foul feeds upon." To a neigl^bouring planter, who offered him ^o dol- lars, if he would come and repair his damaged fugar-mill, iiS he was a good carpenter, he anfwcred, ** As long as you -do not fee me go to church, you may be fure your applica- tjorj ( '74 )^ tion is In vain.'* A Negroe-fifier complained to the Over- feer of the plantation, *' that the Englifh had taken away the Miflion-houfe at Friedensberg, and afked him, whether they meant to do the fame in St. Jan." " No," replied the worthy Overfeer, *' that fliall not be the cafe here. As long as I breathe, I will fpeak in behalf of your teachers, that they may not fuffer harm ; for I know that they direct us in the right way to heaven, &c." The Sifter thanked him cordially for his kindnefs. We feel truly thankful, that on feveral eftates, the proprietors and other white people employed upon them, approve themfelves as friends and promoters of the Gofpel am.ong the Negroes, always treat the Miflionaries with fiiendlinefs and refpe61:,and fhow them every kindnefs. An inftance of this kind occurred in the Diary of Niefky, in St. Thomas. July 25. A planter, Mr. A. W« fent, according to his annual cuflom, 32 Negroe men and women to clear a piece of ground for us, upon which we wiflied to fow Indian corn. He obferved, that by rights all chofe planters, whofe Negroes attended our churcli, fnould do the fame, and no doubt would aflift us, if we required it. We replied, that if any of them of his own accord offered us fuch a favour, we fhould accept it with thanks, but would not dem.and it. Above 100 of our own Church-negroes, in their leifure-hours, afhfted moft cheerfully in this bufinefs, and the Sifters provided them li- berally with food. The fincere and cordial pleafure they took in ferving us deferved and received our warmeft expref- fions of gratitude. Another inftance of the readinefs of our Church-negroes to ferve their Teachers appears in the Diary of Niefky, in St. Thomas. In February^ a party of Maroon-negroes, from Tortola, having ( 175 ) having landed in St. Thomas's, infelled the woods near Niefky, and not only committed depredations in the fields, but broke into the Midions-houfe yard, flole poultry, and did other c'onfiderable mifchiei* to the Brethren. The latter ap- plying to the Negroes, if pofTible, to put a ftop lo thefe out- rages, about 40 of them went into the woods, and took feveii of the gang of both fexes prifoners, whom they delivered to the mafler of the police; but as this proved only a partial remedy, and the reft continued their thieving vifits to the fettlement, the Miffionaries were at laft obliged to fet a watch every night, for which purpofe the baptized Negroes gladly- offered their fervices. Many inftances alfo prove, that this wiUingnefs to obh'ge the Miffionaries does not proceed merely from a defire to bring themfelves into notice and fa- vour, but from true love and attachment to them, and gratitude to our Saviour, who fent them to teach them the faving truths of the Gofpel. The diligence of fome, who have an opportunity to learn the Creole language, with a view better to underftand the preaching of the Gofpel is Lruly edifying. Some alfo have taken great pains to learn to rea3 the Bible, and attend the inftru6lion of the children in that view. But our aim is not fo much to teach them to read and ling hymns, as to make them attentive to the truths contained in the Scriptures and Hymns, that they may experience their power in their hearts, and that thofe, who have gifts to beaffiftants in the Miffion, may be prepared ior that office, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit himfelf. In fome places, efpecially at Bethany, complaints are made, that there is a want of fuch to whom the office of af- fiftant can be given with confidence. In February, however, two Negroe-brethren and four Sifters were appointed to it, and the manner in which they accepted ( i76 ) accepted of it, fliowed true humility of ber.rt, and their cle^ pendance upon the Lord, and his grace and help alon^, At Niefky, one of the afTiftants attended tlie funeral hearted mafter per- ceiving it, drove them all away in a great paffion, and or- dered fome Buffalo Negroes to drag the body away, throw it into a pit, and cover it with earth. Befides these members of our Negro Congregation, it alfo pleafed the Lord to take home to himfelf Sifter Mary Eliza- beth Haenfel, on the 27th of September, at Friedensthal, in St. Croix, after a long illnefs, A large company of Negroes ati ended her funeral, notwiihftanding the rain, for fhe was much beloved by them, and many tears were ffied on that occafion. The funeral difcourfe on the words : Who JJiall condemn; it is Chrift that died, nay rather thai is rifen again,'^ made a deep impreffion on the audience. OB-ober 22, in the fame place. Brother and Sifter Zfom had the grief to lofe their little daughter, Mai'y Catharine, at three years old. There appeared already in this early ftage of her life agreeable traces of the Lord's grace in her heart, and fhe ufed always, before (he went to bed, of her her own accord to fing lome verfes with peculiar devotion ; fhe gained the love of all who knew her, by her friendly and loving behaviour. In all the six Settlements 272 Negroes, belonging to our Congregation, departed into eternal reft. Two hundred and forty-three adults, and 148 children were ( »8i ) were baptized, 253 were added to the candidates for baptism. The Congregations of believing Negroes, under the care of the Brethren in thefe Iflands, confifted at the clofe of 1801, of the foUowing numbers : IN ST. THOMAS. At Newherrnhut 1075 Niefky • 1258 IN ST. GROIX. Friedensthal 3815 Friedensberg 2838 IN ST. JAN, Emmaus 710 Bethany , . , * , , , ^80 In all 10276 fouls. whom, with ourfelves, we commend to the love and prayers of all our Brethren and Friends everywhere. Life of CoENELius, a Negro- Assist ant in the Bre^ threns Mission in St. Thomas, as related in the Diary o/Newherrnhut. ^T^HE Negro Brother Cornelius has not left any written ac-. -*■ count of his life, though often encouraged to do it. As he was well able, he might have furnifhed a very inte^ reding narrative, ^)eing one of the oldest Members of this Congregation, ( i8* ) Congregation, and for many years a faithful labourer amongft his own nation. But he pofTefTed an uncommon fhare of humility, and, whenever we fpoke to him in that view, he ufed to fay, *' I am not worthy that any thing fliould be faid concerning me. 1 am a poor iinner, and the chief of finners. In me there was and is no good, and all I have is what Chrift has given me, according to his great mercy, by which he faved my foul. This alone is worth fpeaking of.'' We can therefore only relate fomuch of his hiftory as our long acquaintance with him enables us to do. Above fifty years ago, he was powerfully awakened by the fimple tellimony of the Brethren's MifTionaries concerning the death and atonement of Jefus. He grew concerned about the falvation of his foul, and felt a ftrong impulfe to attend their public miniftry, and their private inftiuftion in the Chriftian Doftrines. However, it was lome time be- fore he could resolve entirely to renounce the world and its heathenifh ways. It happened once that he attended a merry-raaVing of his countrymen. Even into this houfe of riot, the Lord, as the good Shepherd, followed his poor ftraying fheep, and fo ordered it, that our late Brother Frederic Martin palled by, and being made attentive to the uproar, looked in at the door, and immediately efpied his fcholar Cornelius. He beckoned to him to come out, and in a friendly, but ferious and emphatic addrefs, reprefented to him, that it was not becoming for one, who had declared, that he would give his heart to our Saviour, to attend fuch meetings as thefe. " Here," faid the Miffionary, '* the Devil has his work, and you have afliared me that you will not be his flave. But now I difcoverthat your heart is ftill in his power, for you flill love the vanities of the world, and the company of ihe ( -isa ) the children of dlfobedience, in whom he rules. It would therefore be better that you left ofF coming to our meetings, and to tlie fchool/' This offended him greatly, and he thought, *' What is that to the White Man, and what do I care for him ?" However his amufement was fpoiled for that time, and he returned home much difpleafed, and re- folved nevermore to vifu the Brethren, or attend their meet- ings. But his heart was not at reft, and his convidions grew fo ftrong, that he could not deep at night. The ad- drefs of the Miffionary founded continually in his ears, and followed him with fo flrong an impreffion, that he altered his mind, and vifited him.' Beincr received, not, as he feared, with difpleafure^ but with great cordiality, he was exceedingly affecled, and related with many tears, what had pafTed in his foul during the days paft. This gave Brother Martin occafion to converfe freely and clofely with him, and Cornelius now made a folemn promife to furrender him- felf entirely up unto him, who had fhed his blood to redeem him. « June 1^ I749» he was baptized, with twenty other Ne- groes (who all departed before him out of time) by Brother John de Watteville, Bifliop of the Brethren's Church, who was at that time on a vifit to the MilTion in St. Thomas, and on September the 27th, of the fame year, he, with fourteen more, was admitted to the enjoyment of the Lord's Supper. Ever fmce that period, he remained faithful, and the grace he then received was above all things precious and important to his foul. He alfo made daily progrefs in the knowledge of himfelf, and of the love of his Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift. He had an humbling fenfe of his innate depravity, but cleaved fo clofely to our Saviour, and relied fo firmly on his atonement, that all who fpoke with him were encou- raged { iH 1 raged and edified. He likewife foon began to preach Jeftis^ as the Friend of finners, to his countrymen. In 1754, he was appointed an afhftant, and has ever fmce ferved the Lord and the Congregation in various ways with great zeal and faithfulnefs. God had alfo bleffed him with a remarkable fliare of good fenfe, and many talents. He had learnt the bufinefs of a mafon well, and had the appointment as mafter-raafon to the Royal buildings, in which employ he was efteemed by all who had any thing to do with him, as a clever, upright and difmtereRed man. He laid the foundation-ftone of each of the fix Chapels be- longing to our MifTions in thefe Illands, which are now all built of ftone, and likewife afTifted in building all the houfes in our different fettlements. He was able to write, and fpeak the Creol, Dutch, Danilh, German and Englilli languages ; which gave him a great advantage before all the other Negroes. Till iySy, he was a flave in the- Royal plantation, now belonging to Count Schimmelman. He firft purchafed the freedom of his wife, and then laboured hard to gain his own liberty, which at laft he effefted, after much intreaty, and the payment of a confiderable ranfom. God bleffed him and the work of his hands in fuch a manner, that he alfo by degrees purchafed the emancipation of his fix children. In his free ftate he fought, more than he poffibly could do before, to ferve the Lord among the people of his own colour, and fpent whole days, and often whole nights in vifiting them in the different plantations. The gift he pof- feffed, diftinftly and emphatically to exprefs himfelf upon religious fubjects, was wonderful, and his discourfes both in the weekly meetings at the Chapel, and at funerals, were full '^S ) full of life and fpirit, infomuch, that not only tlie Negroes, but even many white people of all defcrlptions, heard him xvith pleafure and edification. Some fpecimens of his gift in this v/ay, may be found in a difcourfe to the Catecliu- raens, and a letter to Brother John de Watteville, inferted into Oldendorp's Hiftory of St. Thomas, page 1064, Sec. At the fame time we can fay with truth, that he was by no means puffed up by the excellent talents he poiTelTed. His charafter was that of an humble fervant of Chriil, who thought too meanly of himfelf to treat others with contempt. To diflribute unto the indigent, and alTifl the feeble, was the delight of his heart, anxl every hungry, fufFering, and perplexed foul, found in him a generous and fympathizing friend, and faithful advifer. In the year 1796, his wife departed this life very happily, after which he now fought to be free from all outward concerns, and gave up his bufinefs to his eldefl fon. The infirmities of old age encreafmg upon him, he ardently longed to depart and be with Chrifi, During the laft three years of his life, he was exceedingly worn down by a constant cough and pain in his fide, and the time of his final releafe appeared to him to be put off too long. His great activity and cheer- fulnefs of mind fuffered by it, and fomctimes it would feem as if his faith and courage failed. He complained now and then with great earneflnefs and many tears, tliat he no more felt his love to the Lord Jefus fo fervent as formerly, and once, as he was reading and meditating, over that text of Scripture; " I have fomewhat againfl thee, becaufe thou hafl left thy firft love," he exclaimed ; '^ Ah 1 I have alfo left my firft love," and could not immediately be com- forted. Whenever any of us vifited him, the converfation foon turned upon fpiritual fubjefts, and all hearts were melted. A a All [ i86 ] All our Brethren and Sifters, who oi'ien called to fee him, exprefled how much they were edified and blefled by their interview. November 26, 1801, word was fent to us, that he was con- fiderablv weaker, and begged to fee a Miflionary. One of us im.mediately went to his houfe. After fome converfation concerning the love of our Saviour, the comfort to be de- rived from His fufFerings and death, His gracious help in the fevereft; trials of this life and the moft grievous temptations, CorneUus exclaimed : " Ah ! I ought to have done more, and loved and ferved my Saviour better. But I firmly truft, that He will receive me in mercy, for I come to him as a poor finner, having nothing to plead but His grace, and the righteoufnefs through His blood." Being alfured, that in this fituatioii of heart he might, with full affurance and cheer- fulnefsj reft upon the gracious promifes of our Saviour, and would obtain the end of his faith, even Eternal Life ; he begged that his children might be called, that he might once more fee them all together, to take a final leave of them. This was done, and his children, with feveral grand-chil- dren, aftembled around the bed of their Tick father. He now once more exerted all his ftrength, fat up in the bed, UO'- covered his venerable head, adorned with locks as white as fnow, and addrefTed them thus : ** I rejoice exceedingly, my dearly beloved children, to fee you once more together, before my departure ; for I believe, that my Lord and Saviour will foon come and take your fa- ther home to Himfelf. You know, dear children, what my chief concern has been refpecting you, as long as I was with you, how frequently I have exhorted you with tears, not to negleft the day of grace, but to furjrender yourfelves with foul and body to your God and Redeemer, and to follow Him faithfully. Sometimes I have dealt ftriftly with you, in mat- ters which I believed would bring harm to your fouls, and grieve [ >87 ] grieve the Spirit of God, and I hive exerted my parental au- thority to prevent mischief; but it was all done out of love Co you. However, it may have happened, that I have been fometimes too fevere. If this has been the cafe, I beg you, my dear children, to forgive me. O forgive your poor, dy- ing father." Here he w^as obliged to flop, mofl of the children weeping and fobbing aloud, being deeply moved by this addrefs. At laft one of his daughters recovering herfelf, faid ; " We ! dear father, we alone have caufe to afk forgivenefs, for we have often made your life heavy, and have been difobedient children. "" The reft joined in the fame confeffion. The fa- ther then continued : ^* Well, my dear children, if all of you have forgiven me, then attend to my laft wifh and dy- ing requeft. Love one-another ! Do not fufFerany quarrels and difputes to arife among you after my deceafe. No, my children," raifing his voice, " Love one another cordially : Let each ftrive to fhow proofs of love to his brother or filler ; nor fufFer yourfelves to be tempted by any thing to become proud ; for by that you may even mifs of your foul's falva- tion, but pray our Saviour to grant you lowly minds and humble hearts. If you follow this advice of your father's, my joy will be complete, when I shall once fee you all again in eternal blifs, and be able to fay to our Saviour ; here, Lord, is thy poor unworthy Cornehus, and the children thou hast given me. I am fure our Saviour will not forfake you ; but I beseech you, do not forfake Him." Words cannot describe what a fenfe of the peace of God, and what melting of all hearts prevailed during this most afFefting fcene. The Miflionary having taken occafion from the above, to addrefs all prel^ent in an affectionate and earncft manner, fung a few verfes, then kneeling down, oflcred up a fervent prayer, thanking our Saviour for all the proofs of unercy and faithfulneis experienced by this dear patient, now A a 2 aidently [ >S8 ] ardentiv longing for his releafe, and efpecially, that He had drawn aim by cords of love unto Himfelf, granted him to beheve in Him, and erjoy the merits of His faffeiings and death, and pieferved him in this faith to the end of his mor- tal life. Then, with many tears, he besought the Lord to grant to this his taithful fervant rich confolations, and to rc- mov^e every cloud, that might in any degree obfcure the bright profpe^'t of everlafling joy ; to keep the eyes of his faith fleadlly fixed upon that great Atonement made for all fm, and, when his time was come, to take him home into his joy, and impart unto him that reward of grace, which he had promifed unto all thofe, who were found faithful unto death, clohng with thofe words, *' Amen, Lord Jefus I come, and tale this thy blood-bought fheep hcrme to thy- felf !" In thefe lafl words, Cornelius joined moft fervently, and added ! " Yea, Lord Jefus 1 Come foon ! Come, come, O come !" The bleffing of the Lord was then pronounced over him. His countenance fhone with an expreflion of joy and peace, and he could not exprefs in words, how thankful and happy he felt, while the tears flowed down his af^ed cheeks. His departin-e did not take place till in the night between the 29th and 30th of November, when he fell gently afleep, his children who were finging a hymn at his bedfide, not even perceiving, when he breathed his laft. His two fons and four daughters are employed as AflTift- ants. By them he lived to fee twelve grand and five great- grand children. According to his own account, he was 84 years old. Haviiig received a promife, that he fliould be buried in the burying-ground at Newherrnhut, where his wife and mother lay ; Heps were immediately taken towards it, and in the afternoon at 5 o'clock, the corpfe was brought from his houfe by a very large company of Negroe-brethren and Sif- ters, ( i89 ) ters, who being all dreffed in white, walked in folemn pro- cefTion to the burying-ground. The Funeral-difcourfe was upon the text, appointed for the day, on which he departed, Eztk. chap, xxxiv. ver. 15. / will feed ?ny Jlock, and I will caufe them to lie down, fcuth the Lord. Tlie Chapel could not contain the numerous auditory, among whom were a great many white people, as a pleafmg proof, how much this ve- nerable Negro-brotber was efteemed and beloved by perfons of all ranks and colour. The difcourfe delivered by Cornelius to the Negroes at Newherrnhuth, alluded to in the foregoing account, as in- ferted into Oldendorp's History of the Brethren's Million ia St. Thomas, is as follows : ** My dear People ! ** Mofes lifted up a brazen ferpent in the wildernefs, and all that were bitten by the fiery poifonous ferpents, were obliged to go and look at thig brazen one, if they would be well. This happened long before our Lord and God appeared as man in the world. But it referred to him and to his bitter death on the crofs. When, therefore, He was in the world, St. John pointed to him, faying, Behold the Lamb of God, and the man of forrows, who is to be hung upon the crofs. He it is that can heal all thofe that are bitten by fm, as by a poifonous ferpent. Whoever lookg to him with a believing heart, is made whole. He has taken away the fm ot the world, and died for us. All men may now come to him, even tlie poorcll, the moll fmful and wretched. He receives all, even the very worft. Let. no one think himfeif too far gone, and that He will not re- ceive him. My dear people 1 if any human creature were too bad ; then indeed he could not receive any one of us, for we ave f 19^ ) are altogetlier a very bad people. In the Old Teflament He commanded his Prophets to hy, concerning us : In that time Jliall the prejent be brought to the Lord of liojh of a people fcattered and peeled. — A nation meted out and trodden under foot — to the place of the name of the Lord of Llofls^ the Mount Zion : and again, The Gentiles fliall come to His light , and to the brightnefs of his nfng. He will even have Negroes, and he will receive the?n gladly. My dear people ! let every one of you therefore come, juft as he is. He only defires to have your hearts. I myfelf feel that I am very poor and needy, but on this very prayer-day I have experienced His grace in my heart, and felt his love towards me. This he gives me daily to feel, and every one of you may enjoy the fame favour. All depends upon this one thing, that we give ourfelves wholly to our Saviour. We cannot divide our hearts be- tween him and the world. The only way is, to give them wholly unto him : therefore furrender yourfelves up with your whole heart. He will have mercy upon you, grant you to know His love and grace, and freely impart to you all he has purchafed for you upon the crofs." VARIOUS ACCOUNTS. 1. TJ Y leiters received at Bethlehem, from Fairfeld^ in -^^ Canada, it appears, that the MifTionaries SchnalL and Denche had experienced a remarkable prefervation of their lives. The former was on a vifit to the latter in the Chippeway country, where they were fitting with the fa- mily of a Mr. Harrifon round the fire, when fuddenly a barrel of gunpowder, containing about 4olb. took fire. The explofion was dreadful, and all in the room were more or ( 19* ) or lefs hurt. Two of the family died the day after, in con- fequence of it. Three others were dreadfully mangled. Brother 5^/2/?^// was alfo exceedingly hurt, and fell into a violent fit of illnefs, which appeared to endanger his life. But Brother Dencke, who had only received a flight wound in his head, was in a few days fo far reftored, that he could wait upon Brother Schnall. Brother Oppelt^ of Fairfield, hearing of the circumftance, haftened to their afliftance, with fome Indian Brethren, and brought Brother Schnall fafe home on the 28th of Auguft, 1802, to the great joy of the Congregation. The Chippeway Indians have, with the ufual formalities, prefented a lot of ground to Brother Dencke, as his fole pro- perty, for the purpofe of building a Chapel and eftablifhing 3 MifTion. It lies conveniently fituated, furrounded by eight Indian villages. 2. Letters from Lichtenau^ in Greenland, dated in Oc- tober, 1802, which arrived by the fliip from Julianenhaab, mention, that our Miflionaries there had fafely received all their provifions fent for thefe two laft years. Both the Mif- fionaries and their Congregations were well, and enjoyed the peace of God, and the comfort of His word uninterruptedly. The Greenlanders had alfo been fuccefsful in procuring their fubfiftence. 3. At Paramaribo, and the other Miffionary Settlements of the Brethren in Surinam, the MilTionaries were all well in December, 1802, though in the former months they had fuffered from iiight attacks of illnefs. In November and December feven adult Negroes were baptized at Paramaribo. 4. A letter from Brother Thomas Ellis, at Ifland, in Ja- maica, dated May 21, 1803, contains the following: *' I heartily wifh I could give you as phafing an account of the progrefs of the work of our Lord among the Negroes here, as you receive from other Millions ; but as yet the profpe£l is not very glorious. However we do not lofe courage ; ( 192 ) courage ; for we have perceived many diflinfl traces of the operations of the Holy Spirit intiie hearts o[ feveral of oar Negroes, by which our I ith is flrengthened, and we have hopes, that it is our Saviour's gracious intention, ta bring yet many of the poor blacks in this ifland to the knowledge of the truth, fo as to make them partakers of His great falvation. V\'hen we firil became refident here a large company of Negroes attended the public worfliip ; but of courfe as the novelty ceafed, their numbers alfo decreafed, and our regular Con- gregations remain fmall, yet we truft, that both here and on Union eftate, fome real and lafting good has been done. The houfe we live in, which has been fitted up for the pur- pofe, at a confiderable expence, by the proprietor, is in every refpeft convenient and fuitable. We are happy in having opportunities to correfpond with our fellow-mif- fionajies, and true brotherly love and harmony prevails among ft us/' Brother Ckr. Lijier, at Carmcl, mentions the following : *' May 7, 1803. In one o^ our lafl conferences concern- ing this Miffion, we exprefTcd a wifh, that fome kind of building, for the purpofe of meeting the Negroes at Elim, might be creeled, as they feemed difpofcd to attend. It is with much plealure that I tow can inform you, that the difficulty on Elim Eftate has increased, from the number of Negroes attending the word preached there. J ain confident that if their good mafter would indulge tliem with a meet- ing-place, they would prize it greatly, and make good ufe of it, and many a poor Negro would pray ior him, in which the MifTionaries would join with all their hearts. We truft the time will come when we (hall Hand in need of more meeting-places. From EaOer laft, to the prefent time, feven adults have been baptized, and eleven added to the can- didates for baDlifm." EiitraB '-J the Diary of the Miffionaries at Bavian's Kloof, near the Cape of Good Hope^ from Novem^ her iy?5 to the end of the Year 1797; NOVEMBER ift, in the evening meeting we read and expounded the 15th Chapter of 'aurs Epiftle to the Romans, to our Hottentots. On the 4th, we received a rnefTage from a man whd had promifed to come hither to- wards the end of Oftober and aflifl us to build a corri-mill, (See p. 15^;), pLirportmg, that he could not poffibly conie before the New Year, but that if we then could not find another mill-wright, he would fee what he could do for us. We felt not a little difappointed on this occafion, and were forry, from fume circumftances, to perceive that fome of oiir neighbors do all in their power to prevent our having a mill of our own Nor are we much furprized at their oppofi- tion, for the cuflom hitherto prevailing was, that when tne Hottentots went to a farmer to get a meafure of corn ground at his mill, they were obliged to wait a week or longer, and to work fo long for the farmer without pay, befides which they had to pay twelve Dutch ftivers for grinding. If ^hey were under the necelTity of pui chafing floiir, they vv Te obliged to enter into an agreement to work for the farmer for a much longer time, for which they received very low wages, and had befides to pay dear for the flour; but if they took any home for their families on account, then they were obliged to make a new agreement to come and work it out, thus remaining, as it were, the tarmers* bondfmen. Now all thefe grievances would be at an end, if we had a mill, and as it is a mod elTential and necefTary means both of our and their fupport, we truftin God, that lie will help us in this matter alfo, as he did with regard to our Vol. IL v A a chapel. t «78 3 chapel, and not put our confidence in him to fhanie. On the 6th Negrini arrived here, and promifed to come in a fortnight's time and do all the work belonging to the v/heel. Towards evening we had a meeting with the baptizecj, in which Solomon and Joanna, who had promifed each other marriage, were married, and exhorted to walk in that ftate as becometh children of God. In the following days we fpoke with all our baptized Hottentots, and finding them not in that ftate of mind, that we could be quite fatis- fied with them, we mentioned to the communicants on the 8th, that not perceiving that hunger and thirft in their fouls after our Savior and his righteoufnefs, which we had hoped would never be wanting in them, we had reiblved to poftpone the celebration of the Lord's Supper, having no cheerfulnefs to admit them to it in^that ftate. This had a good effeft upon their minds in bringing them to refle6l on their lukewarm cowrfe. On the 9th, in the public meeting, Betge's daughter, born laft night, received holy baptifm. Many of our baptized and communicants came on this and the following days to fpeak with us. They hedged forgivenefs for their indifference and inattention, by which, they faid, they had grieved our Savior and their teachers, and declared their full intention to turn anew unto tU Lord and live alone unto him. On fuch occafions they are more than ever objefts of our concern and prayers, and the Lord hears and anfwers us. On the 12th, we had a vifit from Mr. Clude and his whole family, who came purpofely to attend public fervice in the chapel, at which Brother Maifveld fpoke upon Ifaiah, chap. xl. ver. 1. In the afternoon, an Englifli dragoon came hither with letters from the Cape Town, direfted to the care of Brother Kuehnel .Mr. Heuferhad added a letter, which gave an account of the arrival of a Danifli fhip at the Cape, bringing C 179 ] bringing the news that a general peace was expe6lecl to take place every day. On the 13th, we joined in fpirit our dear congregations in Europe in celebrating the event, by which this day has become remarkable in the Brethren's church. In our family meeting in the forenoon, we offered up prayers and thankf- givings to our adorable Lord and Savior as the Chief Shep- herd and Bifhop of our fouls. We praifed him for all his mercy, truth, and power manifelled in the congregation to which we belong, and in us as individuals. As his poor weak fervants, honored to be employed in his vineyard, we confefTed our many faults and wants, praying him to for- give us all our fins and mi flakes, to grant us, as hither- to, the grace to love him above all things and ferve him with cheerful hearts, and to blefs our weak endeavors to preach the word of his crofs to the nation, to which he has lent us, that many hundreds and thoufands may ^e gained as the reward of his fufferings. We alfo renewed our co- venant with him and each other, to be, through grace, his faithful followers, till we fee Him face to face. We can truly declare, that He granted us to feel his prefence in the molt heart-reviving manner. On the 13th, we had an agreeable vifit from a Mr, Haenkel, a German Lawyer, refiding at the Cape Town, He formerly attended the Brethren's miniftry at New Diet- endorf, his parents refiding at Arenftadt, but going to the Univerfity at Berlin, he came out of all connexion with the Brethren, and four years ago arrived in this country. To-day one of our Hottentots experienced a particular prefervation of his life. He was at work in the quarry to get ftones for our mill, when one of the moft venomous ferpents ran acrofs his legs, without hurting him. Had he been bitten, he muil have died in a Ihort time without help. A a g On C 180 ] On the iflth we had a difagreeable difpute with Mr. M a farmer. The cafe was this : two Hottentoi girls who have lived here a confiderable time, and give good hopes of their becoming true and faithful chriftians, but were born upon Mr. M's. eftate, where their father was in fervice, were feized by Mr. M. while gathering fire- wood in the foreft, forced to go home with him, and threatened with fevere puniihment if they ventured to return to Bavian's Kloof. However, in a few days, watching their opportunity, they efcaped and returned hither. They immediately came to us and befought us with many tears, that we would permit them to live here and hear the word of God. To ihis we could only anfwer, that as far as the law of the land fupported us, we would pro- tect ihem. Alter two or three fruitlefs attempts to get them back, Mr, M. came hither and demanded to know, whecher we would deliver up the girls. We anfwered, that we compelled no one to live here, but rather admoniflicd our people to go and work for the farmers, both that they might aflift their former mnfters, and likewife earn their breadjn a proper way. But thus much we k ew, that the Hottentots were a free people and ought not to be treated as fldves. Mr. M. alledged, that the girls were his property, having been born on his eftate, and therefore muft ferve* him, till they are twenty-five years old. We replied, that we well knew that this had formerlv been the cuftom of the country, but that it was no more fo. He faid, he fliould only attend to what the former government had decreed, and infiited upon his right. We informed him, that it was the former governm.ent, and not the prefent, which had ge- neroufly abolifl.ed the abovementioned praftice. He then threatened to ufe his intereft with the Landdroft again ft us, to which wc only^ anfwered, that we very well knew the fenfe both of the former and prefent Governors of the country country upon this fubjeft, and in cafe of any difpiue, would gladly fubmit to the decifion of the ruling power, which we would endeavor to obtain. He could not deny the impropriety of ufmg force to obtain his ends, and at laft left us, apparently convinced and better reconciled. On the 19th, five farmers came to the morning fervice intending to ilay and dine with us ; but while we were under fome concern how to treat them in a proper manner, being juft then very {hort of provifions, four Englifh officers ar- rived, who immediately announced that they came pur- pofely to take their dinner here. On our apologizing for the fcantinefs of our Hock, they faid, foldiers were fatisfied with any thing and we need not be under concern about that. Meanwhile we perceived that four of our other friends, alarmed at the appearance of the officers, had mounted their horfes and were riding off in hafte. Thus we retained only five guefls, who left us in the evening, feem- ingly well pleafed wirh their vifit. On the 20th, we had occafion to lament the confequences of the prefent ftate of warfare, in an inftance peculiarly try- ing. Some of the young women who had lived i:cre with their parents, and piomifed ver)- fair, had fuffered them- felves to be feduced by the foldiery, quartered in our nei-rh- borhood, to various exceffes, to the great grief of their parents. To-day two of them came hither and were cauo-ht and feverely beaten by fome of their relations for their dif- obedience. As Toon as they could difengage themfelves, they van back to the dragoons, complained bitterly of their ill-treatment, and endeavored to fct the foldiers agamft the inhabitants of this place. It may be conceived what we muft feel, when we fee fuch diforder, and have the grief to perceive, that thefe young people, whofe attention and diligence formerly gave us fo much pleafure and fuch good hopes of then* profpering for the Lord, and being preferved from [ i82 ] from the ways of iniquity, are now overcome by the allure- ments and temptations of fin and the world, and not only fall a prey to it, but are fo infatuated, that they would even bring their families and teachers into diftrefs and danger, rather than return and confefs their error. We have however nothing to fear from the foldiers, whofe behavior, whatever it is faid to be in other places, has been uniformly good in this place, partly indeed becaufe the ftrifteft dif- cipline is kept up, and partly becaufe we have fuch frequent vifits from theirs officers. Meanwhile we commend thefe poor ftraying fheep to the mercy of our Savior, and turn to him in all our diftrefs with confidence. On the 2 1 ft, we had a funeral of a child, at which Bro- ther Schwinn fpoke on the text appointed for the day. On the 24th, one of our baptized Hottentots, Solomon, experienced a remarkable proof of God's preferving care. He was in the afternoon employed in fhaping ftones for our mill, and meanwhile laid his jacket down on the ground. At feven o'clock he put it on again to go to chapel, where he had not been long, before he felt fomething ftirring be- tween his jacket and fkin. At firft he was not much alarmed, but during the next meeting of the congregation to fing fome hymns, he felt the fame difagreeable motion with more violence. After\vards he came into our kitchen to get his fupper, and there the fenfation became intoler- able. He therefore pulled off his jacket, which was full of holes, to examine it, when on a fudden he efpied a very ve- nomous viper, thrufting its head out of a hole, and fliooting out its tongue in the moft enraged attitude. All fet up a loud fcream, which foon brought us into the kitchen, where we found the people exceffively frightened. The viper was foon killed and difcovered to be of the moft per- nicious kind, about a foot long. We reminded the Hot- tentots, what great caufe they had to be thankful on fuch oc- cafionSs, C «83 ] .cafions for the gracious prefervation of our heavenly Fa* ther, for it was next to a miracle that this venomous crea- ture, entrapped between the jacket and fkin of the Hottentot for fome hours, had not bitten or ftung him, though in a ftate of rage when caught. On the 27th, we encoraged our people to go and affift the farrhers to reap their barley, feveral of the latter having been here to feek reapers. In thefe days we had likewife many vifitors, both Dutch inhabitants and Englifh officers, fome of whom came purpofely to be prefent at the meetings of the congregation. December 4th, was the funeral of a child. It had been baptized laft year, and departed on the fecond inftant. Brother Marfveld fpoke from the text appointed for the day, and took occafion to admonifh all his hearers to be al- ways ready to meet the Lord; for, young or old, we know not when we may be called into eternity. On the Sth, after the m.orning meeting, a farmer arrived from Strandtfeldt with a waggon load of corn to fell to the Hottentots. This never happened before as long as wc have lived here*, but rather both we and our people thought ourfelves well ofF if we could get corn at all, after going many miles to purchafe it at the farmers' houfes. It is the more remarkable, as this very man was one of that company of people, who two years ago, confpired to come and de- ftroy this place, and being prevented from executing their defigns, came to a refolution not to fell any provifions what- ever to us and our Hottentots, but to ftarve us out of the country. And nov/ he brings corn to our doors, at a feafon too when it fetches the higheft price, and fells it cheaper than we expected to find it any where. More of the fame company have been here lately and offered us feveral ar- ticles of provifion. We are thankful for it, and confider fuch things as renewed proofs of the gracious prote6lion and [ '84 ] arid care of our heavenly Father over us his poor defencelcfs children, for which we give him praife and glory. On the Qth^ we intended to partake of the Holy Com- munion with our communicants, who were all very defirous after it, and had mo ft earnellly entreated us to admit them. We were therefore giad tliat all onr vifitors left us in the forenoon ; bur jufl as we were going to prepare for it, five men anr) nne woman came to fee the place, and ftaid over night, fo that we were obliged to poftpone the celebration of the Lord's Supper till the tenth, when after the ufual Sunday's fervice, at w -ich we had feveral ftrange hearers, (with one Englifh officer and three private dragoons,) our communicants alTembled, and we partook of the Sacra- ment in peace and quiet. We felt that the Lord v/as truly prefeht with us and our people, while we n-et to fliew forth his death and to praife him for the fhare he grants us in the precious merits of his fuffcrings for our falvation. During the fir ft days of this month, the building of our mill was continued with diligence, and much, forwarded by the aftiftance of fome friends. Suniiay the 17th,' we had again many vihtors, and among them a German from Rothenfand, a pious man, vvho h;ving heard various re- pvorts concerning us, came to fee and hear for himfelf, for which purpofe he ftaid here f veral days. On the 20th, we fpoke with all the candidates for bap- tifm, and found caufe to rejoice over moft of them. With fome we fpoke ferioully concerning their lukewarm ftate. On the 2 2d, our mill was fo far advanced that we could grind for the fir^l time. It performs admirably well, and though it has been an expenfive building, we are fare it will anfwer and repay all our trouble and expence. On the 23d, a dragoon arrived from the warm baths, with a letter, requefting us to referve a room for feveral Englifh officers, who with their ladies intended to fpend the holidays [ >85 3 holidays with us. In the evening a waggon arrived full of white people who announced the arrival of many more. On the 24th, thirteen ftrangers were prefent at the morn- ing meeting, and towards evening a number of horfemen' and feveral waggons arrived. Among the vifitors were the Englifli officers abovementioned, with their company. We were at a lofs how to find lodgings for fuch a number of ftrangers, but the officers had brought a large tent with them, which they pitched before our houfe. The ladies oc- cupied the room we had referved for them, and the gentle- men flept in the tent. In the evening the congregation met, and Brother Kuehnel read and expounded the hiftory of our Lord's incarnation and birth from the leffon of the day; after which he offered up a prayer, thanking Him that he came into the world to feek and fave the loft, and now offers mercy and pardon to all poor repenting finners of every tribe and nation, On the 25th early, a great many mote vifitors arrived, both on horfeback and in waggons, and our place was filled with white people. We were greatlv embarraffed thereby, for if we had permitted them go into the chapel, they would have taken up at leaft one half, and the poor Hottentots, for whofe fake we live here,muft have ftood witl-iout, though many of them had come from a great diftance to hear the '* fweet words of their father in heaven," as they exprefs them- felvc5. We therefore refolved to place all the white peo- • pie in the two rooms adjoining the chapel, where, with the doors open, they could hear all that was faid. They were very well fatisfied, and feveral even declared they would " rather mifs the pieafure of being prefent, than fee the Hot- tentots excluded. Thus the chapel was chiefly filled with Hottentots, only the Englifh officers being admitted into it. A great number of Hottentots ftood without, and near 150 white people attended in the rooms. Brother Maifveld VqJ-. II.. B b preached [ ,86 ]• - preached on the gofpel of the day, and the whole auditor^' was remarkably quiet and attentive. In the afternoon al- moft all the ftrangers returned home. Many faid that they fhould not forget what they had feen and heard, and v.e truft that the word of our Lord's holy incarnation, life, fuf- feriiigs and death for us, has left an abiding iniprefiion up- on :he hearts of many of our chriftian as well as heathen hearers. After the fervice was over, our fettlem^nt appear- ed crowded with people, for the farmers had a great many flaves with them, according to their common cuftom. On the 26th, we were glad to be alone with our Hotten- tots to celebrate this day in ftillnefs. At ten o'clock Bro- ther Schwinn preached on the gofpel, after which, during the ufual Liturg, , each of us baptized three perfons into thq death of Jefus, Brother Marfveld, Andrew, Thomas and Adam; Brother Schwinn, Barbara, Judith and Henrietta; and Brother Kuehnel, Hannah, Jane Gertrude and Anna Louifa. We can teflify with thanks and praife to our Lord and Savior, that not onlv on this folemn occafion, (for baptifms are always attended with a particular manifeftation of the. power of his word and fpiri-j but during all the holidays, He has been in the midft of us, ftrcngthened us his poor fervants in proclaiming His faving grace unto mankind, and evidently biefTed our weak teftimony of his love, fo as to prt duce great emotion in the hearts of many prefent. Not a few of the ftrange Hottentots declared with tears their thankfulnefs for the blefiings they had enjoyed, and ex- preiled great forrow to be obliged to go away to fuch a dif- tance from this place. We fpoke to them as comfortably as we could, for they live many miles off and have feldom an opportunity of coming to vifit us, and kneeling down with them ail, we offered up fervent prayer to God our Savior, that he would grant an abundant and continuing in- creafe ,[ '8; ] ^eafe to the word fdwn in their hearts ; arid particularly thanked Him for the mercy beftowed upon us at this feafon, Ori the 31ft, feveral waggons arrived and a jrreat con- courfe of peopiC came from various quarters, both Chnftii ans arid Hottentots; to be prefcnt at the clofe of the year, (o that when we met in the evening, our chapel was full as riiuch crowded as on Chriftmas-day, and numbers were obliged to ftand without. Brother Marfveld preached, and at twelve o'clock, we commended ourfelves, the nation among whom we preach the gofpel, yea all our fellow men in this country and every where, in fervent prayer, to the unbounded mercy of our gracious God and Redeemer, that he would abundantly pardon all our fins and miftakes, grant his bleffing, as hitherto, to the preaching of the word of the Crofs, tread Satan under our feet, and remove every obftacle that Hill obftru£ls the progrefs of his glorious kingdom in the earth. We praifed him for the innumerable proofs of his mercy experienced in the year paft, and thus clofed the year at his feet, in unity with all his people on the lace of the earth. We muft ftill add fome general remarks concerning the yeir 1797. Firft we call upon all our Brethren and Sifters and friends every where, to join us in praifing the name of God our heavenly Father, for all the benefits, fpiritual and tem- poral, which we have received at his hands during the year paft. In our external concerns he has richly blefled us, beyond all our expeftation. Our garden furnifhes us with an abundance of every article necefTaiy for our fubfiftence. Strangers even exprcfs the greateft furprize at the rich crops we gather, and many remark, that it feemed as if the blefling of God refted particularly upon the labor of our hands, for fuch a fruitful garden had not been feen in this country before. We have alfo this year planted a vineyard and hope to be able fome time hence to m*ke wine. As we have fo many vifitors, B b 2 we [ i88 ] we are the more thankful that v/c thus obtain the means of making them welcome to our table in a homely way. It is a circumftance worthy of remark, that when we were building our fmith's fhop, great difpleafure prevailed among fome of the farmers, and they agreed never to pur- chafe a fingle article we might make, nor to give us any of their work. They threatened openly that they would llarve us and our people out ot the country. But God thought otherwife. We had hardly finifhed the building, before feveral of thefe very people came in hafte for knives and other articles. Some, when they got them for a mode- rate lum, went to tlie Cape Town and other places, and fold them for more than double the price they had given us. At prefent a great many more are befpoke by people at -the Cape Town than Brother Kuehnel can furnifli, though he has taken a Hottentot boy to teach him the trade. It was the fame as to their threats concerning provifions. We wanted a conhderable fupply of corn, meat, fait, wine, Sec. during the building of our mill, when we had many hands at w^ork ; and the fame people brought us as much as ever we flood in need of. For fome time, however, they put their threats into execution, and about the middle of the year diflreffed the Hottentots here exceedingly. They were much enraged at not obtaining the ufual number ot Hottentots to work in their fields. A great many are in fervice of the linglifh foldiers at the Cape Town, and can- not come. The farmers will not work themfelves, and not having flaves enough, their work is neglefted. Now though the poor women and children cannot help that, yet their hatred to us and the Englifh, (for, ftrange to tell, we are always named together) was fo great, that they refolved to fuffer thefe poor creatures to die with famine, rather than give or fell any provifions to them. We exerted our- iclves as far as lay in our power to relieve .their diftrefs, but t 189 ] but it was impoflible to adminifter to the wants of fo many. The daily cry for food, particularly of the old and fick people, who came crawling along, fupported on crutches, or were carried hither, was enough to break a heart of ftone. God however heard their cry and fent them relief, by inclining the hearts of many to take pity on them ; and thus at the clofe of the year, we join them in thanks and praife to our and their heavenly Father. As to the prefent rulers of this country, we enjoy their proteftion and favor, and feel, as we ought, thankful to God and them for it. We experience indeed feme of the dif- trefs attendant upon war. Some of the dragoons quartered at Soete Melks Valy now and then behave with great rude- nefs to the Hottentot women, and have been guilty of feve- ral afts of violence, which we very much regret. Their conduft at this place is always orderly, chiefly becaufe many officers vifit us and attend to ftri£l difcipline, but as they ride up and down the country, if they meet with the Hottentots and treat them ill, their names being unknown, uo complaint can be made, fo as to bring it home to the in- dividuals. We truft to the Lord, that in this refpeft alfo He will help us and give us reft from without. Secondly, we cannot defcribe in words our thanks to our merciful Savior, that he has alfo in this year preferved us in health, and in true brotherly love and harmony ; granted us to feel his love and peace in our hearts ; blefTed and fup- ported us; comforted us in all diflrefs; and caufcd the doftrine of his Crofs and Paffion, which we have preached, to be accompanied with power and the demonftration of his fpirit, fo that it has penetrated into many hearts, both by- means of the public preaching and by private inftru6iion Chriftians as well as heathen have found the gofpel to be the power of God unto falvation ; many enemies have become friends, and the number both of our congregation and of our C 19© J our conflanl. hearers lias cncrealed ; of the latter we cannot afcertaiii the proper number, but of the fornipr we count 136, fifty-three inorc than lafl year. Many of cur men are not at home, being employed by the Englifii at the Cape Town. This occafions fometimes great diftrefs to their families, and we have lofl feverai hopeful young people by this means. We find ourfelves not able to I^crve the encre^fing work of God here in the manner we wifh, without m.ore afliil- ance, and arc particularly anxious Toon to obtain a married couple to attend, better than we can,, to the families. Some who had forfaken us, have been followed by the good and faithful Shepherd of his fbeep, and could find no reft, till they returned again to the fold A few have been^ to our great grief, wlwlly feparated from us. The work is great and important, and who is fufficient for it ? Ah, Lord Jefus ! help us thy poor weak and unprofitable fer- vants, and fuffcr not that work, which thou haft begun in this place, to be retarded or deiiroyed by any means ! We can truly clofe our report oi this year with the declaration contained in that verfe : The Lord hath ever to his flock Kept without reparation ; He doth abide our fhield and rock, Our ftrength and our falvation. He leads us with a mother's care, Preferves from danger, guards from fear, Give to our God the Glory ! Henry Marsveld, Signed Daniel Schwinn, John Chr. Kuehnel, Brief C ^9^ ] Brief Account of tht Attempts made by the Brethren ct Sarepta, on the river Wolga, near Aftracan, in Afia, to preach the Gofpel to the Calmuck nation. T^ VER fince the firft fettling of the Brethren at Sarepta, -*^^ (See Cranz Hiftory of the Brethren p. 608. § 298,) their views were principally direfted to the converfion of the Calmucks, a nation buried in the groffeft fuperftition and idolatry. Thofe who lived in the neighborhood were upon a very friendly footing with the inhabitants of Sarepta, all of whom, both young and old, endeavored by every attention and civility, to gain the confidence of thefe heathen vifitors as they confidered it their duty to contribute whatever lay in their power towards obtaining the grand aim of the efta- bliOiment. Some circumflances, however, put a Hop for a time to thefe friendly communications. It was alfo found next to impofTible to regulate a miffion among them, though two Brethren, Chriftian Hamel and Conrad Neiz lived with the Derbet Horde, during the years 1768 and 1769, wan- dering with them irom place to place, that they might leani the language and be ufeful to them in various ways. In 1774, the great Derbet Horde retired from the country, and only a few poor draggling Calmuck families were left in the neighborhood of Sarepta.' Meanwhile there were always Brethren found, who had willingnefs and courage to ferve the Lord among the Cal- mucks, and ufed all diligence to learn their language. Among thefe we cannot help making particular mention of our late Brother Jf. Malt/ch^ who applied himfelf with un- remitting attention to the ftudy of the language, until his happy departure in March 1778. He watched every pof- fiblc C 192 ] fible opportunity to keep up a familiar intercourfe with the Cahnucks, often fpeaking with them of the only means of falvation through Ghrift Jefus : nor did he ever fufFer any other concern or engagement to interfere with his main calling, to be of fervice to thefe people, Even in the lall years of his life, when he was in a deep decline, and unable to go out of the houfe, he fpent his time in the moft edify- ing manner, always thinking on and praying for thefe poor blind heathen, that the Lord would point out the proper means, and blefs the labors of the Brethren in teaching them the way of life and happinefs. Having made a con- fiderable proficiency in their language, he wrote down feveral fliort fentences, and tranflated great part of the gofpels into it, he alfo encoraged his Brethren to preach the gofpel in faith and hope, and teftified to feveral Calmucks, who vifited him during his laft illnefs, of the joy and peace he felt in his heart, and his readinefs to depart from this world, and to be with Chrill for ever, which left a falutary impreflion on the minds of fome of them. Thus he fell afleep as a faith- ful witnefs of Jefus, and even in his dying moments ex- prefTed his joyful hopes, that he fhould once hear Cal- mucks joining in the fong of the bleffed around the throne of the Lamb, After his departure, the Brethren Rudolphi and Jaefchke fpent much time in endeavoring to learn the Calmuck lan- guage. Their progrefs was but flow for want of the proper means of inftru6lion, yet their perfeverance and zeal was fuch, that after fome time they could converfe with the heathen in an intelligible manner. The minifter of the congregation, Brother C. Fred. Gregor^ encoraged by the example of the late Brother Maltfch, began likewife in the year 1778, to ftudy this language, and fucceeded better, having an opportunity of forming an acquaintance with a Calmuck, who procured fome of their books for him» Thefe C 193 ] Thefe were faithfully copied by the Brethren, and proved in the fequel of confiderable ufe to fuch as wiihed to learn the language. He likewife went in company of the two abovementioned Brethren on a vifit to the horde of Prince Mafchi, which was encamped during Lvnt in 1779, in the neighborhood of Sarepta. At firft a truly pleafing profpeft prefented itfelf, and it appeared, as if by thefe vifits, fome ufeful acquaintance would be made with the Calmucks, for many of them began to vific the fcttlement, where they were received as friends, without any ceremony. A general defire was alfo renewed in the minds of the Bre- thren, if polTible, to take fleps to beorin a regular miffion, gnd a plan having been propofed for that purpofe by the Elders of the congregation, to the Elders' Conference of the Unity, it was approved, and after many ferious delibe- rations, with prayer unto the Lord for his gracious direftion in this important matter, a refolution was made to appoint four Brethren, whofe chief bufinefs it fliouM be to learn the language, and to take advantage of every favorable op- portunity to preach the gofpel to the Calmucks. Accord- . ingly the following Brethren were chofen and accepted of the call, Chr. Fred. Gregor, Conrad Neiz, John Renatus SeifFart, and Chriftian Pfeiffer. The greatefl difficulty lay in the want of means to obtain a thorough and grammatical knowledge of the language. The text appointed for the day, on which they received their call, v/as a great encorao-e- ment to them : Say not, I am axchild\Jor thoujlialf go to all that I JJiall fend thee, and whatfoever I command thee^ thou Jlialtjpeak. Jer. i. 7. They now met to learn the language. The means they had were chiefly the papers left by the Brethren Jaehrig and Maltfch, containing a very imperfeft vocabulary, in which the words were often mif-fpelt ; for they could hardly catch the found of them, when pronounced by illiterate Vol. IL C c Calmucks, C ^94 3 Calmucks. They had neither grammar nor other books containing any of the rudiments of that tongue, and though the books copied by Brother Gregor gave them fome in- formation, yet they foon perceived, that without a mailer, nothing would be done to the purpofe. They at length found a Gadfull, or Calmuck teacher, willing to attend them for fome hours every day, and to read the faid books with them, and the Brethren Gregor and Neiz made confiderable ad- vances. Nor did they negleft any opportumty of fpeaking with this man of the way of life, and the only true happi- nefs, purchafed for us by Jefus Chrift, the Son of God, who became man, and fufFered and died for our fms on the crofs, to reconcile us unto God ; but he had no ears to hear, being an old, felf-righteous, felf-holy, and very fuperftitious man. To proceed a ftep farther in this bufmefs, the Elders of the congregation, who held frequent conferences with the abovementioned four Brethren concerning the bell means of obtaining their aim, approved of a propofal of Brother Neiz, who had made the greatell progrefs in learning the language, and afted as interpreter between the furgeon of the place. Brother Wier, a man much refpefted by the Calmucks, and his patients from among that nation. He offered to begin to praftife in a medical way among the Calmucks, under the advice and infpeftion of Brother Wier, and to devote his whole time to them, that he might have a better opportunity of becoming acquainted with their language, and be able to alTillhis Brethren with the know- ledge he might acquire. For this purpofe a fultable place was fixed upon at Sarepta, where the Calmucks might have a kind of rendezvous and find every medical help from the conllant attendance of the faid Brother. The firlt Calmucks whp came hither in the year 1780, belonged to fome poor families who had fpent the winter on the oppofite bank of the Wolga. There was among ihem an honeft old Gel long, (or [ ^95 ] (or inferior prieft) who often vifited and had agreeable con^ verfations with feveral Brethren. In May the horde of Prince Mafchi came to the neighborhood of Sarepta, v/here they encamped from May 6th to July 14th, and thofe Bre- thren who vifited them lafl year, received In return fre- quent vlfits. No opportunity was omitted to preach the gofpel to them, and many lillened with attention. One thing feemed to ftrike them with particular furprize, which was, that we defcribed our Savior in his reproach, purchafinof our falvation by bitter fufFerings in foul and body, and an ignominious death on the crofs ; whereas they give of their gods, who, according to their tales, have alfo fuffered a great deal for mankind, a fplendid and glorious account, being terrified at the lealt mention of death Of the glori- ous refurreftion ^nd afcenfion of our blefl'ed Lord, they would bear to hear more ; but that he had died and was bu- ried, was unintelligible and difagreeable to them. Some however feemed to hear it with great attention, and a good impreflion. In July and Auguft, the Dcrbet horde was here,.- and Brother Nelz had a great many patients among them. A certain Lama was even prevailed upon to lend him oiie of their moft remarkable writings, of which a copy was made, and in the beginning of 178 1, the fame man who had fiiftbeen employed as teacher, returned of his own accord, lent the Brethren feveral books to copy, and offered his fervices to teach the language. By frequent con verfations with this man, the Bietljren acquired a better infight both into the idiom of their language and into the tenets of their religion. There are, amidft an aftonifhing number of idle tales, many good exprefiions, and found principles contained in their writings, which' fhow% that the authors of their religious (yilem were wifer men than the prefent Calmucks feem to be, Several, pafl'ages appear to have been taken from the C P 2 Chriftia* [ »96 ] Chrlflian doflrines, and only to have been didorted to fu'it the perverie notions of the nation. To thefe we may alfo reckon various cuiloms and rites, which much refemble thofe of the Roman Catholics ; for inflance, the ufe of the rofary in prayer, the celibacy of the clergy, the fafts, the meritorioufnefs of good works, the mafs for the dead, &c. The diligent fludy of their writings had alfo this effential advantage, that the proper meaning of feveral words and phrafes was afcertained, and fuch words avoided which might occafion the doftrine of our Savior to be confounded with their legends and fables. For in this they delight ; and cunningly contrive, in interpreting, to find an opportu- nity of perverting this or the other part of our Lord's doc- trine, or his works and miracles, fo as to tally with the extravagant fables of their mythologv. The inftruc- tor being frequently caught at this trick, and reproved for it, grew always extremely warm and zealous in defence of his doftrines, and one day refufed to ferve any longer as teacher ; yet on the following day he returned, and begged to be again employed, preferring the profits he obtained to the zeal for his religion. Another Gadfull, who after the former had left Sarepta, often came to aflill the Brethren in their hours of exercife in the language, feemed not wholly unmoved, when the converfation turned upon the only true God and our Savior Jefus Chrift. In iySi, the Calmucks did not come often to Sarepta, the horde of Prince Mafchi being difTatisfied with their re- fidence in that country, and the Derbet horde flaying but a fhort time in autumn. Brother Chriftian Hamel having been taken ill during his ftay with the horde, the Brethren Neiz and Pfeiffer went thither and abode with them from June loth to July 28th, wandering from place to place. Brother Neiz had a very extenfive medical praftice, and Brother Pfeiffer obtained a fufEcient knowledge of the lan- guage to be able to exprefshimfelf intelligibly. In C 197 ] In general, about from three to feven Calmuck families have their refidence here, who ferve either as cow-herds or day-laborers and live in Kibitkes (huts) adjoining the farm. Thefe people come frequently to fee the Brethren, and always take refuge to them in outward diftrefs, which often proves a defireable opportunity of fpeaking to them of their fouls' falvation, with a hammering tongue perhaps, but with a warm heart. To vifit them often in their Ki- bitkes would not anfwer the purpofe, the men being all day long abfent from home, and alas! too much addifted to drunkennefs, leaving the women to mind the houfe- keeping. As far as we know, the gofpel has not yet found entrance into the hearts of any of this nation, (except one hereafter mentioned). And though fometimes one or other will ex- claim, *' thefe are important fayings !" or declare, that he likes to converfe with the Brethren, yet they have never found one foul amongil them who enquired a fecond time, what he fhould do to be faved. They feem to live very con- tentedly under their priefts, with their falfe notions of religi- on, and polfefs great eafe, chearfulnefs and mildnefs.oi tem- per, generally much more than the fo-called Chriftians, among whom they live. They are even proud of their religion, and frequent I3? fay, that though each nation has a right to have their own ways and do61:rines, how to attain to the higheft good, yet their way muH needs be the beft, as it fhews them how a man may become a God. If they want to flatter the Brethren, they fay, that their way of obtaining falvation is not far diliant from that of the Calmucks, and though they have often been taught to fee the vaft differ- ence, they never fail to quote their Burckans, or deceafed famts, of whom they alledge, that they have done works very fimilar to thofe done by the Lord Jefus. They hold the doarine of the tranfmigration of fouls, but their ideas of I '98 3 «f the world of fpirits differ fo widely from any thing Clirif- tianity teaches, that they cannot underftand us at all on this fubjeft. According to their notions of tranfmigration, the only concern they have is, left their fouls fhould pafs over into fome animal, or for a feafon go into hell. Both thefe evils may be prevented, as they fay, by frequent prayers and good works, the latter being moft meritorious, whei^ done by the clergy. They declare, that they defire no greater happinefs hereafter than that which may be polTeffed here, fuch as riches in cattle, furniture, Sec. It is often very burdenfome to our Brethren to hear all their nonfenfical and impertinent anfwers to the moll fo- lemn truths of the gofpel, and they even felt doubtful, whe- ther they were not throwing that which is holy before dogs, and pearls before the fwi.'e, when they hear them turning every thing concerning our blefled Savior to ridicule, or fo as to fuit their own fabulous and foolifti traditions. A pe- culiar degree of chearfulnefs and firmnefs of faith and hope is required, not to grow faint and weary in urging conti- nually the neceflity of believing in Jefus Chrift as the only Savior, among fuch a people. It a Miflionary grows warm ^d zealous in refuting their objections, they laugh at him for his weaknefs, as they call it; for they thnik it the greateft virtue in man, to remain cool an^ traftquil on every occafion, and therefore always endeavor, if pojGTible, to throw their opponent off his guard by fneering, or provok- ing expreflions. The baptifm of the firft-fruits of this nation in 1781, gave us new hopes, that the time may yet arrive, when God will call them from darknefs urto light. She was a poor blind forl'"aken givl, called Bo/gujk, and but eight years old when fhe came to Sarepta, where (he was charitably rCr ceived and educated in a chriftian way. January 6th 17 8 1, fhe was baptized by Brother Nitfchman, and called Mag. dalene, [ 199 ] dalene, and in 1782, became a communicant. Indeed ftie is not to our Brethren at Sarepta, what the iirft-fruits of the Greenland nation, Samuel Kajarnak, was to the Miffio- naries there : for he not only preached to his own nation by word a.nd walk, and brought many to hear the gofpel, but aflifted the Miflionaries to learn the language and tranflate the fcriptures. We earneftly recommend the MifTion to the Calmucks, which hitherto has feemed to fail, to the prayers of all God's people, that they would entreat Him, with whom nothing is impoflible, and who is the Savior of all men, to grant His gofpel to bring forth fruit among thefe poor people, who are now fo hardened, and quietly {lumbering in the chains of Satan, and that he would bleCs thofe Brethren who are appointed to labor among them, granting unto them the aid of his Spirit, for without him Zi;e €an dd nothing. ExtraSi of the Narrat'mt of the Life of Brother Elias Oftergreen, formerly a Miffionary in Lap- land, written hy himfelf N. B. Mention having been made in the former pages of the attempt of the Brethren to eftablifa a Miffion in Lapland, the following narrative gives a more particular account of it« T Was born July 19th, 1707, at Stockholm. My father ■^ was a foldier, and in thofe troublefome times, feldom at home. My mother however endeavored, to the beft of her power, to educate her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and her good admonitions and fervent prayers were not in vain. I remember having, as a child, a great defirc. C 2<50 J 3efire to be faved, and I prayed fervently to God to make me a child and heir of grace ; I felt alfo in my heart a cer- tain confidence, that my prayers would be heard,^ which filled ^ine with childlike joy and rapture. When I was ten years old, I went as fervant to a captain in the army, and fpent two years in following the Swedifh troops through different parts of Norway, till, my father obtaining' his re- leafe, I returned with him to Stockholm. When I was (ixteen, I partook for the firft time of the Lord's Supper, and fhall never forget the blefiing I received on that day. My heart was filled, and my lips overflowed with praife and thankfgiving. After I had finifhed ray apprenticefhip, I was drawn into worldly company, and got deeper and deeper into the follies and vices of the age; yet I retained a troubled confcience and at times could weep bitterly over my fins, «fpecially during Lent, when the hiftory of our Savior's fufferings and death never failed to make a deep impreffion upon my heart. But I knew not one foul liv- ing, to whom I could fpeak of my fpiritual concerns. . . . In 1730, 1 began to travel to other countries as a journey- man, and firft went to Abo in Finland. This being aa Univerfity, 1 met with clergymen and ftudents in divinity enough, yet 1 do not remember to have heard one gofpel fermon, but it was all mere world and darknefs. Having ftaid here two years, I went to Reval, where a fermon by the Reverend Mr. Mick wit z caufed great uneafinefs in my mind. I fpoke to my companions about it, but they ad- vifed me never to hear him again, ior ne had turned many a man's brain, and I fooliihly followed their advice. In 1735, I went to Peterfburg, and there refolved to go again to the Lord's Supper, which I had neglefted for two years. I went to a minifter of whom I had heard, that he was not very ftrift m examining tiie communicants, and mentioned my intention to him. But when he rtad the ufual C 201 3 tifual form of abfolution, my heart mi {gave me and my con- fcience told me, that I was not abfofved. I went home in great terror, and promifed the Lord that I would amend my life, but I could not keep my promife. I now went to hear a popular preacher, called Plafchnieck, who fpoke of a conflift of foul for fin. This ftruck me, and I thought that this conflift had all along been wanting. I therefore ftrove hard and fpent my time in the greateft anxiety till about Whitfuntide, when as I was crying to God for help, I felt my burden, as it were, drop from me and fpent fome time in joy and peace. Soon however I difcovered that I was ftill a finful creature ; but on confulting my fpiritual guide, he comforted me by informing me that the conflift was paft, and now I muft ftrive inceffantly to conquer my finful af- feftions. I attempted it, but again found myfelf foiled. Being acquainted here with feveral awakened people, we often met and read Arndt's works together. I flood with them in high repute as a pious man, and my felf-conceit and felf- complacency grew very great. Shortly after we heard of meetings for edification, held at Berlin by the late Count Zinzendorf, and fome of us immediately fet out for that place. After a very dangerous pafiage acrofs the Baltic, we arrived at Stettin, where I was prevailed upon to go flrait to Herrnhut, having a letter from Brother Grafman at Peterfburg to that congregation. The Brethren at Herrn- hut received me with great kindnefs, and here it pleafed the Lord, after various trials, to bring me, through the kind admonitions and direftions of the Brethren, to the loot of the crofs, as a poor needy finner, who muft be faved only by free and unmerited grace. I found that with all my religious profeflions, I had been an enemy of the cruci- fied Jefus, and this, more than any thing elfe, pierced me to the heart. But now he gave me true faith in his atonement and ]y:an truly fay, that I, worthlefs creative, found grace Vol, IL D d ii, [ 202 ] in his fight. What I felt on that occafion I cannot exprefs in words. About Eafter 1739, 1 went to refide at Herrendyk, but foon received a call to go with another brother on a vifit to the awakened fouls, difperfed in many parts of Sweden. We were alfo to endeavor to go and preach the gofpel to the heathen, ftill living in Lapland. We fet out December 28th, 1739. In cro fling the great Belt we came into much danger, among the numerous fields and mountains of ice furrounding us, and worked hard for two days and nights, without any food, before we could extricate ourfelves. Upon this we laid down and flept twelve hours ; but were fo much expofed to the cold, that 1 had my toes and fingers frozen, and for upwards of a quarter of a year felt the bad confequences of this adven- ture throughout my whole body. Having reftcd four days with the Brethren at Copenhagen, we walked acrofs the frozen fea to Malmoe. I ftaid here fix weeks and made an ufeful acquaintance with feveral awakened people. My companion, Brother Behr, went from hence ftrait to Stockholm, but I called at Gothenburg, where I became acquainted with many people, who were earneftly feeking the falvation of their fouls. Among thefe were a few of the nobility and feveral clergymen of the eftablifhment, who complained of the difpofition of the awakened peo- ple in their parifhes to abftain from all church- communion. I endeavored to get acquainted with thefe people alfo, and the Lord bleffed my labors, fo that mofi of them returned to the church and became fimple followers of Jefus. Bro- ther Behr was likewife aftive and his labors were produc- tive of good fruit. At Stockholm I vlfited my mother, now feventy years old, and our converfation was to mutual edification. Here many awakened people of various ranks aflfembled, but we had [ 203 ] had to regret the many religious difputes they were en- gaged in. In 1741, we fet out on our journey to Lapland. We fpent the fummer at Tornea, the mo ft northern city oF Sweden, about feventy Englifh miles from the confines of Lapland, where one can travel only in winter. Alter Chriftmas we proceeded, in company of a party of traders, who travel to the annual Lapland fairs upon fledges drawn hy rein-deer, and arrived at the firft place, where a fair was held, about 170 miles from Tornea. We found there a fmall church, built of wood, in which a minifter preached and adminiftered the facraments during the fair. Except at this time, they never go to church the whole year round. We made enquiry whether no unbaptized or heathen peo- ple were there, that we might fpeak with them ; but were told, that they were all good chriftians. Their walk and con- verfation however did not prove it, for as long as the fair lafted, not one was left, who had not been guilty of drunken* nefs. This the traders encorage, by bringing a large ftock of brandy with them, that when the people are intoxicated, they may make the better bargains. Finding therefore, that we were of no ufe here, we refolved to crofs the mountains and go to Finmark, and for this purpofe engaged a Lap- land guide. He had a herd of ^00 rein-deer, but drove them only as far as the confines, where the forefts end, and leaving them there, brought us to a fiorde, or bay, on the Icy fea. Here we found an old, pious man, who made us welcome to his houfe, till we fhould find an opportunity to proceed. Having waited in vain twelve weeks, at length we procured a boat, with which we intended to go 2^0 miles farther to the Norwegian Laplanders. On leav- ing the bay, we had the wide ocean to the right, and ex- ceeding high rocks and mountains, covered with perpetual fnow and ice, to the left hand. Whenever the wind was ^ d 2 high, [ 204 ] high, we were obliged to run towards fome rocky ifland, or neighboring coaft for fafety, haul our boat on (hore, and wait till the wind abated. We had fufficient covering of rein-deer fkins to fcreen ourfelves from the cold, but whenever it rained, we were thoroughly wet. Yet as the fun never fet, we got dry in clear weather and fuffered no injury. At fea we were frequently in danger of being overfet by whales, and having one morning to crofs a bay, we difcovered no lefs than ten of thefe monfters in it, and were obliged to return. Having waited till we thought they had got out of our way, we proceeded, but had fcarce rowed a mile or two, before we found ourfelves followed by two of them and were again obliged to return. This happen- ed twice, and once they came fo near, even clofe to the fliore, that nothing but the Lord's merciful prefervation faved us from deftruftion. After encountering many dan- gers, we at length arrived at an ifland belonging to Norwe- gian Lapland, in the yiH degree of north latitude, and here faw the fun at midnight above the horizon. From hence we proceeded to a bay, where we found a church, with a minifter, a juftice of the peace and a trader living near it. We were welcome to them as mechanics and got employment enough. It was a moft delicious repafl to us, again to eat bread ; for having lived fo long upon nothing but fifli, we felt faint and exhaufled. The juftice, in whofe houfe we lodged, was an awakened man and had a great love for us. The minifter aifo was friendly, bu^. his ^tf-ife oppofed him. He once offered me the place of fchoolmafter in the village, and as I hoped to improve the opportunity to fpeak of our Savior both to the children and their parents, I agreed to make a trial for one year. But his wife fet it afide, infinuating that I fhould divert the parifhioners' attention from their proper teacher. The [ 205 ] The Norwegian Laplanders are in this refpeft better'' cared for than the Swedifli, for they have an opportunity of learning to read, and have fervice at church every Sunday, We ftaid here two years without any profpeft of obtain- ing our aim. Brother Behr therefore wen' back to Tornea, but I went with a poft-mefTenger to Drontheim. We tra- velled alternately by fea and land. The latter mode of tra- velling was extremely troublefome to me on account of the great depth of the fnow, between the vaft ice mountains, through which our road lay. That we might not fink into it, we wore fnow-fhoes, near eight feet long, made of very thin boards ; but they retarded our progrefs and rendered walking very inconvenient, efpecialU in afcendingthe hills. About Eafter we reached Drontheim. Here 1 foon got ac- quainted with two foldiers, who were concerned for their fouls' falvation, and were quartered on an ifland, about ten miles off. As foon as I began to preach our Savior to them, they melted in tears. There were more awakened people on the ifland, whom I likewife vifited, but not before 1 hadafk- ed and obtained leave from the minifler, though he had often preached violently againft them. He anfwered, '* he fhould be glad to fee me fet thofe wrong-headed people to rights." Our fmall flock confifled ot about thirty perfons, and I fpent five weeks very happily amongfl: them. I found, however, that my way ot fetting them to rights did not much pleafe the clergyman, for lome time after, the burgo- mafter of Drontheim having come to the ifland, to look after his eftate, the minifler pieacntd with great vehemence againft me and our fociety, and even complained fo bitterly ot me to the burgo-malier, that the latter promifed him to fend me to priion. A lieutenant, who was a pious man, feat me word of it and advifed me to fly. This I could not refolve to do, but went ftrait to the burgo-mafter, to hear wiiat he had to alledge againfl, me; for I felt particular courage [ 206 ] courage on this occafion, and trufted tliat the Lord would iland by me. As foon as I appeared in his prefence, he be- gan to rail at me with great impetuofity. I anfwered mo- deflly, that the minifter himfelf had given me leave to vifit thofe people. He would hear no more, but began to threaten me with immediate arreft. Upon this the jailer, who flood behind me, offered to feize me by the arm. 1 defired him to wait, till he got more pofitive orders and begged the burgo-mafter only to permit me to fay a few words in my defence. I then told him, " that the people I had vifited were troubled in their confciences and wifhed to know, what they fhould do to be faved. Now as our bleffed Lord and Savior, the Son of God, had purchafed life and falvation for them and us all, by his bitter paflion and death on the Crofs, I had fimply direfted them unta Him, that they might fird grace and remiffion of their fms in his blood." The burgo-mafter exclaimed ; " All that is very well, but you muft immediately leave the country." When I anfwered, that I would obey him, as foon as I could find an opportunity of going awav, he re- plied, that he would take me to Drontheim, which he did the day following. I fat next to him in his barge ; he behaved friendly and told me, that the minifter had faid fo much againft me yefterday, that he could not help being in a paflion, but now he advifed me to fettle at Drontheim^ where the awakened from the ifland might vifit me. This did not fuit my plan, and I theretore went to Chriftiana, where, as likewife in Dramen, I continued to vifit the focieties, till a regular minifter arrived to take charge of them. In 1746, I vifited Herrnhut, and in 1748, was called to Sweden; where the Brethrea were at that time much per- fecuted. My abode was at Tornea, and fometunes at Stock- holm. Li 1753, 1 married Catharine Heinrich of Herrnhut, and [ 207 ] and lived in various places in Sweden till 176B, fervin,^ the Brethren's Societies. At length my encreafi ng infirmi- ties made it necefTary for me to requeft my difmiflion, and I went to refide at Gnadau in Saxony." Thus far our late Brother's own account. Though an invalid, he rendered efTential fervices to the congregation at Gnadau, and with a view, as much as pofTible, to fave the fund for the fupport of old and infirm fervants of the congregation, he continued to earn his bread by the labor of his own hands, as long as his infirmi- ties would admit of it. He fpent his time in converfe with the Lord, took a near fhare in the welfare of Chrift's kingdom in general, of the Unity of the Brethren, and of the congregation he lived in. He had an unfhaken confidence in our Savior, and whenever he was vifited by his friends, always turned the converfation to the beft of fubjefts. His behavior was eafv, affable and upright, by which he gained the love of all. For the laft two years of his life he was afflifted with a painful complaint, and longed ardently for his releafe. On the morning of the 22d of February, 1798, he exprefled the moft lively hopes that the Lord would foon come and deliver him from all bodily fufferings, in which he was not difappointed, for at nine o'clock in the evening, this faithful and zealous wit- nefs of Jefus entered into the joy of the Lord, in the nine* tieth year ©f his age. £xtra8: cj the Diary of the Mijfion at Lichtenau in Greenland. JANUARY ift, 1796, the number of Chriftian Green- landers belonging to this congregation was 349, of whom 22b lived at Lichtenau, and the remainder on differ- ent C COS 3 tnf parts of the neighboring coafts, at Innukfuk, Onartdk, OkiHiarofek and Omenarfuk. Generally fpeaking their walk and converfation is as becomes children of God, though there are alfo individuals, whom the MifTionaries muft bear with great patience. Yet the Spirit of God bears the fway in this congrregation, and there is more caufe for praife and thankfgiving than for fear and perplexity. On the 19th, being the anniverfary of the beginning of the Greenland MifTion, we read the hiftory of this event to all our people, includingr the account of the converfion and baptifm of the firfl: -fruits of this nation, Sa?nuel Kajar- nak and his family. It was heard with filent attention. On the 'i 4th, being the ufual monthly 'prayer day, three boys were baptized into the death of Jefus. On the 27th, we had a conference with our Greenland affiftants, at which th'^v mentioned, that fome of our Brethren and Sifters, who are in indigent circumftances, complained of not receivit^g as much as formerly towards their relief. We took this opportunity to explain to them, that it was out of our pow'T, though we were ever fo willing, to main- tain the poor; but as our Brethren and friends in Europe cared for our maintenanre, fo that we are in no way burden- fome to them, we could the more confidently advife thofe who were expert in providing abundantly for their families, to be more generous towards the poor of their own nation. This was well received and attended to. March 4th, a heathen from Kennertok vifited us. We exhorted him in the mofl; prefTiug manner, ferioufly to confider his foul's falvation and to turn with his whole heart to the Lord. He anfwered, " that both he and his wife began to have a defire to be converted." We cannot but rejoice even at fuch a diftant profpeft, for moft hea- then, who vifit Lichtenau, are not aihamed to fay, that they never think of converlion. May [ 209 } May yth, was the interment of the remains of Jacob, an afTiftant, to whom we can bear teftimony that he walked worthy of the grace received from our Savior, to whom he clave with his whole heart. He, thought lowly of him- (elf, and fpoke always with true contrition of heart of his poverty and Hnfalnefs. In addrefTing his believing coun- trymen, he delivered himfelf with much warmth and zeal concerning the love they ought to ihow to our Savior, for the great love wherewith he loved us, exhorting them to live always unto him and to keep his commandments. To the heathen he declared the grace of God revealed by the gofpel with life and fpirit, and invited them to come unto Jefus, that they might be faved. On receiving the Sacra- ment a few days before his departure, his heart was filled with rapture and a foretafte of heavenly blifs. On the 27th, Brother Beck vifited the difperfed Bre- thren and Sifters at the fiorde (or bay) who are at prefent employed in the herring fifhery. He was here frequently invited to call upon baptized Greenlanders, who belong to the Danifh mifTion, He alfo fpent great part of his time with the heathen from the fouth, who are at prefent at the fiorde, vifiting them in their tents, and declaring unto them the love of Jefus. A few hearkened with attention, and pro- mifed to be converted, but moft of them repeated their old cxcufes, and fome even turned all to ridicule. They Were inceffantly occupied with their foolifh games, at which they fpent day and night. Several of them had heard Brother Beck twenty years ago in the north, and told him, that they had not forgotten his words. At the public meetings however, which were held in the open air, they paid great attention. The heathen placed themfelves of their own accord at a fmall diftance from the baptized on an eminence, and the hiftory of the rich man Vol. II. E e and [ 210 ] and Lazarus, which Brother Beck explained to them, gave him a good opportunity ot addrefling each clafs of hearers. June ift, a Greenlander from the fouth brought a letter from Captain Pcterfen, commander of the fliip dellined for Julianenhaab, at anchor at Cape Farewell, requefting one of us to come to his affiftance, as he was unable to converfe with the natives. Brother Grillich therefore went thither, and on his return brought a packet of letters, Sec. from Europe, which we perufed with the greateft pleafare and gratitude to our Brethren and friends. We commend our- felves, together with our congregation of believing Green- landers, to their prayers and remembrance before the Lord. Jacob Beck, Signed Christian David Rudolph, John George Grillich. VARIOUS ACCOUNTS. 1. 'HP'HE brig Harmony failed on the 7th of June for -*- Labrador, in company of the Ihips going to Hud, fon's bay, under convoy of a frigate. Three Miihonaries went in her to the afliftance of our Brethren on that coaft, and by a letter dated at Stromnefs in the Orknies, June 26th, we learnt with thanks to the Lord, that they were all well and had had a pleafant voyage, 2. From Surinam, the following accounts have been re- ceived by way of Philadelphia, in a letter dated Paramaribo, January 24th, 1798. In December 1797, they had the great joy to receive a packet of letters and diaries from Europe, after having long been without any accounts from tlience. On account of the [ 2" ] the many privateers which infefted the coaft, the price of provifions had rifen exceedingly laft year, and they were fcarcely ah\e to procure the common necefTaries of life. But many American fliips arriving of late, they had grown fomewhat cheaper. Moft of our Brethren and Sifters at Paramaribo had been afflifted with fevere illnefles during the year I'gy. The negroe congregation there had en- creafed, eighteen adults having been baptized laft year. Many new negroes attend the preaching of the gofpel, which is made the means of great blefting to not a few of them. At Sommelfdyk the MifTionaries have likewife fuf- fered by illnefs, but were again reftored to health. Their labors among the negroes in the plantations were not in vain, and many pleafmg and encoraging inftances occurred of their being under the influence of the Spirit of God. The Brethren defire to receive afliftants, that the negroes, who are widely fcattered on different eftates, may be vifited more frequently. Brother Langballe at [Paramaribo had received a commiflion to vifit the free negroes at Bambey, and it pleafed the Lord to lay a fpecial bleffing on his la- bors, by means of which the Miffionaries, ftationed at the latter place, had received great encoragement and a renewal of life and aftivity in the fervice of our Savior. Among the Indians at Hoop on the Corentyn our Bre- thren have had to ftruggle with many difiiculties, arifmg partly from their dangerous fituation on the frontiers be- tween Surinam and Berbice, the latter of which is now in poffeffion of the Englifh, and partly from various painful oc- currences among fome of the Indian converts. Yet amidft all diftreffes and trials, they had often experienced the moft heart -reviving proofs of our Lord's love and power, made manifeft in their congregation, which greatly ftrengthened their courage in ferving the Indians with the gofpel. Bro- ther Fiflier writes, that, upon the whole, the Indians at Hoop c ^--^ ] Hoop lived happily and comfortably together, and made an evident progrefs in every degree of civilization. In the courfe of laft year, twenty adults and children were bap* tized, and 285 Indians lived together at Hoop. The Mif- fionaries had fultained a heavy lofs, by the following cir- cumftance. Brother Kluge, returning from Paramaribo in their own vefTel, which was laden with provifions for Hoop^ being out at Tea, was taken by an Englifli privateer and plundered of all his ftores. The privateer carried him, with the Indians in his company, to Berbice, where he was taken very ill, but met with Ibme kind friends who lodged him and rendered him many good fervices. After paying a confi- derable fum to ranfom the vefTel, he returned fafe to Hoop. 3. It will undoubtedly give great pleafure to all our Bre» thren every where, to hear of the profperous voyage and fafe return of the fhip DufF, Captain James Wilfon, from the iflands of the Pacific ocean, after having fafely landed the Miffioiaries, fent out by the London Miflionary Society to Otaheitc, and other iflands, with every profpeft of their being well received and kindly treated by the inhabitants. The accounts already printed are in the hands of many of our Brethren and friends ; it is therefore needlefs to repeat particulars, but only to mention that, according to an adver- tilement lately publifhed, a more circumfiantial narrative of the voyage will fhortly appear in print, and no doubt excite in the minds of all true lovers of our Lord Jefus Chrifl, and his kingdom on earth, the- moft lively intereft, and caufe them to pray unto Him to blefs thefe endeavors with abun- dant fuccefs, until his knowledge cover the earth, as the waters cover the Tea. 257 EXTRACT ti'om the Diary o/* Grubnekloof, Cape of Good Hope, 1815. Continued from p. 250, OCTOBER 1st. We had a visiting party of twent j^-seven persons with us. They attended the litany and public preaching, and afterwards took a view of the settlement, when they declared that, after the evil reports they had heard, they had been most agreeably disappointed, and found them all contradicted. 4th. Our late Land-drost, Mr. Zorn, spent the night here, and had much agreeable conversation with us, relating to the missions of the Brethren's Church in general, and the settlements made in this country. Sth. We received six Dutch bibles, from the School Com- mission. This is a valuable present to us, as some of our peo- ple are able to read, and have not yet seen the old Testament in Dutch. 10th. Having heard that a bastard Hottentot had fixed his residence on our South boundary, the Brethren Schm-itt and Fritsch went to examine into his pretensions. He produced a permit from the Veld Cornet, Mr. V. If this is suffered it will be a great annoyance, being near the Cape road; and may be- come a resort for people selling liquor. 13th and 14th. Brother Fritsch and his wife were engaged in speaking with the baptized. Some confessed, that lately they had become indifferent about their souls, and more bent upon seeking the things of this world. Others were found in truth desirous of making their callina; and election sure. i)a?2/e/P/oy, being asked, whether his soul was hungry and thirsty after the word of God, replied: " O yes, when I am tend- ing cattle in the field, my heart feels a gieat drawing towards the meetings of the congregation. My dear teacher knows also. Vol, VI. ifL 258* that if a ch'ld goes ever so often to school, but has no mind ta learn, it will never keep any thin^ in its memory, bat so it is not with me; I pray, that 1 may improve, ard, if it may be, ad- vance in the privileges of th?; house of God.'* Justina Pikeur. " Ahis, I feel that I am far behind ia the performance of the promises I made at my baptism, that I would cleave to our Saviour as a poor needy sinner. I have got into a self-righteous way, and seek to help myself, and thereby have been brought into a melancholy and discontented state. I did not seek the fault in myself, but in others, and thus became uncharitable in judging of my brethu\n and sisters. At last I grew even weary of life, and cried to the Lord, to shew me what was my error. This He has done, and I now find that in myself there is nothing but sin and evil, and that if I would be happy, I must fly to Him for help. I pray Him to keep me under this conviction to the end of my life, for 1 dtsire to live alone for Him in the world." 16th. We had a visit from the governor's children, who seemed pleased with the Hottentots' gardens. In the night a Hottentot house took fire, in consequence of some hot embers being left, when the family went to rest. The house was half consumed before they were waked by their neighbours; but they were all preserved by God's mercy, from suffering any harm. 20th. The governor and his family passed through our place in their return to town. They conversed some time with Brother and Sister Schmitt, with much friendliness, and be- spoke several articles. They left two slave girls here to wash linens. His excellency had In his company the Inspector of Lands, ]V3r.D'Eicury, who in company of Mr. Melville, the Go- vernment Surveyor, was directed to fix the boundaries between our place, and the government's farms adjoining. The Brethren Schmittand Fritsch accompanied these gentlemen to the boun- dary, and Mr. D'Escury, observed, that nature had made a dis- tinct division by a line passing along the summits of the hills; directing Mr. Melville to mark it accordingly in his plan. The two gentlemen spent the night with us. S59 21st. We bad a blessed participation of tbe Holy Commu- nion. Abraham Joseas partook the first time, aiiu three per- sons were appointed for confirmation, 29ih. Lieutenant-general Meade, tlu' Dt-putv G'jvernor, called on us, ard expressed his satisfaction with tiie iaiprove- nients made by the Hottentots in tliei» gcoujids. 30th. Tlie Inspector an 1 Surveyor weie a/iin h^re. The Brethren Silmiiit and Fritsch, lode with them to rht above- mentioned j l.iccjwheie th.t- hnsia'd Hottentot liad sefiled, andre- presentedthe inconvenience arivi:igte herself anew with soul and body unto Him who had now preserved her in his love during the year past. In the afternoon, Brother Schmitt baptized a woman into the death of Jesus, and called her RacheL This transaction was attended with a peculiar perception of the presence of the Lord among His people. 15th. Three persons were confirmed for the first enjoy- ment of the Lord's Supper. 16th. We spoke with the communicants, and rejoiced over the state of most of them. Mary Christiansen^ who was lately readmitted, expressed her thankfulness with deep humility, and bemoaned her late deviations. She said: "My daily prayer is, that from this time forward, I may lie at the feet of my mer- ciful Saviour, and never cease to beseech Him to preserve me and others from such transgressions." 18th. We celebrated the Lord's Supper, at which the three above-mentioned persons were partakers for the first time. Some of our people could not attend, being employed by the farmers in the harvest. 21st. Brother Fritsch and his wife went on business to Cape-town, and on their return brought us agreeable letters, both from Gnadeniiial and from Europe. 26th. Two children were baptized after the forenoon's service. The weather during the last days of this month was so ho% that Fahrenheit's thermometer was 100° above 0 in the shade. December 3d. Being prayer-day, Brother Schmitt bap- tized two children into the death of Jesus. 5th. Colonel Picket and another English officer called upon us, and staid with us over night. Their object was to shoot partridges on our land^ In which they succeeded. 10th. Four persons obtained leave to live on our land. 15th. A letter was received from Brother Kuester, from St. Helena, giving us an account of the well-being of himself and his family. 18th. A communicant, Catharine Botsman, departed this life in child-bed, aged 40. She was baptized by brother Schmitt in June 1811, and admitted to the Lord's Supper in July 1812. We may with truth give her that testimony, that she knew and cleaved to Jesus as the Redeemer of her soul. Her temper was rather hot, but being truly converted to Him, and desirous of enjoying His peace, whenever she had offended any one she was soon convinced of her error, and ready to ask forgiveness. On the same day, Philip 3Ioses departed this life, in an age of about 60 years. He rejoiced to be transplanted out of this life of suffering, into the kingdom of rest with our Saviour. He was baptized April 22, 1810, by the late Brother Kohrham- mer; and in 1813, became a partaker of the Holy Communion. On the 9th of August 1813, he experienced a particular pre- servation of his life, when Brother Schmitt was the means of rescuing him from the claws of a tyger. However, his face, and especially his nose, was dreadfully mangled. Of this hurt he had recovered; but in the latter years of his life he suffered great poverty, as an asthmatic complaint prevented him from going out to earn his bread. Being at last extremely reduced by a consumption, and his wife, who had already three small children, being brought to bed of a fourth, the circumstances of his family weighed so much upon his mind, that he could not help complaining of his lot; though he always ended by expressing resignation to the will of the Lord, whetiier it might 262 please Him soon to release him and take him in mercy to Him- self, or to leave him longer below. 21st and 22d. After long draught, we had, for this season, an extraordinary fall of rain, by which our pond was filled with water for our thirsty cattle, and all the country began to look green again, 24th. We received at length the long-looked-for account of the arrival of the company appointed to assist in the service of this Mission 5 namely, the Brethren Clemens and Thomsen, and their wives, and the single Brethren, Lemmertz and Stein. But it gave us very great additional pleasure to be informed of this event by a letter from Brother JLatrobe, who mentioned, that he himself had accompanied them hither, on a visit to this mission, which we have often wished, but never ventured to hope for. This evening we met to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, and our hearts were filled with joy and gladness, while v/e contemplated that most glorious event, by which we and all mankind may obtain deliverance from sin and curse, if we believe on and receive Him in faith. We prayed Him to reveal Himself in this and every other country to all mankind, and especially to those who yet walk in darkness, as the light of life. 25th. Brother Schmitt and his wife set out for Cape-town, to welcome and bring hither the above-mentioned company. 30th. Brother Fritsch and part of our congregation went to meet them, and about an hour's walk from hence, had the pleasure to see them arrive. Nothing could exceed the mutual joy experienced by all parties on this occasion, which was ex- pressed more with tears than words. In the afternoon, we had the pleasure to see them arrive safe at our house, when the Hottentots assembled at the door, sung hymns of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for cundacii ng this dear company safe across the great ocean, atid sending again teacheis to labour among them in His name. In the evening-meeting, both Brother Latrobeand Brother Clemens delivered salutations irom the Elders' Conference of 96^ the Unity; the Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel ; and all the congregations of the Brethren \n Europe, to rhe Hot- tentot congregations in tills country, which were answered with loud thanksgivings by the congregation present. 31st. In the evening, we met to close the year witli prayer and praise, which we did with hearts filled with humble ac- knowledgments of the many and great mercies we have experi- enc«d, and the help afforded us by our gracious Saviour ia many trials. We craved His pardon for all our manifold ne- glects and failings, and felt His peace and pardoning love in our souls for our comfort and encouragement. We devoted ourselves anew unto Him, and covenanted with eacli other to remain, through grace. His faithful followers to the end. The congregation at Gruenekloof consists at the close of the year 1815, of 53 Communicants; 94 Baptized Adults and Children; 26 Candidates for Baptism : in all of 173 persons — 19 more than last year. 105 new people, and 12 living at Lauweskloof. Total, 290 persons. Seven men are among the military, on the borders of Caf- fraria. We commend ourselves to the love and remembrance of all our brethren and friends. (Signed) J. H. ScUiMirr. J. Fuitsch, LETTERS Received from LABRADOR, in the Year 181G. Okkak, Sept, 6, 181G. Dearest Brethren, WE began to be very much surprised at the long delay in the arrival of the ship, and felt often great anxiety on her ac- count, especially as there was an unusual quantity of drift ice upon our coast. This made us, with the more earnestijcss, cry unto the Lord, that He would grant His protection to the 204 ship and all on board. At length, on the 29th of August, about five in the afternoon, we had the inexpressible pleasure to see her come safe to an anchor in our bay, and to v/elconne Brother and Sister Sturman, Captain Fraser, and Brother Taylor in our midst. We cannot express the thankfulness we feel towards our God and Saviour, whenever we see the ship arrive with us, knowing the dangers she must encounter on our coasts. He has given us again a proof, that He graciously attends to us, and will never withdraw His paternal care and protection from us. We soon met together in fellowship, to thank and praise Him for these great and undeserved favours. On reading your very welcome and agreeable letter, we were anew excited to great gratitude towards you, for the kind share you take in our welfare, and in the work of the Lord among the Esquimaux nation, whom we have the favour to serve with the Gospel. We learnt with much participation, that Brother Latrobe has been appointed to visit our Missionary Establishments at the Cape of Good Hope, and prayed the Lord to be with him, and bless him with success in all his undertakings. We praise the Lord for having so soon again restored peace to the world, and pray him to preserve it unto us. Above all we entreat Him to let that peace which passeth know- ledge, and, which the world can neither give nor take away, be more known and enjoyed by those who call themselves by His Name. As to ourselves, we may with truth declare, that He has been with us and our people, and approved Himself to us all, as a gracious God and Father, preserving us in health, and grant- ing us strength to perform our labour with ease. He has blessed our weak testimony of His love to sinners, and the atonement made for sin by His blood-shedding and death, ac- companying it with power and the demonstration of His Holy Spirit, insomuch that it found entrance into the hearts of the hearers. We experienced the fulfilment of His gracious pro- mises that He would be with His people every where, and at all times, especially when we were met to administer the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and at other 565 seasons, on festivals, and on the memorial days of His holy in- carnation and passion. Our schools have been regularly held and attended with diligence by the young people of both sexes. Their progress has been various, but we can say with truth, that they have profited thereby, and we entertain the pleasing hopes, that they will give their hearts unto the Lord, and prosper in His congregation. In short, we rejoice in perceiving that the work of God and His Spirit has been carried on in the hearts of all our people, with manifest blessing, though amidst much weakness and imperfection on our part, and not distinguished by any extraordinary and striking appearances from without. The ex- ternal distress which our Esquimaux have suffered in the fore- going winter, has indeed had some influence upon their spiri- tual course, as they were obliged to seek their food at a dis- tance from the Settlement. Their exertions to procure suste- nance by catching seals, failed entirely, both in the use of nets, and in their kayaks ; but the blessing of God was bestowed in a particular manner upon the little assistance which we were enabled to render them out of our own store, by which they were preserved from total famine. Nor did any suffer in their health from want of food. The year past has, however, been an extraordinary season. At the beginning of November 1815, the sea was already filled with ice, by which the autumnal hunt for seals was completely destroyed. From that time the degree of cold remained the same, and there happened such an unusual fall of snow, that the oldest Esquimaux never remembers to have seen the like. In spring, the frost continued so severe, that we could not work in our gardens at the proper time, and consequently ex- pect but a poor crop of vegetables this year, for the whole summer season has been dry and cold, owing probably to the great quantity of drift ice upon our coasts. Since the departure of the ship last year, five persons hav^ become partakers of the holy communion, four adults and four children were baptized, four admitted as candidates for bap- tism, and three have departed this life in the faith. We return you, dear brethren, our sincere thanks for all Voi,. VI. nM 266 you have again bestowed upon us, which we have received safe by the Jemima. May our Saviour reward you and all friends, who so kindly assist you in caring for our outward maintenance, with abundant spiritual blessings, enabling you also in future to support His work in this distant country. As to the second expedition proposed to be undertaken to the north, you may rest assured, that each of us will willingly contribute, by assisting to the utmost of our power in providing the means, and we pray that it may tend to the glory of the Lord, and the promotion of His cause among the natives. We join you in fervent prayer to our Saviour, tliat He woulfi again take the ship and all on board, under His gracious protection, and bring them safe to you. Our most earnest sup- plications before the throne of grace are for a continuance of His mercy towards us, that He would be pleased to own us and our labours, by leading souls to Himself through the preaching of the word of His cross, bloodshedding, and death for all man- kind, to strengthen our weak hands by the daily enjoyment of His love and divine presence, and to support our drooping faith under all adverse circumstances and trials, that His work of grace may remain uninterrupted, and much fruit be prO" duced to His honour. We commend ourselves also in this view, to the loving remembrance and prayers of all our dear Brethren and Sisters, and friends, and can assure them that we do not forget them in our prayers, but entreat the Lord to shower down upon them every blessing, out of the fulness of His grace. We remain ever, your most affectionate Brethren. (Signed) T. Martin, A. Kunath, L S. Meisner, I. F. Knacjss, B. G. KOHLMEISTER. Nain, Sept. 27, 1816. Dearest Brethren, AS we had been in no little trouble • on account of the 267 long delay in the arrival of the Jemima, and received from time to time information, that our whole coast was beset with a vast quantity of drift ice, we at length began to doubt of her being able to reach our harbour this year. But how great was our joy and surprise, when on the first of this month, in the after- noon^ the report of some muskets announced to us the arrival of two post-kayaks from Okkak, which soon informed us of her safe arrival at that settlement, on the 29th of August. What we felt on this occasion we are not able to describe in words. We shed tears of gladness and thankfulness to our God and Saviour, and exclaimed; What shall we render unto the Lord for all His benefits: we are not worthy of the least of all His mercies, and of all His truth. He has led the ship safe through all dangers, and relieved our minds from all anxiety respecting our future support and our communication with our dear brethren in Europe. Your kind letter of May 22d, which we read in our meet- ing on the day following, was heard with many thanks for your encouraging and comfortable address. We saw with what earnestness you take share in our poor labours to promote the cause of our blessed Saviour among the heathen in this country, arid how generously you exert yourselves by every means in your power, to promote this important work. May He increase your joy over the eftects produced by the preaching of the blessed Gospel of our crucified Saviour, through our poor ser- vices ; and hear your constant prayers for the growth of our dear congregation, in the grace, love, and knowledge of their Re- deemer, that they may be more and more firmly built up upon Christ the rock, and upon the atonement made by His precious blood. May He grant to His weak servants emploj^ed in this part of His vineyard, that in a sense of their own insufhciency, they may continue cheerfully by their words, and walk, and conversations to shew that the word of the cross is indeed the power of God to salvation, and the only means by which the conversion of heathen nations to their God and Saviour can be effected, and the souls of men become the reward of His suf- ferings and death. We thank you most sincerely for having again so richly 26s provided us with every needful article for our maintenance and outward comfort, and pray the Giver of all good gifts richly to bless and reward you and all our participating friends for this proof of their love. We bless God for the restoration of peace, and that so soon a stop has been put to the threatened storm which seem- ed again to await the nations, by the escape of that disturber of mankind. May it please the Lord to continue to us this bless- ing, and that the time of peace may be improved for a further spread of the Gospel throughout the world. It is with great gratitude towards our Saviour, that we can inform you, that we have all been preserved in bodily health, and in a spirit of peace and brotherly love in our own family, and thus have been enabled to carry on the work committed unto us with cheerfulness and diligence. We were particularly thankful for the preservation of the lives of the Brethren Christensen and Korner, who both, on the 26th of September, while at work on the roof of the church, had the misfortune that the ladder broke from under them. Had not God's preventing hand so directed their fall, that they both missed the palisades below, they would most likely have fallen upon the sharp points, and been grievously hurt. Brother Christensen grasping the falling ladder, held on so long till help could be procured, but Brother Korner falling backwards, wounded his thigh con- siderably; it was, however, soon healed. In autumn 1815, our Esquimaux, who were very success- ful in catching seals the year before, failed entirely in their ex- ertions to procure maintenance for their families. We became apprehensive that they would suffer real famine, and offered up many a fervent prayer in their behalf to our merciful heavenly Father for help. The few dried fishes which they had in store, were soon consumed, as likewise some of their dogs, by which they began to be reduced to great distress. We endeavoured, as far as we were able, to help them ; which, however, was not in our power as much as we wished, from the scantiness of our own store. The consequence is, that we cannot send you so pleasing an account of their general course, as we willingly would do. Several of them were brought so low by disticss 269 and want, that they seemed in a manner stuplfied, and not able even to think much of the state of their souls. We did not omit, under these trying circumstances, to encourage them to place their hopes in the love and compassion of their heavenly Father, and not to cease calling upon Him for help who alone could help them in their distress. Many indeed took courage and shewed due resignation to His will, and confidence to- wards Him. It is, however, clearly to be seen, that they all have a feeling of the necessity of knowing and relying on their Saviour and Redeemer, whom they are bound to love and serve; and often have we seen them shed tears on hearing the Gospel, declaring unto them pardon and peace through the merits of His sufferings and death. The walk of our communicants has given us pleasure and afforded us edification, by which we have been greatly encouraged. One adult and eight children have been baptized. Two have been made partakers of the holy communion ; two children were born. The number of inhabi- tants is 176. We pray that the commission given to Brother Latrobe to visit our mission at the Cape of Good Hope, may be attended with success, and that it may please our Saviour to bring him again safe to you. On the 22d, we had the pleasure to see the Jemima come safe to an anchor in our bay. We -bid Brother Kunath, with all our heart, welcome among us as a future inhabitant of Nain. On the same day early, the Brethren Stock and Morhardt, going from Hopedale to Okkak arrived with us, but as there is a want of lodging at Okkak, the latter will remain here during the winter, and follow Brother Stock thither in a sledge next spring. Brother Kmoch and his wife, and the Brethren Chris- tensen and Korner are appointed to go to Hopedale, and Bro- ther Lundberg to Okkak, with whom we had a solemn farewell meeting, thanking them for their faithful services in the mis- lion at Nain. We expect Brother Miller and his wife to come to us from Hopedale. To conclude, dearest Brethren, we pray that our Saviour may grant, that by the preaching of the word of His cross, rich fruits may be brought forth to His glory, that Christ may dwell 270 in the hearts of all our dear converts from among the Esqui^ maux nation, and, through the power and influence of Hia Holy Spirit, they may all live unto Him alone. If we look to ourselves and our poor service in the Gospel, v;e are ashamed of our own short coming, and have cause to humble ourselves before our Saviour, and to cry unto Him for mercy and forgive- ness, and that He would blot out all our transgressions by His precious blood. In this sense of our own deficiency and un- worthiness, we swear anew allegiance to Him, and pray Him Himself to further His work, and to give to all we say and do His blessing. To this end we als® recommend ourselves to your loving remembrance and prayers, greeting you and all who take share in the prosperity of this Mission, with senti- ments of the sinccrest gratitude for all your love, we remain ever, dearest Brethren, your most affectionate and faithful Brethren, &c. (Signed) Charles Schreiber, G. Schmidtman, Geo. Kmoch, T. Christensbn, J. LuNDBERG, Adam Halter, J. KORNER. The letter from Hopedale is missing, the cause of which will be found in the following account: " October 28th, 1816. The Jemima arrived in the river from Labrador, after one of the most dangerous and fatiguing passages ever known. As in almost every part of Europe, so in Labrador, the elements seem to have undergone some revolu- tion during tlie course of last summer. The ship arrived at the drift ice on the La})rador coast^ on the 16th of July. Cap- tain Eraser found it extending two hundred miles from the land, and after attempting to get in, first at Hopedale, then at Nain, and at last at Okkak, he was at length completely sur- rounded by ice, and in the most imminent danger during six days and nights, expecting every moment that the ship would be crushed to pieces; till after very great exertions, he got to- wards the outer part of the ice. Nevertheless, he was beset by it for forty- nine days, and did not reach Okkak till Aug, 29, to 571 the astonishment of all our Brethren, as well as the Esquimaux. The very next day the whole coast,, as far as the eye could reach, was endrely choked up by ice, and after laying at Okkak nearly three weeks, he was twice forced back by it on his passage to Nain, which place he did not reach till Sept. 22. After staying the usual time, Capt. Fraser proceeded, Oct. 3, from Nain to Hopedale, though with fine weatlier, yet, on account of the lateness of the season and a great deal of drift ice, with but little prospect of reaching that settlement. This circumstance he mentioned to the Brethren at Nain. How- ever, Brother Kmoch and his wife, and the two single Brethren, Korner and Christensen, who were going to Hopedale, went on board, and they set sail: but the same evening it came on to blow exceedingly hard, with an immense fall of snow, and very thick weather, that they could not see the length of the ship, and being within half a mile of a dangerous reef of rocks, the captain was obliged to carry a press of sail to clear them, which he did but just accomplish; for after that the gale in- creased to that degree, the wind being right on shore, that he could not carry sail any longer, and was obliged to lay the ship to, when the sea often broke over her, and he was at last ne- cessitated, seeing every attempt to reach Hopedale in vain, to bear away for England on Oct. 5. He again experienced a gale equal to a hurricane, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of Oct. which, during the night between the 9th and 10th was so vio- lent, that the captain expected the ship would have foundered. She was at one time struck by a sea, that twisted her in such a manner, that the very seams on her larboard side opened, and the water gushed into the cabin, and into the mate's birth, as if it came from a pump, and every body at first thought her side was stove in ; however, the Lord was pleased to protect every one from harm, and, considering all things, the ship has not suffered materially, neither was any thing lost."' What the feelings of our Brethren at Hopedale must be, on being disappointed in the arrival of the ship, we may easily guess. It will probably be late, before they receive any infor- mation of her arrival at Okkak and Nain, and when they do, and have heard of her departure from Nain, it is natural fgr them to fear that she may have been lost in her attempts to get. into their harbour, especially as the weather was so uncom- monly boisterous about that time. The Missionaries at Nain will likewise not be without anxiety, though the captain posi- tively declared his doubts respecting the practicability of his reaching Hopedale. Yet how little they believed him, is proved by the Missionaries destined for Hopedale going on board. We pray the Lord to comfort them, and those Bre- thren who have thus been brought to England contrary to their wishes, and out of a state of useful activity among the Esqui- maux, in vYhich they delighted. He does all things well, and may we all have grace to be, under this trial also, resigned to His divine v;il!. The loss to the Society's funds is very consider- able, partly by the very small returns in this season, and partly by the great additional expense occasioned by the return of the Missionaries, and the circumstances connected with it. But v;e trust to the Lord, that He will incline the hearts of His people to come to our assistance. EXTRACT Of the Diary of ths Mission at Gnadbnthau OCTOBER 1, 1815. After the public service, was the baptism of an iijfant by Brother Marsveld. Several gentlemen and la- dies were present, who expressed their thankfulness for the edi- fication and blessing they had gained, in their attendance upon our worship here. They contributed likewise very generously towards the relief of the poor. This was also done by two English gentlemen who arrived here about this time. 3d. The weather was very cold, with continual and vio- lent rains, by which the vvater-courses in our valley were filled, A child of five years old, who had probably been playing near one of them, being missed in the evening, search was made, but to no purpose. The next morning, its corpse was found in the water. A boy who had some days ago run away from his 373 foster-parents in a fit of obstinacy, and liid himself, was like- wise found lying under a hedge, nearly stiff with the cold and wet, and bereft of his senses and feeling. We took him into our house, and applied every means for his recovery, wlien to our great joy, in a few hours he was perfectly restored, 6th. Three persons were added to the candidates for bap- tism; and on the Sth, being prayer-day, two were baptized. 10th. Brother Leitner and his wife, with Mr. Daniel Bisandt in company, returned from the Cape. They brought a present of twelve Dutch Bibles from the School- Committee, for the use of our school, for which we return many thanks. 15th. The Brethren Marsveld and Bonatz spoke with a company of Hottentots, fathers of families, who proposed tak- ing steps to maintain more order in the Settlement, several de- viations having taken place, which gave them as well as us much concern. It proved a desirable opportunity of speaking with them of the state of our young people and others, and they were exhorted not only to watch over the observance of our order, but to be a good ejsample to all by their walk and conversation. 18th. We spoke with the communicants previous to the. celebration of the Lord's Supper on the 21st. Many of them spoke in a truly humble manner of their backwardness in fol- lowing the precepts and example of our Saviour. Ludwig Anders related, that while he was still living among the heathen, his parents, who had never heard any thing of Jesus Christ our Saviour, told him that always at new moon he should call upon God to bless him, and when the seven stars appeared, thank him for His goodness, " This," added he, " we did faithfully, but now 1 know something *^ rnore : that God is also my Redeemer and Saviour, who *' in mercy regards me, a wretched sinner, apd daily shows '' His goodness towards me in forgiving ir^e my sins. But, " alas, my gratitude is very small. J am ashamed of my <« short-coming, and none can cojrifort me but Himself." Frandna Okkers was asked, whether she lived in peace. She replied : " Yes, I can truly say that I do. Sometime ago *' I lived very unhappily with my husband^ which was owing to Vol. vi. nn 274 ^' our horse having been suffered to stray by our children. We " were long not upon speaking terms. At last I said to him, '^ It is indeed a heavy life to live thus together. Who gives us " any thing for it? Let us rather forget the old grievance, and *^ live in peace," " Certaialy," was his answer, '^ nobody ^^ pays us for our qnp-rrel, we rather lose by it, for dissension is ^^ a devourer. At such times God grants no blessing to attend " our v/ork. Let us, riierefore, rather make up all differences ^' in future before the setting of the sun/' 23d, We received nev/s from Caledon, that Tobias Vogil^ a single man, after ten days' illness, had departed this life in that village. He was baptized in 1803, by Brother Rose, and May 9, 1812, became a communicant. His walk for some years after, was not always becoming a child of Co^, as he Vi^as unhappily, addicted to liquor, aud, on that account fre- quently excluded: but within these last years he had greatly reformed, and turned with his whole heart to God. We hope, that though he was unable to express himself, or even to col- lect his thoughts during his illness, iiis soul has, through the mercy of our Saviour, been admitted into the realms of peace, 29th. After the morning-service, and the baptism of a child by Broiiier Schwinn, the remains of Antoinette Mager- man were interred in our buiying-ground. She was baptized in 1812, by Brother Marsveld, and that same year, admitted to the Lord's Supper. Her walk and conversation was edifying. She was cheerful, quiet, and full of hope and faith. This was particularly manifest during her last illness, which was a lin- gering consumption. She took all afHiction as coming from the hand of a merciful Saviour, for her good. On the day be- fore her departure, she washed and dressed herself in clean clothes, and spent the day very happily in hopes that it would be her last, which was actually the case, for in the morning she departed rejoicing. In general, the month of October was very sickly, owing to the cold and rain : but though many of our people were taken ill, most of them recovered, the Lord laying His blessing on the means. November 2d. The porcupines having lately done much mischief in the gardens, some of our men went out in the night 275 to shoot them. Only one was destroyed by the dogs. This animal is about two feet and a half long, with a proportionate breadth. It feeds on roots and garden fruits of every kind. Its qiiills are its main defence, which it cannot shoot to any distance, as has been falsely asserted ; but, on being attacked, raises up, and by a violent push sideways, plunges their points into the assailant, leaving them in its body> which occasions such pain to the dogs, that ihey run about howling, and al^ most rendered mad by it. 3d. We spoke with two aged persons, who were to be bap- tized, and with great humility and tears of gratitude, express- ed their joy on this occasion. Their baptism on the 5th, was attended with a peculiar participation of the whole congrega- tion, while on their trembling knees they received this sacra- mental blessing, and were thus in their old age initiated into the Church of Christ on earth. On the 6th, a poor man infected with the Lazarus sick- ness, was baptized by Brother Bonatz. The distinct and ex- pressive manner in which he answered the questions put to him, according to the usual form of the Litany, affected all present. 8th. A communicant, Joseph Waaly^ departed this life. He was baptized in 1807, hy Brother Schwinn, and admitted to the Holy Communion in 1808. He led an exemplary life among us. He delighted in nothing so much, as in expressing his thankfulness that he had learnt to know Jesus as his Savi- our, with whom he lived in communion. He was much con-^ cerned about the spiritual welfare of his children, three being his own, and two adopted of his father-in-law, for whom he cared as a parent. Being of a weakly constitution, he suffered from frequent illness. About four days ago, he was seized with a kind of convulsions in his feet, which by degrees spread over his whole body, and made his last days very painfuh When we visited him some hours before his departure, and one observed, that it appeared as if the Lord would soon take him home to Himself 3 he expressed his joyful hopes that it would prove true, and not long after, his soul took flight. 13th* We celebrated this memorial-day of our GhUrch with 276 mucli blessit)^, and our people atteEided the meetings with great diligence and devotion. 1 5th. We spoke with a man who has been absent as a soldier in the Hottentot regiment, ever since 180G, and is now dismissed as an invalid. When such persons return, they al- ways prefer a claim to be again admitted as inhabitants. But as it is highly necessary that we should examine well the state of those of svhom we have heard and known nothing for so long a time, we advised him rather to go on hire to some farmer, where he and his wife might live more according to the way of the world, and the desires of the flesh, than here. The man repfied: ^^ I have suffered damage enough in my soul already, " and am now anxious to know how I may be saved.'* His wife added : ^' Here wicked ways are forbidden and punished, '^ and that is good for me, I therefore beg to live here." Leave W2.S then granted them on trial. We began to-day to read our late venerable Brother Ris- ler's extracts of the Old Testament, and pray that it may prove a blessing to all our souls. 16th. We spoke with our communicants, and found them to our great satisfaction, in an humble state of heart, desirous of partaking of the Lord*s body and blood in the holy sacra- ment for the strengthening of their faith. 2 1 St. Our friend Mr. Martin Kunz, having made us a present of two large trees of iron-wood, with a view to make a foot-bridge over the river Sonderend, many of our men went to-day to this gentleman's house, and to the wood, to fell and bring them out. As most of the large timber in this country grows in the kloofs, between very steep ridges, and the iron- wood being extremely hard, and nearly as lieavy as iron, a great many hands are required to do the work, which is also connect- ed with danger. We were glad to find our people so willing to undertake it, and even the women offered their services, when the bridge is to be laid. Towards evening we received the melanctioly account, that two of the men who had gone to the wood, and afterwards to a farm where they got drunk, had a quarrel ending in an affray, in which the stronger gave the weaker a stab with his knife in the body. Both were sent the ^1 day following to the Landdrost at Caledon. Dr. Hassner in- formed us, that the wounded person would recover in a few days, but we were exceedingly grieved that two persons from this place should have been guilty of such an excess, and let the law take its course. 24th. We received a letter from Brother Kuester on his passage to England, dated from St. Helena, by which we saw with pleasure that he and family were well. We likewise re- ceived a letter from Brother Treschow, at Zeyst, announcing a present of some books ; for which we are very thankful, and ho'pe they will soon arrive. 27th. Many of our people, both men and women, went to the farmers^ to assist them in the harvest. 29th. Christian Joorst, a communicant, departed this life very happily. Brother Marsveld had much pleasure in conversing with him a short time before he expired. He adorn- ed the Gospel by his walk and conversation, and rejoiced in the hopes of seeing his Saviour face to face. December 1st. A Caffre man was admitted to the class of candidates for baptism, and we also spoke with several persons appointed to be baptized. 2d. We received the box of books mentioned above, and were particularly thankful for 400 copies of the Liturgies, of which we had been in great want. Those of our people who can read, were eager to procure them. Some who can write, had previously made written copies of them. The 200 copies of Brother Schlegel's pamphlet, sent as a present to us, and destined chiefly for converts from among the heathen, was alsa most welcome to us and our people. Towards noon, a com- pany of visitors from Cape-town arrived here, and staid with us till the third. They were present at the baptism of five per- sons, and declared their great satisfaction w^ith all they had seen and heard. 5th, Clara Octoher informed us, that her child had de- parted this life at the farmer's where she is at work, and tliat it was buried there. 16th. We received letters from London, with various eu- closures. We learnt by them that a new attempt will be made ^78 to begm a mission among the Calmucs, and prayed our Savi- our to support and give success to those Brethren who are ap- pointed to undertake it. Brother Wollin mentions likewise, that Brother Latrobe will accompany the Brethren destined for the mission here on an official visit to us, which we heard with great pleasure, and hope to see them soon arrive. As so many of our people are at present at work with the farmers, the cele- bration of the Holy Communion in the church was postponed, but we partook of it in our family, with an enlivening percep- tion of the presence and peace of our Saviour, to whom we vowed anew allegiance, as His poor, unworthy servants^ craving forgiveness for all our manifold defects. 20th. A run-away slave, who had broke prison at Caledon, but was again taken in this neighbourhood, was brought hither by some farmers, as he pretended that he belonged to a gang of seven, whom he described as hiding themselves in the kloofs among our mountains. 21st. Early, the place where the gang was said to exist was examined according to the report of the slave, but not the least trace of the haunt of the said robbers could be discovered in the kloof to which he directed the search, on which he was sent back to Caledon. On the 24th, 25th, and 26'th, we celebrated with joy and gladness the festival of the Incarnation of our Lord and Savi- our Jesus Christ, and reaped much blessing in the contempla- tion of this greatest of all events. On Christmas-eve the children sung hymns of praise and thanksgiving in a very lively manner, by which the whole congregation were deeply affected. The river Sonderend had risen so much, that many waggons with visitors, who intended to celebrate the festival with us, were stopped on the opposite bank, but though likewise several of our own people could not attend on account of the harvest, our church was well filled, and we were uninterrupted in our enjoyment of the great blessing which our Saviour graciously bestowed upon us all on this joyful occasion, 27th. In the evening we had the pleasure to receive a let- ter from Brother Schmitt, at Gruenekloof, with the pleasing intelligence that Brother Latrobe, with Brethren Clemens and 279 Thomsen and tlieir wives, and the single Brethren^ Lemmerz and Stein, had arrived safe at the Cap?. 30th. The Breihren Bonatz and Marsveld, with Sister Marsveld, set out for Gruenekioof, to meet and conduct this company to us. 31st. A great number of friends, both Christians and Hottentots, came hither to be present at the concluijion of the old and the beginning of the new year. We met at nine in the evening, and recapitulated together all the many favours and benefits bestowed upon us by our merciful Lord daring the year past, conft;ssed to Him our short -comings, and many failings, craved His forgiveness, and felt His heart-reviving presence and peace to encourage us to proceed in His ways and work, and to devote spirit, soul and body to Him, because He has loved us and given Himself for us. At twelve o'clock, we entered into the year 1816' with prayer and praise, and rose from our knees with that comfortable assurance, that He will never leave nor forsake us, but with His wonted long-suffering and patience, lead us also through the year now commencing, and through every future stage of our lives, till we see Him face to face. The congregation at Gnadenthal consists, at the close of the year, of 568 married people, 158 single, and 550 children; making 1276 persons in 256 families. Of these, 405 are com- municants. We commend ourselves to the love and prayers of all our Brethren, Sisters, and friends, together with the dear con- gregation of Christian Hottentots, whom we are favoured to serve. (Signed) J. A. BoNATz, Hendrik Marsveld, J. D. ScHwiNN, J. D. Beinbrech, Jno. Leitner. S80 EXTRACT Of the Diary of the Mission at Gnadenthal^, Cape of Good Hope. 1816. JANUARY 1st. Several strangers were present at the public service, and behaved with great attention and devotion. In the afternoon, a communicant, Maria, departed this life. She was baptized in ISOG, by Brother Marsveld, during a fit of illness, and became a partaker of the H0I3' Communion in 1812. She was afflicted with the Lazarus sickness, but happy in heart, and walked as becomes a child of God. Shortly before her end, she said to a woman who brought her some victuals; " I shall '^ soon go home to our Saviour and want nothing more. To *' Him I go with joy. I have cleaved to Him here on earth, '^ and there is nothing in my way. He has received and par- '^ doncd me. Let me advise you to abide faithful to Him, that *' you may once enjoy the comfort I do." Thus she departed on the same day, rejoicing in her Redeemer. 2d. The Sisters Leitner and Jaencke went to the warm- baths, on account of the bad state of health of the former. 6th. Being Epiphany, we had a meeting in the evening, with all our people, and thanked our Saviour for the mercy He has shown also to the heathen in this land, since He first sent the light of the Gospel into it. 8th. Being the anniversary of the consecration of our church, we met at ^ solemn meeting, to bless and praise the Lord for the manifold proofs of His protection and favour since the erection of this building, in which we have so often, yea daily, experienced that He is present to bless His people, and to give power and success to the Word of His Cross, proclaim- ed in this place. 10th. Having received a letter from Brother Bonatz at Gruenekloof, requesting that two teams of oxen might be sent to meet the waggons with which he and his company were coming hither, we sent twenty-six. We also sent a message to Dr. Hassner, at the warm-bath, to ask advice for Sister 281 Kohrhammer who had been taken ill with an inflammatory com- plaint. His prescriptions w^ere blessed by the Lord for her recovery. 11th and 1 2th. Above forty of our Hottentots, chiefly men, came of their own accord and offered their services to cut our corn. They set about it with great cheerfulness, and finished their work during these two days. 13th. A woman came to one of the Missionaries, to speak about the state of her soul. She said, with many tears, " My *^ dear teacher! It is so with me in my heart, that I can bear *' it no longer, but I am wholly at a loss what to do. I have '' led a bad life, and grieved both our Saviour and my teachers. ^^ After I was baptized, if I fell into any transgression, I immc' '^ diately confessed it, and received advice, and it went well ^^ with me; but when I left off watching over my own heart and " began to indulge sinful propensities, I hid every thing from " you and denied every charge, and thus by degrees fell into *^ one deviation after the other; so that I no more know how " to be delivered from the power of sin. But yet I do not ** wish to serve the devil and sin, but desire to be freed from ^* his slavery, and to live for our Saviour in the world.'* The Missionary spoke indeed very seriously with her about her late very irregular and offensive conduct, but as she seemed to be really penitent, told her, that if she sincerely cried for for- giveness and deliverance, our Saviour would yet receive her in mercy, for He cast none out, who come unto Him. 15th. At four o'clock in the morning we received a mes- senger, to inform us that Brother Latrobe and his company would soon be with us, being not far from our boundary. We ordered immediately a waggon to be ready to go to meet them, and a great part of the congregation set out in waggons, on horseback, and on foot, being eager to bid our dear Brethren and Sisters welcome to Gnadenthal. We met them at about three English miles off, and having alighted, rejoiced together at the mercy of the Lord, who has, after their long voyages and journies, at length brought them safe to us. The Hottentots expressed their joy and thankfulness by singing several verses, After which we all proceeded together towards Gnadenthal, VOJL. Vi, c© 282 where we arrived about nine o'clock, A. M. In the evening meeting, the whole congregation met to bid them welcome, and joined v.'ith us in praising the Lord for this new proof of His favour towards us. We entreated Him also in prayer to bless them, and to attend all their future labours with success. Brother Bonatz gave the following account of his journey: ^^ Brother Marsveld and his wife, with myself, left Gnaden- thal on the 30th day of December, 1815, and arrived at the Lange Hoogte at midnight. Here we slept a few hours in the waggon, and proceeded on the 31st as far as Kritzgat, near Hottentots-Holland's Kloof, where we again halted in the waste. Hiaving supped at 10 o'clock, and being fatigued, we did not wait for midnight, but concluded the year 1815 with our Hot- tentots, after a short address, by singing some suitable verses, and commending ourselves and the whole church of Christ on earth to the mercy and grace of our Saviour for the year we now entered upon. Having rested some hours, and congratulated each other to the new year, we proceeded; passed the kloof at seven in the morning of January 1st, and reached a place near Steilenbosch, v;here we spent the night in the waggon. On the 2d early, we passed Steilenbosch, and about an hour's ride beyond the town, came to a family who are sincere-hearted friends of the Brethren. They were particularly pleased once more to see Brother Marsveld. Being much refreshed by this visit, we continued our journey, and on the following day about noon, had the pleasure to see and welcome our dear Bre- thren and Sisters who had arrived from Europe at Gruenekloof. '^ After an agreeable stay of seven days at this place, we set out on our return. Brethren Clemens and Thomsen, and their wives, and the single Brethren, Lemmerz and Stein, were with us, but Brother Latrobe was gone with the colonial secre- tary, Mr. Alexander, to his farm, near Hottentots- Holland's Kioot, where he met us on the evening of the 14th. We then walked over the kloof, which, though lately much improved by repairs, is always a very steep and troublesome passage. Bro- ther Marsveld and his v/ife set out an hour before us, and we were not a little pleased to find that they got over so well. A party of baboons were ne.ir the road, but took flight on hearing 283 the cracks of the Hottentots' long whips. It is astonishing how nimbly these creatures run up the craggy rocks, and leap from one peak to another. We halted on the east bank of the Palmite river, and having there got fresh oxen, proceeded with fine moonlight, the spare oxen being driven after the waggon. A wolf was discovered approaching them, but soon fled on the Hottentots giving the alarm. 14th early, we passed the Have Hook; arrived at midnight with our friend Mr. Klcmm on the Serjeant's river, and on the 15th, at Gnadenthal." 16th. A great many Hottentots came to bid Brother Latrobe and the other new-comers welcome. They did it with great cordiality, and said, that they could not be thankful enough to our Saviour for always providing them with new teachers. 17th. One person was confirmed for the first enjoyment of the Holy Communion. 18th. We spoke with the communicants previous to the celebration of the Lord's Supper, which, both on account of the harvest, and the expected arrival of our travellers, had been postponed to the 20th. They expressed their great desire to partake of this heavenly feast, and to devote themselves anew to the Lord for His sufferings and death on our account. 20th. Stephen Matthaei had the misfortune to be struck by one of his horses, in the Trapflur, (a circular place, enclosed with a wall, in which the corn is trodden out, by driving a number of horses round it). He was so much bruised in- wardly, that he departed this life on the day following in great agony. The Brethren Bonatz and Latrobe, went immediately to endeavour to administer some relief, but every effort was in vain. Some of his neighbours brought a bedstead, and carri- ed him into his stable, as the door of the house would not admit the bedstead. He was baptized in 1806 by Brother Schwinn, and became a communicant in 1809. Whenever he spoke with us previous to the communion, he did it with great hu- mility, and declared himself unworthy of the least mercy be- stowed upon him. In the last painful hours of his mortal life, he took refuge to Jesus, and soon expressed a conviction, that he should not survive, but go as a poor sinner to Him who 284 would receive him in mercy. In the evening we had a bless- ed enjoyment of the Lord's Supper. 21st. Brother Marsveld baptized a sick person in her house. Several Hottentots had assembled, and the presence of the Lord made it a means of blessing to them all. 22d. The Brethren Latrobe, Thomsen, and Leitner^ went to the warm-batli, on a visit to Sister Leitner. 22d and 23d. The classes of the communicants were held with much cheerfulness. The men spoke without reserve, both concerning their own state, and the course of the congregation, and covenanted with each other to be faithful to the Lord and His word. The same freedom and openness was perceptible among the women. Christiana said : " Dear Sisters, I have '^ too many thoughts that are not directed towards our Suvi- *^ our, and that grieves me. When I examine my heart be* " fore the Holy Communion, I ask myself, whether I have *^ begged our Saviour's forgiveness for every thing. For it **' once happened to me, that during the communion, 1 re- " membered, that I had quarrelled with a Sister, and had not " asked her pardon, and it disturbed me exceedingly. I cried *^ to the Lord to forgive me this sin : and now in my prayer ^^ mention every thing by name in which I remember to have " done amiss." This led to a humble confession made by many, of their great backwardness in their love to our Saviour; and Eve said: '^ My dear Sisters, help me to thank our Savi- " our for the great love He has shown towards us; for in that '^ He has sent us again teachers, He proves to us, that He has " not forsaken us, though we are so very unworthy." 23d to 25th. Brother Bonatz and his wife, spoke with the candidates for baptism, new people and children, who express- ed themselves with contrition, on account of their short-com- ing, and were desirous of being more able to live in conformity to the will and word of God. 26th. We spoke with fifteen persons who are to be bap- tized next Sunday. They declared their gratitude with tears, and promised to devote themselves with soul and body to our Saviour. We also spoke with nineteen, who are to be added to the candidates for baptism. - 285 28th. Brother Marsveld baptized two children after the public service; and in the afternoon, the just- mentioned fif- teen were baptized, by the Brethren Bonatz^ Latrobe, Clemens, Marsveld, and Schwinn, each administering the Holy Sacra- ment to three of them. In the evening meeting, one boy and two girls were solemnly received into the congregation. The Lord made this day a day of peculiar grace and blessing to us and our congregation, on which we were refreshed, comforted, and encouraged anew, to serve Him and this dear people, whom He bears with, and evidently owns as the sheep of His hand. February 2d. The Brethren Latrobe, Bonatz, and Cle- mens, with the Sisters Clemens and Kohrhammer, went on a visit to Mr. Teunis, sen. and his four sons, who live in his neighbourhood. The aim of this journey was partly to obtain information respecting the best means of undertaking a recon- noitring journey into the interior, with a view to form a third Missionary Establishment, and also respecting the country on the Chamtoo's Revier. They called likewise, and staid over- night with Mr. Kobus Linde, a gentleman who had, as com- mander of the Hottentots on an expedition into that country, become well- acquainted with it. The Sisters had business re- lating to the house-keeping. The travellers were well receiv- ed, and entertained in every place they called at. 3d. Elizabeth Lance departed this life after a tedious illness. She was an old inhabitant of Gnadentlial, and became a candidate for baptism in 1808 3 after which, however, the love of the world and its ways caused her to go astray again, till a few months ago, she was brought hither in an ailing state. Her illness was the consumption. She now earnestly sought after the forgiveness of her sins, and prayed fervently that she might obtain assurance of it. She was re-admitted to the class of candidates, and baptized on the 21st, by Brother Marsveld. From that time to her departure, she spent her days happily, in joyful expectation of departing as a reconciled sinner. 7th. Brother Bonatz finished speaking with the candidates for baptism, new people, and children, of which he gave the conference a very agreeable account. In each of these divi- 2S6 sions of our congregation, he found most of them earnestly de- sirous of obtaining mercy and peace with God, through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. They confessed their sinfulness and natural depravity to be too powerful to be withstood by their own strength, and that they therefore cried to the Lord for help, and found strength in Him to resist the assaults of sin. Sebastian Stoff'el, a CaflTre, lately baptized, said : ^^ I am *^ a great sinner, and there is nothing good in me, but what ^^ our Saviour gives me from day to day. He has done much *^ for me, and I hope that I shall remain faithful to Him, ^* for which I pray Him to grant me strength and grace." Simeon Mallegasf, " I iiave to complain of myself, that *^ the Word of God, which I hear, flies so soon away from *^ my thoughts. 1 feel how dangerous it is to hear it, and not *• to let it sink into my heart." Sister Bonatz gave the same pleasing account of the wo- men : Maria Anders said : " I can truly say, that I live happily. " I have often great delight in converse with our Saviour, and " I mourn over the time which I have spent without Him, in " the world. I wanted to live to God, but likewise enjoy the " world and its lusts, but that would not do, and detained me '^ long in an unhappy state. At last I felt the burden of it too '' heavy, and devoted myself wholly to our Saviour, and O 1 «^ tiiat I might remain faithful to Him till my life's end." Rachel Stoffels, a Caffre woman, said : " I was born and '* brought up in sin, and have committed many sins, but since " 1 have been here and heard God's Word, I feel great re- ^* morse on that account, and cry daily to our Saviour that He ^' would forgive me." Another said: " I was exceedingly frightened when I *^ heard that our Saviour knows all things that a man does, '^ and that on account of our sins. He must die upon the cross. «' 1 then thought. What is to become of me? I have commit- " ted so many sins that they cannot be forgiven ; and I despair- «' ed. But when I heard that our Saviour said to one of the " malefactors, ^ To-day thou shalt be with me in paradise,* I 287 ^' took courage, and could pray to Him. I now desire no- ^^ thing more than to live unto Him/' 8th. The Brethren Latrobe and Lemmerz set out ou horse- back for Gruenekloof and the Cape. The former had in view to confer with the Government, respecting the journey he pro- poses to undertake into the interior. To-day we spoke with our communicants with much satisfaction. Above one hun- dred of the men came to us, and almost all the women; thus the communicant congregation is nearly complete in number. 9th. We spoke with twenty-three persons, nine of whom were appointed for confirmation, and fourteen to be candidates for the holy communion. They were greatly affected, and shed tears of gratitude for the favour bestowed upon them. This morning, Salome u4dams departed this life, in reliance on the merits of Jesus. She walked worthy of the Gospel, and cleav- ed with her whole heart unto Him. She was always cheer- fully resigned to Him in all distress, whether of a temporal or spiritual kind, which was particularly evident in her last illness. On the evening before her departure, one of the Sisters calling upon her, she conversed in a very edifying manner, concern- ing the many mercies the Lord had shown to her during her life, and expressed with great feeling how much she rejoiced, that she should soon see Him face to face. 11th. We had a blessed participation of the Lord's Supper. 12th and 13th. The classes of the baptized people were held, and much useful conversation took place among them. On the evening of the 13th, two pair were married at church. We were thankful in these days for several thunder showers, which greatly refreshed our thirsty land. 17th. W^e had a very agreeable visit from some English gentlemen, from the warm-baths. They expressed their satis- faction with their visit, in very cordial terms, and observed, that the pleasure they had enjoyed, exceeded all their expectation. At parting, Mr. Rattray presented us whh 100, and Mr. Pybus with 30 rix-dollars towards our school. 21st. The Brethren Latrobe and Lemmerz, returned to us. Brotlier Latrobe had various conversaiiocs with the Go- vernor, concerning the general affairs of the Mission, but par- i2S8 ticularly respecting the intended reconnoitring joUrrtcy, and received not only every assurance of good-will, but letters of recommendation to the Land-drosts of Zwellendam, George, and Uitenhagen, in which his Excellency declares, that any civility shown to him, he will consider as shown to himself. 22d. We had several thunder showers, by which our brook was well filled with water. On the 23d, a child was drowned in it, and though every means were tried to restore its life, they all failed, to the great grief of the poor parents. At its funeral. Brother Leitner particularly addressed the children, and described to them the great love of our Saviour to the little ones, admonishing them to believe in, and love Him with their whole heart, that they also might be ready, if called away suddenly, to meet Him, with joy. 24th. Magdalene Fiegeland departed this life. She had not long resided here, and was soon seized with a consumption. This led her to a very close examination of the state of her soul, and finding herself a lost and undone sinner, she cried to our Saviour for mercy, and found through faith in His blood, pardon and peace with God. She now begged to be baptized, and obtained that favour some weeks ago. She spent the rest of her days in the happy prospect of soon seeing her Redeemer face to face. 28th. In the evening-meeting we remembered, that on this day twenty-three years ago, the first three Brethren, Mars- veld, Schwinn, and Kuehnel moved into the first house they built here. We joined in fellowship, to bless the Lord for the great work He has since v/rought in this place, by the abundant blessing He has laid upon the labours of these His servants and their successors, and besought Him to continue to be with us, and crown our poor endeavours to proclaim the word of His cross to the Hottentot nation, with success, that His name may be glorified. March 1st. Brother Schmitt and his wife, and Brother Stein, arrived here from Gruenekloof, with a view to accom- pany Brother Latrobe on the reconnoitring journey to the Chamtoo*s Rt'vier. 3d. After the public service, the two children were bap- :^9 tized. At three o'clock the congregation met, to take leave of Brother Bonatz and his wife^ who have served this congregation with great faithfulness and diligence ever since, the illness and absence of Brether Kuester niade it necessary for them to come hither, from Gruenekloof, to supply his place. Brother Marsveld, after thanking them in the name of the congregation, commended them in prayer to our Saviour, that He would continue to bless them in their future labours, and reward them for their services in this congregation. In the evening our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Melville, came hither from Capetown ; Mrs. Melville will stay with us some time, while her husband accompanies our travellers to the inte- rior. His company will be of great service to them, as a man well-acquainted with the mode of travelling in this country, and a warm friend of the Brethren and their endeavours to spread the Gospel among the heathen. He brought his own tP'aggon with liim, which is likewise a great advantage, and we looked upon his joining the party on this occasion, as a very providential circumstance, for which we were ail very thank- ful. As it happened, that at this time all the Brethren and Sis- ters employed in the Brethren's Missions in South Africa, ex- cept Brother Fritsch and his wife, were collected at Gnaden- thai; and to-morrow. Brother Bonatz with his family, and the day following. Brother Latrobe and his company will leave us; we met in the evening to take leave of these dear Brethren and Sisters, and to covenant with them and each other, faithfully to serve our gracious Lord and Saviour, each in his degree, and His cause on earth, to which we are bound by such number- less proofs of His goodness and mercy towards us, that it is impossible for us to express our thankfulness towards Him as we ought. May He grant us grace to be devoted to Him with spirit, soul, and body, to the end of our lives. We felt that He owned and accepted of our prayers and praises, and were anew encouraged to pursue our labours in faith, and trust in His all- sufficient grace. 4th. In the afternoon. Brother Bonatz and his family set out for Gruenekloof. The Hottentots assembled once more Vol. \i. pp 290 to take leave of them, and sung several benedictory verses as they entered their waggon. In the evening, Brother John Lemmerz was betrothed to Sister A. Jaencke. 5th. We took leave of Brethen Latrobe and Stein, and Brother and Sister Schmitt, and Mr. Melville. A great part of the congregation had assembled before the house, express- ing their best wishes for these travellers, and that they might be successful in their enterprise. After singing several verses, they accompanied them two or three miles on the road. In the evening, two couple were married at church, by Brother'Marsveld. 6th. Nine persons were confirmed for the first enjoyment of the Holy Communion, and the following day, on speaking with the communicants, we had the joy to perceive manifest proofs of the labour of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of this part of our congregation. 10th. We celebrated the Lord's Supper, when one mari and eight women were partakers for the first time. 11th. The classes of the candidates for baptism were held, and the conversation was very unreserved and profitable. Silla Rosina said: '^ I am very much distressed about the ^^ state of my soul, and cannot sleep in the night for grief. I '^ wish to become a child of God, but my sins are so many, ^* that they make me despair, and I cannot believe that our " Saviour will receive me. I am likewise much concerned *^ about my husband, who is also a candidate for baptism, but *' can seldom come to the meetings, as he must go out to earn ^* his livelihood. I therefore beg my teachers to pray for me, *^ that our Saviour may help us/* Caatje Plaisir, ^^ I have been very angry with my bus- *^ band, because he is baptized. I have done every thing I •* could to provoke him to anger, but he is always placid and ** friendly towards me; this has at length convinced me, that " I must be converted." Sarah Vertin, " I have committed many abominable " sins during my life. Among other things, I studied how I *^ might utter the most horrid oaths and curses, insomuch, *^ th^at even the farmer's wife where I worked, used to ask nie. 291 " whether I did not believe that there was a God in heaven 6 *' I answered, no, that I don't believe. Then, said she, the *^ devil must have made you. This, however, I could not be- ^^ lieve, and it brought me to reflection. I grew extremely *' uneasy, and was ready to run into the wilderness for despair, *^ if my children had not kept me. I now went to Gnadenthal, " though I hardly hoped that they would admit me. But here *' it pleased our Saviour to have mercy upon me, and I cried *^ for the forgiveness of my sins. He heard me graciously, and *^ I felt His pardon and peace in my soul. But now I am *^ again in trouble, and cannot believe that I am a child of " God. 1 am even sometimes angry at my teachers, because ^^ they do not call me to be baptized : in short, I am in a bad '' way r 16th. Joseph, a Tambukky, departed this life happily. He came in 1808 to Gnadenthal, and was baptized in 1811, by Brother Schwinn. In November the same year, he was made partaker of the Lord's Supper. We wished he had gained a better knowledge of his own heart, but being an orderly man, he thought too well of himself, and that he did not stand, so much as others, in need of daily instruction, and on that account, did not often come to church on the week days. When, during his last illness, he was spoken to on that subject, he first brought forward many excuses; but at length owned his having been too remiss, from self-righteousness 5 confessed himself a sinner, and sought and found the forgiveness of sins as a poor undeserving creature, testifying, previous to his de- parture, that our Saviour had had mercy upon him, and that, he enjoyed His peace in his soul. 19th. Two Hottentot couple were married at church. Sabina Witthoy departed this life. She was baptized in 1809, and became a communicant in 1812. She remained faithful to the Lord, walked worthy of her calling and election, and cleaved to her Saviour, with whom she found comfort and peace under all circumstances. In her last illness, which was tedious and painful, she spent her time in converse with Him, and was released out of this state of pain and trouble unexpect- 292 edly and happily, by the bursting of a blood-vessel on the above-mentioned day. 26th. Brother John Lemmerz was married to Sister Agnes Jaencke. 30th. We received a very welcome letter from Brother Latrobe, dated at George's Drosty, 18th March, from which we learnt, with thanks to our Saviour, that he and his compa- ny were all well, and cheerfully prosecuting their journey, having every where been treated by the Land-drosts, and other officers, with the greatest civility, in consequence of the Go- vernor's recommendation. They had also been brought on by oxen ordered from the farmers. April 7th. During the first week of this month, wc were engaged with speaking with the candidates for baptism, bap- tized, and candidates for the Holy Communion, as likewise, with the baptized children. The Brethren and Sisters report- ed, that they themselves had derived great edification and bless- ing from their conversation with many of them. It is manifest, that the Spirit of God continues, notwithstanding all their de- fects, to guide them into all truth. All of them have a sincere desire to be and ren^ain the property of Jesus, though, as they say, they are unworthy of His grace and mercy, and deserve nothing but condemnation for their unfaithfulness. They re- ceived the instructions, admonitions, and reproofs given them^ with thankfulness, and promised to follow our advice, to turn with all their sins and weakness to Jesus, the friend of sinners. Three boys came together, and said, that they had prayed in fellowship to our Saviour, that He would give them obedi- ent hearts, make them His property, and grant them to be re- ceived among the candidates for baptism. One of the candidates for baptism was reprov^ed on account of the lukewarm ness which she had lately shown, and told, that it was high tune she should be converted. " Yes indeed," she replied, " it is high time. I lately dreamt, that I was *^ bound and carried to a house, where I was to be burnt: but ^^ I will now give my heart wholly to our Saviour." 6th. We entered into the passion-week with fervent prayer «93 tm our Saviour, that He would grant us so to contemplate His ■bitter sufferings and death for us, that penetrated with a due sense of that great love, wherewith He hath loved us, we may become more perfect in our love towards Him, and out of gra- titude for, and through the power of His death, be made more alive to God, and to His joy and honour. 7th. One person was confirmed for the first enjoyment of the Lord's Supper, by Brother Schwinn. 9th. We spoke with all our communicants, and fouttd them in joyful expectation of the celebration of that great feast, hoping that they will receive a peculiar blessing in this import- ant season. We could in truth rejoice at the grace prevail- ing among them. 10th. We had in our family a solemn meeting, with a view to the approaching communion, in which we presented ourselves before our compassionate Saviour, and craved abso- lution from Him for all our sins, and failings, in the discharge of the important duties committed unto us; and rose from prayer with a believing and confident hope, that He will for- give, heal, and bless us, and accept of us as His unworthy, but devoted servants, and grant us a new seal of His love and grace. This we indeed experienced on the 11th, being Maundy Thursday, when we and our congregation commemorated His death, in that sacred institution which He Himself ordained previous to His sufferings. One person was partaker the first time, 19 became candidates, and 14 were appointed for con- firmation at the next communion. 14th. Easter Sunday was celebrated in the usual manner, an a joyful contemplation of the glorious resurrection of our Lord. Many strangers attended at church, and took share in the blessings conferred upon the congregation. 15th. Easter Monday. In the afternoon, after a discourse by Brother Clemens, nineteen persons received holy baptism, which was administered by him, and the Brethren Marsveld and Schwinn. Twenty-six were added to the candidates for baptism. All these persons had, a few days previous to this solemn transaction, given us the most cordial assurances of iheir sincere determination no more to live ajjto themselves. 294 and to the world and sin, but to devote soul and body unto Jesus, as His blood-bought property, to obey His word and precepts, and to yield obedience in all things relative to the rules and orders of a Christian congregation. In the evening, one boy and two girls were received into the congregation, and this festival concluded with fervent prayer and thanksgivings to the Lord, who has renewed within us a lively impression of all He has done and suffered, to redeem us from sin and curse, and O ! that we and all our people might ever retain a due sense of our never-ceasing obligations to Him for His passion and death. 17th. A considerable number of our people went into the mountains, to bring the two large stems of iron-wood as men- tioned above, for a foot-bridge over the Sonderend. We ex- horted them earnestly, not to forget daily to look to our Saviour for help and preservation, not to meddle with spirituous liquors, this labour being attended with great danger to their lives. We soon had confirmation of it, for on the 19th we were informed, that in lowering one of the trees from a steep rocky eminence, a man had the misfortune to slip and get under the stem, by which his leg was crushed and broke. The poor sufferer was brought hither on the 20th, and means used for his relief. Be- sides him, there were others more or less bruised. The stems are 50 feet long, and thick in proportion. To pro- cure such timber from the deep glens in these mountains, and to drag them over rocks, precipices, and many small valleys, to a place where the oxen can get at them to draw them out, without any aid but that of human hands, (for the Hottentots have neither windlasses, crows, nor any other implements, by which they might render such work safe or easy), is a troublesome and dangerous task. At present, there is no forest in the whole country but in the kloofs, some of wliich are almost inaccessible. Large and useful timber may yet be found in them, but owing to the above-mentioned diffi- culties, little use can be made of it. The Hottentots cut down the large trees, and either prepare the wood they want for their waggons and other uses on the spot, and carry it away on their backs with great trouble and fatigue, or burn char- coal where they fell the trees. They brought the two above- 5295 mentioned trees home on the 25th, and most of them came to express their thankfulness to our Saviour, that He had so gra- ciously preserved them from harm during their work. 26th. We received a letter from Brother Schmitt, dated on the Kierbooms and Chamtoos rivers, of 27th of March, and 7th of April, by which we were informed of the welfare of all our dear travellers except Brother Stein, who had the mis- fortune to break his arm by the oversetting of the waggon, but by the Lord's mercy was better, and able to proceed. 28th. We held a meeting with those of our congregation who had been admitted to the privileges of the Church, since Easter last year. Fifty-four have been baptized, eight received into the congregation, and forty-four admitted to the Holy Communion. To-day, an English officer. Major James Gordon, came from the warm-baths on a visit to us, and having expressed much pleasure in viewing the Settlement, made a present of 50 rix-dollars towards the school. 30th. Sister Kohrhammer having spoken with all the wi- dows, they had a meeting in the church, and afterwards re- quested Brother Clemens to play some hymn tunes for them on the piano-forte in his room, whilst they sung verses expressive of their thankfulness to our Saviour for the many mercies He bestows upon them. May 1st. Eleven persons were confirmed by Brother Marsveld, for the first enjoyment of the Holy Communion, and on the 2d, the communicants were spoken with in reference to it. Sister Leitner spoke with all the single women, who met on the 4th to celebrate their memorial-day, and were reminded of what is enjoined respecting their state in the Scriptures. They all declared that it was their sincere wish and prayer to be de- voted to the Lord, and so to walk as may be well-pleasing unto Him. 5th. We celebrated the Lord's Supper in a comfortable perception of the presence of Him, whose death we desire to show forth, by dying unto sin, and living unto righteousness. 6th and 7th. The classes of the communicants were held, and gave opportunities for much edifying conversation. Some complained, that there did not exist that fervency of love and brotherly union, which at first prevailed in the congregation^ and that so often things occurred, which brought disgrace to the cause of Christ. They observed, however, that each should s