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LIVES 
 
 OF 
 
 EMINENT MISSIONARIES. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN CARNE, ESQ. 
 
 AUTHOR OF "letters FROM THE EAST. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
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CONTENTS. 
 
 DAVID ZEISBERGER 
 
 • t 
 
 
 Page 
 
 I 
 
 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER 
 
 • • 
 
 
 85 
 
 Mission to Madagascar 
 
 « 
 
 • . 
 
 124 
 
 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN . 
 
 » i 
 
 
 137 
 
 JENS HAVEN 
 
 
 
 214 
 
 Mission at Labrador . . . . 
 
 • 
 
 
 252 
 
 ANNE HASSELTINE JUDSON . 
 
 • 
 
 
 . 276 
 
 DAVID BRAINERD 
 
 
 
 328 
 
 WILLIAM MILNE . 
 
 » • 
 
 
 ?92 
 
 
LIVES 
 
 OF 
 
 EMINENT MISSIONARIES. 
 
 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 David Zeisberger, a native of Zauclitenthal, in 
 Moravia, was born about the year' 1725, and went 
 into exile at an early age, with his parents, who 
 sought an asylum at Hernhuth. The family forsook 
 their home, and the whole Of their property, and 
 fled from the persecutors by night. At Hernhuth 
 they had rest, and the free exercise of their faitli, 
 which was dearer to them than affluence. The son 
 was distinguished at school by his industry and 
 quickness of apprehension, and a facility in acquir- 
 ing foreign languages. When at the age of fifteen, 
 he was taken by Count Zinzendorf to Holland, and 
 was employed in some commissions by the Princess 
 of Orange, for he spoke the Dutch fluently. 
 
 His readiness in transacting business, together 
 with a cheerful temper and agreeable demeanour, 
 raade him a general favourite ; and he often rc' 
 
 IT. B 
 
Z DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 ceived considerable presents from strangers. Such 
 a situation offered a fair chance of advancement : 
 but hearing one day, by the accounts read at Her- 
 rendick, that General Oglethorpe, governor of 
 Georgia, had assisted the Moravians to establish a 
 colony in that province, he resolved to proceed 
 there vt^ithout delay, and embarked, with a com- 
 panion, on board a vessel bound to London, that 
 they might thence take passage to America. As 
 they were ignorant of the English language, the 
 master of the vessel conducted them, on arrival, to 
 a German innkeeper, who treated them very kindly, 
 and recommended them to a ship about to sail for 
 Georgia, to which province his parents had previ- 
 ously gone, with a party of colonists. 
 
 The two youths had a safe passage to Savannah, 
 where meeting, by chance, with some Moravians, they 
 proceeded straight to the settlement. Here the appear- 
 ance of the wanderers was very unexpected : but the 
 parents of Zeisberger rejoiced to see him again, though 
 they and the other colonists were at a loss what to 
 do with him. The family property had all been 
 forsaken in Moravia, and there was no resource in 
 America, save hard industry and toil. The spirit of 
 the boy would not allow him to be a burden to the 
 settlement. He therefore began to act for himself, 
 and used to go forth alone at night, and make war 
 against the beasts of chase which infested the plan- 
 tations. This exposed him to danger ; and one 
 morning he was found by the Moravians, lying 
 senseless and wounded at the foot of a tree, and 
 the animal he had slain lay by his side: in that state 
 he had remained all night. 
 
 It was evident that the love of adventure, of a 
 
 more wild and daring career, had in part led him 
 
 to: fors-ake his favourable prospects in Holland ; 
 
 .no glimpses of religious zeal were yet visible. A 
 
 few months afterwards, he met with a missionary, 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 3 
 
 whotie conversation was very useful to him. One 
 day that verse was smig, '* Whom dost thou love," 
 &c. ; the sweetness of the Moravian singing, and 
 still more, the import of the words, had such power 
 on his feelings, that he burst into a flood of tears, and 
 left the apartment. Words can express but faintly, 
 the value of those earlv and affectionate lessons of 
 piety, from the lips of parents, falling on the heart 
 and memory of the child. How often do they rise 
 afresh, even in the wilderness, on the deep, as well 
 as in the city or quiet home ! The young Moravian 
 remembered, in this hour, what he had heard in 
 Zauchtenthal, and afterwards in Hernhuth. 
 
 According to his own account, he did not live, 
 during some time after this, in the enjoyment of 
 religion. A friend earnestly asking him one day, 
 if he did not desire to possess it, he replied im- 
 petuously, " I shall be devoted to God, and then 
 all of you will perceive, that that great chaiige has 
 taken place, in deed and truth." This was no pre- 
 diction, as his friends afterwards believed it to be 
 — but one of those faithful presentiments, some- 
 times felt by men who are chosen to a remarkable 
 career. There was a boldness and confidence in 
 the words, expressive of the ardour of his mind, 
 that would not, even in religion, be satisfied with 
 anything short of an exalted piety — an entire de- 
 voted ness to God. 
 
 The two first colonies of the Moravians in 
 this country, were situated ten miles from each 
 other, one of them on the river Lecha, a branch 
 of the Delaware. Bethlehem and Nazareth raised 
 their heads in the midst of the desert ; the re- 
 ligious assemblies of the people were r^egularly 
 established : and among the dwellers were a few 
 eminent and learned men. The domain of the 
 former was purchased of a merchant. It was 
 wild and woody, at a distance of eighty miles from 
 
 b2 
 
4 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 .the nearest town ; and only two European houses 
 stood in the neighbourhood, about two miles up the 
 river. No other dwellings were to be seen in the 
 whole country. The manor of Nazareth was pur- 
 chased of the Rev. George Whiteiield, who was at 
 this time in America : he had here laid the founda- 
 tion of a house, which he intended for a native 
 school ; but not having perseverance for such a de- 
 sign, he offered the premises and land for sale, 
 to the United Brethren. They accepted the offer, 
 finished this dwelling, and many others soon fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 In the following year, Zeisberger experienced 
 that change which he had so surely anticipated. 
 His conscience was awakened, and his proud and 
 restless nature subdued beneath a sense of sin and 
 misery. The Spirit of God wrought powerfully with 
 him, and he knew no rest, till, with sincere repent- 
 ance, he sought salvation at the foot of the Cross. 
 The earnestness of his soul was great ; and, ere 
 long, he felt the inexpressible comfort of his Re- 
 deemer's love. This was a blessing, he believed, 
 too great to be confined to his own heart, which 
 now overflowed with gratitude : he looked on the 
 wide and untrodden field of usefulness on every 
 side, among the Canadian tribes, to whom the words 
 of life were as yet unknown. In his own words, " he 
 now felt an intense desire to serve that Lord who 
 had done so much for him, and came to the re- 
 solution to devote himself, soul and body, to his 
 cause." 
 
 At this time, Pyrlceus gave to several young men, 
 instructions in the Mohawk language. Zeisberger 
 soon left his companions behind, seizing with avi- 
 dity every opportunity of improvement. He also made 
 acquaintance with some Iroquois Indians, for the 
 sake of acquiring their language : in consequence, 
 the Indians Vv'ho visited Bethlehem soon began yn 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 5 
 
 inquire for, and conver55e with him. He tluis be- 
 came so well versed in the speech of the Iroquois, 
 or five nations, as to be chosen, some years after- 
 wards, interpreter in the treaty of peace made be- 
 tween them and the British government. 
 
 The first visit to Onondago, the principal resi- 
 dence of this nation, was in company with the bi- 
 shop Spangenberg. The journey was attended with 
 suffering and hardship, yet he was delighted with it. 
 One day, their stock of provisions being exhausted, 
 they arrived in the evening at a fine green lawn, in 
 the middle of a forest, but it afforded nxDthing to 
 satisfy the cravings of hunger. They looked mourn- 
 fully at each other ; the daylight was already failing 
 fast, and Spangenberg implored his companion to 
 try, in some clear shallow water that was near, if he 
 could not find some fish. ** It is in vain," said the 
 latter ; " at this season of the year they are only 
 found in deep places." " David," said the former, 
 ** whether you succeed or not, do it merely out of 
 obedience." He tried, and with such success, that 
 he not only caught enough for a hearty meal, but 
 laid some by for the next day. A few days after, 
 when they were again in want, they found the half 
 of a bear, which an Indian had hung in a tree near 
 the path. 
 
 Another settlement was in the mean time formed 
 by the Moravians, near Wyoming, and was called 
 Gnadenhuetten : being in the very heart .of the 
 Indian territory, it was exposed to many perils and 
 alarms. The hostile tribes frequently passed by, 
 either in flight or with their prisoners, and the 
 Moravians were more than once spectators of the 
 cruelties exercised on the latter. The great chief 
 of the Iroquois, living on the banks of the Susque- 
 hannah, at first mistrusted the Moravians ; but, 
 being at last convinced of their sincerity, he became 
 their firm friend. With the caution of an Indian, 
 
6 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 he long concealed his real sentiments ; but, in the 
 last year of his life, he received them into his house, 
 and defended them against the insults of his people. 
 'He had built his dwelling upon pillars, for safety ; 
 and here Bishop John de Watteville, who afterwards 
 went to Greenland, preached the gospel to him. It 
 was then that his heart was opened, he listened with 
 great attention, and at last with deep feeling. Some 
 weeks after, he visited Bethlehem : the Moravians 
 were surprised at his demeanour and conversation ; 
 the cold reserve and sullenness of the Indian were 
 softened into mildness, and he spoke of comfort and 
 hope. He said also, and it was a strange confession 
 for an Iroquois, that he could not conceal his feel- 
 ings ; he could no longer lock them in his breast. 
 He shewed them a small idol which he had worn in 
 all his inroads and battles, and destroyed it in their 
 presence. The chieftain returned to his home, 
 where, a few months afterwards, being taken ill, 
 he desired to see Zeisberger. The latter came, and 
 saw him die. He said, that the death of the Iro- 
 quois was a happy one ; that his last words were of 
 the merits of Christ. 
 
 Zeisberger had now risen into estimation among' 
 the Indians. The qualities which they loved in him, 
 were his undaunted courage, and his still and placid 
 manners. " He was a man," says his friend, *' who, 
 having made many journeys alone, and dwelt so 
 much with the Indians, became like them in his 
 manner of speaking and behaving." He was now 
 twenty-five years of age, and. in 1750 again tra- 
 velled to Onondago, in company with Bishop Cam- 
 merhof. They passed up the river in canoes, and 
 spent the nights on shore, in huts made of the bark 
 of trees, which they built with their own hands. 
 On one occasion, they came to a little Indian vil- 
 lage, and were received by an old chief, eighty- 
 seven years of age, a remarkably intelligent man. 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 7 
 
 He stood erect to receive them, with his franie un- 
 bowed by years, and accoutred with his weapons of 
 war. He wished to know the object of their visit, 
 and smiled and shook liis head as they related it, 
 and said, that he wanted no novelty, that he would 
 die as his fathers had died. Then he ordered the 
 calumet to be presented, and made them welcome. 
 They were then obliged to leave the river, and pro- 
 ceed by land ; the difficulties were almost insur- 
 mountable. 
 
 After being five weeks on the way, they reached 
 Onondago, which was the chief place of the Six 
 Nations. It lay in a pleasant and fruitful country, 
 and consisted of five small towns or villages, through 
 which the river Zinochsa ran. They were lodged at 
 the house of the chief ; the purpose of the journey 
 was to obtain leave for some of the Moravians to 
 reside here. A council was held of twenty-six 
 chiefs, of venerable appearance. Many consultations 
 took place. Bishop Cammerhof was the speaker, and 
 his companion interpreted. The conference came 
 to no satisfactoiy conclusion, and, during this sus- 
 pense, Zeisberger and his friends obtained permission 
 from the council to go into the country of the 
 Cajuga and Senecas Indians. About a fortnight 
 was spent on this journey, which was a dangerous 
 and useless one, from the ferocity of the Indians ; 
 so that they were obliged to fly, in order to save 
 their lives. On returning to Onondago, they re- 
 newed their petition, which was at last successful ; 
 and, with many ceremonies, the council came to 
 the following decision : 
 
 " That the Iroquois and the Moravians, on both 
 sides the great ocean, should regard each other as 
 brothers. That this covenant should be indis- 
 soluble ; and that two of the Brethren should have 
 leave to live in any part of the territory." 
 
 At the end of this year, Seidel and Zeisberger 
 
^ DAVID ZKISBERGER. 
 
 went to Europe, to procure more assistants in tlieir 
 work. At Hernhulh, Count Zinzendorf spoke much 
 with them : he said that he considered Zeisberger 
 as an instrument in the hands of Heaven. The 
 latter felt great pleasure in being once more in the 
 calm and blessed retreat of Hernhuth, where many of 
 his early days were passed ; but he appears to have 
 felt no reorret for his earlv desertion of the service 
 of the princess of Orange, ten years before. Had 
 these years been given to ambition, he might have 
 risen into favour and affluence at the Hague, amidst 
 the dissipations of a court, and the smiles and 
 flatteries of the world. How different a lot from 
 the one he had chosen ! He returned to America, 
 with a full commission to pursue his career, and 
 with the solemn sanction of the synod of his church. 
 
 In the summer of 1752, he again set out with two 
 companions, for the capital of the Iroquois, with the 
 intention to reside there some time. But on their 
 way they were met by about twenty chiefs of the 
 Oneida nation, who violently insisted on their 
 going no farther. Zeisberger, not intimidated, de- 
 clared that he was under the protection of the 
 Iroquois, a nation more powerful than their own, 
 and requested they would appoint a council, and 
 hear him. They consented, and formed into a 
 circle on a small eminence, where he addressed 
 them in so powerful a speech, as to entirely change 
 their purpose. Then they contemplated the strings 
 of wampum which the Moravians were carrying to 
 the council in Onondago, and attentively considered 
 their meaning. At last, full liberty to proceed was 
 granted. 
 
 On arriving at the latter town, they were well 
 received, and permitted to enter every dwelling, 
 and converse freely with the people. This was a 
 great privilege, of which fully availing themselves, 
 to recommend Christianity ta the Indians, {hey 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 9 
 
 dwelt here some years in prosperity. They earned 
 their bread partly by surgical operations, in which 
 they were skilful, and for which the wars of the 
 tribe gave ample occasion. At other times, they 
 maintained themselves by felling timber, sharpening 
 axes and other tools, and building cottages for the 
 natives. The three men would leave their dwelling 
 at break of day, and entering one of the neigh- 
 bouring woods, apply for hours to the severest 
 labour, till they had felled and transported to their 
 home some of the finest trees. On other days, 
 they were seen surrounded by the curious natives, 
 while they planted the pillars, or laid the roof of a 
 dwelling, for Avhich they were to be paid in pro« 
 visions. These labours helped to gain the good- 
 will of the people. 
 
 The chase was often a resource,when other means of 
 subsistence failed. They were also permitted to attend 
 the council, svhenever it was held : Zeisberger was 
 always welcome there, on account of his fluency in the 
 language, as well as his friendship with Shikellimus, 
 the chief of their people on the Susquehannah, at 
 whose death he bad been present. The council- 
 house was built of bark ; on each side, seats were 
 placed : no one was admitted besides the members, 
 save a few who were particularly honoured. In the 
 midst of the council-room a great fire was kept 
 continually burning : for all public business between 
 any nation and the Irequois, must be brought, as 
 they term it, " to the great fire in Onondago." 
 
 The Iroquois are the most powerful, brave, and 
 haughty of the Indian nations, and have such an 
 exalted idea of their own greatness, that they affect to 
 admit no equal in rank, but the king of England. 
 
 There were few Indian tribes who had not mourn- 
 ed their invasions. The Six Nations of this people 
 formed an inviolable confederacy, well aware that 
 their whole strength was in their union. The Eng- 
 
10 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 lish and French vied with each other during many 
 years, in seeking alliances with them ; received their 
 deputies with great pomp and solemnity, and made 
 them- rich presents. 
 
 These Indian assemblies presented a wild and 
 various picture of the human heart — its coldest 
 treachery and most exquisite cruelty were there, as 
 well as its heroism, fidelity, and honour. The de- 
 bates were on some days a perfect lesson in the art 
 of dissembling; at others, there was the outbreaking 
 of all the furious as well as beautiful emotions of 
 the soul. 
 
 The deputies of other nations often came with 
 treaties of peace, or menaces of war ; and here 
 Zeisberger gained his perfect acquaintance with the 
 modes of expression and oratory of the savages, 
 as well as with the varieties of their temper and 
 character. In the course of a few years, also, he 
 became familiar with the dialects of all the prin- 
 cipal tribes. 
 
 At last, a war broke out between the Indian tribes, 
 among whom were many who hated the Moravians, 
 and could not bear that they should thus settle in 
 the country. The small settlement on the river 
 Mahony was marked out for destruction : Zeisberger 
 had some intimation of the design, and instantly set 
 put for the place. He arrived in the evening at a 
 hamlet with his two companions : the latter refused 
 to proceed beyond the river, for it was certain the 
 hostile Indians were near. He would not thus 
 linger on the way; it was now twilight, and, mount- 
 ing his horse, he wished his companions good night, 
 and rode oiF. 
 
 Seidel, in great alarm for his safety, ran after him, 
 and earnestly besought him to return, but in vain. 
 The intrepid man dashed through the river, and had 
 scarcely reached the opposite shore, when the dis- 
 cheirge of musketry was heard ; he hastened, in 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 1 1 
 
 anguish : the discharges increased, and fearful cries 
 were mingled with them. The light was so dim, that 
 he could see no objects in the distance, save the 
 flashes, which were evidently around the devoted 
 settlement. Zeisberger hurried on, but came too late 
 to save. 
 
 That evening, the lonely settlers were at peace 
 in their dwellings ; some had just sat down to supper, 
 others were at their doors enjoying the beauty of the 
 evening, for it was July. A sudden howling of the 
 dogs was heard, the report of a gun followed ; several 
 ran hastily out, and saw the Indians advancing 
 beneath the trees, and now close at hand. A dis- 
 charge instantly followed : Nitschinan was killed ; his 
 wife and some others being wounded, fled to the dwell- 
 ing of the former, and barricaded the door so fast with 
 bedsteads and other articles, that the Indians found 
 it impossible to force it. They then set fire to the 
 house, which was quickly in flames : a few of the 
 unfortunate people, among whom was a young 
 Moravian woman, leaped from the burning roof unob- 
 served by the savages, and rushed into the adjoining 
 wood ; a ball grazed the cheek of the girl, as they 
 fled. The flames had now caught the adjoining 
 trees ; the two missionaries on the other side of the 
 river, saw the horizon fiercely illumined by the 
 glare, and heard the cries. Zeisberger, who was now 
 in the midst of the fatal scene, aided the fugitives, 
 but could not save his friend Fabricius, the chief of 
 the mission, who strove to fly through the assailants, 
 but was instantly despatched with the tomahawk. 
 The others perished in the flame. Sensaman, 
 who had escaped to the wood, had the misery of 
 seeing his wife perish at a short distance. 
 
 The Indians next set fire to the stables, and destroy- 
 ed all the corn, hay, and cattle, and laid waste the 
 plantations. The widows and the childless who had 
 fled, paused not for a moment, even to watch the 
 
12 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 ruins of their loved village, but pursued their way all 
 night. As soon as they were out of danger, Zeisberger 
 hastened alone, to give notice of the event to a body 
 of English militia, who instantly advanced, but did 
 not venture to pursue the enemy in the dark. At 
 three in the morning, he arrived in Bethlehem with 
 the sad detail. The grief of the people was very great: 
 one by one, during the day, the fugitives came in. 
 
 After some days had passed, they went from 
 Bethlehem, to collect the ashes of the slain. It was 
 a mournful procession; they found nothing but a 
 blackened heap of ruins of the little chapel, the 
 dwellings, and store-houses. They solemnly interred 
 the remains of the eleven persons who had perished, 
 and sung a hymn, that sounded amidst the lone- 
 liness of the place like a funeral wail. Those who 
 sorrowed knew not how long they should be 
 spared, or whether, in their own words, " retiring to 
 rest at night, they should ever again behold the light 
 of day." They adopted the best means of defence 
 in their pov/er, surrounded the village of Bethlehem 
 with palisades, and kept watch day and night. 
 
 The Moravians had purchased a tract of land behind 
 the Blue Mountains, of about 1400 acres, and erected 
 a new town there. Against this place, called Wech- 
 quetank, an attack was planned by the Indians. 
 
 On the night when it was to be made, one of the 
 inhabitants, wandering into the forest, discovered a 
 fire through the trees ; he cautiously drew near, and 
 saw that it was an encampment of hostile Indians : 
 some were gathered close round the flame, and their 
 wild gestures and words sufficiently indicated their 
 design ; others, fully armed, were evidently waiting 
 the moment of attack. He hastened home ; the 
 defences were instantly manned ; the Moravians and 
 their people listened to every sound from the forest 
 — for the yell, that makes the blood of the boldest 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 13 
 
 run cold — the signal of the onset. At that moment 
 the rain besran to fall in torrents, and continued for 
 several hours. Whether from this cause, or the firm 
 preparation to receive them, the Indians deferred the 
 assault, and the next day retired. 
 
 The settlements were now six in number. About four 
 years previous, Bishop Spangenberg, whose services 
 were eminent, had visited the more remote congre- 
 gations. At Pickipsi resided the excellent Gottlieb 
 Buettner, whose sorrows, persecutions, and many 
 afflictions in mind and body, hurried him to an 
 untimely grave. There were some beautiful things 
 in the transient career of this youth : when any of 
 his little Indian flock deserted their fidelity, and 
 went far away among other tribes, he followed them, 
 even if it were a hundred miles off. Thus he writes, 
 at the close of the year, to Spangenberg : *' Rejoice 
 with me, for I have found the sheep which were lost. 
 Jonathan is again become my brother. My heart 
 followed him wherever he went, and I thought I must 
 go and seek him, though he was hunting in the 
 woods at a great distance." He set out on this 
 message of forgiveness : when the Indian perceived 
 him coming afar ofi, he stood like one thunderstruck. 
 The former, accosting him in a friendly tone, told him 
 the aim of his visit, and that if he should fly to the dis- 
 tance of two or three hundred miles, he would still seek 
 after him. The Indian only said, in broken sentences, 
 " Does Buettner remember me still ! are you come 
 merely to seek me ?" and then wept bitterly. The latter, 
 as it is expressed, " received him as the father re- 
 ceived his prodigal son, forgetting, when thus en- 
 gaged, his bodily weakness." Soon after, Buettner 
 finished his course, in the presence of all the Indian 
 assistants, having exhorted them with his dying lips 
 to abide faithful to the end. *' As children over a 
 beloved parent, so did they mourn for him. They 
 dressed his corpse in white, and interred his remains 
 
14 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 in the burying ground at Shekomeko, watering his 
 grave with numberless tears : they even used to go 
 and mourn over it for a long time after.'* 
 
 Gnadenhuetten, on the river Lecha, was one of the 
 most regular and pleasant of the settlements. The 
 church stood in a valley ; and the Indian houses, on 
 a gently rising ground, formed a crescent round it. 
 On the opposite side were the dwellings of the 
 Moravians and their families, and the burial-ground.- 
 They tilled their own grounds, and every Indian 
 family had its plantation ; so that the whole valley 
 was a scene of rich cultivation ; the river that flowed 
 near, offered facilities for carriage and commerce. 
 The strict and faithful discipline of Gnadenhuetten 
 was observed in all the other towns. The congre- 
 gation met twice a day, early in the morning, and in 
 the evening after their work, to sing and pray ; and 
 sometimes to hear a discourse upon the text of 
 scripture appointed for the day. By these discourses^ 
 the Moravians endeavoured gradually to make their 
 people better acquainted with the truths of the 
 gospel. Several parts of the scriptures, translated into 
 the Mohican language, were also read and expound- 
 ed. The catechumens having been duly instructed, 
 were publicly interrogated concerning their senti- 
 ments and future views. Being dressed in white, they 
 were absolved by imposition of hands, baptized, 
 and, after a solemn prayer and thanksgiving, the 
 blessing of God was pronounced over them. 
 
 Meetings were also held separately, with the 
 married people, single brethren and sisters, bachelors 
 and widows ; in which these divisions were in turn 
 exhorted to become partakers of the promises, and 
 faithfully to adorn their respective stations. The 
 holy communion was administered to the commu- 
 nicants every month. The Indians called the com- 
 munion day the " great day ;" and such indeed it 
 was, being attended with the most distinguished 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 15 
 
 blessing, and very powerfully strengthening their faith 
 and hope. The Brethren were, likewise, earnestly 
 engaged in caring for each individual soul, and in 
 leading it forward with gentleness and patience, 
 following the directions of the Spirit of God. The 
 wives of the Missionaries, and also the more intelli- 
 gent and pious Indian sisters, were appointed to 
 be assistants ; and in this view, their presence was 
 required in all conferences relating to the whole con- 
 gregation. It was required of those who were thus 
 intrusted, not only to question each disciple con- 
 cerning the state of the mind, previous to the holy 
 communion, but that they should at other times be 
 ready to hear and consider the complaints and re- 
 marks of every member of the congregation. 
 
 But the Moravians, could not possibly attend 
 to the spiritual wants of all their people : they, 
 therefore, appointed Indian assistants among 
 the men, to whose care the daily meetings were 
 sometimes committed. The following after those 
 who had strayed, was often a painful work ; for 
 the seductions both of the heathen and the white 
 people were powerful and incessant. Those who, 
 after being warned, refused all reproof, were no 
 longer considered as inhabitants of Gnedanhuetten, 
 or suffered to dwell there. This was a severe expe- 
 dient, yet the missionaries could not act otherwise, 
 unless they had suffered the people to sink into 
 confusion and carelessness. " They feared nothing 
 more than a Laodicean course. When the least 
 symptom of this appeared, they ceased not to cry 
 unto the Lord until a new fire of grace and love was 
 kindled, and, thus strengthened, they proceeded 
 with renewed courage." A continual intercourse 
 was maintained with the elders at Bethlehem, whose 
 frequent letters and visits were a great encourage- 
 ment. -. 
 
 As the Indian languages had no words for many 
 
16 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 new ideas and objects, the Moravians were obliged 
 to enrich them with several English and German 
 names, and, by degrees, use rendered these new 
 terms intelligible. This usage had another ad- 
 r^antage ; for several Indian youths, of both sexes, 
 and particularly the children educated in the 
 schools, learnt German with ease. Bethlehem, 
 however, was the chief seminary where the natives 
 sent their children to be educated, and they could 
 not give a stronger testimony of the change in 
 their nature; for, as it is observed, " the love 
 of the Indians towards their children is so exces- 
 sive, that they cannot bear to be deprived of the 
 sight of them, even for a short time." 
 
 In the congregations, love-feasts were occa- 
 sionally held : they began with singing and 
 prayer ; and afterwards, it appears that some of 
 the more experienced addressed the assembly, 
 spoke of their own consolation, and progress in 
 religion, and animated the rest to renewed dili- 
 gence. Thus it is observed, by one of the Mora- 
 vians at Skekomeko, where the faithful Buettner 
 died, "^ We afterwards held a love-feast with all 
 the baptized, seventy in number ; the presence of 
 the Lord was powerfully felt. I spoke of the 
 happiness granted unto us by virtue of the sacri- 
 fice of Christ, appealing to their own experience ; 
 and they affirmed what I said to be true. I then 
 spoke of following our Saviour's steps, and of 
 what we have to observe, as his disciples. After- 
 wards Isaac exhorted them to be humble and 
 low in their own eyes, never to forget the suffer- 
 ings of the Lord, not only in their dwellings, but 
 when in the woods, and when out a hunting, &c. 
 We closed our love-feast with prayer and suppli- 
 cation, and commended these precious souls to 
 God, being greatly comforted by their faith, and 
 firmliess under such heavy trials." 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 17 
 
 Additional sources of industry were also pro- 
 vided for the people : not having land sufficient, 
 the Moravians bought a neighbouring plantation 
 for tlieir use. A saw-mill being erected, many 
 Indians had the means of earning money by cutting 
 timber, and conveying it in floats down the river. 
 Hunting was the chief support : from fifteen to 
 twenty deer, or bears, being frequently shot in a day. 
 If provisions proved scarce, they got wild honey, 
 chesnuts, and bilberries in the forests. A present 
 of a spinet having been made for the use of the 
 chapel, the singing of the congregation was improv- 
 ed, as one of the Brethren could play, well upon it. 
 He also taught a young Indian to play,v,'ho succeeded 
 him. The following rules, also, were strictly ad- 
 hered to : '* That no begging should be suffered, and 
 no debts incurred, either with heathen or white peo- 
 ple ; but each earn his own bread diligently : That 
 the infirm and aged should carefully be attended to, 
 and their wants relieved." A house was also built 
 for the reception of strangers and wanderers, and 
 was called the Strangers' Inn. How glad was the 
 savage, the hunter, or the wayfarer perhaps from 
 some far tribe, when he saw the spire, the streets, 
 and the caravansary of Gnadenhuetten, and was 
 guided, weary and hungry, to the gate, where neat 
 and clean chambers, a kind greeting, and a com- 
 fortable repast, awaited him ! 
 
 Zeisberger and Seidel went to Shomokin and 
 Wayomick : in return for this visit, a large embassy 
 was sent by the Nautikoks and Shawanose, to estab- 
 lish a covenant between them. The deputies, 
 with their attendants, were in all one hundred 
 and seven persons. A messenger was sent ten 
 miles forward, with the words, '^ We are now 
 coming unto you. Gnadenhuetten is a place which 
 delights us. The heat was great : we subsisted on 
 nothing but bilberries : we rest with you at present." 
 
 II. c 
 
18 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 They appeared, a few hours after, slowly moving 
 towards the place, in Indian file ; the leader singing 
 a song. The Strangers' Inn was filled to excess ; an 
 ample supper was prepared ; after which the whole ol 
 the assembly met upon a rising ground. A large blue 
 cloth was spread in the middle, and mats placed on 
 it. The Nautikoks and Shawanose gathered around 
 their chiefs, and the inhabitants around the Mora- 
 vians ; the women and children forming a circle 
 beyond the whole assembly, at a short distance. 
 What a beautiful picture ! — the evening in June; the 
 shadow of the forests gathering darker around ; the 
 sun going down in glory behind the barren ridge of 
 the Blue Mountains ; the rushing of the Lech a beside 
 * the Tents of Peace,' the name given to the town. 
 Many speeches were made by the Indians, and 
 answers given in the same style by Spangenberg, 
 and at last the treaty was ratified, and the former 
 passed some days in the place. 
 
 The Indian assistants, who were chosen for their 
 superior piety and intelligence, were valuable auxi- 
 liaries to the Moravians, either by their public ad- 
 dresses, or private visitation and counsel to the 
 families. The letters of some of these men are 
 proofs of a reflecting, as well as zealous mind : one 
 of them is thus described — *' As his vices were the 
 more seductive, on account of his natural wit and 
 humour, so, as a Christian, he became a m.ost power- 
 ful and persuasive witness among his nation. Few 
 of his countrymen could vie with him in point of 
 Indian oratory; his discourses were full of animation; 
 whether at home or on a journey, he could not for- 
 bear speaking of the salvation purchased for us. 
 Nor was he less respected as a chief, among the 
 Indians ; no affairs of state being transacted without 
 his advice and consent." Another is thus given, 
 *' Nicodemus,who, for his fidelity, was appointed elder 
 of the congregation at Gnadenhuattar; as his manner 
 
DAVID ZEISBRRGER. 19 
 
 of speaking was very figurative, his public testimony 
 and conversation were the more instructive to his 
 countrymen. * I crossed the Lecha to-day in a 
 boat,' he said, ' being driven into the rapid current, 
 and nearly overset ; but a large tree, whose branches 
 drooped into the water, stayed my course, and saved 
 me. So are we irresistibly hurried away by sin, but 
 as soon as our Mighty One stretches forth his hand, 
 we receive power to withstand the rapid stream of 
 this world.' In his last illness, while they stood 
 around him, he observed, ' I am weary, and wish to 
 rest, for I have finished my work ; my body will 
 sleep in our burying-ground, but it will rise most 
 glorious: corruption and death are near, but only for 
 a time — even as the forest fades before the winter's 
 fury, but lifts its head again in glory. So shall I 
 rise. But if I had no hope, if I had continued the 
 slave of sin, it would be with me as when the flame 
 devours the forest — it perishes for ever. The spring 
 and the summer come, yet there is nothing but 
 blackness and ashes. The oak, and the pine, and 
 the cedar lie withering beside the little trees and the 
 weeds : they are all alike then." 
 
 Around this institution, mischief at last gathered: 
 a plot was formed, with the connivance of many of 
 the European settlers, to seduce the converts from 
 their teachers. In a council of the Oneydas with 
 the Mohicans, it was resolved to bring the christian 
 Indians back to their former habits of life ; not by the 
 tomahawk, for that had been tried in vain. Emis- 
 saries were sent to inveigle them, and that so suc- 
 cessfully, that many began to waver at the persua- 
 sions of their ancient friends, who spoke of their war 
 feasts and battles ; they relaxed in their religious 
 duties, as well as in their industry. Some already 
 went to join the other tribes, and the whole settle- 
 ment was in danger of being forsaken. 
 
 But, in the month of February, there came from 
 
 c2 
 
20 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 the various settlements a deputation of the people, 
 among whom were Zeisberger and others. A meet- 
 ing with all the Indians was appointed, *' that they 
 might speak with them," as they expressed it, " as 
 fathers speak to their children." The whole com- 
 pany assembled in the middle of the valley. Having 
 first reminded the natives of the grace they had 
 received from God, the elders declared the deep 
 grief that filled their own hearts at this change in 
 their conduct, and pointed to the well-tilled fields 
 and homes, and asked, " if they would find such in 
 the forests and wilds, to which they wished to return. 
 Then, kneeling down with the whole assembly, they, 
 with many tears, commended them to the mercy and 
 protection of God. This address, and the prayer 
 that followed, produced an immediate effect on most 
 of the Indians. Several who had deviated from 
 religion — others, who had already put on their 
 original war-dress, and resumed the tomahawks — 
 owned their transgression, and begged forgiveness I 
 The missionaries observed, " that perhaps the influ- 
 ence of Christianity was never more evident than in 
 seeing an Indian, naturally obstinate and inflexible 
 to the last degree, appear before a whole body of 
 people, confess his faults, and ask pardon of God 
 and his fellow-men." 
 
 A few days afterwards, Paxonous, a principal 
 chief of the Mohicans, arrived, with a retinue of 
 thirteen persons, to demand what was their resolve. 
 A mild but decisive answer was given by the Mora- 
 vians. The former, instead of being incensed, could 
 not help admiring the man whose words and 
 example had such influence over his countrymen. 
 In this visit, which lasted some weeks, he was accom- 
 panied by his wife, a woman of fine presence, as far 
 as Indian beauty went, and, what was more rare, of 
 great influence over her husband's mind. They used 
 to attend in the chapel on the hill-side, when service 
 
DAVID ZEISBKRGER. 21 
 
 was held there ; and so effectual were the addresses 
 of the Moravians, that the Indian chieftainess said, 
 *' that she felt subdued like a child." The cere- 
 mony of her baptism was performed in the e-hapel, 
 amidst all the people. 
 
 War soon after broke out among the tribes, and 
 continued for several years, during which the efforts 
 of the Christians were greatly impeded. Zeisberger 
 was appointed to the care of the settlement of Litiz, 
 where he compiled a grammar and vocabulary of the 
 Iroquois language ; into the latter, he translated the 
 " Harmony of the Four Gospels." He held many con- 
 ferences with the Indians, and conducted negocia- 
 tions with them on the part of the government. Six 
 years were thus passed, during which he did not 
 cease to penetrate alone into the remote territories of 
 the Indians. 
 
 Had it been the aim of this enterprising man to 
 form a community under his own especial care-and 
 command, such was his influence with the tribes, 
 that a numerous body would have gathered around 
 him. An ambition of this kind was foreisrn to the 
 mind of David Zeisberger: two of his companions, 
 Seidel and Ettwein, men of inferior toils and at- 
 tainments, were raised to the rank of bishops among 
 the Brethren ; but these things he heeded not. The 
 tribes among whom he journeyed and dwelt, were 
 (intractable, fierce, of wandering habits, and seldom 
 at amity with each other. It was necessary to be 
 often present among them, to seize the most fa- 
 vourable moments to do good : a few months with 
 one nation, and in the ensuing season with a hos- 
 tile one, a hundred leagues distant. His exer- 
 tions were this year eminently blessed, in the conver- 
 sion of the great Indian teacher, Papunhauk.. 
 During several years, this man had been zealous in 
 propagating his doctrines of heathen morality ; but 
 
22 DAVID ZEISBERGEK. 
 
 as both teacher and hearers were addicted to the 
 most abominable vices, several of the latter began 
 to doubt whether Papunhauk were a teacher of 
 truth. Yet the influence was great, which he had 
 acquired over the minds of his people. When he 
 heard the gospel of Christ preached at Nain, he 
 said, that he had always believed in a Supreme 
 Being, but this was the saving doctrine he wanted. 
 Then, bursting into tears, he exclaimed, "O God, 
 have mercy on me ! and grant, that the death of 
 my Saviour may be made manifest unto me." Un- 
 der these impressions, he went home, called his 
 people together, and in pathetic terms related what 
 he had felt : " My people," he added, " 1 have 
 told you many good things, and pointed out a good 
 way ; but 1 have now learnt that it was not the 
 right one. If we wish to be saved, we must 
 
 look to that Redeemer whom the Moravians 
 preach." 
 
 Desirous as was this man of becoming a christian, 
 his pride recoiled at the idea of losing his influ- 
 ence among the people, who had so long listened 
 to his doctrines : he paused even at the thresh- 
 hold, looking wistfully back on his past reputation ; 
 his words would soon cease to be regarded, and his 
 predictions be as idle dreams : the struggle in his 
 mind was long and violent. In the month of May, 
 Xeisberger went up the Susquehannah as far as 
 Machwihilusing, where Papunhauk resided. As he 
 drew near, he was met by an inhabitant, who told 
 them that they had met six days successively, to 
 consider how they might procure a teacher of the 
 truth. The heart of the missionary glowed at these 
 words. In the evening, the whole town assembled ; 
 in their speech made to him, they said, " We all 
 greatly rejoiced at your arrival," and said to each 
 other, " These are the people we have so long 
 waited for, they will shew us the right way." Zeis- 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 23 
 
 berger then spoke, and ihey listened eagerly. 
 Every day they met in the same manner. Papun- 
 hauk, with many others, was so greatly affected at 
 his discourses, that he no longer offered any resist- 
 ance or delay, but embraced the gospel with his 
 whole heart. " A man, naturally vain," it is said, 
 *' and high in his own conceit;" yet he now, with 
 deep contrition, cast all his own righteousness aside ; 
 he would hardly eat or drink, and came to Zeis- 
 berger, confessing the gross sins of his former life, 
 and begged earnestly to be baptized. His request 
 was granted : at his baptism, he made a solemn 
 declaration of his faith before all the people. 
 
 Soon after, the former returned to Bethlehem, 
 where, after mature deliberation, it was thought 
 that he should again go to Machwihilusing, as a 
 resident missionary ; he gladly accepted of the 
 office, and departed. On the road, he was danger- 
 ously wounded with an axe, and fainted from the 
 loss of blood. But his Indian companion gathered 
 a healing plant, whose virtues were known to him, 
 and applied it ; by which he was not only recovered 
 from his swoon, but, to his great surprise, the wound 
 soon closed and healed. On his arrival, he was 
 again kindly received by all the people, and dwelt 
 some time among them. In Papunhauk he found 
 an intelligent companion, an acute observer of na- 
 ture and of men — as his influence over their minds, 
 by divination and oratory, sufficiently proved. To 
 the missionary, he became a devoted friend and 
 guide, in many a journey. 
 
 The various settlements of the United Brethren 
 were, in the mean time, visited with many troubles 
 and mischances. Sometimes they were obliged to 
 Hy from one town to another ; the people of Wech- 
 quetank sought refuge in Nazareth. The savages 
 had laid waste the country with fire and sword ; 
 and the town of Nain, one of the earliest settle- 
 
24 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 ments, was blockaded on all sides. These ravages 
 so increased the fury of the colonists against the 
 Indians, that it extended to the native converts, 
 particularly of the latter town. During four weeks, 
 the inhabitants stood on their defence, watching 
 through the long, cold nights ; ^' their joy was every 
 morning renewed, when they met together in the 
 chapel, and strengthened themselves in fellowship, 
 by considering the word of God, and experiencing 
 the consolations of his Spirit. They expected 
 nothing less than a cruel death." 
 
 In November, an express arrived from Phil- 
 adelphia, with an order from the government, that 
 all the baptized Indians should be conducted thi- 
 ther, and be protected in that city, having first de- 
 livered up their arms. Here they arrived in safety, 
 and found a refuge from their persecutors in Pro- 
 vince Island ; whence, after a few months, they were 
 conducted by the missionaries to Machwihilusing, 
 on the Susquehannah. The Moravian colonies were 
 thus harassed, during many years, from the hatred 
 of the white people, as well as the malice and 
 cruelties of some of the tribes, and even the burn- 
 ing of their stores and plantations by the hands of 
 those who should have been their protectors. 
 
 *' Wechquetank was burnt by the white people, 
 and in the night of the 18th of November, they en- 
 deavoured to set fire to Bethlehem. The oil-mill was 
 consumed, and the adjoining water-works were wiih 
 great difficulty saved from destruction. We heard, 
 with grief and horror, that a party of our people, 
 who lived quietly in the small village of Canestoga, 
 near Lancaster, were attacked by fifty-seven (so call- 
 ed) Christians, from Paxton, and fourteen of them 
 murdered in their dwellings. The rest fled to Lan- 
 caster, where the magistrates protected and lodged 
 them in the workhouse, a strong building, and well 
 secured. They were, however, followed by the pur- 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 25 
 
 sners, who marched into the town at noon-day, 
 broke into the workhouse, and, though our people 
 begged their lives on their knees, yet these bar- 
 barians cruelly slew them all, throwing their bodies 
 into the street. Then they departed with a shout 
 of victory.'* 
 
 Truly was it said of these patient and enduring 
 men, that peril and death beset them on every 
 side. " As a mariner rejoices," they feelingly ob- 
 serve, " who, after a long and severe storm, has 
 reached his desired haven, so likewise did the con- 
 gregation and her faithful teachers rejoice. They 
 forgot all their former distress, and, with offers of 
 praise and thanksgiving, devoted themselves anew 
 to Him who at last gave them rest." 
 
 David Zeisberger, seeing the community at Mach- 
 wihilusing prosper, now longed to extend his labours; 
 he could no longer rest tranquil, but traversed the 
 shores of the river, to discover a favourable scene 
 for new triumphs of his faith. A resolve was taken, 
 that a large settlement should be established on the 
 distant banks of the Susquehannah, where the 
 remoter tribes might come and listen to the mes- 
 sage. It was necessary that many of the Brethren, 
 together with a considerable part of the Indian con- 
 gregations, should leave their homes, and go forth on 
 this journey. Never was a finer instance of Mora- 
 vian obedience and submission : some sold their 
 houses, for they were going to a distant scene, of 
 which they knew but little. Many had grown old 
 beneath the roofs they were for ever leaving, where 
 peace had dwelt with them ; and now war and famine, 
 and miserable anxiety, were to be the companions of 
 their way. Others had been born here, and had reared 
 the gardens, and planted the flowers and fruit-trees, 
 which strangers were to reap. As it is beautifully 
 expressed, " they went in silence, weeping, towards 
 the Lecha." Their guidance was committed to Zeis- 
 
26 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 berger ; a charge that called for all the bravery and 
 energy of his nature. It was like the warrior Great- 
 heart guiding Christiana and Mercy, and the band of 
 pilgrims, to their place of rest beyond the dark river. 
 
 Waggons were provided for " the children and 
 the infirm, the old and blind, and the heavy bag- 
 gage." The journey was rendered more difficult by 
 the circuits they were often obliged to make, to 
 avoid the hostile Indians. Then came stormy 
 weather, and heavy falls of snow ; their lodging by 
 night was in the woods, each family building a 
 hut, and keeping up fires. In some parts, they had 
 to cut their way for miles through the forest, and 
 build canoes to pass the rivers. Their provisions 
 began to fail, till at last the whole stock was con- 
 sumed. It was a moment of great pain, when each 
 family received its last portion ; the mothers, the 
 children, the grey-haired men, knew not that to- 
 morrow's sun would bring any supply. They made 
 rafts to bear the women over the broad rivers, but 
 the current often carried them away. 
 
 One night they had lain down to sleep, overcome 
 with fatigue and want, when the forest took fire, 
 either by their own carelessness, or by the wind 
 raising the lighted embers. The terror of the 
 people was great : all were instantly awoke, but 
 where could they fly, in the heart of a vast forest? 
 a swift and miserable death was in the air and on 
 the earth, every step they took. The trees burned 
 fiercely all around ; the clouds of smoke, that 
 increased every moment, prevented their seeing 
 each other, save when the fresh volumes of flame 
 burst forth, and threw a momentary and dreadful 
 light : the falling of the branches added to the peril. 
 They at last fled through an opening in the wood, 
 which the fire had not yet caught. The confusion was 
 very great ; the sick and the old were seen feebly 
 hastening from the flames, that spread with strange 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 27 
 
 •wiftness on every side. Much of the baggage was 
 consumed : several persons were injured, but not one 
 life was lost. The conflagration continued till the 
 following day, and then they ventured back to the 
 "place of their encampment, to recover what articles 
 might be spared. 
 
 They were frequently rejoiced to find wild 
 potatoes, the disagreeable flavour of which, hunger 
 alone could render palatable. To satisfy the 
 children, who cried for want, they peeled ches- 
 nut trees, and made them suck the sweet juice 
 under the bark ; and even the grown people were 
 obliged to do the same. Many died during the 
 journey ; and they made them rude graves in the 
 wilderness. " But all these trials were forgotten," 
 they say, " in our meetings, where the presence of 
 the Lord was most sensibly and comfortably felt. 
 They were always held in the evening, when our 
 journey was done, round a large fire, in the open 
 air. The care of Him who is invisible was over us : 
 we spoke of his mercy and love with joy." 
 
 At last they came to the end of their journey, on 
 the banks of the river, where the new town was to 
 be built. They called it Friedenshuetten. It first 
 consisted of a number of huts, and forty houses 
 built of wood in the European manner, covered with 
 shingles, and provided with windows and chimneys. 
 In the middle of this hamlet was the chapel, neatly 
 built. The ground adjoining the buildings was 
 laid out in gardens, and between them and the 
 river about two hundred and fifty acres were 
 divided into regular plantations of Indian corn. 
 Each family had its own boat. The burial-ground 
 was situated at some distance beneath the shadow 
 of the trees. The Moravian system, whereby the dif- 
 fusion of Christianity goes hand in hand with the 
 civilization of the manners, was never more justly 
 exemplified : these people were in a far solitude, 
 
28 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 remote from all other habitations, arid entirely de- 
 peadent on their own exertions. This is the descrip- 
 tion of their life. 
 
 '* In rainy weather, the brethren and sisters assem- 
 ble in small companies in their dwellings, to sing 
 and praise the Lord for his mercies. A perfect 
 harmony and concord prevailed among them. It 
 was a pleasure to see how judiciously they planned 
 and executed the work of each day. They appeared 
 like a swarm of busy bees. Each knew his proper task, 
 and performed it readily. Some were employed in 
 building houses ; others, in clearing the land ; some 
 in fishing, to provide for tliose at work ; others 
 cared for the house-keeping." The same statutes 
 and regulations were adopted here as in the other 
 towns. Papunhauk, the Indian teacher, came from 
 a distance : his extensive acquaintance among the 
 natives, and the rising fame of Friedenshuetten, 
 drew a great number of visitors from all parts. 
 
 The Indians, who now dwelt here in peace and 
 safety, sent a messenger, with a string of wampum 
 to the chief of Cajuga, who, as plenipotentiary of the 
 Iroquois, claimed a lordship over all the neighbouring 
 lands. They informed him and his people, that they had 
 settled on the banks of the river, where they intended 
 to live with their teachers, if he approved of it. 
 
 He returned an answer, " That the place they had 
 chosen for a settlement was not proper, because all 
 the country had been stained with blood ; therefore 
 he would take them to the Cajuga lake." 
 
 This was an unwelcome proposal ; Zeisberger was 
 therefore chosen to go, with four deputies, to inter- 
 cede with this man, for he was powerful. The 
 latter received them beneath his roof; but he spoke 
 contemptuously of the Moravians and their exertions. 
 The companions of Zeisberger were intimidated at 
 this, and shrunk from proposing their message in the 
 council. The latter, however, ** assured them, that 
 
DAVID ZKlSBJiiUiKR. 29 
 
 God would be present also in this assembly, and 
 Avould direct every thing according to his pleasure." 
 He spoke the Cajuga tongue fluently, and, on the 
 morrow, the council being assembled, he rose, and 
 •addressed them in the following words : — 
 
 " Brethren, you have heard the request made by 
 your cousins ; you see tViat their cause is good, and 
 you love what is just. You have received them into 
 your arms : they are thankful for it. Their feet were 
 weary, they had suftered much by the \vay, but you 
 have refreshed their souls. You hove land enough ; 
 therefore give a small piece to your cousins, who 
 believe in God, that they may live among you in rest 
 and peace. I am of the Delawares, who know that 
 the Cajugas are generous. Do not send me away 
 in sorrow." The request was granted, and a tract of 
 land was given them, larger even than they had de- 
 sired, extending beyond Tiaogee. 
 
 The deputies rejoiced greatly, and spent some 
 days at this place. Zeisberger hastened back witii 
 the news of his success, and it was resolved to take 
 immediate possession of the new grant. But this 
 exultation was soon damped, by an Indian from 
 Yaninga, who gave a circumstantial account of a 
 great council, held by the Irociuois in Yaninga, at 
 which he was present, and where the chief of Cajuga 
 was severely reprimanded for having given land to 
 the Moravians without their consent. At this news, 
 Zeisberi;er resolved to go in person to Onondago, to 
 learn the truth, and renew his covenant of friendship 
 with the Iroquois. 
 
 After enduriiicr much by the way, he arrived, and 
 lodged in the same house that had formerly for 
 many years been his home. How beautiful is the 
 remembrance of our first dedication to God ! of 
 the Hrst sincere and happy outset in the career of 
 inunortality ! Once more he was in the place of 
 his earliest mission, in Onondago, the stern yet 
 
30 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 indelible source of experience — whose simple, yet 
 solemn usages, mingled grandeur and ferocity 
 of character — wild virtues, and wilder vices, first 
 acquainted him with the native human heart ; while 
 his own severe conflicts and trials, gave him the 
 golden knowledge of himself. It was a place full 
 of fear and warning to the timid spirit — of success 
 and power to the bold. And, now, all its associa- 
 tions again gathered round his heart. Who is 
 there, on revisiting the wild scene where he has long 
 struggled with his fate, and prevailed, but feels the 
 very aspects of nature to be unto him like familiar 
 friends? even the aged tree, the rock, the stream, 
 once the only witnesses of his hope and despair, his 
 prayers and tears ! 
 
 The river Zinochsa, on whose banks he had often 
 wandered, the valley full of armed men, the forest 
 whose trees he had often felled, beneath whose 
 shadow he had rested at noon, even the dwellings 
 built with his own hands — all told more expressively 
 than words, of the rich mercies of his God, who had 
 here been his stay, and, for his sake, had arrested " the 
 arm of the mighty, the fury of the oppressor." With 
 deep emotion, he saw the people gather round him. 
 Cold, haughty, and perfidious, the dread of the 
 other nations, the Iroquois had been to hbn mild and 
 merciful; and now they received himeven as a brother. 
 The morrow was appointed for the great council, 
 and the flag w^as already flying there in honour of 
 the guest. The hour came, when Zeisberger enter- 
 ed the assembly of " the great fire of Onondago," 
 where they had often listened to his words. Tb.e 
 prophet and the preacher are said to be sometimes 
 indebted, for the kindling of the fancy and the 
 spirit, to the inspiring scenes of nature ; but surely no 
 scenes could be more exciting than that of the hushed 
 assembly of warriors, among whom were the most 
 aged, and celebrated of the nation. No ferocity or 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 31 
 
 treachery of look, no stifled or murderous passion, 
 was there ; grave in their aspect, free and noble in 
 their attitude, the Iroquois waited for the speech. 
 And Zeisberger spoke well ; he painted feelingly the 
 labours of the Brethren among the heathen ; then 
 dwelt on the future state of the Indian congregations; 
 appealed to their former intimacy with himself; and 
 finally, requested them explicitly to declare, whether 
 they would ratify what passed between him and the 
 Cajuga chief. The principal men then inquired 
 minutely concerning the establishment and constitu- 
 tions at Friedenshuetten, and, according to custom, 
 said that they could not decide hastily. 
 
 After mature deliberation, during which some 
 weeks elapsed, a full consent was given by the 
 Iroquois. But this powerful people seemed to have 
 little inclineition at present to receive the gospel : 
 they would have been glad to see Zeisberger dwell 
 again among them, but, as one of them told him, 
 *' A minister from New England lately came and 
 offered to live among, and preach to them ; but they 
 replied, that, as soon as they chose it, they would 
 let him know ; for the present, he might return to 
 his own home." 
 
 Friedenshuetten, in the mean time, increased 
 rapidly. The Indians, who came in numbers from 
 all parts, were struck with the regular appearance 
 of the place ; declaring, it was the most beautiful 
 and regular Indian town they had ever seen. They 
 paid great attention to the preaching of the gospel, 
 and its power on their hearts was often remarkably 
 evident. They consisted of various nations, chiefly 
 Mohawks, Senecas, Tutelas, Mohicans. In 1767, a 
 more spacious church was erected. Previous to 
 this period, Zeisberger had been adopted into the 
 Delaware nation, as one of their brethren, which 
 privilege was often of great service, and more than 
 once was a barrier between him and death. 
 
32 DAVID ZEiSBERGER. 
 
 As a proof of the esteem in which he was held 
 i^aiiong the natives, the missionary Schmidt, journey- 
 L)^ once to a great distance, asked some of the 
 Indians, whether they knew Zeisberger. As soon as 
 they heard his name, they expressed great joy, and, 
 placing two fingers together, said, " We are one with 
 that man: are you also one with him?" Schmidt 
 answered, " We are brethren." " Then," said they, 
 " you must come to us, and build your house in our 
 town." In the autumn of this year, accompanied 
 by Papunhauk, he made a journey to the Ohio, 
 having heard that Indians dwelt there, who were 
 desirous to hear of Christianity, He passed over 
 extensive plains, covered with grass of such height, 
 that sometimes the horse and rider could hardly be 
 seen above it. In the morning dew, his clothes were 
 thoroughly soaked, and he travelled on through 
 places, where, according to the account of the 
 Indians, no white man had ever been seen. 
 
 After many days, sleeping always at night in the 
 open air, exposed to almost incessant rain, he came 
 to a forsaken Indian town. He was greatly struck 
 with its appearance ; for it stood in a situation of 
 singular loneliness and beauty. " Here," he observed, 
 " was the first grove of silver fir he had ever seen in 
 North America. Near by, was one of the sources of 
 the river Ohio; it gushed forth in a narrow stream, 
 and wound its way into the vast plain. Whether 
 v/ar or famine had desolated the town, he could not 
 tell, but it was utterly forsaken ; the dwellings were 
 all entire, nor was there any hand of ravage apparent. 
 He entered one of them, and made it his home for 
 the night, and partook of a simple meal, and drank 
 of the fountain of the Ohio, whose vicinity had 
 probably induced the Indians to settle here. The 
 farther he penetrated, the more drear the wilderness- 
 grew, and it cost him immense labour to work his 
 way through the thickets. 
 
DAVID ZEiSBERGER. 33 
 
 " Having thus proceeded," it is said, " four days, 
 through a country of so dreadful and uncouth an 
 appearance, he came at length, for the first time, to 
 a hut in the midst of the forest, in which he took up 
 his night's lodging." It was inhabited by an Indian 
 hunter, who lived here with his family, apart from all 
 his tribe. So thick was the forest at this place, and 
 the gloom of the overhanging trees, that the rays of 
 the sun could never penetrate to the dwelling. 
 Surely the hunter and his guests must have felt 
 like brothers, meetmg thus in so utter a solitude ! 
 A human face had long been strange to the savage, 
 whose love of independence had for years estranged 
 him from all his people. On the arrival of Zeisberger 
 at the first Senecas town, the appearance of a white 
 man caused so much alarm, that one of the Indians 
 mounted his horse, and rode off to a village, thirty- 
 miles distant, to repeat the wonderful story to the 
 chief. From the latter, Zeisberger received the next 
 day a very rough reception: his firm, yet mild 
 demeanour, h.ad, however, so much effect upon the 
 Indian, that he conducted him to his house, and 
 invited him to eat. A conversation of two hours 
 ensued, at the close of which, the chief said he would 
 not prevent his proceeding to Gosgoschuenk ; but 
 warned him not to trust to its inhabitants, who had 
 not their equals in wickedness and thirst for blood. 
 Zeisberger answered, " that if they were so wicked 
 a people as he described, they stood so much more 
 in need of the gospel of their Redeemer; but that, at 
 all events, he did not fear them." It was now the 
 time of celebrating a great festival by the Senecas, 
 and he was obliged to stay and partake of two sump- 
 tuous meals. 
 
 These were held in a spacious dwelling, in the 
 middle of which a large oven was built : the guests 
 sat in solemn silence upon bear-skins, in rows, 
 according to their families. The young men had for 
 
 JI. D 
 
34 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 some days previous been sent into the woods, to 
 procure the requisite number of deer and bears : the 
 women had prepared fire-wood for roasting and 
 boiling, and long dry reed and grass, to cover the 
 floor. The boiled meat was first served up in large 
 kettles, with bread made of Indian corn. The oven 
 was heated with twelve large stones made red-hot ; 
 then twelve men crept into it; and an old man 
 threw twelve pipes full of tobacco upon the hot 
 stones, which occasioned such a smoke, that the 
 persons confined were nearly suffocated, and, on 
 being taken out, fell down in a swoon. The feast 
 passed almost in silence ; the meats being followed by 
 a dessert of sugar, eggs, butter, and fruits. But as 
 soon as the drinking-bout and the smoking com- 
 menced, the tongues of the guests were unsealed. 
 Then four men went out before the door of the house, 
 and howled in a mournful strain : as soon as they 
 returned, the whole company, consisting of about one 
 hundred persons, joined in a song. Speedily after, 
 an old man began to pronounce short oracular sen- 
 tences, which were heard with great attention. In 
 the evening, the dancing was kept up by both sexes 
 till a late hour. 
 
 If it be believed that the souls of the dead are 
 enraged, both meat and drink offerings are made, to 
 pacify them ; the fire and candles are put out ; an 
 old man addresses the spirits of the departed, and 
 begs them to be pacified. Every woman, whose child 
 dies among a distant tribe, travels, if possible, once 
 a year, to the place of its burial, and offers a drink- 
 offering upon its grave. Often had Zeisberger, in 
 his career, to observe these ceremonies. The soul 
 of a warrior or companion, who has met with an 
 unfair or untimely end, is supposed to be in a state 
 of rage and disquiet : a procession, headed by the 
 family of the departed, passes on to the place of 
 tombs beneath the precipice, or in the foreft. The 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 35 
 
 oldest man speaks sadly to the soul, and pours rum, 
 as a drink-offering, upon the grave : it is indispensa- 
 ble that they must drink up the rest of the rum, till 
 not a drop be left : so that, sitting down on the 
 graves, the dark circle of mourners quaff the deli- 
 cious draught in silent emotion, and soon drovv^n all the 
 bitterness of grief, and sometimes get outrageously 
 merry. Another of their feasts of sacrifice, offered 
 to their gods, is of a more awful kind, being per- 
 formed in a lonely place, where, as night draws on, 
 they repeat their dreams and visions, in which they 
 put great faith, and sometimes work themselves up 
 to an agony of distress. 
 
 When a widow is newly bereaved, she sits down 
 in the ashes near the fire, weeping most bitterly ; 
 she then rises, and runs to the grave, where she 
 makes loud lamentations, and returns again to her 
 seat in the ashes. She will neither eat, drink, nor 
 sleep, and refuses all consolation : the image of the 
 man she has lost, is ever present, she says, to her 
 mind. But a widow's grief has rarely any despair 
 about it. After some time, she suffers herself to be 
 persuaded to rise, drink some rum, and receive 
 comfort. For one whole year she is to dress with- 
 out any ornaments, and wash herself but seldom : 
 afterwards she anoints her hair, which is a sign that 
 she wishes to marry again. 
 
 But Zeisberger was bound to a scene, where no 
 festival or gaiety awaited his coming. A few days 
 after, he drew near the village of Gosgoschuenk, 
 that had been described to him as full of cruelty. 
 Here they found a relation of Papunhauk, who 
 received him into his house. This domain con- 
 sisted of three villages on the banks of the Ohio ; he 
 resided in the middle village, and sent word to the 
 inhabitants to request they would assemble and hear 
 the ** great words" he had to tell them. All Gos- 
 goschuenk seemed to rejoice at the novelty of this 
 
 d2 
 
36 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 visit: it was night when Zeisberger addressed the 
 assembly ; the large dwelling chosen for the purpose 
 was illumined by the great fires which the Indians 
 always burn, and which M'ere larger than usual on 
 this occasion. The looks of the people were fierce 
 and cruel ; and they stood round the stranger, as if 
 they already marked him for their victim. Such, 
 however, was the force of his address, that several 
 times they involuntarily exclaimed, " Yes ! that is 
 certainly true ; that is the way to happiness." No 
 weapon was lifted against him : and, at the close of 
 the discourse, they remained silent for some time, 
 with a stern and sullen demeanour, like men who 
 were awed by some sudden power, and yet would 
 fain strive against it. He found that the warning 
 of the Seneca chief was fulfilled ; never having yet 
 witnessed the darkness of 'heathenism canied to such 
 excess. 
 
 The women, both old and young, gathered cu- 
 riously to hear him : being excluded from the coun- 
 cils and other assemblies of the nation, it was a 
 luxury to them to listen to the earnest eloquence 
 of the stranger, who placed their soul and its 
 future destiny on a level with that of the proudest 
 warrior. But some of them soon became his ene- 
 mies, because he denounced the torture of their 
 captives, and the diabolical skill and exultation in 
 prolonging their agonies, in which even the softer 
 sex delighted. 
 
 This cruelty is, however, more the result of habit 
 than of feeling: on one occasion, a young Shawa- 
 nose Indian was taken, and condemned to die. He 
 was already tied to the stake, and each fearful pre- 
 paration made, when a widow rushed forward from the 
 eager crowd of the victors, and placed herself be- 
 tween the captive and death. The love of life, 
 that he had mastered, rushed once more to the 
 heart of the Shawanose, The generous widow then 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 37 
 
 laid her goods and valuables at the feet of the 
 warrior to whom he belonged : the ransom was ac- 
 cepted ; her entreaty was granted ; and on the same 
 day, the captive walked up and down the village, 
 well dressed. His protectress relied so much upon 
 his fidelity, as to allow him to visit his family and 
 friends in his own country ; and no persuasions or 
 entreaties of the latter could prevail upon him to 
 forsake her. This was more than Roman fortitude : 
 the poor youth heroically left home and parents, 
 and his loved tribe, listened to their laments, that 
 died upon his ear as he threaded his way alone 
 through brake anJ wood, to the land of his ene- 
 mies, among whom he must live and die. 
 
 But Zeisberger soon became a marked and hated 
 man ; he continued beneath the roof of the rela- 
 tion of Papunhauk, but could not restrain the atro- 
 cious deeds which these savages loved, or rescue 
 one captive from his fate. Often he turned away 
 from the dreadful scene, from the baffled fury, the 
 fiendish howl, the gnashing of teeth, of the vic- 
 tor — and the mournful heroism, the laughter of 
 wo, of the sufferer ! The latter was painted black, 
 and his head ornamented with raven feathers : 
 then the former cried, " The bones of our murdered 
 countrymen lie uncovered ; their spirits loudly call 
 on us ! revenge their blood ! — let us torture and 
 devour." The victim scorned them, as he died in 
 unutterable anguish : " I will fall like a valiant 
 man : great are your torments ; but what are your 
 deeds in war ? I go to those heroes who have 
 driven you like chaff before them." 
 
 The missionary sought his own home, and prayed 
 that the hearts of these men might be changed. 
 On every side the very ground was accursed. It 
 was like the hold of Despair, where the very courts 
 were paved with the skulls of the lost and wretched, 
 and a restless horror prevailed day and night. 
 
38 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 Was this a region for the gospel of mercy and 
 love ? And could he hope that the torrent of 
 blood-thirstiness would be stayed at his solitary 
 words ? He did hope and believe this, and God 
 recompensed his faith. 
 
 " The prince of darkness has here great power," 
 says Zeisberger, " he even seems to have estab- 
 lished his throne in this place, and to be adored 
 by the heathen, working uncontrolled in the chil- 
 dren of disobedience." Scenes of an affecting, as 
 well as harrowing nature, could not fail to occur, 
 where life was so cheaply held, and men knew not 
 how to spare. 
 
 Among the prisoners was once an old man, of 
 venerable appearance, and two youths. A large sum 
 was offered to the warriors for their release, but 
 in vain. When they arrived at the place, the two 
 young men were tortured, and burnt alive. The 
 old man was condemned to suffer the same treat- 
 ment, but, being informed of it by a child, he con- 
 trived to escape — was fortunate enough to seize a 
 horse, and fled into the woods. The savages pur- 
 sued him for several days, but their most prac- 
 tised hunters were baffled by the adroitness of the 
 aged man, who clung thus dearly to life. During 
 ten days and nights he fled, or concealed himself 
 among the thickets, or in some friendly cave, often 
 in danger from the wild beasts, which were his only 
 neighbours. He could hear at times the shrill 
 cries of his pursuers, sometimes near, sometimes 
 afar off; at last he arrived safe at a place not 
 far from one of the Brethren's settlements, having 
 eaten nothing but grass for ten days. A friendly 
 Indian found him lying in a wood, more like a 
 corpse than a living creature. 
 
 At last Zeisberger thought It time to depart, 
 but only for a season : he had marked this place 
 as his own chosen scene, and resolved that neither 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 39 
 
 the powers of earth or hell should cause him to 
 desist. Once more the missionary and the sor- 
 cerer went on their way into the wilderness, and 
 came again to the fountain of the Ohio, and the 
 solitary hunter's home. The quondam teacher and 
 diviner, like others of the more intelligent Indians, 
 was skilled in the knowledge of plants and herbs, 
 and the rich natural productions of his country, 
 and still more in its superstitions. Strongly at- 
 tached to Zeisberger, he made the troubles of the 
 way lighter by his sagacity and foresight : he had 
 now become entirely a Christian, yet so deeply 
 rooted were the mental habits and delusions of his 
 former life, that he often strangely blended them 
 with his new and purer belief. Like other heathen 
 teachers, be had believed that " the road to a bet- 
 ter world lies close by the gates of hell : that the 
 devil lies in ambush, and snatches at every one 
 who is going to God. Now, those who have passed 
 by this dangerous place unhurt, come first to the 
 happier land : none had actually arrived, though 
 some had approached near enough to hear the 
 cocks crow, and see the smoke of the chimneys in 
 heaven." The flight of the large birds of prey, 
 the shriek of the owl by night, and dreams, con- 
 tinued to startle his mind ; the visions and phan- 
 toms with which he had held others in awe, now 
 awoke at times, to his own disquiet. Many of his 
 countrymen, to whom he was formerly as a god, 
 now hated him mortally; some even accused him 
 of giving poison to the people, who had died of 
 an epidemic disease, whereby numbers were car- 
 ried off: so strong was the accusation, that the 
 Moravians could scarcely save his life. Calum- 
 niated, forsaken, he had an only daughter, whom 
 he dearly loved, and who cleaved to her father in 
 all his troubles. To his great joy, she also became 
 a Christian. 
 
40 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 They arrived in safety at Friedenshuetten ; here 
 the missionary rested but a short time : through his 
 representations, it was determined by the chief 
 brethren at Bethlehem, that he should go again to 
 the scene of his recent enterprise. With Ettwein 
 and Senseman, and a few Indian families, he again 
 set out. His companions were unused to the mishaps 
 of this journey : they were obliged to pass through 
 many fires in the forest, which filled the air with 
 suffocating vapours ; and at night their rest was 
 broken by the bowlings and bold attacks of the 
 wolves, which ventured so near the fires, that they 
 were compelled to stand on their defence, and drive 
 them away by casting firebrands. In the middle of 
 June, they arrived at Gosgoschuenk. Zeisberger did 
 not come on a transient visit ; but to abide, and 
 subdue the wickedness and ferocity of the people, 
 or else yield his life in the attempt. 
 
 He preached every day, held morning and even- 
 ing meetings, and sung hymns in the Delaware 
 language, of his own translation, -which were per- 
 fectly new to his audience. All his meetings were 
 attended by great numbers. " It was curious," he 
 says, " to see so many assemble to hear the gospel, 
 with faces painted black and vermilion, and heads 
 decorated with clusters of feathers and fox-tails, 
 which are much in use among the young people." 
 The dress of the Delaware women was somewhat 
 picturesque ; the best array of the upper classes 
 was a fine white linen shirt, that reached to the 
 knees, decorated at the breast with silver buttons ; 
 their long hair folded and tied round the head with 
 a piece of cloth : others wore a ribbon, or the skin 
 of a serpent, round the hair. The richest adorned 
 their heads with a number of silver trinkets of con- 
 siderable weight, and their ears and necks with 
 coral, and small crosses of silver. 
 
 The enmity of some of the leading people, as 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 41 
 
 well as the secret instigations of other tribes, soon 
 raised a violent opposition. The old women of the 
 place were formidable enemies ; they went about, 
 publicly complaiaing, that the Indian corn was 
 blasted, that the deer and other game began to 
 retire from the woods, that no chesnuts or bilberries 
 would grow any more, because Zeisberger preached 
 a strange doctrine. In consequence, " they saw 
 themselves encompassed with bitter enemies, who 
 wished daily to take away their lives. Even many 
 of those that had shewn the greatest joy upon their 
 arrival, were so far changed, that they were ready 
 to stone them. Two Indians even entered into a 
 covenant to kill Zeisberger." 
 
 The Moravians now built a block-house, as a 
 place of safety and defence, at a small distance 
 from the town. Here they retreated, and kept 
 guard,havingsomeof the baptized Indians with them: 
 but the latter dared not venture a few yards from 
 the door, without being armed with a hatchet or 
 gun. When the cold season drew near, they built 
 a small winter-house, where they might administer 
 the Lord's supper to the Indian Christians, who 
 consisted of a few families. This is an impressive 
 picture : the little forlorn band, in their poor 
 fortress, keeping their wintry watch by night, and 
 listening to each passing sound and cry, lest a foe 
 might be near, or an ambush lurk unseen ; for they 
 knew that the tomahawk thirsted for their blood. 
 
 From the walls of their block-house, they could 
 survey the three villages around. How welcome, 
 oftentimes, came the breaking of the morn ! yet 
 this desolation was cheered by intervals of exquisite 
 comfort and blessedness. If we follow them in 
 fancy to the winter-house, or chamber where the 
 Lord's supper was administered ; in the stillness of 
 the night, and in the very bosom of cruelty and 
 horror, the Moravians and the converts knelt side 
 
42 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 by side, and commemorated the sorrows of their 
 Lord. How light was every fear! how weak every 
 arm that was raised against them ! They rose, 
 exulting in that Redeemer, whose love was " stronger 
 than death, more jealous than the grave ;" and their 
 hymn of praise and thanksgiving rose into the air, 
 like that of the conquering messengers of God — not 
 of abandoned and despairhig men. 
 
 " In the mean time," it is observed, " Zeisberger 
 did not omit preaching to the people, relying on the 
 Lord alone for safety : at this trying juncture, no 
 dangers could depress his confidence." Such faith 
 and labour could not be in vain : his fervent ad- 
 dresses were attended with a Divine influence, to 
 which the depraved hearts of his hearers ere long 
 gave testimony. *' Light and darkness," it is 
 said, " began now to separate from each other :" 
 the inhabitants were at length divided into two 
 parties, one of which, and by far the more numerous, 
 opposed the gospel with all their might ; the other 
 declared they would depart and dwell elsewhere, 
 rather than be deprived of it. The chief, AUmewi, 
 who had attained the age of 120 years, was at the 
 head of the latter. So inveterate and furious be- 
 came the adverse party, that the Moravians believed 
 it was now time to depart, and began to build boats 
 for the voyage. While they were thus employed, 
 three of the leading men prohibited Zeisberger from 
 leaving the town ; presenting, at the same time, a 
 black belt of wampum, which always signifies some 
 fatal omen. The latter sternly withstood them ; 
 bore testimony to the truth of the religion he had 
 preached, and said that they should certainly 
 depart, and that quickly. '' The sorcerers appointed 
 sacrifices, to appease the wrath of those spirits 
 who were offended by the presence of the Brethren, 
 and offered hogs by way of atonement. Young 
 people were forbidden, by their parents, to visit the 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 43 
 
 latter ; and parents were prevented by tlieir children. 
 Some were driven from their own houses : the words 
 of our Saviour were here literally fulfilled — ' I am 
 come to set a man at variance against his father, and 
 the dauo-hter against her mother.'" The Brethren 
 seemed to live in a close and pernicious atmos- 
 phere. Many demanded that they should be thrown 
 into the Ohio, or murdered in the night." 
 
 One of the most striking scenes, was that of the 
 conversion of the chief Allmewi. This man had 
 attained the age of 120 years, with every inveterate 
 habii and feeling of the savage. He had given his 
 protection and countenance to the missionaries ; but 
 at such an age, in the second century of life, it is a 
 hard and almost impossible thing for the heart to be 
 softened. At last the venerable warrior yielded to 
 the resistless influence of mercy ; and, in spite of 
 many scruples of mind, and much opposition from 
 others, resolved to embrace the gospel. He desired 
 to be conducted to the assembly. He seemed full 
 of grief, and strongly agitated, and at length broke 
 out in these words, " I can bear it no longer ; my 
 heart is full within me, and I have no rest night nor 
 day. Unless I shall soon receive comfort, I must 
 die." His wife and nearest relations were there, 
 who, as well as his friends, were bitterly opposed to 
 this step. But there is something in the concen- 
 trated energy of a strong mind, in the gush of feeling, 
 and impassioned appeal of the aged, that awes even 
 the boldest. In this fine and renowned old man, it 
 was like a voice speaking from eternity. He was 
 baptized on the Christmas-day, and afterwards could 
 not sufficiently express the peace he felt ; even the 
 frame seemed to borrow new vigour. " Not only," 
 he said, *' my heart is at ease, but my body is even 
 restored to health. I could not have iDelieved that I 
 should enjoy such happiness." 
 
 At length the day of separation came: the canoes 
 
44 DAVJD ZEISBERGER. 
 
 were ready, the Moravians and the families of the 
 converts gathered on the shore ; eagerly the latter 
 left their homes and friends, rather than yield their 
 salvation. The rest of the people regarded the em- 
 barkation in silence, but no hand was lifted against 
 it. They came to a place many miles distant, on 
 the opposite bank, and lived at first in hunting huts, 
 and sowed the land : but many months must pass, 
 ere their harvest should be gathered. 
 
 In the mean time, their old stock of Indian corn 
 was spoiled and half rotten ; which, however, they 
 ate thankfully. When that was consumed, they 
 could buy no more throughout the whole country. 
 Absence often softens the darkest malice: the people 
 of Gosgoschuenk began to relent: and, some 
 time after their departure, a solemn assembly 
 was held in the town, to consider whether they should 
 receive the gospel. The assembly was divided in 
 opinion ; but, contrary to expectation, a majority 
 agreed to receive it: the following was the decision: 
 — '* Every one has full liberty to hear, or not to 
 hear it. Whoever has no mind to hear, may stay 
 away. For the Indians are a free people, and will 
 never be slaves." They even sent to beg Zeisberger 
 to forget all former injuries, and the dangers he 
 had been exposed to in their town ; owning, that 
 a band of murderers had long sworn to take his 
 life. 
 
 At these welcome tidings, the spirit of Zeisberger 
 was lifted in gratitude to God, who could so 
 change the demoniac fierceness of this people, that 
 their council entreated forgiveness of an expelled 
 and helpless man. Although hatred and vengeance, 
 and even death, often met him face to face, he had 
 not to say with the prophet, " I have laboured in 
 vain, I have spent my strength for nought." The 
 good that had been done, was often secret and 
 remote, like seed borne by the wind into the wilder- 
 
DAVID ZEI.SBERGER. 45 
 
 ness, that takes root there, but no eve sees it. The 
 savage often Hstened, with an untroubled heart, and 
 even with the menace on his lips : but when, after 
 the lapse of months and years, the stranger came 
 again, he found that his words had been treasured, 
 as it was expressed, " in the cavern of the spirit," 
 that they were earnestly remembered. Even on the 
 hunting parties with the Iroquois and Delaware, he 
 did not forget his message ; and when they rested at 
 night from their toils round the fire, in the midst of 
 the waste, he would tell of the things of salvation, 
 for this was the hour when the Indians loved to con- 
 verse. The facility he possessed of addressing 
 almost every people and tribe in their own dialect, 
 was of inexpressible use. It might justly be said, 
 that he had no home or hearth that he could call his 
 own ; the rank grass of the plain, the shore of the 
 lake or river, or the canoe, was often his resting- 
 place at night. No field was too vast or arduous to 
 his hope. 
 
 Around the lakes Erie and Huron, the rivers 
 Delaware and Ohio, and even to the falls of Niagara, 
 he had wandered, in search of fresh successes. 
 Troubles and sorrows only added wings to his career, 
 whose restless activity and energy, among the tierce 
 and idolatrous tribes, was like that of the flame on 
 the forest, withering as it passed, and before which the 
 noble oak and pine go down, as well as the feeble 
 and aged trees. Great was his self-abandonment to 
 God and to his mission ; for he was a man of many 
 mercies. Of these he often speaks freely: it is easy 
 to perceive that he was eminently happy, but surely 
 not *' in the things of this world." Thus he ob- 
 
 serves : — 
 
 " In our new place of refuge, we had the inex- 
 pressible pleasure to baptize several Indians, the first- 
 fruits of this territory. To us, it was a festival 
 without an equal, and attended with so powerful at 
 
46 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 sensation of the presence of God, that we were 
 richly comforted for all our afflictions." 
 
 A few cheerless huts ; a little wooden chapel, 
 hastily erected ; and some cornfields scattered over the 
 waste, and reaped ere they were ripe, — were now the 
 only refuge of the exiles, who thought, with a sigh, 
 of the beautiful order and comfort of Friedens and 
 Gnaden-huetten, which they had for ever left behind. 
 But ere Zeisberger led his band to found a fresh 
 town afar off, another and a parting event came, 
 that shed a glory round their lone and wretched 
 hovels : he might have said with the prophet, " I 
 was desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro : 
 yet the prey of the terrible is taken away : they bow 
 down to me, even to the dust." 
 
 Numbers of the people of Gosgoschuenk, even 
 of those who had plotted their destruction, who 
 had never spared the captive, or known kindness or 
 pity, came to lay their ferocity and savage hatred 
 at the foot of the cross. The " place of cruelty was 
 changed, with a high hand : the heart of the mighty 
 was withered before the Lord : the noble Allemewi 
 had gained the ascendancy : the father and the 
 mother, the sister and the brother, were no longer 
 the prey of each other's wrath. These fierce men 
 stood around Zeisberger, and said, that his God 
 should be their God, and that they would go with 
 him wherever he went. 
 
 And now he prepared to depart : already the 
 walls and goodly dwellings, the groves and gardens, 
 of another colony in the wild, were present to 
 his sanguine hope ; and, in the spring, they 
 embarked on the Ohio. Had the stranger then 
 looked on the broad river, down which the group 
 of canoes was rapidly passing, — in some were the 
 warrior converts, armed to the teeth, and the 
 crest of black plumes on their heads — in others, 
 the dauntless missionary and his people, — he would 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 47 
 
 have said the enterprise was a forlorn and desperate 
 one. 
 
 At times the Moravian hymn passed over the 
 waters, and for the first time broke on their soli- 
 tude—sweet, inspiring, full of hope and love to God: 
 one of his own translations into the Delaware, for 
 his powerful and melodious voice was greatly ad- 
 mired by the savages. 
 
 After many days, they came to the Beaver falls, 
 and landing, carried their canoes and baggage over 
 hills and through savannas, and, at the end of 
 three weeks, halted in the waste, and founded 
 Friedenstadt. As the town arose, the exiles looked 
 around with joy : they had once more a home and a 
 hearth of their own ; no blockhouse or rampart, no 
 midnight watch, were in Friedenstadt. Even here, 
 in spite of the distance, the dreaded people of Gos- 
 goschuenk continued to follow, that they might be 
 near the man they now loved and venerated, and 
 listen to his words. 
 
 In the spring of this year, Zeisberger became ac- 
 quainted with the most sincere and powerful of 
 all his friends, Netawatwees, prince of the Dela- 
 wares. During a journey, he was received and 
 lodged in his house, when *' he had suffered much 
 in wading through tracts of deep snow." He soon 
 perceived that he was in the presence of a man of 
 strong mind and commanding character : he adapt- 
 ed himself to the usages of the family, gave way to 
 their long fits of silence and abstraction,, or spoke 
 in oracular and descriptive sentences. 
 
 This nation being divided into three tribes, has 
 three principal chiefs, of whom the Unami is es- 
 teemed the first in rank. Such was Netawatwees, 
 who, by his judgment and address, had acquired the 
 reverence of the whole nation : he used to lay all 
 affairs of state before his counsellors for their con- 
 sideration, without telling them his own sentiments. 
 
48 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 When they had given their opinion, he either cahnly 
 approved of it, or stated his objections and amend- 
 ments, always alleging' the reasons of his disap- 
 probation. Til us he kept them active, and main- 
 tained his influence over their minds. 
 
 The friendship of this man was a shield and 
 buckler to Zeisberger, who was invited to form a new 
 settlement, on the river Muskingum, near to the 
 territory of the former. He accordingly set out to 
 examine the place, which was about seventy miles 
 from Lake Erie, and seventy-five from Friedenstadt. 
 It was a place of many attractions: a small lake, from 
 which the river, that ran through the plain, took its 
 source; its shores were verdant; there were good plant- 
 ing grounds, plenty of game, and every other conve- 
 nience for a colony. Formerly, a large fortified Indian 
 town had stood on the spot; and even now, the ruins 
 of ramparts and forts were visible. In the plain were 
 numerous groups of walnut, locust, and other trees, 
 with wild apple and plum trees. There was something 
 peculiarly wild in the scene — the extensive ruins of the 
 ancient Indians, partly shaded by trees, and near 
 the water-side, gave an interest to the extreme lone- 
 liness. It seemed as if a people had once dwelt 
 and flourished here, and either perished by an 
 inroad of their enemies, or else wandered to another 
 land. The former fate was the more probable, for 
 the site was too advantageous to be willingly for- 
 saken : and the Indian might be seen passing by, 
 looking earnestly, yet with awe, at the ruins; for ti^ey 
 are averse to dwell amid the desolation of other 
 homes. 
 
 Zeisberger took solemn possession of* the country, 
 in the name of the United Brethren. By the influence 
 of the Unami, this extensive grant, of all the lands 
 from the river Muskingum to Tuscarori, was made to 
 him ; and it was decreed, that all Indians living on the 
 borders of this country, should be directed to be- 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER, 49 
 
 have peaceably to the Moravians and their con- 
 verts. 
 
 But he had not long quitted the roof of his host, 
 when a renowned heathen preacher arrived, and 
 declared his doctrines to be false, and said that 
 he had enticed many natives over the great ocean. 
 The minds of the people were troubled, and a com- 
 motion was raised, when Netawatwees called a 
 council, and stilled the storm in an instant. He 
 described Zeisberger as a man of God, that he had 
 held converse with him by night and day, and that 
 his words were still sweet in his ear. He even sent 
 many of his people to assist in the building of 
 Schoenbrunn, or " The Beautiful Spring," as the 
 new town was called — where the adventurous mis- 
 sionary had once more arrived from Friedenstadt, 
 with several families, consisting of about thirty per- 
 sons. This was the loveliest of all his settlements, 
 and the one that lay nearest to his heart. It was 
 now May, in the year 1772. 
 
 In the mean while, he found time to continue his 
 translations into the Delaware and Mohican lan- 
 guages, consisting of many portions of the scrip- 
 tures, hymns, and short religious treatises. When 
 the township of Schoenbrunn was completed, and 
 its environs brought into good cultivation, the 
 teaching and improvement of the people became 
 more regular and rapid. During the erection of a 
 place of worship, the congregation gathered in the 
 open air, beside the shores of the little lake : but 
 the spacious chapel was no sooner finished, than it 
 was filled by a numerous assembly, among whom 
 was often the prince of the Delawares. A school- 
 house also rose, and was attended by a goodly num- 
 ber of scholars, where Zeisberger introduced his 
 Delaware reading and spelling-book. 
 
 Among those who came to look and admire, was the 
 chief, Assiningk, who, about nineteen years before, 
 
 u. E 
 
50 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 had taken prisoner a beautiful child of a white family, 
 in Virginia. The parents had either perished or 
 taken flight : but Assiningk brought the orphan to 
 his home, treated her with kindness, and, as she 
 grew up to womanhood, he began to regard her with 
 affection. So lone, so lovely a being, dependent on his 
 care alone, awoke all the tenderness of the savage. 
 She had been long separated from her Virginian 
 home : her captor was powerful, and loved her ; he 
 was still in the prime of life, and the world had no 
 other refuge than his roof. They were married, 
 and lived happily : but when she came to the morn- 
 ing meeting at the settlement, and listened to the 
 hymn, and the discourse that followed — all the long- 
 buried ties and memories of home broke forth 
 afresh ; she burst into tears, as she recalled the 
 time when, with her lost parents, she had gone to 
 the worship of God, near her once-loved roof : 
 '• This morning is the happiest of my life," she said, 
 in her Indian dialect. 
 
 And had Zeisberger no remembrance of departed 
 scenes, and moments never to return, in Hernhuth 
 and Moravia ? He recalled them with emotion, but 
 not with regret; for his Indian homes, barren as they 
 might be to the eye and the fancy, were not so to 
 his heart. 
 
 It is sometimes observable, that with men who 
 make their home " in the wild places of the earth,'* 
 to whose burning zeal many nations seem too narrow 
 a limit, there is little susceptibility to the warm affec- 
 tions of our nature, which are quenched in a loftier 
 enthusiasm. Howard traversed all Europe to bring 
 comfort to its dungeons, but was a stern father to 
 his only son. The angelic Lopez left his illus- 
 trious family in Spain, and went to Mexico, to the 
 valley of Amajac, to devote his life to the Indians; 
 but never after inquired for his parents or his 
 brothers, because he wished to die to each earthly 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 51 
 
 attachment. It was not thus with Zeisberger, whose 
 way was strewed with many a friendship, deep, ro- 
 mantic, and faithful, as was ever felt by man, and the 
 more enduring because it was formed in sorrow and 
 persecution. The son of Saul had not so cleaved 
 unto David with " a love passing that of woman," but 
 that the latter, encompassed by treachery and death, 
 was thrown helplessly on his protection. And it was 
 not the calumet of peace, his skill in the chase, or 
 the welcome of the night, that knit the soul of the 
 warrior to the Moravian : — he came a fugitive and 
 friendless ; his heart-felt appeal was heard — and the 
 chieftain who, had he met him armed in the woods, 
 would have thirsted for his blood, admired his suffer- 
 ings and endurance ; stood in the breach against his 
 adversaries; and, after a time, he loved him! But 
 many had now fallen from his side ; some he had 
 followed to the wild burial-place in the forest ; 
 others had perished in battle, or at the stake. 
 Of his European companions, several had passed the 
 Atlantic to calmer scenes. Frederic Camerhoff, 
 Pyrloeus, and others, already rested from their 
 labours. His parents slept in the burial-ground at 
 Bethlehem ; but ere their eyes were closed by their 
 only son, they had felt the inexpressible joy of seeing 
 him devoted, in his own words, " soul and body unto 
 the Lord." His intimacy with Spangenberg, and 
 the admirable CamerhofF, had been cemented in 
 many a pilgrimage : others came in their place, but 
 they were not the same, in aflTection or companion- 
 ship. Men who live in towns and cities, amidst all 
 the stirring excitements and changes of life, find it 
 easy to form fresh intimacies and friendships; but to 
 one who was a denizen of the wild, far from Euro- 
 pean society, this was a difficult task. 
 
 But a constant intelligence by letter was main- 
 tained with Europe, and the most distant stations 
 of the heathen; and these tidings were as " a well of 
 
 e2 
 
52 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 \vater in a thirsty land." Thus, it is observed, '* A 
 chief concern of the Brethren was to keep the unity 
 of the Spirit in all the congregations in the various 
 parts of the world. Though their outward situations 
 were ever so different and remote from each other in 
 the islands and wildernesses, care was taken that 
 they might not be strangers to each other, or igno- 
 rant of the inward and outward circumstances of 
 other congregations. This end was promoted by a 
 stated correspondence." 
 
 The career of Louis Count Zinzendorf had drawn 
 to a close; his daughter had married the bishop, 
 John de Wattevilie, the descendant of the baron of 
 that name, of Montmirail, in Switzerland. At the 
 chateau of Montmirail, Louis had often paused in 
 his wanderings, but his feet were sometimes ac- 
 quainted with strange resting-places : in one part of 
 Germany several offers of residences were made 
 him ; but he chose an old ruinous castle on the top 
 of a hill, the ancient feudal hold of Ronneburg, 
 whose apartments were decayed and desolate. 
 When he closed at last his most useful life, the 
 funeral ceremony was splendid : the imperial guards 
 followed the remains ; the nobility and gentry 
 came from the surrounding cities, to the number of 
 two thousand, to Hernhuth, which he so loved in 
 life, and where he desired to rest in death. The 
 Moravians, of both sexes, walked in procession, 
 with the choristers, and a band of music : and ere 
 the body was committed to the vault, they prayed 
 solemnly, that they also might rest from their 
 Inbours, as he, their leader and head, now rested. 
 He had been the early patron of Zeisberger. 
 
 Of his native land of Moravia, the latter some- 
 times heard. Anna Nitschman, a young woman 
 of opulent fimily, had been a fugitive thence 
 some years before, being among those who learn:;d 
 at Hernhuth, as it is said, " to forget by degrees, 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 53 
 
 and be content without, their great and rich farms." 
 The lot fell upon Anna, " whose youth was supplied 
 by a rich measure of grace imparted to her, to be 
 elderess of the congregation." She soon after en- 
 tered into a covenant with seventeen single women, 
 who were of the same mind with her, to give no 
 attention to any thoughts or overtures of marriage, 
 but to devote themselves entirely to religion. There 
 was, however, a clause, that if any offers of mar- 
 riage were brought to them through the elders of 
 the congregation, they might be allowed a consi- 
 deration : but the eye was not to be pleased, nor 
 the fancy idly followed. Such was the origin of the 
 single sisters' choirs, as they are termed, in the 
 Moravian establishments. 
 
 Julius de Seidlitz, a Silesian nobleman, lord of 
 Upper Peilau, who had been cast into prison for his 
 attachment to the United Brethren, was at last set 
 free, and received them into his castle : he super- 
 intended several of the congregations, and preached 
 in his own castle, where the spacious hall could 
 scarcely contain the hearers. Singular and im- 
 pressive must have been the scene, of the powerful 
 nobleman preaching to the assembly of exiles, in his 
 ancient and gloomy hall, where knights and barons 
 had feasted, where the harp and the song had 
 chased away the hours of night. Count Julius 
 no longer mingled in the gaieties of the court, or 
 even in the hunting parties and carousals of the 
 neighbouring lords : the building of Gnadenfrey, 
 a Moravian settlement, was begun under his direc- 
 tion, on one of his estates. To a man resident on 
 the Muskingum, these details from Europe were 
 most welcome, as well as from the missions in 
 various parts of the world. But this troubled 
 mission to the savage, had fewer candidates from 
 Hernhuth than that of Greenland : few single 
 sisters seemed to be disposed to leave their calm 
 
54 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 home, and be the companions of so adventurous a 
 life. They had lately built themselves spacious 
 choir-houses : weary of living in contiguous or 
 separate dwellings, the single sisters had erected 
 a new home, or choir-house, where, contrary to 
 general experience, Protestant or Catholic, they 
 dwelt in excellent harmony and kindliness. The 
 widows, *' who were growing too numerous for 
 their habitations," also had an excellent dwelling 
 erected. 
 
 One youthful woman, who crossed the Atlantic at 
 this time, S. Ohneberg, set out, with two compa- 
 nions, to visit the settlements on the Muskingum : 
 they passed over the Allegany and Laurel moun- 
 tains ; the way was long and weary, no home to 
 welcome, no shelter from the rain and storm ! An 
 English officer made them a present of a travelhng- 
 tent, which was a great comfort. Soon afterwards, 
 they fell in with an ambush of three natives, who were 
 seeking to get scalps ; and the fair Moravian was 
 in imminent danger of having her long hair and brow 
 made the ornament of a savage's hut, the musket- 
 balls passing through the midst of the party. At 
 last, they saw the dwelling and groves of Schoen- 
 brunn before them, " where their arrival gave inex- 
 pressible pleasure to the congregations." S. Ohne- 
 berg returned no more to Germany : such enterprise 
 proved her to possess the best qualifications for the 
 wife of an Indian Missionary : she was soon after 
 married to Heckenwalder, the friend of Zeisberger. 
 
 Several novel guests had come to the settlements 
 in America, to Bethlehem and other places, where 
 their presence excited great interest : these were 
 three natives of Greenland, who came with Matthew 
 Stach. Among them was the youthful and devoted 
 Judith, already spoken of in the history of the 
 Greenland mission. After travelling through part 
 of Europe with her companions, she had crossed 
 
DAVID ZlilSBIiPvGKK. 55 
 
 the Atlantic, to observe the state cf tl»e missions. 
 The son of Kaiarnac, tlie first useful convert in the 
 frozen zone, was one of the number: but Judith 
 Issek, as slie is termed, looked curiously on the 
 dwellings and habits of the Indian converts, so 
 different from those of her own land : she wore the 
 European dress, and possessed an agreeable person 
 and manners. 
 
 . This life, so wild, so remote from the smiles and 
 endearments of the world, on which every morrow 
 might gather " clouds and blackness," Zeisberger 
 but loved the more as his years increased. No 
 expression of desire for a more fixed or peaceful 
 condition, is ever visible in his letters : it was well 
 that his frame was of iron, and his heart knew not 
 fear. The hours also must have been well hus- 
 banded, and stolen from the night-watches, as well 
 as the early morn, else the many and jarring avoca- 
 tions would have made as great a confusion as that 
 of the tower of Babel. Yet it is inconceivable, how 
 he could find time for his translations: sometimes he 
 would occupy the day in the chase of the bear, the 
 panther, or the elk, which latter abounded on the 
 Muskingum, or Elk's Eye, as it was called : return- 
 ing at eve to Schoenbrunn, he would survey the 
 progress in building and planting, as well as in the 
 schools ; examine the pupils ; hold a meeting at 
 night, or deliver an address to the assembly ; and 
 then, repairing to his lonely dwelling, pass several 
 hours in the study of his Indian literature. There 
 were also other calls upon his time : it is observed, 
 that " Zeisberger received, every day, visits from 
 people who came to salute him as their father ; 
 and some, who were ill, were much pleased by his 
 willingness and dexterity in granting them relief." 
 The Indian physician observes many mysterious 
 ceremonies, and requires an enormous fee. In 
 mixing up his roots and herbs, he pretends to drive 
 
56 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 the evii spirit into the desert, and there to bind 
 him fast. Sometimes he creeps into the oven, where 
 he sweats, howls, and roars, and now and then grins 
 horribly at his patient, who is laid before the open- 
 ing-, till both of them are half baked. On one occa- 
 sion, an Indian physician put on a large bear-skin, 
 so that his arms were covered with the fore-legs, his 
 feet with the hind, and his head entirely concealed 
 in the bear's head, with the addition of glass eyes. 
 He came on, with a calabash in his hand, singing, 
 and dancing, and scattering hot ashes in the air, 
 entered the patient's hut, to contend with the devil, 
 whom he pretty closely resembled. 
 
 The simple and efficacious remedies of Zeisberger 
 took away many patients, as well as gains, from 
 these native physicians, who were as furious as the 
 people of Ephesus, at the passing away of idolatry. 
 They heaped on his head all manner of maledictions 
 and incantations, and the invoking the demons to 
 destroy him was not spared ; for the forsaken 
 doctors began to go about, looking lank and discon- 
 solate, instead of wallowing in plenty, and imposing 
 upon all their patients. Instead of being half 
 roasted, and frightened to death, and held over the 
 pit of heil, the sick Indians gazed with delight on 
 Zeisberger, who stood by their bed-side with a mild 
 and encouraging aspect, and spoke of mercy and 
 peace, even while he put the simples to their lips. 
 Had the medical men dared to poison him, the deed 
 was easy ; for the Delawares were instructed by the 
 Nantikoks to prepare a peculiar kind of poison, which 
 was capable of infecting whole townships and tribes : 
 it was the favourite Indian means of suicide, as it 
 kills in a few hours. The Nantikoks, who were the 
 wretched inventors of this art, nearly destroyed their 
 whole nation by it. This people had an infernal 
 skill in extracting the noxious qualities of herbs and 
 trees : they had one kind of poison, that brought on 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 57 
 
 certain death in three or four months ; another, that 
 caused a slow decay, without pain, for a year or 
 longer, but admitted of no cure. A Mohican mother 
 . lost her eldest son by one of these poisons ; a few 
 months after, her youngest son was despatched in the 
 same way, by a noted sorcerer. She seldom quit- 
 ted the grave, but mourned over it without ceasing, 
 making her lament — "The sorcerer has murdered my 
 son, has murdered my son, my eldest born ; and then 
 the sorcerer slew the youngest, the widow's only child 
 was slain." 
 
 Such was now the report of the colony of " The 
 Beautiful Spring," that a number of families from 
 Friedenshuetten, and other places, emigrated there. 
 In 1776, it was resolved to form another settle- 
 ment still higher up the Muskingum river, on its 
 very banks. Zeisberger and Heckenwalder, with 
 eight families, went from Schoenbrunn to the spot 
 proposed for the building of Lichtenau. They 
 built one street, north and south, with the chapel 
 in the centre ; for many came to help them. The 
 spot was wisely chosen, for the savages came here 
 from the most distant parts, and heard the gospel 
 with an abiding blessing. Among them were a few 
 who came from the river Illinois, a distance of a 
 thousand miles. Many of the converts were in the 
 habit of visiting the nearest European settlements. 
 The following sketch is given of their behaviour and 
 manners by one who then resided in the country. 
 
 '* The new converts sometimes came to Albany, 
 to partake of the sacrament, before a place of 
 worship was erected for them. They always spent 
 a night, or oftener two nights, here, before join- 
 ing in this holy rite. This place was their gene- 
 ral rendezvous from different quarters. They were 
 cordially received by my relations, who always 
 met together at this time, to have a conference v.ilh 
 them. These devout Indians seemed all impressed 
 
58 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 with the same feelings, and moved by the same 
 spirit. They were accommodated in a manner 
 quite conformable to their habits, in the passage, 
 porch, and offices ; and so deeply impressed were 
 they with a sense of the awful duty that brought 
 them there, and the rights of friendship and hos- 
 pitality, that though two hundred communicants, 
 with many of their children, were used to assemble 
 on these occasions, the smallest instance of riot or 
 impropriety was not known amongst them. They 
 brought little presents of game, or of curious handi- 
 crafts, and were liberally and kindly entertained 
 • by their good brother Philip, as they familiarly call- 
 ed him. In the evening, they all went apart to 
 secret prayer ; and in the morning, by dawn of 
 day, they assembled before the portico. Their en- 
 tertainers, who rose early to enjoy unobserved a 
 view of their devotion, beheld them, with their 
 mantles drawn over their heads, prostrate on the 
 earth, offering praises and fervent supplications to 
 their Maker. After some time spent in this man- 
 ner, they arose, and, seated in a circle on the 
 ground, with their heads veiled as formerly, they 
 sang a hymn, which it was delightful to hear, from 
 ♦ the strength, richness, and sweet concord of their 
 uncommonly fine voices. Every one that ever heard 
 this sacred chorus, however indifferent to the purport 
 of it, felt it strongly. 
 
 *' The voices of the female Indians are particularly 
 sweet and powerful. I have often heard my friend 
 dwell with singular pleasure on the recollection of 
 these scenes, and of the conversations she and the 
 Colonel used to hold with the Indians, whom she 
 described as possessed of very superior powers of 
 understanding; and, in their religious views and 
 conversations, uniting the ardour of proselytes with 
 the firm decision and inflexible steadiness of their 
 national character." 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 59 
 
 In 1776, the believing Indians in Schoenbrunn 
 and Lichtenau consisted of three hundred persons, 
 and the greatest harmony subsisted among them. 
 Netawatwees was a frequent guest at Zeisberger's 
 dwelling; and, in return, the latter visited the 
 home of this noble chieftain, where he was al- 
 ways kindly welcomed. Slowly, yet without 
 ceasing, he sought to lead the mind of his friend 
 to the love of Christianity — not by ardent appeals, 
 for he saw they were not suitable to his calm and 
 reflecting mind. In their conversations, which were 
 often prolonged to a late hour in the night, beside 
 the dying embers of the fire, while the rest of the 
 family were sleeping around, he mingled frequent 
 allusions to the gospel of Christ, its truth, its dig- 
 nity, its everlasting value. The host would pause 
 at times, as if lost in thought. The first convert 
 at Lichtenau was a nephew of the prince. Struck 
 by this event, he became yet more thoughtful about 
 his own salvation. He related to Zeisberger, that 
 he had been thirteen Sundays to Lichtenau to hear 
 the truth, and that when he returned, he had cut thir- 
 teen notches in the bark of the trees as he passed 
 along, so that whenever he went through the woods 
 to hunt, or with his warriors, these notches met 
 his eye at every turn ; and he frequently paused, 
 and wept to think how often he had heard of his 
 Redeemer, without embracing his salvation. This 
 was a humble and beautiful confession, from so 
 powerful a man. Soon after, he received a message 
 from the Hurons, that " The Delawares should keep 
 their shoes in readiness to join the warriors." He 
 returned an answer of defiance ; and warned them 
 to sit still in their homes. 
 
 This was the golden period of Zeisberger's career : 
 of the various settlements he had rescued from the 
 desert, none could equal in loveliness or prosperity 
 those of Schoenbrunn and Lichtenau. At last the 
 
60 DAVID ZEISBEtlGER. 
 
 sole and dominant ambition of his heart was grati- 
 fied — to found a colony, that might be like an 
 infant city in the wilderness, prosperous, fast increas- 
 ing, with a thriving commerce, an extensive agricul- 
 ture, a devoted church, to which the nations should 
 gather from far and wide. In every former settle- 
 ment he had felt, after a time, a restlessness of 
 mind, a persuasion that he must yet seek a nobler 
 home — and now, when he cast his eyes on " the 
 Beautiful Spring," he felt that his soul could fold 
 her wings, and take her rest at last. If we esti- 
 mate the lot of this man by its troubles and diffi- 
 culties, we shall surely judge wrongly — the excite- 
 ments of the way were indelible — the retrospect was 
 full of victory — on the future was no fear or mis- 
 giving : a deathless energy, a glorious hope, were 
 ever in his heart. Oh how beautiful, how welcome, 
 when the desires of our heart, and the rev/ards of 
 our hands, are given us, and when with these also 
 is given the fulness of the blessings of God ! 
 House was added to house, street to street, the 
 chapels were the largest he had ever built, and 
 would not contain the people. The prince of the 
 Delawares was devotedly attached to him, and the 
 whole nation received with attention the words of 
 truth : embassies also came from other and distant 
 tribes, declaring their readiness to receive the gos- 
 pel, and their personal regard for the teacher. He 
 could not but feel how powerful was his influence 
 among many of the nations : this influence was 
 preserved by the perfect simplicity of his manners 
 and tastes, and his skill in their favourite exercises : 
 he could handle the spear, hurl the tomahawk, or 
 bring down the deer with a successful aim. 
 
 External troubles, however, were not wanting. 
 The Cherokees had declared war against one of the 
 smaller tribes, and destroyed a whole town, not. 
 very far from the settlements, and put all the in- 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 61 
 
 Labitants to the sword. Netawatwees sent an em- 
 bassy to the former, and commanded them not to 
 injure the Moravians. The Cherokees, not liking to 
 be stayed in their bloody career, received the depu- 
 ties sullenly, yet were obliged to consent, out of 
 fear of the Delawares. A few months after, Zeis- 
 berger, being on a journey, met a great man of the 
 Cherokees in the way : the latter looked fiercely on 
 him for a few moments, then suddenly stretched 
 out his hand, saying in a loud voice, " This day 
 God hath so ordered, that we should see and speak 
 with each other face to face." The Senecas soon 
 after broke into the country ; many of the converts, 
 as well as white traders, fled to the home of Neta- 
 watwees, where they were safe from harm. This 
 conduct at last brought on him the hatred of some of 
 the other tribes, whose threats he treated with scorn. 
 The loss of this chieftain, that happened at the 
 close of the following year, was the heaviest calam- 
 ity that could have befallen the mission. " He was," 
 says Zeisber^er, "the ablest Indian ruler of his time ; 
 of great prudence in governing. Of late years, 
 his good management has amazingly increased the 
 reputation of his people : he spared no pains to 
 conciliate the affections of all his neighbours." 
 His death was a memorable one : calling his war- 
 riors and counsellors around him, he uttered his last 
 will and testament : " That the Delawares should 
 hear and believe the word of God, preached by 
 the Moravian >." They bound themselves by a cove- 
 nant to use their utmost exertions to fulfil the last 
 will of their loved Unami. He then called Zeis- 
 berger near to him, and entreated to hear more of 
 the things of God ; while the latter spoke in strong 
 emotion, the chieftain breathed his last. While 
 they all stood in silence around, the first warrior 
 of the Delawares, called, from his very bright and 
 piercing look, " White Eye," holding the bible iu 
 
62 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 his hand, while his tears fell fast, thus addressed 
 them, " My friends, you have now heard the last 
 will of our departed chief. Let us obey it. Let 
 us tell it to our young men, and to our children, 
 and speak of it when we hunt in the forest, or go 
 to meet our enemies face to face. We will kneel 
 down before that God who created us, and pray 
 that he will have mercy upon us, and reveal his 
 will unto us. And as we cannot declare it to those 
 ■who are yet unborn, we will pray unto the Lord our 
 God, to make it known to our children, and chil- 
 dren's children." 
 
 The day after his decease, a formal and numer- 
 ous embassy of the Cherokees arrived, to renew 
 their alliance with the Delawarcs. The ambassa- 
 dors halted about two miles below the town, and 
 sent word that they had arrived thus far. The day 
 after, some captains went down, to bid them wel- 
 come. As they drew near the town, they were sur- 
 rounded by a large number of Indians, and con- 
 ducted to the council-honse. All being seated, the 
 first ambassador of the Cherokees expressed his 
 sorrow for the death of the Delaware chief, and the 
 share he felt in the general mourning : he said, 
 " I wrap up his remains in cloth, I bury them, and 
 cover the grave with bark. I wipe the tears off 
 the eyes of the weeping nation, and take away all 
 sorrow from their hearts." He then drew near the 
 corpse, which was laid out in the council-room, 
 wrapped in a large piece of fine linen, and laid a long 
 string of wampum, with a present of linen and silk, 
 beside it. Then the successor of the departed rose 
 to reply, and said, " We are thankful that you 
 sorrow with us ; you have heard by the way what 
 has entered into our hearts. Our whole nation 
 weeps for our chief; he was a rock, and we had 
 rest in his shadow. When the sun goes down, we 
 bury his remains, and cover the grave with bark, 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 63 
 
 that neithe'' the dew of heaven, nor rain, may fall 
 upon it. Then we will put your heart in good 
 order, and make it cheerful." 
 
 The burial place, as is usual, was at some dis- 
 tance from the dwellings. The vast assemblage of 
 mourners, and the love and respect in which they 
 all held the deceased, made the interment a solemn 
 and impressive scene. The corpse, wrapped in a 
 white linen cloth, with the favourite arms laid be- 
 side, was borne slowly : each morn and eve, while 
 it lay in state, the female relations and friends had 
 assembled round, and mourned over it. But now 
 there was silence, as the deep files of brave and 
 sorrowing men, each face wrapped in gloom, and 
 fixed on the earth, passed on : the deadly hatred of 
 rival tribes was forgotten in this hour — the Chero- 
 kee and the Huron walked side by side with the 
 Delaware. The coffin was placed in the grave, 
 and as the body, according to custom, was let 
 down into it, and the grave filled with earth, the 
 women set up a dreadful howl. It is deemed a 
 shame to a man to weep ; yet, in silence and 
 apart, many strove to hide their emotion. A tall 
 post, neatly carved, on which his glorious deeds 
 were portrayed, was erected at the head of the 
 corpse. In the midst of the funeral throng, and 
 among the foremost warriors, walked Zeisberger, in 
 his Delaware dress, but little distinguishable from 
 the others — save that he wept bitterly. And when 
 the earth closed over his friend and protector, he 
 felt a foreboding that a dark change was at hand. 
 
 The loss of the prince was quickly felt. A fierce 
 war broke out between the Hurons and the Senecas. 
 The Delawares, who were the nearest neighbours to 
 the settlements, resolved to join the former : the 
 destruction of the mission seemed inevitable, for 
 parties of the combatants were perpetually passing 
 by. In the dead of night troops were seen steal- 
 
6 4 DAViD ZEISBERGER. 
 
 iiig through the woods, to surprise their enemies. 
 The Moravians were several times driven from their 
 plantations at noon-day. An extract from the 
 narrative of Heckenwalder gives a picture of the 
 time. 
 
 *' When in April, 1778, after long absence, I 
 again saw Zeisberger at Lichtenau, I immediately 
 perceived that he was in a very distressed state of 
 mind. Grief and anxiety have also had an ema- 
 ciating effect on his body. About this time, a large 
 sealed letter, signed by the governor of Detroit, 
 was brought to him by some Wyondat Indians. It 
 contained a positive command, accompanied by 
 threats, that the teachers of the Christian Indians 
 should, without delay, march against the rebels on 
 the other side of the Ohio, kill them, and send him 
 their scalps. The threats added to it were as 
 dreadful as the command itself. ' Here,' exclaimed 
 Zeisberger, ' we have it under their own hand and 
 seal, that the destruction of the mission is what the 
 enemy aims at, and whenever I think of it, I suffer 
 something like the pangs of death.' " 
 
 About this time died Papunhauk, the celebrated 
 teacher and convert; was steadfast to the last in the 
 faith which he had embraced ; greatly respected by 
 his friends, and persecuted by his enemies; and highly 
 useful to the Christians, by his influence and sa- 
 gacity. During many years, the affairs of Schoen- 
 brunn were committed to his charge, as warden of 
 the congregation. Zeisberger had no time to mourn 
 for the dead ; all his thoughts were given to the 
 safety of the living. Disasters thickened every 
 hour, and the whole country was a scene of wanton 
 ravao-e : the founder of Schoenbrunn and Lich- 
 
 • • mi 
 
 tcnau already foreboded their destruction. The 
 anticipation was bitter : no man can calmly forsake 
 the home he has loved, the familiar scenes, the very 
 chambers where many a happy moment has passed, 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 65 
 
 and leave them to an enemy ! And his heart 
 cleaved to " The Beautiful Spring," and its brother 
 colony : he had believed they would flourish long, 
 fair and prosperous towns, as well as enduring con- 
 gregations unto God. His hand had marked out 
 the dwellings, the fields, the gardens ; two goodly 
 chapels also, each of which could contain five hun- 
 dred persons. Must the people go forth again into 
 the desert, without a home ? Whenever he laid 
 down to snatch a hurried slumber, he dreaded to 
 hear the war-whoop, and see the flames kindle, ere 
 the morning light. Well acquainted, from his long 
 residence among the Iroquois, with the various 
 modes of savage warfare, he passed great part of 
 the nights, anxiously traversing the plain and the 
 woods, where the foe might be stealthily advancing 
 through the gloom. Alone, he watched every alarm, 
 each beacon fire, and distant shout, for he knew the 
 war-cry of every tribe : treachery also was abroad, for 
 several of the people had already been surprised and 
 slain. Nothing escaped his vigilance; even the rust- 
 ling of the leaves, where some savage might be trail- 
 ing his body along, or the sudden flashes of flame in 
 the forest, by the discovery of which, Bethlehem was 
 once preserved. 
 
 All was not melancholy : there were some noble 
 and consoling passages. The first warrior of the 
 Delawares, White Eye, who had sworn, beside the 
 death-bed of the Unami, to adhere to the gospel, 
 was faithful to his word. He declared to the Indian 
 deputies, as well as the commissioners of the con- 
 gress, that the Delawares had resolved to embrace 
 Christianity ; in many a peril, he stood in the 
 breach, and rendered essential services: his courage, 
 and his fame in war, with his fidelity to God, made 
 his friendship invaluable. . But a few months had 
 scarcely elapsed, ere he followed his prince to the 
 grave. Then the enemies of Zeisberger giew more 
 
 H. F 
 
66 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 bold and relentless : he was personally hated by the 
 Mingoes, who were a tribe of thieves and murderers; 
 he knew that a plot was laid against his life : the 
 great danger he was in, being mentioned to him by 
 letter, his answer was, '* If 1 am in danger, I cannot 
 prevent it, and will not fly from it : but I commit 
 my work, my fate, my future course, to my gracious 
 Lord and Master, whom I serve. I remain cheer- 
 ful and confident." One day, as he was wandering 
 alone, he met eight Mingoes : "There," exclaimed 
 the leader, as soon as he saw him, " is the man 
 whom we have long wished to see, and to secure ; 
 do now as you think proper." The savages looked 
 fixedly at him — he was wholly in their power : a 
 single blow of the tomahawk, or a rifle ball, was 
 sufficient for their revenge, and no other eye 
 could have seen the deed : — in a few moments, they 
 turned from the spot, and walked swiftly away. 
 
 The war had broken out between England and 
 her colonies : the Hurons, who took part with the 
 former, sent the Delawares the large war-belt three 
 times successively, demanding their assistance in 
 the war. The latter returned the war-belt, being 
 firmly resolved to maintain peace. The Americans 
 advised the Moravians to take care of themselves. 
 On a sudden, intelligence was brought that two 
 hundred Huron warriors, headed by their leader, 
 called Half-king, were on their march against them. 
 It was resolved to shew no signs of fear, but, if 
 possible, to disarm the invaders by a kind recep- 
 tion. Numerous oxen were killed, and sent, with 
 abundance of other food, to the village where the 
 Hurons had halted. The Half-king was a person- 
 age not to be trifled with : in an action with a 
 body of Americans, who soon after marched against 
 him, he entirely defeated, and killed the greatest 
 part of them. An embassy was also sent with a 
 string of wampum, several fathoms in length. 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 67 
 
 'There was great alarm at the settlements : a guard 
 was kept day and night. 
 
 The Huron leader was gratified, and said that 
 the gifts were pleasant to his eye, and that the 
 words had penetrated his heart. " God," said 
 Zeisberger, before he heard of the result, '' who 
 has preserved us through so many dangers, will 
 shelter us beneath the shadow of his wings." The 
 following day the Half-king and eighty-two of his 
 warriors came to Lichtenau. They were first shewn 
 into the school-house ; he shook hands with Zeis- 
 berger, and then spoke as follows : " We rejoice 
 to see our father, and to take him by the hand ; 
 nor shall any thing henceforth disturb your minds, 
 but our covenant shall remain firm for ever. We 
 will acquaint the other nations with the proceed- 
 ings of this day, and they will doubtless rejoice." 
 He returned a suitable answer; after which, the 
 missionaries and the Huron and his officers dined 
 under a hut made of green boughs ; the other 
 warriors seated themselves in the shade in front of 
 the place, and were so richly provided for, that 
 they were full of kindness and courtesy. 
 
 Could treachery lurk beneath all this fair shew ? 
 Even now, while they sat together beneath the 
 shade of the boughs, their eyes, full of the thirst 
 of rapine, were turned eagerly on the rich town- 
 ships. Not long after, a plan was formed for the 
 expulsion of the Moravians, as well as their con- 
 verts, to which the governor of Fort Detroit lent 
 himself. The English agent of Indian aflfairs went 
 to Niagara, to attend the great council of the Iro- 
 quois, to incite them to the deed. This was held 
 by the river side, not far from the falls : the scene 
 must have been a wild and strange one, — of the 
 multitude of Iroquois, completely armed ; their 
 deep silence and solemn array ; the distant rushing 
 of the waters, that came on the ear like the din of 
 
 f2 
 
68 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 battle afar off. Perhaps there was a feeling of 
 superstition in the choice of such a scene for their 
 council ; for the Indians believe the great Spirit 
 has his dwelling beside the mighty fall of waters. 
 An old traveller relates, that an Indian chief, who 
 accompanied him to the falls of St. Anthony^ 
 offered up his pipe, tobacco-pouch, bracelets, and 
 ear-rings, and prayed with great emotion to the 
 Spirit to protect him. There were many speakers 
 in the assembly, but the Iroquois, after hearing the 
 arguments on both sides, decidedly refused to expel 
 the Christians. 
 
 The Chippaways and the Ottawas, who were next 
 applied to, said that they had no reason for such 
 an action. The same message was sent to the 
 Half-king of the Hurons, who did not scruple to 
 break the covenant he had made at Lichtenau ; he 
 ^t . out with his people, and proceeded straight to 
 Gnadenhuetten, a settlement that had been formed 
 some miles from the former place. They came 
 on like a torrent ; and the Delawares, divided in 
 their councils, did not oppose them. They shot 
 jail the cattle on the plantations, and the women and 
 children began to be afraid of death. Zeisberger, 
 Sensaman, and Heckenwalder arrived a few days 
 after, and soon perceived how matters stood. They 
 were summoned before a council of war ; they 
 spoke boldly to the Huron leader, and the assembly 
 broke up without any results. 
 
 A Delaware captain took Zeisberger aside, and 
 told him in secret, that as he was adopted one of 
 their nation, and consequently one flesh and bone 
 with them, the Delaware warriors were willing to 
 protect him. But as this protection was only to 
 extend to himself, and not to his companions, he 
 instantly refused the offer ; on which they were 
 immediately seized by a party of Hurons, and dragged 
 off. Some blows were aimed at them with spears. 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 69 
 
 but without any fatal effect : they were stripped to 
 their shirts, closely bound and guarded, and com- 
 pelled to sit upon the bare ground all night, with 
 nothing to screen them from the cold. The dwell- 
 ings were plundered, and set on fire : and the death- 
 song was raised by the Hurons ; its burden was an 
 awful one. Justly did Zeisberger say, that the 
 anguish of soul he suffered, was '* worse than the 
 pangs of death." 
 
 The flames of his loved towns were awfully 
 visible ; and their progress was accompanied by the 
 shouts of the victors, and the mourning of the 
 captives, who could not behold the quick destruc- 
 tion without irrepressible sorrow. Ere the morn- 
 ing dawned, all for which he had so yearned' and 
 toiled, would be no better than the ruined Indian 
 town on the shore, whose ramparts were now red- 
 dened with the glare. The chapels, the school- 
 houses, where masters had been appointed for the 
 classes of young men, and mistresses for the young 
 women, were burning to ashes — and with them were 
 consumed the manuscripts, thebooks, the Indian trans- 
 lations, on which he had laboured so many years. All 
 the beautiful order of his regulations, the prosperity 
 of his people, was like a dream of the night, that 
 ** when one waketh, it is even as if it had never 
 been." Bound hand and foot, stretched on the bare 
 earth, his helpless companions lying around him, 
 the death-song in his ears — what a night of misery 
 and horror passed slowly by! 
 
 During four days and nights they were treated in 
 this cruel manner, and at last called before the Half- 
 king, who declared them free, but ordered them to 
 prepare instantly for their emigration. It is de- 
 scribed cis follows : — 
 
 *' But they never forsook any country with more 
 regret. They were now obliged to forsake three 
 beautiful settlements, Gnadenhuetten, Salem, and 
 
70 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 Schoenbrunn, and the greatest part of their posses- 
 sions in them. They had aheady lost above four 
 hundred head of cattle. Besides this, thev left a 
 great quantity of Indian corn in store, above three 
 hundred acres of corn land, where the harvest was 
 just ripening, besides potatoes, cabbage, and other 
 roots and garden fruits. According to a moderate cal- 
 culation, their loss was computed at twelve thousand 
 dollars, about two thousand pounds. But what gave 
 them most pain was the total loss of all books and 
 writings, compiled with great trouble, for the instruc- 
 tion of their youth. These were all burnt by the 
 savages. Added to this they had nothing before 
 them but distress, misery, and danger. However, 
 they could do notliing but possess their souls in 
 patience, and go forward, even whither they would 
 not." 
 
 Never was there a farewell more full of mourning: 
 they lifted up their voices, and wept aloud : on every 
 side were the smoking ashes of their happy homes : 
 it was like the going forth from ''the Deserted 
 Village," that could hardly have been more dear to 
 its exiles, than the " Beautiful Spring" was to this 
 people. Their families were numerous, and those of 
 the Indian converts far more so. A troop of Hurons 
 guarded them on the way ; and the dark phalanx 
 enclosed them on every side : as they passed on into 
 the wilderness, they often turned, and looked back. 
 
 In a few short months only, how fearfully all was 
 changed ! the Moravians might look on the founder 
 of Lichtenau, and say, in the words of old, *' Alas! 
 my brother ! — alas, his glory !" Had his ambition 
 been of this world, in his despair he would perhaps 
 have cheered his people to the onset, and broke 
 sword in hand through the captors. But he saw 
 that they looked up to him for hope and relief; and, 
 although his heart was almost broken, he preserved 
 a serene countenance, and spoke bright words of the 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 71 
 
 future. They travelled on, partly by water, and 
 partly by land, along the banks of the Muskingum, 
 to Sandusky creek. Many died, and were buried 
 in the solitudes, and their friends did not stay to 
 ■ mourn over them. At last, the Hurons departed, 
 and marched into their own country, leaving them 
 in a wilderness, where there was neither game 
 nor any other means of subsistence. Many parts 
 were infested with rattlesnakes and other serpents. 
 It was a hundred and thirty miles distant from their 
 forsaken towns. They roved to and fro for some time, 
 not knowing where to go. Ere the Hurons left them, 
 an instance of devotedness, worthy of the warrior, was 
 given by a young Indian woman: unseen, she found 
 means to mount a swift horse, and rode off full speed 
 to Pittsburgh, in order to bring succours. As soon 
 as her departure was known, she was instantly pur- 
 sued. At full speed, over the vast and level 
 plain, the Indian girl gallantly rode : neither 
 morass nor thicket stayed her course. Her enraged 
 pursuers were on the track; if taken, she knew 
 that her life would be the sacrifice, and that by a 
 slow and cruel torment. Yet, urged by a fearless 
 zeal, she baffled all the swiftness of the Hurons; 
 "who, when they saw that she could not be taken, 
 were enraged in the highest degree, and charged 
 the missionaries with having sent this woman to 
 call the Americans to their deliverance." 
 
 The mournful band still held on their way : as the 
 day-light failed, they sought anxiously for a place of 
 rest. In such a scene, in such an hour, with what 
 inexpressible hope and comfort do the promises of 
 God come on the soul. Their trust in earth was slain 
 utterly : homes they could rear, fields they could 
 plant — but never more such as were swept away 
 by the wrath of the savage. Stretched round the 
 embers of their camp-fires, or looking sadly on 
 their perishing children, these noble Moravians 
 
72 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 strove with their despair — " believed even against 
 hope;" and while their hearts bled for all they loved, 
 they blest the hand that chastened them. 
 
 In no situation does man seem so utterly helpless, 
 as in the bosom of a mighty desert ; in no situa- 
 tion can the soul so freely disengage itself from 
 earth, and enter within the veil of the spiritual and 
 eternal world. The sands, the boundless plain, the 
 everlasting precipice, even as when fresh from their 
 Creator's hand, — were they not the scenes where He 
 loved to reveal himself, in Mamre, in Sinai, in 
 Padan-aram ? And as Israel in the wilderness, when 
 no help was nigh — so felt the Moravians, when, 
 having halted for the night, they looked around, 
 " and all was nought :" then they worshipped together, 
 and having sung, knelt down and prayed. How 
 solemn and resistless must those sounds of melody 
 have passed over the waste ! — like those of many 
 martyred spirits appealing unto God, and asking 
 why he had forsaken them ? 
 
 At last, they pitched upon the best spot they 
 could find in this dreary wild. They built small 
 huts of logs and bark, as a shelter from the cold, 
 having neither beds nor blankets, and being re- 
 duced to the greatest poverty and want. The 
 savages had stolen their beds, and every kind of 
 covering. Zeisberger and three of his companions 
 resolved to travel to Fort Detroit. They passed 
 along the banks of the great lake of Erie, and 
 arrived at last at Detroit, and had an audience 
 of the governor, Arend Schuyler. Their details 
 and remonstrances made such an impression on his 
 mind, that he said he had been deceived by false 
 reports, and that he had believed them to be in 
 the American interest. They were then kindly dis- 
 missed, and were well lodged and provided for : 
 and a day of trial was appointed. Many English, 
 German, and French otficers visited them, and were 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 73 
 
 fiHed with compassion ; their clothes were torn and 
 tattered, their frames enfeebled with fatigue and the 
 cruel treatment they had received. The day of 
 trial arrived ; they were confronted with two of the 
 Indian chiefs, their oppressors : and the result was, 
 that they were solemnly declared innocent by the 
 governor. He offered them the use of his own 
 house, conferred with them on the state of the 
 mission, and, at last, dismissed them in peace, with 
 many presents. 
 
 The joy of their families and congregation was 
 very great, when they returned in safety. They 
 afterwards went on, and settled for some time, close 
 to the lake Erie : but the vast and cheerless prairies 
 around, bore little resemblance to the rich planta- 
 tions and pastures they had forsaken. 
 
 Zeisberger could not resist the desire to visit 
 the ruins of Lichtenau, for he longed to bring his 
 people back to that place. A faithful native 
 brought him word that a troop of Indians were out, 
 with a commission to bring him alive or dead. His 
 friends used every persuasion to induce him to 
 stay ; but he replied, '* My destinies are in the 
 hands of God. He neither slumbereth nor sleepeth. 
 I will go." The Moravians then engaged some 
 courageous Indians to accompany him, but as 
 they could not get ready immediately, their horses 
 being in the field, he set out by himself. They 
 watched his progress over the plain, till he was 
 lost in the distance ; he kept on his way, till 
 the approach of evening : and he was still 
 alone. No sound was heard in the waste, but the 
 tread of his horse's steps. He had arrived within 
 two leagues of Lichtenau, when he beheld, at no 
 great distance, the troop of bandits who were in 
 search of him. At that moment, two Delawares, 
 men of tried courage, returning from hunting, saw 
 Zeisberger at a distance, and hastened to join him 
 
74 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 one of them uttered a cry of joy. They all seized 
 their weapons, to defend themselves to the last, if 
 attacked. The enemy surveyed them some time ; 
 but, thinking it a case of doubtful issue, they at 
 last went reluctantly away. The Delawares would 
 not part from him : so they went on together to 
 the ruins of Lichtenau. He surveyed them in 
 sadness, yet with an interest more deep than any 
 new colony could have given : walls, and in some 
 places, roofs, were yet entire — but all was desolate ; 
 even in the groves many a half-consumed tree, and 
 prostrate trunk, told of the fury of the flame : in 
 some of the gardens there was a beauty still left, 
 the flowers, and plants, and fruit-trees were there, 
 all uncared for. The dead silence of the place 
 was perhaps more oppressive than the ravage : the 
 river rolled on through the plain, and no one re- 
 joiced in its course. No blessings of the basket 
 and the store were there : already the grass grew 
 wild and rank amidst the ruins of the dwellings 
 and the chapels, where he had hoped to breathe 
 his last, to rest from his toils, and sleep, while a 
 faithful people should be his memorial, and wit- 
 ness how he had served his God. The evening had set 
 in, and the sun was going down in glory on the little 
 lake, and the ramparts of the ruined Indian town on 
 the shore : could he have believed, when he raised 
 the homes and streets of '* the Beautiful Spring," 
 that yet a little while, and it should be even as 
 the things of old ? — blackening, forsaken, a shelter 
 for the wild beasts, for the eagle, and the vulture ! 
 Perhaps it is not easy to sympathize with the full 
 bitterness of his feelings. Eliot had a loved hearth 
 and circle, to whose tenderness he could turn when 
 all was dark without : the daughter and the son 
 spoke words of comfort in the father's ear, and 
 wiped the tears from his eyes. But Zeisberger had 
 none of these silver cords wound round his heart : 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 75 
 
 to his settlements he gave his love, his care, his 
 thoughts by day, his visions by night ; and Lich- 
 tenau and Schoenbrunn were unto him as two lone 
 and beautiful orphans, whom he had reared, over 
 whom he had watched ; and when ripening into 
 strength and glory — behold ! they were slain at his 
 feet, and he would that he had died also. Not 
 Marius amidst the ruins of Carthage, or the exile 
 by the waters of Babylon, when he thought of his 
 lost Palestine, felt more intensely than the lonely 
 man, as the night gathered over his fallen settle- 
 ments. While Zeisberger slept, the two Indians 
 kept watch all night amidst the ruins, or couched in 
 the rank grass, to guard against the enemy's sur- 
 prise ; for they knew the latter could not be far off. 
 
 Governor Schuyler now offered them a place on 
 the river Huron, and furnished them with provisions, 
 boats, and the necessary articles from the royal 
 stores. His lady presented them with a valuable 
 assortment of seeds and roots. They took their 
 departure, passed over the lake St. Clair, and 
 arrived, on the 21st of July, in the evening, at 
 the place destined for their future residence. It 
 was a fine site, situated midway between the lakes 
 Huron and Erie, and close to the beautiful lake 
 St. Clair. The river Huron flowed in front of their 
 dwellings ; the soil was excellent, and well wooded 
 with sycamore, beech, lime, oak, and poplar trees. 
 Wild hemp grew in abundance. The making of 
 sugar from the maple-tree, which they had pursued 
 in all their settlements, turned out very abundant. 
 In hunting they had great success, and bartered 
 venison and skins for corn and other necessaries of 
 life. They also made canoes, and other articles, 
 for which they found a market at Detroit. And 
 here the dispersed Indian converts, who had been 
 scattered into various parts, flocked again eagerly. 
 General Haldimand, at Quebec, became their 
 
76 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 friend. The vast lake was often explored by them : 
 Zeisberger, and a few of his friends, in a voyage, 
 were once confined for some weeks on a solitary 
 island; the wind being so contrary and tempes- 
 tuous, that they could not return : what with the 
 great expanse of waters, and the height of the 
 billows, it seemed as if they were in the middle 
 of the ocean. They lived by hunting and fishing, 
 and found wild potatoes and onions, and other 
 herbs, in abundance. They pitched their tents in 
 a kind of meadow, covered with verdure, and were 
 the only inhabitants of the isle. 
 
 On another occasion they came to the celebrated 
 rocks on the south coast of Lake Erie, that rise per- 
 pendicularly out of the water, and are so much 
 undermined by the waves, that they project fearfully, 
 and in some places caverns and arches are formed. 
 In a tempest, the force of the surf here is such, that 
 no vessel scarcely can escape being dashed to pieces. 
 A party set out, headed by Zeisberger : but before 
 they had left the Cayahaga creek, a dreadful storm 
 arose ; the waves beat with such violence against 
 these rocks, that they thanked God they were yet in 
 safety in the creek, and, being in want of provisions, 
 spent the time in fishing. One night they fished 
 with torches, and pierced above three hundred large 
 fish, of a good flavour, resembling pikes. Afterwards 
 they had to ascend high precipices, and cut their 
 way through the thickets to the summit, where they 
 had scarcely pitched their camp, when a party of 
 Ottawas, hunting in the neighbourhood, rode to- 
 wards them, and expressed their astonishment to find 
 such a number of people in the pathless waste. 
 
 Again the spirit of activity and improvement was 
 triumphant — again did this unconquerable people 
 devote all their time and strength, *' to make the 
 desert blossom as the rose." Since the days of 
 Sparta, and the earlier ones of Rome, there surely 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 77 
 
 never was greater endurance and confidence ; obe- 
 dience also, even to destruction. This beautiful 
 commonwealth of United Brethren seems to have 
 something deathless — something that must ulti- 
 mately prevail, in its spirit and discipline. How 
 simple also, yet expressive, are the words, '' the Elders 
 in Bethlehem sought direction from heaven, and 
 consulted the promises," and resolved that the mis- 
 sionaries should go to the Lake Erie, or to the Ohio, 
 or the Hurons — and they went ! It brings before 
 the mind the primeval and indelible days of the 
 scripture, when the elders sat in the gate at morn 
 and eve, and took counsel together, and redressed 
 grievances, and spoke of the glory of their people, so 
 favoured of God. 
 
 Amidst all these toils and vicissitudes, time had 
 passed rapidly away, and the missionary had become 
 stricken in years, ere any infirmity gave him warning. 
 Such was the vigour of his frame and constitution, 
 hardened by long habits of temperance and labour, 
 that sickness or disease had rarely arrested his pro- 
 gress ; although wounds, imprisonment, and famine, 
 were often his companions. Like the Indian, among 
 whom his life had passed, he to the last loved enter- 
 prise and change. The term assigned to man in the 
 scripture, he had already attained : was it not wiser 
 now to take rest? to look back calmly and thankfully 
 on all he had endured ; to live on the past, rather 
 than on the future ? What could the future be to a 
 man of seventy-eight ? but he felt that his spirit was 
 firm, his strength little abated, and his mind unim- 
 paired. The last of his settlements, being the twelfth 
 he had formed in the Indian territories, was on the 
 river Muskingum ; the distance was great ; yet some 
 of the people desired to go there, and besought him 
 to accompany them : the place was in the vicinity 
 of the ruined settlements ; and this circumstance 
 decided him to depart. It was like the going 
 
78 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 forth of one of the patriarchs of old, when lie went 
 on his way, with his servants, and children, and 
 cattle, and the princes of the land spoke kindly to 
 him. Or, as when Israel journeyed to the last of his 
 homes, bowed with years and troubles, yet sur- 
 rounded with his people, and with a heart full of 
 faith and strength in God. This noble Moravian was 
 now eighty years of age : and he left his home at St. 
 Clair, and issued forth again to plant and to build, and 
 to gain new converts. The numerous cattle were 
 driven in front, by some of the natives ; the Brethren 
 and their families came after; the women and chil- 
 dren on horseback, the men on foot : the Christian 
 Indians marched on each side, many of them armed. 
 
 In this settlement of Goshen, he spent the last eight 
 years of his life. If ever man deserved to taste of 
 rest, it was he. He loved to talk of the vears he 
 had spent among the Iroquois at Onondago : and 
 when any of the chiefs, which was not seldom, came 
 to see him, his eye was brighter, and his talk more 
 animated. His constitutional activity never forsook 
 him : and during the fine season, he would wander 
 forth at times to the nearest encampments, or to the 
 plains, to see some of the friends of his earlier 
 days. 
 
 One of his dearest triumphs was reserved for the 
 close of his career. He was seated one day at the 
 door of his dwelling, when a band of Hurons were 
 descried, advancing towards the village. They had 
 been his greatest persecutors : the alarm was given : 
 his faithful Indians gathered round. But the 
 Hurons, though armed, shewed no signs of hostility. 
 The person whom they had lately elected to be the 
 chief of their people, drew nigh, and bowed his head, 
 and placed his hands on his breast, before the man 
 whom he had formerly bound and made captive. 
 He said that he had been two years seeking in vain 
 for something better than worldly honour : then he 
 
DAVID ZEIGBERGER. 79 
 
 used these remarkable words, " Now I seek rest for 
 my soul, and believe that I shall find it here : I come, 
 that I may enjoy the good which you possess." 
 Grateful as was this event, David Zeisberger felt 
 that the golden days of his mission were passed, 
 never to return ; he often spoke of them with strong 
 emotion, and prayed that heaven would renew them 
 once more. He might be truly called " a man 
 of the wilderness:" long experience and success 
 m his undertakings, had given him great confi- 
 dence : his companions, both Moravian and Indian, 
 looked up to him for advice and example in every 
 case of danger, and it was sufficient if he only 
 comforted and encouraged them. His discourses 
 had few pretensions to genius : but they were full 
 of energy and feeling, and often clothed in the 
 garb of the desert : they were burning words and 
 thoughts, and the heart of the savage was broken 
 in pieces before them. He lived sixty years among 
 the Indians, and, during the last forty, visited his 
 Brethren in the United States but three times. In 
 him, the fearlessness and hardihood of the Indian 
 warrior were united with the faith and simplicity of 
 the Christian. When he began to feel the infirmities 
 of age coming upon him, he strove to complete his 
 translations of portions of the scriptures, and other 
 writings, into the Delaware language. He finished 
 the hymn-book now in use ; it consists of hymns of 
 his own translating, and forms a large volume ; he 
 left also a valuable Delaware grammar. 
 
 Gently, and almost unconsciously, old age came 
 on : when he could no longer travel, he visited 
 every home in the settlement, from day to day, 
 with unremitting diligence and affection. But, 
 helnz visited with total blindness, he rested within 
 his home, and went forth no more. His friends 
 often read to him ; and he instructed the younger 
 missionaries. The calamity that had fallen on him, 
 
80 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 he bore without a murmur : it was a terrible one, 
 even to a man so near the grave. Oh, bitter, bitter 
 is the loss of all the dear and living scenes of 
 nature ! the mountain, the lake, the stream, the 
 glorious forest — to see them no more for ever — to 
 see no more the sun rise or set, and his changing 
 hues pass away on the plain. Zeisberger felt the 
 loss above all men : during seventy years, his home 
 had been among these scenes — his bed by night, 
 his pilgrimage by day, so that " they were graven 
 on his heart." We can fancy how he would love, 
 like the patriarch of old, to sit beside his door at 
 evening, and listen to the rising wind among the 
 woods, and the breaking of the waves on the shore, 
 and feel the last sunbeams on his withered cheek. 
 
 It is said, that, in blindness, the memory is pecu- 
 liarly vivid, and the imagination embodies the things 
 of the past, as if they lived afresh. What a tri- 
 umphant vision thus rose, perhaps, before the man 
 of God ! what forms of glory and consolation, flit- 
 ting around his sightless hours ! " thy dead shall 
 live again !" Shikellimus, his earliest friend, prince 
 of the Iroquois, to whom he had pointed the way to 
 heaven ; the noble Unami of the Delawares, whose 
 dying hours he had comforted ; AUemewi, chief of 
 that " place of cruelty," brought to God even beyond 
 the eleventh hour, at 120 years ; Papunhauk, and 
 the famous warrior White-Eye : these were all fruits 
 of his prayers and faith, and were gone before to 
 that holier world, whose gates were now open t-o 
 receive him ! 
 
 In October, 1808, in his eighty-eighth year, he 
 perceived that his end was approaching ; his illness 
 was short, without pain or suffering : the lamp of 
 life burned mildly away. " The only thing that 
 troubled him," he said, " was the present spiritual 
 state of his Indian people." These expressions 
 having been told to them, they all gathered round 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 81 
 
 the dwelling, and, in different groups, entered the 
 chamber of the dying man. " My father," they 
 said, " forgive us all we have done to grieve you. 
 We will surrender our hearts to our Saviour, and 
 live alone for him in the world." The venerable 
 man, totally blind, the moment of dissolution close 
 at hand, was supported in his bed, while his face 
 was turned earnestly towards the penitents, though 
 he saw them no more. He blessed them fervently ; 
 then, with that kindness and seriousness which he 
 knew so well how to combine in his converse with 
 the Indians, he warned them against the dangers tp 
 which they were exposed, the vices in which they 
 had indulged. " 1 am going, my people," he con- 
 tinued, " to rest from all my labour, and be at home 
 with the Lord : He has never forsaken me in dis- 
 tress, and will not forsake me now. I have reviewed 
 my whole course of life, and found that there is 
 much to be forgiven." The Indians saw that his 
 life was departing, and they would not forsake the 
 chamber. When he ceased to breathe, the whole 
 company knelt down and prayed. He had attained 
 the age of eighty-eight years. No other man, 
 perhaps, ever existed, who knew so much of the 
 manners, usages, and minds of the Indian tribes. 
 His usefulness was exceeding great : had he sought 
 power for himself, his ascendancy with the Iroquois 
 and the Delawares would soon have insured its 
 possession ; but the only glory he loved was that of 
 his Redeemer. 
 
 Of the congregations formed by Zeisberger and 
 his friends, a few have been dispersed in the wars 
 of the tribes, but many still flourish — Bethlehem, 
 Nazareth, Lititz, of the ancient; Salem, Goshen, 
 the town on the Huron, and others, of the more 
 recent ones ; even at the Beautiful Spring, dwellings 
 are gathered once more. There are places in the 
 wilderness, where the ruins alone tell what the 
 
 II G 
 
82 DAVID ZEiSBERGER. 
 
 Brethren dared and suffered. Thus, in one journey, 
 they say, " All the ground where Gnadenhuetten 
 stood, was covered with briars, hazel bushes, and 
 thorn trees, like a low impenetrable forest, where 
 the bears, deer, and other wild animals, have made 
 themselves a path. Some of the chimneys appeared 
 in their rows. The place where our Christian In- 
 dians were slain was strongly marked : part of their 
 bones were still to be seen among the ashes. Nu- 
 merous snakes and serpents had now taken possession 
 of the ground." 
 
 In a letter, at the close of 1825, from the mission 
 at Spring Place, among the Cherokees, they write, 
 •'Our meeting is numerously attended : notwith- 
 standing the long drought, the produce of the fields 
 and gardens is great. The Cherokee nation have 
 resolved to establish an academy and a printing- 
 press at Newtown, their principal town. For this 
 purpose, they have appropriated a sum of money ; 
 and also resolved to send two of their nation to the 
 principal cities and towns of the United States, to 
 solicit donations. The accounts from the mission 
 to the year 1830, represent the different settlements 
 as tranquil and prosperous. '* The Christmas festi- 
 val," they write, ** was a season of abundant bless- 
 ing at Salem ; the church was crowded : the 
 communion-table was surrounded by twenty Che- 
 rokees, some of whom were distinguished warriors. 
 It is impossible to behold, without emotion, the 
 earnest desire of this people to partake of the salva- 
 tion of God. The Delaware congregation remains 
 undisturbed at New Fairfield, in Canada ; and old 
 and young are actively employed in building a new 
 church." 
 
 Seventy years have now elapsed, since the com- 
 mencement of this North American and Canadian 
 mission. From a register of the Indian congrega- 
 tions, dated 1772, it appears that the number of 
 
DAVID ZEISBERGER. 83 
 
 heathens, baptized by the Moravians, from the 
 commencement of the mission to that time, amounted 
 to seven hundred and twenty ; but the church-books 
 and other writings being destroyed in the burning of 
 the towns on the Muskingum, it is difficult to ascer- 
 tain the subsequent numbers. Besides the settle- 
 ments, or colonies, there are regular congregations 
 of the United Brethren in the towns of New York, 
 Philadelphia, Lancaster, Newport in Rhode Island, 
 Yorktown, and other places. The recent accounts, 
 to the end of 1831, from Salem and Spring Place, 
 represent the native congregations as reduced in 
 number, from the many difficulties and disquiets 
 of the times. From Fairfield, the detail is more 
 encouraging. 
 
 The memoir of this devoted and memorable man 
 cannot be more usefully closed, than with the last 
 letter he ever wrote to England, dated Goshen, in 
 the wilderness, August 6th, 1807, in the 87th year 
 of his age. It was addressed to a friend,* who 
 allowed me to copy it : the handwriting is firm 
 and clear. 
 
 ** I have perceived, with great pleasure, that you 
 take a near share in the welfare of our mission, 
 for which I pray God to bless you. I now write 
 to assure you of the love and regard I have 
 long felt for you. I carried on an edifying corre- 
 spondence with your late dear father. His first 
 letter to me was after our captivity in Canada, when 
 he sent us considerable assistance, and I shall never 
 forget his kindness. At that time, it appeared as if 
 our mission was at an end ; but, by the grace and 
 help of our Lord, it revived : many of the scattered 
 
 • The Rev. C. J. La Trobe, the nephew of Antes, the 
 E^'ptian traveller and missionary. This eminent and ex- 
 cellent man, now nearly eighty years of age, is well known 
 by his travels in South Africa, and his long and zealous ex- 
 ertions in the cause of Moravian missions. 
 
 G 2 
 
84 DAVID ZEISBERGER. 
 
 sheep were brought back to their teachers. Many 
 were the difficulties we had to encounter : we again 
 crossed the Lake Erie to Petquottink, where, during 
 our faur years' abode, we had a considerable increase. 
 This, however, was the last abundant draught of 
 fishes*; for, when the new Indian war broke out, 
 we were a second time obliged to cross the lake, 
 and take refuge in the British territory, where we 
 were kindly received. But the mission got into the 
 territory of the white people, the consequences of 
 which were evil. As long as we are surrounded by 
 them, we cannot prevent all disorder and seduction. 
 We pray that God may grant the hinderances in 
 our way to be removed, and bless us with such 
 another period of peace and grace as we then 
 enjoyed ! 
 
 " I myself am now of little use, and am no longer 
 able to travel about; but can only pray that the 
 Lord may help us, and prepare many faithful 
 labourers and witnesses, burning with desire to 
 lead the heathen to their Saviour. We live here 
 in harmony with each other." 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 86 
 
 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 John Theodore Vanderkemp was the son of a 
 minister of the Dutch church at Rotterdam. At 
 an early period of life, he became a student in the 
 university of Leyden, in which his brother was 
 afterwards professor of divinity. His acquirements 
 in the learned languages, in philosophy, divinity, 
 medicine, and in military studies, were rapid and 
 extensive. On leaving the university, he entered 
 into the army, in which he rose to the rank of 
 captain of horse. Here he deeply imbibed the 
 principles of infidelity, and cast off the restraints 
 of a religious education ; on which account the 
 feelings of his father were so painful, that they are 
 said to have hastened his death. 
 
 He at last quitted the army, in which he had 
 spent fifteen years, and resolved to enter on the 
 practice of medicine. In pursuance of this design, 
 he spent some years at the university of Edinburgh, 
 where he composed a Latin work on Cosmology, 
 entitled ' Parmenides.' Having obtained the de- 
 gree of Doctor of Medicine, he commenced his 
 practice as a physician at Middleburgh, in Hol- 
 land, where he acquired great reputation. After 
 some years, being in possession of a competence, 
 he retired to Dort, intending to devote the rest of 
 his days to literary pursuits. But the time was at 
 hand, when such a revolution was to take place iu 
 
%& VANDfiRKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 his domestic relations, and in the disposition of 
 his heart, as to introduce him, as it were, into a 
 new world. 
 
 One day in the month of June, while he was 
 sailing on the river near Dort with his wife and 
 daughter, a violent storm suddenly arose, and a 
 waterspout broke on the boat, by which it was 
 instantly overset. Mrs. and Miss Vanderkemp were 
 immediately drowned ; and the survivor, clinging to 
 the boat, was carried down the stream nearly a 
 mile ; no one daring, in so dreadful a squall, to 
 venture from the shore to his assistance. A vessel 
 then lying in the port of Dort, was, by the violence 
 of the storm, driven from, her moorings, and floated 
 towards the part of the river in which he was 
 just ready to perish ; and the sailors took him 
 from the wreck. Thus remarkably was preserved, 
 a life, which was henceforth to be employed for 
 the advantage of mankind, and for the propagation 
 of that faith which he had once laboured to destroy. 
 The sudden ruin of his earthly comforts, the long 
 struggle with a painful death, broke the hardness 
 of his heart, and gave the first shock to its infidel 
 principles. 
 
 On the following Sunday he repaired to church, 
 perhaps to acknowledge the providence that had 
 saved him. It happened that the sacrament of the 
 Lord's supper was then to be administered, but no 
 one expected to see an infidel at the table. He 
 felt that to receive the elements would be incon- 
 sistent with his avowed principles ; yet ashamed to 
 withdraw, he placed himself among the communi- 
 cants. The agitation of his mind was excessive. 
 Alas ! the earth was now to him as a wilderness, 
 and he felt bowed to the dust before the sovereign 
 will of God, which had in a moment made him 
 desolate. The pride of reason still struggled for 
 mastery ; he was aware that if he yielded to his 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 87 
 
 present feelings, he must necessarily embrace the 
 Christian system, which hitherto he had rejected as 
 absurd. The prevaiUng impression on his mind 
 was — examine it once more, and you will judge 
 otherwise ; '' but eat now of this bread, and remember 
 your new Master." 
 
 In the afternoon of the same day, recovering his 
 composure, he sat down to reflect calmly and 
 closely on the leading doctrines of the gospel. By 
 free grace, he perceived that the justice of God is 
 not only uninjured, but exalted, and placed in the 
 brightest lustre, through justification by faith. He 
 the proceeded to search the scriptures, and was 
 astonished to find his sentiments so fully confirmed 
 by St. Paul's epistle to the Romans. From this 
 moment he revered the scriptures, and determined 
 to make them the rule both of his faith and practice. 
 His leisure was henceforth earnestly employed in 
 the pursuit of sacred knowledge, particularly in the 
 study of Oriental literature. 
 
 In this state of retirement, the formation of the 
 London Missionary Society, that has since been 
 the source of such extensive good, first engaged 
 his attention. A printed address from that Society 
 was circulated in Germany, together with the ser- 
 mons preached at its commencement : as he per- 
 used these discourses, he was filled with delight 
 at this noble scheme of benevolence, first cherished 
 in the hearts of the English. Meeting with this 
 passage, " Curse ye Meroz," said the angel, " curse 
 ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because they 
 came not to the help of the Lord against the 
 mighty," he was so deeply affected, that he resolved 
 to devote himself wholly to the advancement of 
 this work. He wrote to tlie Directors of the Society 
 in London, and stated the prevailing wish of his 
 heart. Deeply impressed by such a communication, 
 they lost no time in replying to his letter. In con- 
 
88 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 sequence of an invitation, Dr. Vanderkemp came 
 to London, and the Directors had an opportunity, 
 during several months, of enjoying his company 
 and conversation. He appeared to be the very 
 man, qualified by the most appropriate talents, to 
 commence and superintend the mission to South 
 Africa, which he had himself first projected. He 
 returned to Holland to settle his affairs, and met 
 with an eminent assistant, the young Kicherer, whose 
 mind had been filled, some years previous, with the 
 most ardent desire of visiting distant lands, in con- 
 sequence of reading the voyages and discoveries of 
 Captain Cook. The zeal of a missionary, that was 
 never after quenched, had also been long cherished 
 in secret. Returning to London, Dr. Vanderkemp 
 was publicly set apart for the m.inistry at the 
 Scotch Church in Crown Court; a number of minis- 
 ters of various denominations being present on the 
 occasion. 
 
 In December, 1798, he sailed with Kicherer, and 
 two other missionaries, for the Cape of Good Hope, 
 where they arrived in safety. Letters from the 
 governor to subordinate magistrates in the country, 
 were kindly furnished, waggons were purchased, and 
 Bruntjie, the famous elephant hunter, was sent 
 from the Moravian Brethren of Baviankloof, and 
 engaged as guide and interpreter. In the end of 
 May he commenced his journey towards Caffraria : 
 after passing the valley of Modezand, they entered 
 upon a perilous road between ridges of perpendicu- 
 lar mountains. In the last house on this side the 
 wilderness, they were sheltered from a heavy rain, 
 and the next day advanced until night, pitching 
 their tents amidst a thick shower of snow. On- 
 wards they passed through a trackless waste, in- 
 fested with lions, tigers, wolves, and other beasts 
 of prey ; often they could not sleep for the terrific 
 sounds. The wolves frequently approached their 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 89 
 
 tents ; and one night a lion broke into the midst, 
 and killed several sheep. 
 
 As it was now the depth of winter in that quarter 
 of the globe, the cold was very severe. At last 
 they arrived at the house of Mr. De Beer, of whose 
 family Vaillant, in his Travels, speaks so highly. 
 And, afterwards, proceeding thence, they arrived at 
 GrafF Reinet, where the landrost and others took 
 pains to persuade them from going among the 
 CafFres, urging the extreme danger of the enter- 
 prise. At length Bruntjie, who had been sent to 
 Geika, to request his permission to enter his terri- 
 tories, returned with a favourable answer. After a 
 tedious journey, they arrived at the residence of 
 this potentate, to whom Vanderkemp was at length 
 introduced. After waiting about ten minutes, the 
 former approached in a solemn manner, attended 
 by two of his chief men, one on each side ; he was 
 covered with a long robe of panthers' skins, and 
 wore a diadem of copper, and another of beads, 
 round his head. He had in his hand an iron club- 
 and his cheeks and lips were painted red. He 
 reached out his right hand, but spoke not a word. 
 The Doctor then delivered him his tobacco-box, 
 which he had filled with buttons ; at a distance 
 behind, stood his captains and women, in the form 
 of a half-moon, and at a great distance, the rest of 
 the people. 
 
 Geika then desired to know, by an interpreter, 
 what was requested of him : he said, that we 
 had come at a very unfavourable time, and that 
 all the country was in confusion ; that he was 
 in perpetual danger from his enemies. The situa- 
 tion of Vanderkemp was not an enviable one, 
 and one of his assistants departed from him. 
 By degrees, however, the unfavourable impres- 
 sions concerning the missionaries ""vere effaced 
 from the mind of the king, anc .ie assijrned 
 
90 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 them some land on the other side of the riyer 
 Keiskamma. 
 
 The place allotted was a beautiful field of grass, 
 in the middle of an amphitheatre of high moun- 
 tains, inhabited by different kraals of CafFres : round 
 the foot of the mountains ran a river of excellent 
 water; the ascent was covered by thick woods, con- 
 taining trees of every description. Beyond, were 
 meads of vast extent, and of beautiful verdure ; 
 and on the adjacent summits was an inaccessible 
 forest. 
 
 In consequence of the want of salt, the Doctor 
 set off on horseback to the sea-shore, to seek for 
 a convenient place for a salt-pan, and returned in 
 the evening of the fourth day. But, as in this 
 excursion he had neither shoes nor stockings, his 
 head and feet were severely wounded by the stones 
 and thorn-bushes. Such, it is said, is a specimen 
 of the hardships which he cheerfully endured. It 
 is certainly a savage specimen : but where was the 
 necessity of his wanting the common articles of 
 clothing? a little industry and foresight would 
 surely have sup])lied them. 
 
 Even in after years, he went about the wilds, with 
 as much of the savage as the minister, in his dress 
 and appearance, and he loved this discreditable 
 dishabille. But, though his wardrobe was scant,^ 
 and the taste and cleanliness of his garb were 
 questionable, his time and talents were unremit- 
 tingly given to the object of his enterprise. He 
 had early opened a school, in which he instructed 
 a number of young people in the Dutch and Caffie 
 languages, and in the principles of the Christian 
 religion. He also preached, as often as he had 
 opportunity, to a few who understood the Dutch 
 language. 
 
 Although Caffre-land did not offer a favourable 
 soil for the mission, it was not without interest to 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 91 
 
 the observing mind : the people were brave and 
 independent, possessing greater personal advan- 
 tages than the rest of the African nations ; and the 
 country, dreary as was the greater part, afforded 
 many scenes of redeeming richness and beauty. 
 It is a pity that Vanderkemp, who was a man of 
 education and taste, followed the example of too 
 many missionaries, and neglected to investigate the 
 various and novel productions, as well as strange 
 aspects of nature, in this region. But the CafFres 
 were not numerous, and the manners and usages 
 of the people, farther in the interior, had few 
 attractions. 
 
 '' After supper," says a later missionary, *' we 
 heard the sound of music near the king's house ; 
 we walked over to the place, and found a large 
 party dancing, and in this way expressing their joy 
 at the late fertilizing and refreshing rains. About 
 fifteen men were dancing in a circle, each holding 
 and blowing a reed. The king directed the dance, 
 leaping, and playing on a reed, like the others. 
 Many women ran forward from the crowd of spec- 
 tators, and leaped fantastically around the dancers, 
 singing and clapping their hands : at other times, 
 they rushed towards the men, and pushed against 
 them, like bulls, with their heads. Being observed 
 to take up my snufF-box, 1 was instantly surrounded 
 by women and girls, and as many as could thrust 
 their fingers into the box, which was quickly emptied 
 of its contents. On another evening, during the 
 journey, being surrounded by plenty of fire-wood 
 from the decayed trees of other times, a venerable 
 mimosa protected us from a cool east wind. An 
 extensive plain was before us, to which there was 
 no visible end, covered with long grass, and pools 
 of white water, and low bushes ; the summit of a 
 low hill gradually rose into view, as we advanced 
 next day ; the whole scene had a sad dull appear- 
 
92 YANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 ance, except when flocks of quachas, striped black 
 and white like the zebra, ostriches, and other ani- 
 mak, presented themselves : the elephant and the 
 rhinoceros were seen, at times, afar off. 
 
 " The heat was intense : our sugar was as hard as 
 a brick ; the ink was dried up in the inkstand ; the 
 board I used for a writing-table was split ; the water 
 in all our vessels was as hot as it is generally drank 
 in Briton : and one day during this heat, we had come 
 to a dry lake, four miles in circumference, whose 
 bottom was covered with a crust of dry sand." This 
 desolation was different from the neighbourhood 
 of the Hex river, where Vanderkemp had been so 
 kindly entertained, after many days' dreary journey, 
 at the home of De Beer. The latter was mourn- 
 ing for his child, whom he had buried that day : if 
 she resembled the other daughters of the house, 
 the loss must have been great. But Vaillant has 
 omitted a beautiful trait in the character of this 
 family, namely, their simple and admirable piety. 
 
 When the host learned the errand of Vander- 
 kemp, he called his family together, and, falling 
 on his knees, uttered this prayer : — '' O Lord, thou 
 hast afflicted me with inexpressible grief in taking 
 my child from me, whom I buried this day ; but 
 now thou rejoicest my soul with joy greater than all 
 my grief, in showing me that thou hast heard my 
 prayers for the conversion of the CafFres, and giving 
 me to see the fulfilment of thy promises." 
 
 *' On the confines of a wretched desert," says 
 Vanderkemp, '* we were rejoiced by coming to the 
 house of Mr. de Beer, where we found a family who 
 knew and served the Lord. He afterwards accom- 
 panied us through the narrow Kloof." The dwellings 
 of this affluent colonist, the last hold of civilization, 
 were substantial and clean ; with numerous do- 
 mestics and dependants, and the daily cares of 
 extensive farms, corn, and grazing grounds : an 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 93 
 
 excellent order, and plenty, prevailed. Each morn- 
 ing and eve, the whole household joined in devo- 
 tion, that was led by the master. To come from 
 the desert to such a roof, brought to mind the 
 patriarchal days, when the traveller came over the 
 weary plains at the close of day, and saw the tents 
 pitched, and the flocks feeding beside, and the rich 
 man seated in the door, who besought him to enter 
 and rest, for he saw that he fainted by the way. 
 
 In the long stupendous defile of the Hex river 
 Kloof, through which De Beer and his guest went 
 on their way, the scenery was extremely grand, 
 between bold cliffs, rugged rocks, and spiral-topped 
 mountains of great elevation : their bases were 
 covered with mimosa trees, the flowers of which 
 appeared like innumerable golden balls suspended 
 from the branches. The Hex river, with a loud 
 noise, was heard forcing its way along the jungle. 
 The nations of the interior had certainly few 
 qualities or virtues to interest the missionaries. 
 " The king cares not," says one of the latter, " how 
 much he troubles or begs from the missionaries 
 himself, but he is sometimes enraged when he sees 
 them too much troubled by others. On such an 
 occasion, he once laid hold of a stick, and knocked 
 down captains, servants, women, and children, 
 indeed, all who came in his way, without making 
 any distinction. In the evening the people were in 
 such high spirits, that their combined vociferations 
 were like the uproar that prevailed in the streets of 
 Paris during the revolutionary massacres. Many 
 of them appeared so full of rage, as if they would 
 cleave one another down with their battle-axes. 
 Wishing to be informed respecting the history of 
 those with whom we travelled, we invited Munameets, 
 and Sedras the interpreter, into the tent. The 
 feebleness of their intellects was most evidently 
 exemplified : they could frequently say only yes or 
 
94 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 no, to the simplest question — for example, if asked 
 whether Mallayabang commanded on such and such 
 an expedition ; or is as great in action as the 
 Malapeetze. — Any one who is not painted red ap- 
 pears frightful to them : my own person was sadly 
 bedaubed by paint from their cloaks. Some of 
 these people, by way of ornament, wear a plaster of 
 cow-dung upon their foreheads. Having greedily 
 feasted till nine at night on the entrails of the 
 quacha, and having still a large potful of flesh on 
 the fire, we asked if they intended to eat that 
 before our departure in the morning : they laughed, 
 and said they intended to eat it now, after which 
 they should all sleep as sound as wolves. The rain 
 having lasted the whole night, the space roiind the 
 wagons was a complete puddle : and pouring down 
 upon the tent where we were assembled, the king 
 seriously asked us to bewitch the rain, that it might 
 cease. We had a meeting with the principal men 
 after breakfast, at which we learned that the king's 
 name was Leebe : his second son Mooruanzee, (or 
 rich in flies) ; another, Mahalalewhey (or, scrapings 
 of skin) : his daughter Tata (or string). The king 
 appeared to be above sixty years of age, very black, 
 with a white beard, and much wrinkled : he spoke 
 with a tone of decision. Had the Malapeetze only 
 killed the catile, said he, he would not have minded 
 it so much ; but killing his brother, who was a man, 
 and who, when dead, could not be made alive again ! 
 He therefore demanded eight oxen, seven for those 
 taken, and one for his brother who was killed. On 
 giving him a white night-cap, he inquired the use of 
 it; when it was immediately put upon his head, and 
 he wore it till the meeting broke up. He could not 
 conceive the use of the scissors, till I clipped off 
 part of his beard. The whole company were 
 amazed to see how soon a gimlet made a hole 
 through a stick. Reflecting on the demand of 
 
VANDERKKMP AND KICHERER. 95 
 
 Mahalalewhey for a handkerchief, I thought it 
 might be as well to comply. Having seen a clasp- 
 knife among the presents made to the king, 
 Munameets quietly informed me he had no knife to 
 eat with ; though I had no doubt he had one among 
 the things formerly given him. Though one of the 
 most amiable of his countrymen, none exceeded him 
 in covetousness : he was also intent upon a fat cow, 
 which the king had presented to us for slaughter, 
 Mahalalewhey presented his son to us, who had just 
 returned from paying his addresses to a young woman 
 at a distance; but whether he had been successful or 
 not, his father did not state : however, he had the 
 impudence to ask for a third red handkerchief." 
 
 These people were rather discouraging subjects for 
 the missionary : if he could feel an interest in such 
 spirits, he should have settled down among the 
 tribe, and not left them so soon to the native 
 raciness of their own manners and tastes. On 
 another occasion, while dining in his tent, in the 
 midst of a great concourse, the brother of the king, 
 a more powerful potentate than Leebe, harassed him 
 with incessant demands for food. The whole repast 
 would have vanished like a morning dream ; for 
 the cold beef, &c. stood little chance with a man 
 who would revel over the carcase of a quacha or an 
 ox : so the missionary covered a sandwich thickly 
 with cayenne, and gave it to the prince, and soon 
 after loud outcries were heard without the tent; 
 when the savage was dancing in the wildest terror, 
 with antics like those of a demon, exclaiming that he 
 was burned alive, and should never be cool again. 
 
 In January, 1801, Dr. Vanderkemp resolved, 
 after a stay of fifteen months, to leave CafFraria : 
 he had received orders from Geika to quit the 
 pleasant retreat of Keiskamma, and remove to 
 the river Debe. Jealousy of his designs haunted 
 the mind of the latter : under the pretence 
 
96 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 of going on a hunting expedition, the former set 
 out with a number of colonists, and numerous 
 cattle, wagons, and horses. Soon after their 
 departure, they were attacked by the Boshmen. 
 Their situation was very alarming, as, from the 
 dread of the fresh assaults of these marauders, they 
 dared not light fires by night, and were exposed to 
 the numerous beasts of prey. 
 
 Thus situated, and turning his back on Caffraria 
 for ever, the past full of disappointment, the future 
 of uncertainty, did the mind of Vanderkemp not 
 revert to his loved retirement at Dort; where the 
 pursuits of literature, the society of intellectual men, 
 made life pass happily away ? The Hottentots, or 
 the dismal and dwarfish Boshmen, were henceforth to 
 be his companions ; and the attacks of the latter 
 were perilous, because of the deadly poison in which 
 all their weapons were steeped. They extract this 
 poison from the jawbone of the serpent, and insert 
 it in the point of their arrow or harping iron. They 
 then creep behind the bushes, where they conceal 
 themselves, and attack the beast at about the dis- 
 tance of a hundred steps. If the dart wounds it in 
 the slightest degree, they are sure of their prey. 
 Even the noblest beast of the forest often falls down 
 dead immediately; if it has yet strength to fly, they 
 pursue and overtake it, cut out the wounded part, 
 and eat the rest of the carcase without injury. It 
 is said that they can run for several days together, 
 and are able to hold out as long as a horse. If, how- 
 ever, they are unsuccessful in the chase, they make a 
 shift to live upon snakes, mice, and such other crea- 
 tures as they can find. They form their huts by 
 digging a hole in the earth about three feet deep, and, 
 then covering it with reeds ; which are not sufficient, 
 however, to keep out the rain. Here they tie close 
 together, rolled up like a ball. When they are obliged 
 to fly from their enemies, they often cast their chil- 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 97 
 
 dren away in the desert, or bury them alive. Their 
 aged relations are also forsaken ; they leave them a 
 piece of meat and an ostrich egg-shell full of water ; 
 when this little stock is exhausted, they must perish 
 with hunger. 
 
 Arriving at Graaf Reinet, the Doctor was cheered 
 by meeting with his colleague Mr. Read, who was 
 more faithful than the companion who deserted him 
 in CafFraria. A body of insurgents soon after sur- 
 rounded the place; in spite of the guns of the 
 redoubts, and the efforts of the Pandours, and some 
 English dragoons, the fighting continued till sunset. 
 A sure place of refuge was soon after found. His 
 Excellency, the Governor Dundas, aware of the im- 
 portance of missionary exertions in civilizing the 
 natives, offered a tract of land near Algoa bay in the 
 vicinity of Fort Fucherie. He made them a present 
 of large quantities of provisions, two hundred sheep, 
 numerous oxen, and cows, and a corn mill. Many 
 huts were soon erected, and wheat and rice sown. 
 
 About two hundred persons statedly assembled 
 for divine worship. But the settlement was attacked 
 in the middle of a dark night by a furious banditti, 
 and they were obliged to resist force by force ; after 
 a smart contest, in which the leader of the party 
 was mortally wounded, and died on the field, the 
 bandits retired. The colony being ceded to the 
 Dutch governor, Jansen paid a visit to the settle- 
 ment, and recommended a more eligible situation. 
 In compliance with this advice, they removed to 
 the west of Algoa bay, near the mouth of Zwarts 
 river, and here founded their abiding home, which 
 they called Bethelsdorff. A church, the roof and 
 walls of which were composed of reeds, as well as 
 a school, was erected. Since the Caffres were given 
 up, the Hottentots became the objects of the mis- 
 sionaries' care ; but the boors, or small farmers, 
 sorely opposed the work. The village was two hun- 
 li. II 
 
98 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 dred and fifty paces in length, and a hundred and 
 fifty in breadth, and was divided by a brook into 
 two parts. A Mrs. Smith, who, in her zeal, had 
 quitted a comfortable home at the Cape, opened a 
 school, to teach the Hottentot girls to knit, &c. 
 
 In the year 1808, Bethelsdorf had arrived at some 
 degree of prosperity, consisting of about seventy 
 houses, each having, on an average, about ten in- 
 habitants. But while its temporal affairs flourished, 
 its spiritual interests did not keep pace with them. 
 In the following year, its people amounted to nearly 
 a thousand ; but it must not be supposed that all 
 these were considered, even by the missionaries, as 
 Christian converts. Most of them were merely 
 inhabitants of the place, who, of course, enjoyed 
 the means of instruction. Since the commence- 
 ment of the mission, the converts did not exceed 
 two hundred, and even of these about one half were 
 children. But it was an excellent thing to make 
 this weak and indolent people industrious, and able 
 to gain a handsome support by the produce of their 
 labour. The demand for the articles of knitting, 
 &c. at Port Patrick was greater than they were 
 able to supply. Mats and CafFre baskets were also 
 made in great quantities, and sold to the country. 
 A considerable traffic was carried on in salt, which 
 the people bartered with the colonists for clothing, 
 wheat, flour, &c. Even the farmers now brought 
 their goods to Bethelsdorf in wagons, as to a mar- 
 ket place. Soap-boiling, cutting and sawing of 
 wood, were carried on to a large extent. Mr. Read 
 at one time speaks of a number of these people 
 having gone to Graaf Reinet, with six thousand feet 
 of boards for sale, which would bring them about 
 £200 ; a large sum, certainly, to be gained by Hot- 
 tentots on one adventure ! 
 
 Their fields, too, were covered with cattle, sheep, 
 and goats ; and such was the abundance of milk 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 99 
 
 and butter, that they employed the latter article iu 
 the manufacture of soap. According to the accounts at 
 this time, they had no fewer than 2000 horned cattle, 
 including calves; 1,200 sheep and goats; 174 
 horses; and great numbers of pigs and poultry ; 
 together with twenty waggons, besides carts. Not- 
 withstanding the very unfavourable nature of the 
 soil, even agriculture had begun to flourish among 
 them. The Hottentots had become diligent ia 
 cleaning and tilling the ground ; and lately, be- 
 sides other kinds of grain and vegetables, they sowed 
 in one year upwards of a hundred sacks of wheat, 
 which they expected would yield fifteen hundred. 
 Even more than this would have been sown, but 
 some had no plough, and others no seed. It is 
 said, that among the inhabitants of Bethelsdorp, 
 there were no fewer than eighteen trades, (smiths, 
 carpenters, tailors, &c.) likewise an auctioneer and 
 a miller. The founder of Bethelsdorp had the plea- 
 sure to behold the increasing fruits of his labour. 
 Another scheme of beneficence was to erect an 
 orphan school, but it did not come to maturity. 
 Of what avail was his knowledge of the classics, 
 of Oriental literature, of philosophy, and divinity, 
 in such a scene as this ? A familiar acquaintance 
 with the dialects of the nations, would have been 
 far more useful. Surely, he must have groaned 
 beneath the misery of striving to convey ideas to 
 beings so utterly defective in intellect, imagination, 
 or reflection. Lichtenstein, in his Travels through 
 Southern Africa, gives the following sketch of his 
 appearance at this time : — 
 
 " On our arrival at Algoa Bay, we received a 
 visit fro-m Dr. Vanderkemp. In the very hottest 
 part of the morning, we saw a waggon, such as is 
 used in husbandry, drawn by four meagre oxen, 
 coming slowly along the sandy downs. Vander- 
 kemp sat upon a plank lai'1 across it, without a hat, 
 
 II 2 
 
100 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 his venerable bald head exposed to the burning rays 
 of the sun. He was dressed in a threadbare black, 
 coat, waistcoat, and breeches, without shirt, neck- 
 cloth, or stockings, and leathern sandals bound upon 
 his feet — the same as are worn by the Hottentots. 
 The commissary-general hastened to meet and re- 
 ceive him with the greatest kindness. He descended 
 from his car, and approached with slow and mea- 
 sured steps, presenting to our view a tall, meagre, 
 yet venerable figure. In his serene countenance 
 might be traced remains of former beauty ; and in 
 his eye, still full of fire, was plainly to be disco- 
 vered the powers of mind which had distinguished 
 his early years. Instead of the usual salutations, 
 he uttered a short prayer, in which he begged a 
 blessing on our chief and his company. He then 
 accompanied us into the house, when he entered 
 into conversation freely upon many subjects, with- 
 out superciliousness, or aflfected solemnity." 
 
 Anxious to lessen, as far as possible, during his 
 labours in Africa, the expenses of the mission, he 
 generally supported himself with little or no cost 
 to the Society. It is still more to the credit of 
 his benevolence, that he at various times purchased 
 the liberty of slaves in the colony out of his own 
 private fortune. In the course of three years he 
 redeemed seven of these unfortunate beings at no 
 less expense than £800. Notwithstanding his ad- 
 vanced age, and many infirmities, he resolved to 
 undertake a new mission to some other part of the 
 world, and fixed on the island of Madagascar. 
 No persuasions of his friends could shake this re- 
 solution. That populous and long-neglected island 
 floated before his fancy continually; he could think 
 of nothing else by day or night. Perhaps it was 
 that restless love of change, that hankering after 
 -some brilliant and ideally happy scene, that is often 
 . a presentiment of dissolution. He had already been 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. lOl 
 
 Struck with apoplexy. One morning, after enga- 
 ging in the services of religion, he was taken ill, 
 and never rose from his bed again. His disordc 
 rapidly increased, till a lethargic heaviness suppressed 
 his mental powers. A day or two before his de- 
 parture, a friend asked him what was the state of 
 his mind : the spirit seemed to rally its powers 
 once more, and with a smile on his countenance 
 he gave this short, but emphatic reply, ' All is well.' 
 He di-ed in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and the 
 thirteenth of his labours as a missionary. 
 
 It will be necessary to go back a few years, to trace 
 the progress of the excellent Kicherer, the youth 
 who accompanied Dr. Vanderkemp from Holland. 
 About the year 1800, at the time that his friend was 
 in Caflfraria, he went in company with Edwards to the 
 Zak river. After being detained at Modezand, they 
 set off for the house of Florus Fischar, who possessed 
 the last fajm in the Canoor. This is a vast tract of 
 land, of many days' journey, so dry in the summer 
 as not to produce a blade of grass. A gloom, and 
 even a horror, creeps on the feelings in such 
 a desolate wild, on which the curse of heaven 
 seems to have fallen ; there is no tree, not even a 
 lonely one ; even the shadow of the rock is a lux- 
 ury, where the wanderer flies for refuge, till the 
 burning hour is past. The words of old might here 
 be applied : " And the brook of defence shall be 
 dried up ; the reeds and Hags shall wither ; and 
 every thing sown be driven away, and be no 
 more." And when a storm comes on this scene, 
 it is in truth the whirlwind of the desert, that over- 
 turns the tent in an instant ; even the beasts of 
 chase are seen flying fast to their retreats. Amidst 
 such flatness, without end, without hope, like the 
 vast sea in a sick and dreadful calm, a mountain 
 or a hill would be welcome as a friend, but days 
 
102 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 pass ere one breaks on the sight. At length they 
 arrived at the Zak river, and fixed on a spot for a 
 settlement, which they called, " Happy Prospect 
 Fountain;" a suitable name. With what powerful 
 beauty, in a country like this, do the passages of 
 scripture rise to the memory, where the blessings 
 of the rushing waters are painted as among the 
 choicest on earth: where Aksah, the daughter of 
 Caleb, when about to be wedded to the valiant 
 Othniel, prayed to her father to give her " a bless- 
 ing, even the upper springs and the nether springs." 
 Here the missionaries began to prepare a plot for 
 a garden, and to build themselves a hut of reeds, 
 the only materials they could find for that pur- 
 pose, as not a tree grew in the country. After a 
 few days, Fischar and other friends left them, and 
 returned home : this was a severe trial. 
 
 *' I well remember," says Kicherer, *' how deeply 
 my spirits were depressed about this time, and how 
 insupportable my situation would have been, sepa- 
 rated from all 1 loved in this world, had not the 
 Lord, whom I serve, condescended to pacify my 
 doubting heart when I spread my complaint before 
 him. This was particularly the case one evening, 
 when, sitting on a stone, surrounded by a circle of 
 Boshmen, I attempted to convey the first religious 
 instructions to their untutored minds." What a 
 disconsolate work was this ! These sad, unhappy 
 creatures were enough to drive a man mad : they 
 have a superstitious reverence for a little insect, 
 known by the name of the creeping leaf. They 
 have also some notion of an evil spirit; in order to 
 counteract whose malicious purposes, they blow and 
 make a humming noise over the sick. Not more than 
 four feet high, they live by plunder and murder, and 
 are guilty of the most horrid and atrocious crimes. 
 The number of Boshmen who came to them now 
 increased considerably. Kicherer observes, that he 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 103 
 
 frequently began his work sighing, and could not 
 but observe how amazed they were when he told 
 them of God, and of the resurrection of the dead. 
 Many of them at last began "to pray, and in their 
 prayers actually discovered gleams of sense and feel- 
 mg. Several, it is said, gave tokens of a work of 
 grace in their hearts. 
 
 As the Boshmen now flocked in considerable 
 numbers, the missionaries were obliged, for the 
 sake of distinguishing one from another, to give 
 them names, which they wrote with chalk on their 
 backs. Accordingly, when any one approached 
 them, the first thing he did was to shew them his 
 shoulders. They strove to excite a spirit of industry 
 among them ; Kicherer's own garden began to as- 
 sume a flourishing aspect ; but these people have 
 no great relish for vegetables, they would have pre- 
 ferred a dish of snakes, mice, &c. ; indeed, they 
 would scarcely eat the vegetables when matured, 
 unless saved the trouble of cooking them. Soon 
 after, he found it necessary to take a journey to 
 Cape Town. A number of the Boshmen, who had 
 never been at the Cape, offiered to accompany him ; 
 after a journey of about a month, they arrived 
 there. He had anticipated with delight, the pleas- 
 ing impressions that would be made on their 
 minds, but he perceived they were struck with in- 
 expressible horror and dismay. The first objects 
 presented to their view were several malefactors 
 hung in chains for their crimes, and many of the 
 Boshmen were conscious they deserved a similar 
 punishment. A few 'days after, their terror was 
 still further increased by beholding the execution of 
 another criminal. Kicherer was called to preach 
 in the Calvinist church, a very capacious building, 
 and crowded with a very genteel auditory. His 
 Boshmen, who accompanied him, were much struck 
 with the sight of so great a number of well-dressed 
 
104 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 people, whom they compared to a nest of ants : 
 the said ants being a meal of which they were 
 extremely fond ; and the sound of the organ was at 
 first mistaken by thAn for the humming noise of 
 a great bee-hive. From this time they entertained 
 a higher idea of their minister, for before they had 
 been tempted to consider him as a beggarly fel- 
 low, who had come among them only to obtain a 
 livelihood. 
 
 Once more they returned to the Happy Prospect 
 Fountain; but though they increased in numbers, 
 it is observed they did not appear to increase also 
 in grace ; and, indeed, Mr. Kicherer had often cause 
 to fear that no lasting impression had been made 
 on these fickle people ; a circumstance which occa- 
 sioned him great heaviness of heart. On one oc- 
 sion, as he was sitting in the evening near an open 
 window, a party of Boshmen, who could hardly 
 have belonged to the converts, and who had con- 
 cealed themselves in the neighbourhood, were just 
 about to discharge a volley of poisoned arrows at 
 him, but being detected by the same girl who saved 
 the life of Mr. Kramer from the dagger of Vigilant, 
 they made off in haste. Several of the nation of 
 the Corunnas from the Orange river, arriving about 
 this time, invited the missionaries to remove to that 
 part of the country, and to preach the word of life 
 among them. Having agreed to this proposal, the 
 whole congregation left Zak river in May, 1801, 
 and journeyed towards the Orange river. The 
 way lay over immense plains, bounded only by the 
 horizon, over which the ostrich was seen hurrying 
 with a step fleet as the wind, and the spring bucks 
 and zebras peacefully feeding beside the springs 
 of water ; while the smoke from the dens of the wild 
 Boshmen was seen rising into the air. 
 
 The great Orange river offered a splendid site 
 for a settlement. Superior in breadth and depth 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 105 
 
 to all the other rivers of South Africa ; with what 
 joy they gazed on the mighty forests extending for 
 many hundred miles along its banks : the rushing 
 , torrent of its waters, which defied the fiercest 
 drought ; for ever they rolled on ; and not only, in- 
 numerable animals daily came to allay their thirst, 
 but many of mighti r size lived in their very depths, 
 or basked on its shores ; for all living beings, within 
 a vast circuit around, rejoiced in the glorious river. 
 Corannas, Namaquas, and other tribes, testified 
 their pleasure at the arrival of the missionaries, 
 and began to build a long shed, of timber, 
 weeds, and clay ; the middle part of it was their 
 church, and at each end was a chamber. They 
 were here often in imminent danger from the 
 wild beasts : on one occasion, a lion was in the act 
 of entering the wooden dwelling ; on another occa- 
 sion, Kicherer walking, about midnight, in the open 
 air, perceived a pair of eyes shining like two burn- 
 ing candles ; he instantly struck a light, and set 
 the grass in a blaze, when he discovered a noble 
 lion, with his mane erect, and just in the very act 
 of springing upon them ; at this very moment, the 
 Hottentot fired his piece, and the animal, deeply 
 wounded, slunk away : on that night, eighteen of 
 their oxen were destroyed. 
 
 The greatest stumbling-block in their way was 
 a man called Stephanos, a Greek by birth, who, 
 after pretending to be a convert, had attempted 
 the life of Kicherer, and, finally, went to a kraal 
 of Hottentots, and set up for a missionary and a 
 prophet. He had established his power so firmly, 
 that his will had all the authority of law among 
 the people : atrocious crimes were committed by 
 him with impunity, and, whoever murmured against 
 his acts of rapine and cruelty, were sure to be- 
 come the victims of his vengeance. He had even 
 erected a kind of temple, with an altar, on which his 
 
106 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 followers offered their sacrifices. He had a number of 
 select disciples, who, like himself, feigned trances, in 
 which they lay for many hours, and out of which they 
 pretended to awake with messages from the angel Ga- 
 briel, or even from God himself. Kicherer resolved to 
 go and stop these diabolical proceedings ; but, as there 
 was danger in the measure, he took all the armed men 
 of the congregation with him. Being apprised of 
 his designs, Stephanos called a meeting of his 
 followers, and exhorted them, in this moment of 
 trial, to prove their fidelity. When Kicherer ap- 
 proached the house, the latter stepped forward, and 
 offered him his hand. This he refused, but desired 
 him to walk with him under a tree, where they 
 might converse together. The followers of each 
 stood round, earnestly observing them. 
 
 With the bible in his hand, the missionary disputed 
 with Stephanos for several hours, and was enabled 
 clearly to refute his arguments. The impostor 
 insisted chiefly on the prophecy of Joel, concerning 
 the dreams and visions of the latter days : he also 
 introduced many passages from the book of Revela- 
 tion. Stephanos and his deluded followers, as may 
 easily be supposed, remained unconvinced, or, at 
 least, they would not acknowledge their error. The 
 impostor himself presented a striking emblem of 
 the prince of darkness. His eyes rolled and flashed 
 with rage ; he was the prey of the furious passions 
 of revenge, despair, and blasted ambition, and he 
 strove to vindicate all his atrocities. 
 
 Kicherer now thought himself fully justified in 
 ordering his people to seize him : the order was 
 instantly obeyed — Stephanos was made a prisoner 
 in his own temple. In a moment his confidence 
 fell ; and he requested the missionary, in the 
 French language, which the people did not under- 
 stand, to set him at liberty, promising, in that case, 
 to leave the country. The former replied, that if 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 107 
 
 lie proved his repentance by a frank confession 
 of his guilt, he might, perhaps, let him go. He 
 complied, and the people, passing from the extreme 
 of credulity to hatred, wished to send him av/ay 
 naked into the desert ; but Mr. Kicherer procured 
 for him a supply of provisions, and a guide into the 
 Namaqua country, towards the sea-coast, v/here he 
 hoped he might meet with a European vessel. In 
 this, however, he was mistaken, Engelbrecht, a 
 farmer, and an officer of the militia, having recog- 
 nized him on his journey, attempted to arrest him, 
 but fell in the scuffle by the hand of Stephanos. 
 The latter made his escape, and joined the noted 
 robber, Africaner. 
 
 Having continued at the Orange river about a 
 year, the missionaries agreed to divide the congre- 
 gation, and separate. In March, 1802, Messrs. 
 Kicherer and Scholtze set out for the Zak river, 
 to their ancient place, the Happy Prospect Foun- 
 tain, with part of the people ; while Anderson and 
 Kramer remained with the rest. The former 
 travelled till the third day, without finding a drop 
 of water. The numerous cattle then began to be 
 in the utmost distress ; their looks indicated ex- 
 treme anguish, and their piteous cries seemed to 
 forebode the destruction of the whole party in the 
 wilderness. The travellers at length found a small 
 pool of water, and were just going to drink, when 
 they perceived it had been poisoned by the Bosh- 
 men. Oh, agony of disappointment, of hopeless, 
 inexpressible sorrow. 
 
 Vaillant, on his journey among the Namaquas, 
 thus describes a similar scene. " We had climbed 
 flie mountain, and its top was a vast parched plain, 
 exposed to the scorching heat of the sun ; we still 
 suffered from its rays, become nearly horizontal, 
 without finding so much as a tree to shelter. The 
 piercing eyes of my Hottentots scrutinized passes, 
 
108 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 valleys, plains, and mountains ; but alas ! the very 
 exactness of their research served but to afflict us 
 the more : we beheld on all sides nothing but the 
 discouraging presence of a frightful solitude; neither 
 man nor beast was to be seen, and we appeared to 
 be left alone in the world. The plaintive cry of the 
 Dama antelopes was the only sound that met our 
 ears. The sun disappeared from the mountain ; 
 we kindled a fire behind the large rock, that 
 we might not be discovered by robbers. I gave 
 myself up to the alarming reflections which my 
 horrible situation naturally induced. About an 
 hour after midnight, Klaas drew near of a sudden, 
 and informed me that he had perceived flashes of 
 lightning in the horizon towards the west, and that 
 we should infallibly have a storm. It was not long 
 before I heard the sound of some large drops of 
 water. All my senses again unclosed themselves to 
 life. I then threw off my covering, and, with my 
 mouth wide open, caught with delight the drops 
 that happened to fall into it. What a balm to my 
 parched tongue and burning gullet ! I can safely 
 aver, that the purest pleasure I ever tasted was at 
 that delicious moment, purchased by so m.any sighs 
 and such continued suflering. For three hours the 
 rain fell in torrents, its noise contending with that 
 of the thunder, which ceased not to roll over our 
 heads. All my people, running to and fro in the storm, 
 congratulated one another with an air of triumph. 
 When the day broke, each found himself a very dif- 
 ferent man ; we were completely revived : some of 
 the first effects we experienced from this change 
 was a devouring hunger." 
 
 Kicherer looked sadly round on his perishing 
 companions, among whom Avere many of the Co- 
 rannas and Namaquas, and then he retired apart with 
 his companion Scholtze, and knelt down in fervent 
 })rayer that God would help them in this time of 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 109 
 
 need. Their petitions were not in vain, and hope 
 broke upon their minds. A few hours more of an- 
 guish passed away, and then such plentiful showers 
 fell as put an end to their thirst. 
 
 After two days' rest at this place, they travelled on 
 with an elated spirit, and Kicherer, leaving the people 
 under the care of his assistant, hastened forward to 
 the residence of the nearest farmers, that he might 
 gratify his extreme longing for a morsel of bread, as 
 he had not tasted any for four months. He pro- 
 ceeded forward with all possible despatch, and having 
 at length come within sight of the first farmer's house, 
 his joy on approaching it was indescribable. His 
 first request was for a piece of bread, which he 
 immediately devoured with the keenest appetite, and 
 with a relish which no other can conceive. Shortly 
 after, he arrived at his favourite spot on the Zak 
 river. He had received two offers of easy and af- 
 fluent ministerial situations near the Cape ; but he 
 declined them, for the sake of this poor people. 
 Having received a present of a hundred pounds from 
 Governor Dundas, he began to erect a commodious 
 buildino" for a church. Besides this edifice, which was 
 capable of containing eight hundred people, he erected 
 in this place a good dwelling-house which was 
 built of stone in front; the Christian Hottentots, also, 
 built themselves decent habitations, in the style of 
 the farmers ; and at the back of it the heathen lived 
 in small huts. Near the church, the missionaries 
 had an excellent garden for raising vegetables, and 
 on the north side of the river were their corn fields. 
 The whole number of inhabitants amounted to six 
 hundred, of whom eighty-three were Christians. 
 
 Some time afterwards, he set out for Europe for 
 the restoration of his health ; and, at the end of 
 two years, returning to the Cape, he hastened to 
 the Zak river, where he found the people had 
 suffered greatly from the excessive drought, so that 
 
110 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 many bad taken refuge in a different part of the 
 country. Mr. Kicherer was subsequently solicited 
 to take tbe charge of one of the vacant churches 
 at the Cape Town. But, with the approbation of 
 Sir David Baird, he chose the situation of Graaf- 
 Reinet, the church of which was nearest to the 
 settlement of Zak river. He accepted it, on the 
 condition that he should retain his connexion with 
 the Missionary Society, and continue to superintend 
 the mission. Here he preached the gospel, not 
 only to the Dutch settlers in the extensive district 
 around, but also to many of the natives ; and his 
 labours were attended with great success. 
 
 Anderson and Kramer, in the mean time, who 
 had been left in charge of the congregation at 
 Orange river, were faithful to their trust. After 
 some years, the number of people under their care 
 amounted to about eight hundred. Of these, about 
 eighty had been taught to read, and upwards of 
 thirty of them were able to maintain a conversation 
 on the truths of revelation. But difficulties thick- 
 ened around, particularly from the quarrels and 
 wars of the Caffres with the other tribes. In the 
 mean time, some new Missionaries arrived from the 
 Netherland Society — Christian Albrecht, and his 
 brother. The wife of the latter was also with 
 them ; and this lady, who was the daughter of an 
 eminent minister in Germany, came, in the prime of 
 life, to devote herself to the conversion of the 
 Namaquas. They hardly seem to have counted the 
 cost, but onwards they went into the fearful land. 
 They soon found it would not do to preach in the open 
 air, for, in the first attempt, a venomous serpent 
 coiled itself round Christian Albrecht, but fortu- 
 nately left him without any fatal injury. They ad- 
 vanced further into the interior, and found the country 
 so rocky and so mountainous, that it was not possible 
 to travel with a waggon, and even scarcely on horse- 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 1 1 I 
 
 back. He was obliged to seek the miserable 
 natives in the most dismal holes and dens ; and, 
 even when he approached, they fled from him, so 
 that he was constrained to send a messenger in ad- 
 vance to tranquillize their minds. 
 
 The spot on which they fixed was the Warm 
 Bath, where about three hundred people resided, 
 the rest lived at the distance of from half a day 
 to three days' journey. There were generally about 
 two hundred present at public worship ; it seems 
 that no less than twelve hundred names were in- 
 serted in the church books. It is curious to hear 
 the latter phrase made use of in this little remote 
 community. 
 
 The missionaries had made some attempts to raise 
 cotton, and had succeeded very well. The condi- 
 tion of the Namaquas was materially improved by 
 means of their labours. Mrs. Albrecht was an 
 absolute heroine in the schoolhouse : she had insti- 
 tuted a regular Namaqua female school, which was 
 numerously attended, and the pupils made rapid 
 progress. In her letters, she speaks of being very 
 happy among these savages. The scene in the 
 church, on the sabbath, was, perhaps, the most 
 characteristic. The Namaquas had come from far 
 as well as near, from the hills and the plains ; the 
 women were mostly clad in some of the articles 
 knit or woven at the school, (stockings, caps, <^c.) 
 under the latter of which their faces looked suffi- 
 ciently grotesque. 
 
 The men having laid aside their assagays, and 
 being clad in their long mantles, listened attentively. 
 The joy and wonder were great, when Mrs. Albrecht, 
 seated at the pianoforte at the upper end of the 
 church, skilfully played the hymns, which the 
 children and females joined in singing. How this 
 piano was conveyed to this savage place, over rock, 
 river, and plain, without being broken into ten 
 
112 VANDERKEMP AND KFCHERER. 
 
 thousand pieces, is a mystery. Her husband fell 
 ill of a consumption, and slie conveyed him to Cape 
 Town : their dangers and sufferings were truly 
 affecting. There he died, and his widow buried 
 him, and then returned to Namaqua land, to resume 
 the station she had so usefully occupied. But, the 
 neighbouring country was soon after involved in 
 confusion and distress, in consequence of the depre- 
 dations of the robber known by the name of Afri- 
 caner, with whom Stephanos had taken refuge. 
 
 New settlements were subsequently formed, with 
 various success ; that of Griqua Town, north of the 
 great Orange river, improved greatly under the care 
 of Mr. Anderson, and afterwards of Helm, a man 
 versed in the African dialects. The Griquas, the 
 converts among whom are about two hundred, do 
 not make very zealous Christians; "a Laodicean 
 spirit, it is said, lamentably prevails :" they are more 
 fond of hunting than of agriculture. During twenty 
 years, Anderson had resided among this thriftless 
 people, till his health declined, and he came to 
 Caledon, in the vale of Zurebrak, where he super- 
 intends the school, and preaches to the Hottentots. 
 Such is too often the fate of the African mis- 
 sionaries, who toil, long and minutely, among the 
 fickle and mindless natives ; and find, at the last, 
 but small fruits of all their toils, from the wars, 
 and distresses owing to the drought and famine, 
 which compel a frequent change of residence. 
 Even Bethelsdorp is not yet " like an offering unto 
 God in the wilderness ;" although Vanderkemp was 
 the director, and it has since been supplied with 
 regular ministers, and every advantage of instruc- 
 tion and external comfort. In 1824, regular streets, 
 and houses of stone, had succeeded to the reed 
 dwellings. The mission school was attended by 
 several hundred scholars, and the chapel by a 
 numerous assembly ; of the former, Monro was the 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 113 
 
 supeiiuteiulant, and Kitchingman the missionary. 
 " Of conversions to piety," they observe, *' instances, 
 during the past year, have been few." In the year 
 1828, a stranger arrived, to whose care Bethelsdorp 
 was generously yielded : this was Cornelius Vander- 
 kemp, the son of the eminent founder. To thus 
 imitate liis father's example, and quit Europe, in the 
 prime of life, for an African solitude, required no 
 slight self-denial and zeal. An evening school was 
 now commenced, for the benefit of adult Hottentots, 
 " among whom a great thirst of knowledge is pre- 
 valent :" they are instructed in reading, writing, 
 and arithmetic. Mr. Forster has under his tui- 
 tion several promising youths, belonging to dif- 
 erent African tribes : and, with his associates, 
 Helm and Foster, also visits the vicinity of Algoa 
 Bay, and other scenes : so that the state of Bethels- 
 dorp is now more full of promise and usefulness 
 than at any former period. The settlements of 
 Stellenbosch and the Paarl, twenty-five and forty- 
 five miles from Cape Town, are very useful, parti- 
 cularly the latter, under the charge of Evan Evans. 
 " Under the shade of some fine oak-trees," it is 
 said, " our Auxiliary Missionary Society was held, 
 the chapel not being capable of containing the 
 persons assembled." At Tulbach, farther in the 
 interior, dwells Arie Vos, a man of advanced age, 
 who continues with deligrht in his ministry among: 
 free persons and slaves. In his tours over mountain 
 and plain, this fine old man painfully gathers his 
 scattered congregations. The only survivor of the 
 first missionaries, who came, in 1799, with Van- 
 derkemp, is Kramer, who now dwells at Bosches- 
 feld. At Pacaltsdorp, two hundred and fifty miles 
 in the interior, there is a congregation of about two 
 hundred Hottentots : Anderson, the excellent re- 
 cluse, now dwells here, and his daughters have 
 ch.arge of the girls' school. What an uninteresting^ 
 
 IT. I 
 
114 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 abode for these young women ! — no society but the 
 Hottentots and their families, and that of the 
 other missionary ; no scene but the wide and sandy 
 plain, without grove, or mountain, or stream : 
 but the African wilds are the only world the Miss 
 Andersons have ever seen or mingled in ; reared on 
 the banks of the noble Orange river, and afterwards 
 dwellers among the wild Boshmen, and the vale of 
 Zurebrak. Theopolis, sixty miles from Bethelsdorp, 
 under the care of Messrs. Barker and Edwards, is in 
 a highly flourishing state. " The congregations are 
 good ; the people seriously impressed with the truth, 
 and the members of the church grow in the know- 
 ledge and consolations of religion." The single 
 congregation of Hottentots in this place subscribe 
 nearly thirty pounds a year to the Auxiliary Mis- 
 sionary Society. " In our journey," says a late 
 traveller, " we were gratified by observing the suc- 
 cess already produced in this country by missionary 
 efforts, and the means in operation for still greater 
 results. The appearance of Bethelsdorp and Theo- 
 polis is a practical refutation of the calumnies cir- 
 culated, particularly against the former. In the 
 schools, the British system may be seen in a state 
 of perfection, equal to almost any thing that can be 
 seen in England : and the number under instruc- 
 tion, and their proficiency, is truly admirable. We 
 united with the people in celebrating the Lord's 
 supper. It was an impressive season : we recol- 
 lected the times past, when this scene of fertility 
 and industry was as a desert ; and, as we looked 
 round on the silent and devout assembly of Hot- 
 tentots kneeling at the table of the Lord, in neat 
 apparel, we contrasted their former situation, in 
 their sheep-skin karosses, in the lowest state of 
 mental degradation." Pacaltsdorp deserves a 
 farther tribute ; it derives its name from a Mr. 
 Pacalt, a missionary, who left the whole of his 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 115 
 
 property to the improvement of the place. The 
 settlement is surrounded by a wall of seven 
 thousand feet in circuit : there are, likewise, se- 
 parate enclosures for the gardens, and for the 
 cattle ; the former of which measure three thou- 
 sand four hundred, and the latter one thousand feet : 
 an immense artificial pool, for watering the cattle, 
 had also been made, and many hundreds of valuable 
 shrubs, from other lands, planted in the gardens. 
 These are all public works, performed by the people 
 in a body. Extensive corn-fields, belonging to the 
 institution, lie beyond the walls. Almost every 
 female appears in church, as neatly attired as those 
 of any country congregation in England. 
 
 At New Lattakoo, 900 miles from the Cape, the 
 scene is less inviting ; the Matchappees, and the 
 Malapeetze, and the Bechuyana, the chief objects 
 of Mr. Campbell's arduous journeys, appear to be 
 a stupid and senseless race ; void of those flashes 
 of intellect and generous feeling, which alone make 
 the savage an impressive being. Daily, at the 
 times of morning and evening prayers, exhortations 
 are given to the Matchappees, and on the Sabbath, 
 the neighbouring villages are visited. The mission- 
 aries also seek every opportunity of visiting the 
 strangers who visit Lattakoo, and endeavour to ex- 
 plain to them the leading truths of Christianity. The 
 directors lament to state, that a great indifference 
 to religion prevails among this people : the popu- 
 lation of this place is 4,000, including the Boot- 
 cherannas. Among the latter, it is observed, little 
 moral or spiritual fruit appears, in spite of preach- 
 ing, catechizing, and conversing with them ; the 
 attendance on public worship fluctuates extremely. 
 King Mateebe, a potentate who waged a successful 
 war with the Mantatees, and with the aid of fifty 
 Griquas cavalry, with their muskets, defeated the 
 latter in a ferocious and bloody combat, came one 
 
 I '2 
 
116 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 day to church with a stranger. The latter was 
 Tsousan, son of the king of the Wanketzens. One 
 or two of the missionaries have made great pro- 
 gress in learning the Bechuanna tongue, the acqui- 
 sition of which will greatly facilitate their efforts. 
 The chief men, in particular Prince Peclu, and 
 Teyscho, are strongly attached lo them. The best 
 lighting men in the country are the Griquas ; a 
 small body of cavalry, with their muskets, can 
 discomfit a whole host of the Bechuanas. 
 
 Their national council, to debate on some enter- 
 prise in war, is a fine scene : amidst the terror 
 caused by the approach of the Mantatees, the as- 
 sembly was called in haste. As the warriors ar- 
 rived, they seated themselves in rows on the ground, 
 holding their shields before them, and their group 
 of assagays, or spears, bristling beside. The mis- 
 sionaries, Hamilton and Moffat, were seated amidst, 
 the latter : Mateebe, the king, stood up in the midst, 
 and commanded silence ; he raised a spear to the 
 north-east, and cursed the invaders. He then de- 
 livered a speech, in which he praised greatly the 
 care and services of Moffat, in procuring inform- 
 ation of the enemy, their mode of warfare, &c. ; 
 then followed a war-dance, with shouting and sing- 
 ing. Four other speakers followed, and then rose 
 Teysho, a man celebrated for his wisdom, and of 
 high rank among his people. " I beseech you, all 
 ye warriors," he said, "to prepare your hearts for 
 the ensuing conflict. Consider well what is before 
 you, that you may not turn your backs in the day 
 of battle. You have heard of the nations the Man- 
 tatees have dispersed, and you look alone for de 
 liverance to the Griquas, with their guns and horses. 
 But I say again. Prepare your hearts, be strong, be 
 resolute, else the invaders will overwhelm us, and 
 we shall perish from the earth. Moffat, our friend, 
 has disclosed our danger, even as the daybreak 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 117 
 
 after a dark night, discloses to a man the danger 
 that was nigh while darkness shut his eyes. We 
 must not act like timid Bechuanas : we are Ma- 
 cooas ; let no one excuse himself from the battle." 
 At the conclusion, the air was rent with acclama- 
 tions : a messenger from the king delivered to each 
 chief a sprig of the camel-thorn tree, in token that 
 a private council would be held next day in the 
 mountains. Among this people there is scarcely 
 an idea of a future state, and a very vague and 
 glimmering notion of a Deity : what time and pa- 
 tience will then be required, to instil into their minds 
 the knowledge of Christianity ! Where the native 
 dialects are not understood, divine service is per- 
 formed in the Dutch language, and translated into 
 Bechuana by an interpreter. 
 
 The war habiliments of the Matchapee chiefs, 
 when ready for the field, consist of a plume 
 of ostrich feathers, a leopard skin hung from the 
 shoulders, a battle-axe in the right hand, and in 
 the left a sheaf of assagays. His bow, and quiver 
 of poisoned arrows, are slung on his back : the 
 target is of ox or buifalo hide. When the female 
 is in holiday costume, the bunches of beads around 
 her neck and body weigh at least eight or ten 
 pounds, besides the various copper and ivory rings 
 that ornament her person. Her head-dress is ele- 
 gantly woven of the quills of the porcupine, and 
 her black woolly hair is smeared with oil. The 
 appearance of these ladies is not very seductive ; 
 they are finely made, but the lips are extremely 
 thick, and the mouth is always open : the eyes bear 
 some resemblance, in their length and narrowness, 
 to those of the Chinese, and the black woolly hair 
 is confined chiefly to the top of the head. The 
 CafFre women are the most personable in Southern 
 Africa : the complexion of the former is of a dark 
 brown, instead of the jet-black hue of the more 
 
118 VANDERKExMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 interior nations— the features have a more Euro- 
 pean character. The beautiful CafFre, Narina, as 
 described by Vaillant, was perhaps indebted to the 
 traveller's fancy or enthusiasm : her amiable tem- 
 per and manners, and quick intellect, with the at- 
 tractions of face and form, woke all his surprise 
 amidst the wilds of CafFraria. 
 
 The king, Mateebe, entrusted his son Peclu, v/ith 
 his counsellor Teysho, to the care of Mr. Moffat, 
 to visit the Cape Town, a distance of a thousand 
 miles. On going on board some of the large ves- 
 sels in the bay, it was long before they could re- 
 cover their ease and serenity. A few days after- 
 wards, they paid a visit to a little cottage, over- 
 hanging the precipitous and romantic shore of the 
 Atlantic, and gazed on its vast expanse, so resem- 
 bling in its stillness one of their flat and intermin- 
 able plains, where no elevations but a few solitary 
 rocks meet the eye — and the airy passage of the 
 ostrich, like a bark driven by the gale. 
 
 It is a pity that the Caffre tribes have in general 
 been averse to the reception of Christianity ; in 
 humanity, enterprise, and courage, they are far 
 superior to the other nations ; resembling, in many 
 traits of their character, the Iroquois and Delawares 
 of North America, they offer a nobler soil for mis- 
 sionary exertion than the tribes of the interior : 
 intelligent, and passionately fond of their inde- 
 pendence, they never ask the aid of their neigh- 
 bours in their wars. Their country is about two 
 hundred miles in length by seventy in breadth, 
 with a population of 100,000 souls. 
 
 The report of the progress of the Mantatee army 
 once more spread such terror iit Lattakoo, that the 
 people urged Mr. Hamilton to go to Griquatown, to 
 seek assistance : he complied ; but, in consequence 
 of the absence of the leader, could obtain but partial 
 aid. On his return, Hamilton urged the necessity 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 119 
 
 of sending messengers to spy if the Mantatees were 
 advancing ; but, observing the indifference of the 
 king and his chiefs, he resolved to set out himself. 
 Accompanied by a small party, he arrived after 
 twenty-five days' travel, at Peetsan, a principal 
 town on the Borolong country, about as large as 
 Latakoo, and situated on the south bank of the 
 river Molopo, in the midst of a fine plain, and 
 consisting of twenty divisions or wards. He was 
 kindly received, and the people expressed an earnest 
 desire that the missionaries would come and reside 
 there. He preached several times to congregations 
 of above a thousand people. Hamilton's descrip- 
 tion of the scene is striking — '* I never before wit- 
 nessed, in Africa, any thing like what I beheld at 
 Peetsan ; and, when on the sabbath evening I stood 
 amidst the heathen multitude, and saw the crowds 
 coming to hear the word of God, I was ready to 
 adopt the language of Christ, at Jacob's well, 
 ' Lift up your eyes, and look unto the fields, for 
 they are white already to harvest. The princes on 
 the confines of Ethiopia are crying, like the men 
 of Macedonia, * Come over and help us,* surely it 
 shall not be heard in vain." His companion, 
 Mr. Moffatt, resolved to visit the king of the Wan- 
 keets, whose son, Tsousan, had invited him : with 
 Hendrick, and the chief Berend, and a few fearless 
 Griquas, he set out, and, after a month's travelling, 
 arrived at Quaque, the capital, where he was sur- 
 rounded by thousands of people. The king, Ma- 
 kabba, gave him a kind reception, appointed a 
 guard to protect his waggons and property ; and 
 said, that he " hoped no grass would in future grow 
 between the Krooman and Quaque ; that the Mis- 
 sionaries should consider him as their chief friend, 
 and should send a man of God to reside in his 
 city." The country of the Wankeets is extensive, 
 and abounds with towns and villages : the capital 
 
120 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 contains at least eight times as much ground as the 
 largest Bechuana town : the houses are not larger 
 than those of Lattakoo, but they are more com- 
 fortable, and shew more taste, and the people far 
 surpass the Matchappees in cleanliness. He de- 
 parted from Quaque, on his return, and, towards 
 evening, was met by strangers, entreating his 
 assistance, as the dreaded Mantatees were entering 
 Peetsan. Before he could arrive, an engagement 
 took place, in which the Borolongs, although they 
 amounted to 11,000, would have been overwhelmed 
 by the invaders, but for the Griqua horsemen who 
 accompanied Mr. MofFatt, and who compelled the 
 enemy to retreat, after much slaughter. The mis- 
 sionaries were here the spectators of the battle, whose 
 fate they aided to decide, fortunately for Peetsan, 
 which would otherwise have been pillaged and 
 burnt, and the people massacred or made captive. 
 The Mantatees, in number about 50,000, formed an 
 immense dark and serried square, from the midst of 
 which the bravest rushed forth, to meet the little 
 group of Griqua cavalry, who, from the eminences 
 around, poured in their musketry with deadly aim, 
 and picked off the chief warriors. The Bechuanas, 
 in the mean time, hovered on the hills, not daring, 
 after the first trial, to come to close contest with the 
 enemy. 
 
 The two thousand copies of a spelling-book and 
 catechism, in the Bechuana language, translated by 
 Mr. MofFatt, have been printed in London, and for- 
 warded to Africa. Mateebe and his people have re • 
 moved to the fine valley where the missionaries reside, 
 and where they purpose to erect their new town. 
 But the general aspect of this mission is not en- 
 couraging, owing to painful vicissitudes from with- 
 out, and the dulness and inconstancy of the natives, 
 on whose heart and head the sublime truths of Chris- 
 tianity seem to fall fruitlessly. ,/ 
 
VANDERKKMP AND KICHKRER. 121 
 
 In Namaqua land, the missionaries find a more 
 teachable and peaceful people : the conversion of 
 the noted robber Africaner, and his subsequent 
 death, had no small influence on the minds of the 
 natives : he was a man of considerable talent, whose 
 exploits and desperate courage made him feared 
 throughout the land. Pella is a prosperous station; 
 but, like some of the other stations, is often of neces- 
 sity deserted for months together. It is situated in 
 the bosom of a burning wilderness, where the robber 
 at times finds his way, but the passenger rarely. 
 After wandering over the parched hills, and then 
 through the gloomy ravines, you pass over an 
 alternate stony and sandy ground for some hours ; 
 and when darkness closes in, and no human abode 
 is seen, and the bowlings of the beasts of prey 
 already fill the air, the heart sinks amidst the 
 stern desolation. Then, how delightful is it to hear 
 the distant bark of the dog, or the lowing of the 
 cattle, and to discern the first glimmerings of a 
 friendly light — all evincing that a home and a hearth 
 are near. At last the little, neat church is seen, 
 even near at hand ; the pastor's house by its side, 
 and the huts of the Namaquas at a short distance. 
 Pella thus beautifully realizes the words of the pro- 
 phet, being " a refuge to the stranger, a rest to the 
 weary, when there was no hope, and he fainted be- 
 cause of the terrors of the way." 
 
 In the missionary's home there is instant kindness 
 and hospitality : a good meal is prepared, and bread, 
 that staff of life, so rarely tasted in African coun- 
 tries, is set before the guest ; and the cheerful and 
 intelligent converse, the blazing wood fire, and 
 afterwards the comfortable bed and clean apart- 
 ments — these are luxuries which the desolate vividly 
 enjoy. This pastoral place is at the foot of lofty 
 mountains; the river flows through a _ rocky pass, 
 near to the dwellings, and its banks arc covered 
 
122 VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 
 
 with white and black ebony trees. The plains all 
 around are covered with grass, and, when dried up 
 for want of moisture, the people depart, and the 
 pastor departs with them, to seek more verdant 
 spots, and wait till the rain falls, and the pastures 
 of Pella spring up again. The Namaquas, like the 
 Corannas, are a pastoral people, living chiefly on 
 milk, and devoted to the care of their flocks and 
 herds : averse to war, and of a mild and indolent 
 character. They are divided, like all the Hottentot 
 tribes, into separate clans, governed by a chief, 
 whose authority is circumscribed and precarious. 
 They live in moveable huts, and cannot be prevailed 
 on to erect stone buildings ; they have all the 
 habits, together with the want of enterprise, and 
 obesity of mind, of the shepherd. The heat of the 
 climate is intense : the thermometer frequently rises 
 to 120 ; not only is the bite of the cobra capella, 
 but even that of the tarantula and the spiders, venom- 
 ous. This dull and primitive existence, where in 
 summer the chiefest luxury is to sit beneath the 
 ebony trees on the river side, and look towards the 
 sad mountains, and hope for a delicious breeze, is 
 surely no enviable one to the missionary. In every 
 direction, the prospect is equally dreary. A grey, 
 hard, and pitiless waste, where the heart can find 
 nothing with which to hold communion : the stillness 
 is intense, and even frightful, broken only at long 
 intervals by a sudden and melancholy cry — but not 
 of a human voice : the wild wail of the Arab would 
 here be melody. There is one void, that is felt in 
 every nerve — no water ! the eye flits miserably from 
 place to place, to the dry and seared bed of the river, 
 to the mountain's breast, to the sullen plain, from 
 whence rises a faint, hot vapour — still there is 
 no water ; no blessed shadow of a cloud passing 
 over, even for a moment. Then is felt the ter- 
 rible expressiveness of the words, of the passage of 
 
VANDERKEMP AND KICHERER. 123 
 
 Israel in the desert, ' through a salt land, of 
 drought, and not inhabited.' In many parts of the 
 plain, the parched bosoms of what once were small 
 lakes and pools, were covered with a white crust of 
 salt, on which the sun's rays fell, and the eye turned 
 from the deadly and mocking glare, as if it had seen 
 an enemy — for here once the thirst was quenched , 
 and now there was only aggravation to pain. Under 
 these circumstances, when twilight gathers, and the 
 congregation of simple Namaquas, the sad toils of 
 the day being over, assemble in the little church — 
 the zeal must be fervent, that can find its sole re- 
 ward in their intruction. 
 
 But the fancy and the temper are sometimes apt 
 to be affected by the dread aspects of nature : — and 
 the lonely missionary, abandoned to the long com- 
 munion with his own thoughts, during the breathless 
 day and night — feels that images of terror and 
 judgment are gathering fast upon him. The pro- 
 phet of old was " angry even to death," when his 
 gourd perished, and the sun and the wind beat on 
 his head : and it is observable, that the ancient visi- 
 tations of God to his saints, were often sutted in 
 character to the scene — glorious, yet gentle and 
 indulgent, even as a man with his friend, amidst the 
 retreats of Palestine — but in the fire, the earth- 
 ouake, and the thunder, amidst the horrors of Sinai. 
 And in the African desert, the more awful passages 
 of scripture are often dearest to the preacher's lips : 
 soft accents of mercy are less in unison with the 
 quick whirlwind, the crashing thunder that breaks 
 from the shaggy summits, and the lightning stream- 
 ing as if the last day was nigh. The pale horse 
 and his rider, Death ! the garments of the warrior, 
 rolled in blood ! the coming terrors of the guilty ! — 
 chain perhaps every thought of the audience ; and 
 even then, the horrid shout of the bandit, like that 
 of a demon, comes on the night air. 
 
124 i4ISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 
 
 MADAGASCAR. 
 
 It will be remembered, that on this island the 
 longing desire of Vanderkemp was fixed. In the 
 year 1818, Messrs. Bevan and Jones landed there, in 
 spite of the representations laid before them, which 
 were calculated to damp ail their ardour. In the 
 town of Tamatave, on the coast, they opened a 
 school, which was soon attended by the children of 
 some of the principal people. Being invited by 
 Radama to visit him in his capital, Mr. Jones set 
 out, in company with Mr. Hastie, the British agent ; 
 the object of the latter was to conclude a com- 
 mercial treaty. The journey was tedious, and the 
 roads villanous : Radama entreated the missionary 
 to remain in his city, and allotted him one of the 
 royal houses, with servants to attend upon him : 
 here he was to have the benefit of some good 
 teachers, while improving himself in the native 
 language. 
 
 According to one of the articles of the treaty, 
 twenty young persons were to be selected from 
 among the more respectable natives, to be instructed 
 in useful learning and arts, under the patronage of 
 the British government. Prince Rataffe, brother 
 of the king, arrived in England, accompanied by 
 nine of these youths : he attended the meetings of 
 the London Missionary Society ; was received with 
 open arms by its wealthy supporters ; saw all the 
 fine sights of London ; and, on his return to Mada- 
 gascar, his recital filled the whole court with admira- 
 tion and delight. In the school-house, two hundred 
 children were educated : in the royal school, forty 
 youths were instructed. Radama, a man of superior 
 
MISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 125 
 
 talents, and ardent desire for the improvement of 
 his people, rendered every aid to the progress of the 
 mission. Very many of the people had attained a 
 considerable knowledge of the Christian religion ; 
 and all manifested a great avidity to learn : the gir!s 
 were instructed in needlework, &c., by the wives of 
 the ministers. A number of missionary artisans 
 were also sent out : the king allotted them a 
 piece of ground for their residence, and for the 
 carrying on of their respective trades. About 2,000 of 
 the natives were employed to prepare the ground 
 for the erection of the requisite buildings : three 
 Madagasse youths were also placed with each of the 
 artisans, two of them as apprentices, the other as a 
 servant. In order to establish the silk-weaving 
 business, the mulberry-tree has been introduced 
 into the island, and looms have been ordered from 
 England. The Madagascar youths, who arrived 
 with prince RatafFe, and were placed by the Society 
 in a good school in the Borough, made a rapid 
 progress in reading, writing, and arithmetic ; and 
 subsequently were taught sundry useful arts, pre- 
 vious to their return to their native country. 
 
 The kingdom of Radama, now called Imerina, is 
 divided into four provinces, in which about thirty 
 schools are now established ; the number of scholars 
 is 2000. Three of the former have been united in 
 one, and, by the desire of the king, denominated the 
 Royal College. This seminary contains 270 boys, 
 of whom fifty of the most gifted and instructed have 
 been sent to take charge of the schools in the 
 country. To every village, whose inhabitants collect 
 eighty scholars, two youths from this seminary are 
 appointed. A public examination of the pupils of 
 the central school took place in April, in the pre- 
 sence of the king, some of the members of the royal 
 family, the generals, and James Hastie, Esq., the 
 British agent : they were examined in reading. 
 
120 MISSION TO MAI^aGASCAR. 
 
 grammar, their attainments in English, in recitation, 
 writing, arithmetic, (some as high as decimal frac- 
 tions,) and plane trigonometry. The girls' school, 
 which contains three classes, was afterwards exa- 
 mined. At last, after severe application, Messrs. 
 Jones and Griffiths commenced preaching, in the 
 Madagasse language, to assemblies of above a 
 thousand persons. A collection of hymns has been 
 composed for the use of the people. The indefati- 
 gable missionaries, Jones and Griffiths, have trans- 
 lated a good part of the scriptures into the Madagasse 
 language, as well as a series of discourses on the 
 works of creation, and on the Divine attributes. 
 A vocabulary of the language, and a Madagasse and 
 English dictionary, are also finished. A printing 
 establishment has also been set up in the island. 
 The missionaries, besides revising the New Testa- 
 ment for the press, are finishing the translation of 
 the Old : ere this, it is probable that the entire 
 scriptures have been published in the Madagasse 
 tongue. His majesty, Radama, has signified his 
 pleasure, that twelve of the more promising youths 
 shall be instructed in Greek and Latin. The wisdom 
 of the royal taste, on this point, may be questioned : 
 if Virgil and Homer are to be read in the land of 
 Imerina, the result may perhaps be, a distaste for 
 its simple and primitive island habits — a useless 
 refinement of feeling. The scripture is their best 
 study: the bold and rich imagery of the pro- 
 phets of the Old Testament is more acceptable, 
 as was proved by Eliot, to the mind of the 
 savage, than all the beauties of the classics. Five 
 missionaries, with their families, are at present resi- 
 dent in the island : they gratefully acknowledge the 
 reception of various articles of stationery, &c., pre- 
 sented for the use of the schools, from different parts 
 of the united kingdom : many of the " Society of 
 Friends" have rendered valuable and generous aid. 
 
MISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 127 
 
 The situation of this mission is very agreeable : 
 the missionaries reside in ^ood dwellings, in part 
 provided by the king ; and being on good terms 
 with the whole court, opposition is unknown. The 
 soil of this vast island is in general fertile, being 
 watered by numerous streams and large rivers, which 
 have their source on the long chain of mountains 
 that separates the eastern from the western coast. 
 These mountains are intersected by deep ravines and 
 valleys, in the midst of whose awful precipices the 
 traveller hears the sound of falling waters, of *' im- 
 mense cascades," which are so inaccessible that he 
 cannot view them closely. On descending into the 
 plains, fields of rice, potatoes, &c., and a rank vege- 
 tation, appear on every side. So rich is the soil, that 
 the people of Madagascar, like those of Egypt, know 
 not the use of the plough: they turn up the surface 
 slightly with a pickaxe, throw in the grains of rice, 
 and spread the mould with their feet; — a field sown in 
 this manner produces a hundred fold. Among the 
 trees of the numerous forests, are palms, ebony, 
 orange, lemon, and aloes in abundance ; cotton, 
 flax, tobacco, indigo, and the sugar-cane, are culti- 
 vated. The women shew great dexterity in weaving 
 the beautiful pieces of stuff, which serve them for 
 clothing : some of these are made of the filaments of 
 leaves of a peculiar plant, others are manufactured 
 of cotton and silk. The natives are well made, and 
 rather above the middle stature : the complexion is 
 tawny ; some have a copper-coloured tint, but the 
 colour of the greater part is olive ; they have a broad 
 open forehead ; the nose is not flat ; the lips are thin ; 
 and the features regular and agreeable : the whole 
 countenance has a character of frankness and good 
 nature. They are very indifferent about knowledge, 
 which must be attained by much reflection and trou- 
 ble : hence the difficulty of teaching the adults Chris- 
 tianity; the labour of thinking is oppressive to them ; 
 
128 MISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 
 
 and they are averse to exertion of any kind, from 
 a natural apathy and carelessness. They have only 
 two ways of preparing their food ; they either boil it in 
 earthen vessels of excellent quality, which they manu- 
 facture ; or broil it upon the coals. Their fare is good 
 and various: the pheasant, partridge, quail, wild 
 duck, teals of several kinds, and pigeons abound. 
 The most curious dish is a bat, of a monstrous size, 
 which, even by the Europeans, is pronounced 
 delicate and excellent eating ; it is dressed after the 
 manner of a fricasseed chicken ; yet the appearance 
 of them on table is so hideous, as even to frighten 
 the sailors, at first sight. The sea and fresh-water 
 fish are various and abundant — breams, soles, pil- 
 chards, oysters, mackarel, turtle, and mullet. Most 
 of the villages and towns are built on eminences : the 
 residence of the chief consists of two or three build- 
 ings, surrounded by enclosures, where he lives with 
 his women and children. Some historical books are 
 preserved in the Madagasse language ; but their 
 learned men, whom they call Ombiasses, use only 
 the Arabic characters ; they have among them 
 treatises on medicine, and judicial astrology. These 
 Ombiasses are both sorcerers and physicians. The 
 art of writing was, no doubt, brought into this isle by 
 the Arabs, who conquered it four hundred years 
 ago : their paper is made from the papyrus nilotica; 
 it is of a yellowish colour, and the pens used are 
 made of the bamboo. The white natives, who 
 inhabit the province of Anossi, pretend to be de- 
 scended from Imina, the mother of Mahomet : they 
 are of a lively temper, and are not destitute of in- 
 telligence or capacity. They are so attached to 
 their women, even the husbands to their wives, that 
 they never, when in their company, appear sad or 
 dejected, and their principal attention is to please 
 them : they say that their presence inspires them 
 with joy, and sooths all the cares of life ; so that 
 
MISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 129 
 
 here the fair sex meet with respect and deference. 
 The balance of power inclines even in their favour. 
 Colour excepted, the Madagasse women are hand- 
 some ; their persons are slender and genteel ; they 
 have pleasing and delicate features ; a soft smooth 
 skin ; teeth remarkably white ; and fine blue eyes. 
 These people pay the utmost respect to marriage : 
 a plurality of wives is not uncommon among the 
 chiefs and those who are rich, but they never es- 
 pouse more than one legally. A divorce may take 
 place as often as the union displeases either the 
 husband or wife : when they part, however, by 
 mutual consent, they restore to each other the 
 properly they possessed before marriage. 
 
 The interior of the isle is in many parts very diffi- 
 cult to traverse : high mountains, almost inaccessible ; 
 and in the forests, the compass is the only guide : in 
 order to cross the precipices and rocks, the traveller 
 is suspended or secured by silk cords, held by the 
 guides ; even the paper kites of Franklin would be 
 useful to cross the wide and rapid streams; at night, 
 the hammock, suspended between two trees, must 
 be his bed. The villages are dispersed here and 
 there on the declivities of the hills, and are defended 
 by palisades ; they are agreeably shaded by trees, as 
 the cocoa-nut, orange, wild vines, bananas, and 
 the beautiful palm. The walls and partitions of the 
 houses are formed of the barks and leaves of this 
 palm, which is called the raven ; they have the 
 solidity of wood, and are fastened together in a very 
 ingenious manner ; the leaves make an excellent 
 thatch to the roof. Of the leaves of this tree also, 
 the natives make their plates, dishes, and cups, 
 which are always clean, being used but a few times, 
 when they are thrown aside, and fresh ones pro- 
 cured. Part of the lands abound with rich pas- 
 ture and cattle. On leaving the plains and 
 meadows, to enter the immense forests, the imagina- 
 
 II. K 
 
130 MISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 
 
 tion is struck with their utter solitude ; the noble 
 trees, the tenants of these retreats for ages, and the 
 deep stillness as well as gloom that reigns around, 
 for the rays of the sun can scarcely penetrate the 
 thick foliage, almost wakes an enthusiasm in the 
 traveller. ISut this feeling does not endure long : 
 no scene so soon oppresses the mind as the dark 
 bosom of a mighty forest, where the wind scarcely 
 breathes, or the face of the sky is seen. 
 
 The many attractions and advantages of the isle 
 of Madagascar are not without the reverse of the 
 picture. The climate, all along the coast, is pecu- 
 liarly unhealthy ; the settler must seek the moun- 
 tainous parts of the interior, where the air is more 
 pure. The natives are neither cruel nor ferocious ; 
 their wars are few; in Tananarivo, the capital of 
 Radama, several Europeans reside ; although in a 
 lofty site, it is not free from the visitations of the 
 Madagasse fever, that has already carried off Mr. 
 Hastie, the British envoy ; and Hovenden, one of 
 the missionaries. The circuit of their labours com- 
 prises an extent of thirty miles around the city : the 
 patronage of the prince is a tower of strength. This 
 immense isle, hitherto so little known or investigated, 
 where the traveller's foot has rarely wandered, offers 
 a very noble and novel field to the missionary ; 
 already his zeal and ambition anticipates the civil 
 and mental improvement of the numerous people, 
 who may one day become one vast community of 
 Christians. The very hope is splendid ; its accom- 
 plishment is in the hands of One who is mighty to 
 save; in the resistless career of whose will, time and 
 space are as nothing. Even thus far, the benefits 
 conferred on Madagascar are great and various ; an 
 impulse is given to the mind, a new feeling to the 
 heart; and where all, from the king to the peasant, 
 are well disposed, the conquests of religion, though 
 glow, will probably be sure. The company of mis- 
 
MISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 131 
 
 sioiiary artisans appears to prosper in their new 
 country ; and at this period especially, when emi- 
 gration increases daily, and the adventurers scarcely 
 know where to go, Madagascar offers one of the 
 finest asylums — the countenance, and even aid, of the 
 king; a kind and productive soil ; a friendly people, 
 and comfortable habitations. The wilds of Canada 
 or Australia are surely less inviting. The mechanic 
 will be sure to find employment, and the farmer will 
 reap an ample return for his toil. The missionaries 
 have shown great good sense and prudence, as well 
 as ability, in the anxious establishment of the 
 numerous schools, and in the rapid translations of 
 the scriptures ; thereby imparting to the people a 
 love and habit of instruction, as well as of civiliza- 
 tion. Any other plan of conduct would have 
 perhaps rendered ineffectual the introduction of 
 Christianity to this island. Of the seed so diligently 
 sown, the fruits must be chiefly gathered among the 
 rising generation. '* The adults, we are concerned 
 to say," observes the repoit, " evince little desire to 
 hear the gospel, but the younger persons, generally 
 speaking, are very attentive ; they advance in the 
 knowledge of religion, and afford ground for the 
 hope of better things." 
 
 Since writing the above, a change has come over 
 this mission, owing to the death of the king, who was 
 a firm and faithful friend. The queen, by whom he 
 is succeeded, is entirely under the influence of the 
 chiefs, or nobles, who are jealous of the growing repu- 
 tations of the Christian teachers and schools, and do 
 every thing in their power to thwart their success. 
 The residence of any new missionary in the island 
 is decidedly opposed. One of the recent ministers, 
 after a short stay, was obliged to depart to the 
 Mauritius ; but, within the last few months, he has 
 been again permitted to return. The aristocracy of 
 Tananarive, jealous, like those of more civilized 
 
 K 2 
 
13'2 MISSION TO MADAGASCAR. 
 
 lands, of the march of intellect, and the rapid 
 enlightenment of the various classes of society, have 
 not only withdrawn many of their own sons from 
 the schools, but influenced their inferiors to the same 
 bigoted step ; so that a dark cloud rests for the present 
 on thi.s interesting mission. But so inconstant and 
 volatile is the character of the Madagasses, who, in 
 the main, are a friendly and good-natured people, 
 and so unsettled is the situation of the country, 
 that the accounts received the last month from the 
 isle, may be entirely different in character from 
 those of the following. The missionary artisans, 
 already spoken of, are doing well, and are favour- 
 ably regarded by all the people. But the natives, or 
 rather their leading men, will not now consent for 
 any foreigner to seitle among them, unless he is 
 naturalized, and become, bona fide, a Madagasse. 
 
 On the death of Radama, all the seminaries were 
 closed for three months, in token of respect. The 
 new government at first assured the missionaries 
 of their protec:ion, well aware of the advantages of 
 these establishments, out of which they had procured 
 numerous youths, who, from the education received 
 therein, were capable of rendering good services 
 to the state. But, in the course of the year, it was 
 oflficially announced to the missionaries, that the 
 systems of idolatry and divination, as they existed 
 prior to their arrival, had been restored throughout 
 Imerina. These systems speedily resumed their 
 ascendancy over the minds of the people, and, in 
 proportion, the schools, once so numerous and flour- 
 ishing, began every where to dwindle away. But 
 the labours of the printing press have not been sus- 
 pended ; during the last year it has been actively 
 employed in printing the Madagasse translation of 
 the scriptures : so early as May, the Gospels of St. 
 Matthew, Mark, and Luke, had passed through the 
 press, and were in circulation. A second edition 
 
SOUTH AFRICA. 133 
 
 of Luke has since been printed, and, from the 
 accounts recently received, the New Testament, to 
 the end of the epistle to the Colossians, had passed 
 through the press. The number of copies of each 
 portion of the New Testament printed, is 3000 ; 
 portions of the Old Testament printed, 1500. 
 
 The latest accounts from South Africa present a 
 various picture. Dr. Philip is the able super- 
 intendant of all the missions ; residing in general at 
 the Cape, and occasionally visiting the several 
 stations in the interior. At the Cape Town, the 
 labours of Mr. Elliott are devoted to the coloured 
 population, and the distribution of the scriptures 
 among the Mahomedans and Malays. At the Cale- 
 don institution, Mr. Helm has a congregation of about 
 three hundred, and the schools are well attended. 
 
 The new settlement of Hankey — so called in 
 compliment to the good and beneficent Elias 
 Hankey, Esq., during sixteen years the treasurer of 
 this Institution — promises fair to become, at no 
 distant period, one of the finest in South Africa. 
 The population at present amounts to three hun- 
 dred : a water-course has been made, to the extent 
 of five thousand paces, by which most of the sur- 
 rounding and parched land will be brought into 
 cultivation. A day-school, for children of both 
 sexes, prospers well ; and another, for the instruc- 
 tion of adults, is numerously attended. 
 
 Bethelsdorp, founded by Vanderkemp, has now 
 a congregation, on the Sabbath, of between foui 
 and five hundred persons : few months pass, without 
 additions being made to the church : and the con- 
 verts afibrd good evidence of their piety, manifest- 
 ing greater steadfastness and consistency than in 
 former years. The number of the present members 
 is two hundred and thirty. The school of industry, 
 which is superintended by two of the daughters of 
 
134 SOUTH AFRICA. 
 
 Mr. Read, the minister, is a useful establishment, 
 for therein many young women earn their livelihood 
 by needlework, &c. During the past year, one 
 hundred Bibles and Testaments, seven hundred 
 tracts, and one hundred elementary books, have 
 been distributed. But the people of this settlement 
 have recently suffered severely from long- continued 
 droughts, whereby their cattlQ have perished, to the 
 value of five hundred pounds, a heavy loss in so 
 remote a place : one result has been, the failure of 
 the almshouses, which were maintained by the 
 voluntary subscription of the inhabitants. 
 
 The situation of Bethelsdorp was very badly 
 chosen by its founder; — in a dismal, drear, sandy 
 tract : the town is in a wide valley, and on each 
 side are two high and bare hills. Vanderkemp, 
 eminent as he was for his learning, and the stead- 
 fastness of his zeal, was, in many respects, some- 
 what eccentric : — intelligent and agreeable in con- 
 versation, yet a gloom seemed often ta pervade his 
 features and his mind; the natural result, perhaps, 
 of the early and dreadful bereavement of his wife 
 and daughter, by a violent death, before his 
 eyes. The persuasion on which he acted, that, in 
 in order to be very useful to the Hottentots, it was 
 necessary to descend to their standard of manners 
 and tastes, was a very mistaken one. Over one 
 action of his life, the biographer would willingly 
 draw a veil, did he not feel that a sincere and im- 
 partial narrative asks for the frail as well as bright 
 parts of the character. Surely, his better genius 
 forsook Vanderkemp, when, at sixty years, he mar- 
 ried a Hottentot girl of seventeen : and to what 
 kind of home did he take his bride — a good or a 
 decent dwelling, of wood or stone, with a few 
 comforts within ? The residence of the harmonious 
 pair was a Hottentot hut, six feet broad by eight 
 long — sans chimney, sans carpet, chair, chamber. 
 
SOUTH AFRICA. 135 
 
 bed ; one sole apartment — and wben the smoke 
 eddied round, somewhat thickened by the pipes of 
 the bride's relatives or friends — the intellectual 
 student of Dort might have doubted his own 
 identity. The decencies of life, as well as the 
 respectability of the Christian minister, were vio- 
 lated here. The missionary should not forget that 
 he lives for the world at large, as well as for the 
 little fold he has gathered ; and that an African 
 kraal or desert may not shroud a sad and glaring 
 inconsistency. 
 
 In what part of this unique abode could his 
 library find a refuge ? Book-case, shelves on the 
 walls, would have been sad intrusion on the narrow 
 space : and the volumes of German or Eastern lore 
 might have tumbled into the fire-place, a large 
 graceful hole in the floor ; or been pulled to pieces, 
 to light the pipes of the Hottentot coterie. A few 
 months' disciplhie at Hernhuth would have taught 
 him, that cleanliness and godliness should always 
 reside together ; and that an airy, comfortable 
 dwelling, of wood or stone, with its sweet and kindly 
 hearth, and all the little exquisite arrangements of 
 " the careful hand and the loving heart" — is a 
 better temple of religion than the dingy earthen 
 floor — the villanous grimed walls ; and as to the 
 table apparatus — spare the '' aching vision." 
 
 The London Missionary Society is supported by 
 the numerous and wealthy body of Dissenters of 
 the Independent church. Great praise is due to 
 the zeal as well as sagacity of its Directors, who 
 have not turned aside from the most unpromising 
 fields of labour, or relaxed, even for a moment, 
 their exertions. Often fortunate in the choice of 
 their agents ; from Vanderkemp to Ellis, there are 
 many names, less celebrated, of men who have 
 
136 SOUTH AFRICA. 
 
 toiled and died in the wilderness, near whose 
 remains the wild Boschemen or the Caffre alone 
 wander. It may be interesting to turn awhile 
 from the interior of Africa, and the more exciting 
 Imerina, to the beautiful climes and scenery of 
 the Pacific. 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 137 
 
 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN 
 
 Claudius Buchanan was born at Cambuslaiig", 
 near Glasgow, and was the son of Mr. Alexander 
 Buchanan, a man of respectable learning and ex- 
 cellent character, who was appointed, in the latter 
 period of his life, rector of the grammar school at 
 Falkirk. His mother was the daughter of Mr. 
 Claudius Somers, one of the elders of the church 
 at Cambuslang, at the time of the great excite- 
 ment caused in that valley by the preaching of 
 Whitefield in the year 1742 : whereby his mind was 
 moved to a deep and lasting sense of religion. His 
 only daughter, a woman of piety, inculcated on her 
 son Claudius, even from his earliest years, the love 
 of religious principles and habits. He often men- 
 tioned afterwards, the ineffaceable impression on his 
 heart and memory, of the devotional scenes of his 
 father's roof. After the simple and beautiful custom 
 of the Scottish families, he gathered them around 
 him at evening, read and explained the scriptures, 
 and then they all knelt down, while he offered up a 
 solemn and heartfelt appeal to God. 
 
 At the age of seven years, he entered the gram- 
 mar school of Inverary, in Argyleshire, of which 
 his father was then master ; he continued there six 
 years, and at the age of fourteen was appointed 
 tutor to the two sons of Mr. Campbell, of Dunstaf- 
 
138 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 naige, in which office he continued two years. 
 He was not inattentive, in the midst of his literary 
 occupations, to the strong' rehgious impressions 
 with which he was visited, and which he communi- 
 cated to his excellent grandfather, who cajefuUy 
 cherished them, and assured him of his prayers. 
 He often spent many hours in devotion amidst the 
 rocks on the sea-shore near Dunstafnaine ; but at 
 length these thoughts and hopes were, by the in- 
 fluence of company, dissipated like a morning cloud, 
 nor did they return till many years afterwards. 
 
 In the year 1782, he left the family of Mr. 
 Campbell, and proceeded to the university of Glas- 
 gow, where he remained some time. Whether his 
 course of study here was interrupted by the failure 
 of his pecuniary resources, or was the result of 
 choice, is uncertain, but he left Glasgow in 1784, 
 and went to the island of Islay, for the purpose of 
 becoming tutor to the sons of Mr. Campbell, of 
 Knockmelly. In the following year, he removed 
 again to Carradell, in Kintyre, and accepted the 
 same situation in a family of that place. In 1786, 
 Buchanan returned to the college at Glasgow ; and 
 a certificate that year from the professor of logic, 
 testifies creditably to his improvement and diligence. 
 At the conclusion of the academical session, he 
 returned to Carradell, and resumed his occupation 
 as a tutor. In the autumn of the following year, he 
 quitted his native country under very singular cir- 
 cumstances, and entered upon a project, which, as 
 it afterwards appeared, decided the future tenor of 
 his life. 
 
 Buchanan had, from his earliest years, been 
 intended by his parents for the ministry, in the 
 church of Scotland. At the age of seventeen, 
 during his first residence in the University of Glas- 
 gow, he conceived the design of making a tour of 
 Europe on foot, for he longed to see the world. 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 139 
 
 About four years afterwards, a circumstance oc- 
 curred, which tended to hasten his departure from 
 Scotland. This was an imprudent attachment to a 
 young lady, who happened to be on a visit to the 
 family in which he was then residing, and who was 
 superior to him in birth and fortune. The affection 
 was mutual ; but the disparity of their rank and 
 station seemed to form an insuperable barrier to 
 their union. Buchanan became, in consequence, 
 very unhappy ; and, in the height of his passion, or 
 his disappointment, recurred to his favourite and 
 long-cherished plan of a foreign tour, in the course 
 of which he hoped to advance his fortune, and, 
 returning to his native country, obtain the object of 
 his wishes. The thirst for such a journey, even the 
 visionary hope of pushing his fortune by wandering 
 over Europe on foot, were excusable ; but not so 
 was the expedient of deceiving his parents. For the 
 purpose of avoiding any opposition to his scheme, 
 he invented a story, which, engaged as he had been 
 in tuition, seemed by no means improbable. He 
 pretended that he had been invited, by an English 
 gentleman, to accompany his son upon a tour to the 
 continent ; and as this engagement not only offered 
 some present advantages, but held out flattering 
 hopes of his future advancement in life, a consent 
 to his departure was obtained. 
 
 " I had the example," he says, " of the cele- 
 brated Goldsmith before me, who travelled through 
 Europe on foot, and supported himself by playing 
 on his flute. I could play a little on the violin ; 
 and on this I relied for occasional support during » 
 my long and various travels. In August, 1787, 
 having put on plain clothes, becoming my apparent 
 situation, I left Edinburgh on foot, with the inten- 
 tion of travelling to London, and thence to the 
 continent. That very violm which I now have, and 
 the case which contains it, 1 had under my arm; 
 
140 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 and thus I traveUed onward. After I had pro- 
 ceeded some days on my journey, and had arrived 
 at a part of the country where I thought I could not 
 be known, I called at gentlemen's houses and farm- 
 houses, where I was in general kindly lodged. They 
 were very well pleased with my playing reels to 
 them, (for I played then better than I can now ;) 
 and I sometimes received five shillings, sometimes 
 half-a-crown, and sometimes nothing but my dinner. 
 Wherever I went, people seemed to be struck a 
 little by my appearance, particularly if they entered 
 into conversation with me. They were often very 
 inquisitive, and I was sometimes at a loss what to 
 say. I professed to be a musician, travelling through 
 the country for my subsistence ; but this appeared 
 very strange to some, and they wished to know 
 where I obtained my learning ; for sometimes pride, 
 and sometimes accident, would call forth expres- 
 sions, in the course of conversation, which excited 
 their surprise. I was often invited to stay for some 
 time at a particular place : but this I was afraid of, 
 lest I might be discovered. It was near a month, 
 I believe, before I arrived on the borders of England, 
 and in that time many singular occurrences befell 
 me. I once or twice met persons whom I had 
 known, and narrowly escaped discovery. Some- 
 times I had nothing to eat, and no where to rest at 
 night ; but, notwithstanding, I kept steady to my 
 purpose, and pursued my journey. Before I reached 
 the borders of England, I would gladly have re- 
 turned, but I could not ; the die was cast : my pride 
 would have impelled me to suffer death, I think, 
 rather than expose my folly, and I pressed forward. 
 
 " When I arrived at Newcastle, I felt tired of my 
 long journey, and found that it was hard to live on 
 the benevolence of others. I therefore resolved to 
 proceed to London by water ; for I did not want to 
 travel in my own country, but on the continent. 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 141 
 
 *' I accordingly embarked in a collier at North 
 Shields, and sailed for London. On the third night 
 of the voyage, we were in danger of being cast 
 away, during a gale of wind ; and then, for the first 
 time, I began to reflect seriously on my situation." 
 
 During the violence of the storm, as he afterwards 
 acknowledged to a friend, Buchanan felt as if the 
 judgment of God, as in the case of Jonah, was 
 overtaking him ; but, unlike the repenting prophet, 
 no sooner had the tempest of the elements subsided, 
 than the agitation of his mind also passed away. 
 He arrived safely in London on the 2d of September ; 
 *' but by this time," he continues, " my spirits were 
 nearly exhausted by distress and poverty. I now 
 relinquished every idea of going abroad : I saw 
 such a visionary scheme in its true light, and 
 resolved, if possible, to procure some situation as 
 an usher or a clerk, or any employment, whereby 
 I might derive a subsistence : but I was unsuccessful. 
 I lived some time in obscure lodgings, by selling my 
 clothes and books ; for I did not attempt to obtain 
 any assistance by my skill in music, lest I should be 
 discovered by some persons who might know me or 
 my family. I was, in a short time, reduced to the 
 lowest extreme of wretchedness and want : alas ! I 
 had not sometimes bread to eat. Little did my 
 mother think, when she dreamt that she saw her son, 
 fatigued with his wanderings, and oppressed with a 
 load of woe, glad to lie down, and sleep away his 
 cares, on a little straw — that her dream was so near 
 the truth ! What a reverse of fortune was this ! 
 A few months before, I lived in splendour and 
 happiness ! But, even in this extremity of misery, 
 my eyes were not opened. I saw, indeed, my folly, 
 but I saw not my sin ; my pride, even then, was 
 unsubdued, and I was constantly anticipating scenes 
 of future grandeur, and indulging myself in the 
 pleasures of imagination. 
 
142 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN, 
 
 " After I had worn out many months in this 
 misery, observing one day an advertisement in a 
 newspaper for ' a clerk to an attorney,' I offered 
 myself, and was accepted. I was much liked, and 
 soon made friends. I then obtained a better situ- 
 ation with another gentleman in the law; and lastly, 
 engaged with a solicitor of respectable character 
 and connexions in the city, with whom I remained 
 nearly three years. During all this time, I had 
 sufficient allowance to appear as a gentleman ; my 
 desire for going abroad gradually abated, and I be- 
 gan to think that I would make the law my profes- 
 sion for life. During a great part of this time, I cor- 
 responded with my friends in Scotland, as from abroad, 
 writing very rarely, but always giving my mother 
 pleasing accounts of my health and situation." 
 
 There are, however, various intimations in a me- 
 morandum book kept by Buchanan at this period, 
 that he was often a sufferer from the pressure of 
 poverty ; this is not surprising, as an improvident 
 expenditure frequently exceeded his supplies. It 
 appears that he was sometimes under the necessity 
 of pledging articles of clothing, and in one instance 
 his watch, for the purpose of procuring a little ready 
 money : even with these resources he has been obliged 
 to go without a breakfast or a supper, and at times 
 without a dinner. Yet from this scanty supply of 
 the necessaries of life, he saved sufficient for an in- 
 dulgence in public amusements, frequently gohig to 
 the theatre, as well as to debating societies. 
 
 The biographer would willingly draw a veil over 
 this portion of Buchanan's career : three years of 
 artful and continued deception on his confiding 
 parents, are more painful to contemplate than any 
 outbreaking of the passions, or any gaieties and in- 
 dulgences. Did the image of the forsaken, sealed 
 round their lonely hearth, where he had so often 
 knelt beside them, and talking sadly perhaps of 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 143 
 
 their absent Claudius, never rush on his mind in 
 the theatre, the debating society, or the hours of 
 poverty ? 
 
 About a year after his departure from Scotland, 
 the intelligence of the death of his father was re- 
 ceived from his surviving parent. Did he not fly 
 on the wings of remorse and repentance to sooth 
 her spirit ? that excellent and affectionate mother ! 
 who had infused into his heart the first lessons of 
 piety, and who was now mourning for one, who 
 died while he was afar, without a parting word or 
 loo-k. The only mention in his diary of this event, or 
 his own feelings thereon, is a passage intimating that 
 the widow had written to liim on the mournful subject 
 of a monument to his late father ; to which he replied 
 by a letter falsely dated from Florence, the 12th of 
 May, which he despatched on the same month. 
 Where men are in the habit of writing diaries, the 
 fulness of the heart will vent itself in words; the 
 tear will fall in secret, and even the marble ex- 
 terior preserved to the world, will at times be softened 
 utterly. Why did not one redeeming passage of 
 this kind flow from the pen of the son ? In pal- 
 liation of this apparent unfeelingness, it may be 
 observed, that the greater part of his earlier life had 
 been spent away from his parents — and beneath 
 his grandfather's roof. 
 
 Buchanan's own memoranda at this time de- 
 note a state of mental perplexity and unhappiness. 
 Thus, on the 10th of May, he records in Latin, with 
 great emphasis of expression, " I have lived I know 
 not how, in a state of forgetfulness or mental in- 
 toxication to this day." Soon after, he was seized 
 with a severe attack of fever ; during which, he 
 observes, that he felt, as might naturally be expected, 
 most uncomfortable reflections on his present situ- 
 ation. These, however, seem to have vanished with 
 his recovery. He soon afterwards states, that on 
 
144 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 that morning he had written part of a letter to his 
 mother, telling her, with careless levity, that he had 
 altered his plan of death and misfortune, to that of 
 fortune and festivity. He laments also, that, on his 
 recovery, he broke some salutary resolutions he 
 made during his illness. Vexed at his weak- 
 ness, he writes, " I swear I'll do so no more ! Oh ! 
 that I knew how to persevere in good resolutions as 
 well as to make them ! This has been my failing 
 from my infancy." Although his necessary avoca- 
 tions occupied nearly twelve hours of each day, 
 Buchanan contrived to devote a part of his scanty 
 leisure to literary pursuits. The sabbath was often 
 spent in the study of Virgil and Horace. During 
 the ensuing summer, he began to reflect more often 
 and seriously upon religious subjects, and his re- 
 flections were sometimes gloomy and desponding; 
 at others, cheered by a faint and distant hope. 
 
 During the following year, he confesses a disin- 
 clination to religion, though this was broken at in- 
 tervals by a fervent season of private prayer. But the 
 period was not far distant when this wanderer fnom 
 his God was to return. " Since my coming to 
 London," he observes, "until June last, I led a 
 very dissipated, irreligious life : pride was in 
 my heart — I profaned the Lord's day without re- 
 straint — and never thought of any religious duty. 
 Thus 1 lived till within these few months. Exactly 
 three years since my voluntary banishment from 
 my native country, three tedious years, and for any 
 thing I could have done myself, I might have re- 
 mained in the same state for thirty years longer. 
 But the period was now arrived when that mercy 
 which had always accompanied me, was to be 
 manifested in a singular m.anner. I had a very 
 strong sense of religion when I was about the age 
 of fourteen, and I used often to reflect on that 
 peiiod ; but I had not, I believe, the least idea of 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. l45 
 
 the nature of the gospel. It was in the year 1790 
 that my heart was first effectually impressed, in 
 consequence of an acquaintance with a religious 
 young man." 
 
 Of the latter, he again writes in February, " On 
 a Sunday evening, a gentleman of my acquaintance 
 called upon me : out of complaisance to him, I 
 gave the conversation a religious turn. Among other 
 things, I asked him, whether he believed there was 
 such a thing as divine grace ? whether or not it 
 was a fiction imposed by grave and austere per- 
 sons, from their own fancies ? He took occasion, 
 from this inquiry, to enlarge much upon the sub- 
 ject; he spoke with zeal and earnestness, and 
 chiefly in scripture language, and concluded with 
 a very affecting address to the conscience and the 
 heart. I had not the least desire, that I recollect, 
 of being benefited by this conversation ; but while 
 he spoke, I listened to him with earnestness, and 
 before I was aware, a most powerful impression was 
 made upon my mind, and [ conceived the instant 
 resolution of reforming my life. On that evening 
 I had an eno:ao:ement which I could not now 
 approve. Notwithstanding what had passed, how- 
 ever, I resolved to go ; but as I went along, and 
 had time to reflect on what I had heard, I half 
 wished it might not be kept. It turned out as I 
 desired: I hurried home, and locked myself up in 
 a chamber. 1 fell on my knees, and endeavoured 
 to pray, but I could not : I tried again, but was 
 not able, I thought it was an insult to God for 
 me to pray : I reflected on my past sins with hor- 
 ror, and spent the night, I know not how. The 
 next day my fears wore off a little, but they soon 
 returned. 1 anxiously awaited the arrival of Sun- 
 day ; but when it came, I found no relief. 
 
 " After some time, I communicated my situation 
 to my religious friend ; he payed with me, and 
 
 JI. L 
 
i46 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 next Sunday I went with him to hear an eminent 
 minister. This was a great relief to me ; I thought 
 I had found a physician: but, alas ! though I prayed 
 often every day, and often at night, listlessness 
 and languor seized me. Sometimes hope, some- 
 times fear presented itself, and I became very un- 
 comfortable. Going one morning to a bath, I found 
 on a shelf, Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Re- 
 ligion in the Soul. This book, I thought, just 
 suited me ; I accordingly read it with deep atten- 
 tion, and prayed over it. I next procured Alleine's 
 Alarm to the Unconverted, and dwelt on it for some 
 time. My religious friend then gave me Boston's 
 Fourfold State. This I carefully read, and I hope 
 it did me some good. I now secluded myself en- 
 tirely from my companions on Sunday ; and during 
 the week, the moment business was done, I went 
 home to my studies, and have since wholly with- 
 drawn myself from pleasure and amusement. In 
 this manner have I passed the last seven months, 
 continually praying for a new heart, and a more 
 perfect discovery of my sins. Sometimes I think I 
 am advancing a little, at others I fear I am further 
 from heaven than ever. Oh the prevalence of habit ! 
 it is not without reason that it has been sometimes 
 called a second nature. Nothing but the hand of 
 the Almighty, who created me, can change my heart. 
 
 " About two months ago, I wrote my mother 
 some particulars of my state, and requested her 
 prayers, for she is a pious woman. In her answer, 
 written by my sister, is the following passage:-^ 
 * My mother has heard much of Mr. Newton, rec- 
 tor of St. Mary, Woolnoth, London, and wishes that 
 you would cultivate an acquaintance with him, if 
 it is in your power.' " 
 
 To this good and eminent man the application 
 Avas not made in vain ; the son attended his minis- 
 try on the following Sunday, and listened, as he 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 147 
 
 expresses it, with avidity. ** You say," he con- 
 tinues, in a letter to Mr. Newton, " many things 
 that touch my heart deeply, and I trust your min- 
 istry has been in some degree blessed to me : but 
 your subjects are generally addressed to those who 
 are already established in the faith, or to those who 
 have not sought God at all. Will you then drop 
 one word to me ? If there is any comfort in the 
 word of life for such as I am, O shed a little of 
 it on my heart ! and yet I am sensible that I am 
 not prepared to receive that comfort. My sins do 
 not affect me as I wish. All that I can speak of is 
 a strong desire to be converted to my God, O sir, 
 what shall I do to inherit eternal life? I see clearly 
 that I cannot be happy in any degree, even in this 
 life, until I make my peace with God ; but how shall I 
 make that peace ? If the world were my inheritance, 
 I would sell it, to purchase that pearl of great price. 
 
 *' How I weep, when I read of the prodigal son, 
 as described by our Lord ! I would walk many miles 
 to hear a sermon from the twelfth and thirteenth 
 verses of the thirty-third chapter of the second book 
 of Chronicles." 
 
 The preceding letter was addressed to Mr. Newton 
 anonymously. An interview soon after took place 
 between them. " I called on him," says Buchanan, 
 in a letter to his mother, "on the Tuesday morning 
 following, and experienced such a happy hour that 
 I ought not to forget; he encouraged me much, and 
 put into my hands the narrative of his life, and some 
 of his letters, and begged my careful perusal of them." 
 
 This was rather a weak point with the pastor of 
 St. Mary Woolnoth ; his own life and his own let- 
 ters were favourite and foremost themes : a portion 
 of the latter could have been spared by the public^ 
 without serious loss. Great piety and usefulness 
 were the characteristics of Mr. Newton, but not 
 great talents or good taste. 
 
 l2 
 
148 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 A continued and friendly intercourse was the con- 
 sequence of this first interview; the result of which 
 was, to Buchanan, lasting and invaluable. The change 
 in his heart, as well as habits, was not sudden ; no 
 doubt, early associations and remembrances were 
 not without their effect, but faint indeed is the allu- 
 sion ever made to them by his own pen ; yet the 
 seed sown by his pious parents, and fostered by their 
 prayers, could surely not be quenched or dried up; 
 they fell on cold and unimpassioned, but not on 
 stony or fruitless, ground. 
 
 The few past years presented a painful and 
 chequered scene : the first, and perhaps only strong 
 attachment of his heart, had been blighted in the 
 bud : the thirst of travel, and of rising in the Avorld, 
 was a vain one; then followed a career of insin- 
 cerity, as well as recklessness and sin ; the loss of 
 the mother's blessing ; the coming on of poverty — 
 till the conscience became full of pain. That Divine 
 influence, to which he ascribed his conversion, led on 
 the spirit gradually, but decidedly, to greater purity 
 of motive, and integrity of conduct, as well as fidelity 
 to itself and to God. *Rich was the mercy, that not 
 only rescued the mind from its miserable doubts, and 
 fears, and self-accusings, but gradually introduced it 
 to a state of righteousness, of peace, and joy. The 
 influence of this change on all his future life, was a 
 noble and undying one : it not only changed, but 
 nerved his heart with an energy and ambition 
 which led on to splendid results. 
 
 After a time he again wrote to Mr. Newton, to 
 whose excellent instructions he had been so deeply 
 indebted. In this letter he reverts to the profession 
 for which he was originally designed. " Near the 
 conclusion of the service by Dr. S. it occurred to 
 me, that that enviable office v,'as once designed for 
 me; that I was called to the ministry, as it were 
 from my infancy. For my pious grandfather chose 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 149 
 
 ine from among my mother's children to live with 
 himself. He adopted me as his own child, and took 
 great pleasure in forming my young mind to the love 
 of God. He warmly encouraged my parents' design 
 of bringing me up to the ministry. I particularly 
 recollect the last memorable occasion of my seeing 
 this good grandfather. The first season of my being 
 at college, I paid him a visit. He lived but five 
 miles from Glasgow. After asking me some parti- 
 culars relating to my studies, he put the following 
 question to me : * What end I had in view in becom- 
 ing a minister of the gospel?' I hesitated a moment, 
 thinking, I suppose, of some temporal blessing. But 
 he put an answer into my mouth. * With a view% 
 no doubt,' said he, ' to the glory of God.' I recol- 
 lect no other particular of the conversation but this. 
 It made a strong impression on my mind, and even 
 often recurred to my thoughts in the midst of my 
 unhappy years ; and, lastly, I thought of my present 
 profession and prospect in life. It suddenly came 
 into my mind, that I might yet be a preacher of the 
 gospel. I began to consider the obstacles that had 
 hitherto deterred me from attempting it ; but they 
 appeared to have vanished. 
 
 ** These things passed rapidly through my mind. 
 I wondered that I had not thought of them before. 
 Your suggestion occurred to me, and I seemed 
 clearly to perceive the hand of Providence in my not 
 having been articled to the law, I now beheld it as 
 an unkindly and unprofitable study, a profession I 
 never cordially liked, and was thankful that I might 
 shake it off when I pleased. These reflections filled 
 me with delight, and, as I walked home, the sensa- 
 tion increased ; so that, by the time I entered my 
 chamber, my spirits were overpowered, and I fell on 
 my knees before God, and wept. What shall I say 
 to these things ? At first, I feared this change of 
 sentiment might be some idle whim that would soon 
 
150 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 vanish. But when I began to deliberate calmly, 
 reason pleaded that the plan was possible ; and the 
 wisdom and power of God, and my love to him, 
 pleaded that it was probable. I thought, that I, 
 who had experienced so much of the Divine mercy, 
 was peculiarly engaged to declare it to others. 
 After a fervent prayer, I endeavoured to commit 
 myself and my services into the hands of Him, who 
 alone is able to direct me. 
 
 " This day, I still cherish the idea with delight. 
 But I am discouraged, when I reflect on my weak 
 abilities, my slender knowledge, my defective ex- 
 pression, and my advanced age. I am now four- 
 and-twenty ; and if I prosecute this desire, I must 
 return to the studies of fourteen." 
 
 Mr. Newton warmly approved the intention of his 
 young friend to change his profession, and to devote 
 himself to the ministry : his counsel on this occa- 
 sion was admirable. At the close, he writes, " I 
 would advise you to acquaint your mother with every 
 circumstance of your situation, and to request, in 
 the first instance, her advice and approbation." It 
 was strange, the heart of the son should not first 
 have suggested this. He yielded without hesita- 
 tion to the advice of his venerable friend, and em- 
 ployed a great part of several nights in communi- 
 cating to her a full and unreserved narrative of his 
 proceedings, from the period of his departure from 
 Scotland. At the conclusion of this varied history, 
 in which he strongly condemns himself for his past 
 misconduct, he thus expresses himself: — '* And 
 now, my dear mother, how are you affected by this 
 account ? Is your heart ready to welcome the 
 return of your long-lost son ; or does it reject, with 
 just indignation, so much unworthiness ? Whatever 
 may be your emotions, I pray God, who has been 
 gracious to me, to bless this dispensation to you. 
 The veil which was between us is at length rent, and 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 151 
 
 I am in peace; for, believe nie, I have not till nov^ 
 enjoyed a day of peace since 1 left my father's 
 house. I once thought I would rather suffer torture, 
 than betray my secret ; but my ' sinews of iron' are 
 become like those of a child. Nothing less than 
 what I have suffered, could have softened so hard a 
 heart as mine ; and not even that, unless accom- 
 panied by the power of God." 
 
 He soon after, in another letter to Mr. Newton, 
 thns speaks : — " My desires of returning to my first 
 pursuit, the ministry, still continue, and, I think, 
 increase. Blackstone says somewhere, that to have 
 a competent knowledge of the law, requires ' the 
 lucuorations of twenty years :' I once had the low 
 ambi'ion of being such a lawyer. But I am now so 
 impressed with the dignity and importance of the 
 office of the ministry, that I would with pleasure sit 
 down to-morrow, and devote, not the lucubrations 
 of tventy years alone, but all my life, to it. But, 
 alas '. my present situation militates much against 
 my vishes. Oh, that He, who has led me thus far, 
 would graciously direct my steps !" 
 
 Daring the three m^onths which followed the date 
 of this letter, Buchanan continued his employment 
 in the law, yet diligently and devoutly cultivating 
 the spirit of real religion ; but he laments the slow- 
 ness of his progress in the latter. " I have but 
 sipped," he modestly observes, " at Salem's spring." 
 Tha letter he received in reply from his mother, is 
 fuL of deep and simple earnestness ; she thus 
 wntes : — " The hint you gave me in your last, of 
 your probably joining the Church of England, 
 caused me at first some uneasiness. I hope you 
 will forgive this. 1 find now that the difference 
 between the two churches consists in discipline only, 
 not in doctrine. I am therefore easy in mind, 
 whichever way the providence of God may see fit 
 to guide you. I am happy that you consulted your 
 
152 CLAtDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 Bible, and sought the Lord's direction upon this 
 occasion. If you cast your burden upon him, he 
 will direct you aright. Since you were a boy, 'it 
 was impressed upon my mind, that some time or 
 other you would be a good man. I own, of late 
 years, I was beginning to lose my hope, particularly 
 on the supposition of your going abroad. I thought 
 with myself, this is not God's usual way of bring- 
 ing sinners to himself. But the word of consolation 
 often came in remembrance, that ' God is a God 
 afar off.' Oh, how merciful has he been to tou, 
 and how merciful to us, in concealing your miserable 
 situation, till grace brought it to light ! I do believe 
 
 the discovery, a year ago, would : but these 
 
 recollections are painful, therefore I forbear. What 
 comforting letters have you sent us ! Could a tliou- 
 sand pounds a year have afforded an equal consola- 
 tion ? Impossible. It might, indeed, have tied us 
 down faster to the earth ; but it could not have set 
 our hearts upon the unsearchable riches that are in 
 Christ Jesus. Your friends in Glasgow are rejocing 
 with us ; some of them saying, ' Had the good old 
 people (meaning his grandfather and mother) been 
 ahve, how would this have revived them !' Among 
 your grandfather's papers, I find the enclosed letter, 
 written by Mr. Maculloch to. him in a time of ds- 
 tress, when the sins of his youth oppressed hin. 
 Read it with care; and may God grant a blessing!" 
 A short time previous, he had been introduced by 
 his fjiend to the late Mr. Henry Thornton, to whcse 
 patronage he was afterwards so deeply indebted. 
 At the expense of this gentleman, he was sent to 
 the University of Cambridge. " I was emanci- 
 pated," he writes, " from the law a few days ag), 
 and am now willing to enter into the eternal bonds 
 of the gospel. I never felt myself more in need cf 
 Divine direction than now ; and am ready to say, 
 who is sufficient for these thing-s? It seems neces- 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 153 
 
 sary for me to be somewhat learned in the wisdom 
 of the Egyptians; yet it appears to me, that my 
 sole business at the University is to be enriched 
 with all utterance, and all knowledge, that I may 
 be able to set forth the wisdom, which is from above 
 in a more transcendent light." 
 
 In the Michaelmas term, 1791, Buchanan was 
 admitted a member of Queen's College, Cambridge. 
 After a time, he writes to one of his correspondents — 
 " I find that this great attention to study has made 
 me exceedingly languid in my devotional duties. 
 I feel not that delight in reading the Bible, or thai 
 pleasure in thinking on divine things, which for- 
 merly animated me. On this account, many students 
 in the University wholly abandon the study of 
 mathematics, and confine themselves to the classics, 
 composition, and the like : it seems they generally 
 feel the same effects that I do. Weak in spirit, 
 weak in body, and beset with hard study, I think 
 I hear the voice of Providence say, ' Go forward,* 
 What an enviable spirit does he possess, who walks 
 with God ! About a fortnight ago, a dawn of that 
 light, with which I suppose the Lord irradiates the 
 souls of those who walk with him, shone upon my 
 mind, and by its lustre shewed me some things f 
 had not seen before. I prayed often, that this 
 impression might not leave me. But, alas ! it did 
 leave me ; no doubt, it was my own fault. I would 
 walk three times round the globe to obtain it again ; 
 but no such great thing is required of me, I have 
 only to believe." 
 
 The first prize for the Latin declamation on the 
 subject of the stage, was adjudged to him. It 
 appears that his personal religion, as well as his 
 academical fame, had increased. " Surely," he 
 observes in a letter to Mr. Newton, " an hour in the 
 morning, and an hour in the evening is not too much 
 for communion with God ; though I know not the 
 
154 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 Lord as I could wish, yet is he precious. Here is 
 that pearl which I would willingly buy, at the price 
 of all the laurels science ever bore." 
 
 Not long after this period, Mr. Newton made him 
 the first direct proposal of a voyage to India; this 
 was seconded by Mr. Thornton and Mr. Grant. At 
 Cambridge he was a member of a debating society, 
 called " The Speculative," consisting of a number of 
 under-graduates from different colleges ; they met 
 at each other's rooms to discuss various moral, poli- 
 tical, and sometimes religious questions. Buchanan 
 was said to be eminent among the speakers for 
 acuteness and fluency; but his habits were retired, 
 and he seldom mingled in the social meetings or 
 parties which were usual in the college. 
 
 To Mr. Newton he again writes, " In philosophy 
 and human science the mind loses its vigour in old 
 age ; but in religion, in divine science, we are 
 taught to believe that youth will be restored, and 
 new attainments acquired. Yet I clamber up hill 
 with difficulty : it may be that I had not laid aside 
 every weight; nothing but a cultivated mind, and 
 the constant perusal of the New Testament, seems 
 capable of delivering men from unnecessary preju- 
 dices and prepossessions. Grace does not neces- 
 sarily do it. " 
 
 He took his degree of B.A. at the commencement, 
 as he had proposed, and continued in Cambridge 
 during the ensuing long vacation, till the second 
 week in September. He thus writes to his venerable 
 friend — " I demand your prayers for one who is 
 about to enter on the ministry. Pray that when the 
 bishop lays his hands upon my head, I may devote 
 myself a martyr for Him who hung upon the cross for 
 me." He was ordained on Sunday, the 20th Sep- 
 tember, 1795, at Fulham, by the late Bishop Por- 
 teus. Early in the following year, his friends 
 resolved to obtain for him a chaplaincy in the ser- 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 1.55 
 
 vice of the East India Company : such excellent and 
 satisfactory testimonials of his talents and learning 
 were sent to Charles Grant, esq. one of the directors, 
 that he was in March appointed to be one of the 
 chaplains. Soon after, he received priest's orders 
 from the Bishop of London; and in the month of 
 May went down to Scotland, to revisit and take 
 leave of his family. The feelings of both parties were 
 of a mingled, but very impressive nature. Nearly 
 nine years had elapsed since Buchanan, impelled 
 partly by disappointed affection, and still more by 
 the visions of a sanguine imagination, had left his 
 native country. He spent but two or three weeks 
 with his family — a short interval, after so long an 
 absence, and when he was about to part with them 
 with the almost certain conviction that he should see 
 their face no more. He seems, indeed, to have pos- 
 sessed little of that strong attachment and enthusiasm 
 for his native land, that characterizes many Scotchmen, 
 No allusions are ever made in his subsequent corre- 
 spondence, to her all-impressive scenery or literature ; 
 his mind was neither an imaginative nor a poetical 
 one; but in solid acquirements, calm and stedfast 
 energy, and perseverance, he was admirably fitted 
 for the arduous task before him. 
 
 Highly recommended and accredited, he sailed 
 for Bengal in the following August. During the long 
 voyage, he was diligently occupied in his studies. In 
 a letter, dated " At sea, off the Canaries," he writes, 
 *' Every body pays me much attention : I am in- 
 structing some in science, some in classical know- 
 ledge, some in the belles lettres, and all, I hope, in 
 Christian truth. I do not expect to be so useful in 
 preaching sermons to them, as in conversation. The 
 captain supports a very consistent character." '* It 
 would appear," he again observes, " as if I had lost 
 all relish for earthly pleasures. No novelty excites 
 my attention. My countenance is acquiring a grave 
 
1.56 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 settled cast, I feel as if nothing could give joy to 
 my soul, but freedom from the body." The latter 
 feeling' was unnecessary ; and different from that of 
 Zeegenbalg and Plutscho, who said, that *' every day 
 on the deep, even storm and hardship, was music to 
 their souls ; so novel were the changes in the face of 
 nature, so excited were their thoughts, that they 
 never had a weary hour." On his arrival at Calcutta, 
 he was welcomed by the Rev. Mr. Brown, with whose 
 family he resided a short time. Not long after, he 
 was appointed chaplain at Barrackpore, a military 
 station, about sixteen miles above Calcutta ; he was 
 now in the thirty-first year of his age. There was 
 here no place for public worship, which, indeed, 
 was never required by the military staff to which he 
 was attached. He thus describes his residence — 
 " Barrackpore has been called the Montpellier of 
 India. Here I enjoy every thing that can minister 
 to comfort or elegance, except society. We have 
 society too, but it is only polite society. There are 
 not many here, I fear, whose hearts are awakened to 
 the love of virtue and truth. Shall I give you a 
 picture of the scene around us ? I am situated on 
 the banks of the Ganges. The country is champaign, 
 but covered with trees : the most numerous are 
 cocoa-nut, plantain, mango, and banian trees. The 
 river is covered with boats, passing and repassing. 
 On the other side of the river, I see a flock of vul- 
 tures; they are hovering over a dead body which is 
 floating down the stream. Many of the Hindoos 
 cast their dead into the Ganges, that they may be 
 conveyed to paradise! About a mile up the river, a 
 funeral pile is just lighted. It is now near evening, 
 when this rite is usually performed. The relatives 
 accompany the corpse to the water side, where a pile 
 of dry wood is raised about the body, and the nearest 
 relative applies the torch. The jackals, allured by 
 the smell, will presently come down from the woods, 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 157 
 
 and prowl about. They live on carrion of all kinds^ 
 and are generally inoffensive. 
 
 " The air is frequently thronged with kites, 
 hawks, and crows, who are looking for snakes, and 
 other noxious creatures ; and they are so successful 
 in their search, that we are seldom annoyed by 
 these animals. So attentive is Providence to the 
 comfort of man ! 
 
 " Such are the strange things we travellers behold. 
 Have I told you all ? or shall I mention a north- 
 wester ? This is a violent tornado from the 
 north-west, which makes a regular and magnificent 
 progress through the heavens. Violent wind, thun 
 der, and lightning, roll on in a kind of collected 
 body. This short-lived tempest is very awful and 
 very grand. It is always a welcome visitor ; for it 
 cools the heated air, and refreshes all nature around. 
 I am now so familiarized to violent thunder, that I 
 scarcely ever notice it, except when I go out to 
 contemplate the grandeur of a north-wester." 
 
 The mission-church at Calcutta, raised by Keir- 
 nander, was, at this time, occupied by the Rev. 
 Mr. Ringeltaube, a clergyman of the Lutheran 
 church, who had been sent to India by the Society 
 for Promoting Christian Knowledge. On the 
 departure of the latter from this situation, Buchanan 
 shared with Mr. Brown in the performance of the 
 church services. It appears also, that he held 
 Divine service at his house at Barrackpore, as 
 often, perhaps, as he could obtain an audience, 
 *' I sigh much," he writes, " for that singleness of 
 mind, and purity of heart, and love to God, which 
 distinguish the disciples of Christ ; and I often 
 wonder, whether it is to be effected by keen afflic- 
 tion, either in body and spirit, or by the power of 
 the word of God, dividing asunder like a two-edged 
 sword, I often compare myself, in my present 
 exile, to John in the island of Patmos. But I am 
 
158 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 a stranger to suffering for the testimony of Jesus 
 Christ. How frequent is the character of a semi- 
 serious Christian ! There is a state in which some 
 have been held for many years ; a state, whose 
 nature is never rightly understood by those around 
 them, nor by themselves. Sometimes looking to the 
 word of God, and sometimes to the world ; some- 
 times animated by a zeal to live holily, and again 
 sinking under a particular sin ; but shining, in the 
 evening of life, with a splendour which has dazzled 
 all around." This may be true in some, perhaps in 
 many cases ; but such is not the general experience 
 of Christians : the evening of a long, fluctuating, 
 and half-earnest career, is more likely to be visited 
 with doubt and gloom than with splendour. 
 
 At Barrackpore, although he had little occupation 
 as a pastor, he prosecuted his studies with ardour — 
 ** This is a climate," he says, " which tries the mind 
 like a furnace. Deterioration seems inherent in 
 Indian existence. Were God to grant me a pecu- 
 liar blessing, it would be the habit of industry 
 whilst I remain in this country. I have observed, 
 in reading the lives of the good, that the most 
 eminent men were famed for industry. I have 
 observed, too, that few of them had to encounter 
 what Boileau calls the dangerous career of wit and 
 genius. The wisdom of God is shown, in choosing 
 for them that disposition of mind which is best suited 
 to a sedulous and humble perusal of his eternal 
 word ; for genius hath ever been a foe to industry. 
 
 ** I have a Moonshee in the house, to instruct me 
 in the Hindostanee and Persian languages. Not 
 knowing v.hat may be the purpose of God concern- 
 ing me, I have thought it my duty to attend early 
 to the languages of the country; and to the consti- 
 tution, civil and religious, of the mixed people in it." 
 
 From a letter to Mr. Grant, in February, in which 
 he encloses a bill for fifty pounds to his mother, it is 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 150 
 
 evident that his mind was the prey of disappoint- 
 ment and depression. The obscurity, as well as 
 total want of excitement in the life at Barrackpore, 
 were most ungrateful to an aspiring and susceptible 
 mind. He was, in fact, nothing more than a mili- 
 tary chaplain ; and his prospects of usefulness to 
 India — when were they to be fulfilled ? He fell into 
 ill health, and suffered from two fevers. We have 
 now the first mention of a man, whose virtues have 
 been already commemorated — "The apostolic Obeck 
 is well, and affectionately remembers all your f\\mily ; 
 he succeeds to Swartz in the title to our reverence 
 and esteem. That apostle of the East is dead ; I 
 wrote him a Latin letter a short time before his 
 death." Soon after, he adverts to the Baptist mis- 
 sionaries, Messrs. Thomas and Carey ; of the latter 
 he speaks in high terms : " Nothing great," he justly 
 observes, " since the begiiming of the world, has 
 been done, it is said, without enthusiasm." 
 
 The following letter, from Calcutta, is to a 
 College friend : — " A man advances, perhaps, till 
 he becomes Bachelor of Arts ; but after that, he is 
 retrograde for ever. Is not this generally true ? 
 You may, perhaps, continue to advance in verbiage, 
 but you will go back in life. Your endeavours to 
 fulfil the great purposes for which you were sent into 
 the world, will daily grow more feeble ; and your 
 view of those purposes will, at length, be utterly 
 lost. * * * But whither, then, shall we go, if you 
 divorce us from our learned ease ? Why, go to 
 London. Take a curacy, or take a chapel. Call 
 forth your learning, and put your eloquence to use. 
 Sluice the fountain, so long embanked at college, 
 stagnant and green, and permit the waters to rush 
 abroad, to fertilize many a plant, and gladden the 
 vale. Go forth, and stem the torrent of infidelity 
 with a resistless eloquence ; and let me hear your 
 voice on the banks of the Ganges. To what purpose 
 
160 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 have you laboured at Quinctilian, if you do not now 
 lift up your voice, and proclaim the glad tidings of 
 the everlasting gospel ? * * * At present I see 
 you and D — lisping, with pebbles in your mouths, 
 on the banks of the Cam. But I hope one day to 
 hear your thunder from the rostrum." 
 
 In April, 1799, Buchanan married Miss Mary 
 Whish, third daughter of the Rev. Richard Whish, 
 rector of Northwold in Norfolk. *' She is not," he 
 observes, " as yet nineteen, but has had a very 
 proper education for my wife. She has docility of 
 disposition, sweetness of temper, and a strong- 
 passion for retired life." This was a happy change 
 in his condition, and he complains no more of the 
 loneliness and weariness of the life at Barrackpore. 
 
 During the first six months of the year 1800, the 
 plan of a collegiate institution had been formed by 
 Lord Wellesley, for the purpose of promoting the 
 literary improvement of the younger civil servants of 
 the Company. This important measure, in the ar- 
 rangement and conduct of which Buchanan was so 
 essentially concerned, he thus mentioned in the 
 month of June, in a letter to Mr. Grant : — " Lord 
 Wellesley is at present engaged in founding a col- 
 lege for the instruction of the young civil servants in 
 Eastern literature and general learning. He desired 
 me to draw out a sketch of the constitution of the 
 college; which I did. And now Mr. Barlow has 
 instructed me to draw up a minute as a justification 
 of the measure. Lord Wellesley proposed that Mr. 
 Brov/n should be the provost of the college ; and he 
 is certainly the fittest man in Calcutta for that 
 office. I had him in my mind when drawing up the 
 duties of provost. There v/ill be about eight or ten 
 professors. No promotion in the service, but 
 through the medium of this institution. The 
 students to remain at college for three or five years. 
 Prizes and honours to be proposed for those who 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 161 
 
 distinguish themselves, and degrees to be taken to 
 qualify for certain offices." 
 
 From a letter of Mrs. Buchanan, there was reason 
 to believe that her husband would be appointed a 
 professor in the new college, and that he might 
 have his choice of three professorships— classics, 
 mathematics, or the belles lettres. The office of 
 provost to the new college was, in the end, filled by 
 Mr. Brown, chaplain at Calcutta, and that of vice- 
 provost by Buchanan. He was also appointed pro- 
 fessor of Greek, Latin, and English classics, and 
 200 students were to be placed under their joint 
 care. The college of Fort William, one of the most 
 useful and excellent institutions in India, offered the 
 career best suited to the restless and inquiring mind 
 of Buchanan, who thirsted for an intimate acquaint- 
 ance with the native languages and literature, in 
 order to make them instrumental to the great object 
 of the diffusion of Christianity. The following letter 
 to a student, describes the various attainments, as 
 well as intense application, which were deemed 
 indispensable by him : — 
 
 " Your letter of the 7th, mentioning your purpose 
 of coming to college, I have just received. Whether 
 you have done right, I shall be able to tell you in 
 about a year hence: not sooner. So entirely does it 
 depend on yourself. 
 
 " Before you obtain your qualifying degree in the 
 college at Fort William to serve the Company, you 
 must hold four public disputations in the Persian or 
 Bengalee languages; once as respondent, and thrice 
 as opponent. As respondent, you are to defend a 
 proposition given by yourself on a moral, literary, or 
 historical subject — or concerning Oriental manners 
 and customs — against the objections of any three 
 opponents who may be appointed. You are first to 
 pronounce an essay on your subject, and then begin 
 to defend it extempore, in classical Persian, against 
 
 II. M 
 
lo2 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 the meditateci objections of your opponents, and this 
 in public, before all Calcutta, and before all the 
 natives of rank and learning, rajahs, pundits, 
 moulvies, and moonshees — an august tribunal!' 
 
 " You are also to recite in public, at six different 
 times, six essays or declamations, composed by 
 yourself, on subjects which shall be given you, in 
 the English language. Every student, who takes a 
 degree at Fort William, must give proofs of his 
 being a classical English scholar; and a practical 
 one." 
 
 In 1800, an advertisement was published in dif- 
 ferent parts of India, announcing the establishment 
 of the college, and inviting men of learning and 
 knowledge among the natives, for the purpose of 
 choosing some as teachers. The result was, the 
 attachment of about fifty distinguished natives to 
 the college. Lectures in the Arabic, Hindostanee, 
 and Persian languages were established. Some of 
 the students made rapid proficiency in the Oriental 
 languages, and the spirit of emulation and ambition, 
 and the love of distinction, were excited in the 
 breasts of all. 
 
 Two years previously, Buchanan had said that 
 not ten righteous were to be found in Calcutta, and 
 now so great was the change, which he imagined this 
 establishment had produced, that he observes, *' No 
 such field is any where to be found, for learning 
 and piety, as that which Calcutta at this time 
 exhibits." In July, 1801, Mrs. Buchanan being 
 visited with a consumptive complaint, embarked for 
 England, taking with her their eldest daughter 
 Charlotte, and leaving the youngest, Augusta, then 
 not quite six months old. At this period he 
 writes, " I have less time now than ever, the chief 
 labour of the churches is devolving fast upon me ; 
 my religious correspondence in India is greater than 
 at any former time, the whole direction of the 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 163 
 
 college lies with me; every paper that is drawn up, 
 and every paper that is printed, is revised by me." 
 From the time that he removed to the presidency, 
 he generally preached at one or other of the 
 churches in Calcutta once, and sometimes twice, on 
 a Sunday. In writing to a friend at Cambridge, he 
 observed, " that the congregations at the new 
 church at Calcutta were m.ore numerous than those 
 at St. Mary's in Cambridge, more elegant, equally 
 critical, and perhaps not less intelligent." 
 
 It must be confessed that the congregation at 
 Calcutta, peculiarly composed of persons of so 
 various a name and ambition, great part of whom 
 looked on India as the hot-bed from which to 
 extract wealth, luxury, and rapid advancement in 
 military or civil departments — was an uncertain and 
 baffling field for a minister. Even to the stated 
 residents in this country, the gospel perhaps comes 
 with less acceptance than in their native land ; for 
 self-denial of any kind is most unwelcome, and 
 habits of devotion most difficidt of observance, in 
 so enervating a clime. " As to this world," writes 
 Buchanan, " there is no object (if I know my own 
 heart at all) which I have in view ; neither of family, 
 of fortune, of situation, of leaving this country, or 
 continuing in it. I have chiefly to complain of a 
 languid and heartless constitution, both in body 
 and mind, which makes me to bear easily with all 
 things, and have little pleasure in any thing." 
 
 Perhaps he in some measure mistook his own 
 heart, or these expressions in part arose from a 
 debilitated frame. Why should fame and family be 
 indifferent, even to a zealous missionary ? a more 
 buoyant and rejoicing mind had been a blessing to 
 Buchanan. Swartz and Elliot had far greater diffi- 
 culties, more bitter and lasting trials and disappoint- 
 ments in their way — but the strong energy of the 
 spirit took the language of complaint and weariness 
 
 M 2 
 
164 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 from the lips, and bore them onwards. Buchanan's 
 career had been rapid and fortunate ; the only dis- 
 appointment, if such it may be called, was his 
 residence of a very few years at Barrackpore. 
 Three years only, after his arrival in India, we find 
 him at the head of a splendid and learned establish- 
 ment, surrounded by the chief literary natives of 
 India, and minister in the first and largest church in 
 the country. His world was surely a delightful and 
 exciting field of action, enough to string afresh every 
 fibre of the heart, and bid its laudable ambition 
 exult in the high career that God had given it. 
 
 The following extracts are expressive as to his 
 views of himself and his ministry: — 
 
 " However, the chief consideration at present is 
 the state of the heart. How is the soul with God ? 
 I endeavour, by prayer, to restore it daily, relying 
 (though feebly) on the aid of the Mediator, wonder- 
 ing, sometimes, that I am not worse ; oppressed in 
 spirit at a review of the past, and hoping for better 
 days." 
 
 " I shall ever be ready to accede to any plan you 
 can suggest, for the furtherance of our ministry. 
 You say, you 'long to launch out into the fulness of 
 Christ.' So do I. But these words are too apostolic 
 for me at present. In order to launch forth like 
 * * *, I should need not only a new effusion of the 
 Holy Spirit, but those natural abilities which gene- 
 rally accompany such effusions, in order to make them 
 useful. Circumstances seem to admonish me, that 
 the ' still small voice,' and not ' the rushing mighty 
 wind,' is my province in the gospel. What another 
 school than Calcutta would have produced, I know 
 not : but I shall be blessed, if grace be given unto 
 me to do what good I can, consistently and steadily 
 in my various situations. Unhappily, collegiate 
 avocations usurp much of rny time. But let us 
 beware of repining at the necessity of spending time 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 165 
 
 in this way, till we become confident, that were all 
 our time at our own disposal, we should spend it 
 in a better. I earnestly pray, that we may both be 
 rightly directed in our labours in this vineyard ; 
 that we may see some fruit in others, and enjoy the 
 comfort ourselves of faithful ministers of the gospel. 
 I think better days are at hand," 
 
 In the year 1802, his income being greatly in- 
 creased, he requested his mother to draw upon him 
 for the sum of three hundred pounds annually. 
 This was a noble and filial deed. The following 
 letter to his wife in England, has much beauty, 
 piety, and simplicity. ** Such, my dearest Mary, 
 has been my varied life, and such the wonderful 
 Providence which has watched over me, during so 
 long a period. I pray that, now I am settled, I 
 may be enabled to shew a heart fixed on my 
 Saviour, and on the ministration of his word. My 
 infirm constitution admonishes me not to expect to 
 enjoy life, as some speak. Let us then live for the 
 day ; seeking that heavenly peace, which is always 
 attainable. My spirits are now more alive, and I 
 trust my hopes will be fulfilled. You, my beloved 
 wife, (!an now pray in faith : a sense of religion has 
 visited you. Cherish it, as the life of your soul. 
 I know that gay society at home will impede your 
 progress for a while. Yet it is not preciseness of 
 external conduct, but communion with God in 
 prayer, which forms the Christian's character. Con- 
 tinue this, and you will gradually arrive at a holy 
 strite of mind, pure satisfaction of soul, and inex- 
 pressible delight. Christ will be formed in you, 
 and you will begin to learn the breadth, and length, 
 and depth, and height, of his unsearchable riches. 
 We must all suffer a change of heart, before we can 
 enter the kingdom of God. This is the truth which T 
 maintain in my preaching, and it is found to be the 
 only effectual doctrine to reach the hearts of men." 
 
166 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 Prosperity and reputation do not always, as in 
 this case, elevate the character, and draw forth 
 the better and finer feelings which have long lain 
 dormant. Such was now the scrupulously honour- 
 able and generous conduct of Buchanan, that he 
 sent four hundred pounds to Mr. Thornton, being 
 the amount of expenses paid by that gentleman, 
 on his account, during four years at college, at one 
 hundred pounds per annum. " I told him," iie 
 writes, "that I only sent it back to the fountain, 
 from whence it would socn flow again in some act 
 of benevolence." He resolved also to devote five 
 hundred pounds for the support of some young man 
 at the university, of religious character, and of good 
 ability, who might be in poor circumstances ; and 
 he sent to England the first instalment for this 
 purpose. The liberality of this action was more 
 romantic than prudent : he had but lately emerged 
 from poverty and dependence ; had two children, 
 for whom little provision was as yet made ; and his 
 health, as well as that of his young wife, now only 
 twenty-three years of age, was uncertain, and even 
 failing. The allowance to his mother was also a 
 serious deduction. 
 
 Intelligence was now brought, startling as a thun- 
 der-peal, to the ears of the founders and supporters 
 of the college at Fort William ; this was an order 
 from government for the immediate abolition of the 
 institution. Lord Wellesley communicated this 
 dispatch to Mr. Buchanan, and directed him to 
 consider of the reply to the reasons on which it was 
 professedly grounded. An able defence was ac- 
 cordingly drawn up, under the eye of the Governor- 
 General, and transmitted to the Honourable Court 
 of Directors. The former found it impossible to 
 proceed to the immediate abolition of the estab- 
 lishment, being convinced that this measure must be 
 a orradual one. The usual studies in the mean time 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 167 
 
 remained unaltered. In June, 1802, a volume was 
 published, entitled " Primitive Orientales," contain- 
 ing essays by the students, and theses pronounced 
 at the public disputations in the Oriental langua.ges. 
 In the following year, the Marquis Wellesley pre- 
 sided at the second annual disputation at the col- 
 lege. Declamations were pronounced for the first 
 time in the Arabic language. After the degrees of 
 honours had been conferred, and the prizes and 
 rewards for Oriental and classical learning distri- 
 buted, the noble president delivered an eloquent 
 speech, in which he declared, that the institution 
 had answered his most sanguine hopes, and that 
 its administration had been conducted with honour 
 and credit, as well as great advantage to the pub- 
 lic service. 
 
 In the summer of this year, Buchanan first thought 
 of proposing certain subjects for prize composition, 
 connected with the civilization and moral improve- 
 ment of India. With the approbation of the 
 Governor-General, letters were despatched to the 
 vice-chancellors and principals of the universities of 
 the United Kingdom, containing the following pro- 
 posals : — '' For the best essay in English prose 'on 
 the best means of extending the blessings of civi- 
 lization and true religion in India," in each univer- 
 sity, £100. For the best English poem * on the 
 revival of letters in the East,' £60." Other pro- 
 posals were also made, the extent and liberality 
 of which, amounting to above £1500, are very sur- 
 prising, if made on his own responsibility alone. 
 Buchanan not only cherished great and elevated 
 designs, but was ingenious, as well as successfiil, 
 in devising means for their accomplishment. * In 
 the -month of November following, he first com- 
 municated his thoughts regarding an ecclesiastical 
 establishment in India, in letters to the Archbishop 
 of Canterbury, and the rest of the episcopal bench ; 
 
168 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 having previously submitted them to the Marquis 
 Wellesley. He had the opportunity of becoming 
 acquainted with some of the friends and com- 
 panions of Swartz. The aged Obeck died at this 
 time, full of years, and respected by all. Gerick6 
 now died also. " The church at Madras," writes 
 Buchanan, " is in great affliction, for there is no 
 one to fill his place. Letters have come to us for 
 help ; but we can give none. I cannot furnish 
 you with the life of Mr. Swartz. He left no papers; 
 and those persons are now removed who could give 
 the best information. He also deprecated post- 
 humous praise, and was in constant dread of fame. 
 He concealed often from Mr. Obeck (his only friend 
 at one time) his favoured seasons from on high." 
 
 The college of Fort William, according to the 
 decision of the Court of Directors, was to close on 
 the 31st of December, 1803. To the extreme joy, 
 however, of all who wished well to its prosperity, 
 the despatch in the following month announced that 
 the college should, for the present, continue on its 
 original footing. Soon after, arose the hostility of 
 many influential persons to the translation of the 
 scriptures into the Oriental languages. Happily for 
 the interests of Christianity, the defence of Buchanan 
 was successful. The first versions of the Gospels 
 in Persian and Hindostanee, issued from the press 
 of the college of Fort William. 
 
 Mary, his youthful and interesting wife, had re- 
 turned from England greatly benefited in health ; 
 but consumptive symptoms of an alarming nature 
 soon began to manifest themselves. At the close of 
 the autumn, her return to Europe was considered 
 indispensable : the parting was a mournful one to 
 the husband and wife — who were never more to see 
 each other. 
 
 The proposals which had been issued to the uni- 
 versities of Great Britain were unanimously ac- 
 
CLAUDILS BUCHANAN. I6d 
 
 cepted, save by that of Oxford : many compositions 
 of various merit were the result. The finest pro- 
 duction, both in taste, talent, and sentiment, was 
 the English poem ** On the Restoration of Learning 
 in the East," by Charles Grant, Esq., then fellow 
 of Magdalen College, Cambridge. The most salu- 
 tary effect of this plan of Buchanan, was the ex- 
 citing the attention of learned and secluded men 
 in Europe, to the hitherto neglected subject of 
 Oriental literature and improvement. Equally use- 
 ful, however, was his own memoir on the expe- 
 diency of an ecclesiastical establishment for British 
 India ; the circulation of which was extensive, and 
 produced a considerable sensation on the public 
 mind. His ministerial duties were, in the mean 
 time, continued every Sunday ; their usefulness 
 was naturally of the kind that is almost hid- 
 den from every eye but that of the pastor. He 
 thus writes : *' We have some of all sects in our 
 congregations — Presbyterians, Independents, Bap- 
 tists, Armenians, Greeks, and Nestorians ; and some 
 of these are part of my audience at the English 
 church. But a name, or a sect, is never mentioned 
 from the pulpit ; and thus the word preached be- 
 comes profitable to all. Even among the writers in 
 the college, there are Presbyterians and Methodists. 
 * * * * When the Hindoo had laid down the pen, 
 and I got up from my couch, he asked me what 
 kind of a thing a Methodist was. I told him that it 
 was a Christian man in the little isle of Britain, who 
 prayed too much, and was ' righteous overmuch.* 
 He stared, and said, * How can that be V So it is, 
 
 said 1 ; behold that man, (pointing to 's 
 
 picture,) who is reputed a Methodist in England, and 
 is a subject of ridicule, on account of his excessive 
 godliness. * Among us,' replied the Hindoo, ' he would 
 thereby acquire more reverence and veneration.' " 
 The sermons of this eminent man, who did not 
 
170 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 (as he observed) look for any great accession in 
 number, or any immediate powerful influence on 
 the hearts of his hearers, were distinguished by 
 their vigour of expression, and clearness of argu- 
 ment. The impression on the minds of his audi- 
 ence was a very gradual, yet very important one. 
 Various and inveterate were the prejudices and 
 passions which were set in array against his suc- 
 cess ; yet the secret visit, as well as the open con- 
 fession, of individuals of rank and wealth, as well 
 as poor and undistinguished — and the thoughtful- 
 ness, and even seriousness of some of the most dis- 
 sipated and profane — attested his fidelity. 
 
 Having resolved, for the relaxation both of mind 
 and body, to visit the coast of Malabar, he was 
 on the point of setting out, when he was visited 
 by a dangerous attack of fever. During this ill- 
 ness, he was attended with great kindness by his 
 friend and coadjutor, the Reverend David Brown. 
 During the recovery and temporary retreat of 
 Buchanan at Sooksagur, no pause or indulgence 
 was given to his restlessly inquiring mind — that 
 employed itself in Hebrew, Syriac, and Chaldee 
 studies. And here the intelligence of the death of 
 his wife reached him. '* I happily met," he writes, 
 with some valuable Syriac volumes : while I was 
 thus engaged, the news of Mary's death arrived. 
 I found some consolation in writing a few lines to 
 her memory, which I inscribed on a leaf of her 
 own Bible ; the best monument I could erect, for 
 her body is buried in the deep. I sometimes think 
 that, had I my two little girls to play with, I should 
 be happy, even in this dreary land. My chief 
 solace is in a mind constantly employed ; and this 
 is the greatest temporal blessing I can expect, even 
 unto the end. I could relate to you scenes of 
 tribulation and keen persecution in regard to my- 
 self and others ; but these could give you no plea- 
 sure, and I wish not to think of them." 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 171 
 
 The most just and comprehensive views as to the 
 condition and the wants of India, are manifested in 
 his letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury. One 
 passage is as follows ; "An archbishop is wanted 
 for India; a sacred and exalted character, sur- 
 rounded by his bishops, of ample revenue, and ex- 
 tensive sway ; a venerable personage, whose name 
 shall be greater than that of the transitory gover- 
 nors of the land ; and whose fame for piety, and for 
 the will and power to do good, may pass through- 
 out every region. We want something royal in a 
 spiritual or temporal sense, for the abject subjects 
 of this great eastern empire to look up to. They 
 cannot conceive themselves in a settled state v^^ith- 
 out a Sultan or Maha Rajah. The success of the 
 solitary missionary demonstrates what would be the 
 powerful effect of the whole church." Xavier or 
 Swartz would perhaps have said that their success 
 mainly depended on the absence of power and state, 
 and on the very simplicity of their undivided efforts. 
 They entered the cottage of the native, and talked 
 with him familiarly, and sat beside the sacred pool, 
 or watched at the gate of the temple. 
 
 Although inferior in Eastern learning to Bu- 
 chanan, these two men possessed a more intimate 
 and correct acquaintance with human nature, and 
 more especially as it exists in India. Never did 
 they find that their modest and unassuming guise 
 closed a single gate against them. " The fame for 
 piety, as well as the will and the power to do 
 good," do not in general begin with " royalty in a 
 spiritual or temporal sense:" the acquisition of these 
 advantages being in general long and arduous, ought 
 certainly, if possible, to be commenced and matured 
 on the soil, where their exercise is to be a blessing 
 to others. But the times are changed ; the above 
 devoted men were the breakers of the barren soil ; 
 the wide empire of India, and the numerous clergy 
 
172 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 scattered in the various stations,' require a supreme 
 head and director, to whose authority tliey shall 
 submit, and whose eminent example shall shed its 
 influence over their own lives. Soon after, Buchanan 
 was appointed provost of the college, and received 
 from the university of Glasgow, of which he had 
 formerly been a member, the degree of Doctor of 
 Divinity. Leave of absence being obtained for six 
 months, he set out on his intended journey to the 
 south of India, the results of which are embodied 
 in his too concise but admirable volume, entitled 
 ** Christian Researches." 
 
 Leaving Calcutta in May, he proceeded to Con- 
 tai, and from thence to Cuttack. " I find it incon- 
 venient," he writes, " to have many followers. I 
 have, therefore, discharged some servants from this 
 place, and also a supernumerary tent. I have but 
 few wants on a march, as to eating and drinking ; 
 and I cannot be troubled with tablecloths. I enjoy 
 refreshing tea after my ride in the morning ; for I 
 generally ride one half of the march on horseback, 
 and sometimes on an elephant. I occasionally use 
 my gun, at which I was formerly as expert as any of 
 the writers. But I feel a repugnance in killing 
 harmless animals, which I did not feel formerly. 
 
 Tell H that, during the two last days' march, I 
 
 saw beautiful peacocks sitting on the lofty trees by 
 the road-side, and monkeys leaping from branch to 
 branch, holding their young ones in their arms. 
 
 *' You may direct to me to the care of the post- 
 master at Cuttack, until farther notice. I am very 
 well known now in this country, so that all letters 
 will easily come to hand. Indeed, there has been a 
 singular spirit of inquiry among the natives on the 
 subject of the march of a company's Padre ; and I 
 learn from them, that I am a rich man, proceeding 
 on a pilgrimage, to worship the God of the Chris- 
 tians, not far from Singhul Deep." 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 173 
 
 The scenes of Juggernaut may be passed over ; 
 there are other details of far higher interest ; those 
 who have read the life of the ^ apostle of the East,* 
 will remember his protege, the young and excellent 
 KolhofT. After the lapse of many years, it is thus 
 Buchanan writes of him: — " Tanjore, 1st Septem- 
 ber, 1806. — This is the c^nand scene of all. This is 
 the garden of the gospel . On my arrival, I first 
 waited on Mr. Kolhoff, and he shewed me two 
 rooms which he had prepared for my reception. 
 
 '* He is first in piety, in ardour, in meekness, 
 and in knowlege of the Tamul. His countenance is 
 more expressive of amiable qualities and mind than 
 that of any man I ever saw. Great numbers of 
 native Christians came to visit me, Mr. Kolhofi" in- 
 troduced some particularly to me, as being truly 
 godly and intelligent men. He gave me also an 
 account of many triumphant deaths lately, both of 
 men and women, young and old. As I went lo the 
 resident's house, I passed through a long street, in 
 habited by Christians only. They stood in rows as 
 we passed, and bowed affectionately to their pastoi, 
 the young women coming forward with lively con- 
 fidence, and soliciting his benediction. The infants, 
 also, form themselves in little rows, and, waiting his 
 approach, make the customary salutation, * God be 
 praised.' 
 
 " The next day I proceeded in the palace. After 
 some conversation, the rajah carried me up to his 
 splendid apartments, which are ornamented with 
 the portraits of the Tanjore kings. All around 
 there is a display of gold, silver, and mirrors ; Eng- 
 lish paintings ; libraries ; musical instruments ; orre- 
 ries ; portfolios of Oriental drawings ; and many 
 curiosities in art and nature. My visit to the rajah 
 was very long. Our chief conversation related to 
 Mr. Swartz. When I first mentioned his name, his 
 highness led me up to the picture of the reverend 
 
174 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 apostle. He then shewed me the design for the 
 marble monument, now executing by Mr. Bacon. 
 It represents the prince coming to the bed of the 
 dying man, and taking him affectionately by the 
 hand, while a number of boys are weeping at his 
 feet. The rajah is still a heathen ; the Bramins fear 
 him for his learning, and dread the result : last 
 Sunday was a great day among the Christians at 
 Tanjore. 
 
 " It being rumoured that a friend of Mr. Swartz 
 had arrived, they flocked together from all quarters ; 
 in the morning we all proceeded to his church 
 in the Fort ; it is a large commodious building, 
 not inferior to your Calcutta church. In the vestry, 
 all the native preachers and teachers came to make 
 their speeches to me, and, among them, one of his 
 early converts, Sattianaden, the celebrated Hindoo 
 preacher. He is now stricken in years, and infirm ; 
 his black hair is grown grey ; he is rather stout, and 
 has a placid look, which is rendered more pleasing 
 by his wrinkles and age. At five we went to the small 
 church out of the Fort ; this was a solemn service. 
 The organ was drowned by the human voices, which 
 sung a tune of Luther's in a noble manner. I was 
 sitting with my feet on the granite stone which 
 covers Swartz's grave. 
 
 " Having expressed a wish to hear Sattianaden 
 preach, it was intimated to the people, and they 
 were desired to assemble at the little church next 
 morning (Monday) at nine o'clock. Accordingly a 
 great number came together, and the venerable 
 minister delivered a sermon full of fire. His natural 
 eloquence and various intonation were truly cal- 
 culated to command attention. After the discourse 
 was finished, I went up to Sattianaden, in the pre- 
 sence of the people, and addressed him in a few 
 words, hoping he woidd be faithful unto death, like 
 his old master Swartz. . The women and aged men 
 
CLALDIUS BUCHANAN. 175 
 
 crowded round, and shed tears. Mr. Kolhoff has 
 presented me with a gold and agate snuff-box, 
 which belonged to his friend and patron ; and the 
 mission here has given me, from the library, a 
 Hebrew psalter which he constantly used, and also 
 his Greek Testament ; you shall have the latter, if 
 you like, I proceed to-morrow to Tritchinopoly 
 to Mr. Pohle, an aged missionary, and a good 
 Hebrew and Syriac scholar. I procured here a 
 beautiful gilt Syriac Testament, and some tracts in 
 Syriac, translated from the German by Mr. Swartz. 
 
 Will it not be interesting to pause here for a few 
 moments, and trace the fate of the survivors of this 
 eminent man. In November, 1817, Mr. Paezold 
 died at Madras ; and the Rev. Dr. Rottler was 
 appointed to the charge of the Vepery establish- 
 ment. The incomes of the missionaries had for 
 some time received a considerable increase. The 
 state of Vepery was affluent, from the legacy be- 
 queathed by the noble Gericke, of 63,700 rupees, 
 in the public securities of the government ; also of 
 landed property in numerous dwellings at Vepery, 
 of which the rents form part of the mission funds. 
 Pohle, another of the early missionaries, died now, 
 at Tritchinopoly ; these losses were remedied by the 
 accession of Messrs Rosen and Haubroe. Soon 
 afterwards. Dr. Bell's system of instruction v/as in- 
 troduced into the scbools. Palamcotta, the far 
 and lonely congregation whose chapel was built 
 by a Brahmin lady, and whose expenses were de- 
 frayed out of a fund left by Swartz, amounting 
 to £14 a month, prospered greatly. The increase 
 of its converts iu four years was four hundred and 
 eighty ; and the number of protestant Christians 
 in the whole district around, were more than three 
 thousand, and were found in more than thirty ham- 
 lets, and villages. ** I came," it is said in one 
 
176 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 letter to the Society, '' to a place, where were seated, 
 under the shade of cocoa-nut trees, a considerable 
 number of women, spinning cotton, and singing 
 Lutheran hymns to the motion of their wheels. 
 There were two old men among the group, who 
 were converted to Christianity by Jaenicke, about 
 twenty years ago ; they sang to me several hymns 
 he had taught them." 
 
 In 1826, a new and spacious mission church was 
 opened at Vepery. Bishop Heber observes, " Here 
 is the finest Gothic church, and the best establish- 
 ment of native schools, both male and female, that 
 I have yet seen in India." Startling is the change 
 of many years. We have spoken of the youthful 
 KolhofF; he is now far advanced in life. When he is 
 gone, the last precious link will be severed between 
 the present race and the primitive founders of the 
 Indian churches. Horst, Haubroe, and Rosen are 
 valuable men. Wessing and Irion have been 
 since engaged in the cause ; but the venerable 
 Dr. Rottler is now more than eighty years of age, 
 and has lately retired from his duties, in the enjoy- 
 ment of his full salary of two hundred and fifty 
 pounds a year. Such is the income given to each 
 of the present missionaries — what a transition from 
 the primitive fifty pounds of the Society! Without 
 a supply of teachers from home, the cause will 
 inevitably languish." The following were the re- 
 marks of Gericke, the year before his death. 
 " If we have faithful and discreet labourers on 
 this coast, wherever a door is opened unto us, 
 rapid would be the progress of the gospel. Though 
 some of our native teachers may not be inferior 
 to us in the knowledge of the great truths of 
 Christianity, and in the manner of communicat- 
 ing them, still they never gain that confidence 
 that is placed in a European, when they are 
 once convinced that he is actually what he exhorts 
 
CM.AUUILS BUCHANAN. 177 
 
 tlicin lo be. Williout good ministers from home, 
 tlie work would lose its respectability, even tliougU 
 the native teachers were good men ; and mission- 
 aries, without tlie pirit and mind of Christ, and as 
 full of tlie world as the natives are, would soon make 
 the mission the most graceless thing imaginable." 
 
 It ought not to be omitted, that the liberality 
 of the East India Company, has been repeatedly 
 evinced in payment of large sums for public works 
 belonging to tiie mission, as well as private dona- 
 tions to individual teachers. 
 
 Claudius Buchanan continued his journey slowly, 
 collecting various stores of knowledge and learning. 
 *' I did not observe," he writes, " that the gospel 
 flourished any where as well as in Tanjore. 1q 
 Tranquebar, a holy remnant is left. From Jaff- 
 napatan, I proceeded by land to Manaar, through 
 the woods ; a journey of three days. Elephants, 
 bears, and buffaloes abound : every night two men 
 
 f)receded my palanquin, carrying each a flaming 
 og of gum wood, to frighten the wild beasts. In 
 the open spaces in the woods, I saw the Ryots 
 guarding their cattle with gum-wood torches. At 
 Manaas I embarked in an open boat for Ramis- 
 seram ; a storm arose, and I went on shore at a fish- 
 ing village, situated at the extremity of the island ; 
 they were all Romish Christians, and I slept in 
 their church ; the priest was absent. From Rham- 
 nad I proceeded to Tutecorin, where there is a rich 
 Romish church ; the Dutch minister shewed me 
 his library, where I was happy to find the Lux 
 Evangelici of Fabricius, in quarto. This learned man 
 was one of the early Lutheran missionaries. Tell 
 H- , who gets all my natural history and poli- 
 tical remarks, that I write this at the bottom of the 
 lofty mountain, called Cape Comorin, whose rocky 
 head seems to overhang its base. The birds which 
 
 II. N 
 
178 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 build the pendulous nests, are here numerous. At 
 night, each of their little habitations is lighted up, 
 as if to see company. The sagacious little bird 
 fastens a bit of clay to the top of the nest, and then 
 picks up a fire-fly, and sticks it on the clay to 
 illuminate the dwelling, which consists of two 
 rooms. Sometimes there are three or four fire-flies, 
 and their blaze of light in the little cell dazzles 
 the eyes of the bats, which often kill the young of 
 these birds. From Trivandram I went to Poontara, 
 on the sea-coast, and here I first saw a Syrian 
 church in the Romish communion : 1 mean in Tra- 
 vancore ; for I before mentioned to you that I had 
 visited one near Tritchinopoly. From Poontara to 
 Angengo I travelled by the sea-coast, and had the 
 pleasure to see a church every four or five miles. 
 From Cape Comorin to Cochin, there are about a 
 hundred churches on the sea-coast alone. Of these 
 the chief part are the Syrian Latin, or, more pro- 
 perly, the Syrian Romish churches. The priest 
 reads the Syriac liturgy, not one word of which the 
 people understand, and then he walks off": or he 
 reads the Latin liturgy, with which the poor Chris- 
 tians are equally edified. Some of them (the private 
 Christians) have, however, the prayers translated into 
 Malayalim, or proper Malabar. The churches are 
 snow-white, and are generally built in a grove of 
 shady trees. Before each, on the sand of the shore, 
 is a lofty cross, which, like the church itself, is 
 conspicuous at a great distance. 
 
 I am now about to proceed northward and east- 
 ward, to visit the other Syrian churches. They are 
 remote, situated in impenetrable forests, where 
 jungle fevers and tigers abound. The weather is 
 dry and clear, yet cool and pleasant ; the scenery 
 of the country every where delightful ; and I enjoy 
 perfect health." 
 
 A mountain scene in these parts is vividly painted 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 179 
 
 by a recent traveller. '' The place where we were 
 assembled did not continue long deserted : about 
 mid-day, the men and women came to the rice- 
 grounds with their music and their song. The little 
 temple at Bowanee is the most desolate of all we 
 have met with; not a Bramin, not a village within 
 sight of it. The pious sages of former days had, in 
 these precincts, abundant leisure and quiet for the 
 profoundest contemplations. Now, no offering seems 
 to be made at it, no incense burnt upon its altar : it 
 stands in the wilderness, where the neglected ruin 
 heightened the desolation of the scene. A violent storm 
 came on about eight in the evening, while I was sit- 
 tino; in the veranda of a house on the commencement 
 of the mountain range. The pealing of the thunder was 
 tremendous ; and the rain fell in such torrents, that 
 it threatened to overwhelm our bungalov/, and wash 
 it down the rocky steep on the edge of which it 
 stood. The lightning was even more terrific, but so 
 grand, that it was impossible to draw our eyes from 
 the observation of its flashes of flame, as it shot 
 through the woods, and into the precipices. The 
 tumult was appalling; all the servants had crept 
 into the bungalow, and crouched beneath its ve- 
 randas, wet and miserable. Our resting-place stood 
 upon the crest of a rock, overlooking a deep valley, 
 the descent to which was thickly wooded : behind 
 was a similar abyss ; and on the left hand a still 
 more abrupt descent. On the right was a dark 
 forest of oaks and rhododendron ; and when loose 
 masses of stone rolled down the steep, we were 
 disposed, for a moment, to think that we might join 
 in the fall. In the morning, we found many of the 
 trees were riven, and others scattered on the earth, 
 by the lightning stroke : our goat-shed was demo- 
 lished, and six goats and ten sheep, lying dead 
 beneath it, proved wiih what violence they had been 
 killed bv the fluid. 
 
 n2 
 
ISO CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 How indelible are the scenes and associations of a 
 first journey — on which the heart has long been 
 intensely fixed ! no after travel can bring back the 
 freshness and enchantment of those hours. Bu- 
 chanan had thirsted to wander through Europe, to 
 revel, with a violin in his hand, in foreign scenery 
 and adventure ; and now, a more lofty and exciting 
 progress was before him, pregnant with discovery 
 and fame — he might be said to drive his chariot 
 wheels onwards, without a competitor on the lists. 
 The man who has a new region to explore, is 
 infinitely to be envied : he feeis in every nerve, at 
 every step, the fine consciousness that no foot has 
 pressed the wilds, no eye gloated on the glorious 
 things which are breaking every moment on his 
 view : no, — his " golden bowl" has been untasted : 
 and the draught is inexpressibly delicious. But, 
 combined with this, Buchanan had also a higher 
 and holier feeling; — he was about to discover, every 
 morn and eve, the ancient churches of God, on the 
 mountain's brow, in the bosom of the gloomy forest, 
 or in the lone, deep valley ; where the churches and 
 the homes of the early Christians were-^-like the 
 retreats of the prophets of old, where was the altar 
 of the Lord, even within the veil — while on every 
 side were a thousand accursed shrines, a thousand 
 horrid sacrifices. 
 
 " Early in November," continues Buchanan, " I 
 directed my course towards Mavelycar. The priests 
 of this first Syrian church received me very civilly; 
 they produced the Scriptures and their liturgy, also 
 lexicons and grammars, Syrian and Malayalim. The 
 latter is a dialect distinct from the Tamul, but the cha- 
 racter is nearly the same. It is considered by the Bra- 
 mius as the eldest and legitimate daughter of the 
 Sanscrit. On Monday, the four chief elders of the 
 church came with the priest to visit me ; but distrust 
 and anxiety filled their minds : I afterwards learnt 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 181 
 
 that they immediately called an assembly. An old 
 nsan aiose and said, ' What if this stranger should 
 prove to be a true Christian, and a real friend ? It 
 is true, no European ever visited us before ; but what 
 say you to this man's knowledge of our church at 
 Antioch, and to his Syrian books ?' " 
 
 Various attempts have been made by the Roman 
 Catholics to force these Syrian churches to join 
 their communion. Buchanan proposed to send a 
 standard translation of the Scriptures in Malayalim 
 to each of their fifty-five churches, on condition that 
 each church should multiply the copies, and circu- 
 late them among the people. 
 
 " • But how/ said the aged priest, ' shall we know 
 that your western Bible is the same as ours V I have 
 here, said I, a copy which yourselves can read. 
 They turned over the leaves with surprise, having 
 never seen a printed Syrian Bible before. After some 
 consultation, they proposed that the third chapter 
 of St. Matthew's Gospel should be critically com- 
 pared, word for word, in the Eastern Syrian, Western 
 Syrian, and English. It was an interesting scene 
 to me, to behold the ancient English Bible thus 
 brought before the tribunal of these simple Christians 
 in the hills of Malabar. At last they were satisfied 
 that it was a true and faithful translation ; for I 
 proposed that Jonah, the aged priest, should first read 
 his own Syriac, as the standard with which the other 
 versions should be compared. As for the Western 
 Syrian, it agreed with the Eastern nearly word for 
 word. The Malayalim translation alone was faulty. 
 They now determined that one of the priests, and 
 one of the elders, should accompany me to the other 
 churches. 
 
 " Still journeying on towards the East, we arrived 
 at the church of Puttencow ; from whence we had a 
 view of the delectable mountains, the utmost bound 
 of the Syrian churches. Near the altar of that of 
 
]82 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 Chinganoor, are two shrines of bishops who died 
 here. At Maraman, I found the aged Zeehariah 
 reading the Psahns in the porch of the church. This 
 part of the country is interspersed with hills, round 
 which the rivers from the Ghauts wind their course. 
 The Christians go from place to place in little canoes. 
 The church of Colanchery is built in the bosom of a 
 forest, not far from a river. The people were poor, 
 but very hospitable. An old lady wished me to 
 make a promise that I would come back again in a 
 year or two. The priest Abraham, at Ranniel, is 
 rich. * No man,' he said, ' should go forth to the 
 ministry until he has studied the whole Bible, and 
 can quote it fluently in his Christian discourse. 
 For three hundred years we have been quarrelling 
 with the Romish church about supremacy, rites, and 
 ceremonies, but the Bible has been out of the ques- 
 tion. With the Bible in his hand, every man can 
 become the priest in his own family.' At most of 
 these places there are ancient Syriac copies of the 
 Scriptures, or of some parts of them. In the vicinity 
 of Ranniel there is a high hill, which I ascended, 
 and sat down on the summit, to contemplate the 
 delightful prospect. In a few minutes I saw a man 
 coming up from a village below, with a cocoa-nut 
 in his hand; he presented me with the cooling 
 water. He said he was never farther from home 
 than the adjacent mountains ; and did not seem to 
 understand that there were Christians in any other 
 part of the world than the hills of Malayala. He 
 pointed out to me by name the parishes which I had 
 visited, but most of the churches were concealed by 
 the trees. While I surveyed the Christian districts 
 all around, I reflected on the inscrutable councils of 
 God, in finding this asylum for the Bible during so 
 many ages. I next proceeded to Nerenam, formerly 
 the residence of the Syrian bishops. The episcopal 
 chair, covered with red velvety and decorated with 
 
CLALDIUS BUCHANAN. 183 
 
 copper studs, is evidently the workmanship of a 
 former age. In a corner lay the pastoral staff: the 
 church itself is supposed to be nine hundred years 
 old. 
 
 "In all these churches which t visited, I found 
 the same zeal and affection for the religion of their 
 forefathers. In every church, the elders stepped 
 forth, with patriarchal simplicity and zeal, as the 
 natural guardians of the people. The women, in 
 general, were affable and courteous in their manners, 
 and appeared to be as much interested in the objects 
 of my visit as the men. They shewed none of the 
 Hindoo shyness and alarm at a stranger. As to the 
 Bramins, their families live in entire seclusion, as 
 in a Romish convent ; unlike any thing that is 
 known elsewhere in Hindostan." 
 
 During his progress, he visited the Romish 
 churches also, and was on friendly and courteous 
 terms with the Jesuits. He came to Candenad, the 
 residence of Mar. Dionysius, the metropoHtan of 
 the Syrian church : a great number of the clergy 
 had assembled from different parts of the diocese, 
 in expectation of his coming. Buchanan delivered 
 to the bishop a paper, relating to their union with 
 the English church, and the establishment of 
 schools in all the parishes of his diocese. At the 
 close of the conference, the former said, — " I am in 
 a declining state of health, being now 78 years of 
 age. But I am the father of fifty-five churches in a 
 heathen land, and I must soon give up my account 
 to the Bishop of souls. I have been thus explicit in 
 declaring to you my sentiments before my clergy, 
 that they may act wisely, and remember them when 
 I am gone." 
 
 In a letter dated Cochin, he writes, — " I was pre- 
 sent, the other night, at the marriage of the 
 daughter of Nathaniel, the richest Jew in the place ; 
 it was a very splendid solemnity. The women were 
 
184 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 covered with gold and silver — Decca and Surat mus- 
 lins. Swartz's catechlst is still with me. One o\ 
 his master's brass lamps is destined for you. It 
 gives a bright and steady light; and a square, 
 moveable, canopy shade preserves the eyes. It is 
 worn thin by the midnight lucubrations of the old 
 man ; for he was a hard student, to the last year of 
 his life." 
 
 Of Mar. Dionysius, and his residence, he says, 
 ** He was drest in a vestment of dark red silk : a 
 large golden cross hung from his neck, and his vene- 
 rable beard reached below his girdle. Such, thought 
 I, was the appearance of Chrysostom, in the fourth 
 century. On public occasions, he wears the epis- 
 copal mitre : a muslin robe is thrown over his under 
 garment, and in his hand he bears the crosier, or 
 pastoral staff. Eminent for his piety and learning, 
 he devotes his whole attention to his sacred func- 
 tions. — Proceeded to Cranganore, that celebrated 
 place of antiquity, where the apostle Thomas is said 
 to have landed, when he first arrived in India. Not 
 far distant is the town of Paroor, where there is an 
 ancient Syrian church, which bears the name of the 
 apostle ; it is supposed to be the oldest in Malabar, 
 next to Verapoli, the residence of Bishop Raigmondo, 
 the pope's vicar in Malabar. There is a college here 
 for the sacerdotal office, in which the students, from 
 ten to twenty in number, are instructed in the Latin 
 and Syriac languages. At Pulingunna there is 
 another college, where Syriac alone is taught. The 
 pope's vicar superintends sixty-four churches, exclu- 
 sive of the forty-five governed by the archbishop of 
 Cranganore, and exclusive of the large dioceses of the 
 bishops of Cochin and Quilon, whose churches ex- 
 tend to Cape Comorin, and are visible from the sea. 
 The view of this assemblage of christian congrega- 
 tions excited in my mind mingled sensations of 
 pleasure and regret : of pleasure, that so many of 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 185 
 
 the Hindoos have been rescued from the idohitry of 
 Brama ; and of regret, when I reflected that there 
 was not to be found among the whole body, one 
 copy of the Holy Bible. The apostolic vicar is an 
 Italian, and corresponds with the Society de Propa- 
 ganda Fide. He is a man of liberal manners, and 
 gave me free access to the archives of Verapoli, which 
 are upwards of two centuries old. Almost every 
 step I take in christian India, I meet with a me- 
 mento of the inquisition : the vicar, however, does 
 not acknowledge its authority, and places himself 
 under British protection; he spoke of it with just 
 indignation. 
 
 I penetrated once more inland. Angamalee, 
 one of the most ancient of the Syrian towns, is situ- 
 ated on a high land. In this place I have found a 
 good many valuable manuscripts. The Syriac ver- 
 sion of the Scriptures was brought to India, accord- 
 ing to the popular belief, before the year 325. 
 Some of their present copies are certainly of ancient 
 date, written on a strong thick paper, like that of 
 some MSS. in the British Museum. There is a 
 volume, which was deposited in one of the remote 
 churches, near the mountains, which merits a parti- 
 cular description. It contains the Old and New 
 Testaments, engrossed on strong vellum, in large 
 folio, having three columns in a page, and is written 
 with beautiful accuracy. *' We have kept it," said 
 the bishop, *' as some think, for near a thousand 
 years." How wonderful is it, that during the dark 
 ages of Europe, whilst ignorance and superstition, 
 in a manner, denied the Scriptures to the rest of the 
 world, the Bible should have found an asylum in 
 the mountains of Malayala, where it was freely read 
 by upwards of a hundred churches. 
 
 The face of the country in general, and the vicinity 
 of the mountains, exhibit a varied scene of hill and 
 dale and winding streams ; these streams preserve 
 
186 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 the valleys in perpetual verdure. The woods pro- 
 duce pepper, cassia, and cinnamon, also frankin- 
 cense, and other aromatic gums. What adds much 
 to the grandeur of the scenery in this country, is, 
 that the adjacent mountains of Travancore are not 
 barren, but are covered with forests of teakwood, 
 (the Indian oak) producing it is said, the largest 
 timber in the world. The form of the oldest build- 
 ings is not unlike that of some of the old parish 
 churches in England. They have sloping roofs, 
 pointed arch windows, and buttresses supporting 
 the walls. The beams of the roof being exposed to 
 view are ornamented, and the ceilings of the choir 
 and altar are circular and fretted. In the cathedral 
 churches the shrines of the deceased bishops are 
 placed on each side of the altar. Their liturgy is 
 that which was formerly used in the churches of the 
 patriarch of Antioch. During the prayers there 
 were intervals of silence, the priest praying in a low 
 voice, and every man praying for himself. These 
 silent intervals add much to the solemnity and ap- 
 pearance of devotion. They use incense in the 
 churches ; it contributes much, they say, to health, 
 and to the warmth and comfort of the edifice durins: 
 the cold and rainy season of the year. At the con- 
 clusion of the service, a ceremony takes place which 
 pleased me much. The priest (or bishop, if he be 
 present) comes forward, and all the people pass 
 by him as they go out, receiving his benediction 
 individually. 
 
 If any man has been guilty of any immorality, 
 he does not receive the blessing ; and this in their 
 primitive and patriarchal state is accounted a severe 
 punishment. Many of the old men lamented the 
 decay of piety and religious knowledge, and spoke 
 with pleasure of the record of ancient times. Every 
 copy of the Bible which they have is transcribed 
 with the pen : the copies are but few, so that the 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 187 
 
 Malayalim translation will be a real blessing. The 
 bishop's chaplains confessed to me that they had 
 doubts as to the purity of English ordination. " Your 
 church," they observe, ** by your own account, is but 
 of a recent origin. Whence do you derive your 
 ordination ? From Rome. You derive it then 
 from a church which is our ancient enemy, and with 
 which we would never unite." 
 
 As to the question of a union, it was to be con- 
 sidered that they had existed a pure church of 
 Christ from the earliest ages ; that if there was such 
 a thing as ordination by the laying on of hands, in 
 succession from the apostles, it was probable that 
 they possessed it, and that there was no record of 
 history or tradition to impeach their claim. I 
 observed, that there was reason to believe that the 
 same ordination had descended from the apostles to 
 the church of Rome. It might be so, they answered, 
 but the church of Rome had departed from the faith. 
 Next day, after conferring with his clergy on the 
 subject, the bishop returned an answer in writing to 
 the following effect : — " That a union between the 
 Syriac and English churches, or at least such a con- 
 nexion as should appear practicable and expedient, 
 would be a happy event, and favourable to the 
 advancement of religion in India." 
 
 Mar. Dionysius thought it strange that there was 
 no bishop in India, to superintend so large an 
 empire. " I told him we had sent bishops to other 
 countries ; but that our Indian empire was yet in its 
 infancy." 
 
 This want has since been supplied in Reginald 
 Heber and his successors. It is true, that we look 
 in vain in their details for the enthusiasm or great 
 usefulness of the first missionaries : but they have 
 well fulfilled their charge, as vicegerents over the 
 numerous and scattered folds of Christians, both 
 native and European. Their career has been a 
 
188 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 fleeting one ; and such will it continue to be. In 
 order to labour, or even to govern, long and emi- 
 nently, in the religious soil of India, men must 
 begin early, that the frame may be habituated to 
 the various climates ; while the mind also is inured 
 * to that arduous warfare" of patience, long-suffer- 
 ing, disappointment, and then success — till, at last, 
 ** India and its triumphs" are graven on the heart, 
 as by an iron pen, for ever. Even the finest zeal 
 and qualifications, in the Indian bishop, are almost 
 counterbalanced — when he leaves, in middle age, a 
 long-loved home and connexions, habits, and tastes 
 long cherished and rooted, and exchanges a mild 
 and damp clime for a fevered and burning atmo- 
 sphere, "where the frame sinks beneath lassitude or 
 disease ; and the midnight lamp runs little risk of 
 being, like that of the dweller in Tanjore, worn thin 
 by severe studies in the world of Indian literature. 
 If it were possible that the few candidates for the 
 mitre in India, or the " chosen one," could go out 
 in earlier life, and reside there many previous years, 
 the result would be far happier to himself, and more 
 useful to others. He would thus acquire that 
 intimate personal acquaintance with the minds and 
 manners of the various population, so admirable in a 
 *' spiritual ruler" — while the cautious Hindoos, by 
 their observation and experience of the purity of his 
 motives, and the excellence of his life, would love 
 and revere the man, ere they bowed to his sway. 
 
 " The cathedral church of Angamalee is the 
 largest of the Syrian edifices, and contains the 
 tombs of bishops and archbishops for many cen- 
 turies. As I approached the town in the evening, 1 
 heard the sullen roar of the great bell reverberating 
 through the mountains. When the Romish arch- 
 "bishop, Menezes, visited this place, in 1599, the 
 Christians strewed the way up the hill with flowers 
 as he advanced. And yet he came to burn their 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 189 
 
 ancient library and archives. As the flame ascended, 
 the old priests wept ; but they were obliged to hide 
 their tears, dreading the inquisition at Goa. The 
 archbishop presented himself next day to the mul- 
 titude, arrayed in his pontificals, resplendent with 
 gold and precious stones. To this day they have a 
 lively tradition of the splendour of his robes blazing 
 in the sun, and forming a striking contrast with the 
 plain white garments of their own primitive church. 
 
 *' The Syrian is still their sacred language, and 
 some of the laymen understand it, but the Malayalim 
 is the vulgar tongue. Their doctrines are not, in 
 essentials, different from those of the church of Eng- 
 land." It is sufficiently established by the concur- 
 rence of oral tradition with written records, that the 
 Jews were on this coast before the Christian era. 
 Cochin is rich in Hebrew literature, and I am pur- 
 chasing what is to be sold. The rajah of Cochin 
 has ft)llowed the example of the rajahs of Travan- 
 cnre, of Tanjore, of Pthamnad, and other places, in 
 giving me catalogues of the Sanscrit books in the 
 temples. This opening of the pagodas is a new 
 scene in India. Mr. Svvartz was the remote instru- 
 ment : he opened the heart of the rajah of Tanjore, 
 who opened the pagodas— those chambers of imagery, 
 the emblem of the human heart." 
 
 The youthful missionary in Nepaul, Schroeter, did 
 not find so enlightened a people : he writes, " I am 
 translating a dialogue from Thibet concerning the 
 future punishment of the wicked. The angel of 
 death asks the sinner, ' What sin have you com- 
 mitted ? have you killed a lama? have you killed a. 
 cow? have you poisoned?' The answer of this man is, 
 ' I have done nothing:' — then the angel looks in the 
 looking-glass ; he opens, and shews the book — then 
 he siezes that sinner, binds him, knocks him with a 
 hammer, pinches him with pinchers, keeps him in 
 an iron house, boils him in a copper vessel, bores 
 
190 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 him, puts him in boiling-hot water, hangs him on a 
 tree, and fills his mouth with dirt — so he does for a 
 long time." 
 
 On his return to Calcutta in March, he found 
 that the college of Fort William, which had flour- 
 ished nearly seven years, and been productive of 
 such important benefits to Oriental learning and 
 religion, had been reduced within very narrow limits. 
 His influence, as well as income, was in consequence 
 greatly diminished. The Christian tablets, the Sy- 
 rian Bible, and Hebrew roll, were examined by 
 Carey, the learned missionary of Serampore, with 
 great curiosity and interest. It is impossible to 
 estimate too highly the exertions of Buchanan 
 during the last seven years of his residence in 
 India;— in their nature, they were admirable, as 
 laying a sure foundation of excellent knowledge, 
 literature, and purity of faith — in their degree, they 
 were intense and unremitting :— he may be said 
 to have opened a new world of sacred as well as 
 curious learning, to the consideration of which he 
 quickly arrested the attention of Europe. His 
 discovery, if it may be so called, of the Syrian 
 churches, is a beautiful episode, resembling rather 
 a narration of some prophet of the Old Testament, 
 the strange yet welcome herald of his Lord, — than 
 the pilgrimage of a modern divine. The singular 
 accuracy and extent of his Oriental knowledge, and 
 the acuteness of his mind, were all-availing in the 
 minute researches and conferences with the various 
 Christians and learned men — Syriac, Romish, and 
 Jesuit— as well as in the numerous translations sub- 
 mitted to his approval. No pause was allowed, no 
 interval of indulgence : '* I despatched, on the third 
 instant, three chests of MSS. to your care. Be 
 pleased to open them, and air the contents ; I shall 
 carry round with me three chests more. I proceed 
 to-morrow, with the Tamul copy of the Scriptures 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 19] 
 
 complete, to the Syrian bishop, who is now engaged 
 with three learned Syrian and Malayalim scholars in 
 the translation of them into the latter language. I 
 leave the three translators at monthly wages. The 
 Romish bishop has consented to the circulation of 
 the Scriptures throughout his diocese ; so that there 
 will be upwards of 200,000 persons who are ready to 
 receive the Malayalim Bible." 
 
 In January, 1808, he wrote a letter to Mr. Brown, 
 dated '* Goa, from the great Hall of the Inquisition." 
 There was no real danger in this visit ; the dread of 
 the English was a sure safeguard even in its most 
 secret dungeons ; he was treated by the inquisitors 
 with marked civility and attention. All the libra- 
 ries were open to his inspection, which were ex- 
 tensive and valuable beyond his expectation. On 
 the fourth day, he inquired, in undisguised terms, 
 into the mysteries of this prison house : the Inquisi- 
 tor was alarmed, and consented reluctantly to 
 accompany him to the great hall, but absolutely 
 refused to descend into the dungeons. A contest 
 ensued ; Buchanan demanding that the doors should 
 be opened, that he might count the captives; for 
 he had only seen some small rooms, and the spa- 
 cious apartments of the chief inquisitor. They now 
 stood in the hall, where the captives were wont to 
 be marshalled ere they proceeded to the flames. 
 *' Lead me down," said the visitor, " to the inner 
 building, and let me pass through the two hundred 
 dungeons, ten feet square : shew me the chamber of 
 torture." The inquisitor refused to unbar a single door, 
 or to unfold one hall of darkness. — This proceeding 
 of the former, appears to have been too abrupt and 
 peremptory ; it would have been more politic, per- 
 haps, to have dealt with these cruel and cautious 
 men in their own way, by insinuation and address, 
 and perhaps bribery. He goes on to say, *' My visit 
 at Goa has excited a very general alarm among the 
 
10? CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 priests. The whole Catholic body are awed by it ; 
 the viceroy wishes success to my endeavours." 
 
 '' I went to the place of burning, by the river side ; 
 an old priest accompanied me, who described the 
 scene ; I passed over this melancholy plain, and, 
 not being satisfied with what I had seen or said at 
 the Inquisition, I determined to go back again. 
 When I arrived, I had ascended the outer stairs, 
 the door-keepers surveyed me doubtingly, but suf- 
 fered me to pass, supposing I had returned by per- 
 mission of the inquisitor. I entered the great hall, 
 and went up directly towards the tribunals of the 
 inquisition, described by Dellon, in which is the 
 lofty crucifix. I sat down on a form, and wrote 
 some notes, and then desired one of the attendants 
 to carry in my name to the inquisitor. As I walked 
 up the hall, I saw a poor woman sitting by herself, 
 on a bench by the wall, apparently in a disconsolate 
 state of mind. She clasped her hands as I passed, 
 and gave me a look expressive of her distress. The 
 sight chilled my spirits. The familiars told me she 
 was waiting there to be called up before the tribunal. 
 While I was asking questions concerning her crime, 
 the second inquisitor came out, in evident trepida- 
 tion, and was about to complain of the intrusion, 
 when I informed him I had come back for the letter 
 from the chief inquisitor, which he had promised me, 
 to the British resident in Travancore. He said it 
 should be sent after me to Goa, and he conducted 
 me with a quick step towards the door. As we 
 passed the poor woman, I pointed to her, and said 
 to him with emphasis, * Behold another victim of 
 the holy Inquisition.' He answered nothing. When 
 we arrived at the head of the great stair, he bowed, 
 and I took my last leave of Josephus a Doloribus, 
 without uttering a word.*' 
 
 His servants urged him to depart : his own mind 
 at last, perhaps, grew agitated, for it was a place of 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 193 
 
 blocd-tliirstiness of old, where, as in the castle of 
 Despair, " the very courts were strewn with the 
 skulls of victims, and hope never came." He had 
 gone very far in his fearless inquiries, and although 
 under especial British protection, there was an infec- 
 tious dread in the very air, in the dark suspicions 
 that hover around the gloomy walls. He set off 
 about twelve o'clock, and in the next letter he 
 writes, " 1 passed five hours with Sir James Mackin- 
 tosh in his library ; it is uncommonly numerous 
 and valuable. He is a friend to religion, and 
 professes a desire to support me in all useful 
 plans for India." 
 
 About this time he wrote the following letter 
 to his two daughters in England. '' I am now 
 about to quit India, and to go home to see you. 
 If I find it dangerous to go home overland, I 
 shall probably sail over those waters where your 
 dear mother lies. Do you not know, that at the 
 resurrection of the dead she will come forth with 
 a ' glorious body.' Though it be sown in dis- 
 honour, it is raised in glory ! Of this you may 
 read in the Bible, and in the burial service. Your 
 mother will come forth with a ' glorious body,' for 
 she was a good woman, and remembered her Creator 
 in the days of her youth. Perhaps I shall die, too, 
 before I reach England. You ought, therefore, to 
 pray that God would preserve my life, if it be his 
 will, that I may see you, and shew you the affec- 
 tion of a father, and receive the affection of daugh- 
 ters ; and lead you onward to that happy state, 
 whither your mother is gone before you." 
 
 Soon after his return to Calcutta, a temporary 
 rupture occurred with the government, in conse- 
 quence of his design of publishing a series of dis- 
 courses on the subject of the Christian prophecies, 
 delivered in the Presidency church. His memoir 
 of the expediency of an ecclesiastical establishment 
 
 II. o 
 
J 94 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 for British India, produced a considerable sensation 
 on the public mind. In the year 1808, he arrived 
 in England : his first visit, on his arrival in London, 
 was to the house of Mr. Newton, but he found that 
 his venerable friend had already entered into his 
 rest. In a letter, he thus speaks of his future pros- 
 pects : " I have no thoughts of ever returning to 
 India again. My wish is, to take a cure of souls, 
 and to grow old, preaching the gospel ; and I look 
 out for retirement : I have not lived with my 
 mother these twenty years, a fortnight excepted. 
 I have a long arrear of filial affection and personal 
 attention to bring up, and must first fulfil this duty. 
 I shall probably stay over the winter in Scotland." 
 He gives a brief notice of the admirable Cecil ; a 
 man, to whose fine and original genius, imperfect 
 
 justice has yet been done. " I visited Mr. C 
 
 yesterday ; he is much better, and is anxious that 
 I should write the life of Mr. Swartz. Notwith- 
 standing his weakness, he seems to feel a singular 
 pleasure in hearing me talk on Oriental subjects. 
 I have no thoughts of going to India : there is no 
 peculiar sphere of usefulness for me there ; nor is 
 it probable that any will offer." Surely, in these ex- 
 pressions, there is little enthusiasm, little of loved or 
 impassioned remembrance. Did he not feel, that, 
 but for India, the name of Claudius Buchanan had 
 been, perhaps, unhonoured, unpraised ; that it was 
 the scene of all his triumphs in learning and in- 
 tellect, of his memorable discoveries — of his first and 
 lasting usefulness ! 
 
 But if we examine more closely, our surprise at 
 this seeming indifference will be diminished. Where 
 there is exceeding love, and undying remembrance, 
 they have in general been fostered in the soul, by 
 suffering, tears, and abasement, till they are graven 
 as with an iron pen for ever. The career of Bu- 
 chanan had one peculiar defect, of which few 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 195 
 
 missionaries have to complain : it was too successful 
 and unresisted. The Christian who has not proved 
 the dark changes of fortune, of society, of liopes 
 and trusts nriiserably slain, is not greatly to be 
 envied, for he wants the splendid experience of the 
 *' field of conflict," — and when the noon of his 
 fame is come, and the shadows of life are lengthen- 
 ing — his brilliant toils, his lofty purpose, executed 
 almost as soon as conceived — do not rush as with 
 angel- wings round the heart, like the peculiar and 
 ineffable mercies of his God, amidst despair, deser- 
 tion, and woe ! 
 
 To Buchanan, the loss of these " sharp assaults," 
 was the more detrimental, because his nature was 
 cold and unsusceptible — even of that kind as to in- 
 duce a man to pray that sorrow should pierce his 
 heart, so that tender sympathies and meltings might 
 dwell there. Alas ! if our life does not present a 
 struggle of the heart as well as of the intellect, if 
 we are never seen " to weep with them that weep" 
 — our memory will be unto others little more than 
 *' a chamber of imagery," where incense is offered — 
 but no true grandeur dwells, no tear or voice of 
 blessing is there. 
 
 In February he preached at St. James's church, 
 Bristol, his celebrated sermon, entitled the " Star in 
 the East:" one of the most forcible and persuasive of 
 his many compositions : it quickly obtained a large 
 circulation. His eminent services and erudition 
 were very tardily and very inefficiently rewarded 
 by the honours of his university. 
 
 The valuable Oriental manuscripts which he pre- 
 sented to the university of Cambridge, were twenty- 
 five in number, chiefly Biblical, and written in the 
 Hebrew, Syriac, and Ethiopic languages. The 
 most curious and important are a copy of the 
 Hebrew Pentateuch, written on goat skins, and found 
 in one of the Black Jews' synagogues at Cochin ; 
 
 o2 
 
196 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 and a copy of the Bible, containing the books 
 of the Old and New Testament, with the Apocrypha, 
 written on large folio vellum, and in the ancient, 
 or Estrangelo character, which was a present to 
 him from the venerable bishop of the Syrian 
 churches. 
 
 Early in the year 1810, Dr. Buchanan entered 
 a second time into the marriao:e state : the lady 
 was the daughter of Henry Thompson, Esq., of 
 Kirby Hall, Yorkshire; in which county he after- 
 wards fixed his residence. In an early letter, he 
 writes, '* We live at Moat Hall, or Parsonage. I 
 have undertaken the whole charge of the parish of 
 Ouseburn. My parishioners meet on Thursday and 
 Sunday evenings in my own house. I read a portion 
 of Scripture to them, and expound it. I ought to be 
 thankful for the attentive ear of the people." This 
 peaceful life in a secluded rural home, was as sin- 
 gular a contrast to that of India as can well be 
 conceived : amidst the days at Moat Hall, and the 
 evening meetings with the peasants, could he help 
 sometimes recalling the Presidency church and 
 court at Calcutta — the rich mines of Eastern learn- 
 ing incessantly opening to his desire — all the ex- 
 citements of his journeys in Malabar — the disco- 
 veries of its ancient churches, of its learned prelates, 
 like the long-lost remains of a purer age — or like 
 the buried homes and palaces of the city of Bali, 
 which the ocean has long covered, but not taken 
 from them their lustre or their glory. Park, after 
 returning to the bosom of his family, and, amidst 
 his wild rides as a surgeon, over moor and hill, 
 sorrowed for his African scenes. He said that it 
 was more sweet to suffer there, than to lead a calm 
 and regular life at home. *rhe recluse at Moat 
 Hall^ore his lot with equanimity, without any rest- 
 less longings for the land he had for ever left. 
 
 About this time occurs the following letter to a 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 197 
 
 friend, on the dangerous illness of a near relative : 
 " I sincerely sympathize with you on this affliction ; 
 but the excellent accounts you give of her spi- 
 ritual state, must be your chief consolation. Happy 
 for her, that her affliction hath been sanctified ! 
 Whatever be the event, there is great room for 
 praise and thanksgiving. I feel this the more, 
 from having just heard that a beautiful young lady, 
 of good family and great fortune, has finished 
 her course at the Wells here, and died without a 
 ray of hope. Blessed then is your family, which 
 hath ' this hope,' in the midst of a perverse gene- 
 ration. May it be your hope unto the end !" 
 
 Augusta and Charlotte, his two daughters by 
 his first wife, Mary, did not reside at the parson- 
 age. In the course of this year, he published his 
 Jubilee Sermons. The life of Swart z was a favour- 
 ite subject, in which he had proceeded so far as 
 to intend to publish it, a year or two before his 
 own death : the papers which he had collected for 
 this purpose are now in the hands of his family. 
 They cannot be a voluminous collection ; for the 
 correspondence of Swartz was peculiarly confined : 
 he was averse to writing much, either in letter or 
 journal ; and these communications convey an im- 
 perfect idea of the talent, energy, and nobleness 
 of the writer ; they bear the impress of the spirit, 
 but not of the mind. The circulation of the 
 *' Christian Researches" in India, has been immense : 
 after the sale of many editions, there is not, at 
 this moment, a copy to be had. Early in the year 
 1811, while preparing the volume of Jubilee Ser- 
 mons for the press, there came one morning a 
 fearful messenger, dreaded by the deeply learned 
 and intellectual, even more than death itself. He 
 was struck suddenly by a slight touch of paralysis, 
 '* of a peculiar kind," he says sadly, that affected 
 the voice and the right hand. Alas ! that the men- 
 
198 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 tal world of this man, in which he had pecuharly 
 lived, should be thus mournfully broken up: but 
 the decay was gradual ; and it was cheered by one 
 beautiful illusion, one bright and parting beam of 
 enthusiasm, that came, like an angel, to cheer the 
 darkening spirit. This was no less an under- 
 taking than a voyage to Palestine, to investigate 
 that region ; what language is most generally 
 used there ; and also the state of the Syriac 
 printing press of Mount Lebanon ; and establish 
 presses in Jerusalem, &c. Afterwards he would 
 visit the Christian churches in Greece. In order to 
 give publicity to this proposed voyage, he trans- 
 mitted a notice of the particulars to the Christian 
 Observer; but his friends saw that this bold and 
 distant enterprise was of too difficult a nature for 
 his shattered constitution. " 1 cannot tell the pur- 
 poses of Providence," he writes, " perhaps I may 
 lay my bones in the Holy Land." In his last visit 
 to Scotland, it is beautiful to read this tribute to 
 his aged parent: — *' I have found my mother in 
 tolerable health of body, and in high spiritual health, 
 at seventy-five. She astonishes Mrs. Buchanan 
 by her eloquence on the prophecies." After his 
 return to Kirby Hall, he, in the ensuing December, 
 intimated his intention of proceeding on his pro- 
 posed voyage early in February following. A more 
 solemn passage awaited him ; a few days only had 
 elapsed, ere the second fearful warning was given: 
 between him and eternity, there remained only the 
 third and inevitable stroke. Yet he retained all his 
 ardour in promoting the cause of Christianity in 
 the world. To the subject of an ecclesiastic estab- 
 lishment in India, his thoughts reverted with a yet 
 growing interest ; it was a subject near his heart, 
 for he well knew its great utility. 
 
 His volume, entitled, " View of the State of the 
 Colonies of Great Britain, and of her Asiatic Em- 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 199 
 
 pire, in respect to Religious Instruction," was very 
 widely circulated. The hope, ever fervent, the 
 unabated talents given to this cause, even to the last 
 remains of life, were eventually crowned with suc- 
 cess. A favourite employnnent was, to superintend 
 the edition of the Syriac New Testament, printed by 
 the British and Foreign Bible Society ; which he 
 long anxiously sought to obtain for the use of the 
 Syrian Christians of Malabar. He was again left 
 alone : his second wife, Mary, also died : and 
 he then took a temporary residence in Hertford- 
 shire, to be nearer the printer of the Syriac Tes- 
 tament. — " I live with a widow lady and her 
 daughters. I have my meals by myself, being will- 
 ing to husband my voice, in the hopes that it will 
 acquire some strength. I walk in the meadows by 
 the side of the river Lee, and endeavour to meditate 
 on things spiritual and eternal. There are few days 
 in which I do not think of Mary, now among the 
 blessed. I hope that Charlotte and Augusta are 
 happy and well." It had perhaps been happier for 
 their father, had these amiable young women been 
 more his companions ; they appear to have been 
 very rarely with him : surely their affection and 
 society would have somewhat soothed his slow pas- 
 sage to the grave. The time of his departure was 
 now at hand : in February, 1815, he retired to rest 
 as usual, and about twelve at night, his servant 
 alone being in the chamber, he expired without a 
 struggle or convulsion, beneath the final stroke of 
 paralysis, in the forty-ninth year of his age. His 
 remains were deposited at Ouseburn, beside those of 
 his second lamented wife. 
 
 Thus prematurely departed this eminently learned, 
 pious, and useful man ; who had well husbanded 
 the years, and gloriously used the " talents," which 
 Heaven awarded him. In the two and paramount 
 pursuits of his life, Oriental learning, and the 
 
200 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 better religious instruction of India, he was sin- 
 gularly successful : it cannot be said that disap- 
 pointment, self-denial, or the anguish of hope de- 
 ferred, were his lot; of the stern difficulties and 
 dangers of the earlier missionaries, he knew but 
 little. The sorrows that were given him, were not 
 of the world : friends, patrons, wealth, and distinc- 
 tion, early raised Buchanan from his lowly estate. 
 He justified the most sanguine expectations, either 
 as vice-provost of the College of Fort "William, 
 as minister of the church of the Presidency, or when 
 employing his pen in his various literary and reli- 
 gious compositions; for his mind was acute, compre- 
 hensive, and persevering, his application unwearied, 
 and the stores of his learning rich and various. 
 His style is vigorous and clear, but often senten- 
 tious. ** The colouring of the picturesque, with 
 which he contributes to invest his subject," as an ad- 
 mirer says, is not a prominent feature; for imagination 
 was sparingly given to Buchanan . His epistolary style 
 is unhappy ; it does not flow naturally, or with any 
 grace or beauty. Even when religion is the theme, 
 as it is often and anxiously, there is a mannerism, 
 and formality of expression, which much diminishes 
 its power. Why is it, that, while perusing his life, 
 we feel that we cannot love the man ? Simply, from 
 the absence of warmth in his affections, and of 
 unction, if the expression may be allowed, in his 
 piety. 
 
 The author of the " Christian Researches" has 
 left an imperishable monument, whose brightness 
 lime will only augment : the Episcopal establish- 
 ment in India, owes its foundation chiefly to his 
 masterly pen, and his able personal exertions, which 
 did not cease, even when the dark waters of death 
 were closing around him. 
 
 Since the departure of Buchanan from India, a gra- 
 dual, yet resistless prosperity has attended the church 
 
CLAUbltS BL'CHANAN. 201 
 
 mission. The names of the Rev. David Brown, the 
 faithful pastor, the benefactor to the poor, the true 
 and tried servant of God ; and of Thomason, during 
 thirty years also chaplain, — should be written in 
 letters of gold. Archdeacon Corrie, the heat and 
 toil of the day being past, now superintends, in his 
 pastoral visits, many of the stations whose infancy 
 he fostered. 
 
 In 1817, the schools at Agra, Chunar, Kidder- 
 pore, &c. were directed by able masters, who taught 
 the European as well as native tongues : the prayer- 
 book was printed in Hindostanee, as well as the 
 epistle to the Romans ; and the former was also 
 printed in the Bengalee and Nagree character. 
 But the difficulty of conducting native schools with 
 success, can only be appreciated by those who have 
 fairly attempted it. A Hindoo college was founded 
 at Chunar. Corrie also sought to procure, at 
 Calcutta, suitable premises for the various depart- 
 ments of the institution, and superintended the 
 numerous schools in the country ; while his col- 
 league. Greenwood, undertook the tuition of several 
 native youths of talent. Even at Chinsurah, on the 
 Hoogly, (where poor Kiernander was for many years 
 chaplain to the Dutch factory,) schools were esta- 
 blished. At Chunar, Bowley, who was afterwards or- 
 dained by Bishop Heber,was an indefatigable catechist 
 and reader, having four of these seminaries under 
 his immediate care : a sketch of these may give an 
 idea of their great usefulness in general. 1. An 
 English free school, containing boys of European 
 extraction, or sons of native Christians : all read the 
 scriptures, and many write. 2. A Persian and Hin- 
 dostanee : most of the schol;\rs read Martyn's Trans- 
 lations. 3. A more select Persian school, where the 
 pupils are farther advanced. And, lastly, a Hindoo 
 school. The journals of Mr. Bowley present a vivid 
 detail of his excursions in the surrounding country. 
 
202 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 and his various conversations with all ranks in 
 Chunar. 
 
 At the station of Meerut and Delhi, the Rev. 
 Henry Fisher was the chaplain. In one of his 
 reports, he mentions a sect of strangers called 
 Saadks, or holy persons, who have withdrawn 
 themselves from the authority of the Bramins, and 
 occupy five villages near Delhi. 
 
 Brown and Buchanan both advocated earnestly 
 the appointment, in the populous districts, of 
 readers of the sacred Scriptures, there being no 
 doubt that the insatiable curiosity of the people 
 would gather numbers to listen. '' Anund prose- 
 cuted his tour : the villagers every where received 
 him with reverence, kissed his Bible, and prostrated 
 themselves at his feet. These Saadks gather to- 
 gether every night into a small choppah-house, 
 where they pray extempore, each for himself." 
 
 Even into the Nepaul country, a missionary, a Mr. 
 Schroeter, w-as sent, who fixed his residence at 
 Titalya, whence he could have access into Bootan, 
 Thibet, and even to China : his detail of some ex- 
 cursions to these Himalayan scenes is very interest- 
 ing. '' We entered the forest, which abounds with 
 peacocks and wild fowls. Having to wait for the 
 arrival of our tent, we found some Lapchas, or hill- 
 people, under a roof of straw, and begged them to 
 light some fire. On the 20th, we rose early, to 
 pursue our way over the mountains, and sent back 
 all our elephants, camels, and horses ; — we had to 
 cross a rapid river, the water of which was above 
 our waist : we then followed a footpath on the other 
 side, consisting of sand and stones ; the mountains 
 were covered with woods, in the midst of which we 
 pitched our tent at night. We at last saw Nagree, 
 and where the nazir received us with great kindness. 
 It stands on a high hill, that lies in the midst of 
 higher hills on every side. On the Nagree summit, 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 203 
 
 are several little hills of different size, each of which 
 has a small stockade. A native, or Lapcha, goes 
 no where without his bow and arrows — men, women, 
 and even children. Many of the women are very 
 handsome; a pleasant red being seen in their cheeks, 
 when smiling : they appear extremely healthy ; they 
 are lovers of snuff, and wear beads round their 
 necks, and a small hat of a peculiar shape, from 
 under which the hair hangs on their shoulders. 
 They shew great reverence to their lamas or priests, 
 and have written and printed books. We descended 
 from Nagree, and, on the 26th, having rested in 
 our poor hut on the mountain, and filled our bam- 
 boo water-pots, we hung them over our shoulders, 
 and ascended the mountain Goongla. A heavy 
 snow had fallen some days before ; in one part was 
 an ancient place of worship, in ruins. On the 28th, 
 we climbed up the Sunkriong, the aspect of which 
 was like a straight wall before us, reaching up into 
 the sky. We had just reached the summit, when 
 there fell a storm of hail-stones, accompanied with 
 thunder and lightning. The night passed in the 
 hut on the ridge of the Sunkriong — a wild and 
 troubled night : in the morning all was serene ; and 
 the rays of the sun, falling on the snowy mountains, 
 afforded a beautiful prospect. 
 
 " April 16, we took a walk to the top of Rabden- 
 chee, to view the ruins of the palace, formerly in- 
 habited by the rajah. We fell in with the great 
 Meitchee river, which flows between high moun- 
 tains and steep rocks ; we ascended the higli 
 mountain of Foggurhee, on the morning of the 2d of 
 May ; — very steep and fatiguing, but what we saw 
 was well worth the trouble of ascending : the wind- 
 ings of the various rivers, as the Mahanuddy, Bala- 
 sun, Charga, great Meitchie, and others, through 
 the green meadows : the wind blowing rather cold, 
 we lighted a good fire, and partook of a breakfast 
 
204 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 we had brought with us. How new and charming 
 appeared the rich wide plains, after these dreary 
 mountains ! In this journey I have made a collec- 
 tion of words of the Thibetian language, and learned 
 the character of the Limbooa tongue, so as to read it 
 within a short time." 
 
 The journal of Rhenius, of his proceedings on the 
 way to Conjeveram, is full of interest. If all mis- 
 sionaries wrote with the same descriptive power as 
 some of those of the Church mission, their details 
 would not be pronounced, by unkindly criticism, to 
 be so often void of all relish for the beauties of nature 
 and of art. An important seminary, begun by the 
 liberal gift of Jay Narain, aided by the munificence 
 of the governor-general, was founded at Benares, 
 which Corrie calls, ^' a scene of delightful labour." 
 A church was erected at Chunar, to which the Rev. 
 Mr. Greenwood, who was familiar with the native 
 language, was appointed. 
 
 Beside Madras, and its more immediately de- 
 pendent stations, Tranquebar, endeared by the 
 memory of Zeigenbalg and others, is the centre of 
 various school-establishments, and at Cotyn and Al- 
 lepie, in Travancore. In these different places, 
 nine English or Lutheran clergymen are appointed 
 to labour : about fifty natives are employed under 
 their direction ; upwards of 2500 children are under 
 instruction ; and, in numerous excursions and jour- 
 neys, the truths of the gospel are made known, and 
 the Scriptures distributed far and wide. 
 
 At Vepery, founded and maintained by the 
 generous Gericke, the venerable Dr. Rottler, the 
 only survivor, with KolhofF, of the early mission, 
 still resides ; and, aided by Rhenius and Schnarr6, 
 has lately revised the Tamul version of the Scrip- 
 tures ; and presented, as a gift, his own excellent 
 Tamul translation of the " Book of Common Prayer." 
 The villages and chiefs of that fine mountain people, 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 205 
 
 the Jains, were visited by Rhenius, and their head 
 poet addressed a curious letter on the occasion. 
 
 In the following year, Schroeter, whose acquaint- 
 ance in the Thibet language, usages, and natural 
 aspects, prove him to be an eminent traveller, as 
 well as missionary, perished in Nepaul; and La 
 Roche, sent as his successor, died also. To the 
 important station of Burdwar, the Rev. J. Peroune, 
 an English clergyman, was sent: and at Chunar, a 
 station in whose welfare the Marquis and Marchio- 
 ness of Hastings took so much interest, the indefati- 
 gable Bowley was ordained pastor : his catechisms, 
 and other tracts, in Hindostanee, Persian, &c. were 
 very useful. 
 
 The arrival of Miss Cooke at Calcutta, and the 
 commencement of her exertions among the native 
 females, forms an episode in the mission. In a 
 letter to the secretary, she observes — *' You may, 
 perhaps, sir, recollect, that I told you nothing less 
 than two hundred Hindoo scholars would satisfy me. 
 I have now nearly twice this number ! For these I 
 am thankful ; but to be satisfied, is not an easy 
 thing in this land of darkness. I have fifteen small 
 schools : many more might be built, in spots equally 
 favourable, immediately. We cannot get on with- 
 out money from home. Would that the king would 
 command a sermon to be preached for the cause, 
 throughout his dominions ! If, sir, it should prove 
 true, that Mr. K. is the bearer of one thousand 
 guineas, &c. I trust you will soon hear good news 
 of the sons and daughters of many rich Hindoos 
 in Calcutta. You will think me a bold beggar — 
 a thousand guineas at once ! ! " 
 
 The energy and ambition of this lady were almost 
 boundless. Her native schools prospered greatly ; 
 but, ere much time had elapsed, she was united 
 in marriage to the Rev. Mr. Wilson. The suc- 
 cess of Mrs. Wilson, in her arduous tuition, must 
 
206 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 have surprised even herself. The public examina- 
 tion that took place, of the Society's native female 
 schools, under her superintendence, was very im- 
 pressive. The first classes read the New Testa- 
 ment, not only with facility, but with an evident 
 understanding- of its meaning ; and answered ques- 
 tions put to them, with intelligence. Specimens of 
 their needlework and writing were exhibited. 
 
 In 1826, the Lord Bishop of Calcutta arrived; 
 and the excellent and eminent Corrie, the father of 
 many useful stations and seminaries, was made 
 Archdeacon of Calcutta. Dr. Cammerer succeeded 
 Schnarre, on the death of the latter, at Vepery : 
 and at Tinnevelly, near the ancient Palamcotta of 
 Swartz, Messrs. Reyel, Rhenius, and Schmid reside : 
 they have many congregations and schools among 
 the hills. This station embraces 146 towns and 
 villages, in which there are 52 places of public 
 worship. In these, Divine service is performed 
 almost daily : on the week days, the catechists 
 itinerate among the people. 
 
 In the year 1828, a severe loss was sustained in 
 the death of the Rev. T. T. Thomason, chaplain to 
 the East India Company, in the Bengal establish- 
 ment. During twenty-five years, this good and 
 distinguished man was devoted to the cause of his 
 Redeemer — unsparingly, disinterestedly devoted. The 
 friend of Brown, Buchanan, and almost every emi- 
 nent minister that India has fostered, Thomason's 
 career had been one of deep interest and indelible 
 associations. He had watched, during a quarter of 
 a century, the slow yet sure progress of the noble 
 Church mission, that has now spread its branches to 
 almost every part of India. The writer remembers 
 passing some hours in his company, just before he 
 embarked for India : his mild, handsome features, 
 and insinuating manners and address, and the 
 enthusiasm with which he spoke of the progress of 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 207 
 
 truth in the East, could not fail to prepossess the 
 stranger in his favour. 
 
 In the year 1830, the Calcutta and North India 
 mission had twelve stations. The publications in the 
 native languages, v/hich issued from the press during 
 this year, consisted of 41,000 tracts and sermons, 
 in Hinduwee, for the use of native Christians and 
 Hindoos ; 5000 in Bengalee ; and 500 in Hin- 
 doostanee. Female education continues to be 
 maintained, under Mrs. Wilson's direction : the 
 female monitors, 25 in number, are almost all, 
 young as they are, widows, or deserted by their 
 husbands. 
 
 In the last accounts for the year 1832, it appears 
 that Tinnevelly is one of the most prosperous sta- 
 tions : many who have renounced idolatry, have 
 been severely tried; but the congregations, in 261 
 villages, consisted of 2289 families, containing 
 SI 38 souls. *' In one instance," says Rhenius, 
 "their enemies succeeded, with most crying injustice, 
 in pulling down a whole village of twenty houses ; 
 and the people were exposed, for many days, to the 
 open air." This spacious and prosperous field of 
 the gospel, amidst the hills of the interior, offers a 
 cheering and delightful picture. If some, even 
 many, go back, on account of persecution, the 
 mighty residue is sufficient to constitute a glorious 
 church of Christ, in the very heart and fastnesses 
 of India. 
 
 The expenditure of this mission is necessarily very 
 great: that of the Calcutta, or North-Indian mission, 
 which is distinct from the Madras, or South-India, 
 alone amounted in one year to about £7,000 sterling. 
 " There are many willows to be cut down, and roots 
 to revive," remarked a native Indian, " ere the path 
 is made clean to walk on." Numerous churches 
 have been built, where faithful pastors reside, and 
 have a stated fold under their care. The stranger 
 
208 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 can now wander to many places, on hill and dale, 
 where, on looking round on the secluded and hal- 
 lowed scene, the spire rising amidst the trees, the 
 little burial-ground, the decent and religious exterior 
 of the people,— he might fancy he was once more in 
 some pastoral scene in England, beside his parish 
 church, and all its dear and early remembrances. 
 Of the various languages to be acquired, some 
 are easy to read, and even write ; but to preach in 
 them is a rock of offence and difficulty, terrible to be 
 mastered. Yet it has, by perseverance, been over- 
 come ; the Bengalee, the Malayalim, Sanscrit, &c. 
 At Cotym, where there is now a Syrian college, 
 under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Fenn, the num- 
 ber of students is above fifty, and their attainments 
 were satisfactory. There are three Latin classes. The 
 Syriac language is also cultivated : and the progress 
 of the scholars in the acquirement of English and 
 Sanscrit has also been steady. In this district of 
 Cotym there are fifty parochial schools, which are 
 attended almost exclusively by Syriac children, to 
 the number of 1231 : the number of the schoolmas- 
 ters is 51. Had Buchanan lived to see these rising 
 and useful establishments, on his loved Syriac 
 ground, he had left India with a brighter hope of the 
 future. 
 
 The rites and ceremonies of the Syrian church 
 continue as usual, but the celibacy of the priests is 
 done away with; and the English ministers are 
 allowed to preach freely to the people. These are 
 some of the excellent results of Buchanan's journey ; 
 although his favourite hope of a junction between 
 the two churches is not yet likely to be accom^*, 
 plished. The education of the Syrian youths, 
 so wisely pursued by the Society, is a sure, though 
 gradual measure, full of promise, of conciliation, 
 and of future instruction to the mass of the 
 people. 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 209 
 
 The establishment for female education at Tiniie- 
 velly is well ordered. " The house and ground are 
 excellently suited to the object which we have in 
 view : the former is 93 feet by 62 ; and contains a 
 hall 26 feet by 18, &c. &c. On the east side are the 
 offices ; on the west, stables, a bathing-room, with a 
 small tank near it. The house and principal out- 
 houses are tiled, the rest are covered with ollahs. 
 There is a fruit and vegetable garden, with a number 
 of cocoa-nut, mango, and other trees, and a grape 
 panda! : the garden is watered by a little stream." 
 
 Justly is it said by the directors, " Our missionaries 
 are worthy of our utmost esteem and confidence." 
 Rarely has an institution been so blessed in the 
 choice of its agents : among whom are several men 
 of high and various powers of mind, as well as 
 devotedness of heart. The conduct and example of 
 the clergy, in their wide and scattered charges, is very 
 faithful and beneficial : yet it is singular, that even 
 now, as in the days that are gone, the most brilliant 
 labourers are from Germany. Foremost among these, 
 is the admirable Rhenius. No man, since Swartz, 
 has acquired so great an influence over the natives ; 
 an influence due to his intimate knowledge of their 
 minds, manners, and modes of thinking ; and his 
 singular facility of address, and ready elocution in 
 the Tamul language, of which he is complete master. 
 Superintendant of Tinnevelly, he does not confine 
 his efforts to this remarkable field, but often journeys 
 to different places, and chooses the lone and neg- 
 lected scenes, such as the bungalow, or caravanserai, 
 in the wild, or the shadow of the trees, where a group 
 of Bramins, or wayfarers, gather eagerly to listen. 
 His details are clear and graphic. 
 
 Next in interest is Gobat, a native of the Val de 
 Moutier, between Basle and Neufchatel, who has 
 achieved that for which Hocker and Antes stro\e and 
 prayed in vain — a successful mission to Abvssinia. 
 
 n. P 
 
210 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 He previously resided three years in Egypt^ &c. to 
 acquaint himself, through the medium of a few 
 Abyssinians, with the opinions and manners of the 
 country. '' Here," he observes, '* ChampoUion, and 
 the learned Frenchmen with whom he was associ- 
 ated, assured him that the facts recorded in the 
 Scriptures relative to Egypt were contained in the 
 hieroglyphics found in that country." 
 
 Entering Abyssinia by way of Jidda, Gobat met, 
 to his great joy, with his friend Girges, who had 
 embraced Christianity in Egypt. The Ras of Tigre, 
 Sebagadis, received him with the greatest kindness. 
 Hence he journeyed to Gondar, the capital of Ani- 
 hara. The scenes of Bruce's travels here rise freshly 
 to the memory. Believing it desirable to fix on 
 Adowah as the future place of residence, he asked 
 the consent of the Ras, who willingly agreed to the 
 proposal. His associate, Kugler, had remained at 
 Quila, in the province of Tigre. 
 
 The precious, deposit taken out by Gobat, of the 
 complete translation of the Scriptures in Amharic, 
 the only written tongue in the country, was attain- 
 ed under very singular circumstances. When the 
 writer of this memoir was in Egypt, he lodged in 
 the house of Asselin, the companion of Chateaubri- 
 and. On the departure of his friend, the former 
 remained behind, and has ever since dwelt in Cairo, 
 occupying nearly the whole of his time in the study 
 of Oriental literature. The appearance of Asselin 
 was peculiar : he wore the European dress, with the 
 appendage of a huge beard, that hung down nearly 
 to his waist ; he seldom went out till the evening, 
 and his walk was confined to the streets of the city, 
 or the homes of a very few intimates ; his dwelling 
 was spacious and cool, and looked into a garden, 
 where the palm, the orange, and other trees grew. 
 By way of amusement, or to accomplish himself in 
 the Abyssinian tongue, Asselin achieved the pain- 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 211 
 
 ful, and, to a man of his tastes and habits, singular* 
 task, of translating the whole of the Scriptures into 
 Amharic. The British and Foreign Bible Society, 
 hearing of the circumstance, employed an agent to 
 purchase so valuable a work ; which subsequently, 
 in London, underwent the revision of Professor 
 Lee, was then printed, and the New Testament was 
 sent by the Church Mission to Abyssinia, in the 
 care of Gobat. In a letter to his sister, he describes 
 the manner in which it was received. " If I had a 
 thousand copies of the Bible, I could advan- 
 tageously dispose of them. For several weeks past, 
 persons have been continually coming to me, to 
 ask for a Gospel. I have distributed them in all 
 parts of Abyssinia ; and, in many places, I find 
 that they have been copied. At first they did not 
 set much value upon it, because it was not the 
 Ethiopic Gospel, the language in which they are 
 accustomed to read. When I found that, I gave six 
 copies to the Etchegua, or chief of the monks, who 
 distributed two of them." The parts of the Eccle- 
 siastical liturgy still retained in the Abyssinian 
 church, are in the Ethiopic tongue ; similar to the 
 Coptic in Egypt, which is only extant in their re- 
 ligious books. 
 
 Civil commotions at length broke out, and the 
 missionaries were obliged to seek a stronger place 
 of refuge than Adowah : here his associate expired, 
 and Gobat was left alone. The Ras was his firm 
 friend, a man of talent and sagacity ; but his 
 hour also was at hand. " When- 1 arrived at Ado- 
 wah, I found Sebagadis, who was then going to war. 
 He received me in every respect as his equal. We 
 passed two evenings alone together : on the last of 
 which, he wept almost all the time. When we 
 separated, he said to me, ' I love you, because you 
 are the servant of God, whom I wish to love with 
 all my heart. I prav you to be my brother.' * No, 
 
 p 2 
 
212 CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 
 
 said I, ' I will be your son, and you shall be my 
 father.' At this, he kissed my hand, and said, ' I 
 am not worthy to be called so ; but I will be a 
 faithful friend to you. Thus we parted for ever!*" 
 
 This powerful man led his army from Adowah : 
 the hostile troops passed the Tacazze not long after- 
 wards, and a battle was fought, in which Sebagadis 
 was taken prisoner, and slain. " My companion is 
 no more," writes Gobat; " my best friend, and se- 
 cond father, is no more. Aichinger is the only one 
 who shares in my grief. There is not one about us, 
 who desires to hear us sing the songs of Zion. But 
 the Eternal reigns." 
 
 The missionary, thus perilously situated, is a man 
 of considerable strength of mind, and firmness of 
 purpose : he believes this interesting country, hi- 
 therto so rarely visited, is *' already white unto the 
 harvest." The aspect of affairs is at present en- 
 couraging : Waldas Michael, the son of the slain 
 general and statesman, is likely to succeed to his 
 father's station and power ; he also is strongly at- 
 tached to Gobat and his mission. The latter has 
 already acquired the Tigrc tongue, in which he has 
 composed a spelling-book, for the use of the schools. 
 The good hitherto done, has been by conversation 
 alone ; public addresses being, as yet, considered 
 premature and hazardous. Gobat has succeeded, 
 by his address and manners, in propitiating all 
 ranks of people ; even by the higher class he is treated 
 with civility and attention. 
 
 This retrospect of the exertions and success of 
 the Church Missionary Society presents a delight- 
 ful and animating picture ; for India is endeared 
 to the memory by a thousand associations — and 
 Ethiopia " shall stretch out her hands unto God." 
 The mournful rapidity with which the successive 
 bishops of Calcutta disappeared from the scene, 
 threw a gloom on many a sanguine hope : the fate of 
 
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN. 213 
 
 Reginald Heber was peculiarly afflicting, for there 
 is now no doubt of his having accidentally perished, 
 not by a sudden fit, but by striking his head against 
 the side of the bath, as he plunged into it ; and, 
 being only stunned, he sunk, for no attendant was 
 at hand. The death of bishop Turner was a yet 
 severer loss : less brilliant than his predecessor, he 
 had more solidity of judgment and simplicity of 
 mind. It is deeply to be lamented, that the college 
 of Fort William, sustained with so much care and 
 ability by Buchanan, who dearly loved it, should 
 have been suffered to decline utterly — a capital 
 error of the East India Company. A more impor- 
 tant and influential institution, full of splendid pro- 
 mise and certain success, has rarely existed in any 
 part of the earth. 
 
214 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 A VOYAGE undertaken by Ellis to Hudson's Bay, 
 seems to have first given rise to the design of a 
 mission to the Esquimaux. In the month of May, 
 1752, some merchants in London, in conjunc- 
 tion with several Moravians, fitted out a vessel 
 for a trading voyage to the coast of Labrador. In 
 this ship sailed Christian Erhard, and four conr- 
 panions, to whom he was to act as interpreter, 
 having acquired a knowledge of the Greenlandic 
 tongue. In July they cast anchor in a large bay 
 on the coast, to which they gave the name 6f 
 Nisbet's haven ; and here it was resolved to fix 
 their residence, and no time was lost in erecting a 
 house of timber, which they had taken with them 
 from England ready framed. Erhard sailed farther 
 north, and found that he could make himself well 
 understood by the natives, who persuaded him to 
 land in an unarmed boat with five of the crew. 
 
 The captain of the vessel became greatly alarmed 
 as the shades of evening closed in, and Erhard 
 had not returned : the bay was studded with nu- 
 merous islands, within which the boat had disap- 
 peared ; he sought in vain to descry its return 
 through the dim twilight of a polar night — nothing 
 could be seen but the ice-bound cliffs, from which 
 came the dismal screaming of innumerable sea- 
 
JENS HAVEN. 215 
 
 fowl. In this state of suspense he remained sove- 
 ral days, being- unable to go in pursuit, from the 
 want of another boat : he then sailed back to Nis- 
 bet's haven, and, calling the missionaries on board, 
 represented to them, that, from the loss of hands, 
 he could not perform the voyage home vi^ithout their 
 assistance. They left the infant station -with regret, 
 but not without the hope of return. In the fol- 
 lowing year, several of the dead bodies were dis- 
 covered ; for Erhard and his companions had been 
 foully murdered by the Esquimaux : the deserted 
 house was burnt to the ground, and the design was 
 for the time abandoned. 
 
 The next attempt at the establishment of a mis- 
 sion at Labrador, was made in 1 764, by Jens 
 Haven. He was born at Wust, a village in Jutland, 
 where his father possessed a farm. In his early 
 years he shewed a very good capacity for learning, 
 being instructed with great care by the Rev. Mr. 
 Langaard, minister of the parish. The first time he 
 partook of the communion, he was greatly affected, 
 and resolved to devote his life to the service of 
 God ; but as he grew to manhood, this pious sen- 
 timent yielded to the impulse of his natural dispo- 
 sition, which was wild and ungovernable. 
 
 He chanced one day to wander in a lonely part 
 of the country, when a furious thunderstorm arose, 
 and a flash of lightning suddenly penetrated the 
 earth just before his feet, and threw him senseless to 
 the ground. When he recovered, he prayed fervently 
 that his life might be spared, and time allowed him 
 for more charity and humility of heart. He had no 
 rest day or night, but mourned incessantly : he 
 frequently visited the Rev. Mr. Langaard, whose con- 
 versations were of infinite service to him. The stern 
 as well as uncourteous man, now bore a more sub- 
 dued temper and carriage. " The whole world," he 
 said, " began to appear trifling to him, and he wished 
 
216 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 to become an inhabitant of one of the Moravian set- 
 tlements, of which he had received some inteUigence." 
 But ere this could be accomplished, it was necessary 
 to submit to the discipline of the Brethren, and learn 
 some useful art. He might have remained at home, 
 and inherited the farm of his father; but he resolved 
 to go to Copenhagen, to learn the joiner's trade. On 
 the road thither, he reflected, that in the midst of the 
 world he might again lose the blessings of which he 
 had become possessed, and that it would be better for 
 him at once to join the United Brethren. This he 
 did : and having served a regular apprenticeship to 
 a Moravian at Copenhagen, he visited Hernhuth in 
 the year 1748, obtained leave to live there, and was 
 soon admitted to the celebration of the Lord's supper 
 with the congregation. 
 
 While he was enjoying the privileges of religion, 
 and growing in the love of them, he felt a strong 
 desire to go and dwell among the heathen of the 
 frozen north ; and took occasion to mention it to 
 Bishop Joannes de Watt6ville, during his visitation 
 at Hernhuth. Here his own words are more descrip- 
 tive : — " In the year 1752, hearing at Hernhuth that 
 Erhardt, a missionary sent to the coast of Labrador, 
 had been murdered by the Esquimaux, I felt for 
 the first time a strong impulse to go and preach the 
 gospel to this very nation ; and became certain in 
 my own mind, that I should go to Labrador. I 
 agreed with a brother of the name of Nielsen, that 
 as soon as there appeared the least probability of 
 our going, we should offer ourselves for that pur- 
 pose." — Six years afterwards, the way was opened 
 for this voyage to Greenland. 
 
 Previous to his departure, he had a confidential 
 interview with Count Zinzendorf ; who appears i9 
 have been the counsellor and friend of most of these 
 enterprising men. In company with his brother, 
 Peter Haven, he sailed from Copenhagen, and 
 
JENS HAVEN. 217 
 
 arrived safe at Lichtenfels. — '* In the year following 
 I was remarkably happy in my situation ; I learnt 
 the Greenland language, felt great love for the peo- 
 ple, and began to believe that it was my destination 
 to spend my days in this country. But I had 
 scarcely formed the resolution to make myself easy 
 and happy in this land, than I was alarmed by a 
 remarkable dream. I thought I heard somebody say 
 to me, ' This is not the place where you are to 
 stay, for you shall preach the gospel to a nation that 
 has heard nothing of their Saviour.' I awoke ; and, 
 being unwilling to quit this country, considered it 
 as fancy, and fell asleep again. But, to my sur- 
 prise, I heard the same words repeated a second and 
 a third time. On awaking, I wept exceedingly." 
 
 In the year 1762, he obtained leave to make a 
 visit in Europe, and arrived once more at Hernhuth ; 
 where he staid till 1764. His return to Greenland was 
 proposed. " But as I answered, that I did not wish 
 to return without a direction by lot, having prayed 
 to God to signify to me His will by this means, I 
 received a negative ; and on stating my objections 
 in writing to my brethren, they were satisfied that 
 I acted uprightly. I then proposed that I would 
 first go to England, and enter into the service of the 
 Hudson's Bay Company ; and thus watch for an 
 opportunity to begin a mission on the coast of 
 Labrador, or, at least, to discover whether they were 
 a part of the Greenland nation, and had the same 
 language, or not. On further consideration, this 
 project appeared to me liable to great difficulties, 
 and I began to feel much timidity as to the execu- 
 tion ; on which I again turned in prayer to Heaven, 
 and, opening the scriptures, found immediately that 
 text, " Do all that is in thy heart; behold, I am 
 with thee." This strengthened my drooping faith, 
 and I devoted myself anew to God, entreating him 
 to grant me wisdom, grace, and power to execute my 
 
218 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 purpose. On considering my proposal, the Brethren 
 advised me not to go to Hudson's Bay, but rather to 
 seek to get to Labrador by way of Newfoundland. 
 
 "February 2d, 1764, I was dismissed, with sup- 
 plication and blessing, by the bishop and elders of 
 the church, and set out, on foot, for Holland, from 
 whence I arrived, with much difficulty, in London, 
 not understanding the English language. After 
 many fruitless attempts to attain the end proposed, 
 1 was at last recommended to the governor of New- 
 foundland, Sir Hugh Palliser, who received me with 
 great kindness, and even offered to carry me out on 
 board his ship. This I declined, but begged for a 
 recommendatory note to the governor of St. John's ; 
 which he willingly provided for me, and I now sailed 
 with the first ship to St. John's, where I lodged 
 at the house of a merchant, who shewed me all 
 possible civility. I worked here at my trade, and 
 expected patiently the arrival of the governor. 
 Meanwhile, many people having heard of my inten- 
 tions, came to see me, and several proposals were 
 made to me, how to establish myself, and make my 
 fortune in Newfoundland. As soon as the gover- 
 nor arrived, he issued a proclamation concerning 
 my voyage to the coast of Labrador, stating my 
 views, and commanding that every assistance should 
 be given me, &c. In this proclamation, it is said, 
 " Hitherto the Esquimaux have been considered in 
 no other light than as thieves and murderers, but 
 as Mr. Haven has formed the laudable plan, not 
 only of uniting these people with the English na- 
 tion, but of instructing them in the christian reli- 
 gion ; I require, by virtue of the powers delegated 
 to me, that all men, whomsoever it may concern, 
 lend him all the assistance in their power," &c. 
 
 This proclamation was the foundation of all the 
 liberty and protection which the Brethren have en- 
 joyed ever since, under the British government. 
 
JENS HAVEN. 219 
 
 Having soon found a ship bound to the north, I 
 went on board, and proceeded with her to the north 
 coast, where, after many fruitless attempts to con- 
 tinue my voyage, I went on board an Irish fishing 
 shallop, bound to the coast of Labrador. When 
 we arrived there, I saw the Esquimaux for the first 
 time, rowing about in their kajaks, but none were 
 permitted to approach us, being fired upon by our 
 boat's crew. However, I once landed, and found 
 their huts, utensils, &c. made exactly in the Green- 
 land fashion. But all my attempts to meet and 
 converse with them, were in vain ; for it happened, 
 that when I landed, not one Esquimaux appeared — 
 and scarce had I left the coast, when many arrived. 
 The boat's crew, therefore, laughed at me ; and the 
 few that expressed sorrow at my disappointment, 
 advised me to return, refusing to lend me any fur- 
 ther assistance : I was even told, that a resolution 
 was formed to kill all the Esquimaux. All this gave 
 me the most pungent sorrow, and made me cry unto 
 the Lord for help in this distressing situation, so 
 heavy both for my mind and body. As I was once 
 writing down my thoughts in my journal, the mas- 
 ter entered my cabin, and, seeing me in tears, asked 
 me, whether I was going to make a complaint to 
 his owners ? I answered, " No ! but I mean to 
 complain of you to God, that he may notice your 
 wicked conduct on the present occasion, for ye have 
 taken his name in vain, and mocked his work," 4fec. 
 He was terrified, begged I would not do it, for he 
 had offended God too much already, asked my par- 
 don, and promised, that from henceforth he would 
 do every thing to promote my design. This he 
 punctually performed, and brought me the next 
 day to Quirpont. Here some people had arrived, 
 who intended to destroy the Esquimaux, and were 
 holding a council for that purpose. I went boldly 
 to them, shewed them the governor's proclamation, 
 
220 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 and found it difficult to divert theni from their evil 
 designs, but succeeded at last. 
 
 He first visited Chateau Bay, on the southern 
 coast, where he found no signs of population, ex- 
 cept a few scattered tumuli, with the arrows and 
 implements of the dead deposited near them. 
 
 " September 4th, was the joyful day when I saw 
 an Esquimaux arrive in the harbour: I ran to meet 
 him, and called him in the most friendly manner, 
 addressing him in the Greenland language, which, 
 to my inexpressible joy, he understood. I desired 
 he would return, and bring four of the chiefs of his 
 tribe; which he willingly complied with. Mean- 
 while I dressed in my Greenland habit, and met 
 them on their arrival on the beach, inviting them to 
 come on shore. They cried, ♦ Here is an inrmit* 
 (or countryman of ours.) I answered, ' I am your 
 countryman and friend.' They were surprised at 
 my address, behaved very quietly, and 1 continued 
 my conversation with them for a long time. At 
 last they desired me to accompany them to an 
 island, about an hour's row from the shore ; adding, 
 that there I should find their wives and children, 
 who would receive me as a friend. This seemed, at 
 first, a most hazardous undertaking ; but conceiving 
 it to be of essential service to the cause of Chris- 
 tianity, that I should venture my life amongst them, 
 and endeavour to become better acquainted with 
 their nation, I turned simply to Him, and said, * I 
 will go with them in thy name. If they kill me, my 
 work on earth is done, and I shall live with Thee ; 
 but if they spare my life, I will firmly believe, that 
 it is Thy will, that they should hear and believe thy 
 gospel.' I went accordingly, and, as soon as we 
 arrived, there was a general shout, * Our friend is 
 come.' They carried me ashore, and I was imme- 
 diately so closely beset on all sides, that I could 
 neither stir nor turn about. I endeavoured to make 
 
JENS HAVEN. 221 
 
 them place themselves in rows before me ; which 
 being done, I told them my view in coming to visit 
 them, to make them acquainted with their God and 
 Saviour, and promised them, that if they were will- 
 ing to be taught, I would return next year with 
 more of my brethren, build a house on their land, 
 and speak to them every day of the way to life and 
 happiness. Having entered into much agreeable 
 conversation with them, I returned in the same 
 boat, and staid about a fortnight longer at Quirpont, 
 where 1 had several opportunities of preaching to the 
 boat's crew, being filled with joy and gratitude to 
 God, who had thus mercifully heard my prayers, 
 and helped me." 
 
 After his return to St. John's, which was attended 
 with some hardships, he waited upon Sir Hugh 
 Palliser, who received him with great kindness, and 
 expressed his entire approbation of his proceedings. 
 He returned to England in a frigate, and arrived in 
 November in London. Here he had several inter- 
 views with men in office, respecting the proposed 
 mission on the coast of Labrador ; as also with 
 Lord Hillsborough, who made some advantageous 
 offers for the promotion of that cause. 
 
 Having made another voyage to Newfoundland, 
 he returned to Germany, and spent some weeks 
 at Hernhuth, rendering a verbal account of his 
 proceedings. Hearing that an order of council, in 
 London, was soon expected, to sanction the mission, 
 he hastened to England, where delays were yet 
 thrown in the way. To Zeist, in Holland, he 
 retreated, where Labrador was the constant subject 
 of his thoughts and meditations ; nor could he be 
 induced to accept of any appointment to other 
 places. 
 
 Baffled, yet still confident, he went once more to 
 London, and addressed a petition to Government, 
 that a piece of land on the coast of Labrador might 
 
2'2'2 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 be given to the Moravians ; where they might build 
 a dwelling-house and church, and make a garden. 
 This was "well received ; but the answer was some 
 time delayed. Meanwhile the well-known Esqui- 
 maux woman, Mikak, was brought captive from her 
 own country to London ; and rejoiced greatly to 
 meet with Haven, who had formerly slept a night 
 in her tent, and could speak her language. She 
 earnestly begged him to return, and help her coun- 
 trymen, who were almost ruined by the late affray 
 with the English ; many of them having been shot, 
 and the rest hardly treated. This female received 
 many attentions from the royal family, and other 
 persons of distinction ; and her repeated applica- 
 tions were of great use in forwarding the projected 
 mission. 
 
 The long-wished-for grant came at last from the 
 privy council; by which the Moravians obtained 
 permission from the king and his ministers, to make 
 settlements on the coast of Labrador, and preach 
 the gospel to the Esquimaux. 
 
 '* In the year 1769, I obtained leave to attend 
 the general synod held at Marienborn in Wetteravia. 
 Here I experienced rich scriptural blessings ; and was 
 particularly led to examine, whether my mind and 
 temper were made conformable to the mind and 
 will of my Saviour. I confessed my deficiency in 
 this respect, and prayed that I might be delivered 
 from every thing that might either retard the com- 
 pletion of his work within me, or prove injurious to 
 his cause ; especially from the natural impetuosity 
 and roughness of. my disposition, which, as I was 
 well aware, must give pain to those about me. The 
 synod resolved, that I should make another voyage 
 to Labrador, to examine the coast ; and that, in the 
 year following, a mission should be established 
 there. My heart and lips overflowed with praise 
 and thanksgiving, that our Saviour had thus far 
 helped us." 
 
JENS HAVEN. 223 
 
 Thus it seems, that the mildness and stillness of 
 temper and manners, so peculiar to the Moravians, 
 was not yet the heritage of Haven : at intervals, 
 his native fire and ruggedness had the ascendancy. 
 A vessel vi^as now purchased, and he sailed from 
 London in company with Drachart, to explore 
 the northern coast, and find a place fit to build 
 on. The land was made at a place called 
 Arnitok, an island about six miles from the spot 
 where Nain now stands. Here they found twenty- 
 nine boats full of Esquimaux, who began to behave 
 with great insolence, till the report of the guns 
 frightened them into order. Having waited a few 
 days, Jensen and he went up and down the coast, 
 seeking a proper place to build on, but in vain : the 
 land, as far as they could see, was utterly desolate. 
 A death-like silence reigned along the shore : the 
 snow already began to fall, and the fleeting summer 
 was closing fast. They passed between a number 
 of islands and sunken rocks, being obliged to venture 
 much on this dreary coast, without charts, or pilots, 
 or any guide whatever. — " I cannot describe thfe joy 
 and gratitude we all felt, both for the external mer- 
 cies and protecting care of God, which was every 
 
 morning- new." 
 
 At last they met with some Esquimaux, who 
 willingly sold their land, and earnestly begged them 
 to return the next year, and settle amongst them. 
 They thought, also, that they had found a spot fit for 
 a settlement. The purpose, so intensely cherished, 
 was delayed yet longer. Haven seems to have cast 
 a lingering look on the comforts of the world. Two 
 years before, he had prayed and wept for this 
 Labrador exile ; and now, on the very scene, and 
 near the full fruition of his desires, the loneliness of 
 his lot rose fearfully to the fancy. He went back 
 to London, and sought earnestly for a wife. This 
 resolve was easier of fulfilment than the Esquimaux 
 
224 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 town ; and he was married to a young woman of the 
 name of Mary Butterworth, of Fulneck. In the 
 following month, the bridegroom and bride set sail 
 for the coast of Labrador. It was a cheerless nuptial 
 journey ; one that was sure to draw closer the ties 
 of affection. The lonely couple felt that they were 
 thrown in entire dependence on each other's aid and 
 kindness. The match had been a Moravian one ; 
 Mary Butterworth being chosen by the church, as 
 the suitable wife of Jens Haven : there was barely 
 time for love to creep into the heart ; they had seen 
 each other but a few times ; submitting, with im- 
 plicit obedience, to the election of the church. 
 These Oriental kind of matches, in general, turn out 
 well : where there is not a mutual passion, there is 
 a mutual forbearance ; even the rising dislike is sup- 
 pressed by the belief that the choice is divinely 
 ordered. Each Moravian girl is allowed to refuse 
 three times the different lovers ; a fourth offer is 
 never made, and a sad celibacy must be her future 
 lot. The brother who wants a wife, whether he be 
 a mechanic, a merchant, or a missionary, attends 
 the chapel, and considers the goodly array of females 
 on the opposite side ; many of whom possess that 
 serene and gentle beauty, often given by the painter 
 to the Madonna. Having made his choice, the 
 suitor communicates it to the Superior, who sends 
 for the unconscious woman, and discloses it, with 
 thq full permission to refuse or accept. 
 
 Along a rocky, unfrequented coast, the associates 
 sailed, amidst many hardships and alarms : arriving 
 safe at Nain, they found the spot fixed upon for the 
 erection of the house, and had great trouble in 
 putting it up. Husband and wife earnestly set 
 about rearing their dwelling ; the Esquimaux came 
 and looked on, but did not assist. The long and bril- 
 liant nights, the happiest portion of this climate, were 
 occupied in the task, which, with the help of the other 
 
JENS HAVEN. 225 
 
 Moravians, was soon completed ; the materials 
 for the house had been brought in the vessel. 
 Two months were occupied in the erection of the 
 dwelhng, which was surrounded with paHsades ; for 
 they were obliged to be constantly on their guard, 
 amidst a people with whom robbery and murder had 
 become habitual. *' Their situation," it is observed, 
 '" was critical : it was, as if each, ' with one of his 
 hands wrought in the work, and with the other held 
 a weapon,' " 
 
 During the summer months, the natives gathered 
 around, and listened, at times, to the discourses of 
 the strangers ; but, on the approach of winter, they 
 withdrew to various parts of the coast, where they 
 remained, during the ensuing season, immured in 
 their huts, every chink of which they carefully close 
 against the cold. Their stock of provisions, though 
 kept in the same apartment, often becomes so hard, 
 as to require to be cut with a hatchet. 
 
 The whole company of Christians, in this little 
 settlement of Nain, consisted of fourteen persons. 
 Drachart and Haven, braving the rigours of the 
 season, sometimes travelled over the ice and snow, 
 to arrive at the winter homes of the natives, whose 
 doors they found fast closed. The surprise of tlie 
 inmates, when roused from their torpor to admit 
 the guests, was very great. Yet the interior of these 
 dwellings was full of warmth and comfort to the 
 shivering wanderers. The fire could not offer a 
 blazing pile of wood, or even turf; it consisted of 
 a shallow vessel, or lamp, the wick of which is com- 
 posed of dry moss, disposed along the edge : when 
 the v>hole length of this, being above eighteen 
 inches, is kindled, it afforded a brilliant light, and 
 sufficient heat, without any offensive smoke or smell. 
 The lamp was supplied with oil, by suspending long 
 slices of whale or seal blubber near the flame. When 
 several of these lamps are lighted, and the inmates 
 11. Q 
 
22G JENS HAVEN. 
 
 welcome the stranger, the scene is cheering, and 
 
 the visitor soon forgets the miseries of the way. 
 
 " I cannot name them all," writes Haven, " of those 
 
 painful occurrences and vicissitudes, during so many 
 
 years." They were no greater, however, than those 
 
 endured by Egede and the Moravians, in their long 
 
 sojourn in Greenland. In some of their habits, 
 
 indeed, the Esquimaux appear to be superior to the 
 
 natives of the latter country. If they have fuel, 
 
 they always dress their food, and never use oil as 
 
 an article of diet; nor will they use butter, without 
 
 eating bread with it, when offered by Europeans. 
 
 At their meals, the mistress of the family often takes 
 
 a lump of meat out of the pot with her fingers, and 
 
 hands it to her husband, who cuts off a piece with 
 
 his knife, and then passes it to his neighbour. This 
 
 is about as cleanly as the Turkish mode of sometimes 
 
 shewing friendliness on a journey. When supping 
 
 one evening at a lonely caravanserai on the sea 
 
 shore, where many travellers had sought shelter, the 
 
 writer was surprised to see a piece of meat winging 
 
 its way through the air, and falling on the carpet at 
 
 his feet. At the same moment, the Turk who threw 
 
 it made courteous gestures, and said it was a token 
 
 of civility to the stranger, being a choice piece from 
 
 his own repast. Had each guest on the spacious 
 
 floor paid the same compliment, a cloud of bones 
 
 and savoury pieces would have fallen so thickly, as 
 
 to raise a fervent desire for the shadowy supper of 
 
 the Barmecide. 
 
 The women are here held in higher estimation than 
 among the Greenlanders, where the wives are often 
 little better than patient drudges, out of doors as well 
 as within. In the winter, their occupations are light 
 and easy, and a good part of the day is passed in 
 sitting listlessly on their beds, with their legs doubled 
 under them in the Turkish fashion. They are des- 
 titute of the enterprise of the Greenland women, 
 
JENS HAVEN. 227 
 
 who love to manage their handsome canoes, which 
 are always neat and in good trim, and are rowed with 
 great rapidity ; while, with their voices, they keep 
 time with the stroke of the oar. The stranger is 
 hospitably received in their Esquimaux dwellings : the 
 best food, the bed of softest skins, is prepared on the 
 frozen bench; his clothes are dried, or mended, if 
 need be, the snow is thawed for his drink, the lamps 
 freshly trimmed, and fresh moss kindled. The 
 dreary journey, and then the lodging in these huts, 
 were not the " painful occurrences" of which Haven 
 complained : the neglect of his message, and the 
 recklessness and gaiety with which it was often 
 received, baffled every effort. The people v/ere 
 quick-witted, but he could not move them to serious- 
 ness or reflection. Drachart and he had many a 
 mournful communing together, when they turned 
 their back on one lonely hut, or hamlet, and sought 
 some other in the trackless wastes, in the hope that 
 they might there prevail. Sometimes Mary Haven 
 was also their companion; and the snow-drifts fell, 
 and the blast came miserably keen from the frozen 
 mountains and the deep — penetrating "through the 
 soul and marrow" ere they reached a place of refuge. 
 She was received with eager kindness by the Esqui- 
 maux females, on whose hearts her words often fell 
 more impressively than those of her husband. 
 
 These ceaseless endeavours could not be wholly 
 unavailing : as time passed on, a partial success 
 began to appear ; a few individuals, and then a few 
 families, listened more earnestly ; and when they 
 grew inquisitive and anxious about the blessings of 
 Christianity, they v/ere not suffered long to remain 
 strangers to them. Then did many of the snow cot- 
 tages become palaces to the feelings of Haven and 
 his companion. Even the enjoyments of religion 
 are often proved to be more vivid in proportion to 
 the hardness previously endured — "to the wilds and 
 
 «2 
 
228 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 the perils passed." Often has the pastor, like 
 Oberlin and NefF, amidst the wintry wilds of Dor- 
 milleuse, or the Ban de la Roche, hailed with rapture 
 the lights on the brink of the precipice, or on the 
 torrent's side, that told of an eager assembly of wor- 
 shippers within. And the Moravian saw the family 
 gather eagerly round him, and join in singing a 
 fervent, melting hymn, and the voices of the women 
 rose clearly on the stillness of night : then they 
 prayed in hope and joy, and Mary, his loved and 
 zealous wife, knelt beside him. — Oh ! light were the 
 horrors of the chained ocean, and the darkened air, 
 and the unearthly sounds that broke at intervals on 
 the ear. He was sometimes susceptible of fear, for 
 there were hours of dread, amidst such savage as- 
 pects of nature. On one occasion he says, " I was 
 directed to explore the coast to the north of Nain. 
 Just as we were setting out, an uncommon horror 
 and trembling seized me ; so that, contrary to my 
 former experience, I was exceedingly intimidated, 
 and wished rather to stay at home." The long 
 seclusion, to which the people were subjected, and 
 their love of conversation, were peculiarly favour- 
 able to the improvement of the understanding, when 
 once the impulse was given, and the light vouchsafed. 
 A group of women will sometimes sit for hours to- 
 gether, each relating her quota of information, with 
 many a comment and colouring : this Esquimaux 
 coterie can hash up as keen a dish of scandal, and 
 with as exquisite taste, as any similar one in town or 
 village. In their tales they evince a good deal of in- 
 vention, and have the tact to seize on some prominent 
 trait of other persons, on which to exercise their satire, 
 which they enjoy with infinite amusement and merri- 
 ment. In story-telling, a few of their adepts might 
 almost vie with the Arab practitioners of the East. 
 They are fond of relating dreams and visionary sights, 
 which often leave a fearful impression : the spirits of 
 
JENS HAVEN. 22 
 
 the departed at times appear, in a watery shroud, 
 weeping sadly, and seeking rest. Sometimes they 
 are transported to a gloomy ravine, beside the frozen 
 waves, from which a vapour at length rises, in the 
 midst of which is seen the form of the mother, or 
 brother, or friend, whom they have lost. The skill 
 of the sorcerers, by several of whom the art of ven- 
 triloquism is possessed in a wonderful degree — en- 
 courages this belief. It is related on one occasion, 
 of an Esquimaux, who sat still on the deck of the 
 vessel, with his lips closed ; but his face was wildly 
 agitated : the sounds of voices began apparently at 
 the bottom of the vessel, and grew more loud and 
 strange as they slowly rose upward. It was Torngak, 
 the dread spirit, whose coming he imitated, and the 
 muttering of the thunder, the angry menace, and 
 the wailing of fear, were all given with surprising 
 effect. At last the savage rose, as the voices drew 
 nigh, and began to dance with wild gestures, while 
 he conducted his illusion with consummate skill, and 
 the confused sounds at last rose into the air, and 
 died gradually away. 
 
 A young man, the son of the noted sorcerer, 
 Uiverunna, came to the Moravians at Hopedale, 
 and, with strong agitation of mind, disclosed his 
 whole former course of life, that had been a series of 
 forbidden practices. His father had instructed him 
 in the art of sorcery ; and his account plainly 
 shewed that these men are often the victims to their 
 own delusions. " My parents told me that their 
 familiar spirit, Torngak, lived in the water. If I 
 wished to consult him, I must call upon him in their 
 name, and remember this token, that I should 
 observe in some part of the house a vapour ascend- 
 ing. Some years ago I tried this method, when 
 my brother was ill, and called upon Torngak, when 
 I thought I perceived a thin vapour rise, and shortly 
 the appearance of a man in a watery habit stood 
 
230 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 before me. I was filled with horror, and I covered 
 my face with my hands. Then there came a terrible 
 dream, in which I saw a deep cave, where my mother 
 and many of my family were sitting in great torment, 
 and their appearance was dreadful. My feet were 
 slipping down the chasm, to where they sat ; and 
 some one said to me, * Into that dark place, thou 
 likewise must depart ;' and I was filled with great 
 anguish." "We do not," observe the Moravians, 
 " encourage a belief in these things, yet are they 
 often the cause of leading these people to serious 
 reflections and salutary terrors. We yet find the 
 words of scripture true, ' God speaketh once, yea, 
 twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a 
 vision of the night; then he openeth the ears of 
 men, he sealeth their instruction ; when deep sleep 
 falleth, fear cometh also, and trembling.' " 
 
 Perhaps it is less easy to conquer vanity than 
 superstition ; but some of the young Esquimaux 
 women were heroic in this respect. " On the fol- 
 lowing day, Lydia came, and brought all the metal 
 rings with which she had formerly decorated her 
 person, and wished to part with them. Louisa also 
 iDrought all her ornaments, which she wished to dis- 
 pose of to her friends. They did this of their own 
 accord, for we never begin with finding fault with 
 their dress." 
 
 One of the hardest things to be given up was their 
 love of drollery, and turning every thing, with per- 
 fect good nature, into ridicule. They are a match 
 for the most practised buffoon in farcical imitations. 
 After visiting an English ship, or mingling in a group 
 of Europeans, they would mould their broad and 
 expressive features, and short and thick frames, into 
 a faithful mimicry of those they had been observing; 
 and, surrounded with a group of their countrymen, 
 peals of laughter and glee would for hours attest 
 their entertainment. 
 
jen's haven. 231 
 
 The furious gusts of passion to which they were sub- 
 ject, was another hinderance to piety: passing sud- 
 denly, when any thing deeply crosses them, from a state 
 of quiescence, into the fiercest anger, they required a 
 stern rein and watchfulness over the temper. The 
 diary observes, " Kopik had been one of the greatest 
 evil-doers in this country, guilty of the most atro- 
 cious deeds ; he had grown grey in the service of 
 Satan. The ferocious countenance, which made one 
 tremble at his appearance, is now changed into a 
 mild, gentle aspect. Affliction was soon after laid 
 upon him, and he suffered great pain. We then 
 discovered that he has all along acted the part of a 
 deceiver, and that the many fine speeches, and the 
 tears with which they were accompanied, were the 
 fruits of hypocrisy. This is quite consistent with 
 the character given of him by his intimates; but they 
 durst not open their mouths in his presence. All 
 our kind exhortations and remonstrances were in 
 vain. His impatience increased ; he demanded 
 with violent cries that a knife might be given him, 
 to put an end to his existence. Wearied out with 
 his fierceness and vehemence, some one gave him a 
 cord, with which he ended his life." 
 
 There were instances of a nature more gentle and 
 impressive. Judith, a youthful disciple, had laid 
 aside her loved ornaments and diversions : ere long 
 she sickened, and welcomed her last enemy : when 
 dying, she entreated that the white dress should be 
 brought, in which she always partook of the sacra- 
 ment : she looked earnestly at it : the morning was 
 breaking, and, using the familiar images of her life, 
 "A short time will bring me," she said, "to an ever- 
 lasting light, where the sun shall no more go down. 
 Trim the lamps, and make the room light and plea- 
 sant: the love of the Redeemer is not cold." Many 
 were the mourners that followed to the little burying- 
 ground ; it was January, and the first signs of the 
 
232 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 returning sun already shed hope on the soul ; there was 
 a faint lustre on the icy precipice, and the mountain's 
 head ; the gloom and the silence of winter were passing 
 from the earth ; a few short-lived and brilliant streaks 
 in the sky, and then an infant glory on the horizon. 
 They removed the deep covering of snow to the 
 mossy grave beneath, in which they laid her in the 
 same white dress : the graves of the believers were 
 very few ; the scattered stones were just visible 
 above the fallen snow. No howling was heard, or 
 wild wail, according to the Esquimaux custom : 
 when the survivor comes in the night to the grave, 
 and raises a solitary cry, that can be heard to a 
 great distance. They sang a hymn, after covering 
 the bier with green sods. 
 
 " You bear me now to my repose, 
 
 As once they bore my Lord ; 
 And as his sacred body rose, 
 
 So mine shall be restored." 
 
 The Moravians required that, according to their 
 usage in Europe, every communicant should be 
 clothed in a white dress : this simple and impressive 
 custom was highly useful, as it taught them greater 
 neatness and taste in their apparel ; a yet greater 
 benefit was, the frugality and temperance observed 
 by the converts ; the Esquimaux were apt, on occa- 
 sions of great plenty of food, and on the approach 
 of spring, to give way to a loathsome gluttony. 
 Chastity, also, the scarcest of all their virtues, was 
 strictly inculcated, especially among the women : 
 deviations, and they were frequent, were visited 
 with expulsion ; yet, even penitence and forgiveness 
 did not always secure from relapses. 
 
 In the year 1774, Haven was directed to go with 
 Lister, Brahsen, and Lehman on a voyage of dis- 
 covery : he felt a sad presentiment, that was verified 
 by the result ; for the enterprise was full of cruel 
 
JENS HAVEN. 233 
 
 disasters. On their return, th;iy suffered shipwreck ; 
 when the unfortunate Brahsen and Lehman were 
 drowned, and Haven and Lister were scarcely saved. 
 The vessel had struck on a rock, where she remained 
 till her timbers were all shattered and dashed to 
 pieces by the waves. Having spent a night of 
 misery on the falling wreck, they betook themselves 
 at break of day to their boat ; but this, also, quickly 
 foundered on the craggy shore. The two latter 
 swam to a barren rock ; their brethren sunk in the 
 attempt. The sad survivors found means to draw 
 their broken boat on shore, and repair it so far, that 
 on the fourth day after the wreck, they ventured 
 forth on it again. Like true Moravians, their resig- 
 nation overcame their grief; they did not mourn 
 greatly for their perished friends, and had the 
 equanimity, as they rushed through the surge, to 
 give vent to one of their hymns: — 
 
 Where is now the streaming tear ? 
 
 Where the pang, the stifled groan ? 
 Sin nor sorrow mingle there, 
 
 Shadeless splendour girds the throne. 
 
 Like the rush of ocean storm, 
 
 High the thund'ring chorus blends ; 
 
 Rich with life, with rapture warm, 
 Deep the wavy circle bends. 
 
 Even if the shattered boat lived, famine might yet 
 be a more terrible fate. They pushed boldly out 
 to sea; the wind was fortunately in their favour; 
 and they had not proceeded many hours, ere they 
 met with an Esquimaux boat, that brought them 
 safely back to Nain. 
 
 ** After my return to Nain, I was overwhelmed 
 with grief : spent my days and nights in sighs and 
 tears ; thought much of my whole life ; and cried to 
 God for forgiveness of my many failings, and renewed 
 my vows to devote myself entirely to his service." 
 
234 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 One of the savages, by name Anauke, a bold and 
 daring fellow, on whose countenance thief and mur- 
 derer were written in strong characters, grew very 
 attentive to the words of the missionaries : he 
 pitched his tent at Nain, and placed himself under 
 their instructions. The ferocity of his aspect was 
 softened : at last he removed to his winter house, 
 where he dwelt alone on the shore. When spring 
 returned, Anauke came no more. One day they 
 saw his widow approaching ; and in the midst of her 
 sorrow, she told wildly of his death. When he fell 
 sick, he resolutely forbade the sorcerer to come near 
 him, and prayed earnestly to God. His wife, as 
 death drew near, began to howl and cry after their 
 usual fashion: "O my dear husband!" she said, 
 " wilt thou leave me ? wilt thou leave thy two chil- 
 dren, and go to that dim country of shadows ?" He 
 calmly said, " Weep not, I go to that Redeemer 
 who loves men so much," — and died. This event 
 made no small impression on the minds of many of 
 the people. 
 
 The following year, Haven and Lister sailed to 
 explore the south coast ; and after some research, 
 found a spot well suited for the purpose. A settle- 
 ment was afterwards established here, and called 
 Hopedale, the name given by the unfortunate 
 Erhardt, who was murdered by the natives, with all his 
 companions : the ruins of their dwelling was still 
 visible. It was a melancholy scene : they had begun 
 to lay out a little garden, and make their home comfort- 
 able, when a sudden and cruel fate overtook them. 
 
 The directors of the mission now desired Haven 
 to attempt a settlement at Okkak. His anxiety on 
 this occasion was great and well founded. 
 
 " Stephen Jensen accompanied me ; and we pur- 
 chased the land from the Esquimaux, placed stones 
 to mark the boundaries, and made a plan for the 
 building. In 1776, the timber was cut and per- 
 
JENS HAVEN. 235 
 
 pared at Nain, and the ship, having arrived from 
 England, it was put on board, and we sailed with it 
 to the place of our destination. My wife had lain 
 in but eight weeks ; 15ut she, and our little infant 
 son, bore the voyage very well. We immediately 
 went to work, and set up the house. I had the 
 grace, in all trying circum.stances, to cleave to my 
 Saviour; of whose assistance I had manifold ex- 
 perience. He was with us, and gave us success in 
 our present enterprise. 
 
 " Having finished the building of our house, we 
 moved into it ; and in our first conference were so 
 united in mutual affection and harmony, that we 
 made a covenant with each other to offer soul and 
 body to the Lord, to serve him without fear, and 
 bear each other's burdens with a cheerful heart. 
 Nor did we meet with the least interruption durmg 
 this whole year; so that I justly count it the hap- 
 piest of my whole life. I could preach to the Esqui- 
 maux with a glad heart ; so that several of them 
 became concerned to obtain deliverance from sin, 
 and everlasting life, and most were sober and atten- 
 tive hearers." 
 
 In autumn, 1777, he was invited to visit Europe, 
 " which proved to me and my wife a great refresh- 
 ment." Besides the latter, and two children, he 
 took the orphan son of his perished friend, Brahsen ; 
 whom he had treated with the same tenderness as 
 his own. They arrived at Nisky, in Upper Lusatia; 
 and both there, and at Hernhuth, were received and 
 treated with the most affectionate regard. 
 
 The visit of the Moravian is mostly like that of 
 the stranger " that tarrieth but for a night :" al- 
 though the change was exquisitely grateful, from 
 the dreary homes of Okkak to the social and cheer- 
 ful roofs of Hernhuth and the castle of Zinzendorf, 
 (and the wife felt it yet stronger than the husband) — 
 yet they soon departed, to return to Labrador. The 
 
236 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 American war raged at that time, and the seas 
 swarmed with privateers ; but they sailed from Eng- 
 land without convoy, and saw no enemy, and met 
 with no kind of disaster. Bht when they drew near 
 the iron coast of Labrador, they saw an ice moun- 
 tain of prodigious extent and height close at hand, 
 and had scarcely passed it in safety, when it fell to 
 pieces with a tremendous crash, ** putting the sur- 
 rounding sea into the most dreadful agitation and 
 foam. Had this happened but a few minutes before, 
 we must have perished in the immense ruin." 
 
 From Nain they proceeded to Okkak. In the 
 year 1779, twelve natives of this place were 
 baptized. '' I was much concerned, how to take 
 proper care of these souls committed to our trust. 
 During the following thi-ee years, which I spent at 
 Okkak, our labour among the Esquimaux was at- 
 tended with many vicissitudes, yet the preaching of 
 the gospel proved its power in the hearts of many ; 
 and, in 1781, the number of Esquimaux Christians 
 amounted to thirty-eight souls, which, with those 
 who were considered as candidates for baptism, 
 made a congregation of near fifty persons. In 
 autumn I was called to Nain, to assist in the erec- 
 tion of the mission-house destined for Arvertok, 
 (now Hopedale,) which was conveyed thither, and 
 set up in the year following. My "heart rejoiced at 
 these events ; and when we began to proclaim the 
 truth in this part also, it produced excellent fruits 
 in the hearts of several natives. Some, indeed, 
 opposed it with violence, but others came to ask 
 what they should do to be saved. During the 
 winter, the awakening was still further diffused 
 among the Esquimaux, which made all our trials 
 and troubles appear easy to us." 
 
 An obstacle now arose, from a quarter utterly 
 unexpected. A Frenchman from Canada came, and 
 settled near : there have been instances of French- 
 
JENS HAVEN. 237 
 
 men settling in the wilds and woods of America, amon^ 
 the Indians, whose dress, manners, and habits they 
 adopted, and contrived to pass their lives without sad- 
 ness or ennui. But the homes of Okkak, and the tastes 
 of its people, were little more attractive or inspiring 
 than those of the arctic bear: yet this man, who sus- 
 tained the double character of trader and Roman 
 Catholic priest, dwelt here, enticing the Esquimaux 
 by the most tempting offers, which drew away their 
 thoughts from religious inquiries. He spoke largely 
 of the advantages of the trade farther south, and 
 encouraged them to follow all the favourite sports 
 and revels of their countrymen. In fact, the pre- 
 sence of this Gallic stranger was a blight and mil- 
 dew in the path of the Moravians : they looked on 
 his ensnaring example and love of gaiety with 
 horror ; yet boat followed boat, filled with the 
 sanguine natives, all bent on this distant commerce. 
 Incited probably by this Frenchman, who wished to 
 give a taste for theatres and balls, the savages 
 erected a pleasure-house on the shore, sixteen feet 
 high, and seventy square. For greater solidity, the 
 wall near the entrance was congealed into ice by 
 water poured upon it ; the lamp was supported by a 
 pillar of ice ; and additional light was let in through 
 a transparent plate of ice in the side of the building. 
 This edifice, devoted to pleasure, had little resem- 
 blance to the winter ice-palace of Catherine, built 
 for the same object : instead of numerous frozen 
 columns, a round porch in front admitted into a 
 long avenue, terminated at the farther end by an 
 aperture eighteen inches broad, and two feet high ; 
 so that the visitor must have wriggled and squeezed 
 his body into a small compass in order to get in. 
 Here they eagerly congregated, and charmed away 
 the night with games, dances, and singing : and 
 so eminently are these people endowed with comic 
 powers, that, could the priest have translated one of 
 
238 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 Moliere's pieces, there is little doubt it would have 
 been creditably acted. 
 
 Among this people there is an unfailing cheerful- 
 ness and good humour, and a keen observation ; 
 they will dance and sing for hours, till they are 
 ready to fall down exhausted : but their movements 
 are like those of a short and unwieldy Dutchman, 
 In their dealings, they display both probity and in- 
 telliofence ; their common stature is five feet five 
 inches ; their colour is a deep brunette, with black, 
 glossy, and straight hair ; and they are mostly 
 armed with a spear and a scimetar-shaped knife, 
 made of the walrus tusk. " In our dreary situa- 
 tion," says a voyager, " blocked up with ice, there 
 was variety and interest in the establishment of five 
 huts, with canoes, sledges, and above sixty men, 
 women, and children. Some of the women having 
 handsome clothes on, which attracted our attention, 
 they began, to our utter astonishment, to strip, 
 though the thermometer stood at 23 below zero : 
 we soon found, however, there was nothing so 
 dreadful in this, every individual having on a com- 
 plete double suit. An invitation was given us to 
 this extraordinary village, built solely of snow and 
 ice: after creeping through two low passages, having 
 each its arched door-way, we came to a small circu- 
 lar apartment, of which the roof was a perfect arched 
 dome. From this, three door-ways led into as 
 many inhabited apartments ; the interior of which 
 presented a novel scene : the won^en were seated on 
 the beds at the sides of the wall, each having her 
 little fire-place or lamp, with all her domestic 
 utensils about her. The construction of this apart- 
 ment was similar to that of the others, being a dome 
 formed by separate blocks of snow, laid with great 
 regularity, and no small art. Into these curious 
 edifices a cheerful and sufficient light was admitted 
 by a circular window of ice, neatly fitted into the 
 
JENS HAVEN. 239 
 
 roof of each room. One of the women, named 
 Iglighuk, had a remarkably soft voice, an excellent 
 ear, and great fondness for singing : almost every 
 day she displayed some symptoms of that supe- 
 riority of understanding for which she was so 
 distinguished. 
 
 *' One day we were visited by a musical party of 
 females : Togolat, about six-and-twenty years of 
 age, was the prettiest of the party, and perhaps of 
 the whole villag-e ; with a face more oval than that 
 of the Esquimaux in general, very pretty eyes and 
 mouth, teeth remarkably white and regular, and 
 possessing in her carriage and manners a degree of 
 natural gracefulness. 
 
 The aspect of the land is like that of an eastern 
 desert, on which the night has gathered, and the 
 lurid glare of a passing storm is abroad. The eye 
 wanders sadly over a vast white wilderness, often ob- 
 scured by clouds of drift-snow; while the sun breaks 
 forth at times, in mockery, with a pale and heartless 
 gleam. It is like a shrouded world, on which the 
 curse of lifelessness has fallen : the vessels of the 
 voyager, fixed in the icy plain, are moorless ; the 
 sails taken down, the yards unmanned; even the few 
 human abodes resemble mounds of snow, and cannot 
 be distinguished from the rising drifts around : the 
 howl of the wolf, as the dim light passes from the 
 sky, breaks on the horrid stillness. 
 
 At this season, the scenery of the granite moun- 
 tains, about a thousand feet high, and the many 
 lakes in their bosom, is singularly striking: the 
 snowy precipices and crags, cast a distinct, yet 
 visionary light on the hushed sheets of water, of great 
 depth, at their feet, which they enclose so entirely, 
 that the waves are rarely stirred by the passing 
 blast. On several of these mountain lakes are 
 small cataracts, whose sounds, echoing among the 
 adjacent cliffs, are borne loudly and far. In the bosom 
 
240 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 of the waters are detached masses of ice, covered 
 with drift-snow, and of various forms, and floating 
 slowly by, like spectral tenants of the lonely region. 
 The vegetation is withered and sapless : for no ani- 
 mals are here, nothing that has life ; the deer and the 
 fox shun the spot. 
 
 The fair Esquimaux are not without vanity, and 
 pride themselves greatly on the length and thick- 
 ness of their hair : it is cut off, however, in sign of 
 mourning, when a husband dies. The dresses of 
 both sexes are composed chiefly of deer-skin ; and 
 often their jackets and boots are of wolf-skin : some 
 wear a rufl" round the neck, of the longest white hair 
 of the deer-skin outside, and hanging down over the 
 bosom. When completely equipped, they can bid 
 defiance to the most inclement weather, and exhibit 
 a thoroughly comfortable appearance. When the 
 huts are completely surrounded by the snow-ridges, 
 and the single window, or plate of ice, in the 
 roof, throws its soft light on the waste, the only 
 sign that testifies of a human abode, the effect is 
 singular in the extreme. The scattered and buried 
 homes look like so many "will-o'-the-wisps," mo- 
 tionless on the surface. 
 
 Two of the Moravians, Liebisch and Turner, left 
 Nain in the middle of March, on a visit to Okkak ; 
 the most northern of the settlements. It was early 
 in the morning, with very clear weather ; the stars 
 shining with uncommon lustre. Their sledge, drawn 
 by dogs, was driven by a native ; and another 
 sledge, with some Esquimaux, followed. All were in 
 high spirits, and they hoped to accomplish the hun- 
 dred and fifty miles in two or three days. 
 
 They went with ease over the frozen sea, at the 
 rate of six or seven miles an hour. After passing 
 the islands in the bay of Nain, they kept at a con- 
 siderable distance from the coast, in order to weather 
 the high rocky promontory of Kiglapeit. After 
 
JENS HAVEN. 241 
 
 a few hours, they met a sledge with some strange 
 Esquimaux, turning in from the sea : the latter 
 paused, and threw out some hints that it might be 
 as well to return instantly. 
 
 The missionaries resolved to proceed ; for the 
 weather was fair, and the frozen ocean, far as the 
 eye could reach, as moveless as if the treacherous 
 waves beneath were chained for ever. After some 
 time, their own Esquimaux hinted that there was a 
 ground swell under the ice : it was then hardly per- 
 ceptible, except on lying down and applying the ear 
 close to the surface, when a hollow grating and roar- 
 ing noise was heard, as if ascending from the abyss.- 
 The weather remained clear, except towards the 
 east, where a bank of light clouds appeared, inter-' 
 spersed with some dark streaks. The sun had now* 
 reached its height, and there was as yet no change in" 
 the appearance of the sky. They quickened their 
 pace: the motion of the sea under the ice had 
 grown more perceptible ; and alarm was now felt by 
 every one. Closer to the shore the sledges were* 
 now driven. Large fissures and chasms, one or two 
 feet wide, suddenly opened in the ice: these were 
 crossed, and still they rashly urged on their way. 
 But the warning signs increased : as the sun de- 
 clined towards the west, the wind rose to a storm, 
 the bank of clouds began to ascend rapidly, and the 
 dark streaks put themselves in motion against the 
 wind. The snow was violently driven upwards, 
 and from off the peaks of the high mountains, and 
 filled the air. The ground-swell had increased so 
 much, that the vast body of ice, supported by a 
 troubled sea beneath, heaved fearfully in many 
 places, and rose slowly like gathering waves : the 
 sledges went on with an uncertain and perilous mo- 
 tmu. Loud noises were now heard in many direc- 
 ti-ons, like the report of cannon. 
 
 The Esquimaux now drove with all haste to th* 
 
 .11 R 
 
242 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 shore ; but, as it soon plainly appeared that the ice 
 would burst in mid-way, Mark, the charioteer of the 
 Moravians, advised to push forward to the north of 
 Uivak ; whence he hoped the track to Okkak might 
 still remain entire. To this proposal, the company 
 eagerly agreed ; but when the sledges approached 
 the coast, the prospect before them was truly terrific. 
 The ice was now grinding and breaking into a 
 thousand pieces against the precipices, with a tre- 
 mendous noise ; which, added to the raging of the 
 wind, and the snow driving about in the air, deprived 
 the travellers of the power of hearing or seeing any 
 thing distinctly. To make the land at any risk, was 
 now the only hope left ; but it was with the utmost 
 difficulty that the frightened dogs could be forced 
 onward, the icy sea sinking far below the surface of 
 the rocks, then rising wildly above it. They paused 
 for a few moments in mute despair : then the drivers, 
 seizing the critical moment when the trembling 
 mass gained the level of the coast, drove their 
 sledges furiously towards it ; and the hazardous at- 
 tempt succeeded. They had hardly time to look 
 round them, when that part of the ice, from which 
 they had just made good their landing, burst 
 asunder, and the water forced itself from below. 
 In an instant, as if by a signal given, the whole 
 frozen mass, extending as far as the eye could reach, 
 began to burst asunder, and be overwhelmed by the 
 immense waves. The sight was tremendous : the 
 large fields of ice raising themselves out of the water, 
 striking against each other, and plunging into the 
 deep, with a noise like the discharge of innumera- 
 ble batteries of heavy guns. The darkness of the 
 night, the roaring of the wind and sea, and the 
 awful sounds that filled the air, struck the travellers 
 with such horror, as almost to deprive them of utter- 
 ance. The Esquimaux now began to build a snow- 
 house, about thirty paces from the beach : about 
 
JENS HAVEN. 243 
 
 nine o'clock they all crept into it, thanking God for 
 this place of refuge; for the wind was piercingly 
 cold, and so violent, that it required great strength 
 to stand against it. Having sung an evening hymn 
 in the native language, they lay down to rest. The 
 Esquimaux were soon fast asleep ; but the mission- 
 ary Liebisch could not get any rest, from the dread- 
 ful roaring without. His wakefulness saved the 
 whole party a second time from death. About two 
 o'clock in the morning, he perceived saltwater drop 
 fast from the roof: he was just about to give the 
 alarm, when a tremendous surf broke close to the 
 house, and carried away the slab of snow placed as 
 a door before the entrance. He called aloud to the 
 sleeping Esquimaux ; they jumped up in an instant. 
 One of them, with a large knife, cut a passage 
 through the side of the house ; each seized a part 
 of the baggage, and rushed out. The women and 
 child fled wildly to a neighbouring eminence. They 
 all followed, and took shelter behind a rock ; which 
 they had scarcely done, when another wave swept away 
 the snow hut. The wind, the snow, and sleet, beat 
 fiercely on them. Cutting holes in the snow, they 
 strove to gain a little shelter. The woman and her 
 child were covered with skins. Thus wore away the 
 miserable hours of the night, on the brink of the 
 precipice ; while, beneath, the surges howled awfully, 
 and their pyramids of foam seemed to rise to the 
 sky. The conflict with the floating isles and 
 towers of ice was now over : by the dim light, not a 
 vestige of the latter could be perceived; all was open 
 sea. As soon as it was light, another snow house 
 was built, eight feet square, and six feet high. 
 Famine, a fiercer enemy than cold, now came on 
 apace : the slender stock of provisions was divided 
 into daily portions. Only two ways were left for 
 escape ; either to attempt the passage over the 
 wild and unfrequented mountain, Kiglapeit, or wait 
 
 2 
 
244 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 for the sea to freeze again : a biscuii and a half a 
 day was the allowance for each. 
 
 Towards noon on the 13th, the wind subsided ; the 
 atmosphere became clear : Mark and another Esqui- 
 maux climbed the lofty hills, to reconnoitre : no 
 chance remained, but to pass the mountain Kigla- 
 peit. The natives were now so sorely pinched with 
 hunger, that they devoured an old sack, made of 
 fish-skin: while they were at this strange meal, 
 they kept singing, in a low tone, " You were a sack 
 but a little while ago, and now you are food for us." 
 Then they sought refuge from their miseries in 
 sleep, both night and day : but the Moravians kept 
 a sad and desolate watch ; looking forth from their 
 home of snow over the waste of sea and land. The 
 poor dogs had now fasted four days ; and the air 
 became so mild that the roof began to thaw, by 
 'which their clothes were thoroughly soaked, and 
 they had not a dry place to lie dowai in. On the 
 17ih they resolved to attempt to return to Nain : 
 the wind was high, with heavy showers of sleet and 
 snow. The newly frozen sea offered a perilous 
 track : they resolved to trust themselves on it, and 
 quit their cabin of snow. They made a meal of the 
 last of their provisions ; and, by dint of boldness and 
 skill, arrived safe in Nain at midnight. 
 
 The unpromising appearance of the mission at 
 Hopedale, was a cause of great uneasiness to the 
 Moravians ; the stubborn resistance of the natives 
 to Christianity was continued. More obtuse in in- 
 tellect, and obstinate in disposition, than even the 
 Greenlanders, they listened in sullen and stupid 
 apathy to every entreaty and argument. Sudden 
 fits of fierceness and cruelty would also come 
 upon them : murders were frequent : in 1790, 
 they fell upon each other in their tents by night, 
 and • numbers were barbarously massacred. Few 
 and far between were the instances, even of the 
 
JENS HAVEN. 245 
 
 fidelity and zeal of those who had embraced Chris- 
 tianity. 
 
 It is no wonder that the Moravians rejoiced 
 greatly when these instances occurred ; one was 
 the husband of Mikak, the woman who had visited 
 London, and been noticed by the Royal Family. 
 This man, by his strength, courage, and penetration, 
 had acquired an unbounded influence over his 
 countrymen, and his word passed for law. He had 
 committed many murders with his own hands, and 
 was accessory to many more ; for if any one had 
 incurred his resentment, he had only to declare, that 
 Torngak, the spirit, had decreed his death, and a 
 multitude of hands were instantly raised to seal his 
 doom. The missionaries had fallen an easy prey 
 to this man, if his anger had once been raised 
 against them : but though an unsparing tyrant to 
 his own nation, his respect for the strangers was 
 such, that he would tamely submit to their re- 
 proofs. But when out of their sight, his threats, as 
 well as example, drew away many of his country- 
 men. Haven mentions that on one occasion, Tug- 
 lavina, at the head of a party of Esquimaux, re- 
 turned from Chateau Bay, where he had furnished 
 himself with a sloop of two masts, European arms, 
 and many other accoutrements. He stepped unex- 
 pectedly into the mission house, dressed in the uni- 
 form of a British officer, with a bob-wig, a huge laced 
 coat, and a sword at his side, uttering several threats, 
 and boasting of his valiant deeds in the south. 
 Haven, looking sternly at him, exclaimed, '' What, 
 are you Tuglavina ? depart this minute ; I have 
 nothing to say to you in this dress : put on your 
 old Esquimaux furs, and then return, and I will 
 converse with you." The savage, as if thunder- 
 struck, made no reply, but left the room ; and, not- 
 withstanding the degradation to which the laying 
 aside his splendid apparel would expose him, in th« 
 
246 JENS HAVEN* 
 
 minds of his countrymen, he resumed his native 
 dress, and in that humble garb returned to the 
 missionaries. They then upbraided him for in- 
 veighng many of the Christian natives to follow him 
 to the south, and join in his loved abominations ; 
 also for imbruing his hands in the blood of so 
 many of his countrymen. During this address, Tug- 
 lavina turned pale, and trembled exceedingly : but 
 declared that he must sin, and could not help it. 
 
 In course of time, sickness crept on this remark- 
 able savage ; and as his bodily vigour began to 
 decline, his extraordinary ascendancy, vi'hich rested 
 only on his personal qualities, declined with it— 
 the frequent fate of the wild chieftain. The friends 
 of his career were dropping off, one after another ; 
 while those who inherited the wrongs done to their 
 insulted kinsmen, were strong in youth and num- 
 bers. He was reduced to poverty ; and felt the 
 agony of being bearded by men who once trembled 
 before him. Of his numerous wives, some deserted 
 him in the wane of his fortunes; others were violently 
 taken from him, without his daring to make resist- 
 ance, and only one of them all remained — one 
 faithful one still adhered to the fallen savage, 
 whose lost power and influence, on the dreary 
 shores of Labrador, was as bitter a doom to his 
 own soul, as if he had sunk from a palace or a 
 princedom. Deserted, forlorn, derided even by those 
 he had oppressed, remorse came to terrify him 
 with the remembrance of the murdered ; its pangs 
 •were fierce and unsparing. 
 
 In this state of mind, he had recourse to the 
 Moravians, making a free disclosure of all his crimes, 
 and expressing, even with tears, the anguish of hi^ 
 guilt, and beseeching rest for his troubled spirit. 
 Was this a true repentance ? Scarcely at the 
 eleventh hour it came : had his ancient strength of 
 arm remained, and the fire of his eye, the dark 
 
JKNS HAVEN. 247 
 
 passions which now slept, but were not conquered, 
 would have urged him to plunge his spear in the 
 hearts of his insulters, and perhaps to laugh his 
 remorse to scorn. He obtained permission to re- 
 side with his family at Nain : here, unconquerable 
 pride led him at first into wide departures from the 
 path of Christianity. Sullen, and as one that would 
 not be comforted, he sat in his hut, with his one 
 attached companion. By degrees, however — for 
 such a conversion must have been slow and pain- 
 ful, the fruit of a crushed spirit, a destroyed power, 
 and a neglected lot — the Divine mercy at last sub- 
 dued this man to humility, and availing repentance. 
 The oppressor and murderer exhibited the strange 
 contrast, of a man anxious fOr the happiness of 
 his fellow-men : the powers of the mind, which 
 were before entirely given to crime and the am- 
 bition of ruling, were now consecrated to a higher 
 purpose : he addressed his countrymen with wild 
 earnestness ; he told of his own fierce deeds, and 
 bitter repentance. The Esquimaux were greatly 
 struck, and gathered round the altered man with 
 wonder and curiosity. He continued at Nain ; and 
 there died at last, at the age of sixty, leaving, in 
 the midst of great agony of body, an impressive 
 testimony behind him. One such instance was 
 sufficient to animate the Brethren to the utmost 
 exertions : vet it cannot be said, that there w-as 
 much evidence of the progress of the natives in 
 religion. At Okkak, the prospect was far less 
 promising than at Nain : the sorcerers continued to 
 exercise great power over the mind ; and where the 
 addresses of the missionaries were more faithful than 
 the natives could bear, they would shun their society. 
 Haven had now laboured long and zealousy : 
 the desire of his youth, to ^' dwell in the dreary 
 land of the heathen," had been freely given to him. 
 Dreariness was the portion of himself, and his at- 
 
248 ENS HAVEN. 
 
 tached wife : no fair and comfortable settlement 
 reared its head, as in Greenland ; where store- 
 houses, gardens, many a range of chambers, warm 
 and convenient, met the eye, and an excellent ar- 
 rangement was manifest in all. But at Nain and 
 Okkak these things existed not : it was true, that 
 a saw-mill, with great pains, was erected, a church 
 was begun, and even a few gardens were attempt- 
 ed, at which the passing Esquimaux might make 
 grimaces in derision. " Such was the sterility of 
 the soil, and the sharpness of the climate, they could 
 not expect to reap much." But these refinements 
 all found their way even here, after Haven rested 
 from his labours. Snow palaces, had they possessed 
 a skill in architecture, they might certainly have 
 reared : the cold would have bound pillar, roof, 
 and wall in fetters of iron, and made them durable 
 for years. Such an edifice would have served 
 admirably for a chapel, and, as to the dimensions 
 and position, it might have stood beneath the pre- 
 cipices, where the sun-beams never came, or on 
 the beetling crag ; and, when lighted up at night, 
 would have been a cheering, as well as a splendid, 
 scene of worship. 
 
 The Havens and their companies seem to have 
 made few additions to their in-door comforts, during 
 many years. With respect to the enjoyments of 
 travelling, the following sketch, at a later period, 
 gives a good idea : — 
 
 ** March 7. We set out from Nain in sledges, 
 drawn by twenty-two dogs, driven by two Esquimaux. 
 We found our first night's lodging in an old Esqui- 
 maux winter-house : it was full of dead seals ; how- 
 ever, they were thrown together, to make room for 
 my wife and me to lie down in our sleeping-bags. 
 This consists of a large bag of re^ideer-skin, with 
 the hair turned inward : it is cover';d with seal-skin, 
 the hair turned outwards. This bag comprehend*. 
 
JENS HAVEN. 249 
 
 the whole apparatus and furniture of an Esquimaux 
 bed-room. Having undressed, the traveller creeps 
 into it, and a kind neighbour having shut him close, 
 by fastening the strap, he leaves him to sleep on till 
 morning, when he helps him out again. I ordered 
 Simeon to be cook, and gave to everyone his work; 
 one was to feed the dogs, another to unpack the 
 sledge. After our evening prayers, my wife, with 
 difficulty, got into her bag ; I then found a place 
 next to the mountain of dead seals ; the men lay 
 any where upon them. On the 8th, in the morning 
 early, putting my head out of the bag, I gave orders 
 to our cook to boil coffee for us, and oatmeal por- 
 ridge for our men. After morning prayers, we set 
 out, on an excellent smooth track, till half-an-hour 
 after eight o'clock, when we discovered, with great 
 alarm, that over the mountains of Kiglapeit, the 
 track was filled with irregular masses of ice, like 
 towers, some higher and some lower. We almost 
 despaired of getting through them. Under the 
 mountain, the weather grew warm and still, and we 
 sent the smaller sledge forward, to find a road 
 through the masses of ice. But the dogs, from the 
 difficulty of the way, got entangled in their traces, 
 some of which are eight yards long. But, at three, 
 we had passed the mountain, and took up our 
 night's lodging in a cavern, dark and dismal in 
 appearance, but to us a welcome retreat." 
 
 Haven would gladly have passed the remainder 
 of his life here ; but increasing years and infirmities 
 forbade it. Unwillingly, he at last consented to 
 return to Silesia, and allow comfort and indulgence 
 to be his future lot. He thus writes : — *' But now, 
 both I and my wife begin to feel the effects of age 
 and hardship, and our strength seemed exhausted. 
 The year 1783 was, amidst our bodily weakness, a pe- 
 riod of blessing to our souls : we were quite resigned 
 to the Divine will, as to our future stay in the land; 
 
250 JENS HAVEN. 
 
 yet we thought it incumbent to represent to our Breth- 
 ren in Europe, that we were no longer able to do the 
 work committed to us in the manner we wished." 
 
 He obtained his dismission in the same year, and 
 arrived safe at Hernhuth. Very dear to his memory, 
 amidst the calm of this retirement, were his life and 
 journeyings in Labrador. In the hours of inactivity, 
 he would often recall them. He felt, also, the 
 enjoyment of the society of enlightened and intel- 
 lectual men ; and frequently declared his gratitude, 
 in the most lively terms, for their continued kind- 
 ness and regard. 
 
 Thus passed the decline of his life : yet its mono- 
 tony was broken ; for, after a while, he accompanied 
 some of the Moravian sisters in a journey to Sarepta, 
 a few days' journey from Astrachan. Here there was 
 an interesting colony, where they were welcomed 
 with great kindness. Even after passing the weary 
 steppes of Russia, so exact was the discipline, so 
 simple and impressive the appearance of the institu- 
 tion of the Unity in Sarepta, that the wanderers 
 could easily transport themselves in fancy to the 
 retreat of Hernhuth. An account of it may be given 
 in the words of a late traveller : — 
 
 " We had been four days and nights travelling 
 through an almost barren waste : there had been no 
 previous indication to point out the haunts of man, 
 when the beautiful little town of Sarepta, in the 
 bosom of a rich valley, suddenly burst on the view. 
 Our carriage passed through small and regular streets, 
 and stopped at the door of the inn, a neat house, in 
 a pretty square, which, together with the church at 
 the opposite end, brought the snug villages of 
 England to my mind. Opposite the inn formerly 
 stood a house containing eighty bachelors, and near 
 it one containing eighty spinsters. The house of the 
 former has been burnt down ; that of the latter has 
 escaped. When a bachelor is tired of a life of 
 
JENS HAVEN. 251 
 
 celibacy, he goes next door, chooses one out of tlie 
 eighty spinsters, and makes her his wife. The pair 
 become members of the general community, and 
 keep house for themselves. I was highly gratified 
 by my visit to this human hive. Every thing was 
 in the neatest order ; the sisters, as they are called, 
 with their little caps and uniform dress, reminded 
 me of our fair Quakers. The female children were 
 reading and writing ; the young women were engaged 
 in domestic employments. The old maids, for there 
 were a few, were occupied in knitting and needlework. 
 All were busy at the occupation best adapted to 
 their peculiar habits and talents. Nor were the 
 brothers idle : here were shoemakers, tailors, wea- 
 vers, printers, and bookbinders. I was shewn a 
 fine collection of the serpents, and other reptiles, of 
 Southern Russia. I saw, also, a large collection 
 of antiquities, found in the neighbourhood. Before 
 we bade farewell to our Moravian friends, we visited 
 their burying-ground. Even this partakes of repub- 
 lican simplicity : it is a square enclosure ; the 
 tombstones are exactly alike ; on each is inscribed, 
 without comment, the christian and surname of the 
 deceased, and the day on which he died. These 
 humble testimonials of the dead are singularly 
 contrasted with the aristocratic marble tombstone 
 of a Russian princess, who is buried here." 
 
 He returned once more in safety to Hernhuth. 
 For the last six years of his life he was quite 
 blind : painful as this situation was to a man of 
 his vivacity of spirit, he never murmured, or ascribed 
 it to the hardships he had suffered, but took it 
 patiently as from the hand of Heaven, and his 
 cheerfulness never forsook him. His conversation 
 was profitable even to persons of rank, who never 
 failed to call upon him when they visited Hern- 
 huth ; for they loved to converse with him. It 
 
252 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 was evident, that Avhat he said proceeded from 
 th€ experience of a heart living in constant com- 
 munion with God, and rejoicing in his salvation. 
 His faithful and attached wife, who had weathered 
 so many hardships by his side, was his great solace 
 in all his affliction : she seldom quitted his side. 
 UnHke Egede, who buried his companion beneath 
 the Greenland snows, Mary Haven, though her 
 husband saw her face no more, was with him to the 
 last, and could tell of the triumphs of the cross, 
 which they had seen and shared together — of how 
 many a trial, and of how many a mercy ! His only 
 son was the continued object of his prayers ; his name 
 ever rose to heaven together with that of the loved 
 mission on the coast of Labrador. He died at the 
 age of seventy-two, and was buried in the place 
 where he so desired to rest, in the burial-ground at 
 Hernhuth ; and the Brethren mourned not greatly 
 for him, for they knew that he had entered into his 
 reward. 
 
 It will be necessary to follow the progress of the 
 mission, for Haven left many labourers behind, 
 equal to himself in zeal and piety. Several years 
 passed, with a languid and uncertain success. From 
 the letters of the missionaries in 1803 and 1804, it 
 is evident the religion of the baptized Esquimaux 
 was at that time very low. Even at Nain matters 
 did not wear a more encouraging appearance. A 
 few were dismissed, and others excluded from the 
 communion. " As to our flock," they write, *' we 
 are sorry to say, that most of them seemed to fall 
 very far short of what one might expect. The good 
 seed sown in their hearts, is quickly plucked up 
 and destroyed We discovered grievous deviations. 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 253 
 
 into which some had fallen last summer, during 
 tlieir absence from us, and we perceived with pain 
 that in difficult occurrences, or in sickness, they are 
 too ready to listen to sorcerers." 
 
 The departure for Europe of one of the mis- 
 sionaries, and the death of another, left a void in 
 the life of the two survivors. How sad was the 
 feeling, when loneliness was their portion, and they 
 saw no more the long-tried friend, by the pale 
 gleam of the lamp, when even the " silence of his 
 face was pleasant;" and when at last the lamp died, 
 the very consciousness that the breathing form was 
 still there, and heart beating warm with charity — 
 was delightful ! And his voice, even in the thick 
 darkness, telling of hope ; — or, when cheering to 
 the chase ever the death-like plains, it came dis- 
 tinct from afar, like the trump of an angel — that 
 voice had passed away ! This was the season, 
 " when to be still, required far greater strength of 
 mind than to act ;" when patience and resignation 
 put forth their fullest glory, and in the midst of all 
 that was calculated to exasperate and harden, the 
 spirit grew more mild and gentle every day. As they 
 wrapped their furs closer to the frame, and felt the 
 life-blood grow chill beneath, what had pride, am- 
 bition, pleasure, to do with the withering senses, 
 with the sternly subdued heart? O, charity! *' that 
 sufFereth long, that beareth all things, that seekeih 
 not her own" — thy sublime lesson was as truly 
 taught by these faithful and desolate men in Labra- 
 dor, as by many who have died at the stake, or 
 left a sainted memory behind them. 
 
 A rich reward was at last given for all their toils, 
 in a general increase of religion among the native 
 congregations : '* When our Esquimaux returned from 
 their summer places, and settle here again for the 
 winter. Ave found that they had not only been pre- 
 served from sinful practices, but that the mercy 
 
254 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 SO lately manifest had made further progress, they 
 had become better acquainted with the depravity of 
 their own natures ; all saw the necessity of true con- 
 version of heart ; many were filled with comfort and 
 joy in believing; others longed to be partakers of the 
 same grace. With what astonishment did we perceive 
 how powerfully the Holy Spirit explained to this 
 people the things of God !" At this time, two young 
 natives arrived at Hopedale from Nain. The first 
 came to return his wife to her mother, intending to 
 go back and marry another. This man, on enter- 
 ing the dwelling with his bride whom he had lately 
 married, found the inmates just engaged in prayer 
 as usual, before they went to rest : he sat down, 
 astonished at what he saw and heard. Then the 
 whole company began to entreat him earnestly not 
 to part with his wife : perceiving that he was im- 
 moveably fixed, they knelt around him, and prayed 
 once more. The mother's words were affecting, 
 ** Oh, my Lord! behold, this is my child, I now give 
 him up to thee. Accept of him, and suffer him not 
 to be lost for ever." Such a scene, so unprece- 
 dented, had an immediate effect on the youth ; he 
 was filled with concern for his own salvation : he 
 desisted from his purpose, and took his wife again, 
 and treated her with tenderness. He spoke to his 
 companion Kapik, and his word sank deep. Filled 
 with ardour and hope, these two men set out on 
 their return to Nain, and there testified what they 
 had heard and seen at Hopedale, by which an 
 enduring impression was made upon the minds of 
 many of their friends. 
 
 Several families came even from Okkak to settle 
 at Hopedale; ** where," says the missionary, " our 
 small congregation is blooming like a beautiful 
 rose." The following is an extract from a letter 
 received from Okkak, in August, 1808: — " Even 
 in this cold and dreary region, the flame of religion 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. Idf) 
 
 is beginning to burn bright in the hearts of onr 
 Esquimaux congregation, in a manner never before 
 perceived. You know how peculiarly reserved and 
 shy the character of the Esquimaux is by nature : 
 how they can hide their evil propensities and deeds 
 with consummate hypocrisy; and, if detected, to 
 what fierce anger they give way ! But these bars 
 and fetters, by which tliey were led captive, are 
 burst. They now come of their own accord, and 
 confess their sins with true sorrow and contrition, 
 insomuch, that whereas formerly we could not by 
 any means discover their real state, we now have 
 only to direct them, with all their sorrows, to our 
 merciful Saviour for forgiveness." 
 
 '* Some years afterwards," they again write, 
 *' The congregation at Okkak increases, from year 
 to year, by the arrival of heathens from the coast. 
 But this station may yet be called a mission. Nain 
 and Hopedale are now regular Christian settle- 
 ments, all the inhabitants being initiated into the 
 church by holy baptism, and no heathen living in 
 the neighbourhood. The increase in these places, 
 therefore, depends upon the rising generation, and 
 upon the accession of persons coming from a dis- 
 tance to reside." On this account, the endeavours 
 of the teachers are particularly directed to instil into 
 the minds of the youth, the principles and precepts 
 of Christianity. This is done by faithful instruction, 
 accompanied with watchfulness and prayer. 
 
 The most efficacious means of promoting the 
 progress of religious knowledge, is the reading the 
 New Testament, which they have now in their 
 liands. They read therein daily, in their houses 
 and tents, with the greatest earnestness, delight, 
 and edification. ** We have, indeed, since the 
 arrival of this precious gift, observed a great change. 
 Their understanding of its doctrines has rapidly 
 increased, and thfl^ influerce upon their moral con- 
 
256 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 duct is manifest. The schools vvhicli are held, with 
 both children and adults, also eminently forward 
 their improvement, being attended with great 
 diligence. The severest punishment that can be in- 
 flicted on a pupil, is to keep him for a time from 
 this tuition. 
 
 The Moravians conferred an inexpressible benefit 
 on this people, by teaching them to read and 
 write. Often in the summer tents, and when at a 
 distance at their hunting places, their favourite 
 occupation is to read parts of the Scriptures to- 
 gether. As there are some who have not acquired 
 this proficiency, having become converts at a more 
 advanced period of life, the children or young. 
 people read aloud, while the rest are quietly mend- 
 ing their tackle, or sitting down doing other work. 
 Many of them shew great capacity for learning to 
 play on any musical instrument. Violins and 
 French horns have been introduced ; which a few 
 of them accompany with their voices with great pre- 
 cision and effect. Some of the missionaries have 
 even succeeded in teaching them to sing short and 
 easy anthems, in three or four parts, by which, on 
 particular occasions, the worship of the congrega- 
 tion is much enlivened. The acquisition of the 
 art of writing, has afforded to many of them tlie 
 means of intercourse with their friends in other settle- 
 ments. One of the pastors observes, that he has some- 
 times had nearly fifty short letters committed to his 
 care by the Esquimaux, when on his passage from 
 one settlement to another. Their dismal supersti-' 
 tions and sorceries are utterly forsaken : the Ange- 
 koks have lost their power; n6 one now invokes 
 a cast of their skiH, or calls on Torngak, the terrible 
 spirit, to appease his wrath. A new church, reared 
 by the Moravians, was now solemnly consecrated at 
 akkak. 
 
 A specimen of their epistolary talents, is an 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 257 
 
 account, by one of the natives, of a remarkable es- 
 cape. Three of them, being engaged in fishing-, 
 the ice on which they were standing, broke loose, 
 and floated to sea ; Conrad converted' his sledge 
 into a kind of raft, by tying skins and seal-blad- 
 ders to it, and thus paddled to the firm ice, using 
 a seal javelin as a rudder. The south-west wind 
 bore the others far out into the open sea, so tliat 
 they could hardly be seen in the horizon ; and to 
 follow them was impossible. They built a snow- 
 house upon the floating field, about six feet in 
 height, in which they took shelter during the night, 
 and in rainy weather ; but they could make no fire. 
 In this dreadful uncertainty they spent nine days. 
 
 " On the 5th," writes the Esquimax in his own 
 language, " I hoped that Conrad, who had been 
 with us, would come to help us. We repeatedly 
 thought that we heard the report of fire-arms, but 
 towards evening we perceived we had been mistaken. 
 On the 5th, in the morning, finding ourselves carried 
 far away from the land into the ocean, we entered 
 our snow-house weeping, and both joined in calling 
 upon God for help and comfort. On the 6th, I 
 spent the whole day in prayer ; and as I walked 
 about alone, those words were impressed upon my 
 mind, ' I am the good Shepherd, and know my 
 sheep, and am known of mine.' On the 8th, 9th, 
 and 10th, the fog was so dense, that we could not 
 see where we were driven. The thought of my 
 poor bereaved family was very bitter. On the 11th, 
 when we saw land through the fog, we wept for 
 joy ; and it was clearly manifest to us, that we 
 were guided by the hand of Providence. We were 
 still surrounded by broken pieces of floating ice. 
 On the 12th, in the morning, we again saw tlie 
 laud before us ; but as we did not trust the frag- 
 ments of drift-ice, we remained upon our field ; 
 and returning ihto the snow-house, felt our thoughts 
 
 II. s 
 
258 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 pleasant to us. It appeared, towards evening, as if 
 we were approaching the firm ice, when suddenly 
 our ice-field seemed struck with a terrible shock, 
 and a large portion of it broke off. We instantly 
 left it : in passing over the drifting fields, we were 
 often in danger, but at last we got to land in 
 safety." 
 
 An improved edition of the Esquimaux hymn, 
 book was sent to Labrador by the Moravians in 
 Europe ; and its arrival caused the liveliest emo- 
 tion among the people. The life of the Moravians 
 was not an idle one. " The immense quantity of 
 snow," writes one of them, *' which falls annually 
 at Okkak, generally employs two Brethren till mid- 
 summer in clearing it away from the roofs. It lay 
 this year twenty-four feet deep ; and in some 
 places still deeper. Most of our buildings were 
 buried under it ; and we were apprehensive of the 
 roofs being broken down. Some of the Esquimaux 
 houses were crushed by its weight, and the people 
 had but just time to make their escape. The 
 chimney of our bakehouse was filled, and we were 
 obliged to clear it continually. The shovelling and 
 cutting away the accumulated masses of snow was 
 a laborious task, and caused us great fatigue from 
 day to day." 
 
 At the close of the following year, the mission- 
 aries write, *' We are bowed down with gratitude 
 for the mercy shewn to us and our people, for the 
 year past." It cannot be supposed that this ad- 
 vancement of religion among the Esquimaux was 
 unsullied by events, which tried the faith and pa- 
 tience of the Moravians — the inconstancy of many, 
 the coldness or departure of others : yet a great 
 number remained faithful. By dint of continued 
 labour, they had gathered some comforts around 
 their abodes ; even the gardens now produced an 
 annual supply of lettuce, spinach, and a few early 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 259 
 
 turnips and cabbages. In the early part of this 
 enterprise, a company of Moravians in London had 
 undertaken to send a ship annually to Labrador, 
 to supply such necessaries of life as could not be 
 there procured. This vessel had hitherto arrived 
 safely every season. One of the missionaries had 
 perished in a shooting excursion, and v^^as never 
 heard of more : another, Burghard, had died at the 
 age of sixty-nine years. 
 
 At the close of 1817, the following were the 
 numbers of the Esquimaux, who, in the judgment 
 of the missionaries, having been made partakers in 
 the faith of Christianity, had fixed their abode at 
 the different settlements : — at Hopedale, 167 ; Ok- 
 kak, 237 ; Nain, 196. In their missions, the Mora- 
 vians have ever sought that the instruction of the 
 understanding, and the civilization of the manners, 
 should go hand in hand with religion Thus they 
 observe : — " The schools have been regularly held ; 
 and are frequented not only by children, but by 
 adults, who come to learn to read and write. At the 
 examination, we were much gratified at the progress 
 they had made. Some could read without hesitation, 
 and were tolerably expert in the rudiments of arith- 
 metic. In the year 1821, the Bible Society, who had 
 previously presented the Esquimaux with printed 
 portions of Scripture, translated by the missionaries 
 into their languao;e, now sent them the invaluable 
 gift of the New Testament in the same tongue. The 
 following year, being the fiftieth since the com- 
 mencement of the mission, the day was appointed 
 to be held as a jubilee. One of the Moravians, 
 George Schmittman, was near death ; but this fes- 
 tival so animated both spirit and frame, that he went 
 to the church, borne on the arms of his associates, 
 and once moie addressed the native assembly. " I 
 ihall gladly," he said, " lay down this mortal body 
 to rest near the graves of my wife and children. 
 
 «2 
 
260 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 I have now served this people faithfully for thirty- 
 eigrht years." 
 
 The following scene is curious : — " Early iii 
 the morning;, the sloop of war, Captain Martin, 
 who had just arrived at Nain, was decorated with 
 fifty flags of different nations, in celebration of the 
 jubilee. A feast was furnished to the natives on 
 the land, who sat on pieces of timber placed in a 
 square. Before they began their meal, they all 
 rose and sang. Several guns were fired by the 
 sloop, and their echo was multiplied wildly among 
 the valleys and hills. - Afterwards the music be- 
 gan to play a hymn, followed by a salute of the 
 Esquimaux with ib.eir pieces. The sloop answered 
 with great guns, but the natives went on firing after 
 the cannon had ceased to roar. It was a calm night 
 without moon, but the brilliancy of the stars and the 
 glorious aurora borealis increased the enjoyment : 
 sleep was not thought of." 
 
 • The natives were rarely visited by famine, having 
 in general plenty of food : the rein-deer, the bear, 
 and the musk-ox, besides the seal and walrus, and 
 the birds which they entrap : the two former are 
 the most esteemed. In summer, they often pitch 
 their tents by the side of the lakes, which abound 
 in the country, and being surrounded by rocky 
 hills, have a picturesque appearance, when, in the 
 month of July, the sun rests on them with a dazzliiig 
 radiance : the heat is then oppressive. Into these 
 lakes the Esquimaux often drive the deer, and then, 
 pursuing them in their canoes, spear them ere they 
 reach the shore : the scene is highly animating, and 
 would be relished even by sportsmen of more 
 refined lands : the exulting cries of the women and 
 children on the bank, or at the tent-doors; the rapid 
 sweep of the canoes after the panting deer, whose 
 noble antlers are seen towering above the surface, 
 while he urges all his speed to escape; then the 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 261 
 
 blow of the spear and the death-struggle. The 
 pastures around these lakes affords excellent feed- 
 ing for the game, which is found here in herds. It 
 is melancholy to see the snows fall in August, and 
 cover the green pastures, and hang heavy on the scanty 
 fir woods, and at last compel the hunters to leave 
 their favourite grounds : then the fresh and sweet 
 rivulets, pouring from the hills, are quickly con- 
 verted into solid ice : the shrill and mournful cries 
 of the birds, sweet sounds to the lonely, are gra- 
 dually hushed : a dense fog covers mountain and 
 plain ; and when it breaks at times, what an awful 
 vista is before the eye! indistinct, moving to and fro 
 in menacing forms, as if the dim spirits of Torngak 
 were there. The sea steams like a lime-kiln : the 
 day perishes fast, and the moon rises with a sickly 
 lustre, — the only watcher over the buried land ! 
 In this death of the senses, the fancy often wanders 
 intensely to some long-lost scene, the bright and 
 beautiful contrast of all that is around — to some 
 forest of wanton verdure, of glades and wild-flower 
 banks, and the melody of birds : often did the 
 Moravians remember the loved retreats and walks 
 around Hernhuth, or Marienborn ; even the ancient 
 oak, the waving corn-field, the rank vegetation 
 glorying in the hot hour of noon. These ideal 
 pictures, almost as vivid as if they actually passed 
 before the eye, are an absolifte relief and luxury ; 
 and the sad dull world, without and within, cannot 
 quell their power. 
 
 The writer felt this power, when a captive in an 
 Arab camp, in the bosom of a burning valley of 
 sand, where there was no green thing, not even a 
 shrub, or a poor withered tree, to give a mockery of 
 life: close on every side rose dark and rugged 
 precipices, which could not be passed ; it was the 
 hold of despair. The sun fell with a dreadful glare 
 ©n the white sand ; and seeking the poor shadow of 
 
262 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 the rock, he sought to gather an ideal world around 
 him ; it came at his call — a world that no enemy 
 could take away. Woods of eternal verdure and 
 exquisite gloom : even Crusoe's lonely island, 
 with its groves of orange, sweet fountains, and banks 
 of perfume, became almost embodied in this scene 
 of desolation. The cold and fearful homes of Labra- 
 dor would in that hour have been grateful. 
 
 Tradition finely points to the mountain of Qua- 
 rantina in Palestine, as the scene of our Lord's 
 temptation : the summit is a wide and frightful 
 desert, full of rocks, dry fissures, and ravines, with 
 scarcely a cave to shelter the head " from the heat 
 by day, or the blast by night." But this summit 
 looks down on a scene of tantalizing loveliness and 
 plenty: even the plain of Jericho, the deep and cool 
 fountain of Elisha, wildly gushing away — the rich 
 valley that stretches far to the lake of Tiberias — the 
 groves of palm, the noble pastures, covered with 
 flocks ! What an aggravation to the anguish of 
 hunger and thirst, was such a scene perpetually 
 before the eye ! did not the human nature feel that 
 the contrast heightened the intensity of suffering. 
 This mountain is to Jerusalem the nearest scene 
 answering to the description given of a desolate 
 wilderness. 
 
 It is evident, from the letters and expressions of 
 many of the converts, that, during the long nights of 
 winter, their new faith was to them a source of 
 hourly and delightful meditation. Grateful and 
 splendid was the transition, even to the most dull 
 and insensible mind — from the dismal tyranny of 
 Torngak's worship, the dread of his vengeance, the 
 vague ideas of his icy kingdom, and the horror 
 which all the Esquimaux feel of death — to the 
 satisfying blessings of the religion of Christ. They 
 no longer trembled and wept at the approach of the 
 king of terrors; for a trust in a future glory was 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 263 
 
 peculiarly dear to their minds. The most striking 
 conversions were of these natives, who, like the 
 bandits of the Apennines, had led a life of blood and 
 crime : many of these men, superior in strength of 
 body as well as mind, had wantonly taken away 
 life, for the mere gratitication of caprice or cruelty, 
 till at last their anger or menace was regarded as a 
 .presage of sure death. Surrounded by flatterers 
 and dependents, from fear rather than attachment, 
 they knew no law but their own will ; and when 
 their revenge could not be gratified on the spot, 
 they waited some favourable opportunity, that was 
 sure to occur, and slew their victim on the hunting 
 or fishing grounds, or even in the bosom of his 
 family. The love of blood, and its dread indul- 
 gence, are perhaps harder to be laid aside than any 
 other guilty habit of our nature; — how can pity, 
 or the soft visitings of compunction, enter into the 
 seared heart, that has gloated on the agonies and 
 desolation of others? The last act of the aged 
 Uiverumna, whose nephew had become a Christian, 
 was to murder two orphan children. 
 
 Few were the instances in which these fierce- 
 men yielded to repentance, tifl depressed circum- 
 stances, when external aids and diversions were 
 taken away, urged them to seek rest from the pangs 
 of remorse. Even then the struggle was desperate, 
 and the convictions of guilt, and the dark me- 
 mories of the murdered, rising like spectres to lash 
 the troubled soul, were opposed by intermina- 
 ble pride, and a glorying in their lost might and 
 mastery, which could ill brook humility or broken- 
 ness of spirit. By degrees the race of these as- 
 sassins became extinct, and the weak and the 
 timid were delivered from their thraldom : the miser- 
 able usage of infanticide, so common among the 
 natives, and the more rare one of human sacrifices 
 to their gods, were heard of no more. 
 
204 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 The discipline observed in the settlements closely 
 resembles that of other Moravian institutions : the 
 teachers often visit the people in their homes, to 
 examine more closely into their moral conduct, as 
 v;ell as religious improvement ; and in the evening, 
 after the public meeting, many gather to the home 
 of their pastor, to converse with him. On the Sab- 
 bath the churches are diligently attended, the people 
 are neatly dressed, and behave with propriety and 
 seriousness : the class and the band meetings, in 
 which the sexes are separated, are favourite occa- 
 sions. No one has yet arisen, like Judith, of ex- 
 cellent memory, at Hernhuth, who persuaded the 
 young women to live in a house by themselves, 
 apart from the society of men : but the young men 
 have built themselves choir-houses, where they dwell, 
 have regular worship, and work for themselves, 
 under the inspection of one or more of their own 
 rank. Yet Judith found an imitator, of inferior in- 
 fluence and eloquence, at Okkak ; this was Esther, 
 a young widow, who, it is said, " often resorted to 
 a little hill, near Killanek, her birth-place, to pour 
 forth her prayers and sorrows alone : she kept her 
 profession of faith unblemished unto the end. She 
 constantly declined all offers of marriage, whether 
 from believers or heathen. Her natural talents 
 were considerable : she had been the wife of a 
 murderer and sorcerer, on account of whose crimes 
 her two children were put to death by the people : 
 her ardent aspirations after the blessings of religion 
 were unceasing. She quickly learned to read and 
 write, and the Scripture soon became familiar to 
 her memory. ' Like the fair recluse of Hernhuth, 
 she died in her youth. 
 
 The class and band meetino;s are favourite occasions 
 among the Esquimaux. In these small companies, the 
 business is not preaching or catechising, but, in a way 
 of familiar conversation ,each speaks openly and frankly 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. '265 
 
 of the state of his heart in general, liis increase in 
 ^race, or whatever has proved an impediment therein, 
 and they are occasionally directed how to proceed, 
 admonished, or encouraged. At times the mission- 
 aries have a conference with the helpers who pre- 
 side in these bands, to learn the situation of their 
 people, and to give them some needful instruc- 
 tions. In the summer, when the homes are pitched 
 on the sea-shore, or in the plain beside the lakes, 
 these social meetings are held at times in a tent, 
 or beneath a rock in the open air : if held in the 
 beautiful and lustrous night, when the sun goes 
 not down on the silent scenes, it must be impres- 
 sive to the feelings of the group of worshippers. 
 In the winter, when the evenings are so inclement 
 that they cannot go to the chapel, these bands 
 assemble in each otlier's dwelling ; and each indi- 
 vidual creeps through the low arch-way into the 
 well-lighted and comfortable interior, and takes his 
 seat on the snow-bench, covered with furs : when 
 the helper and the others also are come, the hymn 
 is raised ; then they pray together, heedless of the 
 wintry horrors without. Some of the latter were 
 at first startling to the nerves of the Europeans : 
 the peculiar and solemn distinctness with which 
 the human voice is heard from a great distance ; 
 the quick, melancholy howl of the dogs at evening ; 
 the fall of vast fragments from the cliffs, undermined 
 beneath, and precipitated into the sea with a crash 
 like that of an earthquake ; and in the description 
 in the Apocrypha, " the rushing by of fearful things, 
 which as yet they saw not." 
 
 ! Some years since, the writer passed a week at 
 one of the Moravian institutions — but in a far 
 different scene. The village stood in the midst of 
 a fruitful country, and was encompassed with a 
 rich belt of trees, and pleasant walks on every side. 
 The gardens were kept with almost religious care 
 
266 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 and neatness : for a love, as well as a knowledge, 
 of gardening, is early acquired by the Moravians. 
 As at Sarepta, there was one good little inn, in 
 the middle of the village : the chambers were ex- 
 quisitely clean ; pots of flowers in the windows, 
 that were half shaded by the trees. There was a 
 primitive simplicity and kindliness in the man- 
 ners of all the people ; who resembled a little 
 happy commonwealth, where comfort and peace, 
 but not luxury or refinement, dwelt. The inn 
 was the home of the traveller, whose evenings were 
 cheered by the visits of the minister, a young 
 and agreeable man, and perfectly communicative, 
 who invited him to attend the different services of 
 religion — in v/hich there was no formality, but an 
 earnestness, and, above all, a stillness. The bishop 
 was an elderly man, of mild and unpretending man- 
 ners ; unconscious, in appearance, of any station or 
 power above his fellows, or that any " of the mys- 
 teries of religion" rested on his head ; conversing 
 frankly and cheerfully on the institutions of the 
 United Brethren. To his residence in this plea- 
 sant spot, he seemed to be greatly attached ; for 
 quiet and retirement are rarely obtained by the 
 Moravian dignitaries, till after they have well borne 
 the heat and toil of the day. 
 
 The most interesting service here was the love- 
 feast. It was a beautiful evening in August; and 
 the setting sun shone throu2rh the windows of the 
 small, yet lofty chapel, on the silent and attentive 
 assembly. The sexes sat apart ; the men on the 
 left, and on the right the women — all dressed with 
 an excellent neatness and simplicity : the admirer 
 of Moravian beauty might have envied the situation : 
 the greater number of these ladies were young ; 
 each was habited in a dress of snowy whiteness, 
 with a white cap on the head, adorned with a pink 
 ribbon : a fair complexion, a blue eye, a mild and 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 267 
 
 hushed expression of feature were prevalent; many 
 were decidedly handsome, and finely formed. Tiie 
 method of courtship among the men is primitive, 
 but its delicacy cannot be applauded. These young 
 Moravian women, who often make the best wives 
 in the world, of undaunted courage, noble resig- 
 nation, and cheerful suffering, deserve to be sin- 
 cerely loved. The stillness of the assembly was 
 remarkable ; they sat like so many marble statues, 
 moulded with taste and skill, on whom life and 
 spirit must yet be breathed. But when the hymn 
 was given out, and all rose, and joined their 
 voices, the singing was most impressive ; prayer 
 followed ; then an address from the minister. Sub- 
 sequently, tea and cakes were handed round to 
 every one : another hymn followed, melodious as 
 the former. It was evident, by their demeanour 
 and conversation, that their religion was not a pain- 
 ful restriction, or formal profession only, to which 
 they were trained. Some parts of the discipline 
 were, perhaps, irksome to the more gay and lively 
 of the community ; for even in this lone retreat, 
 there were spirits who panted to see the world, to 
 prove its fascinations, and even perils, of which 
 they had heard, but never tasted. 
 
 The gradual, and at last effectual, change in the 
 morals and minds of the Esquimaux, is alone attri- 
 butable, under the Divine blessing, to the remark- 
 able endurance and perseverance of the missionaries. 
 Of these men, few ever returned to Europe : if 
 they desired earnestly at times to visit a gentler 
 land, a more attractive society, they suppressed the 
 desire. Twenty, forty, and even fifty years have been 
 passed by a few of these men in Labrador. What ad- 
 mirable patience and zeal, " which many floods could 
 not drown," or the frozen earth, and sea, and sky, 
 or the deadlier frost of the spirit, ever quench ! 
 In the autumn of 1828, their faith was severely. 
 
268 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 tried, by the prevalence of a pestilence, wbich' 
 threatened to destroy their whole congregation : 
 many perished ; a hundred and fifty lay ill at one 
 time : their own words aiford the best description. 
 " In many tents, all the families lay in a helpless 
 state, nor could any one give the other even so 
 much as a drop of water. Those who had recovered 
 a little, walked about like shadows : we were em- 
 ployed early and late, in preparing medicine, visiting 
 and nursing the sick : and all our spare time was 
 occupied in making coffins, and burying the dead. 
 Our stock of medicine was all expended : on some 
 days we had many funerals, and you may conceive 
 what we felt during such an accumulation of dis- 
 tress. Our only comfort was the state of mind of 
 those who departed this life ; they all declared 
 that they rejoiced in the prospect of seeing Him 
 face to face, who had redeemed them from the 
 power of sin, and the fear of death. Parents were 
 removed from the embraces of their children, and 
 departed with joy — so did the children from the 
 arms of those who had given them life. Here we 
 reaped the fruits of the tears of our predecessors. 
 Who would have expected this fifty years ago, when 
 no European durst shew his face without the risk 
 of being cruelly murdered, not to speak of the 
 human sacrifices offered up to appease evil spirits ?" 
 This is a beautiful and convincing testimony, and 
 tells more powerfully than many volumes, that 
 Christianity has ennobled, as well as blest, the natives 
 of Labrador. 
 
 Among: the Moravians, Kholmeister seems the 
 most eminent, having, by seventeen years of appli- 
 cation and practice, acquired a perfect acquaintance 
 with the native tongue, into which he has made 
 various translations. Surely none but Germans 
 would have given the Esquimaux a taste for music, 
 and a facility in playing several instruments. The 
 
MISSION AT l.AKRABorv. 260 
 
 cold ill iKis country is far luont intense than in 
 Greenland ; the reason assigned for this is, that 
 the north-west wind, which is the severest, comes 
 over an arm of the sea to the settlements in Green- 
 land, by which means the cold is lessened: on 
 the contrary, this severe wind, which prevails the 
 greater part of winter in Labrador, comes to that 
 coast over an immense frozen continent. Although 
 the houses of the missionaries are heated by large 
 cast-iron stoves, the windows and walls are all the 
 winter covered with ice, and the bed-clothes freeze 
 to the walls. Rum freezes in the air like water ; 
 and rectified spirits soon become thick like oil. 
 Though wrapped in furs, yet in a journey at this 
 season, their eyelids often freeze together in such 
 a manner, that they were continually obliged to 
 pull them asunder. By degrees, the natives have 
 built winter houses near the mission house, which 
 resemble European cottages, of stone, timber, and 
 sods : in every apartment the fire-lamp is kept 
 constantly burning; and the entrance is a long, 
 low passage, through which you creep rather than 
 walk. 
 
 The most animating scene in the Esquimaux life 
 is the sledge driving, to which the dogs are care- 
 fully trained : unharnessed at night, they burrow 
 in the snow wherever they please, and are sure to 
 return to the call of the driver in the morning. 
 Their strength and speed, even without food, are 
 astonishing. This people are expert drivers, and 
 the rapidity and excitement of thus dashing over 
 the snows, are delightful to the European, who sees 
 lakes, cliffs, and snow-drifts disappear from his eye 
 with magical swiftness. There is here one convenience 
 which is not possessed in Greenland; the countiy 
 supplies not only wood for fuel, but also timber (oi 
 most purposes of building. With a view to facili- 
 tate the necessarv labours of this kind, they liavc 
 
270 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 erected a saw-mill in each of the settlements. The 
 country is not without game, such as hares, wild 
 geese, patridges, &c., and the bays furnish plenty, 
 of fish. In some years they have even caught more 
 than six hundred large salmon-trout at Nain, which, 
 together with cod, are prepared for winter's use. 
 
 An expedition was undertaken by Kholmeister 
 and one of his companions, with several natives, to 
 explore the northern coast of Labrador, After 
 several days' sail, in which they were often era- 
 bayed in the ice, and struck on sunken rocks, they 
 arrived in Nullatartok bay, in the 59th degree of 
 north latitude : here they pitched their tents, and 
 passed twelve days in exploring the country. The 
 mountains were covered with moss, alder, birch, 
 and various shrubs and plants ; and the valleys 
 with grass, and a great variety of flowers. On the 
 15th of July, they steered towards Nachvak bay; 
 the magnificent mountains of which afforded them 
 a most enchanting prospect, especially at sun-rise. 
 Afterwards they passed the desert regions to the 
 west of Cape Chudleigh, where, on a coast of a 
 hundred miles in length, they did not meet a single 
 inhabitant. They at last got sight of the Ungava 
 country, the object of their hopes, where the people 
 welcomed them with shouts of joy. August 7th. 
 They arrived at the mouth of the George river : at 
 a short distance from the landing-place was a spot 
 well adapted for a missionary station. It was a 
 green slope, or terrace, overgrown with shrubs ; a 
 woody valley extended on one side. On the sum- 
 mits of the hills they erected high marks of stones, 
 and on a declivity on the right, they fixed a board, 
 on which was carved an inscription. Their situa- 
 tion was now critical ; the season was far advanced, 
 and they were only eighty miles distant from the 
 spot which they had fixed on as the final object of 
 the voyage. Six days farther progress brought 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 271 
 
 them to the river Koksoak, seven hundred miles 
 from Okkak : here there was a fine grassy slope, 
 with several rivulets issuing from the wood ; in which 
 they found various European plants, and flowers, 
 and shrubs, such as junipers, currants, &c. After 
 being absent fourteen weeks, they returned in 
 safety. 
 
 Many years passed, and unsurmountable diffi- 
 culties prevented the formation of the desired set- 
 tlement in the Ungava land : but the chosen scenes 
 were not forgotten by the discoverers or the natives, 
 who often ascended the hills where the signal-boards 
 had been fixed, and lingered long, looking anxiouslv 
 to sea-ward for the expected return of the mission- 
 aries. The Esquimaux resolved in council, that 
 they would cut no timber for the repair of their 
 boats in the Koksoak, that the woods might not be 
 injured when the Moravians should come and build 
 a settlement. They, therefore, went for wood into 
 the great river Assaviok ; where large timber trees 
 are to be found. 
 
 In the year 1830, the long-desired object was 
 accomplished. The society at home decided, that 
 in spite of every obstacle, a station should be formed 
 at Kangertluasok, where the northern Esquimaux 
 might receive the gospel. A vessel was freighted 
 with building materials and other stores, which 
 arrived safe on the coast of Labrador. The intrepid 
 missionaries at Okkak being, as they observed, 
 " favoured during last winter with such an ex- 
 traordinary sledge track, that the oldest inhabitants 
 cannot remember one so good," actually resolved to 
 transport all the frame-work, materials, &c., of the 
 mission house and church, by land, to Kangertluasok. 
 Away they went in sledges, with extreme rapidity, 
 over hill, and plain, and wastes of snow ; Esquimaux, 
 pastors, &c. all full of the keen excitement of vanquish- 
 ing Nature, even in her strong holds, and planting 
 
272 MISSION AT LABRADOR. 
 
 an enduring church in the long-loved spot. Since 
 travelling was first invented, there never was so 
 strange and romantic a journey : nor will there be 
 a similar one, till the prevalence of steam-carriages 
 and rail roads, shall transport us with breathless 
 haste from land to land. Rafters, shingles, even the 
 very rooms in frame, and the church bell, were seen 
 flying along plains, and down mountains, and over 
 frozen lakes, and even ocean, for it was the beginning: 
 of April. All arrived in safety; and the house 
 was erected, and covered with boarding on three 
 sides, before the arrival of the ships : so that the 
 cargo of the Oliver could be immediately brought 
 under cover. The house was forty-eight feet long, 
 and twenty-eight broad, two stories high; and con- 
 tained three dwelling rooms, and a kitchen on the 
 ground-floor. The country around Kangertluasok, 
 or Hebron, as it was called, looked green even at 
 this time of the year. In the course of three days, 
 forty-four thousand and nine hundred bricks were 
 landed from the Oliver, and brought under cover. 
 On the 29th, all the casks were emptied of their 
 contents. Already the heathen natives gathered fast 
 round the infant settlement : grossly ignorant they 
 appeared, and inferior in manners and appearance 
 to the congregations left behind, of Nain and 
 Hoped ale, 
 
 Hebron lies on the western shore of a large bay ; 
 on one hand is the great island Serlee, where the 
 Esquimaux pitch their tents in the spring. The set- 
 tlement stands forty paces from the water's-edge, on 
 a gentle eminence, from whence the prospect is very 
 extensive in fine weather. In the clear surface of 
 the vast basin, are reflected the rugged forms of the 
 opposite mountain range. As far as the eye can 
 reach, is one vast collection of rocks. The country 
 nnmediately around, is tolerably green, with a 
 wooded vale on one side, and hills on the ot^er. 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 273 
 
 The mountains that bound the prospect to the 
 north-west present a forbidding aspect ; not a blade 
 of grass is seen on the dark and continued preci- 
 pices of which they are composed. The mission- 
 house is already complete, with a large oven, a 
 boiler, and fire-places. 
 
 The last letter received says, " Every thing is 
 still in rather a rude and unfinished state; chairs, 
 tables, bedsteads, and the like, are to be made; 
 Freytag has his bed at present on a heap of shav- 
 ings. The reading-table in the temporary church 
 is a box set on end, upon which a flat board 
 has been nailed ; and the whole is covered with a 
 piece of coarse cloth : but, in due time, we hope all 
 will be in order. I must not omit to mention, that 
 the travelling-kitchen, with which each of our set- 
 tlements is supplied, proves a most acceptable and 
 useful gift. We have made more than one trial of 
 ours, and found it to answer completely. In a 
 quarter of an hour we were able, with the help of 
 a handful of wood, to boil our coffee, and to drink 
 it likewise. On the 10th of September, a storm 
 from the north-west carried away the scaffolding, 
 with the ladders, and every thing on that side of the 
 building ; and the next day, another gust served the 
 remainder of the scaffolding in the same unceremo- 
 nious manner, and scattered part of the materials 
 on the roof. October the 7th, three of our young 
 people offered to go overland to Okkak, and carry 
 letters for us. After waiting for near three weeks 
 with great anxiety for their return, they came on the 
 27th instant, after suffering very much from hunger 
 and fatigue." 
 
 The few and fearless Moravians are thus cheer- 
 fully exiled, even at a vast distance from the other 
 settlements. Yet they have their reward: when the 
 sabbath returns, in He*bron, and the bell peals it« 
 
 II. T 
 
274 MISSION AT LABRADOR. ' 
 
 solemn sounds over land and sea, and the boats 
 rapidly corne in sight from the villages, and the few 
 families of converts, neatly attired, gather to the 
 lonely church, and wait on the grassy slope, to hail 
 the minister's approach — surely his feelings are to be 
 be envied ! 
 
 The names of the missionaries at Nain, are, Kol- 
 meister, Morhardt, and Lundberg ; at Okkak, 
 Mentzel, Knaus, and Glitsch ; at Hebron, Chris- 
 tensen, Kreith, and others ; at Hopedale, Meisner, 
 Korner, and Kunatli. Even a sister, Etzel, had 
 found her way to the far Hebron, and ere long, as 
 was to be expected, consented to cheer the loneli- 
 ness of one of the Moravians; most of whom, in the 
 other stations, are married. 
 
 The number of Esquimaux Christians in the 
 different stations, at the close of 1831, were — at 
 Okkak, 382; Nain, 246; Hopedale, 181. 
 
 In Hebron, the infant station in the Ungava 
 country, the heathen natives are instructed with 
 anxious care ; but some considerable time must 
 elapse ere a community of Christians can be ga- 
 thered there. 
 
 The United Brethren adhere to the Augsburg, 
 confession of faith, *' which they consider as an 
 excellent and concise exposition of the essential 
 doctrines of Christianity.'' — The University of Tue- 
 bingen returned the following answer to an inquiry 
 submitted, in 1733, to its theological faculty: 
 ** That the Moravian Brethren may and ought to 
 adhere to their known ecclesiastical discipline and 
 regulations, which they have had for three hundred 
 years ; and, notwithstanding, may maintain their 
 connexion with the Protestant church." 
 
 On the ordination of Count Zinzendorf, to be a 
 bishop of the United Brethren, the primate of 
 England wrote him the following letter : — 
 
MISSION AT LABRADOR. 275 
 
 *' John, by Divine Providence, Archbishop of 
 Canterbury, to the Right Reverend Count Nicliolas 
 Lewis, Bishop of the Moravian church, sendetli, 
 greeting : 
 
 *' Most sincerely and cordially I congratulate you, 
 upon your having been lately raised to the sacred 
 and justly celebrated chair of the Moravian church, 
 (by whatsoever clouds it may be now obscured,) 
 by the grace of Divine Providence, and with the 
 applause of the heavenly host; for the opinion we 
 have conceived of you does not suffer us to doubt it. 
 It is tlie subject of my ardent prayer, that this 
 honour, so conferred, and which your merit so justly 
 entitles you to, may prove no less beneficial to the 
 church, than at all times acceptable to you and 
 yours. For, insufficient as I am, I should be 
 entirely unworthy of that high station in which 
 Divine Providence has placed me, were I not to 
 shew myself ever ready to make every exertion in 
 my power for the assistance of the universal church 
 of God ; and especially to love and embrace your 
 church, united with us by the closest bond of love, 
 and which has hitherto, as we have been informed, 
 invariably maintained both the pure and primitive 
 faith, and the discipline of the primitive church : 
 neither intimidated by dangers, nor seduced by the 
 manifold temptations of Satan. I request, in return, 
 the support of your prayers, and that you will salute 
 in my name, your brother bishop, as well as the 
 whole Christian flock, over which Christ has made 
 you an overseer. Farewell. 
 "Given at Westminster, the 10th of July, 1737." 
 
 t2 
 
276 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 ANNE HASSELTINE JUDSON. 
 
 *'TiiE Atlantic, like a river of Lethe," observes 
 Mather, *' causes us to forget many things on the 
 other side ;" but we ought not to forget that 
 America has been the birth-place, or the scene of 
 action, of the most eminent missionaries — Eliot, 
 Brainerd, Zeisberger, Kirkland ; till the age of 
 these strong and all-enduring men passed away — 
 and woman came on the field, in all her weakness, 
 and in all her heroism. 
 
 The subject of this memoir was born at Bradford, 
 Massachusetts, where her venerable parents yet 
 reside. In her early years she possessed an active 
 and persevering mind, ardent feelings, and an ex- 
 treme love of gaiety. That restless and enterprising 
 spirit was also manifest, which afterwards led her, 
 under a holier influence, to a distant and dangerous 
 career in Burmah. The love of travelling seemed 
 to grow with her years ; so that her mother once 
 said to her, *' I hope, my daughter, you will one 
 day be satisfied with rambling." A book could 
 allure her, at any time, from her favourite walks, 
 and from the gayest social circle. She was edu- 
 cated at the academy in Bradford. It is said, that 
 her preceptors and associates, even then, believed 
 they saw in her the promise of no ordinary destiny. 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 277 
 
 Harriett Newell, the youthful missionary to India, 
 was educated at the same academy. 
 
 At the age of fifteen, the spirit of Miss Has- 
 seltine was led to discover the infinite value of 
 religion. She immediately entered on its duties, 
 and sought for its pleasures, with all the ardour of 
 her character. An intimate friend at this time ob- 
 served, *' Redeeming love was now her favourite 
 theme. One might spend days with her, without 
 hearing any other subject reverted to. The throne 
 of grace was her early and late resort. I have 
 known her often to spend cold winter evenings in 
 her chamber, without fire : yet her love of social 
 pleasures was not diminished. Even now, I fancy I 
 see her, with strong feeling depicted on her counte- 
 nance, on which a heart-felt smile so often beamed." 
 
 When about twenty years of age. Miss Hassel- 
 tine first became acquainted with her future hus- 
 band. Mr. Judson had graduated at Brown uni- 
 versity, and was at this time on a tour through 
 the United States. He afterwards attended the 
 theological seminary at Andover, where the scepti- 
 cism of his sentiments was entirely shaken, and he 
 began to love that faith which he had hitherto 
 despised. Soon after, he met with Dr. Buchanan's 
 "Star in the East," which first led his thoughts to an 
 Eastern mission. The subject harassed his mind 
 from day to day ; he spoke of it to various indi- 
 viduals, but they all discouraged the attempt. An 
 American board, or association, being soon after- 
 wards formed, it was resolved, notwithstanding the 
 scantiness of the funds, to establish a mission in 
 Burmah, to which Mr. Judson, with three companions 
 were appointed. It is interesting to contrast the 
 state of the American board at the period alluded to, 
 when its members hesitated from a fear of ade- 
 quate funds, with the present condition of that 
 powerful body. 
 
278 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 Previous to this period, he had become ac- 
 quainted with Miss Hasseltine, and now made her 
 an offer of marriage. She hesitated painfully : 
 he possessed her affections — but she must leave 
 home and parents, and go forth to Burmah. No 
 female had ever yet left America as a missionary. 
 The general opinion was decidedly opposed to the 
 measure, which was deemed wild and romantic in 
 the extreme, and wholly inconsistent with prudence 
 and delicacy. Miss H. had no example to guide 
 and allure her ; her situation was like that of 
 Egede and his wife, when about to leave home and 
 friends for the wild Greenland mission : some 
 said that they were mad ; and others, that they were 
 going in search of gold and dominion in the frozen 
 zone. She met with no encouragement from the 
 greater part of those persons to whom she applied 
 for counsel : the more interested thought that 
 she was casting away all chance of a good es- 
 tablishment in her own land ; for her person was 
 handsome, her intellect fine, and her conversation 
 lively and agreeable. Her adventurous spirit, and 
 decision of character, now came to her aid. Her 
 journal, at this time of anxiety, shews the source 
 to which she resorted for direction and support : — 
 '* I endeavoured to commit myself entirely to God, 
 to be disposed of according to his pleasure. He 
 is now trying my faith and confidence in him, by 
 presenting dark and gloomy prospects. I feel that 
 his service is, and will be, my delight. For several 
 weeks past, my mind has been greatly agitated. 
 In full view of dangers and hardships, I give myself 
 up to this great work. This subject has occasioned 
 much self-examination to know on what my hopes 
 were founded ; and whether my love to God was 
 sufficiently strong to induce me to forsake much 
 for his cause. I commit this case to Him who 
 has a perfect understanding of the issue of all 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 279 
 
 events. 1 am fully satisfied that difficulties and 
 trials are more conducive than ease and prosperity, 
 to promote a growth in religion, and cherish an 
 habitual sense of dependence on God. Oh! direct 
 me, and I am safe ; use me in thy service, and I 
 ask no more ! My feelings have been exquisite 
 in regard to this subject." 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Judson were married in February, 
 1812; and he was ordained, together with four 
 companions, as missionaries, in the church in Salem. 
 The same month they sailed for Calcutta. Thus 
 afFectingly the youthful and exiled wife expresses 
 her feelings in her journal : — " Still my heart 
 bleeds. O America ! my native land, must I leave 
 thee ! Must I leave my parents, my sisters and 
 brother, my friends beloved, and all the scenes of 
 my early youth? Must I leave thee, Bradford, 
 my dear native town — where I spent the pleasant 
 years of childhood — where I learnt to lisp the name 
 of my mother — where my infant mind first began 
 to expand ? There I entered the field of science — 
 there I learnt the endearments of friendship, and 
 tasted of all the happiness this world can afford. 
 My tears flowed fast, and I could not be com- 
 forted." In June, the missionaries landed at Cal- 
 cutta, where they were welcomed to India by the 
 venerable Dr. Carey, who immediately invited them 
 to Serampore. The next morning they took a 
 boat, and went up the river fifteen miles to that 
 place. Mrs. Judson speaks in high terms of the 
 excellent order, industry, and economy, which dis- 
 tinguished the operations at that great missionary 
 establishment. 
 
 '' The house of Dr. Carey," she writes to her sister, 
 " is curiously constructed, as are the other European 
 houses here. There are no chimneys or fire-places 
 in them ; the roofs are flat ; the rooms twenty feet 
 in height, and proportionably large ; large windows. 
 
i^80 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 without glass, open from one room to another, that 
 the air may freely circulate through the house. 
 In the evening, we attended the English Episcopal 
 church ; it was very handsome ; and a number of 
 punkies, something like a fan, several yards in 
 length, hung around, with ropes fastened to the 
 outside, uhich were pulled by some of the natives, 
 to keep the church cool. We saw a wedding pro- 
 cession pass ; the bridegroom was carried in a 
 palanquin, with flowers in his hand, and on his 
 head ; he appeared to be about ten years of age ; 
 the procession were dressed in uniform, with large 
 branches of flowers, and instruments of music. 
 These missionaries are eminently pious, as well 
 as learned. Miss Marshman, only fourteen years 
 of age, reads and writes Bengalee, and has made 
 great progress in Greek and Hebrew. The garden 
 is far superior to any in America : it consists of 
 several acres, under the highest state of cultivation ; 
 fruits of various kinds, plants, flowers, and vegeta- 
 bles, grow here in great abundance. The pine- 
 apple grows on a low bush ; the plantain, on a tall 
 stalk." 
 
 After they had been here about ten days, they 
 were summoned to Calcutta; and an order of the 
 government, which at this time was resolutely 
 opposed to missions, was read to them, requiring 
 that they should immediately leave the country, and 
 return to America. This order was disregarded : 
 some months passed away, when the Bengal govern- 
 ment, offended by the prolonged residence of the 
 lonely couple, issued a peremptory order for their 
 being sent immediately on board a vessel bound 
 for England. Their names were inserted in the 
 public papers, as passengers on board a certain 
 ship ; and now there appeared very little hope of 
 their escape : they ascertained, however, that a ship 
 would sail for the Isle of France in two days, in 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 281 
 
 which they applied for permission to embark, but 
 were refused. They resolved to fly secretly, and, 
 at twelve o'clock at night, the coolies conveying the 
 baggage, they embarked, though the gates of the 
 dock-yards were closed. The vessel proceeded 
 down the river for two days, when a government 
 despatch arrived, forbidding the pilot to go farther, 
 as passengers were on board who had been ordered 
 for England. They took refuge in a tavern on the 
 shore, about a mile distant from the vessel : it was 
 not safe to continue there, nor could they think of 
 returning to Calcutta ; and it was necessary to fetch 
 the baggage from the ship. While her husband 
 went down the river sixteen miles farther, Mrs. 
 Judson set off alone, in a little boat, to reach the 
 vessel, which had now gone a good way down the 
 river. The river was very rough, in consequence of 
 a high wind : there was no umbrella, or any thing, 
 to screen her from the sun, which was intensely hot. 
 With some difficulty she reached the ship, and put 
 their effects in order, to be taken out in an hour or 
 two: *' Returning to land, I immediately procured a 
 large boat, to send for our baggage. I entered 
 a tavern, a stranger, and unprotected. I called for 
 a room, and sat down, to reflect on my disconsolate 
 situation. I had nothing with me but a few rupees. 
 I did not know that the boat which I sent after the 
 vessel would overtake it, nor where Mr. J. was. nor 
 when he would come. I thou o;ht of home, ►and said 
 to myself, These are some of the many trials attend- 
 ant on a missionary life, and which I had antici- 
 pated." There they waited several days, when a 
 vessel, bound to Madras, fortunately anchored op- 
 posite the tavern, and in this they at last obtained 
 leave to embark. 
 
 In a letter to her sister, she observes, ** I fre- 
 quently join with Ossian in saying, ' There is a joy 
 in grief, when peace dwells in the breast of the 
 
282 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 mournful.' Can I forget thee, oh, my country? 
 Can I forget the parental roof, and the loved asso- 
 ciates of my life ? Never, never, till the pulse 
 ceases to beat, and the heart to feel. Oh ! my 
 heavenly Father, my early, my present, my ever- 
 lasting Friend ! when prospects are dark and gloomy, 
 and distressing apprehensions weigh heavy on the 
 soul, He leads me to feel my dependence on him, 
 and lean on the bosom of infinite Love." 
 
 They arrived safely in the Isle of France, and 
 found that the early companion of her enterprise, 
 the amiable and attractive Harriett Newell, was no 
 more. Thus she laments for her friend : — " My 
 earliest associate is no more. Oh, death ! thou 
 destroyer of domestic felicity, could not this wide 
 world afford victims, that thou hast entered the 
 family of a solitary few, whose comfort and happi- 
 ness depended on the society of each other ? Could 
 not this infant mission be shielded from thy shafts ? 
 Be still, my heart, and know that God has done it. 
 Just and true are thy ways, O King of saints ! who 
 would not fear Thee? who would not love Thee? 
 The body now lies solitary and alone in yonder 
 healthy ground. No marble monument is erected, 
 to speak her worth ; no common grave-stone, to tell 
 the passenger, ' Here lies one who, for the love of 
 Christ, left the bosom of her friends, and found an 
 early grave in a land of strai:^ers.' " 
 
 But this lonely couple were no longer to wander 
 from place to place, uncertain of their destiny : it 
 appears, that about this time, a deep interest in 
 missionary exertions was excited in the Baptist 
 churches in America; so that, in April, 1814, the 
 Baptist General Convention was formed in Phila- 
 delphia. The executive business is performed by a 
 board consisting of a president, four vice-presidents, 
 a corresponding and a recording secretary, a trea- 
 surer, and thirty managers. One of the first acts 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 283 
 
 of the Convention was, to appoint Mr. and Mrs. 
 Judson as tlieir missionaries, leaving to their dis- 
 cretion to select a field of labour. 
 
 In May, 1813, they sailed for Madras, whence 
 they departed for Rangoon, and arrived safely in 
 July. Rangoon is the principal port of the Burman 
 empire, and is situated thirty miles from the sea, on 
 a river that is here about six hundred yards wide : 
 the water is in general deep, and the current 
 moderate ; ships of very large burden can come up 
 to the wharfs. The town stretches about a mile 
 along the shore, and contains forty thousand in- 
 habitants. * The first Protestant missionary who 
 visited Burmah, went from Serarapore in 1 807 ; and the 
 eldest son of Dr. Carey followed. Soon after, two 
 missionaries arrived from the London Missionary 
 Society ; one of whom died, and the other, after a 
 year's residence, removed to Vizagapatam. One of 
 the Serampore missionaries remained four years, 
 and made a considerable progress in the language : 
 he translated St. Matthew's Gospel, which was 
 afterwards revised and printed at Serampore. At 
 length, he also relinquished the mission : and 
 Carey, when Mr. Judson arrived, had gone to Ava 
 by order of the king. Mrs. Carey, who was a 
 native of the country, still resided at Rangoon, in 
 the mission house, which was erected in a pleasant 
 and rural spot, half a mile from the walls of the 
 town. The house was built of teak wood, and was 
 large, and convenient for that climate, though the 
 inside was unfinished, and the beams and joists were 
 naked. Connected with it were gardens enclosed, 
 containing about two acres of ground, and full of 
 fruit-trees of various kinds. In this quiet spot they 
 found a home, hired an able and intelligent teacher, 
 and commenced the study of the language. As the 
 native teacher did not understand English, their 
 only method at first, of acquiring information con- 
 
284 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 cerning the language, was to point to various objects; 
 the names of which, the teacher pronounced in Bur- 
 man. Thus they gradually obtained some know- 
 ledge of its vocabulary and structure : but, without a 
 grammar or a dictionary, and so little aid from their 
 teacher, the progress was slow and discouraging. 
 
 ** December 11th: To-day, for the first time, I 
 visited the wife of the viceroy. I was introduced to 
 her by a French lady, who has frequently visited her. 
 We had to wait some time : but the inferior wives 
 of the viceroy diverted us much by their curiosity, 
 by minutely examining every thing we had on, and 
 by trying on our gloves, bonnets, &c. At last, her 
 highness made her appearance, drest richly in the 
 Burman fashion, with a long silver pipe in her 
 mouth, smoking. At her appearance, all the other 
 wives took their seats at a respectful distance ; and 
 sat in a crouching posture, without speaking. She 
 received me very poUtely ; took me by the hand, seated 
 me upon a mat, and herself by me. One of the women 
 brought her flowers, of which she took several, and 
 ornamented my cap. When the viceroy came in, I 
 really trembled ; for I never before beheld such a 
 savage-looking creature : his long robe, and enor- 
 mous spear, not a little increased my dread." 
 
 In August, Mr. Carey, his wife, and children, 
 embarked in a brig for Ava; it was a most disas- 
 trous and fatal voyage. In the mean time, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Judson unremittingly pursued their studies, 
 being now left without any companions. — '*As it 
 respects ourselves," she writes, " we are busily em- 
 ployed all day long. Could you look into a large 
 open room, you would see Mr. Judson bent orver a 
 table covered with Burman books, with his teacher 
 at his side ; a venerable looking man, in his sixtieth 
 year, with a cloth wrapped round his middle, and a 
 handkerchief round his head. They talk and chat- 
 ter all day long, with hardly any sensation. My 
 
MRS. Jl DSON. 286 
 
 mornings are busily employed in giving orders to the 
 servants, providing food for the family, &c. At ten, 
 my teacher comes : when, were you present, you 
 might see me in an inner room, at one side of my 
 study table, and my teacher at the other, reading 
 Burman, writing, talking, &c. I have many more 
 interruptions than Mr. Judson, as I have the entire 
 management of the family. I can talk and under- 
 stand others better than he, though he knows more 
 about the nature and the construction of the lan- 
 guage. I am frequently obliged to speak Burman 
 all day." 
 
 In September, the birth of a son was another tax 
 on her time and attention. Yet as soon as her 
 strength allowed, she resolutely resumed her study 
 of the language ; in which she was now able to read 
 and write. Her husband had also made consider- 
 able progress in the Pali tongue ; which is the 
 learned language of the Burmans, 
 
 " We do hope," she writes, '' to live to see the Scrip- 
 tures translated, and a church formed from among 
 these idolaters. My husband sits at close study 
 twelve hours out of the twenty-four. It unavoidably 
 takes several years to acquire such a language, in 
 order to converse and write intelligibly on the great 
 truths of the gospel. Dr. Carey once told me, that 
 after he had been some years in Bengal, and thought 
 he was doing very well in conversing and preaching 
 with the natives, they (as he was afterwards con- 
 vinced) knew not what he was about. A young 
 missionary who expects to pick up the language in a 
 year or two, will probably find that he has not 
 counted the cost." 
 
 They appear to have felt an inexpressible resource 
 in their little boy ; as if society, and friends, and 
 comforts, were centered in his fragile being. When 
 he was taken from them, the blow fell heavily. 
 " Death," writes the mother, ^' has entered our 
 
286 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 dwelling, and made one of the happiest families 
 •wretched. That precious little gift had so com- 
 pletely entwined himself around his parents' hearts, 
 that his existence seemed necessary to their own. 
 But God has taught us by afflictions, what we would 
 not learn by mercies. During his little existence, 
 he never manifested the least anger or resentment 
 at any thmg. This was not owing to a want of 
 intellect, for his feelings of sensibility were very 
 conspicuous. Whenever I or his father passed his 
 cradle without taking him, he would follow us with 
 his eyes to the door, when they would fill with tears, 
 and his countenance, so expressive of grief, though 
 perfectly silent, that it would force us back to him ; 
 which would cause his little heart to be as joyful 
 as it had before been sorrowful. He would lie 
 hours on a mat by his father's study table, or by the 
 side of his chair, on the floor, if he could only see 
 his face. Though we were alone, we felt not the 
 solitude, when he was with us. I sat with him till 
 two o'clock : we then laid him in his bed. He 
 slept for half an hour ; when his breath stopped 
 without a struggle, and he was gone ! We buried 
 him in the afternoon of the same day, in a little en- 
 closure the other side of the garden ; forty or fifty 
 Burmans followed the last remains to the grave. 
 Our hearts were bound up in this child : we felt 
 that he was our earthly all, our only solace in this 
 heathen land." 
 
 Tender softness ! infant mild ! 
 Perfect, purest, brightest child : 
 Transient lustre — beauteous clay, 
 Smiling wonder of a day ! 
 Ere the last convulsive start 
 Rends thy unresisting heart ; 
 Ah, regard a mother's moan, 
 Anguish deeper than thy own. 
 Fairest eyes, whose dawning light 
 Late with rapture blest my sight, 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 287 
 
 Ere your orbs extinguished be 
 Bend tlieir trembling beams on me ! 
 Drooping sweetness ! verdant floAver ! 
 Blooming, Avithering, in an hour ! 
 Ere thy gentle breast sustains 
 Latest, fiercest, mortal pains, 
 ■ Hear a suppliant I let me be 
 
 Partner in tiiy destiny ! 
 That \vhene'er the fatal cloud 
 Must thy radiant temples shroud 
 AVhen deadly damps, impending now, 
 Shall hover round thy destined brow, 
 DifTusive may their influence be. 
 And with the blossom blast the tree 
 
 There is a quiet, yet thrilling interest, an exquisite 
 misery, in the scene here described. The lonely 
 couple, in their distant home, where no friend or 
 companion came, and Heaven as yet sent no suc- 
 cess ; the cheerless hearth, the waste chambers, to 
 whose solitude the first-born brought light and glad- 
 ness ; then the sudden breaking that silver cord — 
 that was beyond all price ! — the little tomb in the 
 garden, in the group of mango trees ; where he was 
 laid at sun-set ! The intense love of the lost and 
 only one, struggled for a while with her faith in 
 God, and then sank before it : *' O may it not be in 
 vain that he has done it !" was her fine expression : 
 with all the energy of Rachel telling her tale of 
 woe, yet not " refusing to be comforted." 
 
 She strove to animate her husband's mind ; and, 
 after a fortnight, they resumed their study — sad 
 and heartless study, of a rugged and cruel tongue, 
 in a land of strangers, where the earth was scarcely 
 cold above their only son. For three years had 
 they laboured thus in silence. ** Alas !" were her 
 words, *' we have no fire-side — no social circle. 
 The anguish is a little abated ; but when for a 
 moment we realize what we once possessed, and 
 our now bereaved state, the wound bleeds afresh. 
 Yet I will still say, * Thy will be done.' God saw 
 
288 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 it was necessary to strip us of our little all." Had 
 her mind been less elevated or refined, she might have 
 brooded, as many others have done, painfully and 
 sadly on her many trials. There was much to bear 
 and to overcome in her situation — an affectionate 
 family, of parents, brothers, sisters, were for ever 
 left behind, as well as the enjoyments of society, 
 "the blessed intellectual world." Her husband, 
 studying twelve hours a day, could spare to her 
 but little of his time or conversation ; and when 
 the sun rose, it ever brought the same course of 
 mental toil, and the evening often found her com- 
 panionless, nursing *' her own lone thoughts." 
 Perhaps her mother's words sometimes recurred to 
 her mind, " I hope, my daughter, you will one day 
 be satisfied with rambling." All who have wan- 
 dered much, have felt that the exciting change of 
 scene and clime is the surest earthly balm for sad- 
 ness, the richest enhancement of happiness ; and 
 her enterprising spirit would have delighted in such 
 a career, if she had believed it her duty. 
 
 But at Rangoon, she was chained to the oar, 
 among a people, in common with whom there were 
 no sympathies, no intercourse of mind : *' believ- 
 ing, against hope," that one^day a ray of success 
 would dawn on their way. *' But all is Egyptian 
 darkness around us, she observes, " not a glimpse, 
 of light. ' How much more hard is it to practise 
 the quiet and stern lessons of goodness, patience, 
 and virtue, in a painful and dull scene, where no 
 tidings come of our usefulness and success, — than 
 to dare the burning deserts or the savage shore ; while 
 the deep interest of others is given to our every 
 peril and conquest. To the spirit of a woman, 
 young, gifted, and adventurous, the contra&t might 
 well seem peculiarly hard. She was now called to 
 nurse her husband, and her own health began to 
 fail : by incessant study, that had enabled him to 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 239 
 
 complete a tract in the Burman language (a Sum- 
 mary of the Christian Religion,) his eyes became so 
 weak, and his head so much affected, that he could 
 not even look into a book. 
 
 Her former estate was crushed ; the glorious 
 pride of the mother, the hope, the all ! The loss 
 of wealth, liberty, reputation ; — even the dwelling 
 with poverty, " as an armed man," is perhaps 
 easier to bear than the taking away those trea- 
 sures of tenderness which have opened a new 
 world on the heart. With what simple and beau- 
 tiful force is described in Scripture, the desire of 
 the Shunammite, who was " a great woman,' and 
 lived delicately, and apart from the world, to pos- 
 sess a son ; her unutterable sorrow when he was 
 taken from her ; and the energy of her resolve, to 
 rescue him from the grasp of death. And when 
 life came again, the mother dared not trust her 
 feelings to words — " She fell at his feet, and bowed 
 herself to the ground, and took up her son, and 
 went out." 
 
 It is Said, that when natures, full of tenderness 
 and sensibility, and crushed beneath a recent blow, 
 are yet able to pursue unshrinkingly their arduous 
 purpose — the conquest is a noble one. Such was 
 that of Anne Judson, who never allowed the in- 
 dulgence of her feelings, the dearest luxury of the 
 mourner, to trench for a moment on the petty and 
 arduous duties of every hour. In a letter, she 
 thus writes, " Mr. Judson's illness is gradually in- 
 creasing : I read to him in Burman, and in this way 
 he is enabled to continue his studies. But, at pre- 
 sent, the state of his nerves is such, that he cannot 
 even bear me to read. And now, my dear parents, 
 I think I hear you say, Is it not best entirely tcP 
 abandon your object, and come home to America, 
 and settle down in peace and quiet ? No ! my heart 
 is fixed : and I wi!l relinquish this mission only with 
 
 II. u 
 
290 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 my life. The sun of another holy Sabbath has 
 arisen upon us, and, though no chiming of bells 
 has called us to the house of God, yet we, two in 
 number, have bowed the knee to our Father in 
 heaven, and commemorated the dying love of our 
 Saviour. Since worship, I have stolen away to a 
 much-loved spot, where sleeps my lost, darling child. 
 It is a little enclosure of mango trees, in the centre 
 of which is erected a small bamboo house, on a 
 rising spot of ground, which looks down on the new- 
 made grave. Here I now sit ; and, though all 
 nature around wears a most romantic, delightful 
 appearance, yet my heart is sad, and my tears fre- 
 quently stop my pen. Those who have never lost 
 a first-born, cannot know my pain. Do not think, 
 though I write thus, that I repine at the dealings of 
 Providence : though I may say, with the prophet, 
 * Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto 
 my sorrow,' yet I will also add, ' though he slay me, 
 yet will I trust in Him.' " 
 
 Thus passed many months away, when they had 
 the pleasure, in October, of seeing arrive two aux- 
 iliaries to the mission at Rangoon, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hough. The prospect now began to brighten a 
 little : Mr. Judson, whose health was somewhat 
 restored, having prepared several tracts in the Bur- 
 man language, which he wished to be printed at 
 Serampore, Dr. Carey and his associates, with their 
 characteristic liberality, made a present to the 
 mission of a printing press, types, and apparatus, 
 which were set up at Rangoon, and several tracts 
 were struck off. '' The climate is good," they ob- 
 serve, " but it is a most wretched place : use has 
 made our temporal privations familiar, and easy to 
 be borne. The Burmans, when any thing is said 
 •to them on the subject of divine truth, inquire for 
 ■our holy books ; and it is a pleasing fact, that 
 scarce! v a Burman, with the exception of the 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 291 
 
 females, Is incapable of reading the two little tracts 
 which are finished ; one a summary of Christian 
 doctrine, the other a catechism — the first printing; 
 ever done in Burmah." By this time, the language 
 had been acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Judson : a 
 grammar had been prepared, and an edition of 
 eight hundred copies of St. Marthew's Gospel, trans- 
 lated by the former, was now commenced. 
 
 The lady of the viceroy paid them a visit of 
 condolence, and invited them to go into the country 
 with her, for the benefit of their health, that their 
 minds, as she expressed it, might become cool. 
 *' We consented," she writes, " and she sent us au 
 elephant, with a howdah upon it, for our con- 
 veyance. We went three or four miles through the 
 woods : sometimes the small trees were so near 
 together, that our way was impassable but by the 
 elephant's breaking them down, which he did with 
 the greatest ease, at the word of the driver. The 
 scene was truly interesting : picture to yourselves 
 thirty men, with spears and guns, and red caps on 
 their heads, which partly covered their shoulders, 
 then the elephant, with its gilt howdah, in which 
 was a tall and genteel female, richly dressed in red 
 and white silk. Then followed her son, and some 
 of the members of government ; two or three hun- 
 dred followers concluded the procession. Our ride 
 terminated in the centre of a beautiful garden of 
 the viceroy. I say beautiful, because it was en- 
 tirely the work of nature : art had no hand in it. 
 It was full of a variety of fruit-trees, growing wild 
 and luxuriant. The noble banyan tree formed a 
 delightful shade, under which our mats were spread, 
 and we seated ourselves, to enjoy the scenery around 
 us. Nothing could exceed the endeavours of the 
 vice-reine to make our excursion agreeable. She 
 gathered fruit, and pared it ; culled flowers, and 
 knotted them, and presented them with her owu 
 
 u 2 
 
292 MUS. JUDSON. 
 
 hands. At dinner, she had her cloth spread by 
 ours. We returned in the evening." 
 
 This excursion was a relief to the tedium and 
 sameness of their life. An occasional visit to the 
 interior of the country v?ould have been delightful, 
 but their daily studies and duties allowed not of 
 such an indulgence. The neighbouring shores of 
 the Irawaddy are flat and marshy ; but beyond 
 are hills, picturesque valleys, and majestic moun- 
 tains : the plains are fruitful, and well stocked 
 with cattle ; and wild beasts abound in the an- 
 cient forests. In the bosom of a lofty moun- 
 tain, at whose base flows the river Kenduem, 
 are the mines of gold and silver, rubies and sap- 
 phires ; precious stones are found in several parts 
 of the empire ; and gold is gathered in the sands 
 of the mountain streams : one of these in the north, 
 situated between the Irawaddy and the Kenduem, 
 is poetically called " the stream of golden sand :** 
 the gigantic teak-tree grows in all parts of the 
 country. The ruins of a forsaken city give, in 
 one place, a mournful interest to the land : they 
 are those of Pah-gan, the ancient seat of govern- 
 ment; where temple, monument, and palace cover 
 the plain — with no tenant, save the beast of prey, or 
 the benighted passenger. Many of the tombs, and 
 other remains, offer an excellent shelter from the 
 heat by day, and the keen blast by night ; like the 
 graves of the ancient Jews, hewn out of the rock, 
 from which the ashes have long ago been scattered, 
 and whose dry and gloomy interior is a welcome 
 resting-place. More simple, and equally impres- 
 sive, is the burial-place of the Santon, or holy man, 
 on the confines of the sultry plain, the most useful 
 canonization of departed santity ever practised- 
 miracles, and masses of relics, are as dust in the 
 balance, compared to the shadow of the sycamore 
 or the palm-tree, and the clear lovely pool of water 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 293 
 
 beneath inviting the wanderer to rest and be com- 
 forted, while he thinks, mean while, of the flitting 
 dream of hfe. 
 
 One of the hardest lessons to the missionary, 
 is, cheerfully to acquiesce in not being conspi- 
 cuously useful. The enterprise of Mrs. Judson 
 had excited much observation in her native land ; 
 many ladies had exclaimed against it, as bold and 
 romantic in the extreme — a young woman, who pre- 
 viously had scarcely quitted her father's roof, to go 
 to a mighty empire, to convert its fierce and heathen 
 people ! Even her own family did not partake 
 in her enthusiasm. How grateful, as well as tri- 
 umphant to her soul, could she but defeat these 
 predictions, and stifle every murmur, by sending 
 home the exciting detail of Burmese conversions ? 
 she felt poignantly that she had no glad tidings to 
 communicate ; like the heroic wife of Egede, in 
 the wastes of Greenland, she heard the voice of 
 derision and unbelief afar off, but refused to turn 
 aside from her career. Even the rigours of a polar 
 winter are, perhaps, as favourable to hard study as 
 the enervating climate of the East, where the imagi- 
 nation is peculiarly vivid and active ; and it is a 
 luxury to pass hours, like the Oriental, in indolent 
 musing : but the mind shrinks from long-sustained 
 labour and energy. And the Burman language 
 was the most baffling and sad that ever arose 
 out of the confusion of Babel, being little more to 
 the eye than an endless succession of oval forms, 
 like bubbles on the stream. " We find the letters 
 and words all totally destitute of the least resem- 
 blance to any other language ; and the words not 
 divided or distinguished, but run together in one 
 continuous line, a sentence or paragraph seeming 
 to the eye but one long word ; when, instead of 
 clear characters on paper, we find only obscura 
 
294 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 scratches on dried palm-leaves, strung together, and 
 called a book." 
 
 The newly printed tracts were in the mean time 
 read by numbers, and several began to call at the 
 mission-house, to inquire more particularly into the 
 new religion. Mrs. J. had gathered a little society 
 of fifteen or twenty females, who met on the Sab- 
 bath, when the Scriptures were read, which she 
 afterwards endeavoured to explain. One of her 
 letters describes the celebrated pagoda at Rangoon : 
 *' Priest and people come in boats from a great dis- 
 tance ; the viceroy goes out in all the pomp and 
 splendour possible. After kneeling and worship- 
 ping at the pagoda, they generally spend the day in 
 amusements, such as boxing, dancing, singing, 
 theatrical exhibitions, and fire-works : great and 
 expensive offerings are made at this season. One, 
 last season, presented by a member of government, 
 cost twelve hundred dollars ; it was a kind of port- 
 able pagoda, 100 feet in height, made of bamboo 
 and paper, richly ornamented with gold leaf and 
 paintings. There are various kinds of artificial 
 trees, the branches of which are filled with cups, 
 bowls, handkerchiefs, and articles of all descrip- 
 tions. 
 
 "The pagoda, to which such multitudes resort, 
 is one of the largest and most splendid in the 
 empire. After having ascended a flight of steps, a 
 large gate opens, when a wild fairy scene is 
 abruptly presented to view. It resembles the 
 descriptions we sometimes have in novels, of en- 
 chanted castles, or ancient abbeys in ruins, unlike 
 any thing we ever met with in real life. The 
 ground is completely covered with a variety of 
 ludicrous objects, which meet the eye in every 
 direction, interspersed with the banyan, cocoa-nut, 
 and toddy trees. Here and there are large opea 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 295 
 
 buildings, containing huge images of Gaudama, 
 some in a sitting, some in a sleeping position, 
 surrounded by images of priests and attendants, in 
 the act of worship, or listening to his instructions. 
 Before the image of Gaudama are erected small 
 altars, on which offerings of fruit, flowers, &c. are 
 laid. Large images of elephants, lions, angels, and 
 demons, together with a number of indescribable 
 objects, — all assist in filling the picturesque scene. 
 The ground on which this pagoda is situated com- 
 mands a view of the surrounding country, which 
 presents one of the most beautiful landscapes in 
 nature. The polished spires of the pagodas glisten- 
 ing among the trees at a distance, appear like the 
 steeples of meeting-houses in our American sea- 
 ports. The verdant appearance of the country, the 
 hills and valleys, ponds and rivers, the banks of 
 which are covered with cattle and flelds of rice ; 
 each, in their turn, attract the eye, and cause the 
 beholder* to exclaim, ' Was this delightful country 
 made to be the residence of idolaters ? Are those 
 glittering spires, which, in consequence of associa- 
 tion of ideas, recall to mind so many animating 
 sensations, but the monuments of idolatry ? O my 
 friend ! scenes like these, productive of feelings so 
 various and opposite, do, notwithstanding, fire the 
 soul with an unconquerable desire to make an effort 
 to rescue this people from destruction, and lead 
 them to ' the Rock that is higher than they !' " 
 
 In December, 1817, Mr. Judson left Rangoon 
 for Arracan, for the benefit of his health, and to 
 procure one of the native Christians residing there, 
 who spoke the Burman language, to assist him in 
 his first public attempts to preach the gospel. He 
 designed to be absent for three months ; but the 
 vessel met with tempestuous weather and contrary 
 winds, so that he was carried to a place three hun- 
 dred miles from Madras, to which he was obliged to 
 
296 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 travel by land. There he endeavoured to obtain a 
 passage for Rangoon, but was unsuccessful. Six 
 months thus passed away. 
 
 Mr. Hough and his family also embarked for 
 Bengal, leaving the solitary wife in the belief that 
 her husband had perished. *' Alone, in this great 
 house," she writes, " without an individual except a 
 little girl and some Burmans, I resolved on not pro- 
 ceeding with my friends to Bengal. I know I am 
 surrounded by dangers on every hand, but at pre- 
 sent I am tranquil, and shall pursue my studies as 
 formerly, and leave the event with God." 
 
 A few weeks afterwards, this bitter suspense was 
 terminated, and the husband returned. Mr. Judson 
 was now sufficiently master of the language to preach 
 publicly. By private conversation, and by means 
 of the press, a slight progress had been made : 
 and they believed the time had arrived for public 
 and more enlarged efforts. It was resolved to erect 
 a small building near a great road leading to one of 
 the principal pagodas, and consequently much 
 thronged. This was a hazardous attempt. The 
 missionaries had hitherto been unmolested, because 
 they lived retired, and had obtained the favour of 
 the viceroy. Bnt a public attempt to convert the 
 natives to Christianity was likely to attract the 
 attention and displeasure of the government. It 
 was well known that a renunciation of the estab- 
 lished religion would be punished with death. 
 
 ■^In April, 1819, the zayat or chapel was opened, 
 and a new era in the mission commenced. The 
 congregation consisted of fifteen persons only. One 
 evening they went to hear a popular Burman 
 preacher. On their arrival, they found a zayat, in 
 the precincts of one of the most celebrated pagodas, 
 lighted up, and the floor spread with mats. In the 
 centre was a frame, raised about eighteen inches 
 from the ground, where the preacher, on his arrival, 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 297 
 
 seated lilmself. He appeared to be about forty-five 
 years of age, of very pleasant countenance and 
 harmonious speech. He was once a priest, but is 
 now a layman. The people, as they came in, 
 seated themselves on the mats, the men on one side 
 of the house, and the women on the other. Each 
 one then took the flowers and leaves, which had 
 been previously distributed, and, placing them be- 
 tween his fingers, raised them to his head, and in 
 that respectful posture remained motionless until 
 the service was closed^ When all things were 
 properly adjusted, the preacher closed his eyes, and 
 commenced the exercise, which consisted in repeat- 
 ing a poition from their sacred writings. His 
 subject was, the conversion of the two prime 
 disciples of Gaudama, and their subsequent promo- 
 tion and glory. His oratory I found to be entirely 
 different from all that we call oratory. He first 
 seems dull and monotonous ; but presently his soft 
 mellifluent tones win their way into the heart, and 
 lull the soul into that state of calmness and serenity, 
 which, to a Burman mind, somewhat resembles the 
 boasted perfection of their saints of old. His dis- 
 course continued about half-an-hour, and, at the 
 close, the whole assembly burst out into a short 
 prayer; after which, all rose and retired. This man 
 exhibited twice every evening, in different places. 
 Indeed, he is the only popular lay preacher in the 
 place. As for the priests, they preach on special 
 occasions only, when they are drawn from their 
 seclusion and inactivity by the solicitations of their 
 adherents. 
 
 ** Our own zayat," writes Mrs. Judson, " is 
 raised four feet from the ground, and is divided into 
 three parts. The first division is laid entirely open 
 to the road; it is made of bamboo and thatch, and is 
 the place where Mr. Judson sits all the day long, 
 and says to the passers by, ' Ho ! every one that 
 
298 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 thirsteth,' &c. The next and middle division ii5 a 
 large airy room, with four doors and four windows, 
 opening in opposite directions, made entirely of 
 boards, and is white-washed, to distinguish it from 
 the other zayats around us. In this room we have 
 public worship in Burman on the Sabbath ; and in 
 the middle of which, I am situated at my writing- 
 table, while six of the male scholars are at one end, 
 each with his torch and black board, over which he 
 is industriously bending, and emitting the curious 
 sounds of the language. The third and last divi- 
 sion is only an entry way, which opens into the 
 garden leading to the mission-house. In this apart- 
 ment, all the women are seated with their lights and 
 black boards, much in the same position and em- 
 ployment as the men. The black board, on which 
 all the Burmans learn to read and write, answers 
 the same purpose as our slates. They are about a 
 yard in length, made black with charcoal and the 
 juice of a leaf; and letters are clearly imprinted 
 with a species of white stone, a little similar to our 
 slate pencils. A lesson is written out on this board 
 by an instructor ; and when the scholar is perfect 
 master of it, it is erased, and a new one written. 
 The Burmans are truly systematic in their element- 
 ary instructions, and a scholar is not considered 
 qualified to read without spelling, until he has a 
 perfect knowledge of all the various combinations 
 of letters. 
 
 " I have been attending to the Siamese language 
 for a year and a half, and have not found it so difficult 
 as the Burman. There are several thousands of 
 Siamese who live in Rangoon, and who speak and 
 write the pure language of Siam. With the assist- 
 ance of the teacher, I have made a translation of the 
 Burman catechism, tracts, &c. I have also nearly 
 completed a translation of one of their celebrated 
 books into English. It is an account of the incar . 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 299 
 
 nation of one of their deities, when he existed in the 
 form of a great elephant." 
 
 A memorable day at last dawned on this mis- 
 sion, when the first convert entered the zayat, and 
 listened to the words, that sank into his heart : he 
 afterwards visited, and conversed often with Mr. 
 Judson. Two months afterwards, he was publicly 
 baptized ; a day, as it was expressed, of unutter- 
 able joy to the missionaries, who had so long la- 
 boured in vain. Another edition, of five thousand 
 copies, of the tract on the Christian religion, was 
 published and circulated. Several other converts 
 followed, chiefly young men ; their baptism in the 
 river took place about sun-set. " We felt," it is 
 expressed, " on the banks of the water, as a little, 
 feeble, solitary band : no w'ondering crowd was on 
 the adjacent hill; no hymn of praise expressed the 
 feeling of joyous hearts ; stillness and solemnity 
 j)ervaded the scene." 
 
 A few weeks afterwards, it is written ; " Ever 
 since the affair of Moung-sha-gong, there has been an 
 entire fallmg off at the zayat. We sometimes sit there 
 a whole day without a single visitor, though it is 
 the finest part of the year. This man's conversation 
 was peculiarly agreeable, on account of his superior 
 talents, and extensive acquaintance with Barman 
 and Pali literature. He is the most powerful rea- 
 soner I have ever met with in this country. It was 
 mentioned before the vicerov, that he had renounced 
 the religion of his country ; the viceroy gave no 
 decisive answer, but merely said. Inquire further 
 about him. This reached the ears of Moung-sha- 
 gong, and he immediately went to the Mangen 
 teacher ; and I suppose apologized, and explained, 
 and flattered. But he is evidently falling off from 
 the investigation of the Christian religion. We 
 and our object are now well known throughout 
 Rangoon. None wish to call, as formerly, out of 
 
300 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 curiosity ; and none dare to call from a spirit of 
 religious inquiry. And were not the leaders in 
 ecclesiastical affairs confident that we shall never 
 succeed in making converts, I have no doubt we 
 should meet with persecution and banishment. 
 Our business must be fairly laid before the em- 
 peror. If he frown on us, all missionary attempts 
 within his dominions will be out of the question. 
 If he favour us, none of our enemies, during the 
 continuance of his favour, can touch a hair of our 
 head." 
 
 Accordingly, Messrs. Judson and Colman set out 
 on their journey to Ava. They embarked in a 
 boat, six feet wide and forty feet long, and rowed 
 by ten men ; the faithful Moun-hou accompanied 
 them. They took with them, as a present to his Bur- 
 man majesty, the Bible, in six volumes, covered with 
 gold leaf in the Burman style, and each volume en- 
 closed in a rich wrapper. Mr. Judson speaks of the 
 ruins of Pah-gan, on the way to Ava : — ** Took a 
 survey of the splendid pagodas and extensive ruins, 
 in the environs of this ancient city ; ascended, 
 as far as possible, some of the highest edifices ; 
 and, at the height of one hundred feet, beheld all 
 the country round, covered with temples and monu- 
 ments of every sort and size — some in utter ruin, 
 some fast decaying. Here, about eight hundred 
 years ago, the religion of Boohd was first publicly 
 recognized, and established as the religion of the 
 empire. There, Shen Ahrahban, the first Boodhist 
 apostle of Burmah, under the patronage of the 
 king, disseminated the doctrines of atheism, and 
 taught his disciples that utter annihilation was the 
 supreme good." < 
 
 — On the twenty-fifth of January, they arrived 
 safely at the capital of the empire, where they 
 found their old friend, the viceroy of Rangoon, and 
 his lady, who received them very kindly. At length 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 301 
 
 they obtained admission to the imperiul person. 
 *' We proceeded to the palace, and deposited a 
 present for the private minister of state, Moung- 
 yah, and were ushered into his apartments. He 
 received us very pleasantly. Just at this crisis, 
 some one announced that the golden foot was about 
 to advance ; on which the minister hastily rose up, 
 and put on his robes of state, saying, that he must 
 seize the moment to present us to the emperor. 
 He conducted us through various splendour and 
 parade, until we ascended a flight of stairs, and 
 entered a most magnificent hall. He directed us 
 where to sit, and took his place on one side ; the 
 present was placed on the other; and Moung-yah, 
 and another officer of Mya-day-mer sat a little 
 behind. The scene to which we were now intro- 
 duced really surpassed our expectation. The spa- 
 cious extent of the hall, the number and magnitude 
 of the pillars, the height of the dome, the whole 
 completely covered with gold, presented a most 
 grand and imposing spectacle. Very few were pre- 
 sent, and those evidently great officers of state. 
 Our situation prevented us from seeing the farther 
 avenue of the hall ; but the end where we sat 
 opened into the parade, which the emperor was 
 about to inspect. We remained about five minutes, 
 when every one put himself into the most respect- 
 ful attitude, and Moung-yah whispered that his 
 majesty had entered. We looked through the hall 
 as far as the pillars would allow, and presently 
 caught sight of this modern Ahasuerus. He came 
 forward, unattended, in solitary grandeur, exhibiting 
 the proud gait and majesty of an Eastern monarch. 
 His dress was rich, but not distinctive ; and he 
 carried in his hand the gold-sheathed sword, which 
 seems to have taken the place of the sceptre of 
 ancient times. But it was his high aspect and 
 commanding eye that chiefly riveted our attention. 
 
302 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 He strided on. Every head, excepting ours, waH 
 now in the dust. We remained kneeling, our hands 
 folded, and our eyes fixed on the monarch. When 
 he drew near, we caught his attention. He stop- 
 ped partly, and turned towards us. '' Who are 
 these V ' The teachers, great king,' I replied. 
 * What, you speak Burman — the priests that I heard 
 of last night ? When did you arrive ? Are you 
 teachers of religion? Are you like the Portuguese 
 priests? Are you married? Why do you dress 
 so?' 
 
 " These, and some other sJmilai' questions, we 
 answered, when he appeared to be pleased with us, 
 and sat down on an elevated seat, his hand resting 
 on the hilt of his sword, and his eyes intensely 
 fixed on us. Moung-yah now began to read the 
 petition. The emperor heard, and stretched out 
 his hand. Moung-yah, the minister of state, 
 crawled forward, aud presented the petition.- His 
 majesty began at the top, and deliberately read 
 it through ; he handed it back without saying a 
 word, took the tract which I had prepared, and read 
 the two first sentences, which assert that there is 
 one eternal God, who is independent of the inci- 
 dents of mortality ; and that besides him there is no 
 God. Then, with an air of indifference, perhaps 
 disdain, he dashed it down to the ground. Moung- 
 yah stepped forward, picked it up, and handed it 
 to us. Moung-yah made a slight attempt to save us, 
 by unfolding one of the volumes which composed 
 our present, and displaying its beauty ; but his 
 majesty took no notice. Our fate was decided. 
 After a few moments, Moung-yah interpreted his 
 royal master's will, in the following terms: — "In 
 regard to the objects of your petition, his majesty 
 gives no order. In regard to your sacred books, 
 his majesty has no use for them : take them away." 
 
 On their return to Rangoon, in the middle of 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 303 
 
 Pebruary, they immediately called the three dis- 
 ciples together, and disclosed to them their design 
 of departing, to establish a mission in another 
 tract of country. They expected, that the refusal 
 of the emperor would discourage these men ; but 
 they vied with each other in zeal and energy, and 
 strove to convince their teachers that the cause was 
 not quite desperate. This firmness decided Mr. and 
 Mrs. Judson to continue in Rangoon, while their 
 companions embarked for Bengal. A partial suc- 
 cess attended the efforts of the former ; six more 
 sincere converts to Christianity requested baptism : 
 among them was Moung-sha-gong, the able teacher 
 and casuist, whose doubts were at last succeeded 
 by an earnest and settled faith. Another of these 
 converts was a young woman, of the name of Mah 
 Men-la, who, convinced by several conversations 
 with Mrs. Judson, resolved to renounce the worship 
 of Gaudama. 
 
 In the beginning of August, they sailed to 
 Calcutta, for the restoration of the health of 
 Mrs. Judson ; and, after an absence of five months, 
 returned to Rangoon. '' As we drew near the town, 
 we strained our eyes, to distinguish the countenances 
 of our friends assembled on the wharf. The first 
 that we recognized was the teacher, Moung-sha- 
 gong, with his hands raised to his head, as he dis- 
 cerned us on the deck : landing, we met successively 
 with all the other disciples and inquirers. It was 
 delightful to find, that though they had, during our 
 absence, been almost destitute of means of grace, 
 and been exposed to severe extortion and oppres- 
 sion ; yet not one of them had dishonoured his 
 profession, but all remained firm in their faith and 
 attachment to the cause," 
 
 The converted casuist was now employed in 
 assisting his teacher in a thorough revision of those 
 parts of the New Testament which had been trans- 
 
304 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 lated, but not yet printed, namely, the Epistle to 
 the Ephesians, and the first part of the Acts. These 
 were sent to Serampore, to be printed. The declin- 
 ing health of Mrs. Judson required a removal to a 
 more propitious climate. She sailed to Calcutta, 
 with the intention of visiting England. In sorrow 
 she parted from " the flower of our little church," as 
 she termed it. Those only who have endured greatly 
 in order to obtain a darling object, can tell how en- 
 tirely every fibre of the heart adheres to that object, 
 when once secured. Rangoon, from having been 
 the theatre in which so much of the faithfulness 
 and mercy of God had been exhibited ; from having 
 been considered, for eight years past, her home 
 for life ; and from many an interesting association 
 and remembrance — had become the dearest spot on 
 earth. 
 
 On her arrival in England, she was introduced to 
 Mr. Butterworth, M.P., who urged her to make his 
 house her home. While in his family, she was 
 introduced to many persons distinguished for litera- 
 ture and talent. The arrival of a young, attractive, 
 and intellectual woman from Burmah, was a novelty 
 even in the circles of London : she was invested 
 also with all the interest which a daring courage, a 
 calm endurance, and a lofty purpose, could shed 
 around her character. It is beautiful to see a wife 
 and a mother acting the part o/ a heroine, in the 
 purest of causes ; and wiping the tears from the 
 eyes of others, and cheering their hearts— while her 
 own bleeds in secret. She had not rashly chosen, 
 or even coveted, this charge ; yet she fulfilled it with 
 a stern fidelity, alike free from error and fanaticism. 
 How vigorously beats, once more, the pulse of life! 
 how splendid is the expansion of the heart, when 
 its hope, quenched on earth, is lifted from the 
 s-ilent hearth, from the little empty couch of the 
 loved one ; and it soars on angel-wings to the homes 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 305 
 
 of the guilty, saying, with its Redeemer, " These are 
 my brother, my sister," my child ! 
 
 The residence of Mrs. Judson in London had a 
 favourable influence on the mission. The writer 
 well remembers the interest created by her appear- 
 ance and conversation, in the circles where she 
 visited : the manners and scenery of Burmah, the 
 troubles of the way, the hopes and fears, were 
 described simply and vividly. From the capital, 
 she visited Cheltenham, for the benefit of its mineral 
 waters, where she passed some weeks, under the 
 care of an eminent physician. While here, she 
 received a pressing invitation to visit Scotland ; 
 and acceding to this, set out for the north, and 
 spent some time in that land of hospitality. She 
 was deeply sensible of this reception, and thus ex- 
 presses herself, in a letter to an intimate friend in 
 America : — 
 
 " Your kind hint, relative to my being injured by 
 lavish attention shewn me in this country, has much 
 endeared you to my heart. I am well aware that 
 human applause has a tendency to elate the soul, 
 and render it less anxious about spiritual enjoyments. 
 I have often been affected even to tears, in hearing 
 the praises of my friends ; feeling that I was far, 
 very far, from being what they imagined. If we 
 would live near the threshold of Heaven, and daily 
 take a glance of our promised inheritance, we must 
 avoid, not only worldly, but religious dissipation." 
 
 From Liverpool she took passage to New York, 
 and thence proceeded to Philadelphia and Balti* 
 more. 
 
 *' I had never," she writes, '^ fully counted the 
 cost of a visit to my native country and beloved 
 relatives. From the day of my arrival, all peace 
 and quiet were banished from my mind ; and for the 
 first four days and nights, I never closed my eyes 
 to sleep ! The scene which ensued at my father's 
 
 11. X 
 
.'JOG MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 brought my feelings to a crisis ; nature was quitG 
 exhausted^ and 1 began to fear would sink. The 
 house was thronged with visitors from day to day ; 
 and I was kept in a state of constant excitement, 
 by daily meeting with my old friends and acquaint- 
 ances. Painful as it was to think of leaving my 
 family, my health required retirement, and a milder 
 climate ; neither of which could be obtained in 
 Bradford. Here, at Baltimore, the air is mild and 
 delightful. I have the best medical attendance in 
 the city, through the influence of my brother; and 
 find myself so Tar restored, that I am able to study 
 four or five hours every day. I have always found 
 that full employment of lime, and much retirement 
 from company of every description, is the grand 
 secret of livino; near to God. O my brother ! my 
 heart sickens at the apathy relative to the subject of 
 missions. Where are our youth, who, fired with the 
 love of Christ, can consent to leave their comforts 
 and their homes for a few years, for a foreign land ? 
 Where are our fathers, who are willing to exert their 
 dying energies, in building up the walls of ' the city 
 of God' in the desert? 1 dare not trust my feelings 
 on this subject. I am busily engaged in correcting 
 the proof-sheets of my little history, now in the 
 pr6ss." 
 
 As a literary effort, this work is creditable to her 
 taste. The copyright she presented to the convention. 
 She returned to Massachussetts early in the spring 
 of 1823. Her health was much improved; and 
 urgent solicitations were employed by her friends 
 to induce her to prolong her stay. — Rarely do we 
 find, after an exile of ten years in a foreign land, 
 that the faces of friend and relative are turned 
 on us as kindly as ever. The darkest hour of 
 the wanderer's fate is not the change of cncum- 
 stsjnce — poverty, the prison, or the pestilence; 
 but to return, and feel that his home is desolate, 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 307 
 
 that *' the love of many is waxed cold," and that 
 the few who should weep for his woes, and shed 
 light round his way, cause tlie iron to enter into 
 his soul. She appears to have been surprised us 
 well as elated by her welcome in many a town 
 and province : but the desire to return to Burniah 
 became so strong, that she resisted every persuasion, 
 and prepared to take a final leave of all. It was 
 strange, but she felt that the parting was to be a final 
 one ; there was an almost prophetic foreboding in 
 her mind. The missionary, as well as the warrior or 
 voyager, is not left at times without a faithful pre- 
 sentiment of the future. This feeling may by some 
 be deemed superstitious, but the more devout will 
 justly consider it as the kind intimation of Provi- 
 dence, to arm the spirit for coming sorrow, or to 
 guide it onwards to success. Thus the Moravian 
 elders in Hernhuth relate, with a simplicity which 
 admits not of doubt, that it was clearly manifested 
 to them from above, that an entire change in the 
 addresses of their missionaries in Greenland must 
 instantly be adopted. The happy results of this 
 change were surely perceived in the mental vision, 
 the joy, the repentance of the Greenlanders, the 
 gathering of the eager groups from their frozen 
 homes, the resistless power of the word and the 
 Spirit. They wrote immediately to Greenland, and 
 laid this intimation before the missionaries, who in- 
 stantly embraced it ; and the peculiar blessing that 
 ensued is well known. 
 
 The writer was once assured by one!, who was 
 the sole relative of a minister, who had gone 
 to the South Seas — that often, while seated beside 
 the solitary fire at evening, the condition and 
 prospects of the latter were clearly present to 
 the fancy ; that he saw him afar in the sultry 
 isle, toiling in vain, and at other times success 
 smiled on his way. And when in his letters he 
 
 x2 
 
308 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 gave him counsel, and dwelt on his hopes and 
 disappointments, he found, by the replies of his 
 only son, that the picture he had drawn, and the 
 foresight, were faithful to the reality. This may 
 sound like enthusiasm, or second-sight ; the strong 
 sympathy of one spirit with that of the absent 
 and suffering: perhaps it is necessary to love 
 greatly, as well as to brood intensely over the dis- 
 tant scene. The celebrated Xavier, when about 
 to depart on his painful mission, said that he was 
 favoured with a kind of trance, in which he beheld 
 many of the sad scenes of his future labours, " a 
 vast ocean full of tempests and of rocks, desert 
 islands, barbarous countries, hunger and thirst raging 
 every where, nakedness, pain, and imminent dan- 
 gers of death and destruction. In the midst of 
 this ghastly representation, he cried out, * Yet 
 more, O my God, yet more!'" 
 
 The parting scene between the fervent missionary 
 and her friends, was deeply afTecting : they stood, 
 a numerous group, on the shore, and as the boat 
 receded, they sang a hymn, descriptive of her lot; 
 the sounds, as they were borne over the deep, 
 were the last she ever heard from her native land. 
 During her absence, Mr. Judson and his associates 
 continued in Rangoon. In the beginning of 1822, 
 Dr. Price arrived to give his invaluable aid to the 
 mission. The prosecution of the most distinguished 
 disciple, Moung Shaw-gong, the learned teacher, 
 which terminated in his being obliged to fly for 
 his life, put a stop for the time to all religious in- 
 quiry. Four other individuals, however, embraced 
 Christianity, making a total of about twenty. Dr. 
 Price was now ordered to visit the emperor in his 
 capital, in his medical capacity; the two friends 
 performed the journey together, and had an audi- 
 ence of tlie sovereign, who displayed an acute and 
 intelligent m.ind, asking a great variety of ques- 
 
MRS. JUDSON. ,309 
 
 tions in religion, geography, and astronomy. During 
 their residence in Ava, they conversed freely and 
 faithfully with the princes and great officers. Mr. J. 
 at length procured a piece of ground, pleasantly 
 situated on the banks of the river, just without the 
 walls of the city, and about a mile from the palace. 
 Here he built a small house, and returned soon 
 after to Rangoon ; where, in the course of the few 
 following months, the New Testament in Burmah 
 was completed. 
 
 In December, 1823, the long-absent wife returned 
 to Rangoon, whence they soon after prepared to 
 depart for Ava, where the queen had expressed a 
 strong desire to see her. "The season," she writes, 
 ** was cool and delightful : we were preserved from 
 dangers by day, and robbers by night, and arrived 
 in safety in six weeks. The Irawaddy is a noble 
 river : we often walked through the villages. A 
 foreign female was a sight never before beheld ; 
 and all were anxious that their friends and relatives 
 should have a view : crowds followed us ; and 
 many would run some way before us, in order to 
 have a long look as we approached." 
 
 This prolonged voyage was full of interest. The 
 devoted American might justly say that no Chris- 
 tian lady had as yet passed through their land. 
 The stream was full of rapids, down which the 
 velocity of the current one day carried the boat, and 
 nearly upset her on the rocks, but the steersman 
 instantly cut away the rudder, which made her right, 
 with the loss of some of their effects. As they 
 advanced, the impressive scenery repaid every peril 
 and discomfort : the course of the magnificent 
 river through valley and plain, its shores covered 
 with the pine, the fir, the cocoa-nut, and the areca, 
 with all the variety of tropical fruits ; plantations of 
 sugar-canes, cotton, and indigo. Neat villages stood 
 among the groves, built partly of wood, or of brick, 
 
310 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 and their little gardens and grounds filled with 
 flowers and ornamental plants. The people, unused 
 to war, or to see the face of an enemy, gazed curi- 
 ously on the passing strangers, without an unfriendly 
 word or look. 
 
 But this wantonness of vegetation began after 
 awhile to pall on the sense and the fancy : the vast 
 and silent river sweeping by, on which, at times, 
 was scarcely a bark save their own ; the stillness 
 that pervaded the forest, through whose gloomy 
 bosom the torrent sometimes passed : birds of 
 beautiful plumage were there, but they gave no 
 note of melody : life seemed to have departed from 
 these recesses, save when the crash of falling 
 branches denoted the quick advance of the elephant, 
 as he came to drink of the waters. The thick woods, 
 too, grew out of the wave, and even their fruits and 
 foliage drooped into it, as if a lassitude had fallen 
 on nature, as well as on man. When resting for 
 the night in the midst of these hushed retreats, while 
 the last beams of golden light rested on the tops of 
 the tall trees, no cheerful and accustomed sounds 
 told of the fading day : the sun seemed to sink at 
 once on an immense solitude that pressed on the 
 soul. Then the roar of the tiger, and the quick 
 cries of the weaker animals, broke on the ear. 
 
 It was a relief, when the scene changed, after a 
 few days, to the bold mountains and precipices, and 
 the wild and boundless plain, covered with rank grass; 
 amidst which, were one day beheld the ruins of an 
 ancient city. After holding a long communion with 
 inanimate nature, it is delightful to pause, even at 
 the sad memorials of the hopes, the ambition, and 
 despair, of our fellow-men : once more we seem to 
 stand in the v/orld of feeling, of intellect, of passion — 
 shrouded, yet not extinct: undying, although, like 
 the " golden vessel at the fountain," it is shattered 
 to pieces. How exquisitely mournful and impressive 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 311 
 
 are the lone and scattered columns in the wilderness, 
 like watchers over the mass of ruins at their feet : 
 the gateway standing afar off, and conducting only 
 to solitude ; the cemetery, and its rifled sepulchres, 
 and gilded inscriptions defaced by the wind and 
 rain. 
 
 Sometimes they moored their boat at evening 
 beneath the bank, and rested at one of the hamlets, 
 but found no caravanserai as in India and the East, 
 where the fountain fell, and the sycamore and 
 cypress gave their shade. Provisions were plentiful 
 in all the inhabited places, and as they had their 
 fire-place and many conveniences on board, they 
 were almost independent of the hospitality of the 
 people. During the moon-light nights, the slow 
 passage was beautiful : as the boat passed onward, 
 the plash of the oars, the mournful song of the 
 native rowers, or the distant rush of the rapids, 
 alone broke on the stillness. Never does a tropical 
 country appear so grateful as at this hour, when the 
 glare of the sky is veiled, and a balmy and delicious 
 air is abroad ; and the silver light falls on the forest, 
 on the grey precipice, and mountain's brow, but 
 cannot penetrate the gloom beneath : at times, the 
 windings of the river present a long avenue of ancient 
 trees, their branches interwoven, dark as the valley 
 of shadows ; while at the end of the funereal vista, 
 the moon streams with a full and exulting glory. 
 
 As they drew near the capital, the villages and 
 towns grew more numerous ; the splendid boats 
 rapidly passed, among which were many a gilded 
 war-boat, filled with well-dressed people. 
 
 During this progress, the spirit of the fair mis- 
 sionary might justly look back with gratitude, and 
 onward with an exulting hope. The golden city was 
 at hand, whose queen was desirous to welcome her. 
 The consuming delays, the baffled zeal, the patient 
 toils of so many years at Rangoon, had been nobly 
 
312 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 borne ; and now the delicious fruit was to be ga- 
 thered. She had lived down calumny also: even 
 across the Atlantic, from her native land, censures 
 and reproaches were wafted — on her secluded life, 
 on her motives and purposes. But these were now 
 hushed for ever. Conscious that in the old as well 
 as the new world, many a fervent wish was breathed, 
 many a prayer raised to heaven for her welfare, 
 from the lips of the rich and high-born, as well as 
 of the humble — with what ardour she gazed on the 
 palaces and minarets of Ava, on which the sun 
 fell gloriously ! " Her wings were now wings of 
 silver, her feathers were of gold." 
 
 When the desires of the heart are thus beautifully 
 given, when *' joy cometh in the morning," after 
 many tears, — how hard it is to believe that the night 
 is at hand ; that dreadful voices are drawing near, 
 and things of woe and trembling, even unutterable 
 things ! 
 
 " On our arrival at Ava," she writes, *' we had no 
 home to shelter us from the burning sun by day, and 
 the cold dews at night. Dr. Price had kindly met us 
 on the way, and urged our taking up our residence 
 with him ; but his house was in such an unfinished 
 state, and the walls were so damp, that the spending 
 two or three hours there threw me into a fever. We 
 had but one alternative — to remain in the boat till 
 we could build a small house : and you could hardly 
 believe it possible, for I almost doubt my senses, that 
 in just a fortnight from our arrival we moved into a 
 dwelling built m that time. It is in a most delight- 
 ful situation, out of the dust of the town, and by the 
 side of the river. The spot of ground given by his 
 majesty is small, being only one hundred and twenty 
 feet long, and seventy-five wide ; but it is raised four 
 feet from the ground, and consists of three small 
 rooms, and a veranda. I hardly know how we 
 shall bear the hot season, which is just commencing, 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 313 
 
 as our house is built of boards, and before night is 
 heated like an oven. Nothing but brick is a shelter 
 from the heat of Ava, where the thermometer, even 
 in the shade, frequently rises to 108 degrees." 
 
 Rumours of approaching war with the Bengal 
 government had for some time disturbed the public 
 mind. The Burman emperor, with the ambitious 
 design of invading Bengal, had collected in Arracan, 
 an army of thirty thousand men, under the com- 
 mand of his most successful general, Maha Ban- 
 doola. 
 
 In May, 1824, an army of six thousand English 
 and native troops arrived at Rangoon, which was 
 speedily captured. In the first emotions of terror 
 and rage of the people, Messrs. Wade and Hough, the 
 two missionaries, were nearly massacred : twice they 
 were taken from prison to be beheaded ; which fate 
 was averted by the promise of the latter to induce 
 the English to cease firing on the town. After a 
 series of successful combats, the army penetrated 
 to within forty miles of the capital, where it was 
 believed the unfortunate missionaries had perished. 
 The speedy capture of the city was at hand, 
 when the monarch \ielded to terms. Of the dread- 
 ful scenes at Ava during this time, the following 
 account written to her brother-in-law, the Rev. 
 A. Judson, gives a description. " The first certain 
 intelligence we received of the declaration of war by 
 the Burmese, was on our arrival within a hundred 
 miles this side of Ava, where part of the troops, 
 under the command of the celebrated Bandoola, 
 had encamped. As we proceeded, we met Ban- 
 doola himself, with the remainder of his troops, 
 gaily equipped, seated on his golden barge, and 
 surrounded by a fleet of gold war-boats. In two or 
 three weeks after our arrival, the king, queen, and 
 all the members of the royal family, and most of the 
 officers of government, returned to Amarapora, where 
 
314 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 a new palace had been built. I dare not attempt a 
 description of that splendid day, when their ma- 
 jesties entered the gates of the golden city, and 
 amid the acclamations of millions, I may say, took 
 possession of the palace. The saupwars of the 
 provinces bordering on China, all the viceroys and 
 high officers of the kingdom, vi^ere assembled on the 
 occasion, dressed in their robes of state, and orna- 
 mented with the insignia of their office. The white 
 elephant, richly adorned with gold and jewels, was 
 one of the most beautiful objects in the procession. 
 The king and queen alone were unadorned, dressed in 
 the simple garb of the country ; they, hand in hand, 
 entered the garden in which we had taken our seats, 
 and where a banquet was prepared for their refresh- 
 ment. All the riches and glory of the empire were 
 on this day exhibited to view. The number and 
 immense size of the elephants, the numerous horses, 
 the variety of vehicles of all descriptions, far sur- 
 passed any thing 1 have ever seen or imagined. — 
 For several weeks nothing took place to alarm us, 
 and we went on with our school." 
 
 At last, intelligence came that Rangoon was 
 taken. Foreigners were now regarded as spies in 
 the country, and their arrest was ordered. Several 
 officers with the executioner, entered their dwelling; 
 they were seized, cruelly bound with cords, and led 
 away to prison. Mrs. Judson was left alone. 
 
 *' It was now dark : J retired to an inner room 
 with my four little Burman girls, and barred the 
 doors. The guard ordered me to unbar and come 
 out, or they would break the house down. I obsti- 
 nately refused to obey. You may well imagine that 
 sleep was a stranger to my eyes. The next morn- 
 ing 1 sent Moung-Ing, to ascertain the situation of 
 your brother, and give him food, if still living. He 
 soon returned with the intelligence, that Mr. Judson 
 and all the white foreigners were confined in the 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 315 
 
 death prison, with three pair of iron fetters each, 
 and fastened to a lon^ pole, to prevent their moving ! 
 I wrote a note to one of the king's sisters, with 
 whom I had been intimate, requesting her to use 
 her influence for the release of the prisoners. The 
 note was returned with a message — she ' did not 
 understand it;' which was a polite refusal to inter- 
 fere. The day dragged heavily away, and another 
 dreadful night was before me. On the third day 
 I sent a message to the governor of the city, to 
 allow me to visit him with a present. This had the 
 desired eflfect, and he immediately sent an order to 
 the guards to permit my going into the town. He 
 gave me an order for my admission into the prison ; 
 but the sensations produced by meeting my husband 
 in that wretched situation, I will not attempt to 
 describe. Mr. Judson crawled to the door of the 
 prison ; for I was never allowed to enter, and 
 those iron-hearted jailers quickly ordered me to 
 depart. The following morning the royal treasurer, 
 attended by forty or fifty followers, came to take 
 possession of all we had. I treated them civilly, and 
 gave them tea and sweatmeats for their refreshment. 
 As soon as they had departed, I hastened to the 
 queen's brother, to hear what had been the fate of 
 my petition ; when, alas ! all my hopes were dashed. 
 For two or three months following, I was subject to 
 continual harassments. I presented the governor 
 with a beautiful opera glass I had just received from 
 England ; and begged that his anger at me would not 
 influence him to treat the prisoners with unkind ness. 
 About this period I was one day summoned to the 
 Floutdan in an official way. When arrived, I was 
 allowed to stand at the bottom of the stairs ; hun- 
 dreds were assembled. The officer who presided, 
 in an authoritative tone, began, — ' Speak the truth 
 in answer to the questions I shall ask. If you speak 
 true, no evil will follow ; but if not, your life will 
 
316 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 not be spared. It is reported that you have com- 
 mitted to the care of a Burmese officer, a string of 
 pearls, a pair of diamond ear-rings, and a silver tea- 
 pot. Is it true V ' It is not,' I replied ; ' and if 
 you or any other person can produce these articles, 
 I refuse not to die.' I returned to my house with a 
 heart much lighter than I went. During these seven 
 months, the continued extortions and oppressions 
 to which your brother and the other white prisoners 
 were subject, are indescribable. Sometimes, for 
 days and days together, I could not go into the 
 prison till after dark ; when I had two miles to walk, 
 in returning to the house. O ! how many, many 
 times, have I returned from that dreary prison at 
 nine o'clock at night ; solitary, and worn out with 
 fatigue and anxiety. My prevailing opinion was, 
 that my husband would suffer a violent death ; and 
 that I should of course become a slave, and languish 
 out a miserable, though short existence, in the 
 tyrannic hands of some unfeeling monster. I was 
 still obliged to visit constantly some of the members 
 of government with little presents, particularly tl e 
 governor of the city ; for the purpose of making the 
 situation of the prisoners tolerable. Some months 
 after your brother's imprisonment, I was permitted 
 to make a little bamboo room in the prison enclosure, 
 where he could be much by himself, and where I 
 was sometimes allowed to spend two or three hours. 
 It so happened, that the two months he occupied 
 this place was the coldest part of the year, when he 
 would have suffered much in the open shed he had 
 previously occupied. After the birth of your little 
 niece, I was unable to visit the prison and the 
 governor as before ; and found I had thus lost con- 
 siderable influence, previously gained. When Maria 
 was nearly two months old, her father one morning 
 sent me word, that he and all the white prisoners 
 were put into the inner prison, with five pair of fet- 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 317 
 
 ters each : that his httle room had been torn down, 
 and his mat, pillow, &c. been taken by the jailers. 
 This was to me a dreadful shock, as I thought at 
 once it was only a prelude to greater evils. The 
 English army was advancing fast ; and I went to the 
 prison gate, but was forbid to enter. All was still 
 as death : not a white face to be seen, or a vestige of 
 Mr. Judson's little room remaining. I went to the 
 audience room of the governor : the old man's hard 
 heart was melted at my appeal, for he wept like a 
 child. * I will now tell you,' continued he, ' what 
 I have never told you before, that three times I have 
 received intimations from the queen's brother, to 
 assassinate all the prisoners privately ; but I would 
 not do it. Though I execute all the others, I will 
 never execute your husband.' It was at this period 
 that the death of Bandoola was announced in the 
 palace. During h\> late visit to Ava, where he was 
 received with every favour it was in the power of 
 the king and queen to bestow, I resolved to entreat 
 him for the release of the prisoners. Every one 
 advised me not to do it, lest he should issue an 
 immedia'e order for their execution : the governor 
 expressed his amazement at my temerity. I ap- 
 proached the celebrated general, while surrounded 
 by a crowd of flatterers. He spoke to me in an 
 obliging manner ; asked several questions ; and said, 
 that when he had expelled the English, he would 
 return, and release all the prisoners. — And now the 
 news of his death in battle came. The king heard it 
 in silent amazement : and the queen, in Eastern style, 
 smote upon her breast, and cried, ' Alas ! alas ! who 
 could be found to fill his place ? who would venture, 
 since the invincible Bandoola had been cut off?' 
 
 " One morning, the servants came running in with 
 a jjhastly countenance, to inform me that the white 
 prisoners were all carried away. I ran first into one 
 street, then another : I tlien ran to the banks of the 
 
318 MRS. JUDSON, 
 
 little river, about half-a-mile, but saw them not. 
 For several days previous, I had been actively 
 engaged in building my own little room, and 
 making our hovel comfortable. I looked towards 
 the gate of the prison with a kind of melancholy 
 feeling, but had no wish to enter. There was the 
 stillness of death: all my occupations had ceased. 
 I learned, at last, that they had been removed to a 
 village at some distance in the interior, chained two 
 and two, and driven by slaves, who held the rope 
 by which each couple was attached. I instantly set 
 out : the violent motion of the cart, with the dread- 
 ful heat and dust, made me almost distracted. I 
 must go four miles farther with my little Maria in 
 my arms, whom I held all the way from Ava. 
 You may form some idea of the Burmese cart, when 
 I tell you that their wheels are a simple round thick 
 plank, with a hole in the middle, through which a 
 pole which supports the body, is thrust. The pri- 
 son was an old shattered building, without a roof. 
 I begged the jailer to procure me a shelter for the 
 night : he took me to his house, in which were only 
 two small rooms — the one, in which he and his 
 family lived ; the other, which was half full of 
 grain, he offered to me : and in that little filthy 
 place, I spent the next six months of wretchedness. 
 All the money I could command in the world, I had 
 brought with me, secreted about my person. Here 
 my bodily sufferings commenced : I was all day 
 long going backwards and forwards to the prison 
 with Maria in my arms : my miserable food, and 
 more miserable lodgings, brought on one of the 
 diseases of the country : I could scarcely walk to see 
 my husband. My strength seemed at last entirely 
 exhausted ; I crawled on to the mat in the little 
 room, to which I was confined for more than two 
 months.. If I ever felt the value and efficacy of 
 prayer, I did at this time. I could not lise from 
 
MRS. JL'DSON. 319 
 
 my mat, I could make no efforts to secure my 
 husband." 
 
 *' Tlie hour of deliverance at last came. Sir Archi- 
 bald Campbell insisted that all the English should 
 be given up: their sufferings were at an end. *' Jt 
 was on a cool moonlight evening, in the month of 
 March, that, with hearts filled with gratitude, we 
 passed down the Irawaddy, surrounded by six or 
 eight golden boats, and accompanied by all we had 
 on earth. We received the congratulations of the 
 British officers, and the general provided us with a 
 tent near his own : we were welcomed to his table, 
 and one of the lar2:est gun-boats ordered to convey 
 lis to Rangoon. We have a little daughter, born 
 seven months after the imprisonment ; she is a 
 lovely child, and now more than a year old." 
 
 They returned to Rangoon, after an absence of 
 two years and three months. The following tribute 
 to the subject of this memoir, written by an English 
 merchant, a fellow-prisoner with the husband, ought 
 not to be omitted : — " Mrs. Judson was the author 
 of those eloquent and forcible appeals to the govern- 
 ment, which prepared them by degrees for submis- 
 sion to terms of peace, never expected by any, who 
 knew the hauteur and inflexible pride of the Bur- 
 man court. Though living at a distance of two 
 miles from our prison, without any means of con- 
 veyance, and very feeble in health, she forgot her 
 own comfort and infirmity, and every day visited 
 us, sought out and administered to our wants, and 
 alleviated our misery. While we were all left by 
 the government destitute of food, she, by unwearied 
 perseverance, by some means or other, obtained for 
 us a constant supply. When the unfeeling avarice 
 of our keepers made our feet fast in the stocks, she, 
 like a ministering angel, never ceased her applica- 
 tions to the government, till r- respite was obtained 
 from o\ir galling oppressions." 
 
320 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 Once more peace and security arose out of this 
 sea of troubles — a fleeting and treacherous peace. 
 At Rangoon they strove to revive the drooping mis- 
 sion, and rally the dispersed converts around them : 
 some had fled during the war to places of refuge in 
 the interior; several were dead; the little knot of 
 female disciples, Mah Menla and her companions, 
 were scattered, but faithful. " In Bengal and Hin- 
 dostan," observes Mrs. Judson, " the females in the 
 higher classes are excluded from the society of men. 
 Who ever heard that ignorance was favourable to 
 the culture of amiable or noble feelings? Their 
 minds are in such a state of imbecility, that we 
 might hope to find at least an absence of vicious 
 feelings. But facts prove the contrary. Wherever 
 an opportunity for exhibiting the malignant passions 
 of the soul occurs, human nature never made a 
 more vigorous effort to discover her deformity, than 
 has been observed in these secluded females. The 
 women are not, in the Burman empire, secluded 
 from all society : they are lively, inquisitive, and 
 energetic, susceptible of the warmest attachment, 
 and possess minds capable of rising to the highest 
 state of cultivation and refinement. But, alas ! 
 they are taught nothing that has a tendency to 
 cherish these best native feelings of the heart. A 
 proof of mental energy was displayed in Menla, 
 who spent ten years in the study of the sacred books, 
 and earnest inquiries after a better faith ; till her 
 anxiety increased to such a degree, that her family 
 feared she would become deranged." The precep- 
 tress sought her trembling flock with all her wonted 
 activity, as if the dark ordeal in Ava had only 
 added fuel to her zeal. " We have formerly talked 
 of trials and privations," she observes, " but for the 
 last two years we have felt the full import of these 
 words." 
 
 A similar situation to that of this unfortunate 
 
MtCS. JUDSON. 321 
 
 pair, in Ava, fell under the writer's observation in 
 Greece, during the atrocities of the war. In the 
 storming of one of the towns, a Turkish aga had 
 been desperately wounded, and afterwards closely 
 imprisoned : his wife and daughter were forbidden all 
 access to him. In what accents of despair and 
 anguish did they implore to be admitted but for an 
 hour to his presence ; for they were told of his suf- 
 ferings and loneliness, and fancy coloured the 
 picture darkly. Each day, also, they dreaded to 
 hear that he was put to death ; for he was a man of 
 rank and wealth, and had fought bravely against 
 the Greeks. The traveller had free access to the 
 captive, and each day that he visited the wife and 
 child, his coming was to them like that of an angel, 
 for he brought tidings of his safety, and imparted 
 brighter hopes of the future. But their eager affec- 
 tion and solicitude, the look of despondency and 
 then of rapture, the breathless attention with which 
 they listened to the father's message — were inex- 
 pressibly moving. They also were captives, in the 
 gloom of a dim and spacious chamber, where few 
 friends or acquaintance cheered the weariness of the 
 day : each prayer for liberty was offered to the 
 oppressor in vain : and the prisoner was slain, even 
 when he believed that " the bitterness of death was 
 past." 
 
 It was now resolved to change the scene of action, 
 and depart to Amherst, a new place on the other 
 side the Salwen river, where the Burmese popula- 
 tion was likely to be considerable. This place had 
 been fixed on by Mr. Judson, in an exploring expe- 
 dition with the commissioner of the governor- 
 general of India, being in the territory ceded to the 
 British. In the settlement subsequently formed 
 here, and in Tavoy, adjacent, some interesting 
 events occurred : in a letter from the Rev. Mr. 
 Boardman, he writes, *' I have lately been visited 
 
 II. V 
 
322 MRS. JLDSON. 
 
 by a company of Karens, in whose welfare I trust 
 you will feel an interest. The Karens are a race of 
 wild people in the interior, dwelling in mountains 
 and valleys, at a distance from cities, and living in 
 the most rural and simple style. They have no 
 written language, no temples, no priests. As were 
 the fathers, so are the children — on the same 
 paternal estate, in the same style, with the same 
 dress and manners. One of the visitors was a 
 chief, and one a pretended sorcerer. The counte- 
 nance and air of the former, a young man, bespoke 
 something noble. The sorcerer was also a superior 
 man. A stranger had visited his village, and given 
 him a book, which he bade him worship. The 
 thought that he had been so much distinguished, 
 raised him in his own estimation to a superior order 
 of beings. To know the contents of this book 
 had been for twelve years the Karen's highest 
 aim. He had persuaded several of his countrymen 
 to. join him in the new religion, and pay superior 
 worship to the volume. It was placed in a basket 
 of reeds, wrapped in several successive folds of 
 muslin. * A teacher will come, who will explain to 
 us this book,' was their firm belief. I desired them 
 to go, and bring me this precious deposit. After a 
 journey of three days, the sorcerer, with his train, 
 reached my house, bringing the basket of reeds, 
 with its venerated contents. They all stood around 
 me. I felt that it was a critical moment. Expect- 
 ation was raised to the highest pitth : they had 
 previously engaged that they should consider my 
 decision as final. A most profound silence pre- 
 vailed throughout the hall. The sorcerer uncovered 
 the basket, unwrapped the adored contents, and, 
 creeping forward, presented to me an old, tattered, 
 worn-out volume. It was no other than the book 
 of Common Prayer, with the Psalms, printed at 
 Oxford. ' It is a good book/ said I, ' it teaches 
 
MRS. JUBSON. 323 
 
 that there is a God in heaven, whom alone you 
 should worship. You have been ignorantly worship- 
 ping this book.' Every Karen countenance was 
 lighted up with smiles of joy. I took the book of 
 Psalms in Burman, and read some appropriate 
 passages, gave a brief explanation of them, and 
 then engaged in prayer. 
 
 " They remained many days, listened to our 
 instructions, attended our worship, and, on depart- 
 ing, they said, * We will no longer worship any but 
 the true God, and his Son Jesus Christ.' During 
 their stay, they expressed a strong desire to receive 
 a written language and books; they said that all the 
 Karens would then learn to read, and would come 
 to the knowledge of God. There are more than 
 two thousand of this people in this province, and 
 Karen villages are dispersed all over the wilder- 
 nesses of Burmah, Pegu, Arracan, and Siam." 
 
 All the necessary preparations being made, they 
 departed to Amherst : a few of the disciples and 
 inquirers accompanied their teachers. But the 
 chief actress in these scenes was to know no 
 future change of place. Mr. Judson went on a 
 journey to Ava with the embassy, leaving his wife 
 at Amherst. " We parted," he observes, '' with 
 cheerful hearts, confident of a speedy reunion, 
 and indulging fond anticipations of future years 
 of domestic happiness." But her excessive exer- 
 tions in Ava had sapped the strength of her ex- 
 cellent constitution : during the short interval of 
 calm that followed, she felt not that she was marked 
 for the grave. One source of consolation was left — 
 a rich and ineffable one ! it was the little Maria, 
 born during her father's captivity : she was a 
 lovely child, and was taken in her mother's arms 
 every day to the prison-door, and lay by her side 
 for many months on the wretched mat in the jailor's 
 chamber, the only witness of her tears. In the 
 
 y2 
 
324 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 midst of cruel men, with a cruel doom suspended 
 every moment over the father's head, it is no won- 
 der that the little one, who lay in her bosom, was, 
 to the parent, even as an angel of comfort and 
 tenderness ; and now life was fleeting, and Maria 
 must be left an orphan in a strange land. The sad 
 'forebodings that had haunted her mind in America, 
 .were not yet all accomplished : the cup of bit- 
 terness must be filled to the brim ; the gloom of 
 the dungeon, the menace of the oppressor, the 
 bodily anguish, the dread anxieties of the soul — 
 were succeeded by a more sudden and mysterious 
 blow. 
 
 Early in the month of October, she was seized 
 with a dangerous illness ; from the first, she felt that 
 she should not recover. During many days the 
 struggle lasted, and, at its close, the reason wan- 
 dered at times ; yet the heart was still true. When 
 unconscious of any other object, she would still call 
 Maria to her ; gaze on her intensely ; charge the 
 servants to be kind, and indulge her in every thing, 
 till the father should return. Then, a gush of feel- 
 ing and memory came again — *' My husband is long 
 in coming," she said, ** the new missionaries are 
 long in coming. I must die alone, and leave my 
 littie one ; but, as it is the will of God, I acquiesce 
 in his will. I am not afraid of death. Tell him 
 the disease was most violent, and I could not write. 
 Tell him how 1 suffered and died." In the evening, 
 with one exclamation of distress in the Burman 
 language — she ceased to breathe. 
 
 The mind and character of this most interesting 
 woman, are faithfully evidenced in her life : any 
 eulogy would here be vain. She is, perhaps, the 
 first instance of an accomplished, well read, and 
 highly intellectual female, devoting herself to so dis- 
 tant, and painful a career. Many years will pass, 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 325 
 
 ere the field of missions will present a teacher such 
 as Anne Hasseltine Judson. Her own impressive 
 words over the resting-place of Harriet Newell, 
 her early friend, was almost prophetic. ** Here 
 lies one, who for the love of Christ, left the bosom 
 of her friends, and found an early grave in a land 
 of strangers.' " 
 
 Her husband returned, and felt that all was 
 changed : sAe, whom he loved, no longer met him 
 at the gate : the beaming smile, the voice of wel- 
 come, were passed away for ever. " As I drew 
 near the house, one and another of the native 
 Christians came out; and when they saw me, they 
 began to weep. I am sitting in the house she 
 built, in the room where she breathed her last ; at 
 a window, from which I see the tree that stands 
 at the head of the grave, and the top of * the small 
 rude fence,' which they have put up to protect it 
 from incautious intrusion." The little survivor was 
 now all to the solitary man : that precious golden 
 link, the only one that fate had not shattered, was 
 bound round every fibre of his heart. *' Oh, with 
 what meekness, patience, magnanimity, did the 
 mother bear all her sufferings ! And can I wish 
 they had been less ? Can I rob her crown of a 
 single gem ? She was singularly qualified, by her 
 perfect acquaintance with the language, her attrac- 
 tive manners and disposition, her devoted zeal, to 
 be extensively useful ; but she has been torn from 
 me." A few months only Maria was spared, and 
 then she was borne to the little rude cemetery, 
 and laid in the same grave. " All our efforts, 
 prayers, and tears could not propitiate the cruel 
 disease. The work of death went forward ; she 
 ceased to breathe — aged two years and three months. 
 We then closed her faded eyes, and bound up her 
 discoloured lips, where the dark touch of the grave 
 first appeared, and folded her little hands — the 
 
326 MRS. JUDSON. 
 
 exact pattern of her mother's — on her cold breast 
 The next morning, we made her last bed. Together 
 they rest, under the hope-tree (hopia,) which 
 stands at the head of the tomb. Thus I am left 
 alone in the wide world." 
 
 With regard to the progress of the mission 
 after the death of Mrs. Judson, a large portion of 
 the population of Rangoon removed to Amherst. 
 The first disciples were gathered there, to whose 
 number many new ones were joined: often did 
 they take a mournful pleasure in visiting the grave 
 of the departed. The whole assembly, on the Sab- 
 bath, amounted to about thirty. Mr. and Mrs. 
 AVade and the Rev. Mr. Boardman arrived, to aid 
 in the mission. Dr. Price continued at Ava in his 
 medical capacity, in great esteem with the emperor 
 and the nobility: he had under his tuition many 
 sons of the highest officers of the government, 
 whom he instructed in the truths of Christianity, 
 as well as in the principles of science ; but he was 
 carried off by a consumption at Ava. Mr. Judson 
 soon after completed two catechisms for the use of 
 the Burman schools — the one astronomical, with 
 questions and answers ; the other geographical, ac- 
 companied by a map of the world, with Burman 
 names. The settlement was at length removed to 
 Tavoy, where Sir Archibald Campbell offered them 
 as much land as they could wish : a mission house 
 was erected, with out-houses, &c., and the natives 
 gathered eagerly to the dwellings, to inquire and 
 converse. Schools were established for both sexes : 
 that of the girls prospered greatly. Zayats, little 
 open kind of caravanserais, where the teacher sat 
 in the open chamber all day long, were erected in 
 the neighbourhood, by the road-side. At a place 
 called Maulaming, the zayat was a source of great 
 usefulness, and a flourishing school was established. 
 Many of the natives were baptized ; others inquired 
 
MRS. JUDSON. 327 
 
 anxiously concerning the new faith. Tavoy is an 
 old walled Burman town, on the river of the same 
 name, with straight streets, paved with bricks, and 
 a population of about nine thousand. The latest 
 accounts represent the mission as in a prosperous 
 slate ; about thirty natives had embraced Chris- 
 tianity in the year 1828, among whom was a learned 
 Burman, an eloquent man, of great influence among 
 his countrymen. The Karens began to occupy 
 muci of the attention of the teachers ; a wild and 
 origiral people, who in their manners and habits 
 resemble the native Indians of America ; they had in- 
 vited he former to visit them, with the assurance that 
 their jeople would receive the Christian religion. 
 
 In person, Mrs. Judson was rather above the 
 middl'. stature ; of good figure, and agreeable fea- 
 tures, on which the spirit shed the beauty of its 
 own eithusiasm ; her manners were genteel and 
 polish:d. Surely, she deserves that a memorial 
 be rased to her name. Let not men alone be 
 canonzed for their sufferings in various parts of the 
 earth, ind this bright episode of female heroism be 
 withou honour ; such, at least, as marble or as brass 
 can g/e. It is a tribute due to the sex, as well 
 as to he individual. Within the last twenty years 
 many women have stepped forth from the calm and 
 iuGuJ^ent paths of life, have gone to far and savage 
 laids, and have endured even unto death ! women 
 of fine intellect, as well as exalted piety, in whose 
 bcoms beat every strong and tender affection, who 
 wpt over the despairing husband and orphan, and 
 thn yielded their life willingly, for the love of 
 C list ! Many of these are highly deserving some 
 mnument of Christian gratitude, but no one caa 
 pesent a fairer claim than Mrs. Judson. 
 
328 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 The life of Brainerd has been written by his own 
 hand, with an extreme and almost painful mhute- 
 ness. In the ancient field of missions, thereare a 
 few men, concerning whom it may be said, thit the 
 greatest cause of sorrow is their leaving s» few 
 memorials behind. Of the subject of the pesent 
 memoir, it were to be wished that somewha less 
 had survived. Yet his mournful details ins)ire a 
 pity as well as sympathy, that often unite the 
 reader in spirit with the sufferer. This feeing is 
 perhaps a chief cause of the popularity of hi life ; 
 his mental trials, like sands on the sea-shoe, his 
 doubts and fears, went with him to the Indian amp, 
 and the wilderness ; and placed him, as it wee, on 
 a level with the weakest and the lowliest Chriitian. 
 The peasant, as well as the pastor, the afflicted, tie 
 friendless, and the forsaken, find in the career tf 
 his mind the living history of their own. 
 
 David was the son of Hezekiah Brainerd, Esc, 
 one of his majesty's council for the colony of Coi- 
 necticut, New England. His mother was tie 
 daughter of the Rev. Mr. Hobart, a clergyman t 
 Hampstead, on Long Island. His father died wha 
 he was very young, and the widow followd 
 her husband in a few years. The latter even 
 fell heavily. " My distress for her loss," he says 
 
DAVID BR AI NERD. 329 
 
 ** was exceeding great. I was, from my youth, inclined 
 rather to melancholy." During the following six 
 years, he was often troubled with terrific thoughts 
 of death, and sought for relief in a strict perform- 
 ance of religious duties ; but it appeared a mourn- 
 ful business. At one time there came a faint hope 
 that he was in the way to happiness, and then a 
 delight rose in his mind ; but this withered quickly. 
 When he retired from public worship, he taxed 
 himself to repeat the discourses of the day to him- 
 self, and dwell upon the favourite passages. " I 
 strove to recollect what I could, though often it was 
 late in the night." He had excellent natural 
 abilities, and a fondness for reading; but its in- 
 dulgence was indiscriminate. He seems long to 
 have struggled with the dark visitor within, that 
 grew in strength with his years. Too early the 
 orphan lived in a world of his own, that had neither 
 counsellor or friend. To his already delicate health 
 and frame, a mother's care and tenderness would 
 have been welcome beyond expression ; but to the 
 bleeding spirit, ever disposed to write bitter things 
 against itself, her counsel and prayers would have 
 been like those of an angel. 
 
 Eight years thus passed away — that period of life 
 which so indelibly stamps the after-career. Religion, 
 in this spring-time of the heart, is so cherished by 
 all the exquisite watchfulness of those who love 
 us — the going by their side to the house of God — 
 the entreaty, the warning, while a smile is on the 
 lips that speak them — this daily and hourly example 
 was to Brainerd lost for ever. He might have used 
 the lines of a gifted and lovely being of his own 
 land. 
 
 " And thou hast seen me in that hour 
 
 When every nerve of life was new ; 
 When pleasures fanned youth's infant flower, 
 
 And Hope, her witcheries round it threw 
 
330 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 That hour is fading ; it has fled. 
 
 And I am left in darkness now ; 
 A wanderer tow'rds a lowly bed, 
 
 The grave — that home of all below. 
 
 There is a something which I dread, 
 
 It is a dark, a fearful thing. 
 It steals along with withering tread. 
 
 Or sweeps on wild destruction's wing." 
 
 When nineteen, he made no choice of a profession ; 
 but went into the country to reside for some time, 
 and there conceived the idea of turning farmer and 
 planter. The wolves would have wasted his flocks, 
 and the floods swept away his plantations; the 
 labourers would have had to seek their master in 
 the depth of the woods, gazing on the beauty of 
 the trees and flowers, or fasting till sun-set. Brain- 
 erd never was fitted for the business of this world ; 
 his thoughts were too abstracted. What had he 
 to do with buying and selling, who had so few 
 wants, who desired so little? 
 
 At the age of twenty, he went to reside beneath 
 the roof of Mr. Fiske, a man of some learning, and 
 pastor of the church in Haddam ; having now, for 
 the first time, resolved to devote himself to the 
 ministry. " His life," he observes, " was now full 
 of religion, such as it was : he sought to recommend 
 himself to Heaven by the strict performance of duties, 
 in which the gate of life appeared so very strait, 
 that it seemed next to impossible to enter." The 
 denials of the senses were not forgotten, even of the 
 most innocent kind : but the love of austerity was 
 almost natural to Brainerd ; even now his days of 
 fasting were pitilessly observed. But these denials 
 were as dust in the balance, compared to the dis- 
 tresses of the soul, which, each day, grew heavier to 
 be borne. His expressions are strong : *' My former 
 good frames, that I pleased myself with, all vanished. 
 There appeared mountains before me, to obstruct 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 331 
 
 my hopes of mercy ; and I Ijcgrudged, in my walks, 
 the birds and beasts their happiness. I used to put 
 off the discovery of my own heart, as what I could 
 not bear. My sins were like swift witnesses against 
 me. I strove to heal myself, but it could not be. 
 Sometimes I imagined that God loved me : it was 
 founded on mere presumption. The many disap- 
 pointments, the distresses and perplexities I felt, 
 threw me into a terrible frame of mind. Often I 
 used to imagine my heart was not so bad ; but sud- 
 denly it would break over all bounds, and burst 
 forth on all sides, like floods of water. I scarcely 
 dared to sleep at all, lest I should awake in that 
 fearful world." The conflict was long; and more 
 of his descriptions would paint only similar emo- 
 tions. 
 
 The following passage is a proof how much more 
 happily men can write as well as feel, when the 
 fetters of the spirit are broken : — " I was walking 
 again in the same solitary place, and, in a mournful 
 state, was attempting to pray ; disconsolate, as if 
 there was nothing in heaven or earth could make 
 me happy. By this time the sun was about half an 
 hour high, as I remember; then, as I was walking 
 in a dark thick grove, unspeakable glory seemed to 
 open to the view of my soul. I do not mean any 
 external brightness, or imagination of a body of 
 light ; I saw no such thing ; but it was a new 
 inward apprehension, or view, that I had of God, 
 such as I never had before, nor any thing which 
 had the least resemblance of it. I stood still, and 
 wondered and admired ; there was an excellency 
 and a beauty, widely different from all the con- 
 ceptions that ever I had of things divine ; I continued 
 in this state of joy and peace, yet astonishment, till 
 near dark, without any sensible abatement. I felt 
 myself in a new world, and every thing about me 
 appeared with a diftbrent aspect fiom what it was 
 
332 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 wont to do. The way of salvation opened to me 
 with such infinite wisdom, suitableness, and excel- 
 lency, that I wondered I had not dropped my own 
 contrivances before. Oh lovely, blessed, and ex- 
 cellent way !" 
 
 This visitation came in mercy ; its presence was 
 glorious, its remembrance indelible, like that of the 
 coming of an angel by the way. So swift a passage 
 from misery to peace ! from doubt to faith ! Often 
 it is the will of God to vouchsafe to the peculiarly 
 tried and troubled mind, such sensible evidences of 
 his acceptance, such a rich revelation of his love, 
 as to banish suddenly all gloom and fear. Brainerd 
 was the least enthusiastic of all men ; one who loved 
 the valley of humiliation and mistrust, and looked 
 wistfully to brighter scenes. After a time, distress 
 and darkness came again ; only for a while — their 
 empire was broken for ever. 
 
 In the beginning of September, he went to Yale 
 College, in New Haven ; where a too severe appli- 
 cation to his studies brought on an illness, and his 
 life was despaired of. This was an hour to prove if 
 his trust and consolation were real. " God nerved 
 his heart," he writes, '* and took away every fear of 
 death.'' After his recovery, a thirst of future distinc- 
 tion entered the mind. He now began to keep a diary. 
 We often find him referring to this detail, as if it were 
 some loved memorial, though, like the scroll of the 
 prophet, it was full of mourning, lamentation, and 
 woe. It is an unfair confessional, for it often conveys 
 the idea of a spirit so locked up in itself, so hourly 
 and endlessly alive to every passage of its thoughts, 
 as to have little warm interest left for others. It 
 should be observed, that he shrunk from the publi- 
 cation of any part of his diary, even when he should 
 be no more. When he lay dying, at Boston, an 
 untimely victim to his exceeding toils, at the age 
 of thirty, he gave peremptory orders for the de- 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 333 
 
 struction of his papers. " They were only/' he 
 said, " for his private use, and not to get honour 
 or applause in the world." It is difficult not to love 
 the remains of so humble, so sincere a man ; who 
 spoke thus at the age when the thoughts of this 
 world are strongest, and the heart shudders at 
 being forgotten. 
 
 *' In the following year there was a great re- 
 ligious commotion," says his biographer, " through 
 the land, and the college at New Haven had no 
 small share in it. Several religious students asso- 
 ciated together, for mutual conversation and assist- 
 ance in spiritual things, who were wont freely to 
 open themselves one to another as special and in- 
 timate friends : Brainerd was one of this company." 
 It appears that an intemperate zeal, with little tinc- 
 ture of charity in it, prevailed in many of their 
 minds. It chanced, that an unwise observation of 
 Brainerd, as to the piety of one of the tutors, was 
 reported to the authorities, and gave great offence. 
 The breach was aggravated by the suggestions of 
 some false friends ; and it was represented to the 
 superior, that Brainerd was reckless of his authority ; 
 that he went to hear Mr. Tennant at Milford, and 
 that he had said it was a tyranny to prevent the 
 other scholars from going also. In his diary, about 
 this time, he writes : — " I seem to be declining with 
 respect to my life and warmth about divine things. 
 Retired early this morning into the woods. Set 
 apart this day for fasting, and prayer to God, to pre- 
 pare me for the work of the ministry. I was enabled 
 so to agonize in prayer, that I was quite wet ; though 
 in the shade, and the wind cool. I felt that dis- 
 position, heartily to forgive all injuries done me: 
 to wish my greatest enemies every blessing, even as 
 for my own soul. My faith lifted me above the 
 world, and removed all those mountains that I could 
 not look over of late." 
 
334 DAVID BRAINKRD. 
 
 A council of ministers, convened at Hertford, 
 before whom he laid his case, interceded with the 
 rector and trustees of Yale college for his restora- 
 tion to his former privileges, but without success. 
 At the age of twenty-four, the desire of his heart 
 was at last gratified : he was examined by the 
 association, as to his learning and piety, and received 
 a license from them to preach ; which he did, 
 before a " considerable assembly of grave and 
 learned ministers." To Scotland belongs the credit 
 of engaging the services of Brainerd. The gentle- 
 men who examined him, and who were now met at 
 New York, belonged to the " honourable society in 
 Scotland for propagating Christian knowledge." 
 ** Oh my heart !" writes the youthful minister, *'how 
 miserably would they be disappointed, if they knew 
 thee." 
 
 It is interesting to observe how such a mind, at 
 so early an age, bore the trials of the ministry, as 
 well as its exquisite dangers and temptations. For 
 the first time he went forth to the Indians, at a place 
 near Kent ; and not long afterwards, he was ap- 
 pointed to Kanaumeek, many miles in the interior. 
 " I seemed to struggle hard for some pleasure here 
 below, and seemed loth to give up all. I saw I was 
 throwing myself into all hardships and distresses : I 
 thought it would be less difficult to lie down in the 
 grave." — The place of his residence was encom- 
 passed with mountains and woods, twenty miles 
 distant from any English inhabitants. There was 
 one family that had come from the Highlands of 
 Scotland, and now lived two miles distant from 
 Kanaumeek. People soon become intimate in the 
 wilderness. This family, at such a moment, was a 
 treasure to the missionary : he went to lodge with 
 them. The Highlanders had dwelt two years in 
 this place, where the face of neighbour or friend 
 was unknown. They had built their log dwelling, 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 335 
 
 cut down the trees around, and cultivated the open 
 land. It is probable the coming of the stranger was 
 a welcome event : it was a break on the horrid 
 monotony of the forest life. 
 
 The description of Brainerd, in a letter to his 
 brother, is very graphic. — " I live in the most lonely 
 melancholy desert, about eighteen miles from 
 Albany. I board with a Highlander : his wife can 
 talk scarce any English. My diet consists mostly 
 of hasty-pudding, boiled corn, and bread baked in 
 the ashes. My lodging is a little heap of straw, 
 laid upon some boards, a little way from the ground : 
 for it is a log-room, without any floor, that I lodge 
 in. My work is exceeding hard ; I live so far from 
 my Indians. The master of the house is the only 
 person with whom I can readily converse in these 
 parts." 
 
 After many months, he got into his own house : 
 this was a little hut, that he built chiefly with his 
 own hands, with long and hard labour. — *' Just at 
 night, moved into my own house. I am now quite 
 alone : no friend to communicate any of my sorrows 
 to, or take sweet counsel together. In my weak 
 state of health, I had no bread, nor could I get any. 
 I am forced to go or send ten or fifteen miles for all 
 the bread I eat ; and sometimes it is mouldy and 
 sour before I eat it, if I get any quantity. I had 
 some Indian meal, of which I made little cakes, and 
 fried them ; and I felt contented with my circum- 
 stances, and sweetly resigned to God. I blessed 
 him as much as if I had been a king : yet I find, 
 though my inward trials are great, a life of solitude 
 gives them greater advantages to penetrate the in- 
 most recesses of the soul." 
 
 The thoughts of his lost dignities at college came 
 painfully over his mind, even in the wilderness. 
 He made another and more deferential effort, to 
 pacify the superiors ; and drew up a full and hum- 
 
336 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 ble apology, which he sent them. His friends used 
 every effort also ; but the men were inexorable. 
 
 " September 14th, This day I ought to have 
 taken my degree. I thought whether I could 
 be resigned, if the French Indians should come 
 upon me, and, deprive me of my life, or carry me 
 away captive." 
 
 Even liis remote abode, it seems, was not one of 
 safety. The Indians to whom he was sent, were 
 few in number. An inroad of their enemies, who 
 were merciless and cruel, was a dreadful picture 
 for the fancy : in the dead of night, their yell might 
 come on the missionary's ear, who was as defence- 
 less as a child. 
 
 " As I was teaching them to sing psalm-tunes 
 that evening, I received a letter from Colonel Stod- 
 dard ; warning me to secure myself the best way 
 I could against a sudden invasion. It came in good 
 season ; and taught me that I must not please my- 
 self with any of the comforts of life, which I had 
 been preparing. The world is a dark, cloudy man- 
 sion." — And what were the comforts to which he 
 alludes? Perhaps a little furniture for the dwelling, 
 rudely made with his own hands — a few chairs, a 
 table, or a bed ; even of such things, he had, till 
 lately, known nothing. He wrote a great deal in his 
 poor hut, that consisted of two chambers : but it is 
 easy to see where his richest pleasure lay — to bury 
 himself, when the weather was fine, in the depths of 
 the forests, from sunrise to set, without any sus- 
 tenance, and surrender his heart eagerly to prayer 
 and meditation. His diary bears witness that these 
 were the happiest moments of his life, and also the 
 most fatal. While the spirit gathered comfort, the 
 body wasted fast : his constitution could not bear 
 such intense denials and exercises ; and, after a 
 time, they were apt to affect the imagination also. 
 Often, after a day of rigid fasting, he complains of 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 337 
 
 a mind disordered, tlie spirits clouded, and the body 
 ready to faint by the way. 
 
 What a picture of singleness and simplicity of 
 heart is in this passage ! " I had to travel, day and 
 night, in stormy and severe weather, though very ill, 
 and full of pain ; was almost outdone with the 
 extreme fatigue and wet, and with falling into a 
 river : yet few that I sought were disposed to con- 
 verse of heavenly things. Surely, I thought there 
 was more happiness to be derived from the world : 
 my soul was for a while distracted after some objects, 
 which I thought myself most dead to. But as soon 
 as I looked to God, the allurements vanished. May 
 He forgive my idolatry ! 1 love to live alone in my 
 own little cottage, where I can spend much time in 
 prayer. During the fifteen months past, I have 
 been enabled to bestow to charitable uses, a hundred 
 and eighty pounds." 
 
 It would not be easy to find, even in the saints of 
 the Romish calendar, more self-denial or seclusion: 
 all this time his poor roof was one of poverty ; a 
 moiety of this sum would have given it luxury. He 
 had been left some estate by his father; but, after the 
 devotion of his life to the Indians, he thought l.e 
 should have little occasion for it ; and turning in his 
 thoughts, how he might do most good with this pro- 
 perty, he resolved to educate some youth of good 
 abilities, for the ministry. This was a " dear friend, 
 who was portionless," to whom he gave a liberal 
 education. 
 
 Brainerd had begun to study the Indian language, 
 withMr.Sergeant, of Stockbridge, a distance of twenty 
 miles, and he rode to and fro in all weathers. The 
 commissioners had directed him to spend as much 
 time as possible this winter, with the former gentle- 
 man : the way was partly through uninhabited woods. 
 He speaks of the wretched roads of Albany : at 
 the time alluded to, no regular road exieted for 
 
 II. z 
 
338 DAVID BRAIN ERD. 
 
 good part of the way; which was flat and barren; 
 here and there covered with sand : — '* Lost my 
 way in a dreary country, and obliged to lie all 
 night on the ground. Went to Kinderhook, on the 
 Hudson, fifteen miles from my place. " Time was 
 stolen, at intervals, from Kanaumeek, as well as 
 from his Indian lessons, to traverse much of the 
 country, in search, perhaps, of a more fruitful soil 
 for his labours. Albany and Kinderhook, where 
 he went several times, were ancient Dutch settle- 
 ments ; encompassed with sandy plains, and covered 
 with yellow pine : the colonists had intermarried only 
 among themselves, and had preserved all the primi- 
 tiveness of their habits ; dull, silent dwellings, with 
 their gable ends to the street, v^'ith high-pointed 
 roofs, and little windows. In the porch, by the street- 
 door, were seats, where the families used to sit a 
 good part of the day; and as their neighbours gene- 
 rally joined them, the domestic circles of the whole 
 town were gathered in the open air ; every passenger 
 was expected to greet these parties. To Brainerd, 
 riding slowly through the town, and looking anxi 
 ously, perhaps, for any faces or words that betok- 
 ened encouragement, all this must have appeared 
 vanity, and vexation of spirit. On one occasion, a 
 Dutchman, moved by curiosity, came to his log 
 house; and the recluse was greatly scandalized by 
 his utter worldlinessand insensibility. Such was the 
 force of habit in these Dutch, and their passion for 
 flowers, which they had brought over the Atlantic, that 
 they had beautiful gardens ; while in the whole neigh- 
 bourhood there were no vegetables, these being pro- 
 cured from a village at some distance. Kinderhook 
 was a silent and quiet town, built on a little creek of 
 the Hudson, along whose banks were the storehouses 
 of the thrifty Hollanders : here they had lived from 
 father to son, without a wish to seek another land or 
 home, or to go beyand the precincts of their town, 
 
DAVID BR AI NERD. 339 
 
 feven for a wife. The cleanliness and peacefulness 
 of the place were extreme. In the diary it is writ- 
 ten : '* I returned from Kmderhook ; and had rather 
 .ride hard, and fatigue myself, to get home, than 
 spend the evening and night among those that have 
 no regard for God." It appears that he was not 
 utterly unheeded : he speaks of a few who found out 
 his retreat, to consult him on spiritual concerns : 
 " Spent most of the day in labour, to procure some- 
 thing to keep my horse on during the winter." This 
 animal deserved all his care; being his faithful com- 
 panion in all his journeys and hardships, till at last, 
 in a moiintainous and desert region, he fell and 
 broke his leg ; and being utterly unable to move, his 
 master was obliged, to his no small grief, to kill him, 
 that he might not become a prey to the wolves; and 
 afterwards went his way on foot. His errand led 
 him occasionally through scenes of great grandeur, 
 on the shores of the Hudson, and Hoestennuc rivers. 
 Sheffield, where he sometimes went, stood on the 
 sides of the latter river, between the Green moun- 
 tains, and the Taghannac mountain, many thousand 
 feet high ; in a beautiful site, with a small and in- 
 dustrious population, of more promise to his hope 
 than the phlegmatic dwellers of Kinderhook. Eight 
 years only had passed since the town was begun, 
 yet there was a chapel and congregation, to which 
 he preached. To reach Stockbridge, the scene of 
 liis Indian lessons, it was necessary to pass the 
 Monument mountain, a name derived from a pile 
 of stones, raised over the grave of one of the early 
 chieftains. Every Indian who passed by the place, 
 threw a stone upon the tomb of his countrymen : 
 this practice, through a series of years, raised a lofty 
 pile or cromlech : the mountain itself fell into the 
 valley of Hoestennuc, in one magnificent precipice : 
 a few miles beneath was Stockbridge, in the very 
 heart of this impressive scenery. But when winter 
 
 L 2 
 
340 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 came, this was no safe or pleasant ramble, forty 
 miles to and fro, to drudge a few hours or days at 
 the Delaware tongue, and then return very little wiser 
 than he went. He was not destitute of friends, here 
 and there, by the way: yet, it was strange with what 
 eagerness he turned his face homewards ; one would 
 have thought a beloved wife was there, looking 
 anxiously for his well-known step. '' Rode to my 
 house : the air clear and calm, yet intensely cold : 
 such was the extremity of the weather, that I had 
 nearly perished." More than once he tarried for 
 the night at Goshen, on the Green mountains, where 
 the declivities are covered with pastures and flocks, 
 and the farmers, enriched by the produce, live in a 
 superior style. It was a tempting residence to a 
 pastor : substantial dwellings, a sober, prosperous 
 people ; but on this elevation, the snows fell heavily : 
 the flocks were carefully gathered at evening into 
 the fold, and the wanderer found refuge beneath the 
 hospitable roof of the farmer, and listened to the wild 
 blast, and thought of his cheerless home. '' Was 
 glad to get alone in my little cottage. O what rea- 
 son of thankfulness have I, on account of this retire- 
 ment. When I return, and give myself to medita- 
 tion, prayer, and fasting, a new scene opens to me ; 
 my soul is on the wing. In those weeks that I am 
 obliged to be away, and often in company, there is 
 much perplexity and barrenness ; I find that I do 
 not, and it seems, I cannot, lead the Christian life 
 I wish, when I am abroad. But now, I remained till 
 midnight ; all was so still without, my mind so serene, 
 that I grudged the few hours in sleep." 
 
 The severity of the season did not change this 
 attachment to the log hut ; or diminish the length of 
 his rides, when necessary. He speaks of going to 
 Kinderhook, the little secluded Dutch town, on 
 business : if this was the case, or if he came to buy, 
 or sell, he might be sure of a ready hearing, and 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 341 
 
 welcome from its people, who would open their 
 single parlour, with its fine sanded floor, and furni- 
 ture polished like mirrors : this was the guests' 
 room; by themselves it was rarely used. So simple 
 were their lives, that a day in youth and old age, 
 passed just alike ; rising at dawn, and going to bed 
 at sunset: no vehicle, save a waggon, had ever 
 passed their streets, and the tread of a horseman 
 was rare : utter strangers to the dissipations of life, 
 the whole family at eve gathered round the vast 
 patriarchal chimney, with its stone seats : the men 
 smoked and mused ; the women knit stockings, and 
 talked at intervals of the world of Kinderhook and 
 Albany. But Brainerd's estimation of business was 
 probably different from that of the trader : to him, 
 a small measure of earthly concerns felt like the 
 weight of a mountain. At a subsequent period, he 
 complains that the whole secular concerns of the 
 Indians was laid upon him : it must not be inferred 
 from this, that he had to ratify treaties, to reconcile 
 feuds, or attend the solemn assemblies where the 
 wise and aged deliberated on peace or war ; but 
 simply to overlook the raising of fences, and lay- 
 ing out fields, and the support of the school and 
 chapel. 
 
 The abode at Kanauhook now drew to a close: 
 he had dwelt there a year, but his eflTorts had 
 been attended with little good. It was resolved by 
 the commissioners that he should go to the Dela- 
 ware river; and he received the announcement with- 
 out regret, although he thereby lost his teacher in 
 the Indian. The loss was not a serious one, for all 
 the trouble and journeyings to learn the Delaware, 
 were to very little purpose. 
 
 Brainerd complains of want of sufficient time 
 for a language that required an entire devotion ; he 
 never was able to preach to the Indians in their own 
 tongue. This was a fearful disadvantage, and in the 
 
342 DAVID BRAIN ERD. 
 
 history of his difficulties ought surely to have a 
 foremost place. No one can conceive, who has not 
 been thus proved, the sorrow of yearning: to express 
 the thoughts of everlasting things movingly and pas- 
 sionately, and having to utter them through the lips 
 of a savage ; to stagger at some difficult expressions, 
 and linger till others are understood — till at last 
 the flame perishes at the altar. 
 
 It was at length resolved that he should de- 
 part. He gathered his Indians around him, and 
 preached to them for the last time. He then dis- 
 posed of his clothes, books, &c. : they would surely 
 have been useful in his future residence, but how was 
 he to carry them through rivers and swamps ? This 
 little sale in the woods must have been a curious 
 scene : the few settlers gathered round the lonely 
 man, who, with a heavy heart probably, held forth 
 the loved books which had solaced many a dreary 
 hour. The wardrobe could be neither a costly nor 
 extensive one. The Highlander, no doubt, was 
 there, for the books must have sold cheap, and the 
 swarthy faces of some of the Indians, and the strong 
 figures of the back-wood settlers, to whom the axe 
 and the saw were of far more avail than classics or 
 divines. 
 
 May 8th he rode forty-five miles : the ensuing 
 days went forward ; and, crossing Hudson's river, 
 travelled a great distance through a desolate coun- 
 try. At last he came to a settlement of Irish. In 
 his diary he writes, 
 
 '* May 13 — Rose early, in illness of body after my 
 long journey, from the great fatigue and heavy 
 rains ; was very melancholy : scarcely ever saw such 
 a gloomy morning in my life ; there appeared to be 
 no Sabbath ; the children were all at play ; the 
 people careless ; — I feel as if banished from all. 
 mankind." This remote mission, to which he was 
 now destined, was the greater sacrifice, as he had 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 343 
 
 lately received an earnest invitation to a settled 
 cliarge at East Hampton, on Long Island, the 
 wealthiest and pleasantest town in the whole isle. 
 The people were unanimous in their desire to have 
 him for their pastor, and for a long time did not 
 abandon their purpose. But he declined all their 
 entreaties. To the town of Millington he was also 
 earnestly invited, by a vote of the congregation. 
 Perhaps this refusal caused more regret than the 
 former, for the place was not far from his native 
 town of Haddam. But he had chosen his part. 
 
 In this state of uncertainty, he complains that his 
 prospects of usefulness to the heathen were dark as 
 midniu-ht. He redoubled his ardour ; and thouo:h the 
 spirit was often, as he mentions, sunk in a dismal calm 
 of languor and lifelessness, and again driven by the 
 tempest and not comforted, yet his living hope in 
 God, his ceaseless prayers, and quenchless desires, 
 after a while prevailed : '' After the season of weak- 
 ness, temptation, and desertion I endured last week, 
 I thought myself to be somewhat like Samson, when 
 his locks began to grow again." There were at 
 times seasons of such exquisite peace and enjoy- 
 ment, that " one moment is as months and years." 
 Yet he was unwise to give such inexorable heed to 
 every state and colour of the mind. Dearly did he 
 abide this habit, when his tenderness of conscience, 
 and jealousy of self, in themselves excellent graces, 
 became scourges in his hand. Utterly regardless of 
 the welfare of the body, he renewed his austerities, 
 even from one setting sun to the next, afraid of a 
 shaking leaf, yet waiting, in breathless expectation, 
 for his lost joy — till the pride and worldliness within 
 yielded to the " temper and mind of Christ." Then, 
 with a smile on his countenance, and a frame so 
 exhausted that he could scarcely rise from the foot 
 of the tree, he would give way to a burst of gratitude 
 and praise : " I still continued to give up myself to 
 
344 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 God, praying incessantly, with sweet fervency of 
 spirit. My health being very weak of late, I was 
 now considerablv overcome, so that when I rose from 
 my knees, I could scarcely stand, or walk straight; 
 my joints were loosed, and nature seemed as if it 
 would dissolve." 
 
 The next morning and evening, after such a sea- 
 son, might surely have passed calmly and brightly 
 away ; but this stern and sleepless sentinel of his 
 own soul ** mourned over the power of its corruption. 
 Had a distressing sense of my past follies, and 
 especially in the afternoon, was sunk down under a 
 load of sin and guilt, in that I had lived so little to 
 God, after his abundant goodness to me yesterday. 
 In the evening, judged and condemned myself for 
 the follies of the day." 
 
 There was also in the mind of Brainerd a tendency 
 to mysticism : ** Was deeply engaged in meditation 
 upon the different whispers of the various powers 
 and affections of a pious mind, exercised with a great 
 variety of dispensations. I could not but write, as 
 well as meditate, upon so entertaining a subject." 
 
 If it was a pleasant, it was also perilous work, to 
 such a mind, which it were wiser to have strength- 
 ened with healthful knowledge, or with the stores of 
 observition, which the character and temper of the 
 savage nations could not but present. Had he 
 studied man as he actually was, instead of busying 
 himself in this minute dissection of spiritual things, 
 he would have been better qualified for his mission. 
 But in this quality he was eminently defective. And 
 was it laudable to detach so much valuable time 
 from the acquirement of the Indian language ? He 
 was able to translate prayers ; and possessing an 
 admirable interpreter, it might be expected that con- 
 tinual converse would give some facility of expression. 
 Again — " Wrote something in the native language, 
 of spiritual sensation." His pen was a favourrte 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 34.5 
 
 solace, and beguiled the lonely day : but the 
 theme did not change ; otherwise many a vivid and 
 natural picture of nature, and her various tenants, 
 mii^ht have come from Brainerd's hand. 
 
 After leaving the aforesaid Irish settlement, he 
 went forward; "not knowing," as he observes, 
 ** whither he went." Like one of the Paladins of 
 old, though with a holier purpose, he looked out 
 keenly in the forest, to descry an enemy or a home, 
 while perils and mischances came thickly. '* It 
 was enough to make one's heart sink, going alone 
 in this howling wilderness." After riding a hun- 
 dred and fifty miles, he came to a village of the 
 Delaware Indians, and sought an interview with 
 their king, and explained to him his message ; '* but 
 he laughed at me, turned his back, and went his 
 way." Two days more brought him to the river, 
 and to another settlement, whose chief was more 
 friendly, and, after consulting with some of his old 
 men, consented to listen to his words : the audience 
 was very small, but attentive. In this place, 
 Brainerd spent the greater part of the summer, 
 lodging in one of the wigwams, to which the log 
 hut of Kenaumeek was a home of comfort : he 
 ** preached usually in the house of the king," who, 
 being pleased with the first discourse, had con- 
 sented to have his royal residence transformed into 
 a chapel. Sweet odours and incense did not salute 
 the senses : volumes of smoke often rose, and 
 wrapped the preacher and the audience in such 
 dense clouds, that it might be said, the words came 
 forth, but they saw no form or feature. He com- 
 plains of the sharp and sick head-aches, that were 
 the consequence : and, when the wind was high, 
 the ashes and dust from the fires were blown into 
 the eyes and mouth, almost to choking. The sum- 
 mer, however, was now in its prime ; the air at 
 morn and evening was fresh and healthful, and 
 
346 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 he sometimes drew the Indians to listen, beneath 
 the canopy of the trees : his hearers, at last, 
 amounted to forty persons. They were a sequestered 
 colony, supported by hunting and fishing, too 
 powerless to engage in war, and too poor and few 
 to tempt the inroads of their enemies. Neither 
 war, feast, bloodshed, nor ambition, here rose in arms 
 against the gospel of peace ; yet the missionary's 
 words fell on thankless ground. Unshaken in his 
 purpose, yet sick at heart, he lived here till the 
 autumn : and his love of solitude grew more intense 
 on him, fostered, perhaps, by the excessive beauty 
 and stillness of the Indian forests. The shadow of 
 the white pine, the cedar, the cypress, and oak, was 
 a glorious resting-place, after '' the unspeakable filth 
 and smoke " of the wigwam. The noises of the 
 children, " whom their pagan mothers would take 
 no manner of care to quiet," no longer dinned in 
 his ears ; but were exchanged for the cry of the 
 eagle, or of the mocking-bird, or the solemn sound 
 of the wind in the forest, that resembled the distant 
 roar .of the sea. The white pine, the noblest tree in 
 the world, was the monarch of these woods, in height 
 two hundred and fifty feet, its stem straight and 
 elegant, its leaves of a vivid green : the yellow pine 
 was an exquisite contrast ; as was the mournful 
 cypress, with the white spruce, a tree of extreme 
 beauty, and sixty feet high, with spotless leaves ; 
 and the tulip tree, which, in full flower, appears at 
 a little distance as if its blossoms were of gold. 
 Brainerd sometimes preferred a lodging in one of 
 these trees, to the floor of the wigwam. One or 
 two relics of his little library had been saved, and 
 were now invaluable : Allein's Alarm, and Edwards 
 on the Affections : from the former of which he took 
 pleasure in selecting the cases of conscience, and 
 applying them severally to himself. The heats 
 during the summer were very oppressive, but he was 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 347 
 
 not in a land where " the shadow of the rock" was 
 a cause of gratitude : the retreats in the woods, 
 against which no feller had yet come up, were so 
 thickly and almost imperviously shaded, that the 
 rays of the sun, even at noon, could hardly pierce 
 through. The passing away of day was only known 
 by the gloom that came slowly, for the face of the 
 skies could not be seen. These were apt scenes for 
 meditation and prayer : it is no wonder the recluse 
 loved them ; and the savage was, perhaps, some- 
 times startled, when tracking some beast of chase, 
 to hear the tones of fervent prayer and praise that 
 came forth from the thicket. When the rains fell, 
 not in showers, but a deluge, his situation was 
 pitiable : unable, for days together, to stir out of the 
 wigwam, before whose door, or open gap, a blanket 
 was placed ; but, if the wind chanced to be high, 
 this frail gateway could not exclude the wet, and 
 the smoke, unable to ascend, settled beneath like a 
 fixed vapour ; even the bedding, of a buffalo skin, 
 was often saturated; and, as the whole family, and, 
 in many cases, two or three families, huddled to- 
 gether on the confined floor to rest — sleep, according 
 to his frequent complaints, was seldom " tired 
 nature's sweet restorer," 
 
 He was called from his Indian assembly, to come 
 to Newark, in New Jersey, in order to his ordina- 
 tion. It was a long journey, and a startling transi- 
 tion : many days were passed in severe preparatory 
 study. June 11, the presbytery met together at 
 Newark, before whom he delivered his probationary 
 sermon, and afterwards passed an examination. 
 Mr. Pemberton, in a letter to the honourable society 
 in Scotland who employed the missionary, thus writes, 
 '* Mr. Brainerd passed through his ordination trials, 
 to the universal approbation of the presbytery, and 
 appeared uncommonly qualified for the work of the 
 ministry. He seems to be armed with self-denial, 
 
"348 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 and animated with a noble zeal to propagate the 
 gospel among those barbarous nations." Ere he 
 departed, he had an interview with the youth to 
 whom he was so strongly attached, in whose educa- 
 tion for the ministry he spared no expense : he gave 
 him kind and useful counsel. Tiiere was something 
 more than generous in this action. Brainerd, at 
 the age of five aiul-twenty, seeking joyfully every 
 privation, while he secured a liberal allowance to 
 one, not many years younger, " that he might do 
 good in his ministry." 
 
 Even now, the seeds of decay were within : those 
 who observed him carefully, might perceive that he 
 was marked for an untimely grave. " I seem to 
 myself," he writes, *' like a man that has all his 
 estate embarked in one small boat, unhappily going 
 adrift down a swift torrent. The poor owner stands 
 on the shore, and looks, and laments his loss." 
 
 He returned to the Delaware river, and resumed 
 his labours. Impatient at their ill success, he looked 
 abroad for a wider sphere of action, and took an- 
 other journey to Philadelphia, to engage the go- 
 vernor to use his interest with the chief man of the 
 Six Nations, that he might be allowed to live at 
 Susquehannah, and instruct the Indians there. 
 Leave was obtained : little time was lost in pre- 
 paration ; a Mr. Byram, his nearest Christian neigh- 
 bour, who lived forty miles off, came to be his 
 fellow-traveller : the interpreter went also. The 
 first day they journeyed till night, :v..d lodged *' in 
 the best house on the road ; after which, we went 
 on our way, scarcely any thing else to be seen but 
 lefty mountains, deep valleys, and hideous rocks. 
 Just at dark, we kindled a fire, cut up a few 
 bushes, and made a shelter to screen us from the 
 frost, which was very hard. At last we came to the 
 Susquehannah river, to an Indian village. I told 
 the chief my business : after some consultation, they 
 
DAVFD BRAINERD. 349 
 
 all assembled and I preached to them : in the even- 
 ing I visited them from house to house. Next day 
 rose at four in the morning, and travelled with great 
 steadiness till six at night ; then made a fire and a 
 shelter of barks : the wolves howled around us. 
 The following night we lost our way : it was very 
 dark, few stars to be seen. Formerly, when ex- 
 posed to cold and rain, I was ready to please my- 
 self with the thoughts of enjoying a comfortable 
 bouse, a warm fire, and other pleasures. Came to 
 a lone dwelling, where was one dead and laid out : 
 looked on the corpse ; it was the youthful owner of 
 the house, and his widow lamented for him : death 
 bad found him out in his solitude. O death ! thou 
 art no king of terrors ; thou art a kind guest : when 
 shall I meet thee, as a man meets his friend ! 
 
 So nervous and frail, the victim of ideal terrors — 
 yet he could be calm and fearless in the presence of 
 real evils, and smile at the fiercest things " that flesh 
 is heir to." 
 
 After an absence of a few weeks, lie retraced his 
 steps, set out to New York to meet the Presbytery 
 there, and then returned to the Delaware river. 
 Wearied with the wisrwam, he laboured hard durins: 
 the following twelve days, to construct a little cabin, 
 to live in by himself during the winter. His 
 life was not here in frequent peril, as in the first 
 settlement : yet the most tranquil home in these 
 wilds, was exposed to sudden treachery, or to the 
 inroad of some hostile tribe.- The French had a 
 settlement and fort, about eighty years ago, among 
 the Natches, with whom they lived in great amity. 
 But the latter at last sought their destruction ; and, 
 during five or six days, the nobles and old men con- 
 sulted together : one of the former at last rose, and 
 said, " We have passed for the most sensible among 
 the red men ; why shall we wait longer? Before the 
 French came into these countries, we were men : 
 
350 OAVll) BRAINKRI). 
 
 but now they seduce our wives, corrupt the manners 
 of our nation, and make us proud and idle. We 
 walked boldly on all the roads, but now we only go 
 gropinj^, for fear of finding thorns in our way. 
 What shall we wait for?" An aged chief, of 
 majestic deportment, rose, and would have dis- 
 suaded them from the cruel attempt. " The Great 
 Spirit of life will be irritated against our nation : 
 we have smoked the calumet of peace with the 
 chief of the white men, and said, ' Thy words shall 
 never be forgotten, and our descendants will remem- 
 ber them as long as the Ancient Word* shall last/ 
 We have had war enough : the sun was red before, 
 the sky covered with blackness ; the waters stained 
 with our blood ; our fields lay fallow ; we had all 
 of us empty stomachs, and our faces looked long 
 and meagre." 
 
 The doom of the French was fixed : the common 
 people, with whom they were popular, grew uneasy 
 at the councils of the nobles ; but the princess, who 
 was the mother of the young king, a woman of ta- 
 lent and firmness, was deeply incensed at the plot. 
 She prevailed upon him to go with her to see a rela- 
 tion who lived in the village of the Apple ; and, 
 finding herself in a solitary place with her son, she 
 spoke to him as follows : " Let us sit down here, 
 for 1 am tired. Open thy cars to hear me. 1 never 
 taught thee to lie. 1 am in despair to see myself 
 slighted by my brothers, and, above all, by thee. 
 Have 1 not fed thee with my purest blood? Oh, I 
 am tired of this contempt, and of walking with such 
 ungrateful people. The Disposer of life has called 
 my husband, and I shall soon go and join him. 
 Must the pale spirits of the while men gather round 
 my grave?" The prince, who had resolved on the 
 slaughter of the French, was moved to tears, and 
 told her, that in the great tem|)le, a bundle of rods 
 
 * Tlie traiUlioiiB. 
 
PAVID BRAIN ERD. 351 
 
 was laid, and one drawn every day ; the last rod 
 only remained, the disappearance of which was to 
 be the signal of the massacre. In vain the princess 
 strove to dissnade him, for the youth had been the 
 mover of the bloody deed, and was inexorable, 
 though his counsellors and chiefs were afar ; and in 
 the loneliness of the place and hour, his mother 
 appealed to his affection, his interest, and honour. 
 A few days after, the last rod was taken from the 
 temple ; and the Indians rushed on the French, all 
 unawares, and not one of the latter escaped. The 
 youthful king sat beneath the walls of one of the 
 European dwellings, and the heads of the officers 
 were laid at his feet ; the bodies were the prey of 
 the vultures : — but the princess was inconsolable at 
 the deed. 
 
 Brainerd's hut was in the mean time completed: 
 one chamber served for kitchen and parlour, where 
 he kept his store of wood, and ate, and slept. 
 This was speedy architecture, of which there was 
 great need ; the severity of an American winter 
 had set in : it was now December, and the next 
 deep fall of snow might bury both the architect and 
 his edifice, in case the roof was not up. His inter- 
 preter v;as absent for some time : he took posses- 
 sion of his lodge, and began to pursue his studies 
 with ardour, save when in illness and pain, and this 
 was not rarely the case. The dwellinsrs of the 
 Indians were widely scattered ; his own stood apart 
 from the rest — the miserable home of pine or cedar 
 logs, rudely hewn, with a roof of bark; could any 
 exile be more dreary? fastened carefully at the 
 close of day, for the hungry wolf or bear might 
 prowl around. Heavily the hours dragged on to- 
 wards niidni2:ht, while, with his lighted torch beside 
 him, he beguiled the time by writing or reading, often 
 not seeking repose till very late. These were mo- 
 ments when the pen might have been sternly aided. 
 
352 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 During the storms, so prevalent at this season, the 
 peals of thunder breaking over the forest, were fear- 
 ful as the trump of the last angel ; and the crash of 
 the falling trees was mingled with the other sounds ; 
 the largest oaks and cedars, that were in a state of 
 decay, were borne to the earth with a noise like 
 the roar of cannon : when morning came, hundreds 
 of trees sometimes lay prostrate. 
 
 There was consolation, at last, from without. On 
 the return of spring, the Indians began to pay greater 
 attention to his discourses : — " The next day I 
 preached to the people in the wilderness, upon the 
 sunny-side of a hill ; a considerable assembly, con- 
 sisting of many that lived not less than thirty miles 
 asunder." 
 
 One of the earliest fruits of his ministry was 
 a man of a hundred years of age, an ancient 
 savage, whose head was white as the snows : others 
 listened with diligence, and ere long with eager- 
 ness. They began to come to his cottage at even- 
 ing, when the chase was over, that they might talk 
 of the tidings of Christianity. The language of his 
 interpreter, whose heart was also touched, increased 
 in facility and power, " and now he amazingly 
 assisted me." The man became eloquent to the 
 ears of his countrymen, in proportion to the fervour 
 of his own feelings : he was soon after baptized by 
 his master. This interpreter was a young Indian, 
 of Stockbridge, where he had been instructed in the 
 Christian religion by Mr. Sergeant : he understood 
 both English and Indian very well, and wrote a 
 good hand : his services v/ere valuable to Brainerd, 
 who had hitherto struggled with wretched assistants. 
 " My rising hopes," he now writes, " respecting the 
 conversion of the Indians, have been so often 
 dashed, that my spirit is, as it were, broken, and 
 courage wasted ; and I hardly dare hope any more." 
 Leaving the banks of the Delaware for a time, he 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 353 
 
 now directed his attention to a place called Cross- 
 weeksung, in Jersey, not far from the sea. The first 
 reception was not very encouraging : his audience 
 consisted only of women ; but their zeal was 
 such, that after the discourse was concluded, they 
 travelled fifteen miles by his horse's side, to give 
 notice to some of their friends at that distance. 
 He compares them to the woman of Samaria, 
 " desirous that others might see the man that told 
 them what they had done in their lives past, and the 
 misery of their idolatrous ways." 
 
 During the ensuing weeks he went from place to 
 place in this district, the number of his hearers 
 gradually increasing; each discourse excited a deeper 
 interest. More than two years had passed since he 
 went to the house of the woods-man; that home, 
 where he waited long, and hope never came. 
 
 " Sabbath, June 9. I discoursed to the multi- 
 tude on that sacred passage, ' Yet it pleased the 
 Lord to bruise him :' the word was attended with a 
 resistless power; many hundreds in that great assem- 
 bly, consisting of three or four thousand, were much 
 affected, ' so that there was a very great mourning, 
 like to the mourning of Hadadrimmon.'" There is 
 a sublimity in this picture, of which the writer was 
 perhaps unconscious : few men were more guiltless of 
 using the shafts of the fancy. The youthful and pallid 
 missionary, with a frame wasted to extremity, and 
 an aspect in which, while his look was lifted up 
 with joy, the fatal flushes of consumption came and 
 went — while four thousand of the warriors and hun- 
 ters were bowed before him — then his likening it to 
 f the great mourning of Hadadrimmon, where all 
 Israel wept in the desert." 
 
 Poor Brainerd ! the transition was glorious ; his 
 head was now lifted from the dust. New Jersey, 
 the scene of this success, became his favourite 
 ground : and he soon after came to dwell at CrosD* 
 
 II. 2 A 
 
354 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 weeksung, not far from the sea. "■ It was late at 
 night ; all day I had laboured with this people : 
 my soul — my soul that had longed for this hour, 
 was transported with joy : how I grieved to leave 
 the place : earth, cover not thou my head yet 
 awhile ; though the thoughts of death are sweet, 
 I would fain stay while this great work advances." 
 To his eye, the sun seemed to rise more bright, the 
 desert rejoiced, and all nature put on a garb of more 
 than usual loveliness. The chariot-wheels, (in his 
 own words,) no longer drew heavily, but rushed 
 forward rapidly. 
 
 "July 21. I preached to the Indians first; 
 afterwards, to the white people ; then to the former 
 again : afterwards I baptized my interpreter and 
 wife, who were the first-fruits among these Indians. 
 He now addressed the Indians with admirable fer- 
 vency and sometimes, when I had concluded my 
 discourse, and was returning homewards, he would 
 tarry behind, to inculcate what he had spoken. Now 
 a change in the manners of the people began to 
 appear ; in the evenings, when they came to sup 
 together, they would not taste a morsel till they had 
 sent for me to ask a blessing on their food. 
 Their idolatrous feasts diminished fast." Brainerd 
 had long denounced these feasts in vain : he 
 now saw, that the moment the feelings of the 
 savage were engaged on his side, priests, enchant- 
 ments, and every accursed thing perished. On one 
 occasion, a band of sixty gathered round him : 
 "the influence of the divine truths was great; they 
 all, as one, were in an agony of soul, as I dis- 
 coursed on the love and compassion of God ; and 
 the more I invited them to partake of that love, 
 the more their distress was aggravated ; yet it was 
 solemn and aflfecting, being shewn by deep sighs 
 and tears, and the softness of those hard and cruel 
 natures. I could but perceive how their hearts 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 355 
 
 were pierced with the tender invitations of the 
 gospel, when there was not a word of terror spoken 
 to them." The toils of the missionary were greatly 
 augmented ; each day brought new hearers and 
 new converts. 
 
 Very soon there was great need of private visits 
 to families as well as individuals, who required a 
 more full and familiar explanation of the truths of 
 Christianity. He says, quaintly, " I was enabled to 
 adapt my conversation to the capacities of my people 
 (1 know not how) in a plain and easy manner, beyond 
 all that I could have done by the utmost study, and 
 this with as much freedom as if I had been address- 
 ing those who had been instructed in Christianity all 
 their days. If ever there was among my people an 
 appearance of the New Jerusalem, * as a bride 
 adorned for her husband,' there was at this time ; 
 and so agreeable was the entertainment, that I 
 could scarce tell how to leave the place." And 
 now he thought of the distant shores of the Susque- 
 hannah : might not their darkness pass away also ? 
 Full of the hope, he instantly set forth, and, travel- 
 ling nearly two hundred miles, came to a town 
 which he had previously visited ; and he was kindly 
 received. 
 
 On the first night, a pagan dance was celebrated 
 in the house where he lodged, the uproar and licen- 
 tiousness of which gave him great distress: the town 
 was built on a large island, named Juncauta, in the 
 middle of the rapid stream : the people were of 
 three different tribes, who each spake a language 
 unintelligible to each other. He visited the Dela- 
 ware king, who had been at the point of death ; 
 and spoke to him with great freedom and plainness ; 
 but the words were of little avail. Great part of 
 the population going out to hunt, he left the town, 
 and travelled down the river southwestward. One 
 evening he came on a partv, who were dancing 
 
 2 a2 ' 
 
356 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 around an immense fire, having prepared ten fat 
 deer for the sacrifice. The flames arose to a pro- 
 digious height, and were reflected on the hills 
 and woods around, at the same time the yells 
 might be heard two miles or more. The orgie» 
 were continued all night, during which, Brainerd, 
 having walked to and fro till body and mind 
 were much oppressed, at length crept into a little 
 crib made for corn, and there slept on the 
 poles. As soon as they were up in the morning he 
 attempted to instruct them, but quickly found they 
 had something else to do. The picture is perfectly 
 graphic : — " Having gathered all their conjurors, 
 they were all engaged for several hours making the 
 most wild distracted motions ima2;inable : sometimes 
 singing and howling, and extending their arms to 
 the utmost stretch ; sometimes stroking their faces 
 with their hands, then spirting water as fine as mist ; 
 sometimes bowing down their faces to the ground, 
 wringing their sides as if in pain and anguish, 
 twisting their faces, turning up their eyes, grunting 
 or pufiing. These frantic actions seemed to have 
 something in them peculiarly suited to raise the 
 Devil, if he could be raised by any thing odd 
 and frio^htful. Some of them were much more 
 fervent in the business than others, and seemed 
 to chant, peep, and mutter with a great de- 
 gree of warmth and vigour. I sat about thirty 
 feet from them, with my Bible in my hand, re- 
 solving, if possible, to spoil their sport, and prevent 
 their receiving any answers from the infernal world. 
 But of all the sights I ever saw among them, none 
 appeared so near akin to what is usually imagined 
 of the powers of darkness, as the appearance of one 
 who was a zealous restorer of what he supposed was 
 the ancient relisrion of the Indians. He came in his 
 pontifical garb, which was a coat of bear-skms, 
 dressed with the hair on, hanging down to his toes ; 
 
DAVID BRAIN ERD, 357 
 
 a pair of bear-skin stockings ; and a great wooden 
 face, painted one-half black and the other tawny, 
 with an extravagant mouth cut very much awry. 
 He advanced towards me, with the instrument in his 
 hand which he used for music in his idol-worship, 
 which was a dry tortoise shell with some corn in it. 
 As he came forward, he beat his tune, and danced 
 with all his might, but did not suffer any part of his 
 body, not so much as his fingers, to be seen ; no 
 man would have guessed by his appearance that he 
 was a human creature. When he came near me, I 
 could but shrink away from him, although it was 
 then noon-day, his appearance and gestures were so 
 frightful. He had a house consecrated to religious 
 uses, with diveis images cut out on the several parts 
 of it. He there treated me with uncommon cour- 
 tesy, and seemed to be hearty in it. The Indians, 
 he said, were grown very degenerate ; that he 
 wanted to find some who would join him heartily in 
 his religion. Then his mind was so much distressed, 
 that he got away into the woods, and lived for some 
 months. His spirit of divination is gone from him. 
 The manner in which he says he obtained the spirit 
 of divination was this — he was admitted into the 
 presence of a great man, who was clothed with the 
 day of many years, yea, of everlasting continuance. 
 This whole world, he says, was drawn upon him, so 
 that in him the earth, and all things in it, rocks, 
 mountains, and seas, might be seen. By the side 
 of the great man stood a shadow or spirit. The 
 shadow was lovely, and filled all places. After this, 
 he saw that being no more ; but the spirit, or 
 shadow, often appeared to him in dreams and other 
 ways." 
 
 Brainerd was aware that he had a set of cunning 
 and depraved fellows to deal with, so that, after 
 several ineffectual attempts, he willingly departed. 
 The return to his own people was a delicious con- 
 
358 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 trast. O ! how different, he says, are those Indians 
 from the idolaters by the river-side. 
 
 Returning to his land of promise, he now began 
 to baptize those converts who were most advanced 
 in knowledge; first requiring, however, an abandon- 
 ment of their immoralities. As to the marriage bond, 
 he obliged many, who had separated, to come toge- 
 ther again ; forbade inconstancy ; and drukenness, 
 their darling vice, was no longer indulged. He ex- 
 pressively writes in his journal — " As their distresses 
 under conviction have been great and pressing ; so, 
 many of them have since appeared to rejoice with joy 
 unspeakable : and yet their consolations do not incline 
 them to lightness, but are attended with a solemnity 
 and brokenness of heart, even with a sweet sorrow." 
 And in this respect some of them have been surprised 
 with themselves, and have with concern observed 
 to me, that " when their hearts have been glad, they 
 could not help weeping for all." Upon the whole, 
 this is a rational and just work, the fruits thereof 
 being visible to all. As these poor pagans stood in 
 need of having line upon line, and precept upon 
 precept, in order to their being grounded in the 
 principles of Christianity; so, I taught from house to 
 house almost every day, for whole weeks together. 
 And my public discourses did not then make up the 
 one half of my work, while there were so many con- 
 stantly coming to me with that important inquiry — 
 " What must we do to be saved." I have now rode 
 more than three thousand miles since the beginning 
 of May last, and have taken pains to look out for 
 a colleague or companion to travel with me, but 
 have not yet found one. Yet is not my compensation 
 unspeakable?" 
 
 A few of the Indians from the Delaware had come 
 as far asCrossweeksung, to attend his ministry : these, 
 being the best disposed among their countrymen, 
 carried home the tidings of his influence and sue- 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 359 
 
 cess. His return to that territory was received 
 with interest. The Indians would now forbear 
 some of their hunting parties. On one occasion 
 they went out and killed several deer, as a supply 
 for some days, that they might enjoy his dis- 
 courses with less interruption. Many embraced 
 Christianity, and were baptized. He never raised a 
 separate congregation in this place; but desired the 
 people to follow him to New Jersey, to partake of 
 the services and ordinances. The Delaware king-, 
 who first offered his dwelling for a chapel, and was 
 now able, after his distemper was healed, to hunt 
 and rule again, never was a convert; and this might 
 have damped his attachment to the place. The cabin 
 that he had built was yet entire, with a little store 
 of necessaries for his occasional visits. None of the 
 savages ever made use of these homes, or laid hand 
 on any article within. It seemed as if they were 
 kept sacred, to shelter the missionary's head. The 
 pleasant tone in which he alludes to these places, is 
 just such as a wealthy or luxurious man would use, 
 in reference to his country seats and parks, and 
 groves that he had planted. 
 
 As to his resting-place in New Jersey, it was 
 dreary enough: of neighbours and friends, there 
 were none within the distance of very many miles. 
 He might have looked round, and said with truth, 
 " I am monarch of all I survey;" an unclaimed and 
 unpeopled waste. By ascending a hill, or climbing 
 to the top of one of the highest trees, scattered 
 abodes might be discovered at various distances : a 
 wigwam, perhaps, perched on the brow of a preci- 
 pice, or the smoke of others rising out of the woods 
 beneath. 
 
 It is almost inconceivable how such great numbers 
 could be collected together. It brings to mind the 
 '' fiery cross" of ancient use in the north. He 
 speaks of a " vast multitude" on one Sabbath. 
 
360 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 *' They gathered," he writes, '* from all quarters, 
 some from twenty, and even forty miles' distance; so 
 that it seemed as if God had summoned them from 
 all quarters, for nothing else but to deliver his mes- 
 sage to them. I could not but think the coming of 
 many of them to this place, was like Saul and his 
 messengers coming among the prophets; even the 
 chiefs among them were seized with awe." The 
 eager advance of the various parties, issuing from 
 the depths of the forest ; the old and young, the 
 .women and children, was a triumphant sight to the 
 missionary : " this is strength out of weakness," he 
 justly observes. A very few pages in his diary about 
 this time, are full of power and beauty, so as to 
 redeem much of the monotony and heaviness of the 
 remainder. " After discoursing publicly, I stood 
 amazed at the influence that seemed to descend 
 upon the assembly, and, v/ith an astonishing energy, 
 bore down all before it; and could compare it to 
 nothing more aptly than a mighty torrent. Almost 
 all persons of all ages were bowed down together. 
 The most fierce and stubborn hearts were now 
 obliged to bow. Their concern was so great, each 
 for himself, that none seemed to take any notice of 
 those about them, but each prayed for themselves; 
 and were, to their own apprehensions, as much 
 retired, as if every one had been by himself in a 
 "desert. Each seemed to mourn apart." 
 
 Again his soul thirsts for the shores of the Sus- 
 quehannah ; and his horse's head is eagerly turned 
 that way. He set forth with his interpreter; and 
 being compelled to lodge in the open woods, on the 
 bare ground, was overtaken there with a north- 
 easterly storm, in which he had nearly perished. 
 Without any shelter, and unable to make a fire in 
 such heavy rain, he rose from his hard couch, and 
 went forward ; but their horses happening to have 
 eaten a poisonous plant, they could not ride them, but 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 3GI 
 
 wete obliged to drive them forward, and travel on 
 foot. At last they came to a bark hut, and eagerly 
 crept in, and waited till morn. As he was riding 
 one day in the wilderness, he was seized with a 
 burning fever, and had barely strength to reach 
 the home of an Indian trader, where he languished 
 some time. It was a wretched asylum, filled with 
 the skins and furs of wild animals, with store of 
 ardent spirits. 
 
 Misfortune always hung over the journeys to this 
 beautiful river. The way, for there were no roads, 
 was enough to ruffle the most exemplary patience : 
 over rocks and steeps, through swamps and dread- 
 ful and dangerous places. On the mountains which 
 he was obliged to cross, there were few abodes ; the 
 Indians preferring the flat country, and the woods. 
 Height after height rose, where no white man's foot 
 had trod before ; and sudden precipices often barred 
 the way, and then a long circuit was to be made : the 
 deep glen and the defile, where the sun seldom fell, 
 was perhaps a welcome place of rest, for it was 
 sheltered from the winds. But the chief danger 
 attendant on these passes, was from the melting of 
 the snows, that suddenly swelled the mountain 
 stream, and flooded the wanderer's way. Pouring 
 down the precipices into the vales and ravines, 
 the torrents bore all before them ; the rocks and 
 shrubs were soon covered, then the trees sank 
 gradually. In these places the savage never reared 
 their huts, which would have been swept away like 
 bubbles on the stream ; the safety of the sleeper 
 was in the rushing sound with v/hich this visitation 
 came, that was wildly echoed among the soli- 
 tudes around. A plentiful rain of a few days often 
 caused this event. In other parts, where forest 
 after forest rose in splendid succession up the 
 mountain sides, the thick and tangled bushes, and 
 close underwood, miserably impeded the way. A 
 
362 DAVID BRAINEKD. 
 
 friendly roof, in such a region, was as delightful as 
 unexpected ; — " Late at night we came suddenly 
 to the house of a stranger, where we were kindly 
 entertained : what a cause of thankfulness was 
 this!" Their night's lodging was sometimes be- 
 neath the shelter of the reck ; and the dead 
 pine-tree was kindled, and threw its glare on the 
 hoary cliffs, and kept the wild beasts at a dis- 
 tance ; then they lay down to rest around the 
 burning embers. On one of these journeys, he 
 lay for three weeks on the bare ground. 
 
 In this visit to the Susquehannah, he spent the 
 time to as little purpose as ever : the people were 
 warlike and nitractable, like those of the Six 
 Nations, near to whom they were situated. They 
 were civil and friendly, but were bad listeners, and 
 worse believers. Although he did not join in the 
 chase, he partook of the spoils, and made one of 
 the circle who sat round the roasted deer, on mats 
 on the floor; he could have been no costly guest, 
 and the hungry savages must have regarded with 
 astonishment such an appetite and consumption. 
 An epicure would shudder at many parts of his 
 diary : at times a total disinclination to food ; a 
 little boiled maize, decayed bread, perhaps a few 
 dried apples or peaches, by way of luxury. The 
 natives went forth early to the chase, the aged 
 men and women only remained at home. What a 
 home for a man of cultivated mind ! When the 
 old warrior or hunter had told his tale of past 
 times, and this through an interpreter, the stores 
 of conversation w^ere exhausted : the Indian wives 
 had little leisure to give heed to his words. As to 
 the children, they were true natives of the wild : 
 '* some were laughing ; some were whittling sticks ; 
 others playmg with their dogs, a^id this for want 
 of better manners. 
 
 So he went forth by the river-side, and had 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 363 
 
 recourse to his beloved meditation, which had grown 
 into such a habit, that he scarcely ever rode on 
 horseback, but he fell quickly to meditate, either 
 in a profitable or painful way. The fiercer savages 
 must have considered him a very useless being, 
 and, probably, followed his movements with a smile 
 of contempt or pity. His personal advantages were 
 not sufficient to create respect or approval in these 
 men : his hand could not wield the spear, the bow 
 and arrow, or even the musket ; his step was often 
 weak and faltering, as he drew near their thresh- 
 hold ; and his features clad in gloom, or bent to 
 the earth. But there is a something, in that restless 
 enthusiasm, in that insatiable thirst and longing 
 (to use his own words) for the salvation of others, 
 that is irresistible. It was evident that when Brain- 
 erd spoke of the things of God, the soul went 
 forth with every word ; and the more that men 
 listened to the low but clear tones of his voice, and 
 looked on his impassioned aspect, the more they 
 desired to see and to hear him. He never seems, b^ 
 his mental and personal qualities, to have bound 
 the chieftains to him in friendship or in reverence, 
 like Eliot and Zeisberger : but the number of his 
 female converts was great ; over their minds, his 
 soft and gentle bearing had no small influence, 
 even on young and old. " In the evening I spoke 
 to some of them, who wept much ; and in the con- 
 ference explained the story of the rich man and 
 Lazarus. The word made powerful impressions, 
 especially while I discoursed of the blessedness of 
 Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. This, I could per- 
 ceive, affected them much more than the rich man's 
 misery and torments." Evening, when the men 
 came home from hunting, and when joy, if they 
 had been successful, was diffused through the house- 
 hold, was Brainerd's favourable hour ; the toils of 
 the day were past, the neighbours and friends 
 
364 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 dropped in, and all were disposed to converse. 
 But if the chase had been unsuccessful, the baffled 
 savages sat or lay on the ground sullen and dis- 
 contented, their feelings soured by hunger and wear- 
 mess. Hence he returned to New Jersey, where he 
 arrived in safety, and found that his people were 
 like a flock without pasture. 
 
 A year had now passed since the commencement 
 of his great success ; the number of the baptized 
 was seventy persons. Surely, rest is grateful after 
 ceaseless toil ; and the contemplation of the heart, 
 thirsting for light and hope, every hour; was it not 
 enough to chain the teacher to his post? 
 
 ** May 22. In the evening, was in a frame some- 
 what remarkable. I had apprehended, for some 
 time, that it was the design of Providence I should 
 settle among my people here ; and had begun to 
 make provision for it, and to contrive means to 
 hasten it. I also found my heart engaged in it, 
 hoping I might then enjoy more agreeable circum- 
 stances of life, in several respects ; and yet I never 
 was fully determined, never quite pleased with the 
 thoughts of being settled and confined to one place. 
 Yet it seemed to be my lot, at last, to have a quiet 
 settlement, and a stated home of my own. In the 
 foregoing part of this week, this prospect was parti- 
 cularly pleasant. But now these thoughts seem to 
 be wholly dashed to pieces ; not by necessity, but 
 of choice. I still wanted to go about far and wide, 
 in order to spread the gospel. It appeared also 
 that I had nothing to lose, nothing to do with earth ; 
 and I shall rejoice to be made a pilgrim or a hermit, 
 if I may thereby promote the knowledge of the 
 true God." 
 
 There is a passage, soon after the above, that 
 comes direct from the heart, and proves how sincere 
 were its stern denials ; an expression of unusual 
 tenderness is also evident. ** I will then say, * Fare- 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 365 
 
 well, earthly comforts and friends, the dearest of 
 them all, the very dearest, if the Lord calls for it ; 
 adieu, adieu ; I'll spend my life, to my latest mo- 
 ments, in caves and dens of the earth, if the kingdom 
 of Christ may be advanced.* " 
 
 Brainerd was not gifted, like his predecessor Eliot, 
 with the qualities of a legislator and ruler : his habits 
 of mind were too restless and desultory ; he came 
 and went, made a deep and fervid impression on the 
 people, and then quickly began to sigh for some 
 other scene, where his message had not been received. 
 Perhaps this was almost natural to one of such 
 changing moods, of such uncertain health. He could 
 have perished at the stake, even the stake of an 
 Indian captive, and done no discredit to his faith ; 
 but the unyielding patience, the calm yet firm en- 
 durance, pressing on slowly yet surely to its object, 
 were foreign to his nature. 
 
 Ever since his efforts were so blessed, first in 
 New Jersey, and then on the Delaware, the frame 
 of his mind had been more animated and cheerful : 
 fits of gloom and dejection did not fail to come; 
 but the whole tenor of the thoughts and feelings was 
 happier ; the dear excitement of usefulness was 
 awake, to sleep no more. Men of his temper and 
 make are peculiarly dependent on external aids, 
 and feed intensely on the imaginings of the future ; 
 keenly alive to neglect or desertion, yet disposed to 
 make a friend of solitude rather than of society ; 
 and when success and triumph come at last, they 
 come like angels of light. It may be said, that this 
 devoted youth yielded his soul to but one passion, 
 one burning desire : " his one little bark," he calls 
 it, '^ if that is dashed to pieces, I perish." All was 
 embarked, health, fortune, every pleasure, every 
 comfort, life itself. Can man give more? The 
 Pilcrrim, as he terms himself, now went on his way ; 
 and if, like Christian in the Valley of Shadows, he 
 
366 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 was often dismayed by dim spectres, and the rush- 
 ing terrors; yet,, ever and anon, there were such 
 flashes of h"ght and glory, such voices of hope and 
 assurance, that he strode on his way in victory. 
 
 Among the settlements of white people, at this 
 early period thinly scattered on the interior, was 
 one of High Dutch, which he occasionally visited. 
 These colonists were rather a peculiar people : they 
 had slowly wrested their homes and lands from 
 the desert ; the greater part of the former were 
 rudely built of logs, with all the rooms on the 
 ground-floor ; without, were fields of grain and 
 maize, vines and peach-trees in abundance ; in 
 another part, fields half cleared, and inroads on the 
 forest, where the ancient oaks and cedars lay pros- 
 trate on every side : wood was an incumbrance 
 rather than a blessing; and often did the farmer 
 wish that his eye could rove over a vast plain, bare 
 as an Eastern desert. Between the missionary 
 and the settlers there could be no sympathy in a 
 sino'le taste or habit. It has been observed, 
 that an agricultural life, more than any other, 
 indisposes men's hearts to the easy reception of the 
 gospel. The hourly and systematic drudgery; the 
 long waiting for small gains ; and the baffled hopes, 
 from the skies and storms — tend to close the 
 hand, and to encrust the heart. But the hardships 
 and toils encountered by these early planters can 
 scarcely be conceived : it is no wondei that they 
 listened coolly to Brainerd's appeals, about the 
 folly of fixing the heart on earthly possessions ; 
 and as to his excessive zeal for the conversion 
 of the Indians, it must have seemed to them little 
 better than madness. They had won their con- 
 quests from the soil by dint of amazing patience 
 and perseverance, being compelled, on their first 
 arrival, to encamp in huts ; the cattle they had 
 brought were turned to graze on the wild pastures. 
 
DAVID BR AI NERD. 367 
 
 Often were their crops wasted by the tempest or the 
 flood, or long and heavy rains. And as to the savages, 
 they hated their very name, having lived, during many 
 years, in constant dread of ravage and massacre at 
 their hands. These men might justly look around 
 in pride, on their flocks and herds, and well-stocked 
 orchards; and they loved these things the more, 
 for having earned them so painfully. A very few, 
 who were better disposed, listened attentively, and 
 requested Brainerd to come again ; for they had 
 neither pastor, place of worship, or burial-ground, 
 or a single religious ceremony, being several hun- 
 dred miles from town or city. 
 
 And now a third home was to be reared, with 
 surer prospect of settlement than either of the 
 former : the time chosen was very unseasonable. 
 
 " December 9. I spent most of the day in procur- 
 ing provisions, in order to my setting up housekeeping 
 among the Indians ; the next day I was also engaged 
 in this business." It is doubtful if any of the 
 savages could surpass Brainerd in the art of build- 
 ing ; no Dutchman could be more cool and dogged 
 in the business. The scene, to the painter's eye, 
 would have been richly characteristic : the master 
 and the interpreter rearing their lonely home ! the 
 feeble and eager man bearing the logs to the spot 
 he had cleared, raising the roof, laying the floor, 
 dividing the little chambers — then resting in weakness 
 on some fallen trunk, while the axe of his compa- 
 nion felled some of the noblest trees, and the blows 
 rung through the forest. The housekeeping here 
 spoken of was somewhat apocryphal : if the stran- 
 ger, hungry and weary, had sought shelter within, 
 it is doubtful if he would have found a meal ; the 
 host could, perhaps, produce a little dried deer's 
 flesh, or dried fruit, or bread as mouldy as that of 
 the Gibeonites : as a last resource, he might have 
 trimmed the fire, and fried cakes of Indian corn. 
 
368 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 He never kept a domestic, and, as the interpreter 
 had a wife and home of his own, Braiiierd pet- 
 formed all the culinary duties with his own hands, 
 and swept his floor and cleaned his scanty furni- 
 niture; though it is doubtful whether, like that of his 
 Dutch acquaintance, it was polished like a mirror. 
 He had not long dwelt here, ere the people became 
 desirous of living near him : " the Indians are now 
 gathered from many parts to this place, and have 
 built themselves little cottages, so that more than 
 twenty families live within a quarter of a mile of 
 me." By degrees these dwellings approached nearer 
 to his own door, though the lands of some of the 
 owners were fifteen miles distant. He now pro- 
 cured a schoolmaster for the children and younger 
 people, who were taught during the day; in the 
 evening, the older and the married people. He 
 also began to catechise them regularly, and pro- 
 pose questions on religious subjects. 
 
 Hitherto he had preached in the open wilderness 
 for want of a roof to shelter ; a chapel was now 
 raised, plain and unadorned, as may be supposed, 
 being of wood, roughly put together, but strong 
 enough to resist the winds and rains : pews there 
 were none; the Delawares would, have looked and 
 felt awkwardly within them. No bell sent its tones 
 over the waste, to summon the scattered people : 
 " they are quickly called together by the sound 
 of a conch-shell." Here, after a strict examination, 
 he administered the sacrament to the converts. 
 '* It was received with great solemnity and serious- 
 ness, and seemed to diffuse through their hearts 
 great union and love towards each other." 
 
 Attached as he was to fasting, it was but natural 
 he should inculcate it on his people, who probably 
 had not the same high opinion of its virtue. — 
 " I endeavoured to open to them the nature of 
 a fast, and to instruct them in the duties of such 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 369 
 
 a solemnity. I insisted upon the special reasons 
 there were for our now engaging in this exercise." 
 Another of his favourite observances was imitated, 
 and with perhaps greater zest: a company of natives 
 would not unfrequently retire into the heart of the 
 woods, and spend hours there in earnest devotion, 
 the voice of their singing rising far on the stillness of 
 those scenes, never before so disturbed. " Some- 
 times, when the service was over, and my people 
 were dismissed, though it was dark, they appeared 
 loth to leave the place that had been rendered 
 so dear to them by the benefits enjoyed. I also 
 felt loth to go to bed, and grieved that sleep was 
 necessary. On one occasion, soon after I left them, 
 (the sun being then about an hour and a half high 
 at night,) they began, and continued praying all 
 night till nearly break of day, not suspecting, till 
 they went out and viewed the stars, and saw the 
 morning-star a considerable height, that time had 
 fled so fast." The number of converts now amounted 
 to a hundred and fifty persons ; very many Indians 
 came often from his second station, the Forks of 
 the Delaware, to attend his ministry, of whom the 
 greater part were Christians. At the close of this 
 year, he takes an impartial review of the influence 
 of Christianity on the lives and hearts of the 
 Indians. He remarks, that by its sublime truths 
 their lives were quickly reformed, without his spend- 
 ing time in repeated harangues on external duties. 
 '' There was indeed little room for any discourses 
 but those that respected the essentials of religion, 
 while there were so many inquiring daily how they 
 should escape the wrath to come, and arrive at the 
 enjoyment of eternal blessedness. And after I had 
 led them into a view of their total depravity, and 
 opened to them the glorious remedy provided in 
 Christ for perishing sinners, ihere was then no vice 
 unreformed, no external duty neglected. The re- 
 
 II. 2 B 
 
370 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 formation was general, and all springing from the 
 eternal influence of divine truths upon their hearts ; 
 not because they had heard these vices particularly 
 exposed, and repeatedly spoken against. I do not 
 mean to deny the admirableness of moral duties, 
 which were strictly enforced and obeyed, but only 
 that their eager obedience was not from any ra- 
 tional view of the beauty of morality, but of the 
 internal influence of mercy on the soul." At inter- 
 vals, he kept up an intercourse with the nearest 
 ministers ; and would ride the distance of thirty 
 or fifty miles to spend a night, or even to officiate 
 in their churches. Rarely did any of them come 
 to his roof or chapel; their zeal for the wilder- 
 ness was not so strong. The Rev. Mr. Tennant, 
 the attachment to whose ministry was once the 
 cause of Brainerd's expulsion from the college, was 
 still his firm friend; and his chief intellectual luxury 
 was to go forth and enjoy an evening's conversation 
 with this very remarkable person. The relative for 
 whom his aflTection was the strongest, was a sister, 
 married at Haddam, to whom some of his letters 
 were addressed. 
 
 As he belonged to the Presbyterian church of 
 Scotland, he adhered strictly to its discipline, and 
 was present at many of the meetings of the synod 
 for regulating their affairs. As his name began to 
 rise from obscurity, it is probable that the superiors 
 of Yale College felt some regret at their harsh and 
 arbitrary conduct, for w^hich little excuse can be 
 pleaded. 
 
 In the career of Brainerd, there are discoverable 
 no traces of the wise system of his predecessor, 
 who, selecting the most clever as well as distin- 
 guished men among the tribes, made them the 
 teachers of their brethren. Among the converts of 
 the former, there is a dearth of talent, as well as 
 rank : by none of the kings of the Delawares was 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 371 
 
 his mission warmly patronized or loved. This igno- 
 rance of the language was a cardinal deficiency ; 
 the fierce and restless men, who loved " to look 
 •into the eyes, while they drank the words into their 
 soul," listened to an unknown tongue, and then 
 turned to the interpreter for the meaning ; while 
 the missionary, in his turn, hearkened, but under- 
 stood not. " The great reason," he writes, *' why 
 the Delaware language is not familiar to me before 
 this time, is, that I am obliged to ride four thou- 
 sand miles a year, and have little time left for any 
 necessary studies. Then I have to preach and 
 catechise frequently ; to converse privately with 
 persons who need so much instruction as these 
 Indians do ; to take care of their secular affairs ; 
 to ride abroad to procure collections for their help 
 and benefit ; to hear and decide all their petty 
 differences : the time also that is necessarily con- 
 sumed upon my journals and other writings. Often- 
 times, I have not been able to gain more than two 
 hours a week for reading." 
 
 The method he adopted for their instruction was 
 judicious ; namely, to give historical relations from 
 Scripture of the most remarkable occurrences ; thereby 
 to captivate their attention, and impress their me- 
 mory ; to expound chapters of the New Testament, 
 and then propose questions as to the chief parts 
 of his discourse or reading, and upon the prin«- 
 ciples of Christianity — till, by their repeated an- 
 swers and efforts, they appeared to have a thorough 
 understanding of them. A few usages were in- 
 veterate : on one isle in the river, where he re- 
 sided some time, was a colony of Indian?^ who did 
 not inter their dead, but placed them in close cribs 
 above the ground ; whence, after a year, they took 
 the bones, and cleansed them with great ceremony. 
 In his colony in New Jersey, a little burial-ground 
 was made near the chapel ; and those who died in 
 
 2 B 2 
 
372 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 the wilderness, as it might still be called, were 
 interred there. Curious visitors were now attracted 
 by the accounts of the conversion of the Indians, 
 which were spread through town and village : 
 some stayed a few hours to attend the worship, and 
 gaze on the Delawares, devouring the words, with 
 their wild eyes fixed on the pastor — then they 
 mounted their horses, and rode hastily away. A 
 few passed a day or two in the vicinity. 
 
 It could no longer he said, that the hermit was 
 unknown to fame ; its voice came to the log-hut ; 
 not a passing breath, soon raised, and soon to die, 
 but that hard-earned applause that was now al- 
 lowed, by all thinking men, to the person who had 
 so truly denied himelf, and " wrestled through the 
 painful night, till he prevailed," for the good of 
 others. It is almost touching to read, how he came 
 sometimes at night to the roofs of other pastors, 
 where many comforts and many attractions invited 
 him to stay awhile, and not yet go home to the 
 forest. The kind words and pitying looks of the 
 women, far different from those of the Indian wives ; 
 their minute attentions to his failing health ; and the 
 sympathy of his brother ministers, to whom his 
 coming was so welcome ; the soft couch and the 
 prepared chamber; and the circle gathered round 
 the fire. It was hard to break from all these, 
 and go forth again to the long and shelterless ride. 
 And those only who have dwelt long among a 
 people whose words are sealed, save through other 
 lips, can tell the exquisite enjoyment of converse 
 with a countryman, whose thoughts, hopes, and 
 spirit are like their own. 
 
 There was compensation, however, at home ; and 
 it is doubtful if the lord of a palace ever hailed 
 its towers from afar with livelier emotion than 
 Brain erd, when the lowly roof of his lodge greeted 
 his eyes, as he came slowly through the wild : 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 373 
 
 there was the village of converts, the little chapel, 
 the school-house, the cemetery, and, behind, the 
 fields of wheat, and the fences. His Indian com- 
 panions, six in number, now often went with him, 
 as his strength decayed, and walked rapidly by his 
 horse's side. This was necessary ; for in the midst 
 of the way, he sometimes fainted in their arms, and 
 they laid him insensible on the ground, and watched 
 over him. It must have been an affecting sight, of 
 the Delawares guarding their helpless charge, in 
 whose pulses the tide of life beat faintly, and came, 
 and ebbed again ; while the lips, that had called 
 them to life and immortality, seemed closed for 
 ever ; and the wasted hand returned no pressure 
 to their own. Melancholy, like a murderer, staunch 
 to its purpose, had fiercely dwelt with him beneath 
 the roof, and gone forth into the way, even from the 
 beginning of his mission — but could not separate 
 the heart from God. Truth towards himself, fidelity 
 to heaven, are stamped as deeply on every page of 
 his journal, as if they were graven on a rock for 
 ever. 
 
 It would be easy to multiply passages : his ten- 
 derness of conscience was so extreme, that the 
 ambition that once animated him to make some 
 figure in learning, seems on a few occasions to have 
 risen like an accuser. " The sins I most lamented, 
 were pride, and wandering thoughts; the former 
 excited me to think of writing, or preaching, that, 
 by converting the heathen, or some other great 
 work, my name might live when I should be dead. 
 My soul was in anguish ; near noon I went to the 
 Indians, but knew not what to say to them, and 
 was ashamed to look them in the face : I had no 
 power to address their consciences, no boldness to 
 say any thing." 
 
 In the midst of his success, he takes this retro- 
 spect — " Oh that I had no reason to complain of so 
 
374 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 much barrenness of mind ! such deadness of the 
 heart ! would that there were no evil affections 
 lodging within me ! God knows how I long for that 
 world, where they rest not day or night praising and 
 serving Him." 
 
 Like a garment of many colours, the diary changes 
 often: sometimes radiant in brightness; and, again, 
 written in colours of blood. " I went forth to the 
 Indians, disheartened ; for I remembered the worm- 
 wood and the gall of Friday last : how inconceivably 
 bitter was the cup of trembling, given me then ! 
 more bitter than death." On another occasion, 
 *^' This evening, what peace ! I could not leave off 
 prayer, being all unwilling to lose so delightful a 
 guest. I could not taste my necessary food, though 
 wearied with the services ; the living waters were 
 richly given me. O that I couKl for ever bless 
 God for the mercy of this day, who answered me 
 in the joy of my heart. O pardon me, if I have not 
 been faithful." 
 
 There were words, at a later period, spoken to 
 his youngest relative, at a time when the mind is 
 often clearest, and the lips dare not speak falsely. 
 " I am very near the unseen world, and wait ear- 
 nestly to depart, and be with Him whom I have 
 loved. For some years, it has been my abiding 
 conviction, that it is impossible to enjoy true hap- 
 piness, without being entirely devoted to God. 
 Under the influence of this conviction, I have in 
 some measure acted. Would that I had done so 
 yet more ! I saw the excellency of holiness of life, 
 but never in such a manner as now, when the last 
 enemy waits for me. Oh, my brother, pursue after 
 holiness : press towards this noble mark, and let 
 your thirsty soul continually say, * I shall never be 
 satisfied till I awake in thy likeness. Although 
 there has been a great deal of selfishness in my 
 views, of which I am ashamed, and for which my 
 
DAVID DRAINERD. 375 
 
 soul is humbled; yet I find I have really had, for 
 the most part, such a concern for his glory, and the 
 advancement of his kingdom in the world, that it 
 is a satisfaction to me to reflect upon in this hour. 
 I shall die here, and here I shall be buried ; and, 
 when you look on my grave, remember what I 
 have said to you ; think with yourself how that man, 
 who lies there, counselled and warned me. I go 
 to that world, whose endlessness makes it so inex- 
 pressibly sweet !" 
 
 The progress of religion was now, in his own 
 words, " rapid and fervent" among his people ; 
 as if, the time being short, and his departure not 
 far distant, it was vouchsafed that he should see 
 the full accomplishment of his desires. " It is 
 impossible," he writes, " to give a just description 
 of things at this season, so as to convey an ade- 
 quate idea of the effects of this gracious in- 
 fluence. A number might be seen rejoicing, that 
 the prospects of that world without sin were open 
 to them ; others, with a heavy solicitude in their 
 faces, like those who advanced slowly to the place 
 of execution : on the features of many was anguish 
 of spirit. The deep moan, and the shuddering of 
 the frames of men, some of whom were murderers 
 — the mercy they had denied to others, was not 
 denied to their prayers. I thought it was a lively 
 emblem of the great day of account." A few 
 months afterwards, he describes their state in glow- 
 ing terms ; the spirit of the pastor seemed to per- 
 vade that of the people. His unwearied efforts and 
 entreaties, by day and night, from house to house, 
 as well as with each individual, were made the 
 source of much happiness and piety to the lonely 
 flock. One of his most earnest cares was to guard 
 their minds from a wild enthusiasm, of which 
 there was the more danger, as they were greatly 
 given to faith in dreams, and visionary scenes, and 
 
376 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 mental delusions. On this point, he observes, 
 '* Yet I must say, I have looked upon it as one of 
 the glories of this work of grace among the Indians, 
 and a special evidence of its being from a Divine 
 influence, that there has till now been no appear- 
 ance of such things, no visionary notions, trances, 
 and imaginations, intermixed with those rational 
 convictions of sin, and solid consolations, which 
 numbers have experienced. And, might I have had 
 my desire, there had been no appearance of any 
 thing of this nature at all." 
 
 So much alone, so often the prey of " thick- 
 coming fancies," one might expect to meet, in the 
 religion of Brainerd, as in that of many other devout 
 recluses, a large share of enthusiasm. The vigils, 
 the fastings, the very awfulness of nature on every 
 side, were almost enough to awake that mood, 
 which he so dreaded in his people. Nowhere is 
 Defoe's knowledge of the mind more visible, than 
 when he makes his recluse, in the isle of Fer- 
 nandez, write down, in his loved diary, all his 
 dreams and presentiments, and brood over them in 
 alternate terror and luxury : the voices, also, that 
 came to his ear by night, as if, in the loss of the 
 living world, the doors of the invisible one were 
 opened. And it is almost an anomaly in the 
 journal of the missionary, that there are no reveries, 
 or visionary things, therein : he says, that '* his soul 
 abhorred such delusions :" he need not have so con- 
 demned those who are visited by them, among 
 whom are men of more vigorous intellect than his 
 own. 
 
 As it is quaintly and more fully expressed, ''There 
 was no sight of heaven in his imagination, with gates 
 of pearl and golden streets, and a vast multitude 
 with shining garments ; no vision of the book of life 
 opened, with his name written in it; no hearing of 
 the sweet music made by the songs of the heavenly 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 377 
 
 hosts ; nor any sudden suggestion of words or pro- 
 mises, either of scripture or any other, as then imme- 
 diately spoken or sent to him ; no new revelations, 
 or strong suggestions of secret facts. But the way 
 he was satisfied of his own good estate, was by feel- 
 ing within himself the lively actings of a holy 
 temper and heavenly disposition, the vigorous 
 exercise of that divine love which casts out fear." 
 
 Yet it is to be wished that he had sometimes 
 forgotten himself for a while, and vouchsafed a 
 farther description of the people and things of this 
 world. What excuse can be pleaded for his total 
 silence as to his visit to Bethlehem, the settlement 
 of the Brethren, where he saw Zeisberger ? That 
 noble Moravian surely deserved a passage in his 
 diary : and how interesting had it been to read his 
 estimate of his rival ! A wider contrast can scarcely 
 be conceived than that of the two missionaries ; the 
 hardy frame and fearless demeanour of the Mo- 
 ravian, who at fifteen pursued the panther and 
 the wolf, and was found wounded and senseless 
 in the forest ; around whom the Iroquois and Dela- 
 ware chiefs gathered as brethren, to each of whom 
 he spoke in his own tongue. The lonely dweller 
 of Kanaumeek was the reverse of all this : he had 
 heard of the proceedings and plans of the Brethren, 
 and came, with a few of his people, and beheld 
 a town slowly rising in the waste, and gardens 
 laid out, and a scene of patient industry on every 
 side. The very elements of success were in these 
 men: they endured, and murmured not, and seldom 
 wept, preserving to the last a serene and cheerful 
 spirit. Not so their visiter, whose hour of darkness 
 came even at Crosweeksung, in the very bosom of 
 success. 
 
 *' The sun is declining, and the shadows of even- 
 ing coming on apace. 1 have longed for the remotest 
 region, for a retreat from all my friends, for one of 
 
378 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 the thickest brakes, to drop into everlasting obhvion. 
 Ten thousand former sins and follies are presented 
 to my view in all their blackness and aggravations. 
 O how dark it looked, to think of being unholy for 
 ever ! I am in a kind of stifled horror, so that I 
 cannot rest. Is it possible for such a one as me to 
 be in a state of grace ? — the deep waters, the tor- 
 rents of corruption that bear me down. I got into a 
 kind of hovel in the wild, and there gave vent to the 
 depth of my distress ; neither eating nor drinking 
 from evening to evening — beseeching God to have 
 mercy on me." 
 
 This is a harrowing picture. Was there no one 
 among the ministers he knew, to suggest that this 
 was a self-infliction ? that neither his own heart, or 
 " the tempter," had much share in such agonies ? 
 There were times when he seemed to be aware of 
 this himself; but he felt also that he could not van- 
 quish his enemy : it was the evil spirit " that refuses 
 to be cast out." The being who might have calmed 
 the fierceness of these visitations, gladdened his 
 roof: if ever man had need of a wife, it was Brai- 
 nerd. When the iron entered into his soul, and 
 every struggle to get free only drove it yet deeper, 
 what a treasure would have been the sympathy of 
 an affectionate woman ! He had no one to whom, to 
 tell his painful tale ; flying from the face of his friends, 
 he told it only to the woods and wastes. But for this 
 companionship, Cowper would have sunk ere half his 
 course was run. There was a resemblance between the 
 spirits of the two men ; their lot, however, was strangely 
 different. The one was a loved and flattered man, 
 with every softness of life around him, and public 
 fame borne to his retirement on every wind. The 
 other was a tenant of the wild, with all the priva- 
 tions of the savage, and utterly deprived of what 
 alone makes savage life desirable — the active hardy 
 frame, the vigorous health. The invalid sat for days 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 379 
 
 beside his silent hearth, and when evening fell, there 
 was no voice to cheer, no eye to pity : — " My spirits 
 are so wasted with my labours, and solitary manner 
 of living, there being no human creature in the house 
 with me ! The billows break over me. Oh, if He 
 would punish me for my sins, it would not wound 
 my heart so deep. Ye angels ! might I but bear a 
 part with you hereafter, 1 could bear any suffering. 
 Let the body be consumed. How heavy the gloom 
 hangs upon my mind, that is so overwhelmed with de- 
 jection that J. longed for death exceedingly? Why is 
 this discouragement and despair come upon me V 
 
 During his journeyings in all seasons, his foot 
 was familiar with almost every scene peculiar to 
 America. Benighted in the forest, he would climb 
 into the thickest tree, and lodge in the branches. 
 On one occasion, when hard pressed with hunger, 
 and he had just finished a fervent address to a little 
 group in the heart of the wood, three fine deer came 
 in sight, and were instantly slain. 
 
 Each day brought a different home ; the remote 
 white settler, or back-woodsman, who seldom saw a 
 guest, gave a willing shelter to the houseless man. 
 By these exiled men, his message was often eagerly 
 received : they, perhaps, remembered hallowed 
 hours and privileges in the land which they had left 
 for ever ; all the solemn and indelible images of a 
 sabbath in their native scenes — the church on the hill- 
 side, the lifted psalm, the word of God in its purity, 
 the wild burial-ground, with its trees, where their 
 fathers were laid. And when the guest called the 
 family together, and discoursed of the " promises of 
 life," the long-lost sounds came back sweetly on 
 the ear, and the long-lost emotions of piety burst 
 afresh from the heart. If any neighbours chanced 
 to live within eight or ten miles, they came also, 
 and on several occasions he saw a little assembly of 
 white people gathered beneath the roof. 
 
380 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 But no Iroquois or Delaware could exceed the 
 wanderer in the first of Indian accomplishments — to 
 sustain the extremity of hunger without a murmur, 
 or a change of feature. 
 
 *' I was overdone this day with heat and showers, 
 and then a heavy thunder-storm ; and was filled 
 with concern for my companions in travel, whom 
 I had left with much regret — some lame, and some 
 sick : brought up much blood from the breaking of 
 a vessel ; and this I had done during the whole of 
 the journey.'^ 
 
 Alas ! he had deeper cause of concern for himself 
 than for others; the breaking of these * vessels of life' 
 was the fatal symptom that had long followed him ; he 
 alludes to it at times, without a regret, or even an 
 anxious thought. It is a noble feature in the charac- 
 ter of his mind, that though so literally a ' man of 
 prayer,' who loved it intensely, and with a high faith 
 in its power, — he never besought God to spare his 
 health or life : the diary, in which all his feeling and 
 hopes, during these seasons, are minutely recorded, 
 proves that he never remembered self, save as to his 
 holiness and usefulness. For his decaying body, his 
 great sufferings, his blasted youth — he entreated no 
 mitigation, no ease, no blessedness of health again'. 
 
 In the mean while, affairs went on prosperously at 
 Crosweeksung : it cannot he said that nations or 
 tribes were enlightened : the number of the Indian 
 Christians did not amount to two hundred, though 
 the assemblies were often numerous. As soon as 
 the Sabbath morning broke, and at intervals during 
 the week, the conch-shell sent its sounds, both far 
 and near; and the families earnestly prepared them- 
 selves for the devotions of the day, which, public 
 and private, had little intermission : the pastor 
 ever seemed to remember, that, in his own words, 
 ** time was short, and the fashion of this world 
 passeth away." About this time he resolved to 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 381 
 
 lay out a town, in order to gather the people into 
 a more compact and numerous body, as well as to 
 train them to regular and industrious habits : 
 "** Numbers, both men and women, seemed to offer 
 themselves willingly to this service ; desirous that the 
 town might be comfortable for them and theirs." 
 The idea was earnestly embraced : already the walls, 
 streets, and gardens began to rise in imagination ; 
 but no Pakeunit or Nonanetum could be expected 
 at Brainerd's hand. Of this phantom city in the 
 waste, the foundation was never laid. The Forks of 
 the Delaware, eighty miles distant, were still visited, 
 at long intervals ; but his stay there was short, and 
 he soon hurried back to New Jersey, where the 
 Christians of the former place did not fail to come, to 
 attend the ordinances in the chapel. This edifice 
 was in character with the village and the scene : 
 windowless, in the present acceptation of the term, 
 for glass was a luxury unknown in the settlement, 
 as were locks also ; but there was little within any 
 of the walls, to tempt the thief. 
 
 The Indians owed much to his care ; through 
 improvidence, and a desire for articles of clothing 
 and arms, as well as ardent spirits, a debt had been 
 incurred to the Europeans, of above eighty pounds, 
 previous to his visits. In case of non-payment, 
 their lands were forfeited to the lenders, who were 
 eager to avail themselves of the bargain : Brainerd, 
 however, caused the debt to be discharged, and saved 
 the lands. 
 
 Yet once more he must go to the fruitless shore 
 of the Susquehannah ; his people would have dis- 
 suaded him from the attempt, but in vain. " I rode 
 to my house, where I spent the last winter, in order 
 to bring some things I needed for this journey ; was 
 refreshed to see my home again." 
 
 These words are a proof how the rudest hearth 
 will creep into the affections; let no child of luxury 
 
382 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 deride the feeling : ** it is my own," was tlie con- 
 viction that bound the Delaware cabin to Brainerd's 
 heart ; " here I have heard the tempest beat, and 
 the rains descend ; here, in my desolation, I have 
 prayed and sorrowed, and been blest." These 
 isolated abodes, of which he was soon to have a 
 fourth, appear to have been kept, when not inha- 
 bited, as little store-places, to which he could turn 
 aside from the way, and find refreshment. None of 
 the Indians ever dwelt there ; they were kept sacred 
 for his use. 
 
 *' Rode forward, but no faster than my people 
 went on foot : we had now no axe with us, and at 
 night I had no way left but to climb into a young 
 pine-tree, and with my knife to lop the branches, 
 and so make a shelter from the dew : but my 
 clothes were wringing wet all night. On the second 
 evening after this, my people being belated, did not 
 come to me till past ten at night ; so that I had no 
 fire to dress any victuals, to keep me warm, or to 
 keep off the wild beasts. However, I lay down and 
 slept, before they came up." 
 
 It was his last journey ; he lingered by the river- 
 side more wistfully and eagerly than ever, well 
 aware that he should never behold it again : with 
 what rapture would he have gazed on the roof of a 
 little chapel, and a school-house, and the cluster of 
 cottages of converts, on the shore! It could not be. 
 The Oneidas and Iroquois saw the dying man — they 
 saw his fervent struggles, and heard his faint and 
 appealing accents, like those of a parting spirit — 
 without emotion. He turned from the scene, and 
 sought his home once more: his people received him 
 with joy. 
 
 The love of building is said to be one of the last 
 feelings that dies within us : and Brainerd took a 
 fancy to have a fourth house reared — not with his 
 own hands ; this was never more to be. " I was 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 3S3 
 
 SO weak, I could not preach ; in the afternoon sat in 
 my chair, and discoursed to the people. The next 
 day had no appetite to any kind of food : I was 
 able, however, to ride over every day, and take 
 some care of those who were then at work upon a 
 small house for me to reside in amongst the Indians. 
 Tuesday, and the following days, not able to sit up: 
 spent some time discoursing with my people about 
 divine things, as I lay upon my bed ; but, on the 
 Sunday, administered the Lord's Supper to forty 
 communicants ; and when I took the linen that 
 covered the table, and shewed them the symbols of 
 Christ's broken body, they wept. I was led home 
 by my friends, and laid on my bed. I lay in pain ; 
 but, Oh ! how was this day spent in prayers and 
 praises among my people ! One might hear them 
 all the morning before public worship, and in the 
 evening till near midnight, engaged in devotion." 
 
 They bore him to his last dwelling, which he 
 entered with as much pleasure as if his hopes were 
 at last realized, and his Indian town was sprung up 
 from the dust. The Delawares had made the in- 
 terior as comfortable as possible : there was neither 
 carpet, or glass windows, or soft couch, but the 
 choicest skins were laid, with the fur uppermost, 
 and they were luxurious as down. Since the first 
 disposing of his books at Kanaumeek, he had not 
 formed another collection; but he was never without 
 a few volumes. The mournful struggle, in the 
 breast of the failing man, was not for life, but for 
 his usefulness ! the thought of leaving his people 
 "as sheep having no shepherd," wrung his heart 
 to the very core. On the days when he was unable 
 to leave the house, he would look forth upon them, 
 engaged in the fields, or gathering round the rude 
 chapel, in hope of their pastor. " O ! hard thought 
 of living useless!" he exclaims, *' the hours slide 
 away." Was it not the treasure to which he had 
 
384 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 bound his soul ? Every other scene of his toils 
 had deceived him : among the tribes in the inte- 
 rior, and on the two great rivers, his hopes had 
 been utterly crushed, or only partially successful ; 
 but at Crossw^eeksung the attachment and fidelity of 
 the people were great; their progress in holiness 
 admirable. *' My all is lost," he said, " I am un- 
 done for this world, if they are not saved." In this 
 picture of early martyrdom, and silent yet tearless 
 heroism, of a heart broken by its love for others — 
 there is something inexpressibly affecting. Men, 
 even the most devoted, whose lot in this world has 
 been dark and troubled, often long for their change, 
 and are impatient to enter into their reward : but 
 Brainerd lingered intensely on the borders of the 
 grave, as if he could not resolve to leave his people — • 
 desiring their glory rather than his own. 
 
 A fev/ of his tried friends, hearing of his state, 
 hastened to the desert, to see him ; but they de- 
 parted the following day : and he was left to the 
 awkward hands of his poor Indians, who watched 
 round his bed, with wistful looks, and whispered 
 accents to the interpreter. It was true, that 
 the victory was on his side ; the great object of his 
 fleeting career was gained ; and few men draw 
 near the final goal, less burdened with regrets and 
 anxieties : yet few desire to be left, in this hour, to 
 that loneliness of the heart ! In anguish, helpless, 
 companionless, without any medical aid, unable to 
 read or write, or often to think — his mortal enemy 
 came to vex and trouble him, and a deep gloom fell 
 even on the things that were dearest : the winter 
 was drawing on, the snow already fell on the moun- 
 tains, the woods were stripped of their leaves, and 
 the piercing easterly winds, the most hurtful to 
 •' decline," were wild without. At last he resolved 
 to depart : though utterly incapable of perform- 
 ing any of his duties, he took leave of his con- 
 
DAVID BR AI NERD. 385 
 
 gregation, and was able to visit them all in their 
 respective houses. " They were not only affected 
 with my being about to leave them, but with the 
 solemn addresses I made them upon divine things. 
 I scarcely left one house, but some were in tears." 
 He then departed, and rode a few miles to the house 
 where he lived in the summer past, and lodged 
 there ; yet one parting moment, to linger round the 
 well known hearth! He came to Elizabeth town, 
 where he was confined for a week to his chamber; 
 but was cheered by an Indian, who brought him 
 news of the welfare and good conduct of his con- 
 gregation. "■ This refreshed my soul. I longed to 
 spend some time in fasting and prayer, that I might 
 be delivered from indolence and coldness; but, alas! 
 I had not bodily strength for these exercises." 
 
 Soon after, he had the inexpressible comfort of 
 sending his youngest brother, who had just been 
 ordained, to his Indian congregation, as their pastor. 
 He now came to Northampton, and consulted Dr. 
 Mather, who pronounced his case to be a confirmed 
 and rapid consumption. He was here lodged at the 
 house of his friend and biographer, the President 
 Edwards ; a man of talent, whose home was one of 
 comfort and affluence. ** I had heard much of him 
 before this," writes the latter, *' from many who 
 were well acquainted with him. I found him 
 remarkably sociable, pleasant, and entertaining in 
 his conversation, far from any stiffness or demureness 
 in speech or behaviour, but seeming to nauseate 
 all such things. He made it one petition in all his 
 prayers, ' that we might not outlive our usefulness.'" 
 
 The physicians advised that he should go to 
 Boston ; and one of the daughters of his host went 
 with him, that he might not be alone on the 
 way ; she was his companion to the last hour. At 
 Boston he was visited by many eminent characters, 
 and by " some of the first rank," who shewed him 
 
 II. 2 c 
 
386 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 uncommon respect, and appeared highly pleased 
 with his conversation. If pride had ever been a 
 besetting sin, now was the hour of trial : the interest 
 of all classes was greatly excited. He was anxi- 
 ously visited by the Ministers of the town, as well 
 as of various parts of the country. It w'as an 
 eminent mercy, that in this closing scene the clouds 
 and sadness were taken away, and he knew them 
 no more. The strength of the mind also was spared. 
 Every day, fainting-fits came, so that he lay for 
 hours speechless. " Serenity of heart, and clearness 
 of thought, were given me ; and while they gathered 
 round my bed, to see me breathe my last, I never 
 in my life penetrated with so much ease and joy into 
 divine t.hin2:s." Earth had yet some stores of com- 
 fort. Many gentlemen of Boston gave large bene- 
 factions to the support of his Indian cause ; books 
 and money were immediately sent to Crossweek- 
 sung, whence every week brought fresh details of 
 prosperity. His kind attendant. Miss Edwards, was 
 an invaluable companion : another would have been 
 at his bed-side, even his only sister; but just at this 
 time, he received the tidings of her death at Had- 
 dam. Unexpectedly to all, he was raised up once 
 more — a short and treacherous interval — and having 
 bid farewell to his friends, set out, in the cool of the 
 afternoon, to return to Northampton. It was the 
 desire of a number of the chief gentlemen to 
 accompany him some miles on the way, as a testi- 
 mony of their esteem and regard ; but this he 
 expressly declined. One reason of his leaving 
 Boston, was the intention of the people that a 
 pompous funeral should be given to his remains. A 
 few weeks after his return, he was confined entirely 
 to his room, and his dissolution rapidly drew nigh. 
 A trust was reposed in him by the honourable com- 
 missioners in Boston, to select two missionaries to 
 be sent to the Six Nations; his recommendation was 
 
DAVID BRAIN KRU. 387 
 
 instantly accepted, and the persons chosen were 
 ordained at Boston, and sent to the nation of the 
 Oneidas, a hundred and seventy miles bevond 
 Albany. It was just, as well as felicitous, that this 
 action was the last of his life. 
 
 " Near night my thoughts turned thus : It is an 
 ignoble mean kind of willingness to die, to leave the 
 body, only to get rid of pain ; or to go to heaven, to 
 get honour and advancement there. But how infi- 
 nitely sweet is it to love God, and be all for him ! 
 this my soul panted after, and even now pants for 
 while I write." 
 
 As the pulse of life beat fainter — the more confi- 
 dent grew the deeply chastened man : his fierce 
 temptations were past, and his long^-tried fidelity 
 was now a blessed memorial before God. All the 
 men-ies of his chequered career, the days and 
 nights of agonized prayer — the presence and love of 
 the Comforter — the dread struggle, and then the 
 triumph — -all gathered round the parting soul like 
 swift and glorious witnesses. " My delight is to 
 please God, and be wholly devoted to his glory : 
 that is the heaven I long for, that is my religion and 
 my happiness ; and always was, ever since, I sup- 
 pose, I had any true religion. The watcher is with 
 me. Why is the chariot so long in coming? look 
 forth : why tarry the wheels of his chariot ?" 
 
 In the morning, the excellent girl who watched 
 over him came into the room ; he looked earnestly 
 on her, and said (it seemed prophetic) that he 
 could not bear to part with her, but for the prospect 
 of seeing and being happy with her in another world. 
 He lay in extreme agony, saying, it was not possible 
 to conceive the suffering of rending the spirit and 
 body asunder : but as the following day was break- 
 ing, his eyes fixed, and he died ; having scarcely 
 numbered more than twenty-nine years. 
 
 So large a share of celebrity has rarely been won 
 
 2c2 ' 
 
388 DAVID BRAIN ERD, 
 
 in so short a life. Sioall was the foundation laid 
 for the regard or applaase of this world, by means 
 either of education, study, or society : from the latter 
 lie fled ; the two former were cultivated in a desultory 
 and superficial manner. Genius, even in the most 
 moderate acceptation of the word, he did not pos- 
 sess ; his imagination was cold, and defective : it is 
 singular how few ideas his diary presents. As to 
 observations on the character and mind of the 
 Indian tribes, or even on the strange aspects or 
 products of nature, in whose bosom he dwelt, the 
 reader must not seek for or expect them. But 
 wherever a man chooses a solitary home in this 
 world, and casts into it every desire, hope, and pas- 
 sion ; and wakes and sleeps but for one intense, 
 undying object — the interest of others will surely 
 follow him there ; and this interest will be increased 
 in proportion to the sacrifice. One who, satiated with 
 the world, lays the cup of pleasure aside, when the 
 freshness of life is on the wing, in order to fly to soli- 
 tude and piety — raises but a languid sympathy. How 
 often, in a gallery of paintings, the youthful St. Sebas- 
 tian, in his desert, pierced with arrows, and bleeding at 
 every pore, first rivets the attention, ere the St. Jerome 
 or Antony, or Augustine, are examined . The image is 
 not an unapt one, of this sad and lone dweller of the 
 wilderness, whose life was but a lingering death ; to 
 whom every morn and eve brought fresh mental or 
 bodily anguish : yet he woke every nerve and fibre 
 to the struggle, rushing with joy to the grave. Such 
 was Brainerd ! than whom there never was a more 
 striking instance of the magical influence of the spirit 
 over the frame, urging it to incredible exertions and 
 hardships, and still warding off the dissolution that 
 tracked it at every step. The motive of the man 
 was so single and disinterested, the heart and the 
 life were so purely offered to God, that, in spite of' 
 the absence of every commanding quality, there is 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 389 
 
 something sublime in the life, and heroic in the 
 early doom. The corrupt affections of our nature, 
 over which he mourns, were scourged with a rod of 
 iron, or quenched in his tears. But tliis sorrow, as 
 well as austerity, would have been all unavailing, 
 but for the divine strength that was " made perfect 
 in his weakness;" the desolate was greatly com- 
 forted, and greatly aided, or his sun would have 
 " gone down at noon-day :" his helplessness was his 
 safety ; the foot of the cross was his only refuge, 
 when " the blast of the terrible ones was upon him ;" 
 he shrunk and cowered at their coming, for it was 
 dreadful ; it was the horror of thick darkness. But 
 again his head was lifted, and he looked to heaven 
 "with gratitude and love. 
 
 The youthful being, who was with him in his last 
 hours, did not remain long behind. Miss Edwards 
 was a girl of a fine mind ; in spirit and temper very 
 like the man, whose passage to the grave she had 
 cheered. There was admiration of the sufFerer, as 
 well as delight in his conversation ; but with these 
 there mingled no softer or warmer feeling. To read 
 to him, to sit by his bedside and listen to his details, 
 to be his companion by the way — she gave up all 
 her time and attention durins; five months. Such a 
 friendship, resembling that of Cowper and Mrs. 
 Unwin, save that the latter w^as of mature age, and 
 wedded to her home and fireside. The zeal of Miss 
 Edwards would have borne her to the wilderness 
 with joy, to become a dweller of the woods, or a 
 restless wanderer of the plains : in the very morning 
 of her life and strength also, only eighteen years of 
 age, she was perhaps the most captivating woman 
 he had ever known, and the only one fitted to be 
 his wife. It must be confessed, that to be the mate 
 of Brainerd, required some peculiar qualifications : 
 to ford rivers, to thread impassable brakes and 
 swamps, to lie down on a buffalo skin at night, or 
 
390 DAVID BRAINERD. 
 
 climb up into a tree, and nestle among the 
 branches : such were his habits during half the year. 
 Three months only passed, and she followed her 
 friend to his quiet resting-place : he dearly loved 
 her conversation, and expressed the highest opinion 
 of her piety, " One whose soul," as he said, *' was 
 uncommonly fed with the most deep and distin- 
 guishing parts of religion ; and one who, by the 
 temper of her mind, was fitted to deny herself for 
 God, and to do good, beyond any young woman 
 that he ever knew." They were interred, near to 
 each other, in the burial-ground of Northampton. 
 
 As to the mind of Brainerd, " he was possessed," 
 as his biographer, who was a competent judge, 
 observes, " of distinguished natural abilities." It 
 also appears, that, with regard to the manners and 
 customs, &c. of the nations he visited, he was more 
 communicative in society than in his published 
 diary : secluded, dreamy, a ceaseless watcher of 
 his own thoughts, — yet, in the intercourse of the 
 world, a cheerful, entertaining companion, who 
 could tell his tale, and be the life of the party — 
 a strange contrariety of mind, that is found, not 
 rarely, in men of his peculiar temperament. His 
 warmth of temper was the cause of many painful 
 moments to himself and to others ; it was a failing, 
 of which his youth may be some palliation. An 
 occasional want of charity also is visible, towards 
 other religious bodies ; in his gentle nature, such a 
 feeling is doubly unamiable : the Quakers were 
 harshly censured ; even the Moravians were not 
 regarded with much kindliness or affection ; and his 
 strictures on the religious assumptions of others, 
 have too little forbearance and mercy. His forgive- 
 ness of his enemies (and they had deeply injured 
 him) was an eager feeling; so enduring, that he loved 
 to the last to implore every blessing on their head. 
 Fortunately for his memory, a biographer, of literary 
 
DAVID BRAINERD. 391 
 
 as well as religious celebrity, quickly appeared : but 
 it was neither just or g-enerous to the departed, to 
 throw his voluminous papers into a volume, without 
 relief or arrangement. The President Edwards, the 
 most useful theological writer of his country, con- 
 scious of his imperfect duty to his friend, pleads his 
 many occupations, and want of time — a vain and 
 common excuse, but a very insufficient one, for so 
 heavy and monotonous a book. It was a rich con- 
 solation to David Brainerd, that his youngest brother 
 John became his zealous successor. As pastor to 
 the Indian congregation, he continued long at Cros- 
 weeksung', where his ministry was greatly blessed : 
 thus did the former seem to live still, yielding his 
 charge to one so loved and so faithful. 
 
392 WILLIAM MILNE. 
 
 WILLIAM MILNE, 
 
 A NATIVE of Aberdeenshire, received from his 
 widowed mother the best education it was in her 
 power to bestow : she did not train him in the ad- 
 monition of the Lord, yet his spirit was early and 
 graciously visited. '* Sometimes," he observes, ** I 
 used to walk home from the school, alone, over the 
 brow of ,a hill, praying all the way. I was led to 
 search the Scriptures : at this time I began the 
 worship of God in my mother's family." At six- 
 teen years of age he removed to a place where he 
 had the society of some persons of eminent piety : 
 to the lonely home of one of them, he used to go, at 
 the hour of evening prayer, so faithfully observed by 
 the peasantry of Scotland. In this blessed and 
 beautiful observance, she may be said to excel all 
 lands: her family altars, on the moor, the mountains, 
 or the lake-side, are like so many little temples, 
 where God is humbly and sincerely worshipped, 
 and a vain or false sacrifice is rarely offered up. 
 ** The father was accustomed to make some re- 
 marks on the chapter read for the instruction of his 
 children, and to prepare them for the solemn 
 exercise of prayer : these interested me much, and 
 shewed me a beauty in the word of God, which I 
 never saw before. From this time my enjoyments 
 of pleasure in the world were marred, and an excel- 
 lence was discovered in religion, which led me to 
 
"WILLIAM MILNE. 393 
 
 choose it as the only object. As the family in which 
 I lived were strangers to, and derided its power, I was 
 very disagreeably situated. The only place I found 
 for retirement was a sheep-cote. Here, surrounded 
 with my fleecy companions, I often bowed the knee, 
 on a piece of turf which 1 carried in with me for the 
 purpose. Many hours have I spent there, in the 
 winter evenings, with a pleasure to which before I 
 was a stranger." His employments being at this 
 time chiefly of a rural nature, afforded much op- 
 portunity through the day for spiritual improve- 
 ment : books were his constant companions, and 
 one in particular made a powerful impression ; it 
 was entitled, " The Cloud of Witnesses," contain- 
 ing an account of the persecution in Scotland, in the 
 reign of Charles H. How many a gifted, as well 
 as devoted spirit, has been nursed to excellence 
 amidst the wilds and glens of this land — Avhere 
 Cameron and Cargill fled for refuge from the sword, 
 and were faithful unto death. *' Often have I sat," 
 continues Milne, '' on the brow of a hill, reading the 
 lives of these martyrs, admiring their patience and 
 fortitude in suffering, till I longed that God would, 
 some time or other, honour me thus to confess his 
 name. Having an earnest desire to devote myself to 
 him, I was encouraged to do so in the way of a per- 
 sonal covenant, judging this plan agreeable to the 
 language of the prophet, that ' One shall say, I am 
 the Lord's, and another shall call himself by the name 
 of Jacob.' I determined to adopt it, and, having 
 retired to a place surrounded by hills on every side, 
 I offered up myself to be ruled, sanctified, and 
 saved by him. This was followed by much peace 
 and happiness of mind." About three years after 
 this, he was admitted as a member of the church at 
 Huntley. 
 
 At the age of twenty he resolved to become a 
 missionary, even to the most distant scenes : his 
 
394 WILLIAM MILNE. 
 
 mind was naturally ardent and impetuous : he used 
 to say, " When I am convinced a thing is right, I 
 could go through the fire to accomplish it." He con- 
 sulted with his friends, who advised an application to 
 the London Missionary Society, which was done by 
 the two ministers of Huntlev and Aberdeen : and 
 the result was, that a committee of ministers at the 
 latter town, was -appointed to examine into his 
 talents and qualifications for the work. On ap- 
 proval, he went to England, and passed through the 
 regular course of studies at Gosport, where he was 
 subsequently ordained, in the manner usual among 
 dissenters. Mr. Morrison bavins: lono- solicited a 
 colleague in China, the directors proposed that 
 station to Mr. Milne. .In the mean time, he married 
 Bliss Cowie, daughter of Charles Cowie, Esq. of 
 Aberdeen, and they sailed in September, 1812, and 
 arrived safely in Macao in July. A few days after- 
 wards, he received an order from the Portuguese 
 governor, to leave the island. Remonstrances were 
 in vain ; and he went with some friends in a small 
 boat to Canton, where he was soon after followed by 
 Morrison, under whose instructions he made a rapid 
 progress in the Chinese language. At the expira- 
 tion of a year, it was judged advisable for him to 
 make a tour through the principal settlements of the 
 Malay archipelago, and circulate the Scriptures and 
 tracts. Morrison, by his individual labours, having 
 finished the Chinese translation of the New Testa- 
 ment, it was resolved to print 2000 copies, 10,000 
 tracts, and 5000 catechisms, of which the greater 
 part was placed in Mr. Milne's charge, for distribu- 
 tion on his journey. He sailed in a vessel bound to 
 Java by way of Bauca ; on board were 450 Chinese 
 emigrants, who hoped to mend their fortunes at the 
 latter place, where numbers of people are employed 
 in the tin mines : among these he distributed a 
 selection of his works, and left many copies in care 
 
WILLIAM MILNE. 395 
 
 of the British resident. On his departure on this 
 adventurous voyage, he left behind the following 
 memoranda for his loved wife : — 
 
 *' She is requested to keep a journal of such 
 things as may strike her mind ; what her own views 
 and exercises may be as to God, the mission, &c. ; 
 what books she reads. To continue to write out 
 her own history, as it will preserve many past 
 events, and may, at a future day, be profitably read 
 by our daughter. 
 
 "2. To learn some of the dialogues by heart, in 
 order to make the colloquial language of the 
 Chinese familiar. 
 
 " '3. To look after my books. To prepare herself 
 as fully as she can for future usefulness. 
 
 "4. To endeavour to keep her mind easy, by 
 trustino^ all to the care of God — bv faith in Christ — 
 by the hope of eternal rest. 
 
 " These are the injunctions of her own, 
 
 " William Milne." 
 
 This pair were formed for each other. Surely 
 no man has more urgent cause to pray to be di- 
 rected to a suitable wife, than a missionary in a 
 foreign land. Amidst the comforts and refinements 
 of civilized life, the triumph of feminine v^^eak- 
 ness over difficulties and trials which make man's 
 sterner nature shrink, is rarely evinced. A judg- 
 ment to counsel, even when all is dark around — a 
 cheerfulness to sweeten the burdens of the church, 
 as well as the troubles of the soul — with such a 
 companion, a man may welcome the cross, and 
 rejoice in its fiercest dispensation. 
 
 In March, 1814, Mr. Milne arrived at Batavia, 
 and procured a lodging at a little distance from the 
 town. Having letters of introduction to Governor 
 Raffles, the latter furnished him with the means of 
 travelling through the island at the expense of 
 Government, and gave him letters to the British 
 
396 WILLIAM MiLNE. 
 
 officers, and native princes. He sent round by sea 
 several boxes oF books to the chief eastern ports, 
 and took some large packages with him in the car- 
 riage in which he travelled. He was, as yet, but 
 twenty-eight years of age: and the scene had 
 changed rapidly and strangely, from the wild hills 
 of Scotland, on whose brow he used to sit and read 
 the " Cloud of Witnesses," and long to be like 
 them, and the sheep-cote, where he prayed alone, 
 to the sultry shores of Malacca and Java ; where 
 he wandered, often to the homes of princes, and 
 distributed the " book of life." The enjoyments of 
 learning were now his own ; and he was, ere long, 
 to found a college, whose duration and usefulness 
 should be very great. The life of Brainerd had been 
 his delight in his native and pastoral scenes. 
 
 At the close of the year, Milne left Java, and in 
 the following month again returned to China, to his 
 family and friends. The extreme jealousy of the 
 Chinese government rendering it imprudent for him 
 to remain with Mr. Morrison throughout the year, 
 Malacca, after much consideration, appeared to be 
 the preferable centre of the mission, and prepara- 
 tions were made for his removal thither with his 
 family. They arrived safely after a passage of a 
 month, and were kindly received by the resident, 
 Major Farquhar. 
 
 It would be unjust not to dwell for a while on the 
 admirable labours of Morrison. The acquirement 
 of the Chinese language, and then the painful 
 translation of the Scriptures, had entirely occupied 
 him during many years : his toils were the fountain 
 of all the after success of the mission in China 
 and Malacca. He went on gradually through the 
 New Testament, printing small editions of its seve- 
 ral portions, as they were revised and corrected. 
 In March, 1813, having finished the epistles, a few 
 copies were sent home to England, where they ex- 
 
WILLIAM MILNE. 397 
 
 cited 110 small surprise, as well as pleasure. Several 
 grants of money were sent to the aid of this mission, 
 by the British and Foreign Bible Society, for the 
 expenses of the London Missionary Society had been 
 very great. Thus animated, the translator perse- 
 vered, in the midst of many bodily infirmities ; he, 
 for some time, felt at a loss what kind of style was 
 most proper to be adopted. In the Chinese books 
 there are three kinds of style : that which prevails 
 in the Woo-king and Szeskoo, is remarkably con- 
 cise, and considered highly classical. Most of the 
 works of fiction, of the lighter sort, are written in 
 a style perfectly colloquial. The San-kwo, a work 
 much admired in China, holds, in point of style, a 
 middle place between these two. He at first in- 
 clined to this style, but afterwards, on seeing an 
 imperial work, called Shingyee, designed to be read 
 twice a month in the public halls of the different 
 provinces, for the instruction of the people in rela- 
 tive and political duties, he resolved to imitate this 
 work. Of the style of the San-kwo, the Chinese 
 speak in raptures ; it may be considered as the 
 " Spectator" of China ; and the student of Chinese, 
 who would express himself with ease and accept- 
 ance, ought carefully to read and imitate this work. 
 China, it is true, has scarcely any modern writers 
 of note : but Choo-tsze, and his contemporaries, who 
 wrote in the 12th century, were eminent authors. 
 Choo-tsze paraphrased most of the Kiny, or clas- 
 sical books, and confesses himself' often at a loss 
 for the genuine sense of the text, from its extreme 
 age and brevity. Education is far more widely 
 diffused in China than in any other pagan country : 
 and there is no objection to foreigners using the 
 religions of their respective nations, whatever these 
 may be. Those of the natives who regard no God, 
 and treat with contempt every kind of religion, sink 
 greatly in the estimation of their countrymen. 
 
398 WILLIAM MILNE. 
 
 A tract in Chinese, published by Morrison, on 
 " the redemption of the world," had a favourable 
 influence on the minds of some of the people. 
 He also published a collection of hymns, which 
 were translations from the Psalms, as well as from 
 the hymns of Cowper and Watts. He had long 
 been preparing materials for a Chinese dictionary ; 
 the question now was, how it could be printed. 
 The Dictionary of 8000 characters, composed by 
 the Romish missionaries, cost about two hundred 
 Spanish dollars to transcribe, and it does not 
 contain more than one-sixth of what Morrison's 
 plan embraced. He had gone to great expense 
 for books necessary in the compilation, and few 
 societies for religious purposes were adequate to the 
 cost of the printing. The work was undertaken 
 by the Honourable East India Company, on that 
 scale of liberality which has often characterized the 
 operations of that powerful body. In conformity 
 with a resolution of a Court of Directors, Mr. 
 P. P. Thoms was sent out with a press, types, and 
 other requisites for printing. He arrived at Macao, 
 and applied himself earnestly to the fabrication of 
 moveable metal types, in which he was finally suc- 
 cessful. The printing proceeded slowly the first 
 year, owing to the many obstacles which attended 
 the casting and cutting of the characters ; but 
 the successive numbers of the dictionary at last 
 appeared, and were followed by a volume of deca- 
 logues. In herculean toil, patient and minute re- 
 search, this achievement of Morrison may com- 
 pare with that of Johnson ; its future usefulness to 
 the cause of Christianity in China will be in- 
 calculable. The unwearied .translator pressed on- 
 ward to new triumphs, and successively produced 
 the book of Genesis, and the " Life of Christ;" the 
 latter was generally understood by the lower classes 
 of Chinese, and read with some degree of interest. 
 
WILLIAM MILNE. 399 
 
 The establishment of a central mission in Ma- 
 lacca, under the care of Mr. Milne, now occupied all 
 the attention of the two friends ; the situation was 
 inore favourable than that of Canton. The first 
 effort of the latter in Malacca, was the formation of 
 a school : a place that had been occupied as a stable 
 was fitted up at a small expense ; and papers, posted 
 in difterent parts of the town, gave notice of it to 
 the people. Such a thing had never been heard of 
 in the place before ; a people, in whose breast 
 scarcely any motives but those of interest bear 
 sway, could not believe, even for twelve months, that 
 the children were to be taught, and furnished with 
 books, gratuitously. At last, some were gathered 
 together ; but the Chinese master could only begin 
 on a lucky day, and each of the children must have 
 what they called " a heart-opening cake," to pre- 
 pare him for instruction. But this was not all ; it is 
 customary also for the Chinese, in all their schools, 
 to set up the images of Confucius and of Wan- 
 chang, (the god of letters,) to which the children 
 used to bow, and burn incense-matches every morn- 
 ing. The fourteen scholars were taught reading, 
 writing, and arithmetic, the whole in their native 
 tongue. They were next taught Morrison's cate- 
 chism, from which they learned from six to ten 
 questions in a week ; Milne afterwards expounded 
 this. The native masters were also gradually 
 induced to attend the public worship, with the 
 children. 
 
 Towards the close of this year was commenced the 
 library of the Ultra-Ganges mission, as it was called, 
 with a small number of books, European and Chinese. 
 On a memorial to the Governor in Council at Penang, 
 a grant was made of ground for the erection of 
 missionary buildings. In 1816, the Chinese scholars 
 had increased to nearly sixty ; and Mr. Milne, who 
 had made rapid advances in the language, under 
 
400 WILLIATM MILNE. 
 
 the tuition of his friend, composed several tracts 
 for their use, and translated the book of Deu- 
 teronomy. In 1817, a new range of warehouses 
 and printing-offices were erected ; and the next 
 step, as had been previously agreed with Dr. 
 Morrison, was to publish a magazine, called the 
 " Chinese Gleaner." It was published quarterly, 
 and contained extracts of the correspondence of the 
 Eastern missionaries, and miscellaneous notices 
 relative to the philosophy and mythology of the 
 Indo-Chinese nations. The circulation of this work 
 commenced at 500, and increased to 1000 or more, 
 monthly. 
 
 Mr. Milne had now many engagements on his 
 hands ; regular services were begun on the week- 
 days and the sabbaths, which have ever since been 
 continued : every morning the Chinese domestics, 
 workmen, and scholars, met for Christian worship. 
 He had then a portion of the Old Testament in hand 
 to translate, the school to superintend, and his own 
 studies in the language to pursue. In the evening, 
 he often spent an hour in distributing tracts through 
 the town, and conversing with the natives ; after- 
 wards the Scriptures were read, and remarks made 
 on them, and prayer concluded the service. The 
 number of hearers was always small ; sometimes two 
 or three from the neighbouring streets joined the 
 regular attendants. Some came occasionally, from 
 curiosity, or a wish to be employed ; when their 
 curiosity was satisfied, or they perceived that there 
 was no worldly gain or pleasure to be had, they came 
 but seldom. In dispensing instruction to the few 
 who attended, Milne found the catechism and tracts, 
 composed by his colleague, of great assistance. 
 Written in a plain style, and free from the stiffness 
 which generally adheres to translations, these tracts 
 were easily understood, and a page or two often 
 furnished the ground of the exhortations. Milne 
 
WILLIAM MILNE. 401 
 
 anxiously placed a copy before each individual, and 
 went over the portion selected for the occasion. The 
 same method was observed in reading the Nev/ 
 Testament. He had seen in Scotland, his native 
 country, the beneficial effects of this practice on the 
 people, who keep their bibles open in church, and fol- 
 low the minister in the chapter he is explaining. 
 
 The interest and attention of the Chinese towards 
 this service, were just as intense as those of the 
 French audience, who gathered to listen to a friend 
 of the writer; a man of great enthusiasm of charac- 
 ter, formerly a captain of dragoons in the Peninsular 
 war, and now a clergyman. His zeal led him to the 
 neighbouring capital, to convert the gay and volatile 
 Parisians; an enterprise more daring and hopeless 
 than that of christianizing the Malays or Esquimaux. 
 He procured a large and waste room in one of the 
 most favourite and frequented streets, fitted it up as 
 a chapel, and began to preach. A few gentlemen, 
 whose acquaintance he had cultivated, (and whose 
 minds he had believed open to conversion, since they 
 not only acquiesced in his sentiments, but even 
 shewed signs of emotion,) at first formed his whole 
 congregation. By degrees, others dropped in, at- 
 tracted by curiosity, and ihe novelty of the thing. 
 The contrast between minister and people was start- 
 ling and perplexing: he was a tall, fine, military- 
 lookins: man, and addressed them with as much fire 
 and enthusiasm as if leading on his brigade to the 
 charge ; they listened in the most calm, gentlemanly 
 manner possible, without the slightest derangement 
 of look or attitude. In the midst of the discourse, a 
 well-dressed Frenchman often entered, looked curi- 
 ously round for a moment, sat down on one of th6 
 forms, and fixed his eyes earnestly on the preacher, 
 who, full of hope and fervour, proceeded till he was 
 persuaded he had touched their hearts, and struck 
 the very chord of repentance and awakening ; at 
 
 II. 2 D 
 
402 WILLIAM MILNE. 
 
 that very moment a few of the audience gracefully 
 took a pinch of snufF, then rose, bowed politely 
 to the preacher, and walked out : ten minutes, or a 
 quarter of an hour, was the term to which the 
 patience of most of them extended ; and the more 
 self-denying ones, who sat to the end, found the tax 
 on their politeness and piety so great, that they soon 
 ceased to attend. A whole year he thus lal>oured, 
 with somewhat of the patience and baffled hope of 
 Egede amidst the snows of Greenland. 
 
 Even when the Chinese came to hear, it was no 
 easy matter to fix their attention. Some would be 
 talking, others laughing at the newness of the things 
 spoken ; some smoking their pipes ; others, on coming 
 in and going out, would pass through the usual 
 routine of their ceremony, as if in the temple of their 
 own gods, before which nothing like reverence is 
 ever seen ; so that the whole scene was somewhat of 
 a ludicrous and confused nature. One native only 
 had as yet been baptized in Canton, and another in 
 Malacca: there were several candidates for admission 
 to Christianity ; but it is evident that the more effi- 
 cient way of doing good to this subtle and wary peo- 
 ple, is to convince by degrees the understanding — to 
 enlighten the mind ; and the circulation of the 
 scriptures, &c. are more instrumental to this end 
 than preaching. A manuscript, containing the Acts 
 and some of Paul's epistles, translated at a former 
 period by some Catholic missionary, had been use- 
 ful to Morrison in his translations. The toils and 
 endurance of the Catholics in China cannot be 
 recalled without admiration. The Nestorians, ac- 
 cording to Dr. Mosheim and other historians, must 
 ^ve been in China for a period of more than eight 
 hundred years. In the thirteenth century, the 
 Roman Catholic church first extended its efforts 
 to China. An embassy, composed chiefly of eccle- 
 siastics, was sent from Pope Nicholas IV. to the 
 
WILLIAM MILNE. 403 
 
 Tartars, and they are said to have erected churches 
 in China. Francis Xavier had long and ardently 
 contemplated the conversion of this country to the 
 Christian faith; but he died in the midst of his 
 hopes. Matthew Ricci, an Italian of the same 
 order, penetrated China, preached the Catholic faith, 
 and laid the foundation of the Romish church there. 
 Much stress cannot be laid on any thing done for 
 Christianity in this kingdom, since the days of R.icci. 
 In the commencement of the seventeenth century, 
 numbers of Jesuits, Dominicans, and Franciscans, 
 arrived, and mingled with the gospel a great deal of 
 the superstitions of their church, and the peculiarities 
 of their respective orders. Several hundreds of Ca- 
 tholic missionaries have at different times laboured 
 here ; and it is but justice to say, that many of them 
 appear to have been sincere and single-hearted in 
 their work. Several were distinguished for their 
 knowledge of Chinese literature. With respect 
 to the doctrines and ceremonies which they taught, 
 they were mostly such as were taught in Europe in 
 what have been termed the darkest periods of the 
 church — full of traditional absurdities, trifling rituals, 
 and wild legends. The virtues attributed to the sign 
 of the cross, to the burning ofwax candles, incense, &c. 
 and the powerful aids afforded by the Virgin to the 
 poor, the aged, and distressed, tended to make the 
 system acceptable to the lower classes. The talents 
 and address of some of the missionaries, and their 
 influence at court, gained over not a few in the 
 higher walks of life to the profession of the gospel. 
 But these corruptions of doctrine, &c., are to be 
 attributed to the system, and not to the men them- 
 selves : the learning, personal virtues, and ardent 
 zeal of many of them, deserve to be imitated by all 
 future missionaries. Their stedfastness and triumph 
 in the midst of persecutions, even to death, in all 
 imaginable forms of terror, in China, Japan, &c., 
 
404 WILLIAM MILNE. 
 
 afford good reason to believe that they have long 
 since joined the noble army of martyrs, who spared 
 not their lives, for the word of their testimony. It 
 is not to be doubted, that many, through their 
 labours, were turned from sin unto God. 
 
 Of late years, they have been greatly persecuted. 
 The disputes which took place among the mission- 
 aries themselves, and the spirit of bitterness and 
 envy generated thereby, did their cause great injury. 
 The arrival from Rome of ecclesiastical messengers, 
 elothed with secular glory, and invested with spi- 
 ritual powers to settle all controversies, did not 
 greatly facilitate peace or concord. The legate 
 assumed a high tone, and his imperiousness was 
 equalled by that of some of the missionaries in high 
 ecclesiastical stations, who were neither softened by 
 the entreaties of their friends, nor moved from their 
 purpose by the counsels even of the wiser pagans. 
 These things tended to lower the religion and its 
 ministers in the estimation of the Chinese. The two 
 greatest evils followed, that can ever befall anybody 
 of men — external disrepect, and internal division. 
 
 In July, 1816, Dr. Morrison left Macao for Pekin,^ 
 in the suite of Lord Amherst ; after nine years' 
 incessant study, his health was greatly improved by 
 this journey, which afforded facilities of acquiring 
 much historical information, as well as an acquaint- 
 ance with the various dialects of the country. 
 While absent, his volume of Dialogues, Chinese and 
 English, was printed. In June, 1817, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Milne, their health dechning, sailed for China, 
 where he occupied himself in translating the book 
 of Judges, having previously finished that of Joshua. 
 The two friends, being once more brought together, 
 jointly drew up some regulations for the future 
 conduct of the Ultra-Ganges mission. The most 
 important and interesting of these resolutions, was 
 that of founding an Anglo-Chinese College. A 
 friend having given four thousand Spanish dollars. 
 
WILLIAM MILNE. 405 
 
 a spot upon the missionary premises at Malacca was 
 devoted to the erection. The foundation stone of 
 this institution was laid in November, 1818, by 
 .Major Farquhar, late English resident and comman- 
 dant of Malacca, in the presence of the Dutch 
 governor of the colony, the Hon. I. Erskine, and 
 others. The college stands in an open and airy 
 situation, close to the western gate of the town, and 
 commands a fine view of the roads, and of the sea. 
 Besides a large library and hall, it contains accom- 
 modations for a number of students. The chief ob- 
 jects of this institution are, the cultivation of Chinese 
 and English literature, and the diffusion of Chris- 
 tianity in the countries and islands which lie to the 
 eastward of Pulo-Penang. It owes its origin to 
 the indefatigable and generous Morrison, who has 
 devoted the sum of one thousand pounds to the 
 erection of the house, and has further promised 
 one hundred pounds annually, during the first five 
 years. The college is placed under the care of a 
 president, a board of trustees, and a committee, who, 
 with the concurrence of the founder, have the 
 entire management of its affairs. The treasurer and 
 secretary of the London Missionary Society for 
 the time being, are to be perpetual members of the 
 board of trustees. The first topic of disputation 
 given in the college of Fort William, was the follow- 
 ing : — It is easier to diffuse the literature and science 
 of the western nations among the natives of India, 
 by translating European books into their own tongue, 
 than by instructing them in the European lan- 
 guages." The rising college was greatly indebted to 
 the personal cares of Milne, who about this time 
 received the gratuitous diploma of D.D. from the 
 university of Glasgow. At the laying of the founda- 
 tion stone he delivered an admirable speech. 
 
 In the year 1819, he had to mourn the loss of 
 his wife : left alone with several children, he ap— 
 
 2 d2 
 
406 WILLIAM MILNE. 
 
 plied with increased ardour to his studies, as the 
 best relief to sorrow. In this year he finished the 
 translation of the historical books of the Old Testa- 
 ment. His health now began to decline : the Direc- 
 tors were desirous that he should seek a more pro- 
 pitious climate ; he took a voyage to the Prince of 
 Wales' Island, where, finding the heat too oppres- 
 sive, the governor of Malacca sent the Nautilus, to 
 convey him home. He suffered extreme pain ; but 
 death came rapidly to his release, and, with great 
 composure of mind, he yielded his life at the age 
 of thirty-seven. 
 
 After the decease of his friend. Dr. Morrison paid 
 a visit to England, where he earnestly sought to 
 promote the cultivation of the Chinese language 
 and literature, and gave instruction to several stu- 
 dents. The prosperity of the Anglo -Chinese college 
 was the fervent desire of this learned and eminent 
 man, who is considered to be the first Chinese 
 scholar of his day. " The gospel," he observes in 
 his address to the British public, " can be preached 
 to this people, where tens and hundreds of thousands 
 of them dwell under Christian Protestant govern- 
 ments, and under Malayan governments, which do 
 not interfere to prevent instruction being given to 
 the Chinese. In Java, there is a large population 
 of the latter ; as well as in the British settlements, 
 and at Rhio, Borneo, and other places in the archi- 
 pelago. It is not a field of labour that is wanting, 
 but reapers to enter into, and labour in, that field. 
 The late Dr. Milne proved at Malacca, what has 
 been proved every where else, that prejudices will 
 give way to sincere benevolence, persevered in. The 
 Chinese in Malacca now allow their sons to be taught 
 the principles of the Christian religion ; and were 
 proper teachers to make the experiment, they would 
 allow their daughters also to receive instruction from 
 Christian females. Reading, to a certain extent, 
 
WILLIAM MILNE. 407 
 
 may be considered as a common attainment through- 
 out the whole of China, in the colonies; also in 
 Corea, Japan, Loochoo, and Cochin-China : this 
 fact makes the press an important instrument." 
 
 On his return to China, this most valuable man 
 resumed his various labours : he composed and 
 printed three volumes, viz. an Introduction to the 
 Reading of the Scriptures; an Epitome of Church- 
 history and Prophecy ; and Aids to Devotion, taken 
 from the English Liturgy. He has also undertaken 
 a dictionary of the provincial dialect of Canton, 
 which is now printing at the Honourable Company's 
 press. Leang-a-fa, the native convert and preacher, 
 has removed to a village 100 miles from Canton, 
 where he seeks every opportunity to be useful to his 
 countrymen. 
 
 The Anglo-Chinese college at Malacca has now 
 twenty-six Chinese students ; the senior students 
 apply to Christian theology, mathematics, geography, 
 and the English language : there are eight candi- 
 dates for admission : the usual literary exercises and 
 religious instruction are continued daily. Several 
 works have issued from the college press, and others 
 are in progress. Government allows 100 dollars a 
 month in aid of this useful and interesting institu- 
 tion. Sir George Staunton, in addition to his 
 former munificent donation, has placed another sum 
 at the disposal of Dr. Morrison. Some of the 
 students have executed translations of Chinese 
 books into English, and of English works into their 
 own language, which do them much credit. 
 
 ** The students, in general," observes Morrison, 
 " cheerfully read and commit to memory our books; 
 and when we go out to speak to the people, they 
 beg to be permitted to accompany and assist us : 
 also, on the Thursday evenings, when we go to meet 
 the people in the temple. Most of their leisure 
 hours are spent with us. Should it please our gra- 
 
408 WILLIAM MILNE. 
 
 cious God to bring them to the knowledge of him- 
 self, what happy results might be expected from 
 their labours !" In behalf of this institution, its 
 learned and disinterested founder appeals not only 
 to the public, but to men of science and literature : 
 he justly considers it, not only as the chief agent to 
 promote the diffusion of Christianity in China, but 
 also to lay open the mine of the history, philosophy, 
 and literature, of that country. " While the pro- 
 pagation of the principles of Divine revelation is its 
 final object, it is hoped that, by promoting the 
 intellectual intercourse of Europe and eastern Asia, 
 the temporal happiness of man will be advanced." 
 The amount of subscriptions received in England 
 for its support, in 1828, was £1202. 
 
 There are also two schools at Malacca, one 
 Malay and one Tamul, under the care of the mis- 
 sionaries : both are supported by government. In 
 the native female school, opened by Miss Newell, 
 there are twenty pupils : under her excellent care, 
 there is also a free-school, which is patronized by 
 Lady Garling, and contains seventy girls. This 
 young lady, a relative probably of Harriet Newell, 
 has published ** An Abstract of Geography" for the 
 use of her schools : she has also prepared twelve 
 discourses, adapted to the circumstances and feel- 
 ings of Indian children. 
 
 Singapore is a station, where there is a chapel, 
 and regular preaching to the Malays and Chinese : 
 the teachers enter the houses, temples, &c. and a 
 spirit of inquiry is excited among the people ; one 
 of them, Mr. Tomlin, lately made a journey to 
 Bankok, the capital of Siam, where he was well 
 received: crowds of people thronged his apartments, 
 to procure copies of the Chinese Scriptures and 
 tracts, in his possession. 
 
 At Penang and Java, two promising stations, 
 there is a general demand for the Scriptures in 
 
Wn,LlAM MILNE. 409 
 
 various languages — Arabic, Persian, &c. A fresh 
 supply of Malay Bibles and Testaments was sent 
 out. The Malay services on the Sabbath, and 
 the schools, were well attended. The lithographic 
 press, to v/hich Mr. Medhurst has paid much atten- 
 tion, as being in every respect preferable to any 
 other for works in the Eastern language, is now at 
 work. At this press, some thousands of books have 
 already been printed. A fount of Javanese types 
 has also been executed, the expense of which was 
 defrayed by Mr. Bruckner, formerly a missionary of 
 the Society. The Ultra-Ganges mission, as it is 
 called, has thus a very wide and arduous field of 
 exertion, hitherto untried by any labourer, save by 
 the devoted Jesuits in China, whose toils and suffer- 
 ings in that country, as well as in India and South 
 America, deserve to be more justly detailed and 
 appreciated. While the life of Morrison is spared 
 to this mission, a high and increasing interest will 
 attend its progress : the zeal of his companions in 
 the cause, is great — the success is slow, and painfully 
 won : a few have followed Milne to an early grave. 
 
 END or VOL. II. 
 
 London : H. Fisher, R. Fijher, & P. Jackson, Printers. 
 
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