Jung and Hagen, by our unexpected arrival.

"The Indian brethren and sisters immediately came to bid us welcome.. The whole Congregation here consists of 116 persons. In the aged Indian brother Jacob we found, to our great joy, a truly pious, sensible, and well-informed man, who is a great support to brother Schnall. We cannot say much in favour of the manner in which the people, particularly the youth, conduct themselves during divine service. They do not seem to pay much attention, and their singing is uncouth.

"Brother Schnall would not advise us to visit the old forsaken dwelling of brother Denke in the Chippeway country, ten miles from hence, it having been seized by a Chippeway, who is said to be a violent and jealous character, and will not part with his seizure. He also informed us, that the Chippeways shew no disposition to receive the Gospel.

"A baptized Chippeway youth, living at Fairfield, distinguishes himself considerably from the Delawares, by the features of his face. His relations once fetched him home by force, and treated him very ill, but his answer was: You may beat me as much as you please, but I shall always return to the brethren at Fairfield.' On this, they let him alone.

We spent our time here, in making ourselves acquainted with the whole internal and external state of the mission. We found, that the state of the congregation was no more so unpleasant as before the removal of the colony to Pettquotting, but that yet any very difficult circumstances occur. The Indians at Fairfield are much better off in externals, than at the two other missionary stations, having good gardens and fields, from which they reap good crops of Indian corn and wheat; but the neighbourhood of the white people threatens the ruin of the congregation. These people are continually trying every means to seduce the poor thoughtless Indians to drunkenness, that they may get the advantage of them in trade; and the evil is now aggravated, as government have planned a high road through the settlement, by which the influx of white people will be increased. Again, the Indians will not send their children to school, unless they are taught English; and the missionaries object to teach them their language, because they would then hear and understand all the profane and filthy conversation of the rum-traders. When we spoke with the Indian assistants on this subject, in CHRIST. OBS. Apr.

presence of the missionaries Schnall and Hagen, old Jacob said, that the congregation was unanimously of opinion, that it was not proper that the Indian children should receive instructions from the missionaries in the Indian language, which they themselves spoke but imperfectly, but they might learn it best from their parents. Brother Schnall having quoted the above-mentioned reason for refusing to teach English, the assistants observed, that if the parents' hearts were right with God, they would know how to watch over their children's education and morals. But if that was not the case, the children would be neglected, and learn a great many bad things from the white people, without just understanding their language. If they learnt English, they would be able to read the word of God, which was the greatest blessing that could be conferred upon them. It was at length agreed, that English should be taught at the school, but that the children should also be instructed to sing hymns in the Indian language, that they might join in the singing of the congregation. We now commissioned the assistants to convene all the fathers of families, and make inquiry whether they were satisfied to remain resident in this place, or whether, in case the missionaries and the brethren at Bethlehem should advise their removal, they would agree to it. They answered, that as to externals, this place was a good one, but that the vicinity of the white people rendered it indeed a very dangerous one to the morals of their youth. Therefore they would follow the advice of their teachers, and search out a more suitable place for a Christian settlement. But having contracted debts with the white people, they must have time allowed them to pay them off honestly. They added, that when a place was found, some of them must first move thither and plant Indian corn, that they and their families might immediately be provided with food on their arrival. Jacob said, that he had often considered the danger of the Indian congregation remaining at Fairfield, and had told brother Denke, that he was willing to undertake a reconnoitring journey, to the westward, to seek a convenient spot for a new settlement; and, if we gave him commission, would set out immediately, and on his return, report to the brethren Zeisberger and Denke, the discoveries he might make. We fully approved of his proposal, the more so, as brother Zeisberger had described him to us, as an Indian upon whose faithfulness one might depent, We therefore corpmissioned him to undertake the journey, and 5 K

and prevent its entrance. As we have lately been much pestered with wolves, which have done considerable mischief, by devouring sheep, and worrying several horses, all our Hottentots set out on the 19th in pursuit, hoping to be able to discover their haunts, and destroy them, the farmers having attempted it in vain. Meanwhile we had a large company of visitors, among whom was Colonel W. N. who very generously put ten dollars into our poor's box."

"May 2d. Sister Kuester, opening the room-door (which with us is likewise the house-door), saw something lying along the threshold, which she took to be a piece of listing. On a nearer view, it proved to be a black, venomous serpent, which had probably sought a warm birth over night, the weather being at present cool. We were thankful to God, that she had not attempted by mistake, to touch it before she found out what it was, and that it had not got into the house. We must be satisfied to let other creatures intrude themselves, disagreeable as their company is, such as huge spiders, of various hues and sizes, toads, large ants, and other vermin, which infest every house hereabouts. The wolves mentioned above have as yet eluded all attempts to find and seize them, and continue their depredations."

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"6th. One of the chapel-servants came to inform us, that she had been to see a youth who was labouring under a violent pectoral complaint, and much concerned about the salvation of his soul. He prayed fervently to the Lord, and said frequently: Dear Saviour, I am a much greater sinner than Judas, who betrayed thee, and Peter, who denied thee, but yet have mercy on me. Thou freely forgavest Peter, and O, forgive my sins also.'

"7th, was a day of joy and gladness which the Lord had made. We had the great pleasure to add fifteen adults, and two children, by holy baptism to the church. Brother Marsveld performed this solemn service, assisted by the other brethren."

"23d. Daniel Dragoner returned home and brought a letter from his Baas, in which we are desired to pray for his sick father, who appeared near his end, and anxiously sought to obtain the assurance that his sins are forgiven. This poor sick farmer had spoken very seriously with our Daniel, about the state of his soul. He eagerly exclaimed: O my friend, how did you come to Jesus Christ, and receive remission of sin? Daniel made answer: If I may be so bold as to speak before Christians (of whom there were several present), who have been educated in

the Christian doctrines, and can read all for themselves in the Bible, then I will gladly tell you.' Pray do,' replied the farmer: 'my dear old Hottentot, do it, for God's sake! Daniel hereupon gave him a simple account of his own conversion, and encouraged him to turn to our Saviour. The farmer said at parting: You good people du not know how infinitely happy you are, that you receive such instructions. You have reason always to be thankful to God, for so great a blessing."

"June 22d. The cold was so intense that the ice was an inch thick in the pools.

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25th, was a day of gracious visitation, on which we and all our people rejoiced that the Lord again added to us fourteen adults, who received holy baptism, and devoted themselves with soul and body to him. Brother Kuehnel performed this solemn transaction. Five became candidates. Several of our people came in the following days to us, and expressed their thankfulness in a very feeling manner, for the grace of our Saviour now prevailing at Gracedale. One of them said: I have been reflecting in my heart, how the angels in Heaven must rejoice, to see so many poor sinners repenting and coming to be washed from their sins in the blood of Jesus.'"

"July 21st. Sixteen persons were added to the class of candidates for baptism, who all cheerfully gave us the right hand, in token of their promise to walk in the ways of the Lord by his enabling grace."

"23d. Ten persons were baptized. The transaction was distinguished by a powerful sense of the presence of our Lord, and the congregation was deeply affected, of which, in the following days, we heard many pleasing testimonies."

"Aug. 28th, being our monthly prayer-day, we read to our Hottentot congregation several reports from the Periodical Accounts, printed by our Society at Zeist in Holland, as likewise accounts from Greenland, and part of a letter from brother Hasting in Labrador, in which he desires us to give the love of the believing Esquimaux to their brethren and sisters at Gnadenthal. This caused a general emotion throughout the whole congregation; and after the meeting was over, large parties came to thank us, and to request, that we would greet the Esquimaux believers in the most cordial manner, and say, that they would pray for them, as they had done for the Hottentots. Many came singly, both men and women, and expressed their love for the Esquimaux in the most affectionate terms; observing what a great blessing they

enjoyed to have such heart's fellowship with children of God in remote parts of the world, and that they would, from this time forward, continually name them in their prayers. This little circumstance seemed to stir up the whole congregation to thankfulness; and they requested us, on this occasion, to repeat their thanks to all their dear fathers and mothers in Europe, who had sert teachers to them, and to beg that they would leave them with them, though they were poor worthless beings.

"30th. We had a serious conversation with all the parents in our settlement, concerning the treatment and education of their children, which we trust, by the blessing of God, will produce a salutary effect.

"We conclude our diary by entreating our dear brethren, sisters, and friends, to remember us, and the work of the Lord in this place and country, in their prayers, that many poor Hottentots may become a reward for the travail of his soul."

GRUENEKLOOF, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. "Feb. 1, 1809, brother Schmitt shot several serpents near our house. We have here three sorts; 1st, the Cobra Capella, a most venonious reptile, five or six feet in length. 2d, the Puffader, a monstrous serpent, some of them as thick as a man's arm. Its bite kills in a short time. Sd, the Bauin-Schlange (Tree Serpent) with yellow stripes regularly. placed on its belly. A wood being near us, these terrible creatures are our near neighbours.

"2d. We were much affected and delight ed with a proof of the love of some of our people. They came and brought us a present of water melons, Spanish melons, and other fruit, as the firstlings of their gardenground. Our hearts were filled with thanks to God for his blessing on their exertions, for it is not a year since our valley was nothing but a wild place covered with brushwood. To shew our love to them, we made them in return a present of part of our crop."

17th. We made known that an old mau, called Pitt Jacger, would be baptized, and Isaac Bedit' added to the candidates. The first was solemnly exhorted well to consider, whether his heart was upright before God, and he could gladly forsake the world and sin, with all the works of the devil, and with true repentance and contrition of soul, present himself before the Lord, to be washed and cleansed from all sin in His most precious blood. We desired him to bring

us his answer to-morrow.

passed on which I have not prayed to God to forgive me my sins, and grant me a new name as His child. I am indeed unworthy, and as my dear teachers have told me, that I should keep nothing back, which would rob me of the blessing of my baptism, I will once more declare, that I have certainly been one of the most wicked of men from my childhood, and there is no sin so atrocious that I have not committed. I believe and feel that nothing but the free mercy and pardon of God can save me; and I, poor old grey-headed sinner, have no other hope." Thus he proceeded, the tears rolling down his aged cheeks. We could not help being deeply affected by this declaration of an old penitent heathen. In the evening we par look of the holy sacrament in our family, for the strengthening of our faith and love. " 19th. At three in the afternoon Pitt Jacgar received holy baptism," and was called Jacob. This being the first baptism of a man at Gruenekloof, the solemn transaction inade a great impression upon all the cand?dates present, and indeed upon the heathen, many of whom afterwards spoke of it with great emotion.

"20th. We had the pleasure to receive a visit from his Excellency the Earl of Caledon, Governor of this colony. He was accom panied by a general and a commissary. They had not been long at our house, before a party of the school-children placed themselves at the house-door, and began very cheerfully to sing hymns in the Dutch lan guage, to welcome our noble visitor, after which a boy addressed his Excellency as follows: We children also are very thankful to our Governor for all the good he has done for us in sending us teachers,' &c. His Excellency accepted with kind condescension of this little tribute of gratitude, and both he and his company expressed their satisfaction 'and surprise at the harmonious singing of these Heathen children. He inquired into every particular relating to the settlement, and then 'walked with us to the flottentot kraals, where he seemed much pleased with their garden-grounds and the crops they were raising, such as water and common 'melons, Indian corn, pumpkins, beans, tobacco, &c. He even went into the grounds, 'and took special notice of the different produce in them. Having returned to our dwelling, he assured us of his appro bation of our exertions, and of his continued protection and friendship, and then took Irave. We must declare that our present English government, but particularly Lord Caledon, has manifested the greatest regard