СПАР. XIII. 1784. new song, (and should not new mercies require a "C. F. SWARTZ." The English commissioners, after a tedious and. harassing journey, were conducted from Seringapatam to Mangalore, where, amidst much studied mortification and insult, they at length succeeded in concluding a treaty of peace with Tippoo, on the 11th of March, 1784. "The goodness and mercy of God towards us," thus Mr. Swartz gratefully writes upon this occasion to professor Freylinghausen, "have been unspeakably great during the whole of the war, and to the present moment. It is indeed of the Lord's mercies that we have not been consumed." To another of his friends about this time he wrote as follows: "The war with Hyder and his son Tippoo, is now ended. But notwithstanding, the misery is still great. Tippoo is augmenting his army every day. He is a much more enterprising soldier than his father. Every commandant who surrendered a fortress to the English he ordered to be hung. Having carried twelve thousand children captive from Tanjore, he compelled them all to become Mahommedans. He has done every thing in his power to exterminate the Malabar Roman Catholics, in which he has so far succeeded, that no one dares to call himself a Christian. He will not have any subjects except such as are either heathens or Mahommedans. As for the former, they are almost entirely devoid of feeling; they hear the doctrines of the gospel explained, and even applaud them, and yet go on in their old way, as if they had heard nothing about it. Some Brahmins lately said to me, 'We have no objection to hear these things; but heavenly objects do not make much impression upon us.' This avowal is certainly too true; and they are moreover so timid, that they would not dare to profess the faith of Christ before their CHAP. XIII. 1784. XIII. CHAP. relations. This is truly stony ground, which requires much seed, and returns but little fruit." 1784. In the spring of this year, Swartz suffered considerably from weakness and exhaustion; and though he performed his various duties as usual, he was advised to try the effect of a journey to the coast for the restoration of his health. to these circumstances that he refers in the following truly apostolic letter to his friends at Vellore. It is "Katternate, near Tanjore, July 10, 1784. "MY DEAR FRIENDS, "It is a long time since I had the pleasure of addressing you. Illness has prevented me. I can hardly describe to you the nature of my weakness. I felt no pain, but such a relaxation in my frame, that speaking, walking, &c. fatigued me, so that often I could scarcely stand. This I felt during April and May. When we were favoured with some refreshing showers, I revived a little; and at present I am much better, though still weak. But enough of this. Age comes upon me: I have no reason therefore to wonder at weakness. "If the mind be sound, all is well; the rest we shall quit when we enter into the grave. That will cure all our bodily indispositions. On this subject I meditate frequently. And, O! may XIII. God grant me grace to do it more effectually, CHAP. that I may number my (perhaps very few) days. Eternity is an awful subject, which should be continually in our mind. "I know, I feel it, that I have no righteousness of my own, whereon I would dare to depend for eternal happiness. If God should enter with me into judgment, what would become of me? But blessed, for ever blessed, be the adorable mercy of God, which has provided a sure expedient for guilty man. The atonement of Jesus is the foundation of my hope, peace, love and happiness. Though I am covered all over with sin, the blood of Jesus cleanseth me from all mine iniquities, and sets my heart at rest. Though I am a corrupted creature, the Spirit of Jesus enlighteneth, cheereth, and strengtheneth us to hate and abominate all sin, and to renounce the lusts of the world and the flesh. Though the day of judgment is approaching, the love of God comforts us so far as to have boldness to appear before our Judge; not as if we were innocent creatures, but because we are pardoned, washed, and cleansed in the blood of Christ. "O! my dear friends, an interest in the atonement of Jesus, and a participation in the graces of his Spirit; these constitute a Christian, these cheer and strengthen the heart, these glorify God, and prepare for heaven. "Let us daily, therefore, come before God 1784. XIII. 1784. CHAP. through the blessed Jesus; but let us, at the same time, not neglect the second point, viz. our sanctification. Our time is short. Within some days, I have sojourned in this country thirty-four years. The end of my journey is, even according to the course of nature, near. May I not flag! May my last days be the best! But as long as we live together upon earth, let us admonish and stir up one another. "Remember me to Mrs. F -, and tell her not to overvalue the pleasures of the world, but to let her mind feed on pleasures which are substantial and permanent. I am to take a journey near the sea. Perhaps the sea-air may brace me up a little. I shall remember you in my poor paternosters, and, if I can, send you another line from the sea shore. Farewell! May grace, peace, and divine mercy follow you at all times! "I am, my dear friends, "Your affectionate friend and servant, Soon after the date of the preceding letter, Mr. Sullivan requested Swartz to accompany him into the Marawar country, as he was afraid of trusting to a native interpreter. To this he willingly acceded, both on account of his health, and as it would afford him many opportunities of preaching to the natives. It was in the course of this |