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FOREIGN.

MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA.

THE

(Concluded from p. 417.) BROTHER Boezak was baptized in September. He first came to us before we left Bota's Place. His first appearance struck us with horror, being most beastly drunk, and we were much afraid that he would seduce our people, and corrupt their minds from the truth. His attention, however, was drawn to the word, which he constantly attended, and his eager. ness to understand was very great: but we perceived no work of God up. on him, except a change in his outward conduct, till the month of January; when, under great concern for his soul, he came to Brother Vanderkemp for some private instruction. He said he had got two hearts, and between those two hearts, there was a continual warfare. "The one heart, (said he) will do nothing but sing all kinds of Hottentot's and Boscheman's songs, and all that is bad: & the other heart strives to sing the praises of Christ; tells me to go to Christ, to pray to him, &c. &c. Sometimes the one heart is master, and sometimes the other."-This work of God on his soul was evident to others, but not to himself, till some time before he was received into communion with us as a member of Christ's body: when his heart was so full of the love of Christ, and his desires so strong to be forever devoted to him, that Brother Vanderkemp could no longer delay the administering the Sacrament of Baptism to him. He is now an ornament to the church of Christ, not only among us, but likewise among his old connexions, and the world in general; among whom he is often called to mingle, being a great buffalo and elephant shooter.

Brother Samson seemed one of the prepared people of the Lord, to receive his gospel. For several years he had been in an unhappy frame of mind about his eternal state, wishing to know if there was a God; what he was; and what he required of his creatures: But to this knowledge he could not attain, there being no one, who could or would show him the way to happiness. From the

time that the brethren at the Bavian's Kloof had settled themselves there, he had tried every means to get out of service, in order to go to them; but his deliverance could not be obtained. In the midst of the commotions of the district of Graaf Reinet, and while the Boors were flying from their places, Samson was falsely accused of having made known to the English where they intended to go. He was immediately locked up in chains, to be killed the next morning. The Lord, however, whose captive he was, broke his chains; he got loose in the night, and fled to Graaf Reinet, which was at that time an asylum for hundreds of poor Hottentots, who were obliged to flee from their persecuting masters. Samson,

arriving at Graaf Reinet, found himself, to his great joy, in possession of those means for which his soul bad been several years longing; and he resolved never to leave them, till he had learnt what was necessary for his eternal peace. His constant attendance upon the word, and diligence to know the truth, manifested the anxiety of his heart. Nor were the means in vain; having a good memory, he soon became the first scholar. We had likewise hope of a work of God in his heart, but this did not become so evident, till September, 1802, when he began to see his lost state without Christ. He was baptized in March, 1803, with Brother Jocham, and Sister Griet Cassapi, being the first baptized this year. Brother Vanderkemp baptized them by sprinkling, sitting in his sick-bed. Brother Samson is very forward and bold in the cause of Christ, warning and admonishing sinners to flee from the wrath to come. Whether they be persons inferior or superior, he is not ashamed of the gospel; nor does he ever fail to tell the colonists of their neglect in keeping him and the rest of his nation ignorant of the contents of the Bible.

Brother Jocham, concerning whom our hopes and fears have, at times, been greatly exercised, left us in September, with another Hottentot, called Abraham, to go into the service of an inhabitant of Graaf Reinet. Previous to his leaving us, he

had for some time discovered a licentious disposition, which deeply griev ed our minds, and gave us reason to fear, that when he should be quite separated from us, his passions would obtain their full sway, and the name of Christ be scandalized by him. But our fears were disappointed; no sooner was he at Graaf Reinet, than he assembled the heathen together, who resided there, and made known unto them the gospel of Christ. This, however, greatly displeased the Christians, (so called) who had Brother Jocham, and Abraham, who assisted him in teaching, cast into the cage; Abraham was shamefully flogged, and both forbidden to instruct the people any more. The New Field Cornet, however, (residing in the village) interposed, condemned the conduct of the Christians, saying, that the cause, which they endeavoured to suppress, was a cause, which could not, and must not, be hindered. By his influence, Brothers Jocham and Abraham are going on again in their work; numbers attend them, and some, we have reason to believe, have received benefit from their labours. Brother Jocham, in April, seeing Brother Read packing up letters for England, requested him to give his kind love to all his brethren and sisters there, "and beg them, (said he) to pray for me, that my faith in Jesus may be strengthened; and assure them that I will, as well as I can, pray for them."

Brother Jan. Stoffels, being judged most eminent for piety, was chosen the 26th of October as Deacon for the management of the poor's money.

Besides those baptized persons, there are several, who associate with us, in our experimental meetings, of whom we have reason to entertain good hopes of a work of God began in their hearts.

Brethren, with all the numerous friends of the cause of Christ, pray for us, that the village of Bethel may, in reality, be the village of the house of the Lord that it may withstand the opposition of its numerous adversaries, and be protected against the storms, which daily threaten its ruin.

JOHN READ.

DISTRESS IN GERMANY!!

Copies of Letters relative to the Sufferings of the People in Germany, (From the London Evan. Magazine.) Savoy, Strand, Nov. 21, 1805.

My dear Friends,

PERMIT me to send you the enclosed letters, and respectfully to request the favour of your communicating their contents to any of your friends. They contain some facts, which will afford an additional proof to your readers of the indescribable mass of human misery which at present overwhelms my poor afflicted native country. They will undoubtedly excite in the breasts of British Christians, feelings of unfeigned gratitude for the wonderful protection they have hitherto experienced, and the uninterrupted enjoyment of those inestimable privileges, both civil and religious, by which your long favoured island is so eminently distinguished. But they will also occasion feelings of the truest commiseration towards the sufferings of their continental brethren, and inspire the sympathizing hearts of British Christians with a sacred flame of fervent prayer and supplication in behalf of their German fellow-Christians, who but lately, when England was threatened with invasion, so often interceded for them at a Throne of Grace in their behalf;-and perhaps prompt some of your benevolent friends to afford the sufferers relief in their present distress.

I am, with equal respect, your affectionate friend, &c.

CH. T. A STEINKOPFF, Minister of the German Lutheran Chapel in the Savoy.

To Messrs. Hardcastle and Reyner.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Jung, Aulic Counsellor, Heidelberg. Oct.23, 1805.

BUT six weeks ago the emperor Napoleon was at Boulogne; and now he is in the heart of Bavaria, at the head of 140 or 150,000 men; and the Austrian army is either killed, taken prisoners, or dispersed, How will this end! the whole of Germany and the northern nations are in arms. It is awful indeed; for all the violence of this tremendous storm falls upon our poor native country!

Last summer there was such a scarcity in several parts of Saxony,

Lausatia, Silesia, Bohemia, Austria, and other neighbouring provinces, that many baked bran for bread, and used grass for vegetables; some people even went to those places where dead horses were thrown, and fed upon their flesh! Now, in addition to the usual population of the country, there are 150,000 men coming from the west, and more than 100,000 from the east, who must also be fed; and in the northern parts the harvest has again been very scanty.

My very heart bleeds at the sight of this universal distress. O that some relief might be afforded us! and, perhaps our hopes of receiving some assistance from England may not be disappointed, as it will be universally acknowledged that we sup suffer in order to avert the storm from them.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Germany, dated Nuremberg, October 19, 1805.

THE Lord our God gives victory to whom he pleases; therefore, let us not murmur, but let us leave our cause to Him. O, may England in particular, do so at the present time! May all the people of that country, with mercy so much and so long blessed, open their eyes to see that it is high time to seek the Lord; and to humble themselves before him, who alone can and will protect them, if they come but in the right manner to Him! The French troops are victorious. They have made a very great number of the retreating Austrians prisoners: and the situation of this poor people is very, is excecdingly calamitous. I have been an eye witness to many scenes of misery; and, therefore, my communication on this subject may be believed.

I do not know what to say to all this; but I know well what to hope of God our Lord: and, " in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg of the children of God in England, to remember their suffering brethren in Germany," particularly those who stand as shepherds of the Lord's flock, the situation of some of whom is truly deplorable.

The Lord bless you, and all the dear children of God! I add no more. Pray! Pray!

Extract of a letter from Stutgard.
October 14, 1805.

WHAT Would you feel, could you now see our city! It has quite the appearance of a camp, 20,000 French soldiers having been quartered upon us. We have two officers and twelve privates in our own house; and some of our neighbours had from thirty to forty. Provisions became so scarce that they were hardly to be procured. There are some districts in the vicinity of Ulm, in which every thing is entirely consumed; and we have to fear a general famine. The vintage of this year has also failed.

London, Nov. 22, 1805.

IN consequence of the above and similar information, a Meeting of a few Friends was this day held at Messrs. Hardcastle's and Reyner's,

G WOLFF, Esq. in the Chair; Many particulars were detailed, of the extreme distress experienced at this time in various parts of Germany of which most authentic accounts have been received from different quarters.

Foraging parties of soldiers have traversed the country in various directions; and, at the point of the bayonet, have compelled the farmers to thresh out their grain for the use of the French army;-the season too has been so unfavourable, that the vintage has failed, therefore, the poor inhabitants can now, neither get bread for themselves or their chil dren to eat; nor their common bererage, of low wines, to drink. As to animal food, the armies have, in many places, cleared away most of the cattle. There are numbers of very pious people in the utmost distress, for want of the absolute necessaries of life.

The Company present, feeling the pressing urgency of the case, and sensible that not a day should be lost in sending some relief to the poor sufferers, most heartily determined, To guarantee the payment of a considerable sum of money, which was specified (on the expectation of its being raised by Subscriptions and Public Collections, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland) and to give orders by this night's post, to some confidential friends on the Continent, to expend that amount in the pur

chase of provisions, and otherwise, as they shall be directed.

MR. KICHERER'S VOYAGE. The following interesting particulars of Mr. Kicherer's voyage are extracted from the 13th No. of the London Missionary Transactions. Mr. Kicherer with the Hottentots, who came with him from Africa, and several new Missionaries, having taken an affectionate leave of their dear connexions in Holland, sailed from the Texel in the American ship Silenus, October 21, 1804. On the 25th a heavy gale blew from the S. W. all the day; which towards evening became exceedingly violent. About midnight there was a general consternation among the sailors, in consequence of seeing a light; for they perceived they were too near the shore, and in danger of being driven upon it. The captain, who had been very ill, and confined to his cabin, went immediately upon deck, and took the direction of the vessel. In about half an hour after, another light was perceived on the other side of the ship the confusion and distress was now doubled, as they were between the isles of Scilly and the Lizard Point of Cornwall. Mr. Kicherer was desired by the captain to communicate to his companions their imminent danger. He performed the melancholy task, and added, "My dear brethren, we have, at all events, a Saviour, who is all-sufficient living and dying in the utmost danger we shall experience his all-sufficiency!"

The brethren were alarmed, yet composed. They gave themselves up to the Lord's disposal, entreating him to save their lives, or else receive them into the arms of his mercy; and though the confusion of the ship was great, they united together in prayer.

"The vessel," to use their own words in the journal, "was now carried down into the abyss, and then raised up again towards heaven, by the waves, which often broke upon the deck. It was every where dreadful! O how terrible was the darkness of the night, the roaring of the waves, and the howling of the storm! Our ship resembled a house plundered by thieves; every thing frangible was broken to pieces, and every thing

moveable turned upside down. We kneeled down a second time and prayed. We all agreed to sit down on the floor, even those who were very ill, and die in each other's arms. What a dreadful spectacle was it to behold the terrified mothers bringing their children in their arms to the spot, now looking at their children, then at their husbands, then again at their friends, and then towards heaven, praying for protection! Mr. Kicherer had the child of Mrs. Vos in his lap : Mary sat near him, and appeared very composed. Each blow of the waves(violent beyond description) was expected to be the last: the vessel seemed every moment, as if it were going into a thousand pieces! we were now sitting under the sentence of death, every moment expecting the execution of it. The captain sent down very fre. quently to know the hour, so ardently did he long for day-break. We prayed the third time to Him who alone was able to save us. At length, about six in the morning, the wind shifted, and became a little more moderate; and the hope which we began to entertain was visible in every countenance.

"How wonderful are the works of the Almighty! Who does not see that it was the Lord alone who saved us? Dear brethren and sisters, assist us in praising the Lord for his goodness. We cannot do it as we ought; but we have resolved annually to keep this day for solemn thanksgiving; and wish our dear brethren in Holland to do the same."

The worship of God morning and evening, was constantly kept up among themselves, in reading, prayer, singing, and exhortation; and on the 9th of November, when they obtained better weather, divine service was performed before the whole crew. This continued at proper seasons throughout the voyage; and there is reason to hope that the labours of Mr. Kicherer and the brethren were not in vain.

On the 13th of November they ar rived at Madeira, and went on shore. Here they obtained suitable refreshments; and proceeded on the 15th on their voyage.

On Christmas day (when about the latitude of 13 deg. 38 min. the weather being very warm) they celebrated the birth of Immanuel in a very pleasing and edifying manner.

New Year's Day was also spent in a truly religious manner. The ship's crew seemed much pleased with their devotions, were uncommonly friendly, and spent their time with becoming cheerfulness.

On the 19th of January, about nine o'clock in the morning, they discerned, with great joy, the Cape mountains; and sang, with hearts much impressed, the 30th psalm. An officer from the shore came on board, to ascertain the state of their health; and finding all well, they obtained permission to go on shore. All were landed by half past three in the afternoon. It is impossible," say they, "to express what we felt when we set our feet on shore. We embraced each other for joy; and had it not been for the people about us, we should have kneeled down to give utterance to our hearts in the acknowledgment of gratitude to our dear and praise worthy Deliverer, who guarded us, who comforted us when we mourned, strengthened us when weak, healed us when sick, and granted us life in the midst of death; yea, to be brief, for words cannot express the sensations of our hearts, through his mercy we are come hither safe and well, and are received here with open arms and joyful hearts by many dear brethren and sisters.

"The next day being Sunday, we went together to the house of God.— O how pleasant to go up with the blessed host of God into his house, to give thanks, and to exalt his holy name."

Shortly after, Mr. Kicherer took a journey to Zak River, to visit his flock; who received him with joy. We understand he found their state better than he could have expected; but the particulars have not yet come to hand. Mr. Kicherer then returned to the Cape, where, we hear, he married a lady, the widow of an officer, who had been dead three or four years. With her we doubt not, he soon after proceeded to Zak River with the Hottentots, &c. and we hope is diligently employed in the duties of his mission, with the assistance of the new labourers from Holland.

Evan. Mag.

Copy of a letter from Mr. FREY, minister of the gospel to the Jews, London, dated December 22, 1805, to his

friend in Edinburgh, transmitted in MS. to the Editors of the Panoplist. DEAR BROTHER,

I RECEIVED your letter yesterday a few moments before I went to preach to my dear brethren the Jews. This day I was engaged in the work of the sanctuary; and early to-mor row morning I shall leave town for a few days. But I cannot, I dare not, refuse to comply with your kind request. I can assure you, my dear brother, that my heart was glad, and greatly encouraged when I received your letter, and saw your affection to my dear, poor and unhappy brethren. O that all true Christians would do the same.

I suppose you have seen in the magazine, that I began the Satur day's lecture to the Jews on the 6 of July, 1805, and continued since. I have generally a doctrine, a prophecy respecting the Messiah, a type or an exposition. In the beginning about two or three hundred Jews attended, and in the street was almost the same number of them cursing and swearing; and if it had been in their pow. er, they would not have used me better than they did my Lord and Master of old. After a few weeks, it was solemnly and publicly declared in all the synagogues in London, "that if any Jew should go into the place where I preach, or visit me in my house, or insult me in the streets, he should be punished, the rich 1001. the poor by excommunication from the Jewish privileges. Since that time, I enjoy peace and safety in the streets, but their attendance is very thin, only 20, 30 or 40 at times. Nevertheless there were always some, and generally the same. O that the Lord would bless his word to these. These things, my dear brother, seem very discouraging, but they are not so to me. I know their exceeding great ignorance of all that is spiritual; their peculiar prejudice against the Christian religion, and the diffi culties in their way of attending the gospel of Jesus Christ. I often wonder when I see so many. There is one Abraham Cade, of whom we have the greatest hope, that he hath been truly awakened. He hath now lived with me four months, and always manifested diligence, piety, and humility, especially love and rever

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