STABILITY, OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM.

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estate altogether vanity," it is comforted in the thought, that the prosperity and growth of the church flows from a higher source, even from Him who is " alive for evermore." And this consoling truth is especially forced upon our minds in the present instance, by observing the progressive advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in Greenland, notwithstanding the removal of those by whose instrumentality its growth had hitherto been forwarded. That the Mission did thus flourish, is manifest from the brief history of three of the settlements which has already been laid before the reader. The following chapter, containing an account of the establishment of a fourth settlement, 400 miles south of Lichtenau, further establishes the same gratifying faet.

CHAPTER IX.

Mr. Kleinschmidt sails from Lichtenau on a voyage of discovery to South Greenland-Perils of the polar seas-He meets with a number of Heathen, by whom he is kindly received-The Missionaries proceed to Staatenhuk-Intercourse with the Heathen Their attention to the gospel-Their anxious desire for instruction-The Missionaries return in safety-Mr. Kleinschmidt visits Europe-His return to New Herrnhuth-Second voyage to the South-Establishment of a new settlementHardships endured by the Missionaries--Extraordinary success -Erection of a church and dwelling-house-Growth of the congregation-Experience, characters, and deaths of believing

Greenlanders.

THE heathen residing in the southern parts of Greenland, having expressed an earnest desire for Christian instruction, one of the Brethren, J. Conrad Kleinschmidt, was commissioned to make a voyage into their country. He set out on the 3rd of July, 1821, accompanied by the best wishes and fervent prayers of his fellow-labourers at Lichtenau, committing himself, in the prospect of the many perils to which such an undertaking would necessarily expose him, into the almighty hands of his faithful Saviour.

The object of this hazardous enterprize was to procure the best information respecting the state of the country, and the disposition and character of the heathen inhabitants of Southern Greenland; to ascertain whether any insuperable difficulties existed, to prevent the establishment of a fourth Mission of the Brethren in that district; and, finally, in dependance upon the divine blessing, to sow the seed of the Word of God among the heathen who might fall in their way.

The little company of travellers consisted, besides the Missionary, of three native assistants, Benjamin, Frederic, and Shem, with the families of the two for

A PERILOUS VOYAGE.

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mer, and eight Christian women from Lichtenau to serve in the capacity of rowers. The whole company consisted of thirteen adults, besides four children, and these hardy adventurers set out in two frail skin boats to perform a journey of more than 400 miles along a dangerous coast, and through unknown seas of most difficult navigation. As this little band of discoverers embarked at Lichtenau, a venerable servant of God, Jacob Beck, took leave of them with great affection, and taking brother Kleinschmidt by the hand, exclaimed, "Go thou in the name and with the blessing of God. The joy of the Lord be thy strength, and do thou his work with gladness."

The travellers were soon reminded of the dangers to which they were exposed, for, in the first day of their voyage, the boat in which Frederic was, struck upon a sunken rock providentially, however, the little vessel was preserved by its lightness from sustaining any injury, and by giving immediate warning, the other boat, which was heavy and deeply laden, was saved from the dangerous consequences of a similar accident. On this day the voyagers made about thirty English miles, and in the evening arrived at Nennortalik, the last Danish establishment towards the South, there they were most kindly received and entertained by M. Arö, the resident Danish merchant. Shortly before they landed, a violent shower overtook them, which not only thoroughly drenched them, but filled the boats so full of water, that they were obliged to bale it out. The hos

pitable reception which they met with, was therefore the more welcome. But here they heard the mournful intelligence, that, towards the South, the sea was completely covered with drift-ice, and that no passage could be found for the boats. To increase their apprehension, a violent storm arose from the same quarter, which never fails to drive the floating ice towards the land, and to make it impossible to proceed.

Mr. Kleinschmidt now began to fear that the whole aim of their undertaking would be frustrated, and having prayed to the Lord to grant them his help and remove the difficulties, he went to bed under great depression of spirit. Waking in the night, he betook himself again to prayer for help and comfort, and was

much strengthened in considering the following passage of Scripture "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, if it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts." I took courage, writes this servant of Christ, and could trust in Him, whom "wind and waves obey." On the 5th, the storm ceased and the clouds cleared away. Climbing up a very high hill, and turning towards the South, he beheld with surprise and joy, that, as far as his sight could reach, very little floating ice was to be seen. It appears that the storm had driven the ice towards the North; and thus, contrary to the expectation of our travellers, had furthered rather than impeded their progress.

On the 6th, the travellers proceeded, a boat with heathen from the South having joined them, by which their little flotilla was augmented to three boats, and eight kayaks. This forenoon they passed by a steep and lofty promontory, considered very dangerous to double. Some years ago, a boat filled with Southlanders was upset here, and all on board perished; another was crushed to pieces by the ice, and a poor old woman had her legs cut off by the pressure of the closing flakes. Having heard that in this neighbourhood several boats full of straggling Southland heathen had lately arrived, Mr. Kleinschmidt felt a great desire to visit them, and speak to them of the way of salvation : two of the Greenlanders in their kayaks served as guides. In the evening they discovered their camp; on seeing them approach, the strange Greenlanders called to them to come forward, promising to accompany them to the South. Here our travellers found twelve tents, and on the other side of the creek up which they had rowed, they discovered an equal number, filled with a great number of people. When Mr. Kleinschmidt stepped on shore, he found himself in a crowd, all pressing forward to bid him welcome; and before he could begin to address them, both old and young frequently exclaimed: "We are quite in earnest, we will all be converted." When he replied, that having that opinion of them, he had felt a great desire to visit them, and to speak to them of their Saviour; they answered: Well, then, you are indeed worthy that we should

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INTERCOURSE WITH THE HEATHEN.

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thank you, and we will pay attention to your words." On expressing his surprise at finding such a host of people here, they said: "What, did you suppose that we heathen in the South were only a few? O no! we are a great multitude!" Soon after, poor old Ajangoak, whom Mr. Kleinschmidt had seen twenty years ago at New Herrnhuth, and who has since grown quite blind, came creeping along, supported by a stick. He appeared deeply affected, and said: "I repent truly, that I formerly paid no attention to your words, and that I have put off my conversion so long. I am now near unto death, but I always exhort my children to remove to you, and to be converted, which they promise to do." His children confirmed his words. The poor old man heard with great eagerness of Jesus and 'His love to sinners.

No sooner had our travellers pitched their tents, than the people from the opposite shore came over in boats and kayaks, and expressed their gratitude for this visit, by their friendly faces and words of welcome. Among these heathen, Mr. Kleinschmidt discovered two families, who, when he lived at Lichtenfels, spent a month there during the summer, and heard the Gospel with attention. One of the women used to come to the chapel, and often appeared much affected. These poor people, upon this unexpected meeting with one of their former teachers, exhibited the most unfeigned delight and satisfaction. They said: "We have never forgotten how you sought to persuade us to be converted, but we could not forsake our country. Now, however, we sincerely intend to be converted to Jesus." Among these poor people Mr. Kleinschmidt found abundant employment; he was so much occupied in listening to their expressions of thankfulness, that they were favoured to hear the word of God, and in exhorting them, that he had scarcely time to eat or drink, his tent was continually filled, and the entrance to it crowded with persons eager to be admitted. To all these he repeatedly explained the object of his visit, and that the Brethren had sent him to them, because they could not bear the thought, that they should be lost, but wished to teach them to know Jesus, and find eternal life and salvation in Him. They replied: "This indeed is the