42 23d Report of the London Missionary Society.

hands, building himself a house of reeds and plaster, and assisting in forming ploughs and other implements of agriculture, the fruit of which he has had the pleasure of enjoying. The people have greatly improved in their habits of industry, and have sown above fifty sacks of corn in the last year; which may be considered as a proof of very considerable advancement in civilization in this part of Africa.

More than seventy persons were baptized during the last year, and the word is heard with much affection. An Auxiliary Missionary Society has also been already formed at this Station.

STATIONS BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE COLONY.

Caffraria.

It was stated in our last Report, that many of the Caffres had repeatedly expressed a strong desire that Missionaries from Bethels. dorp might visit them, and settle in their country; and also that Mr. Read, and our other Missionary Brethren, were equally desirous of communicating the Gospel to them. The war between the Colony and the Caffres, which had long prevented the attempt, having ceased, our brethren, with the permission of Government, commenced this great undertaking in the month of April 1816.* [After a brief abstract of the chief occurrences, the Report adds:-]

Such an entrance among this people is certainly remarkable and encouraging. We must not be too sanguine in our expectations of success among such a savage nation; but we have reason to be thankful, and to cherish hope.

Mr. Williams and Tzatzoo, who returned to Bethelsdorp to procure necessary articles for their intended settlement, removed to Caffraria in the month of June, and were received in the most friendly manner.

,,

Grace Hill, (formerly called Thornberg.)

Mr. Read, who visited this new Station on his way to Lattakoo, among some of the wildest and most uncivilized of the human race, where Mr. Smit has for some time laboured, says" On my arrival here, I was much pleased with the appearance of things, which have taken a favourable turn; so that, instead of Thornberg, we agreed to call it GRACE HILL. About three months ago, God was pleased to pour out his Spirit on the people here; first among the Dorlams; and then among the poor Bushmen, seven of whom, including a captain, have been baptized."

As Mr. Read found that the intended settlement at Makoon's Krall could not be immediately commenced, he proposed, that the brethren, Corner and Goeyman, who were intended for that place, should proceed to Rhinoster Fountain, situated about three days' journey from Grace Hill, in the way to Griqua Town. Three hundred Bushmen are said to inhabit that spot. Mr. Read resolv. ed to accompany them, and with his people assist them in building "Let a house. "We take a plough with us," says Mr. Read. it be remembered, that, in Africa, THE BIBLE AND THE PLOUGH GO

*For a narrative of th. journey, see Vol. 11. No. 18, of Christian Herald.

Stations in Sonth Africa.

Hephzibah. (Formerly Rhinoster Fountain, in the Bushmen's

Country:)

48

After leaving Grace Hill, Sept. 18th, Mr. Read arrived here on the 21st; and, judging it to be a fit spot for a Missionary station, began to make some preparations for a Settlement. For a time,

none of the Bushmen came near them; but, at length, the Captain (Slinger) and others arrived, and heartily welcomed the Missionaries. A piece of land was purchased, and some agricultural tools procured from Grace Hill. "To behold the wretchedness of this people," says Mr. Read, "and the fertility of their country, one would think that any person coming to teach the art of agriculture would gain the esteem of the whole world, independently of seeking their souls' eternal welfare."

After the people had heard the word daily, morning and evening, for some time, the mind of the Captain seemed to be deeply impressed. He exclaimed, before all the people,-"Now I believe there is a God! How should I have hands to handle, eyes to see, ears to hear, mouth to eat, feet to walk, if there were not a God. We must pray to him, that he may teach us more. I never had such a heart before. All the Bushmen must come to hear this great word. 1 must have a house built, and all my children must:

be taught."

Mr. Corner, who continues at Hephzibah with Goeyman, wrote a letter, some time after Mr. Read's departure, stating, that "the Captain and the people continued to hear the word with great interest, and appeared to be suitably affected by it.

Mr Read, in the course of his journey, after leaving the village. called Campbell, entered a hut, where he found a Bootsuanna woman, who told him that she should never forget that evening which he and Mr. Campbell spent there; for it was by the preaching of the word on that evening that she was brought to the knowledge of the Gospel; ever since which, he was informed that she has manifested the spirit of true religion. It is also believed that her husband is a converted man. The parents and friends of both reside at Lattakoo, to which place they are gone with Mr. Read; and, as they can speak Dutch, as well as the Bootsuanna language, it is hoped they may be very useful in the first introduction of the Gospel into that city.

Griqua Town.

Occurrences of an unpleasant nature disturbed the peace and threatened the safety of this station, at the beginning of the past year. Some of the unconverted natives, who attached themselves to this Settlement, entertained strong prejudices against Mr. Anderson, because he opposed their bad practices; and even threatened to drive him away from this post, which he has occupied so usefully for many years: but there is reason to hope that their designs will be frustrated, and peace fully restored. Some of the aggressors have expressed sorrow for their misdemeanours, and asked forgiveness of Mr. Anderson, and of old Cornelius Kok, who has considerable authority in this place, which was readily granted.

44

Revival of religion in Kentucky, &c.

The arrival of Cornelius Kok, in September last, appears to have produced good effects. He has greatly promoted the spirit for agriculture, so that more corn has been sown than ever before. He has also brought with him several lively Christians from Bethesda, whose conversation and example are very beneficial. Many young people have lately been turned from darkness to light, of whom forty were thought to be fit subjects for baptism.

From hence, also, Piet-Sabba, a Native Preacher, has been sent to a Krall of Bushmen, who had frequently insisted on his coming to settle among them, and to which he was himself strongly inclined.

Some professors of the Gospel, who had been in a lukewarm state, appeared to be recovering; and Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Helm, who also labours here, could not but hope that their sorrow would soon be turned into joy.

Bethesda.

By a letter received from Mr. Sass, it appears that his labours have been so much blessed, that he has baptized sixty adult persons, and many others are convinced of their sinful state. He laments that tares appear to have grown up together with the wheat; and that some who professed faith in Christ had awfully relapsed, and others had fallen into a lukewarm state: yet some of both, he had reason to hope, had been restored by the grace of Christ, and brought to rejoice in Him again. In others he has found great comfort and satisfaction.

Mr. Sass has judged it expedient to remove his residence to the north side of the Great River, where he finds a great number of the Bushmen.

REVIVAL IN KENTUCKY.

Extract of a letter to the Editor of the Christian Herald, dated EWINGVILLE, (Christian County, Ky.) Sept. 15, 1817. Dear Sir-With pleasure I inform you that the good work of our God is still going on in this (Logan) Presbytery. Since my last to you, I have attended several sacramental occasions, at all of which the glorious displays of divine power were extensively seen and felt. Many were pricked to the heart, and heavy laden under a sense of their guilt, fell prostrate in the dust before a sinhating and sin-avenging God, and were constrained to cry out, "what shall we do to be saved?" The compassion of the adorable Redeemer was exhibited to their view. Their darkened understandings were illumined by the powerful beams of the sun of righteousness, and their hearts were subdued to the obedience of faith. They believed, adored, wept, and rejoiced "with joy unspeakable and full of glory." The ascriptions of glory (by these young converts) seemed to be given most heartily, to God and to the Lamb-to Him that loved us, and gave himself for us, and washed us from our sins in his blood! Within less than four months, at our camp and sacramental meetings, about one hundred souls have professed regeneration, the most of whom appeared very clear in their views of the glorious scheme of redemption.Those who are principally instrumental in this blessed work, are

Lines addressed by Dr. Stock to Rev. Mr. Vernon. 45

་

the Rev. Messrs. Harris, Chapman, W. and J. Barnetts, together with my own feeble aid, and the aid of some zealous, indefatigable licentiates. By what I learn from my correspondent, a member of the Elk Presbytery, the revival is nearly as great, if not quite as great, there as it is here. I have also learned, that in parts of the Nashville Presbytery there is a blessed work of God. These three Presbyteries compose the Cumberland Synod, and embrace western Kentucky, Tennessee, and some of the adjacent territories. If the above statement of facts, respecting the revival of God's work in this part of our guilty land, will tend to "provoke" any of God's ministers and people" to love and to good works," one of the highest objects of the writer will be answered. O Lord, may all pray in the Spirit, "thy kingdom come."

It appears to me that God has kindled in my unworthy breast some missionary fire; I dare not quench it by apathy or saying "there is a lion in the way." I expect, if God will, to set out on a missionary tour through the lilinois and Missouri Territories in a few days. The Rev. Mr. Rice writes to me from St. Louis, that there is the greatest need for Gospel labours in those parts. I am, dear Sir, in bonds of Gospel union,

Your obedient servant,

F. E.

Extract of a letter to the Editor of the Christian Herald.

BRISTOL, (Eng.) 4th July, 1817.

DEAR SIR,-I sent you some time past the valuable letter of the celebrated Dr. Stock, on his retiring from his connexion with the Unitarians*. I have now the pleasure to send you the following lines presented by him to the excellent Mr. Vernon, who was the means of his conversion, thinking that they would very suitably Occupy a page of your useful publication. The dear Vernon departed to his promised rest and ineffable glory in the spring. An enlargement of the heart baffled the powers of medicine, and took him to an early grave, universally lamented.

Yours, &c.

"Friend of my life!" 'twas thus that Pope express'd

The warm emotions of a grateful breast.

Friend of my soul! Oh far more sacred name

Is that which thou, my Vernon, well might'st claim:
Accept this trifling token of esteem

From one whose life has been an empty dream,
In deep self-ignorance, and error past.

And, oh! what might have been its close at last!
Had not kind heaven, its mercy to display,
Thrown thee, as if by hazard, in its way;
Made thee its instrument to charm the ear
Of one long deaf, and check his rash career;
To bend his heart, and make him feel his sin;
To show what deep corruption reign'd within;

For this letter, see Vol. IM. No. 8. page 114.

S. P.

46 Lines addressed by Dr. Stock to Rev. Mr. Vernon.

Lead him to see that ev'ry hope was gone,
That on himself dependence could be none,
And make him gladly thus, bereft of all,
Before his Saviour's cross adoring fall.
Thou wert that instrument, beloved friend!

And when should thanks for such a boon have end?
Thou wert that instrument, yet not to thee,
But to our common Lord the glory be.

'Twas his unpurchas'd grace, redemption wrought
For thee, and me-the teacher, and the taught.
Both might alike bave perish'd in despair,
And both, if sav'd, 'oh what a hope is there!)
Must owe their rescue to that gracious aid,
Which, when no arm could save, then he display'd.
Ob that in time my privilege might be,
To prove an instrument of good to thee!

Oh that thy health restored night shortly cheer
Those anxious friends to whom thou'rt justly dear.
Yet not on human skill our hopes rely;

We look for aid to one above the sky!

And may the prayers by many a heart preferr'd
On thy behalf be with acceptance heard.

May heaven suggest the means, and bless their use,
Which may this much desir'd effect produce.
The throbbings of too kind a heart restrain,
And pour health's equal tide through every vein.
Renew thy faded strength, and thus restore
Thee to thy public usefulness once more.
May many yet be check'd in error's road,
Hearing thy counsels in the house of God,
And furnish thus another sparkling gem,
Fit to enrich that starry diadem

Which thy great Master shall on those bestow
Who turn men's feet from evil here below.

This thou shalt cast before the Saviour's throne,
And yield the glory unto him alone.

Oh dearest friend! which ever first may tread,
Or thou, or 1, the mansions of the dead,
Will not this sacred tie that binds us here
Ev'n in another state our souls endear?
Will not th' affection kindled here below
Ev'n in the disembodied spirit glow?

I would not with unhallow'd earthly eyes
Too deeply press on these high mysteries;
But yet methinks what joy the heart must swel!
To welcome one on earth remember'd well,
On his first entry to that seat of rest
Reserv'd for all the spirits of the blest!
How will their mutual gratulations flow,
How will each heart with mutual transport glow,
To see each other 'scap'd the dangerous sea