2d Report of the B, S. of the Canton de Vaud. 183 ving any thing sent to them from Foreign Bible Societies, allow their distribution. The Protestant Consistory has, however, made due representations against the application of this order to them, and we are now waiting the result." From the same. March 28, 1817. As the time is approaching, when your Society, and ours at Basle, engaged in the same blessed concern, will hold their public Meetings, I feel myself bound to give you a brief account of what we have done during the last year. On a comparison with our proceedings in former years, we have, thanks be to God, ample reason to rejoice. We disposed of the following Bibles and Testaments, some at reduced prices, and others gratuitously : Bibles. Testaments. 1755 4794 Ratisbon Testaments. 2041 4589 If we had had a sufficient stock of Bibles, the number disposed of last year would have been still greater. Applications for Bibles have been made to us from Frankfort on the Main, Overdiek in the county of Mark, Michelstadt on the Odenwald, Wiesbaden, Worms, Kreutznach, Stuttgard, Aarau, Berne, and Schaffhausen; but we are unable to satisfy all. From the second Report of the Bible Society of the Canton de Vaud, at Lausanne. THE excellent Pastor of Rolle writes to us: "I have seen children of the lowest class, and who seemed little likely to be susceptible of much emotion, melt into tears, on reading the history of Joseph; particularly the 44th and 45th chapters of Genesis; and a little groupe, of from 20 to 25 young communicants, very deeply affected by the sublime chapter on the dedication of the temple; while the young reader was himself so impressed, that he assumed the tone and manner of one elevated above the world." Gentlemen, you have, I make no doubt, seen, with pleasure, and perhaps some degree of surprise, the liberal exertions that have been made by the inhabitants of this city, and of the Canton, to support our infant Institution; more especially, during a season of very uncommon distress and calamity. Does it not seem under the blessing of Providence, in our native land, as well as in the larger states of Europe, that our desire for spiritual things increases with the privation of temporal ones? St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Ghost." It seems as if we prized the heavenly manna more, in proportion as our corn and wine decreased; in support of this observation, you have perhaps remarked, that it is not uniformly the inhabitants of our richest villages, or those who possess our most fruitful 184 Correspondence of the Br. and For. Bible Society. fields, whose offerings are the largest; they come from our mountains; from the poor and simple, but pious inhabitants of the Jura, and its neighbouring bamlets. When the Laponese (says one of our respected authors) hears from his snow covered hut, the sound of the distant thunder, be says, God still lives upon the mountains; and it is in the midst of scenes, where nature and art combine their magnificence; it is in capitals, and towns, and with the reasoning of philosophers, (falsely so called,) that the omnipresence of the Supreme Being is most frequently forgotten, or disregarded. We ought, however, to check any harsh opinions that might arise, on observing, that all the parishes in the Canton have not contributed to our Institution; when we observe, that 13 parishes, and 30 communes, have, this year, been added to our list. Let none among us persist in saying that our efforts are useless, that they produce no visible effects, and that we cast pearls before swine. The influence of religion, and her growth in the heart of man, may not be perceptible in the conduct of governments, and in the debates of popular assemblies, in the relation of states with each other, any more than in conquerors at the head of their armies ; but its influence is felt throughout the unobtrusive lives of multitudes of obscure individuals': its effects may escape observation, and the pen of the historian may never record them; but they will repress intemperance, infidelity, and perjury, in the public transactions of life; harshness and oppression in the domestic bonds; and excite men, as daily experience proves, to the highest acts of disinterested benevolence. The essence of religion, its consolations and its hopes, are invisible; but they operate on fathers and mothers, children and servants, upon the honest tradesman, the obscure peasant, and the labourer in his fields. The influence of the Jaw of God is more especially felt in the time of calamity and mourning; and who can count the millions of men who have drawn their consolations from this divine source; and who, if they have not been made happier in their outward circumstances, have enjoyed in their hearts that peace, and joy, which the world can neither give, nor take away! Say ye, who have passed through the fire of affliction, have ye found neither courage nor patience, neither consolation nor hope, in reading the Gospels, the Psalms, and other portions of the Holy Scriptures? From a British Naval Officer, residing, at present, in a Sea Port of France. A MILITARY man, a celebrated duellist, who declared to me that he had been engaged in several quarrels, and who, formerly. at the head of the populace, turned a regiment out of the town, is now so profoundly impressed with a sense of his duty towards God, and benevolence towards man, that he has since declared to ine, that he has refused a challenge, and is now occupied deeply with meditating on the divine word. He is further active in supplying copies of it to others; and sent to me for eleven, the full amount of which he paid. Missionary intelligence from South Africa. MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. Bethelsdorp in South Africa. 185 THE Report of the Missionarics at Bethelsdorp for the year 1816, contains many pleasing instances of the power of religion on the minds of the Hottentots, and of the affecting manner in which some of the native preachers address the people. We have room only for a few short extracts. Jan. 7. Brother Sampson (a native) preached in the evening, from Dan. vi. 16-20. Daniel in the den of lions.' Having spoken on the text, he applied it to himself, observing that he had lately been in the hands of murderers, who had bound him, and were about to kill him; but that he had been wonderfully delivered. He often exclaimed, Friends! come to Chrtst; he will help you, for I myself have been helped; he is able to deliver you from all danger and tribulation.' The last words of his discourse were, Come, come, come to Christ.' He then prayed fervently for his nation, his teachers, and all people. 6 Jan. 18. A young girl said, that, in Dr. Vanderkemp's time, she was convinced of her sins, but did her best to get rid of such thoughts; but now she must declare that Christ was too strong for her; therefore she bows down at his feet, and desires to take him as her only portion, both for this world, and for that which is to come. Feb. 1. One of the most venomous serpents lay in the house of Brother Messer, and erected its head to bite him; but he happily escaped. At another time, while writing, a scorpion, unperceived, seized his finger, but he received no injury. March 31. Brother Jan-Tzatzoe (son of a Caffre Chief) was set apart to the Lord's work. Brother Messer preached on 1 Tim iv. 12-16; Brother Read addressed Tzatzoe on 2 Tim. ii. 1; Brother Williams prayed. The congregation was much affected, particularly when Brother Read presented Tzatzoe with a Bible; they then burst into tears, and among about 500 people there were few dry eyes. Next day, the brethren, Read, Williams, and Tzatzoe, departed for Caffraria. ་ April 1. Some who had been to Mr. Smit's settlement, returned, and informed them of cruelties exercised by the Bushmen. When they have more children than they can provide for, they bury them alive. Several times they were inclined to kill Broth-. er Smit, but he had been preserved, About this time, several persons came, Hottentots and Boors, declaring the work of God on their souls.-April 14, Brother Messer baptized 6 adults and 6 infants.-April 28. Baptized a woman who had been under some impressions for 15 years.-Aug. 18. Baptized 9 adults and 3 children. In the evening Brother Samp, son preached in the Hottentot tongue.-Sept. 8. Baptized 9 adults. After the baptism, the men standing on one side of the brook, and the women on the other, sang a hymn by turus. There was 2 remarkable echo, and the effect was very pleasing. Brother M. could not help shedding tears, when he reflected on the Lord's' 186 Missionary intelligence from South Africa. goodness in blessing his ministry, and giving him the honour of almost daily baptizing persons, who gave, before the congregation, the most striking evidences of their conversion. A baptized native, referring to the time of his conversion, and speaking of the impossibility of escaping from the Almighty, expressed himself in this strong figurative manner : The caves in the rocks fell in with a crash, and the fragments were scattered about, and the bushes were too small to hide me from Him.' June 2. An important and blessed day! Brother Williams (who is going to Caffreland) was ordained. Brother Messer preached from 2 Sam. xviii. 27, and engaged in the ordination prayer; Brother Read gave the charge, from John xxi. 15, 16. In the afternoon, Brother Williams administered the Lord's Supper, and preached in the evening, from 1 Thess. v. 25. [The brethren here speak highly of Mr. Williams, and also of Mrs. W. as well qualified for her station.] 21. A Caffre woman came to Mr. B. and said her sins had brought her to him; that on earth she could find no rest for her soul, and only desired to have Christ for her eternal portion. 22. A female Hottentot came and said, If she could only get the crumbs from Christ's table, she should be happy.' 23. A Hottentot said, that when he heard the word preached, it seemed as if Brother M. had got his heart in his hand. July 28. Brother Read baptized 13 adults, besides children. 31. A woman came to speak to Brother M. who asked what was her name. She could not tell, for her father was killed by the Caffres, and her mother by the Boors. She was at her mother's side when she was shot, and escaped and fled to the mountains. 'I have lived,' said she, without God and Christ, but now my sins are all before me, and I cannot live any longer thus, but must have Christ for time and for eternity.' July 13. A letter arrived from Brother Williams, who was received with the greatest kindness by the Caffres. There seemed to be a great awakening among them. 19. Another letter from Brother Williams, stating that the Caffres heard the word with much affection. Sept. 2. Nathan, a slave, converted at Gamtoos river, by the preaching of Zaphyr, a slave, who had become a preacher, left Bethelsdorp with a heavy heart: I go," said he, to my former persecutors. When I get home, a public auction will be held, and my master will sell me.' He left us almost speechless with grief. 29. Baptized two women, one was a Caffre. Asking her some questions about baptism, and her infant, she, speaking broken Dutch, said Child-1-both Christus,' (Christ's:) clasped the child in her arms, looked up to heaven, and wept. Brother Hooper had taken charge of the schools, which seem to have prospered greatly under his care, in the course of a few months. In the course of the year, the Missionaries at Bethelsdorp have baptized 143 adults, of whose conversion they had no doubt, be Griqua Town-Theopolis. side about 100 children. so rapidly as is wished. Mrs. Messer, flourishes. quantity is ready for sale. 187 Civilization also proceeds, though not Griqua Town. A LETTER from Mr. Anderson, dated 15 Jan. 1817, describes the state of the settlement at Griqua Town to be more pleasing than for some time past; some of the most refractory have submitted themselves, and promised better conduct in future. I He also represents the state of religion among his people to be more encouraging. Since Brother Helm left me,' he says, have baptized more than 50 adults, chiefly young people, on whose hearts it appears the Lord had powerfully wrought, even at the time when the enemy of souls was permitted so to rage, as to threaten the entire ruin of the settlement.' Some time ago Mr. Anderson, in conjunction with Mr. Read, set apart to the missionary work a native, called Piet Sabba. His labours at a krall of Bushmen, to which he was sent, have already been eminently useful. His interpreter appears to be a gracious person. Many kralls of Bushmen round about us seem desirous to have teachers among them. Those who are best acquainted with the wretched state of these people, will be best able to magnify the grace of God in visiting them. Hitherto they have been not only a neglected, but a despised and ill-treated people; but I trust the time is come, in which the Lord will show, he has his chosen among them too. Brother Read gave me some Bibles and Testaments from the British and Foreign Bible Society. Those which I have given away have been received with thankfulness, and I take this opportunity of making my grateful acknowledgments. Theopolis. By a letter from Mr. Barker, dated March 26, 1817, we learn, that it has pleased God to restore him from the brink of the grave. He was so ill that his life was despaired of; but he has been enabled in a degree to resume his labours. He has taken the care of the school wholly on himself, but is in want of Bibles and Testaments, slates, &c. An Auxiliary Missionary Society has been formed at Theopolis which last year produced 74 rix dollars (154.) besides 8 rix dollars contributed by the children in the school. Another letter from Mr. Barker to his friend Mr. E. Thomas, dated March 30, more fully relates the particulars of his late dangerous illness. From the 4th of February he began to amend, 'but (he says) of my extreme weakness no one can conceive; and I hope I shall never forget it. God, who is rich in mercy, has raised me up from the very brink of the grave. I am not yet so strong as before, and God only knows whether Lever shall be. I, and all around me, consider my restoration as almost a miracle. For seven weeks I was not in the church, and for nine weeks I did not preach. |