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Adam's friendship also had not at all times been based upon Christian principles, by having suffered the wealth and reputation of Ado to blind him, and his jovial, goodnatured and talkative disposition to captivate him. It then pleased the Lord to visit this impure friendship by his stern judgement, and thereby lead the two men to retrace their steps. In the fall of 1849, Ado had given away his daughter in marriage, and contrary to the instructions endorsed by the native assistants, had instituted a very luxurious wedding, with a plentiful supply of whiskey. I hence took occasion to reprove the whole of his conduct, and gave him to understand, that, unless he plead guilty to the offence thereby given to others, he could no longer retain the office of pre-lector. It is true, he professed contrition and amendment, but unfortunately not from his heart, which was made manifest by a most unpleasant affair, the details of which I forbear mentioning-only adding this remark, that finally we were compelled to stand in the meeting-house, the thermometer being at 18° Reaumeer, and to listen to the mutual recriminations, which proceeded out of the impassioned hearts of these untutored natives, while endeavoring, in vain, to bring about an agreement or reconciliation.

Such transactions, like the one just alluded to are alas! not unfrequent occurrences; they show not only the condition of the natives, when they forsake the Savior, but also, how much the missionaries appointed in this field, stand in need of the sympathy and prayers of the church, to enable them only in some degree, to answer the end of their mission.

During the passion-season we had the satisfaction of receiving 996 new members into our different societies, and to appoint 162 laborers and 64 helpers as our assistants in the different portions of the field. During the last year the Lord had called off from these terrestrial scenes, 503 society members, 41 laborers and 22 helpers. Now although it would seem according to this statement, that our increase of members has been pretty considerable, still many who grow cold and indifferent, and others who go back to the world, are not taken into this list; wherefore it is difficult to give a perfectly correct statement of the number of our society members.

III. From the report of br. Fisher concerning his labors among the Esthonians, 1849.

By way of a Newyears' present, 1849, I received an essay, treating of a native assistant at Narwa, in which fidelity in small things is kindly held up for imitation. In it the following passage

occurs.

In the "flying leaves" published by candidate Wichern for the benefit of the inner missions, frequent mention is made of a school

teacher in the provinces bordering on the Baltic, whose great fidelity and untiring zeal is there made honorable mention of. We can furnish a correct account of this man. His name is Elias Latiki, formerly a journeyman shoemaker, and at present teacher of the pauper school at Narwa. Although he is not blest with the same gifts of firmness of purpose as his namesake in the Old Testament; yet he is possessed of the same faith and ardent love. Fidelity in small things is sometimes seen to accomplish great things, as in the case before us, to prove, that not gifts but faithfulness are of special value in the sight of God and man; for faithfulness is the most valuable and excellent method in all educational science; when that is wanting, all the wisdom of the schools is of no effect. In 1845 Elias Latiki resolved to found a school for paupers, trusting in God to provide the means. He had thus far been engaged as an assistant in the house of refuge at Narwa, and had there become a school teacher. In one part of the suburbs he collected 60 children, many clothed in rags, and taught them reading, writing, cyphering, the word of God and choral singing. After teaching during the day, he worked at night at his trade, to gain his daily livelihood. When during the winter season his schoolroom was frequently excessively cold, he would march out with his pupils into the woods, and fetch fuel to replenish his stove. In the meantime his heart kept warm, his faith lively, his courage enterprizing, and his charity failed not; for the ravens at the brook Cherith are still about, and the widow of Zarephath's barrel of meal is not yet exhausted. (1 Kings, 17.) About Christmas 1846 Wichern delivered an address at Hamburg in a meeting of Christian friends, on the work and progress of the inner mission. He referred to the schoolmaster in the province near the Baltic, and remarked how pleasing, how touching, how refreshing was fidelity in small matters. At the close of his address a man in the meeting, stepped up to him and handed him 10 dollars, with the friendly request, to remit them to the teacher of the ragged school at Narwa. These 10 dollars in the shape of as many silver roubles, were presented to Laliki at Christmas 1846, and this unexpected Christmas gift became the foundation stone to the new house. The dear and friendly donor at Hamburg can hardly have dreamed, that his charitable gift, bestowed by the right hand, so as to let the left know nothing about it, would yield such good interest. In September 1847 there stood a large, pretty dwelling, with all its necessary appendages and comforts there, with large windows, warm stoves, cellar, garden etc.-the whole valued at from 8 to 900 silver roubles. That is wonderful, and yet strictly true. August 17th 1847 this house and the school were solemnly consecrated, in the presence of a numerous and attentive congregation. The people exclaimed in amazement: "Why, where did the man get the money from! surely he must be a capitalist !" and then they

praised him as an excellent man. In the mean time however, God's help became manifest still in another way; the ragged school became a school of the church; and Latiki, the shoemaker-in order to obtain a teacher's license according to law-had to submit to an examination of his qualifications for a teacher, which to him, who had never received the requisite education to fill such a post, must have appeared very trying; yet the Lord helped him over all his external cares and internal fears. Having creditably passed the ordeal, he was duly installed as teacher. His school affords joy to him and others, in fact to every body that enters the house. There sit the poor children, often without boots or shoes, in poor, patched, homely clothes; but the order and discipline, the attention and obedience witnessed, appear like the robes and dresses of princes, in the eyes of every visitor. Pleasant and delightful as it is, to enter such a school, it appears still more pleasant, on being informed of its past experience, in connexion with that of its teacher. Opposite the school house there lives a man of distinction-his excellency-the general of the regiment of grenadiers, quartered on the town. This man had often witnessed Latiki busy at labor in his garden, so that he had much to relate to some of the wealthy families in town, about "the busy ant" as he styled him. He remarked in a company of his friends, one day, "I told the man, that when he should have finished digging his garden this spring, he should call upon my gardener for as many garden seeds and kitchen plants, as he would want." A few days afterwards, a friend of the ragged school having heard this declaration, on paying Latiki a visit, felt rejoiced to tell him, what the general had said; but the teacher replied, Yes, I know all about it, for the good man told me himself; but what shall I, a poor man, do with the plants and seeds? Just look at my garden! A wild, hard green sward, overrun with weeds; a rough uncultivated soil; I have neither time nor strength to break it up, or to cultivate it. It is true, I once had a notion, to ask his excellency to furnish me with tools and hands, so many of which are at his command; but I had not the courage to do it." While this conversation was progressing, Latiki had reached the garden of his neighbor, the general. The gardener, standing within the gate, kindly invited him to enter, and presently turning to Latiki, said: "The general has ordered me to come over with a number of hands, and break up, prepare and plant your garden!" Latiki, astonished at what he heard, and once more repeating the words to himself, gave vent to his feelings in tears of joy and his lips extolled the goodness of that God, who turneth the hearts of men as water courses. the following Sunday he was invited to the general's summer-house in the garden, where the guests were treated to a breakfast. When all were at the height of enjoyment, their pleasant host led his guests into his neighbor's garden. A number of laborers had here

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broken up the greensward, hauled a great heap of manure to the spot, and carefully mixed it among the soil. After two days, the whole garden was duly prepared and planted, and now friend Latiki stood speechless, with astonishment, at beholding the sudden change wrought in his garden, and in broken accents only, could he find words to express his joy and gratitude.

All the brethren and sisters who have labored here during the last 27 years also find cause to extol that fidelity in small things, which our dear sister Von Rennen Kampf exibited all along. She was a true handmaid of the Lord, who considered it a privilege to sacrifice her measured little income, twice a year for the brethren and sisters, in a most kindhearted manner. They had always found a friendly asylum on her farm of New Pigast, when- ever they assembled from a distance, to attend the yearly conferences. On such occasions you could see this noble hearted soul, cheerfully submitting to every household trouble, and sometimes entertaining from 16 to 20 persons with their drivers and horses, for several days together, at the expense of the great account book. Being now far advanced in years, she sought and found a resting place at Sarepta. He that has promised, not to suffer a cup of cold water, given in his name, to go unrewarded, we trust will abundantly fulfil this promise towards his faithful handmaid! All of us will, for a long time to come, regret the loss of this peaceful place of abode, whither we could formerly fly, as the doves to their windows.

MEMORABILIA

OF THE CONGREGATION

AT LITIZ-1853.

"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press forward." Phil. 3, 13.

Such is the language of the apostle Paul, when he would set forth "the good fight of faith." He represents it under the figure of grace, where the prize is presented to him that first reaches the goal. The precious prize, which every Christian should strive after, and that with all his might, is "to make his calling and election sure" in Christ Jesus our Savior. Forwards and upwards should his vision be directed-neither backwards nor downwards.

as

The world and the things which are exclusively of the world, such "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life" should be forgotten. Hatred and envy, jealousy and uncharitable judging of one another, yea every thing that causes bitterness of feel

ing between brethren and that fills the mind with gloom and sadness should be forgotten.

So likewise our own virtues and progress in the divine life, lest selfcomplacency make us tardy in the christian race. The apostle's maxim should be ours,- -"not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after, if I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Phil. 3. 12. But our own sinfulness, insufficiency and weakness we must not forget, as also that "without Christ we can do nothing." Would we "press toward the mark for the prize" of eternal life, we require vigor, divine power and strength, which can alone be obtained by prayer. Numbers there are who lead a thoughtless, forgetful, trifling life, a life of unconcern about those things which should concern them most.

That such was the case thousands of years ago Scripture teaches. "Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him." He forgat what was behind-forgat his having sinned against the king-forgat his deep humiliation and shame in consequence thereof-forgat who had been his benefactor and friend in Egypt's gloomy prison and his comforter when in tribulation. In his prosperity he thought no more of poor, lonely Joseph, who on parting from him, tenderly entreated him: "But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me; and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house." Gen. 40. 14.

Such is the forgetfulness of the world of which Solomon spake : "For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is, in the days to come shall all be forgotten." Eccl. 2. 16.

It was for such forgetfulness that God punished his ancient people, to serve us for an example. They forgot God their Savior, which hath done great things in Egypt; wondrous works in the land of Ham and terrible things by the Red Sea. Ps. 106. 21. 22.

Unto such forgetful people Moses had already announced in the name of the Lord: "But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence." Deut. 24. 18. David also exhorted the people to remember the wondrous works which the Lord of hosts had done in behalf of his people.

Unto us, likewise, the Lord of mercy hath spoken during the past year, not only by his word but also by his works, and we deem it quite appropriate on the first day of a new year to recall to memory what of joy or sorrow may have fallen to our lot during that period of time.

A retrospective glance at the bright and shady points passed over in our journey may perchance enable us to look forward with more confidence, and pursue our path through the unknown future

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