care, as the most important object, next to the concerns of religion." In these wishes of the Government, we are certain that the Missionaries most heartily concur, as is evident by the advances already made in civilization and social improvement, particularly at Bethelsdorp: and in pursuance of this great design, we are confident that Mr. Campbell will steadily follow the example of Dr. Van der Kemp, as far as his advice and influence can extend, in all our African Missions.*

* In a work, written in German, and lately translated into English, entitled, "Travels in Southern Africa, by Henry Lichtenstein," some very unjust reflections are thrown on the late Dr. Van der Kemp, which we cannot forbear to notice. Speaking of the Mission at Bethelsdorp, he says, "its utility was lost by the over pious spirit, and proud humility of its head; the people," he adds, "were certainly daily instructed for some hours in the Christian religion, but these instructions made much more impression upon their memory than upon their understanding. They could sing and pray, and be heartily penitent for their sins, and talk of the Lamb of atonement, but none were really the better for all this specious appearance. No attention was paid to give them proper occu pations, and excepting in the hours of prayer, they might be as indolent as they chose." Page 236.

In refutation of this calumny, we refer to our former Annual Reports and to the Missionary Transactions. When this traveller visited Bethelsdorp in 1805 or 1806, the settlement was in its infancy, having been commenced only in 1802. It was therefore extremely unfair to contrast, as the author does, the state of Bethelsdorp with that of the Moravian settlement at Bavian's Kloof, which had been cultured many years. Our Journals will shew how assiduously and successfully Dr. Van der Kemp and his valuable associate Mr. Read whom the author unjustly styles "an ignorant man,") attended to the civilization of the natives, so that in the year 1809, the following report was made to the Directors by Dr. V. and Mr. Read:

"Our external circumstances are much as usual. The knitting school still continues, but misses its founder (Mrs. Smith. The number, however, increases and prospers beyond expectation; about 30 children in it have earned the whole year their daily food, without touching our funds, and the call for stockings and night-caps is more than we can supply, especially of short stockings or socks, to which the officers in military service are very hartial.

VOL. IX.

With regard to Bethelsdorp, the Direc, tors have to report that Mr. Read, assisted by Mr. Ulbricht, Mr. Smit, Mr. Wim

"The industry of our people in general continues to increase. Mats and Caffre baskets are made in great abundance, and sold at Fort Frederick, and different parts of the country.

"Considerable traffic in salt has been carried on this year, which our people fetch from the salt pun, pile up in heaps, and is fetched from hence by the farmers, who otherwise have often a journey in vain, not being able to get fine salt, or even in that case, prefer to give a reasonable price for it dry, than to take it wet from the pan. Our people likewise carry it to different parts of the country themselves for sale, and barter for wheat, &c. Soap. boiling, sawing, and wood-cutting far waggons, &c. is carried on at a considerable rate, by which means they are enabled to earn a good deal of money with the greatest ease. Besides this, they earn much by frequent journies to the Cape, with the farmers,

"The success of our harvest of 1808, gave vigor to our agriculture, so that in the months of June and July we began again, and have been able to get upwards of 40 sacks of wheat into the ground, be sides some barley, rice, Indian corn, beans, peas, pumpkins, &c. &c, so that the wants of our poor people are more and more likely to be supplied."

Let the world now judge of the truth of what the author affirms, page 239-"Dr. V" he says, "never turned his thoughts seriously to instilling habits of industry into his disciples: but all ideas of their tem porary welfare appears with him to be wholly lost in anxiety for their eternal salvation:" and again, "It appears to me that Vanderkemp is of little value as a Missionary"-"he is too learned"—"hence comes his total neglect of husbandry." What the author says of "a swarm of Missionaries" (three or four at most) at Rodezand is equally false. He affirms "that they have introduced bigotry, which has very much changed the frankness of character and good-will which was once so prevalent here." The pious Edinburgh Reviewers referring to this passage, have kindly improved it by saying, "Both the happiness and the morals of the colonists of this district seem to have been injured not a little by the intrusion of a swarm of Missionaries." No. 41, page 64. But it is thus that the servants of Christ who forsake all and follow him, must, like their apostolical predecessors, "go through evil report as well as good report:" but "blessed are ye, when men shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake,"

18

mer, Mr. Bartlett, and William Corner (the negro from Demarara) continues to labor with his accustomed zeal. The news of Dr. Van der Kemp's death deeply affected his congregation; and Mr. Read, in a letter dated soon after that event took place, says, "I consider the Society, and Bethelsdorp, yea, the whole Church, has, by his death, experienced the severest loss it could have sustained. We are not ashamed to declare our belief that his equal is not to be found upon earth, and that he was little behind the chiefest apostles of our Lord."

Notwithstanding the removal of this excellent man, religion appears still to prosper at Bethelsdorp. In a letter dated August 8, 1812, Mr. Read says, "It will afford no small pleasure to the Directors and friends of the Society to hear that the Lord continues his kindness to Bethelsdorp, and that we have visible proofs that the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to the salvation of sinners," of which he relates some singular instances, and adds, "I have baptised nine adults since my return from the Cape, and there are many more who give us pleasing hopes of their interest in Christ."

Mr. Read also says, "We have in contemplation several plans by which the expenses are not only likely to be lessened, but wholly done away. Indeed, if the Institution continue to flourish as it has done, the people will soon be able to support the Missionaries themselves."

Mr. Albrecht and the other Missionaries who left Warm Bath in the Great Namaquas, on account of the depredations of Africaner, arrived, after toilsome removals, at the Cape, where they staid for some months. They then took their journey northward, through the great wilderness, towards their former residence, and arriving at a place called Bezonder Meid, they found that a considerable number of their former congregation, who had been driven from Warm Bath, were again collected. There they had an opportunity of hearing particulars of the distresses endured by their Namaqua friends, who were still persecuted and robbed by Africaner. When Mr. Albrecht and the other brethren, had with great difficulty reached the krall, called Silver Fountain, they were received in the kindest manner by Cornelius Kok, who earnestly intreated one of the brethren to abide with him; promising, after a time, to remove with his large family into the country of the Corannas, and

The infidel-writers of the present day, disliking Christianity itself, seize every occasion to vilify those devoted men, whose sole object is the diffusion of it through

the world.

settle in the neighborhood of the brethren Anderson and Janz.

On the 13th of April, 1812, it pleased God to remove by death, that truly valuable and excellent Missionary Mrs. Albrecht, formerly Miss Burgman, of Rotterdam. She was a woman of superior talents, of eminent piety, remarkable fortitude and steady zeal. Before she left Holland she had, for several years, been strongly inclined to assist the Missionary cause; and long waited for a convenient opportunity to proceed to Africa, having been engaged to Mr. C. Albrecht before he left Rotterdam. When she was in England, on her way, she gained the esteem and Christian affection of all who knew her, who fondly hoped that she would, for many years, be eminently useful in Africa; but soon after she had reached the place of her destination, which, with all its inconveniences, she hailed as the scene of her future, self-denying labor, she was driven from it to traverse the wild wilderness with uncommon sufferings; and when, after all, she was just returning as near the spot as circumstances would admit, in order to renew the scattered mission, the Lord, who had thus fully tried the fidelity of her heart, was pleased to release her from all her toils, and admit her to his presence to receive the gracious recompense of her sufferings in his cause. Her loss is considered not only by her afflicted husband and associates as unspeakably great, but by this Society at large, who have been thus deprived of a woman of uncommon endowments and worth." We are sorry to add that other letters mention the death of Mrs. Kramer also. The journals of the brethren Schmelen,

* The brethren in their Journal, April 12th, say, "This morning Sister Albrecht vas suddenly seized by a violent fit, which lusted more than an hour. When she recovered she said "it seemed to her as if she had been in a large town; and was unable at first to recollect where she then was. She was attacked in a similar manner about an hour afterwards, and never recovered. At midnight she was delivered of a still-born child. Frequently on her journey she would say to her husband and to us, that her work on earth would soon be finished, and she should soon be called home to dwell among the saints in heaven. Yet she determined, on the very day she died, to resume, as soon as possible, her labors among the female Hottentots. She was interred at Silver Fountain, April 14th; almost all the people followed her to the grave. Brother Sass delivered a sermon on Rev. xiv, 13, and made a suitable application to the people of her sudden death.

Ebner, Helm and Sass, detailing their difficulties in passing through the dreary wilderness in their way to Bezonder Meid, are truly affecting. Their labors, perils and sufferings were peculiarly great. They were sometimes without water for themselves or cattle; their oxen, weakened by want of sustenance, refused to draw their waggons, and many of them died of thirst; some of their sheep were destroyed by the wild beasts; they were without bread for nearly a month, and were in danger of utterly perishing in the desert, had not at length Cornelius Kok, who was informed of their distress, sent men and oxen to their relief. With great joy and thankfulness they joined their friends at Bezonder Meid.

The Directors are sorry to say that they have received no intelligence for a long time from the Missionaries Anderson and Janz at the Orange River; they are therefore unable particularly to report the condition of that station; but Mr. Campbell informs us that Mr. and Mrs. Messer had agreed to go thither to strengthen it; and Mr. Kramer is to go to a krall of Hottentots at a little distance.

Mr. Campbell has been peculiarly hapру in obtaining information concerning Madagascar, which he has transmitted to the Directors. Mr. Pacalt and others were willing to attempt a Mission to that great island.

The Landrost of the district of George, is desirous of a Missionary settlement there. Mr. Read, with some of the Hottentots, was at that place two or three weeks. Mr. Campbell will determine on this matter, when he stops there in his way to Bethelsdorp, as it is on the road about mid-way between that settlement and the Cape. Mr. C. intended to commence his journey thither about the middle of February.

(To be continued.)

NEW HAMPSHIRE MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Tuis Society held its annual meeting on the 17th of September last. The Report of the Trustees, (of which we have been lately favored with a copy,) states, that they had employed seven missionaries to perform seventy-two weeks of missionary service principally within the limits of their own state; that the service had been faithfully performed; that there had been some special attention to religion in several places; that religious instruction was greatly needed in the destitute parts of the state; and that there was great encouragement for increased exertions.

The balance in the Treasury, Sept. 11, 1812, was $2,553 70. The Cent Institu tion appears to have been adopted in New Hampshire with very encouraging success.

The next annual meeting of the Soci ety is to be held at Plymouth on Thursday the 23d of September next. The Rev. Ethan Smith of Hopkinton is first preacher; and the Rev. Seth Payson, D. D. second preacher.

ORDINATIONS.

ORDAINED at Palmyra, (N. Y.) the Rev. HIPPOCRATES ROWE. Sermon from 2 Tim. iv.

At Jackson, (Maine,) on the 16th of Sept. last, the Rev. SILAS WARREN. At Hebron, (Maine,) the Rev. HENRY SEWALL, on the 7th of October last.

At Brewer, (Maine,) on the 13th of January last, the Rev. THOMAS WIL

LIAMS.

DONATIONS TO FOREIGN MISSIONS

July 21, 1813. From a female friend of missions in Salem, by the Rev. Dr. Worcester, 27. From the Rev. Lathrop Thompson, (the remainder of his donation of $400) Aug. 2. From Elnathan Strong of Hardwick Vt.)

9. From a female friend of missions in Andover, (north parish,)

From the Foreign Mission Society of the Western District of Fairfield county, by Matthew Marvin, Esq. their Treasurer,

From the Female Charitable Society in Great Barrington, enclosed to the Rev. Dr. Dwight,

The two latter sums were remitted by Mr. T. Dwight,

jun.

$20 00

205 17

2 89

3 00

29 00

25 00

$285 06

BED, at the Isle of France, on the 30th, of Nov. 1812, Mrs. HARRIET NEWELL, wife of the Rev. Samuel Newell, one of the American missionaries in India, aged 19.

a

Mrs. N. was a person of uncommon endowments and eminent piety. She was first seriously impressed with the import ance of religion in 1806; and, in August 1809, she made a public profession of her faith in Christ, having experienced as she trusted, and as her religious friends had abundant reason to believe, work of grace in her soul. With the utmost alacrity and zeal she encountered the perils of a missionary life, while she had a distinct view of the nature and magnitude of those perils. In considering whether it was her duty to engage in the arduous ser vice of assisting to publish the Gospel to the heathen, she prayed much for divine direction and asked the advice of many friends. When her resolution was once taken, she never for a moment paused, hesitated, or faltered. She first settled the question of duty, and then committed the event to God. Though surrounded by an amiable and beloved family, and possèssing herself great tenderness of feeling, she left all the enjoyments of home with cheerfulness and dignity, which cannot easily be described, and which can only be accounted for by admitting, that she was supremely devoted to the cause in which she had embarked. She possessed rare qualifications for the station which she expected to occupy-great activity of mind, native cheerfulness, a retentive memory, great facility in writing, undaunted resolution, patience, fortitude, steady and elevated piety, and unconquerable perseverance. But it has seemed good to the Sovereign Disposer of all things to remove her from the world; and it behoves us to submit without complaining. The calmness and triumph with which she died, are related by her afflicted husband, in a letter inserted in this number. So long as zeal in the best of causes, active beneficence, and eminent piety shall be held in estimation by the wise and good, the memory of this lovely woman shall be hon ored.

At Warner, (N. H.) April 28th, 1812, ENOCH MORRILL, jr. in the 19th year of his age:

This person had been early dedicated to God by his parents; and was a subject of their prayers and instructions. Like other youth, his mind was taken up with Vanities, till March 1812. He was then

attacked with a fever; which terminated in a quick consumption. Soon after the commencement of his sickness, his mind was deeply impressed with these lines,

"The thunder of that dismal word,
Would so torment my ear,
Fwould tear my soul asunder, Lord,
With most tormenting fear."

He was soon made to feel, that he was a lost wretched sinner. He had an affecting sense of the justice of God, and said it would be just, if he were east off forever. He said he had had convictions, and had stifled them; and now deserved to be lost. His body, one day, was in an agony of distress. But he said the distress of his mind was much greater. Being asked what he desired, he said, "that my will may be bowed to the will of God: and that Christ will manifest himself to me."

His distress of body caused him to contemplate the sufferings of Christ. He remarked that his own pains were nothing, compared with what Christ suffered for sinners. Having some of the invitations of grace mentioned to him, he expressed comfort in the view of them. After this, he expressed a striking sense of the goodness and glory of God, as manifested in his works. He said that the rocks, trees, birds, and every thing praised God; and wondered that every body did not see and feel it.

He

He had, after this, a severe confliet, and was ready to think that he was destitute of grace, and to give up all hope. He thought he felt almost the torments of hell. was asked, (a minister being present) if he wished to have the minister pray with him? He thought at first he could not unite in prayer. But being conversed with, and instructed on the subject, he consented. This season of devotion had a happy effeet. At the close of prayer, he said, that it seemed to him every word was set home to his case. Upon this he enjoyed a sweet serenity. The next day being the Sabbath, and as some mention was made relative to going to meeting, he expressed a wish that he could go, that he might know the excellency of worshipping God there. But he soon added, that he could have a feast at home. He expressed strong desires for the salvation of his fellow men.

His brothers and sisters he solemnly warned against pursuing sin and vanity as he had done; urging them to improve their present time of youth and health, to serve God, and secure salvation. To a friend he said, "I am going to leave you

I long to have you obtain religion, and follow me to the realms of bliss, if I should be so happy as to be admitted there. I trust I have chosen that good part, that never will be taken from me.

He had a great desire to talk with all, whom he saw; and did, so as far as his feeble state would admit. Lord's D y morn ing, he was thought to be dying. a He appeared fully composed; expressed great joy in God; and appeared not at all daunted in the view of immediate dissolution. The neighbors being convened, he conversed with them in au affecting manner. And he entreated an aged grandfather to see to it, that he had religion, and to be prepared to follow him. He was exhausted. He then begged his father to talk to the youth present. He soon again proceeded. Addressing one of his mates by name, he expressed his affection for him, and admonished him, in an affecting manner, to attend to religion; urging the necessity and the happiness of this duty; and pleading the greatness of the love of Christ to himself, a poor sinner. Being much spent, he bade all present an affectionate farewell. He continued through the day in much distress. At evening a brother, living at a distance, arrived. With him he conversed affectingly; expressing his own love to Christ; and urging his brother to come and receive the blessed Savior.

He continued through Monday, conversing impressively with friends on the love of Christ; and expressing his desire for the salvation of others; delighting in the idea, that all who loved Christ were his brethren.

On Tuesday morning, in asweet serenity of soul, he feel aleep.

Ye readers, or hearers, who are destitute of grace, dare not to take an occasion from such an instance of sovereign mercy, to defer the work of your salvation to a sick and dying bed. For but few, at so late a period, become subjects of such special operations. Delays are most dangerous. Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

At Concord, (Mass.) on the 10th of Feb. last, Mrs. MARTHA STONE, in the 76th year of her age, relict of Capt. John Stone. Though she moved in an humble sphere, as a Christian she deservedly sustained an elevated rank. In early life she enjoyed those influences of the Holy Spirit, which produced a moral change in her heart, and led her to consecrate herself to the service of God. She highly esteemed his holy word, and derived no small support and comfort in perusing its interesting discoveries. She delighted in walking in the commandments and ordinan

ces of the Lord. In her sickness, of several weeks continuance, she possessed an unusual degree of peace and joy. She observ ed to a friend that she had a foretaste of heaven in her soul; that her thoughts were fixed on glory; and that Christ was to her the chief among ten thousand and altogether lovely. In her was exhibited one of those rare instances of triumphant deaths. Satisfied with life, knowing in whom she had believed, death was disarmed of its terrors, and she rejoiced in prospect of future glory. Her children and friends are left with the consoling hope, that their loss is her unspeakable gain. The memory of the just is blessed.

The following character of the Rev. ASAHEL HUNTINGTON, whose death was mentioned in the Panoplist for May p 576, was received too late for that number. Mr. H. died April 22, 1813, after a short and distressing illness.

On this mournful event, one of his brethren in the neighborhood writes thus:

"If there was a minister, in this circle, who might justly be called amiable, and of an excellent spirit, such was that man, in all the relations of private life, and in the whole of his public character. My heart sinks, when think what a brother and friend I have lost; what the Associaation, and the neighborhood have lost:What then shall be said of his consort, his children, and his bereaved flock!

"He was a most interesting companion: and if there was any where a feeling heart, alive to the claims of friendship, compassionate to all suffering and sorrow-such was his heart. If there was an Israelite indeed, of Christian simplicity and sincerity, great integrity, and open-hearted benevolence, without a shadow of affectation; such was this excellent man. As a minis ter, he well understood and well maintained the great realities of Gospel revelation: delivered them in love, and carried them to their practical uses, with great fidelity, in a conciliating manner and with much sensibility, (according to the nature of each subject) though in a still, small voice with no outward show or parade. And Topsfield will know-his hearers in every place will know, the more they consider him, that there has been a prophet among them. Indeed he had much of originality. But it was always modest, unassuming; always submissive to Scripture authority, and aiming to derive all its conceptions from that source. He had a fruitful mind: and in his discourses there was an uncommon variety of subject, and of sentiment. He was likewise distinguished, by an acute discernment of men and things. By his instructive and interesting sermons, by his piety, and purity of