CHRISTIAN HERALD.

VOL. II.]

Saturday, February 15, 1817.

[No. 21.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

At Surry Chapel, (near London,) on Monday evening, Sept. 30, 1816, nine Missionaries were set apart to their important work, viz. Messrs. John Taylor, James Kitchingman, Evan Evans, John Brownlee, and Robert Moffet. These five brethren are designed to strengthen the various stations in Africa, which are continually increasing in number. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Evans had been previously ordained, the former at Chichester, the latter at Bala.

The following are intended for the South Sea Islands, to strengthen the hands of our worthy brethren there, who are almost overwhelmed with the labours of their station, viz. Messrs. David Darling, George Platt, Robert Bourne, and John Williams.

All the brethren are acquainted with agricultural or mechanical arts and will be able to promote the civilization of the natives in Africa, and Otaheite, while they diffuse among them the invaluàble knowledge of the Gospel.

Mr. Rayson, of Wakefield, commenced the service by prayer; Mr. Leifchild, of Kensington, delivered an appropriate discourse, of an introductory nature, and proposed to each of the Missiona`ries suitable questions, which were answered in a very satisfactòry manner. The numerous audience appeared to be deeply affected, when nine young men publicly declared what God had done for their souls, their belief of the great doctrines of the Scripture, and their devotedness to the cause of Christ among the heathen. A Bible was then put into the hand of each, by Mr. Burder and Mr. James, in the name of the Society; Dr. Waugh offered up to God the united petitions of the great congregation in behalf of the Missionaries and their wives, who were present; af. ter which, Dr. Winter and Mr. Campbell addressed the Missionaries in an affectionate and impressive manner.

The brethren destined to Africa, have just embarked at Gravesend in the ALACRITY, for the Cape of Good Hope. The Missionaries for Otaheite were expected to close of October in the Harriet.

embark at the Evan. Mag

MISSION TO THE CAFFRES.

(Concluded from page 313.)

5th. We arrived at the kraal where Geika was. We asked him if he had received any information of our arrival. He said not officially; and at which he was surprized. I told him that Jankanna (Dr. Vanderkemp) had always prayed, and used his endeavours to introduce the Gospel to his country ;-that, after his death, I also had used my endeavours, and now had obtained permission;-that I had first been to Congo's, then to Makanna's; but that we should have come directly to him, had we not heard that he was expected at the last mentioned place; for that reason we had gone to Tzatzoo; but on our return, hearing he could not come so soon as intended, we had hastened to visit him ;-that Slambi had been with us. He desired very earnestly to know what the other chiefs had said. We told him that they had expressed their joy at our arrival; but had said nothing positively as to a place for the residence of the Missionary; that we had looked at two places; but that we did not know where he would wish the Missionary to reside. He desired to know what each chief, in particular, had said; which we told him. He then wished to know what was our intention, whether to reside at his place, or with the other chiefs. We answered, that we could not decide till we should know his mind. He said that the chiefs had given him no information upon the subject; that he was a child; he did not know how to act. If the Missionaries lived near him, he would make them his counsellors in every thing; but that we must say where Brother Williams wished to remain. It was then left to Brother Williams and Jan Tzatzoo to determine, who begged that they might be allowed time till to-morrow.

We then begged that the Caffres might be informed that to-morrow there would be preaching; and messengers were sent off in all directions. When he was going away, he said that his joy at our arrival was so great, that he could cry out aloud. Had conversation with three Caffres, who had come two days journey after us. One of them seemed sickly, but said his sickness was in his heart; that this had began a year ago, when, at a certain time his sins were revealed to him; that he did not know what it was, and tried to drive away the convictions; went to a feast, and when standing up to dance, a fire was presented before him; that he fell, and had been almost dead; that a glorious person had been presented to him, so glittering, that his eyes were dim at beholding him; that it was told him that this person could help him. He said that the Caffres could not understand him, but supposed him to be bewitched; that he felt now that we were the people he had been looking for.

4th. It rained hard; and we feared that we should not have many people present. Geika came to breakfast with us. He said

that he thought much of Jankanna; that he loved him much; that he could always be free with him; and that, even if he sat close to him with his bedaubed skins, he had never said, "Get away with your nasty kaross." He said he wished to know what Mr. Williams intended to do. We still desired to know what was his own wish. He would give no direct answer; but again asked what was our intention. Having previously weighed the matter, we told him that Mr. Williams had no objection to come and reside with him, if it was his wish, and if a proper place could be found. He then answered, that the whole country was before us where to choose. We mentioned Cat River as a place that had been proposed; and that we should examine it on our return. We asked whether other Caffres would be permitted to come to Brother Williams. He said, that the word of God must be free for every We asked if he had any objection to a Missionary being sent to the other chiefs. He said, None; for they needed the word just as much as he did.

one.

He said he was delighted that the house of God was coming to him, and that he should send word to Hinza; and if he came, he would accompany him to the station, and say, "There is the house I informed you of."

We had much conversation with him; and he was astonished to learn that he might pray to God in his own language; and was surprized that no person had ever told him so; for he had always heard Jakanna pray, but it was in Dutch; and he supposed it would be necessary to acquire the Dutch language before any one could pray.

The congregation being assembled, we went out. Geika and his chief men placed themselves together, according to rank, at our left. The women were afraid, according to their custom, to come into the presence of the chiefs; but asked leave to go into our tent, where they shut themselves in, viz. the wives of the chiefs; but the other women sat behind the men. Jan preached with great boldness; and perhaps never was a more attentive congregation; and when he had finished, every one retired to the bushes to pray, even Geika, who was absent for a considerable time. After their return they seemed astonished; and the whole afternoon were divided into little companies with our people, who, with tears, acquainted them with the way of salvation. Geika remained with us till evening service was over. In conversation," he compared his sins to the stars, to which he pointed, and said, As impossible as it is to tell the stars, so impossible is it to tell my He said that he was ashamed of himself before us, and especially before Jan Tzatzoo, whom, he said, he might consider as his own child, but now looked on him as his father; that he had neglected the word that Jankanna had made known to him; but now God had visited him again, and had not suffered him to die in ignorance; that we must not be tired of him ;-that he had al.

sins.

ways fixed his heart on his wives, and on his cattle; but now he saw that all, without Taay, was nothing.

5th. Early in the morning we had a prayer-meeting, when many Caffres were present; afterwards we entered again into

conversation.

Jan preached again to a number of Caffres. After service, the chief, Botma, said to me, "You must not be tired of us because we are perverse, but often visit us. Jankanna is dead, and you are instead of him." I asked if he could understand the word. He said, "With my ears I understand it; but it must go into my heart." Geika was very zealous in exhorting; and, among other things, said to the chiefs, that if the Lord would give him a little more strength, he would resign his wives, cattle, &c. and give himself wholly to Christ; that he should wish the Caffres to follow him; but if not, he would leave them and cleave to us, God's people, at Cape Town, and in England, as his friends. He also begged that his thanks might be given to the Governor, and to the King of England, for having granted permission to the Missionaries to his country.

About nine o'clock at night all our people assembled, and marched up towards Geika's kraal, singing hymns, and now and then praying. Geika, his wives, captains, counsellors, and people, came out and joined them for about an hour; and when he left off, all the Caffres went to pray. We heard them praying for new hearts. We spoke with several Caffres who had known and been familiar with Dr. Vanderkemp, especially his old friend Ganja and his son; the last I met at the kraal of Slambi, about ten years ago, and who then expressed his high regard for our brother.

us.

6th. Early we made ready to depart. Geika was early with After singing a hymn, and praying, we departed. We received three guides, one of whom was to return as soon as we had fixed on a place. The brother-in-law of Geika, and the son of Ganja, begged a spelling-book, having still retained the Alphabet, which they learned from Dr. Vanderkemp. We were followed by many; all of whom seemed to express their longing for the return of Brother Williams and Jan. On parting, I said Wenna tandaza o Taay, (You must supplicate Christ). They answered, Eewe mina tandaza, (Yes, I shall supplicate).

We travelled on to Cat River; but saw no probability of leading out the water, the banks being so high, otherwise the situation is delightful. We had to cut the trees down in the river, that the waggons might cross. We spanned out near a kraal, where we got abundance of milk; and one of our guides pointing out where the water of the river could be led out, we rode on, and found a place near where he had mentioned, and where large plains could be laid under water with a little labour; and here we resolved, with God's will, the first station should be. Very near are large forests of fine timber, which for ages cannot be exhausted, and ex

cellent stone for building. We were obliged to span out early that evening, on account of the oxen being tired, and on account of rain. We were not far from a Caffre kraal; the Caffres of which were making a great noise the whole night; we thought dancing. 7th. One of our people went early to fetch the oxen, but came back in great haste, saying he had seen a lion. Several men went off and found the oxen, but did not see the lion, only his track. One of the guides went away to the kraal to get milk, and we hasted on our road; and descending the mountain not far from the kraal, a fog cleared away, and we saw about 30 elephants, going gently from the kraal; and we then concluded that the noise of the Caffres in the night had been to drive away these formidable creatures.

We came down to the Curumoo River, which had likewise been recommended as suitable for a station; but there being no running water, it was given up.

We spanned out at a place where there were many lions and elephants; but were protected through the night.

8th. Spanned in early; but, like yesterday, had a very unbeaten and rugged road. Going up a hill, we fell in with another elephant. Our people surrounded him, and gave him five balls; but he did not fall. One of our Caffre guides was a little man, probably of Bushman extraction: he shewed himself very dexterous. Seeing our people rather timid, and, like David, with a stone against Goliah, he ran and attacked this huge animal with his assagays; one of which went in the depth of a foot; the other broke against the shoulder-blade. The elephant, however, escaped, but was expected to die that evening; and the two guides resolved to follow in the tract of the blood, and take out the teeth. I asked the little hero on whom he depended on such occasions? He said not on himself, but on God.

On approaching the Fish River, we were welcomed by a party of the Cape regiment, with their wives, singing hymns, and some weeping for joy. On spanning out, the waggons were surrounded by the people. There were several who had been baptized af Bethelsdorp,-all were very lively.

9th. Brother Williams being anxious to get home, left us in the morning on horseback for Bethelsdorp; and we proceeded, and arrived at Graham's Town in the evening at sun-set. The deputy Landrost and officers, seemed surprised and pleased at our apparent success, as they had not only doubted of it, but likewise of the safety of our lives.

On the evening of the 11th I arrived at Theopolis; and was sorry to find Mrs. Barker so indisposed, that Brother Barker could find no liberty to proceed to Lattakoo. Brother Ulbricht, although very weak, was much better than he had been.

13th. I left Theopolis early, by the new road, supplied with fresh oxen, and rode to the first military post; and before day