addressed them in a suitable discourse, and the poor penitent was baptized into the death of Jesus.

18th. The above-mentioned iron-wood tree having been brought to the river's edge, all our men went to work to make the bridge; but the river had so much swollen, that after several fruitless attempts, both on this and the following day, they were obliged to desist, till the waters subsided.

22nd, early, Sister Kuehnel, after a very hard and dangerous labour, was delivered of a still-born child. We were rather under great concern, as by the swelling of the river, no assistance could be procured; and the more thankful to God, that the mother's life was preserved.

23d. Brother Kuester returned to us from Capetown, and brought word, that our travellers were not likely to be forwarded on their voyage to Europe, till the middle of July.

July 2d. We saw a man, John Peter, who many years ago was excluded, return with contrition and repenting tears, and cry for the forgiveness of his sins. The occasion of his return was a serious conversation with him yesterday, in which we informed him, that unless a total change took place in his behaviour, we should be under the necessity of ordering him to quit the settlement. He is a man of an extraordi-: nary understanding, but from a misapplication of it, has been the more troublesome. We pray the Lord, that his repentance may be sincere, and his con version of the right,

kind.

In the night between the 3d and 4th, there arose such a violent gale from the N. E. that we every moment expected. that our roofs would be blown off; however, by God's mercy no damage was done.

7th. We spoke with all our communicants. Isaac Witboy complained of himself, that he often felt anger in his mind against others. He said: "If any one has a piece of

meat

meat in his pot, and he, will not give me a piece, I am incensed against him. Then I repent, for I well know, that by these things the peace of God is taken from my soul." Jacob Adams is now so infirm that he cannot get to church, but we frequently call upon him. This old man, though not able to speak with us, but by an interpreter, is a bright jewel in our congregation. He has such a thorough knowledge of Christian principles and doctrines, and of himself as a sinner, and such experience of the grace and power of our Saviour, that his converse with us and his countrymen is always edifying. But he does not like to be visited too often by the latter. On this occasion he said: "When the Hottentots come to me, one says one thing, a second another, and a third has some other subject, and after they have staid and talked together for a while, they go away, and sometimes I feel, as if they had taken the peace of God with them. I have therefore lately said to them: "If you want to hear the Gospel, you may go into the great house, (meaning the church,) but don't come so often into mine." He added: "Give my love to all the Missionaries and their wives, and tell them, that I pray, that their hearts may be filled with the same peace and love, which, through mercy, I enjoy."

9th. The woman baptized by Brother Schwinn, on the 11th ult. departed this life. From the day of her baptism to the moment of her death, she spent her time in praise and prayer; and edified all around her, by the testimony she bore to the love of Jesus, even to the worst of sinners, rejoicing in the hope of soon departing and being for ever with Him.

10th. We partook of the Lord's Supper. Most of our communicants having been detained in their corn-fields by the swelling of the river, we were obliged to postpone its celebration. Yesterday one of the chapel-servants swam 3 H 2

across

across, and brought word, that the water was falling, and they could be present with us.

12th. We had again regulated select companies or classes of communicants, for conversing with each other about their souls. We renewed this custom, because it has been productive of very essential benefit to them, even in the beginning, when the Brethren Marsveld, Schwinn, and Kuehnel were here alone; and we found, that it was also now attended with great blessing, and met the wishes of all our people.

Betge Rabyntge said: "I am glad that the classes have been renewed. When our first three teachers came, we met in this way, and were always blessed by our Saviour. Perhaps He will bring us back to our first love. At that time we loved our teachers and our Brethren and Sisters dearly. I should have been ready to forsake my parents, my husband, and all my friends, if they had not been of the same mind, to live with me at Bavianskloof. To be sure, at first when I heard God's word, I was stupid and sulky, and could not understand it, and yet I was convinced in my very heart that these were the people, who should lead us in the way to heaven, and I was determined to live and die with them. The farmers then told us, that they would be shot, and gladly would I have been shot with them." Susanna Halfschlag interrupted her, and said: "Yes, Betge, about that time, I also heard of the new teachers, and told the farmer, whom I served, that I wished to go and live at Bavianskloof. But the farmers wife exclaimed: "You stupid creature; what, do you think these Moravians would come from such a great distance, merely to teach you God's word? No, indeed; they are poor people, and mean to become rich by you, for when you have learnt something, they then intend to sell you. I keep a school-master for my children, and you may learn something from him." I tried it, and he gave me a book,

which I always carried about with me. At last I could spell and read these words, I believe on God, the Father Almighty, Maker of the Universe, &c. I was delighted, and asked the School-master who this God and Father was? He replied: "He dwells in heaven, and more I cannot tell you about him." I was now the more eager to get to this place, and at length obtained permission. When I saw the teachers, I thought I was in heaven, and every word they said seemed to come from God himself. I wished to speak with them, but could not find words. At last I ventured, and said: I love you from my heart, but I think you do not do right. Those who wear the white dress, (that is, those who are baptized and go to the Lord's Supper) are the fewest in number. There are many more here. Now, if you would take them too, you would find that they would be as good as the white ones. I was told that I must first learn to know myself, and the deep depravity of my heart, and become seriously desirous to experience deliverance from sin. I was alarmed at this, and it brought me into great perplexity. O that was a blessed moment, when I turned to Jesus as a wretched sinner, and found mercy."

Hannah Joncker, addressing them all, said: "My dear Sisters, how is it with our first love? Where is that fled to? If one of us went astray, the rest admonished her; if one wanted comfort, the rest comforted her. We simply told each other what occurred in our souls, and not a day passed, but we went to speak with our teachers, and ask to be instructed. Thus we continued, till night, and when it grew light, we went again to call upon them, and sat down at the door, till they had risen and could admit us. Now, alas! I only go once in four weeks, in my usual turn, and then sometimes hardly know what to say. The teachers who are lately come, can hardly believe what the old teachers tell them of former times.

Arc

Are we not perverse people? The more our Saviour does for us, the more ungrateful we grow. Before I was baptized, I prayed to the Lord Jesus, and promised to walk worthy of that grace. I once dreamt, that I was going to be baptized, and on the Sunday following I went straight up with those to whom this grace was to be administered, and thought I could not miss. When I came to the teachers, they asked me, what I wanted? I said "to be baptized;" upon which one of them replied: "Give your heart to our Saviour, and believe, that by your sins, you have nailed him to the cross." I could not understand him, but answered: "I cannot help it, that he "was so cruelly used." The Missionary replied: "If you "do not believe, that this was done for you, you will be lost "for ever." These words siezed upon my heart like a fever, and I trembled all over. I ran into the fields, hid myself behind the bushes, and cried day and night to God for mercy. All my sins appeared before me in their damning power. When it grew dark, I durst not venture to lie down, for I thought, I should die and be lost for ever. One morning I went to one of the Missionaries, and told him, that there was no help for me, for I was a lost sinner. His answer was : "Do not come any more to me as an orphan, that has lost "father and mother, but know, that you have a Father in "Heaven, who can and will help you." I took courage and thought, if I have a Father in Heaven, I will trust and cleave to Him. The Lord appeared for me, and I was helped. He has now granted my petition, but I have not kept my promise. May He have mercy upon me!"

46

Louisa Joseph said: "At that time we lived in the meditation of what our Saviour has done and suffered for us. This

kept us in love and true simplicity; and when my heart is "engaged with this great subject, and I can in faith embrace

06

my suffering Saviour, I am as happy now, as I was then.”