consisted of fourteen candidates for Holy Baptism, seven baptized adults, two baptized children, three candidates for the Holy Communion, and fifteen communicants, forming, with two persons for the time excluded, a total of forty-three persons. The whole number of inmates of the hospital amounts to about 260 persons, of whom 74 are lepers. J. W. STOLTZ. DEAR BROTHER, DANISH WEST INDIES. St. Thomas, July 18th, 1850, You may frequently have heard verbal accounts as well as read written ones concerning the government country-schools, which were established on this island some few years ago. They are five in number, viz: on the estate Charlotte Amalia, Canaan, Bonne Resolution, Bordeaux, and Niesky. All these institutions have been established by the Danish government, and given into the charge of the Moravians. Our br. Endermann has heretofore been the inspector of these schools, and under his supervision they have greatly prospered. He is a brother well calculated for this office. It is however not my intention to say much about these schools in general, but at once come to the object which I have in view, viz: to give you some description of a visit which I had the pleasure of making to one of these schools. June 13th. This morning I rose before five o'clock and prepared myself for a pleasant walk to Niesky, a station on the west side of this island, prettily situated near the sea, at the shores of "Krumm-bai" (crooked bay), so called owing to its particular shape. When within sight of Niesky, I had the pleasure of meeting br. Freytag, who was just taking his morning walk, which is very agreeable and reviving in this tropical climate. He at once returned with me to Niesky, where I met with a cordial reception from all. It was now half past five o'clock. Fifteen minutes before six was the time appointed for taking our first breakfast, consequently there was yet a short interval for conversation which was turned to advantage. The school we intended to visit on this day is situated on the estate Bordeaux, about four miles from our station at Niesky, and over a steep and rugged road. This made us the more anxious soon to take our coffee and set out. There was however no reason to complain. Through the kindness of the sisters, this strength-giving beverage was soon prepared, and we all sat down to refresh ourselves. A fine sea-breeze added much to the sweetness of the fresh morning air. Through the kind assistance of br. Freytag we were soon enabled to mount our horses, fresh for service. Our company consisted of three, br. Endermann, the inspector of the schools, ineluded. Our horses being well saddled (although one was rather a way-worn traveler), we mounted and were soon out of sight. The first estate we passed was "Mosquito-bay," one of the best estates on this island, and pleasantly situated on a level ground. The first part of our road was pleasant and smooth, and enabled us to take a view of the picturesque scenery around and before us. Our attention was soon arrested on beholding another estate, called "John Bruer-bay," inferior in appearance to the former. Having passed this estate, the road suddenly became more steep and rugged, and our horses, seemed less inclined to travel as fast as their riders desired; nevertheless we were not discouraged, but went on our way rejoicing, more especially as we were now coming to a more romantic part of the road. Elevated far above the sea, we had a fair view of the roaring element and heard the rushing of mighty waters below us. Truly to a lover of nature this cannot but be imposing and worthy of admiration! It reminds him most sensibly of Him, who made all these things and formed them for his delight and glory. Flamingo Pond and Perseverance (the latter combines three small estates) were some of the plantations we passed before we came to Bordeaux, the place of our destination. Time told us that we could not be far from it. Our expectations were soon realized upon beholding some of the pleasant faces of the children belonging to the school, and presently we were at the door and dismounted, our horses being well taken care of by some attentive servant and we commodiously seated in the place of instruction. Eight o'clock was the hour appointed for opening the school. By the by I should have mentioned that it was a public examination which we were about to attend. The faces of all the children betrayed a longing desire to commence the exercises. Accordingly Mr. Summercill, the teacher, a very efficient person for keeping such a school, placed the children in regular order, single file, before the school-house, into which they marched, singing a pretty song well suited to keep their minds cheerful and happy. They then proceeded into the gallery (which is formed like a stair case) also singing, and the school was opened by the singing of a hymn. A bible lesson followed, treating on the Ethiopian eunuch, Acts 8, 26-39. Although this school is not deemed the best of the five, yet the children returned very good answers to the questions addressed to them by their teacher. The scope of the teacher was more especially to draw their infant minds to consider the quintessence of the subject viz: the sufferings of Christ. This was very ably done by referring to the passages, quot ed with reference to this subject. After this lesson, they were exercised in reading, spelling, arithmetic and sacred geography, and they proved that they were not quite ignorant of these important branches of study. Some of the scholars read pretty fluently in the New Testament. The teacher also had occasion to make them repeat some scripture passages, and mostly doctrinal texts, which, if permanently stored in their young minds, will, when they grow older, keep them from error, and now already, by the guidance of the holy Spirit, lead them to Him, who feeds His flock like a shepherd, and gently leads the youth to embrace Him as their Savior and Redeemer. I regret that I was not able to attend some of the other examinations, which I am told gave still greater satisfaction. At the close, br. Endermann addressed the children and encouraged them not to grow weary, but show a willing desire to learn by attending the school regularly. The whole aspect of the children showed a willing acquiescence in this gentle exhortation, and seemed to take root within their youthful breasts. Should not we all pray to the Lord, that He may continue to prosper the endeavors which are made for the advancement of these children in knowledge, and especially in that knowledge, which maketh wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, so that, like Timothy, they may know the scriptures from a child? Let us all unite our prayers at the throne of grace in behalf of these excellent institutions, and surely the Lord will hear our prayers and be pleased to smile upon them from on high. If this be faithfully done, we may soon look forward to the time when all the inhabitants of this as well as of other islands will be able to read their bibles for themselves. "His word will be a lamp unto their path," dispelling the darkness of ignorance and superstition, and preparing their hearts more fully to receive the "light of the glorious gospel of Christ." A short time previous to this visit, I had an opportunity of seeing another of these schools on the north side of our island, near or rather on the estate Canaan, kept by Mr. Martin. This school shewed at once the capability of the teacher to keep good discipline, which is a chief point in enabling children. to learn with facility. Generally speaking, these schools are a blessed work and deserve to engage a principal part of our mission work. For, if the rising generation is neglected, where are we to look for christian professors of the Church of Christ in future years? "I love them that love me, and those that seek me early, shall find me." Prov. 8, 17. The brother, who sent us the above communication, informed us of the unexpected departure of br. Freytag, missionary at Nies ky, on the 16th of June ulto., as our readers will perceive from the following extracts from his letter :— "Sunday the 16th of June, was a melancholy day with us, at least the termination of it. After preaching a messenger arrived from Niesky informing us of br. Freytag's sudden illness. He had been favored on the morning of this day to proclaim the word of life with unusual animation and affection. After a verse had been sung after the sermon, br. F. wished to rise and pronounce the benediction, but he was unable to say more than the words "The grace--", when he beckoned with his hands to the people to intimate that the congregation should depart. He was carried speechless into the house, and every possible means was made use of for his restoration, but all to no avail. You may well imagine, what an excitement this caused where so many people were collected. This happened about twelve o'clock, and between five and six P. M. our brother breathed his last! His spirit had winged its flight to that heavenly abode, where the "wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." The hour of the bridegroom was at hand, and our dear brother, having trimmed his lamp, entered in with him to the marriage. His death was sudden to all of us, but not unexpected to him! He had a few days before had a lively presentiment of his approaching dissolution, and had frequently spoken of it to his dear wife. He replied, when she had told him, that in such a case especially, we should be prepared: "Ich weiss dass ich selig zum Heiland gehe." (I know that I shall die happy and be with my Savior.) We have hence every reason to believe, that our beloved brother has entered the portals of the New Jerusalem in the full triumphs of faith, an entrance having been ministered unto him abundantly into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Br. Freytag was the only one of our missionaries, who still preached in Creole, and it always seemed as though the people had a particular affection for him on that account. They love their old tongue, and generally speak it among themselves. A paralytic stroke has thus consummated the life of our now sainted br. Freytag. He had been privileged to serve his Lord and Master nearly 25 years on this mission, just half his life-time. His funeral took place on Tuesday the 18th of June, and was attended by a great concourse of people, although the heavy rains prevented many from coming. Br. Endermann kept the funeral, and very appropriately chose the last words which our deceased brother had uttered for his text: "The grace-." He very beautifully described how grace was the sole cause of our departed brother's activity, and how from childhood to old age grace alone can sustain the christian under all trials and difficulties, as we say: Whate'er I am, whate'er I do, Tis grace I must ascribe it to; This can alone my heart preserve; That ev'n the grace which thou to-day bestow'st, (No. 551 of the Brn's, Hymn Book.) Remember me in your prayers, "within the vail." HOME MISSION DEPARTMENT. JOURNAL of Br. J. F. Fett's Labors in Wisconsin. (Translated from the German Mss,). On the 30th of May ulto. I left Milwaukie, in the company of br. and sr. Tank, and their little daughter Mary, and their driver br. Jansen, seated in a two-horse conveyance, which had been purchased by br. Tank. We reached Prairieville, Waukesha coun ty, on the same day. Prairieville is pleasantly situated in a fertile country, and abounds in water-powers. This town contains sev eral churches. Several German catholics reside here, with whom I spoke of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. The German Protestant inhabitants of this and Washington county are supplied with a few evangelical Lutheran ministers. One preacher is generally obliged to attend to four, five or six or even more small settlements, and to ride from ten to fifteen miles. The Methodists and Albright's-people also have congregations in this part of the country. May 31st. A cold, foggy day. We crossed over fertile plains, via Delafield to Summit, a smiling village, where we halted at noon, resuming our road in the after-noon over rough roads to Watertown in Jefferson county, which we reached at 10 P. M. W. is divided by Rock river into two equal parts, and contains a considerable number of Germans. June 1st. After breakfast we started for Fairfield, etc. passing through an undulating prairie-country, which is but thinly settled, a beautiful but poor region in appearance. The soil is limestone, and in a rainy season very productive, but devoid of springs of water. The land sells at $5-10. We reached Ceresco at last, in the north-west corner of Fond du Lac county, a cómmunistic settlement, which has already been given up; it is located in a rich valley, commanding great water-powers, about one quarter of a mile distant from Ripon. This is a beautiful spot, very suitable |