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ticed and refuted in Eccles. iii. 19-21, and in the | fears of the Christians, by which many heathens book of Wisdom, ii. 1—3. were no doubt deterred from embracing the gospel. A heathen said to Swartz, "If I become a Chris-For towards the end of April last, a dissension arose tian, how shall I be inaintained ?" He replied, “Work and pray." The Gospel of St. Matthew was given to him, and on his first opening it, he lighted on the passage, chap. vi. 31 -33. Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat, &c. for after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." This singular coincidence made a deep impression.

between the papists and heathens in Tanjore, on account of some usages. The Rajah having been informed of it, treated the Roman Catholics with great severity; upon which many of them renounced Christianity, both verbally and in writing. Since that time, the Romish Christians in the Tanjore country have been roughly handled: in which sufterings our Christians have also been made to share in several places, though not so severely as the papists in Tanjore. May our faithful God arm us with grace, resolution, and strength!

A Hindoo inquired whether there were any "In July a captain of the Danish navy was sent worldly advantages, such as money or rice, to be as an envoy to Tanjore, on which occasion Mr. gained by embracing our religion. Swartz lament- Wiedebroeck, at the captain's earnest request, aced his earthly mind, and informed him that the mis-companied him, and had an opportunity of ansionaries were not come to support the idle, but to nouncing the gospel of Christ, both in the country show to all the way to obtain incorruptible blessings. and in the residence itself, without hinderance. May Another said, "If I become a Christian, I shall be God grant a permanent blessing upon it!" called an apostate, who has crept into another caste." Swartz told him, that heathens and unbelievers beThe report alluded to by Mr. Swartz in the prelonged to the caste of the devil; but that the family ceding letter, was a short account in German, on of God, into which those are adopted who believe one quarto sheet, printed on the 5th of October, in the gospel, is "a chosen generation, a royal priest-every year, at Tranquebar, comprising the number hood; a peculiar people." The following incidents of native Christians belonging to the three congreafford a pleasing proof of the superior moral feeling gations constituting the Danish mission, viz. the of the converted Hindoo. Portuguese, and the two Tamul for the town and the country, which last, previous to the establishment of the missions of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, was divided into five districts, named after their central places; the district of Mahaburam, that of Tanjore, including the kingdom of Madura, that of Madhe wipatnam, comprising the country of Marava, and that of Cumbagonam.*

During an artificial scarcity, occasioned by the closing of the magazines of grain, a Christian woman said, "I have a Fanaam, but could get no rice to-day; I had no other food therefore than water; but I have spiritual food which has comforted my beart."

A Hindoo came with his wife to be instructed by the missionaries, being induced by the meekness and patience with which his mother, who was a believer, had endured their reproaches. On Mr. Swartz visiting her, she told him that she prayed night and day, and put her trust in God alone; that He provided her with work, and that she was well contented, if she could sometimes only gather a few herbs, as she was then doing, for her support.

Another poor convert being exhorted not to care anxiously for the body, answered, "He that planted the tree, will he not water it? Whether he gives us life or death, we will not forsake him."

In the year 1752, Mr. Swartz conducted three numerous preparations for baptism, and continued his excursions among the neighboring villages. No letters from him during this year are recorded in the missionary journals; and in general it may be observed, that he was averse to ay extensive correspondence which might divert him from his studies and labors among the natives. From the moment that he rose in the morning, till he retired to rest, he was unremittingly employed.

In the next year, however, a letter occurs to the Rev. Dr. Struensee, then professor of divinity at Halle, afterwards superintendent-general, that is, bishop and metropolitan of the Duchy of Sleswig, and father of the unfortunate Count Struensee, prime minister of Denmark, of which the following is an extract. It is dated Oct. 8, 1753.

"Concerning my poor labors, I usually employ myself in the morning with the school children; and when I am preparing a small party for baptism, that is also done in the forenoon. In the afternoon, Mondays excepted, I commonly go out to the villages, to visit the Christians in their cottages, and to converse with heathens.

"The enclosed annual report will exhibit to you the present external state of the mission. This year Satan, by his raging, endeavored to excite the

It may here be proper to observe, that the brethren at Tranquebar, having soon discovered the extraor dinary talents of Swartz, gave him the superintendence of all the Christian schools and churches south of the river Caveri.

At this period, whenever the missionaries proceeded on a journey, or returned from one, when they arrived at another missionary station, or departed from it, their first and last employment was to bend their knees in prayer to Almighty God with all their brethren. In this apostolical manner, Messrs. Kohlhoff and Swartz, on the 18th of February, 1754, set out on foot on a visit to Cuddalore. Two other missionaries accompanied them a few miles on their way, and united with them in prayer at parting. They supped and slept at the house of a Hindoo merchant, who civilly received their exhortations to himself and his family.

The persecution of Christians in Tanjore still continuing, these pious men encouraged themselves by reading in Hebrew, according to their general custom of studying the Holy Scriptures in the original languages, the 74th Psalm. After their morning devotions, first with each other, and then with their servants and coolies, they proceeded on their journey, and delivered a lecture on the atonement at a place where several Christians were assembled, with a concluding address to the surrounding hea

* The increase of each congregation, the missionaries, catechists, and assistants, the number of schools, schooimasters, mistresses, and children, the printing press and its productions, the country priests and native teachers, with various other particulars, were also inserted in this statement. On the same day the missionaries wrote their annual reports to the king of Denmark, and to each branch of the royal family, which were transmitted directly to those illustrious personages.

our rulers."

on some passage of Scripture for mutual edification and encouragement. This pious custom, Messrs. Kohlhoff and Swartz did not omit during their present excursion, but from ten to twelve on the 26th, held what they called a colloquium biblicum with their brethren at Cuddalore, on Acts x. 36, 37; taking occasion, from that animating passage, to exhort each other to courage and perseverance in the great work of "preaching peace" to the Gentiles by Jesus Christ. In the afternoon, they visited by water two villages of fishermen, situated sea, and observing that the hours struck at the mission church were distinctly heard on their island, they represented to them the duty of listening to the word of salvation, which the goodness of God had thus brought so near to them.

The next day, the two missionaries, accompanied by their brethren of Cuddalore, proceeded to a small neighboring town, and sitting down in a choultry, conversed with the natives who collected round them, on the acknowledged earthly origin, and base and unworthy character of their pretended divinities, and urged the unprofitable nature of their idolatry, and the peace, purity, and immortal hope resulting from the faith of the gospel. Several succeeding days were thus occupied either in exhortations to the heathen, or to the native Christians, the catechists, the school children, and their teachers.

then. On the next day, they represented to the Brahmins and others, in front of a pagoda at Sembankudi, the absurdity and fatal consequences of idolatry, and in the evening reached Tirucottah, where they lodged at the commanding officer's, who was very kind to them, and accommodated them with a boat to carry them down the river and across the Coleroon, and afterwards a catamaran over another river, which saved them from passing through a desert and swampy forest. The boatmen refused to hear any thing of Christianity; but stopping for refreshment in a wood, severa. Hindoos, and Mo-to the east of Cuddalore, between the river and the hammedans, and a Roman Catholic native, came round them, to whom they announced the only true God, and Jesus the only Mediator and Redeemer. A robber, one of whose feet had been struck off by the headsman of Chillumbrum, begged a plaister, which the missionaries gave him, with a direction to the only Physician of the soul for the healing of his spiritual wounds. The Romish Christian made himself known in private, but was admonished of the duty of openly confessing Christ before men; and when he urged the difficulty of doing this in India, he was reminded of our Lord's words, Matt. x. 32, 33. On their way many were exhorted, and tracts were distributed. One man said, "We follow "Then," replied the missionaries, 'follow God. He is the Supreme Ruler of us all." At the Porto Novo river, they were met by Mr. Hutteman, and by Mr. Vaneck, the Dutch superior, who took them to his house. On the 23d, they travelled the whole way to Cuddalore along the sea shore. A merchant of high rank in his caste, but reduced in circumstances, followed them from Porto Novo, and offered to become a Christian; but his "The weekly conference which we hold every views appearing to be interested, he was admonish- Friday with all the laborers, is of the greatest utied to be sincere. At noon they addressed some lity in keeping the mission work in order. For on Hindoos at a choultry, particularly some Byragees, that day in the forenoon, we pray to God for wisa caste of professed and importunate beggars, and dom and counsel, and each relates how he has been pointed out to some fishermen, how they were en- employed, or what has occurred in the congregatangled in the net of Satan, and by whom they tions and schools, and in the printing and bookbindmight be rescued. Towards evening, Mr. Kier-ing offices, and in the private houses. Here every nander met them near Chetty-Cupam. Having thing which might occasion disorder or detriment strengthened each other in the Lord at the choultry, is adjusted, and those means are adopted which they proceeded up the river in a boat, and arrived safely at the mission house at Cuddalore. There they united in prayer to Almighty God, their reconciled Father in Christ, laid their own wants and the general distress, humbly yet confidently before him, and implored a blessing upon themselves, their brethren, and their work. They then visited the sick Portuguese schoolmaster, and conversed with the catechists, and several members of the congregation. A number of Christians having come from the country for the succeeding day's service, they explained to them the Lord's Prayer, and the form of general confession, by way of question and answer. They closed this busy day by visiting the school, and some of the mission servants.

Having, at the request of their brethren, consented to remain two days longer at Cuddalore, they assisted at the weekly conference, the object of which was thus stated by the founder of the mission, Ziegenbalg.

may best promote the general good. The confer ence being ended, the Portuguese and Tamul assistants make a report of their labors, and of whatever may be wanting, that as far as possible it may be supplied."

during nearly the first century of the mission, This useful practice was regularly observed when, for some reasons which do not appear, it was discontinued.

Kohlhoff and Swartz went down to the river to a After the conference thus referred to, Messrs. Tirkera, or Moorish hermitage, where, amongst others, they addressed a Fakir, or Mohammedan mendicant, to whom the nabob had given the place and the surrounding grounds. He acknowledged On the 24th, being Quinquagesima Sunday, Mr. that he had three wives and four-and-twenty childSwartz preached in the morning in Tamul, on ren, and that he was much addicted to the use of Luke xviii. 31, on the necessity of Christ's suffer-intoxicating drugs. With this man they urged the ings, and Mr. Kohlhoff in the afternoon in Portuguese, during which_service, the morning sermon was repeated in the Tamul school.

The next day they conversed with the native Christians who were returning into the country; and exhorted them to "keep the word of God" which they had heard, and to walk worthy of it. They again visited the sick schoolmaster, and reminded him how necessary it was to be well as sured of one's state, in order to be peaceful in death.

It had been usual from the commencement of the mission at Tranquebar, for the missionaries to hold, on Tuesday in every week, a pastoral conference

base and licentious character of Mohammedanism, and the superiority of Christian principles; he admitted the truth of their representations, and promised to visit them at Cuddalore.

On the 5th of March, the four missionaries again held a biblical conference on Acts x. 38, in which they encouraged each other humbly and earnestly to implore the communication of the Holy Spirit, that in the power of that divine grace they might, after the example of their heavenly Master, about doing good." Swartz concluded with an impressive prayer, that the Lord would vouchsafe to them a permanent blessing from that hour; that according to his promise he would fill them, their

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brethren, and all their fellow-laborers, with his Spirit, for the sake of the great Mediator and Saviour; that he would preserve them from venturing on any

CHAPTER IIL

A. D. 1754 To A. D. 1759.

service relying on their own strength, but that they War in the Carnatic between the French and English-Mr. Swartz might go forth in his power, that thus laboring they might never want all necessary light, strength, and blessing.

Early the next day, the four missionaries again united in thanksgiving and prayer; and in the strength of their Redeemer, entered into a covenant to be his, to serve him with all their heart, and thenceforward with renewed energy to preach the gospel to the poor Gentiles around them. "Now," said Swartz," the Lord has heard what we have spoken before him. May he give us light, life, strength, and prosperity!" The Cuddalore brethren accompanied him and Mr. Kohlhoff a few miles, and then separated after a cordial farewell, and wishing them abundant grace and blessing.

On their return to Tranquebar they had frequent opportunities of scattering the good seed of the word of God among Peons in the Dutch service, and Hindoos and Mohammedans from the neighboring towns. Most of these were fishermen, of which class of natives, though there are many Roman Catholics in the south of the peninsula, few have ever been converted by the Protestants. The two missionaries, sometimes in brief, and at others in longer addresses, declared the nature of the true God, and the vanity of idols, the misery of sin, the inefficiency of Pagan ceremonies, and particularly of bathing in the sea, to which many whom they met were resorting, and the only effectual atonement of the cross. To those who made inquiries or urged objections, they gave suitable and often satisfactory replies, and received promises of farther attention to their instructions. To some Romish Christians they pointed out the errors of imageworship and of purgatory, and exhorted them to repentance, faith, and true godliness; and finding at one place at which they rested some Protestant converts, they preached to them, inquired as to their domestic devotions, and reproved the negligent.

On the 9th they were met by one of their Tranquebar brethren, and on approaching the mission house, the Tamul school children welcomed them by singing a metrical version of Ecclesiasticus, i. 22-24, "Now let us praise the Lord," which is in universal use among Protestants on the continent. The missionaries blessed the children, and shortly afterwards their remaining brethren met them, and united with them and with several officers of the Danish troops at Tranquebar, in the following devout and fervent thanksgiving and prayer offered up by Mr. Swartz.

"Praised be thy name, O Lord, in profound humility, for all the grace, protection, and blessing which, during the whole of our journey thou hast graciously bestowed upon us of thine undeserved mercy, for the sake of Christ our Mediator! May the seed of thy word, which we thy poor servants have sowed on our journey, spring up and produce abundant fruit, that we, and those who have received the word into their hearts, may praise and adore thy goodness to all eternity! May the union with our brethren at Cuddalore, which has been renewed afresh in thy sacred presence, be productive of abundant blessing! Our supplications, which we have jointly brought before thy footstool, with regard to ourselves and the flock entrusted to us, Vouchsafe graciously to hear, and to let us perceive it, for the strengthening of our faith. And thus begin anew to bless us, and to prosper the work of our hands. Yea, prosper thou our handy-work, O Lord, for the sake of Christ, and of his bitter sufferings and death! Amen."

continues his usual labors and excursions-Letter to Professor Francke-Expedition of Mr. Poltzenhagen to the Nicobar Islands -His death-Letter of Swartz to a friend in Europe-Visit of Messrs. Kohlhoff and Swartz to Negapatam--Conversations with the natives-Favorable results of the journey-Second visit to Ne gapatam-Swartz's address to the native catechists-Capture of Fort St. David and Cuddalore by the French Kindness of Count Lally to the missionaries-They retreat to Tranquebar-Mr. Kiernander removes to Calcutta-Mr. Hutteman returns to CuddaloreDeath of one of the first five converts of Ziegenbalg at Tranquebar -The French army approaches Madras-Messrs. Fabricius and Breithaupt protected by Count Lally-They leave Vepery, and retire to Pulicat-An English fleet relieves Madras-The French army retreats, and the Missionaries return to Vepery. HOSTILITIES were now raging in the Carnatic between the French and English, who were contending for the superiority in India, in which several of the native princes were involved. The interior of the country was in consequence much disturbed, particularly by the incursions of the Mahrattas, who supported the French interest. The ravages of these predatory troops spread desolation and alarm wherever they appeared, and the poor native Christians participated in the general distress; but though the operations of the missionaries were occasionally impeded, and eventually those who were stationed at Madras and Cuddalore suffered considerably, Mr. Swartz continued his usual labors and excursions.

On the 8th of July he accompanied Mr. Fabricius, who had been for some time at Tranquebar, a few miles on his return to Madras, and on leaving him he directed his course into the interior, to visit several places inhabited by some Christian families. He was attended by the assistant Martin, and while instructing the native converts, he took the opportunity of allaying the prejudices and fears of some of their unconverted neighbors, as to the education of the Hindoo children by the missionaries, and of convincing them that they could only be desirous of promoting their happiness.

In this year a captain in the Danish navy arrived as governor of Tranquebar, and shortly afterwards gave a pleasing proof of his sincere regard for religion, by redeeming a poor child whom her mother, while a heathen, had sold as a dancing girl to a neighboring pagoda, but who having subsequently embraced Christianity, was anxious to rescue her from that wretched slavery. The Danish governor paid much more than had been given for the child, sent her to the mission school, and defrayed the expenses of her education. She was afterwards baptized, and in process of time married to a respectable native Christian.

On the 17th of October, 1755, Swartz wrote to Professor Francke as follows.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of all true consolation, salvation and life, who mercifully and gloriously helpeth us in all trouble! He is a God that delighteth in our life, a God that humbleth that he may exalt us, that maketh us to feel our wretchedness that he may thoroughly save us from it. My soul, magnify the Lord!

"The distress of the Christian congregation, and the insensibility of the heathen to the word of God, often grievously afflict my soul, which is not yet experienced in the ways of truth. However, I strive as well as I am enabled by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, to cast this burden upon him that is mighty to help, and delights to bow down to us in mercy, that we may not remain and sink in trouble. The words of

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Christ from Isaiah xlix. 4, often occur to my mind. Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.' But indeed, the following verse ought to allay all grief, and to bind the sorrowful heart to the word of the divine promise. The unwearied patience and mercy of God in working upon my own soul also greatly comforts me, when he saith within me,' Tell it once more-go, announce it both to Christians and heathens; for thou thyself also wert sometime foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures; and yet in that most corrupt condition deserving wrath and death, a merciful God hath wrought in thee for Christ's sake, and waited for thy conversion, not a few, but many years-now learn thou also to wait patiently in hope. Now, my heart, mind, thoughts, desires, designs, and all my will be altogether offered up to the will of my heavenly father. Not my will, but thine be done! Yet, let thy kingdom come, in India also, to myself and to others!

"As to outward circumstances, a gracious God hath paternally preserved me, and amidst bodily weakness mightily supported me. Let my God only give me that which Paul was enabled cheerfully to say, 2 Cor. v. 1, 'We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens!'

"I shall waive a particular account of the circumstances and concerns of the mission, since the most important points are contained in our common letter. I only mention my heartfelt joy on account of the wonderfully kind providence of God, that he blessed us on the 1st of July last with a new fellow laborer and brother, Mr. Peter Dame, in whom the mind of Christ is so pleasingly conspicuous. As we little expected this, it hath caused us the greater joy. In the Christmas holidays he will, by the divine blessing, deliver a testimony to Christ before the congregation. Now, may a gracious God grant that he may prove abundantly successful.

"C. F. SWARTZ."

It is observable, that the reports and joint letters of the 31st of December 1755, and 30th of June 1756, were signed by eight missionaries, the largest number ever residing at one time at Tranquebar. In September 1756, Mr. Poltzenhagen, at the request of the Danish government, accompanied the new colonists to the Nicobar Islands, both to act as their chaplain, and to promote the civilization and conversion of the natives. He collected much information, and began to converse in the language of the Islands, when a short illness terminated his valuable life on the 28th of November following, in the flower of his age. His labors in the Portuguese congregation and school at Tranquebar fell to the share of Mr. Swartz, till Mr. Dame was qualified to undertake them, and in the mean time Swartz continued to officiate in Tamul.

being the anniversary of the day on which fifty years before, the first Protestant preachers landed on the shores of India.

The missionaries mention in their journal of this year, a remarkable acknowledgment of the principal minister of the Rajah of Tanjore, that there is but one true God, and that the images of their idols ought to be broken and thrown into the sea; and that such was the tyranny and injustice of the government, that many of the natives wished the English to take possession of the country. The Brahmins, however, not knowing the cautious policy, or rather the indifference of most Europeans, feared that they would favor the introduction of Christianity, and therefore dreaded their influence.

The missionaries also relate that the Rajah having been informed of a considerable subterranean treasure, which was guarded by demons, who would not permit it to be removed without the sacrifice of five hundred human beings, had dispersed fifty kidnappers through the country, who, by throwing a magical powder upon their victims, pretended to deprive them of their senses, and thus obtained possession of them. This so much alarmed the superstitious Hindoos, that scarcely any but Christians ventured for some time to travel from one place to another.

They add the more interesting fact that three Mohammedians were in the course of this year baptized at Vepery, and formed the first fruits of the conversion to Protestant Christianity, of that class of the natives on the coast of Coromandel.

The Tranquebar journal of 1757, notices a visit of Mr. Kohlhoff to Seringham, at the request of a sick German officer, in the French service. While there, he had several opportunities of addressing the Brahmins within the great pagoda, as well as at Trichinopoly, then garrisoned by the English.He mentions having observed at the latter place the simple method adopted by the natives to convey immense stones to the top of the highest buildings without machinery; namely, by throwing up a sloping mound of earth against the building, and forcing the stone up the inclined plane. Trichinopoly Mr. Kohlhoff proceeded to Tanjore, where he preached both to European and native Christians, and was invited to a conference with one of the Rajah's ministers, to whom he declared the truths of the gospel.

From

Towards the close of this year a letter occurs from Mr. Swartz to a friend in Europe, of which the following is an interesting extract.

"In my ministerial functions, no variation has taken place, except that I have been upwards of nine months in the late Mr. Poltzenhagen's house, and have had the instruction of the Portuguese school and congregation. The Lord lay his blessing on it! This is certain, and I learn it daily, that neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase. He who altogether despairing of himself and his The French, in consequence of the success of own strength, goes out in all humility with prayer some of their military enterprises in this and the and supplication, seeks that which is lost, and then two following years, were now indulging the hope waits for the former and the latter rain from the of becoming masters of the greater part of India. Lord, he receiveth blessing of God, and is preservThis encouraged the Roman Catholic priests to re-ed from much disquietude. And although the blessproach and threaten the native Protestant converts, and even stimulated them to some acts of open violence. In addition to this source of uneasiness, a dispute between the Danish government and the Rajah of Tanjore, led to an incursion into the Danish territory, in which the poor Christians suffered depredation, and the mission church at Poreiar was considerably injured. These adverse circumstances did not, however, prevent the missionaries from celebrating the 9th of July 1756 as a jubilee, that

ing is not instantly visible, yet God awakeneth the heart and enableth us to say, 'At thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes.' This text I remember frequently, especially as it is that on which I preached my first sermon at the University; and by means of which God has produced in me poverty of spirit, and at the same time a filial reliance on his word. May he teach it me more and more, and inculcate it by his Spirit! It was

only yesterday, as Mr. Dame and I were observing the obstinacy of the poor pagans, we spoke on this subject, and excited each other to look off from ourselves to God."

to the knowledge which can only be derived from
divine revelation. It need scarcely be added, that
on many occasions they had to lament the inefficacy
of their instructions, but on others they met with
willing and attentive hearers; and in general the
missionaries observed that their reception was more
favorable in places under Dutch authority than
elsewhere, the official servants of that government
being free from the prejudice commonly entertained
against natives professing Christianity, and often
even employing them in preference to others.
In the course of their visit to Negapatam, Messrs.
Kohlhoff and Swartz reminded their European
friends, that it was their duty to promote the king-
dom of Christ; and that the higher the station in
which God had placed them, the more responsible
they would be, if they neglected to acquit them-
selves of the obligations incumbent on Christian
rulers, to be nursing fathers of the church. The
governor assured them of his readiness to favor
the advancement of Christianity; and in proof of
it, promised that as soon as their chaplain returned,
he would begin to build a church for the use of the
native Christians-a promise which, in less than a
year afterwards, was faithfully fulfilled, when a
building for this purpose was dedicated in the pre-
sence of two of the Tranquebar missionaries.

Early in 1758, Messrs. Kohlhof and Swartz set out on a visit to Negapatam, which is about twenty miles south of Tranquebar. They proceeded by a circuitous route through the country, in order that they might have more frequent opportunities of addressing both Christians and unbelievers. In the evening they repeated to some native Christians at the village where they rested, the sermon which had been preached that morning at the mission church, on the gospel for the day; and very early the next morning they explained to them the Lord's Prayer, addressing at the same time some suitable instruction and admonition to several Roman Catholics and heathens who were present. At their next station they lectured on the Creed; and here it may be observed, that their converts being universally taught to repeat the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the words of the institution of both the sacraments-a lecture on any of these subjects peculiarly fixes their attention. At another choultry in which the missionaries found a party of Mohammedans, who readily acknowledged Jesus to be a prophet, they discoursed Not long afterwards, Mr. Swartz made another on his importance as a Mediator, and on the inesti- excursion into the interior of the country, accommable work of redemption; and drawing a paral-panied by one of the native assistants, during which, lel between Christ and Mohammed, they proved the infinite superiority of the former, and urged the duty of an exclusive faith in him.

At three o'clock on the following morning, the assistant who accompanied them collected a small party of Christians, whom the missionaries instructed in the scriptural method of salvation, and with whom, as was their constant custom, they prayed. In this manner they pursued their journey. On the way, seeing a number of natives passing them hastily, and inquiring the cause, they were told that a Brahmin had drowned himself under the pressure of pain; upon which they took occasion to point out the wretched condition of their guides, and exhorted them to seek the grace and peace of God in their hearts, which would enable them patiently to endure calamities. Some of them | insinuated that God had predestinated the Brahmin to his miserable end; but the missionaries testified, that God was not the author of evil, but was a lover of our temporal and eternal happiness.

On their arrival at Negapatam, they paid their respects to the Dutch governor, and were hospitably received by one of the gentlemen of that settlement. During the week that they continued there, the missionaries were incessantly engaged in various religious services, with the native and European Christians.

several Hindoos of high caste listened to him with great attention, and said on parting from him, "Yo are an universal priest;" intimating, that he was worthy not only of being the religious instructer of Europeans, but of themselves also. While on this short tour, he experienced from many of the natives marked respect and kindness, one of them, in a place where he could purchase nothing, voluntarily bringing hot water and milk for his tea, and providing him and his attendants with a supper.

The good effects of his and Mr. Kohlhoff's visit to Negapatam, were soon so apparent in the awakening of a concern for religion in the minds of many of the German Protestants, that at their urgent request, after much deliberation and prayer, Swartz accompanied by Mr. Klein, another of his brethren, made a second journey to that station in the month of April following. They were met by the two native catechists, and by several European gentlemen, and conducted to Negapatam. There they spent another week, preaching on the most important and impressive subjects, chiefly in German, but two or three times also in Portuguese and Tamul, to the native converts. They administered the sacrament, distributed books and tracts of piety and devotion, and departed, rejoicing at the evident proofs afforded by many of every class, of their cordial reception of the word of God. At the close of their farewell discourses, the Europeans presented the missionaries with a collection for the poor at Tranquebar, amounting to upwards of thirty-two pagodas, great part of which was contributed by the Dutch soldiers.

They preached in Tamul and Portuguese, and more than once in their own language, to about two hundred Germans of different ranks, who were earnestly desirous of Christian instruction. They visited the Lazaretto, where a number of lepers were supported at the expense of the Dutch East It had been customary since the year 1741, after India Company, and gave those unhappy persons a the arrival of Messrs. Kohlhoff, Fabricius, and suitable exhortation. On their return they had va- Zegler, when the country catechists and the teachrious conversations with natives, one of whom ob-ers in and near Tranquebar assembled once a served with great simplicity, "We have books month to read the report of their proceedings, for wherein the solar and lunar eclipses are accurately one of the missionaries to give an exhortation on calculated, and according to those calculations the some text of Scripture, to stir them up to the faithevents happen. "Now," said he, "as these prove ful discharge of their important duties. Lectures true, so we believe that other points contained in in divinity were also given to the most able and inthese books, which concern the divine laws and telligent among them, and an admonition to the heavenly things, are true also." The missionaries poor on distributing the monthly alms. On his rereplied by explaining the difference between phy-turn from Negapalam, Mr. Swartz addressed the sical and religious truths, and pointed out the fal- catechists who had brought their reports, from 1 lacy of arguing from the results of natural science, Cor. xv. 10, "By the grace of God I am what I

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