demolished. The missionary family took refuge in the chapel, and were graciously preserved, though all the spouts were blown down and the building itself cracked several times, as if crushed by some immense weight falling upon it.

Amidst these outward distresses the work of the Lord prospered. Divine service in BASSETERRE was often attended by very crowded auditories; and doors were opened to the missionaries on fifty plantations for preaching to the Negroes. At the close of 1794 the members of their congregation were one thousand four hundred and ninetyeight; and this number was by the end of 1800 increased to two thousand five hundred and sixty-nine t.

In consequence of the contest between Great Britain and France, provisions rose to an exorbitant price, which often reduced the Negroes to extreme want. And as the island was frequently threatened with hostile invasion, it was found necessarry, in 1805, to enrol a black corps to assist in its defence. The missionaries observed with deep regret, that the new mode of life, thus introduced among the Negroes, had an injurious influence on their spiritual course, and they neglected no seasonable opportunity for exhorting their converts to prayer and watchfulness, and steadfast reliance on God, their almighty Saviour ‡.

The threatened invasion was mercifully averted at the period, just referred to; but in March 1805 the enemy put his threats into execution. On the 5th of that month a French fleet, consisting of ten sail, hove in sight, and came into the road of BASSETERRE. This spread universal consternation through the town, and most of the inhabitants fled into the country. Our brethren however remained; and such was the confidence, which their fellow citizens reposed in them, that many brought their most valuable property to them for security, and some even sought a shelter for themselves in the church. The French General Balbot fixed his head quarters in their neighbourhood, and stationed a guard of four men and a corporal at the entrance of the burying ground.

• Per. Acct. Vol. i. p. 227. ↑ Brethren's History, Vol. iv. p. 376. Ibid. 378.

Finding resistance would be vain, the council deputed some gentlemen to the French Admiral and General, in order to capitulate. The terms of capitulation were in a short time agreed upon, and the enemy left the island after levying a contribution, burning five ships, and a a sloop, spiking the cannons, and demolishing the powdermagazines. Thus, by the mercy of God, tranquillity was restored in a few days, and our brethren, without having suffered any injury, could resume their missionary employments without fear or interruption *. Towards the close of the year 1806, C. F. Richter and his wife and brother Eusebius Williams arrived in St. Kitt's, in order to strengthen the hands of the old missionaries. But the great Head of his church was pleased to remove the latter into eternal rest before the termination of another year. He died rather suddenly on the 12th of December 1807, having the day before been seized with a paralytic affection, which lamed his right arm and both feet, and deprived him of the power of speech. His fellow missionaries severely lamented their loss of him, for his amiable and affectionate disposition had procured for him the esteem and love of all who knew him, and during the short period, in which he served this mission, he had manifested an earnest desire, and an ever wakeful zeal to promote the conversion of the Negroes, and their true welfare for time and eternity t

In 1813 the mission sustained another loss by the removal of brother Geo. Ch. Schneller to England. Increasing infirmities, being in his 73rd year, induced him to retire from active services. He had spent thirty years in labouring for the conversion of the Negroes, namely, five years in Antigua, and twenty-five in St. Kitt's. After his return to Europe, he resided in the Brethren's settlement of Fairfield near Manchester, where he finished his earthly pilgrimage and entered into the joy of his Lord, on September 15th 1814. His brethren delineate his qualifications as a missionary in the following terms: "His inoffensive, unblameable deportment, and amiable and upright character procured for him the esteem of all ranks,

Per. Acct. Vol. iii. p. 393-395 + Ibid. Vol. iv. p. 174.

from the President to the meanest slave. In all his transactions it was evident, that he had a single eye to the glory of God, and the prosperity of the important work in which he was employed. His diligence and faithful attention to every part of his charge were most exemplary; and while he gained the love and confidence of the Negroes by his affability and kindness, he maintained that respect among them, which was due to his station, and gave weight to his admonitions, and to the exercise of proper discipline in the church."

For some years no striking occurrences marked the progress of this mission: those who laboured in it, attended with persevering zeal to the instruction of the Negroes in the faith and practice of christianity; and the vacancies, occasioned by the removal of some into the land of pure delights, were soon supplied by other devoted servants of God, who accounted it an honour to preach unto the gentiles, "the unsearchable riches of Christ." Their testimony did not return unto them void. In every year some believed, and were added to the church by baptism; and others finished their earthly career in hope of the glory of God, a hope grounded on their having in truth embraced the doctrine of Christ and his atonement,

From the reports of the missionaries of later years, it appears, that their congregation has rather diminished in number: a circumstance which probably is, in part at least, owing to the increasing exertions of other christians in the same noble work, and cannot therefore be considered as a real declension of religion in this island. The most recent intelligence received from this mission, mentions that our brethren had baptized forty-seven adults during the year 1816: but it does not state the number of members composing their congregation at that period.

The history of the missionary labours of the United Brethren in the West Indies, furnishes an evidence of the truth and excellence of the gospel, which it seems almost impossible to resist. Here we not only behold the dark

Per, Acct. Vol. v. p. 164.

ness of pagan superstition dispersed by the rays of divine light, emanating from the sun of righteousness, and the devotees of idolatry and vice made willing to exchange the demoralizing system of a false religion for one, which, besides the spiritual and eternal blessings it confers on its true votaries, promises to elevate their character even in this world, and impart to them the comforts of civilized society; but we find persons in the lowest state of servitude eagerly embracing the doctrine of the gospel, and boldly confessing it before men, though that very confession often served only to rivet their chains, and add cruel sufferings to their slavery.

Surely that doctrine must be of God, which thus wonderfully influences the minds of the Negroes, and while it inspires those, who believe it, with the hope of eternal felicity in a future life, enables them cheerfully to submit to all the hardships of a state of bondage, and even to rejoice in their slavery, as the means of making them acquainted with true freedom, the freedom of the soul from the fetters of sin. Were it possible to find an excuse for the traffic in human blood, the christian would doubtless find it in this, that a mysterious and merciful providence hath over-ruled it for the salvation of hundreds and thousands, who having come out of much tribulation, and washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, will one day join in the celestial song of praise to him, who was sent to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

CHAP. VI.

MISSION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE missionary settlements of the United Brethren in this quarter of the world, lie on its southern extremity, in the colony of the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. It is a territory of very considerable extent, containing several ridges of high and steep mountains, and barren tracts of land, diversified by fruitful vallies and fine pasture-grounds, and intersected by several large and rapid rivers, which, during the rainy season, are greatly swollen, and often cause destructive inundations. Lying in a southern latitude, the seasons of the year are exactly contrary to ours: so that it is winter at the Cape when it is summer in Europe.

In 1669 the Dutch took possession of this country, and, excepting an interval of a few years during the late war, retained the sovereignty over it, till after the restoration of peace in 1814, when it was finally ceded to England. After the Dutch had made themselves masters of it, they established several colonies, which also served for military stations, or posts, occupied by inferior magistrates. In order to promote the cultivation of the land, it was let to European colonists, on paying a certain impost to government. These settlers, being mostly farmers, took possession of the fruitful districts, and by degrees drove the original inhabitants into the mountains, and barren parts of the country. The only town of note is Capetown, contiguous to Table-bay, and below the Table and Lion mountains. It is a place of consider able importance, and chiefly inhabited by Europeans.

The Hottentots, or original inhabitants, are a pastoral tribe, and consequently lead a roving life; for they never plant, or cultivate the ground; their riches consisting solely in oxen, cows and sheep. Their chief food is milk