life; some cried, and others fainted under the preaching of the word.

We found it necessary shortly to look out for another position, more distant from this dangerous river, the inundations of which are so sudden, that men and beasts frequently perish in its mighty floods. We pitched on a spot called Reed Fountain, which some of us began immediately to clear for cultivation. While we were thus engaged, with about twenty Hottentots, the Corannas brought us regularly, every day, three sheep, and three hollow bamboo canes full of milk, as a present.

* should cause the earth to #6 open her mouth, and swallow 46 me up a live. O Sir, what "must I do to be saved?”—-—I answered his question, as St. Paul did that of the Jailer, at Philippi" Believe in the Lord "Jesus Christ, and thou shalt "be saved." Let your fears, said I, drive you to the Saviour; lay fast hold of him as your Redeemer; and then you need not be afraid. But, woe be to you, if you seek peace from any other quarter, or try to find rest in the things of this world. Having approved of my advice, he daily applied by faith and prayer to Jesus, as a sinner who earnestly wishes to be saved by his free grace. But I know not the result of his profession, as he removed from us to a considerable distance among the Farmers. About the close of the month we reached the Great River, which, in the dry season, is about half as wide as the Thames at London Bridge, and which was now so much swollen by the rains, as to be impassable: we therefore were obliged to wait for its fall. Our brethren Kra-spring upon us. Immediately mer and Anderson had previously crossed the River, and had begun to preach the gospel to the people, among whom they found a considerable attention. While we waited for the subsiding of the waters, with our people and cattle, some of our friends on the opposite shore, who were bold enough to swim across, assisted us in constructing rafts. 'Being now comfortably setBy means of these, we were ena- tled, we soon found ourselves bled, in about a week, to get over surrounded by crowds of differthe river, yet with great diffi-ent people-Corannas, Namaculty, for our raft sunk so deep, quas, Hottentots, Bastard Hotthat I sat up to the middle in tentots, and Boschemen, togethwater. Here we rejoiced to finder with their numerous flocks a great hunger for the bread of land herds, The Corannas and

Here it was that sleeping one night with Mr. Scholtz and my Hottentots, by the side of a little cart, the barking of my spaniel dog disturbed my rest so much, that I was quite vexed at him. The Hottentots, however, understanding the little creature's meaning better than I did, looked carefully around, and soon discovered a Lion near us, who, like a cat, was creeping along the ground, in order to make a

they, snatched up their guns to fire at him; but the Lion, finding we were so well prepared to receive him, turned tail, and retreated with the utmost speed. As brother Scholtz and myself lay nearest to that spot from whence the Lion approached, we felt peculiarly thankful to our Lord for this new preservation.

390

Mr. Kicherer's Narrative.

[APRIL.

each end was a room, one of which was occupied by brethren Anderson and Kramer, the other by myself and brother Scholtz. The provisions were stored in my apartment. This building was appropriated to the worship of the Hottentots, another of a similar construction, was devoted to the instruction of the Corannas and Namaquas, whom we addressed by Interpreters. Divine service was performed in both places at the same time, each of us officiating by rotation. For the purpose of raising a considerable quantity of vegetables, we planted a large garden, which we inclosed by a wall.

Namaquas lived servants to the Bastards, having been reduced to this abject condition by the depredations of a monster, known by the name of THE AFRICAN, a Bastard Hottentot. This bloody man, having murdered Pennar his master, collected a band of robbers, with whom he made in- | cursions into the Namaqua and Coranna countries. Some of these poor, timid people sent him a message, requesting that he would restore a little part of their property, at least a Cow for each family, that they might have a drop of milk for their starving children; the wretch promised to comply with their wishes on condition that they would cross It pleased God, at this time, the river, and fetch the animals; to visit my faithful fellow laborer, but when they came, he treach- | Mr. Scholtz, with a heavy afflicerously tied them to the trees, tion; he was confined for five cut out their tongues, or other- months by a dangerous illwise maimed them; some of ness, which left a lameness in them he shot dead. Being thus his, formerly, athletic body. reduced to extreme poverty, Our labors here appeared to they were glad, for the sake of be attended with a peculiar blessubsistence, to serve the Bas-1 sing, a great desire prevailing tards, who treated them with among the people to be taught great severity, flogging and abu- the things which accompany salsing them like slaves, and allow-vation. The impressions made ing little more for their support by the Spirit of God on the than the milk of the sheep which hearts of our hearers were very they kept. This horrid mon- remarkable. What I am about ster, The African, understanding to relate will probably appear to something of colonial politics, some readers perfectly ridicu has hitherto contrived to evade lous, but it is a fact that we were deserved punishment. How always obliged to have a bottle great are the blessings of a good of vinegar on the table, for the civil Government! relief of those who actually fainted under alarms of conscience and powerful convictions. Certain it is that the tears which were shed at that period among these poor people cannot be numbered, and though we could not say that these strong impres sions always issued in sound con.. version, yet we have reason to believe they did so in many hap

All our new friends expressed great joy at our coming to live among them; but particularly the poor oppressed Namaquas and Corannas, who looked up to us as a kind of protectors. Here we built a long shed of Timber, Reeds and Clay, the roof reaching to the ground. The middle part of it was our Church, at

that he saw a Lion at the dis tance of twenty or thirty yards. I myself soon perceived a pair of shining eyes, like two burning candles. The Hottentot, prepar

py instances. But it is the province of my brethren Anderson and Kramer to furnish the particulars of this work, as they are the stated laborers on the banks of the Great River. I shall how-ing to fire his piece, desired me ever touch upon a few events which took place during my stay in those parts.

to strike a light, and set the grass in a blaze. This being effected in a moment, we discov The most prominent of these ered a huge animal with his was a visit of brother John Kock, mane erect, just in the very act who was going as a Missionary of springing upon us. At this to the Briquas or Bootsuannas, critical moment, the Hottentot a nation dwelling North East fired, and the Lion slunk away. from the Cape, and about eight This appeared the more extraorday's journey from us; these dinary to us, as we could, next people differ entirely from the morning, trace his bloody footHottentots, resembling the Caf-steps on the ground;→a certain fres in their stature, habits and proof of his having been woundmanner of life. John Kock bro't ed. In such a case, the Lion, me letters from my family in [ seldom, if ever, retreats, till he Holland, containing also the pain- has avenged his blood: But the ful intelligence of the death of a Lord was doubtless pleased to very dear friend of mine at Cape shut the mouth of this Lion. Town. My feelings on this oc- When we got home, the brethcasion were exceedingly keen, ren informed us that, during our but blessed be the Lord, who absence, a Lion had destroyed comforted me in my affliction. eighteen of our Oxen.

Soon after this, the British I now received the afflicting Commissioners, Messrs. Som-intelligence that Stephanos, who, merfield, Daniel and Truther, after leaving our settlement at arrived here. We did our best Zak River, had gone to a horde to assist them in the prosecution of Bastard Hottentots, commonof their journey to the Bootsu-ly called Cornelius Kock's Kraal, annas, accompanying them part I had there set up for a Missionaof the way. John Kock followed them shortly afterwards.

Returning to the Great River on horseback, attended by one Hottentot only, I was once obliged to sleep in the open field. About midnight, our horses, which were fastened near us, began to be very unruly, and their noise awaked us both out of our sleep. The Hottentot was much alarmed, but seemed desirous of concealing from me the cause of this stir, to prevent my being alarmed also. Upon my interrogating him closely, he confessed

ry and a Prophet, establishing his authority on the basis of superstition so firmly, that his will had become the law of every individual in the horde, and the most atrocious crimes were committed by him with impunity. Whoever ventured to murmur against his abominable acts of rapine or lust, was sure to be put into the stocks, or to be beaten unmercifully. Stephanos had erected a Temple, resting on pillars, with an Altar within, on which sacrifices were offered. He had a number of select disci

392

Mr. Kicherer's Narrative.

[APRIL.

clared they had received light and blessings on that day, to which they had before been strangers.

ples, who, like himself, feigned walk with me under a tree, trances, in which they lay for ma- where we would decide the matny hours, and out of which they ter. My people accompanied pretended to awake with messa- me to the spot, and he was covges which they had brought ered by his followers. With my from the angel Gabriel, or from Bible in my hand, I disputed God himself. Did the Impos- with him four hours successivetor wish to gratify his lust, his ly, and, I trust, experienced the covetousness, or his revenge? peculiar assistance of the Holy an answer from heaven authori-Spirit. He insisted chiefly on zed him to effect his purpose. the prophecy of Joel, concerning Should any dissatisfaction or the visions and dreams of the lukewarmness appear among his latter days, and introduced many followers? immediately the judg-passages from the Revelations. ments of God, yea, the confla- I was enabled clearly to refute gration of the whole world were his arguments, to the great satimmediately threatened. Cor-isfaction of my people, who denelius Kock himself, the Chief, who possessed a vast property, was completely devoted to the will of this wretch. He would preach against us also, and we Stephanos and his deluded folwere apprehensive that his doc-lowers were unconvinced; and trine, like that of Mahomet, becoming more and more enragmight widely diffuse its baneful ed, they seemed disposed to do influences among the neighbor-me violence: but this my vigilant ing heathen. guardians knew how to prevent. After mature deliberation, and The Impostor himself conveyed consultation with my brethren, to my mind a striking idea of I undertook to go out, and try the Chief of Hell. His eyes rollto stop his diabolical proceed-ed and flashed; his tongue movings. As this measure was like-ed with incessant volubility, and ly to be attended with danger, I he strove to vindicate all his took all our armed men with me. atrocities by examples derived Stephanos, being apprized of our from the Scriptures. design, called a meeting of his followers, in which many messa-justified in ordering my people ges from heaven were devised; to seize him, as a malefactor alhe then told them that this was ready under the sentence of the the important moment in which law, that he might be conveyed they were called upon to demon- to the Cape for puinshment. My strate their attachment to God order was instantly obeyed, and and his Prophet; but that, if he was made a prisoner in his they proved unfaithful, fire would own temple. In a moment his come down from heaven to de- crest fell, and he requested me, stroy them. in the French language, (which the people did not understand) to set him at liberty, promising, in that case, to leave the country. I replied, that if I was convinced that he felt due contrition for

We approached his party. Their eyes sparkled with rage. Stephanos stepped forward, and offered me his hand. I refused to take it, but desired him to

I thought myself now fully

tain or Chief, has since been baptized at Cape Town, by a Clergyman of the Church of England.

his crimes, and proved it by among these poor Boschemen. frank confession of his guilt, I│I have dwelt the longer on this might, perhaps, let him go. visit, as it proves how easily such Immediately, he spoke to the people might be won, at least to people, in a crying tone of voice, make an external profession of acknowledging that he had im- Christianity, if means proporposed upon them-that if they tioned to the magnitude and imwent on in his ways they would portance of the object were ducertainly go to hell-and that ly employed. At present, Mr. they ought to thank God who Anderson and Mr. Kramer are had sent them Teachers of the settled at that Kraal, and, I trust, truth. are made a blessing to the peoThis confession had a wonder-ple. Cornelius Kock, the Capful effect on the multitude, who crowded round me, and thanked me heartily for what I had done, expressing boundless joy at their deliverance from the shackles of Among the fruits of our lathis tyrannical impostor. They bors in this country, Piet Goeiwished now to send him away man, who has been already mennaked into the desart; but I in- tioned, may be deemed one. By terfered; and procured for him his walk and conversation he needful provisions, and a guide graces the gospel he believes, into the Namaqua country, to- and is peculiarly dear to me. Old wards the sea-coast, where I Berend is another seal of our thought it possible he might ministry. He possesses a strong meet with an European vessel, understanding, can read the Biand so finally leave Africa. How-ble very well, and is frequently ever, on his journey, he was re-engaged from morning to evecognized by Mr. Engelbrecht, a Farmer, who was also an Officer of the Militia; this gentleman, in the execution of his duty, attempted to arrest him, but in the scuffle unfortunately fell: Stephanos, seizing the opportunity, cut the throat of the Officer with a razor which was concealed in his book: after which he made his escape, and joined the noted robber, The African, before-mentioned, with whom, I fear he still roves the desart.

After this event, I continued

at the Great River a few days longer, preaching the gospel at John Kock's Kraal. From morning to night they entreated me to instruct them, and I felt peculiarly happy in my labors a

VOL. V. No. 10.

ning in prayer and meditation. His conduct keeps pace with his profession. A more circumstantial account of these and other converts, will probably be given by our brethren who are stationed there.

(To be continued.)

Constitution of the Missionary Society of Rhode-Island. Adopted May 5, A. D. 1803.