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mities of war to which they have been exposer. A private subscription has been set on foot for the same beneficent purpose, and

we trust that the amount will be such as it may become us to give and Russia to accept.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

It is intended that Mr. PROCTER'S communication shall appear in the Appendix. A FRIEND TO INQuiry; Parens; L. B. S. P.; Aras; SENEX; T. Y.; G. W.; and W.; will be inserted.

We can assure our Correspondent VOLENS, that we are most sincerely obliged to him for his efforts to serve us; not less obliged than if we had found it consistent with the rules by which we regulate our proceedings, to avail ourselves more frequently of those efforts. We can also assure him, that if, on the most attentive consideration which we could give to the subject, we felt ourselves compelled, by our sense of literary justice, to act as we have done, we do not the less prize the piety, good sense, and good temper, which he has manifested in his communications with us. His secret is safe.

We shall be obliged to JONATHAN for the volume he speaks of.

H. B.; S. E. W.; C. S. H.; S. H.; A. H. E.; AN OBSERVER; C.; are under consideration.

Some of our Correspondents use such miserably pale ink, that our aged eyes find the utmost difficulty, even with the aid of glasses, to read their papers.

A FRIEND asks, "Why the Obituary is omitted?" We reply, that the Obituary is not omitted, but is still open for the admission of every communication connected with the death either of good or bad men, which is likely to improve our readers. If no such accounts are sent, they cannot of course be inserted. As to Mr. Horne Tooke, we did not know him sufficiently to justify our exhibiting his character to the world.

We are much obliged to NARAB for his kindness: we avail ourselves of his friendly indulgence in respect to the Paper he has seat, but will be glad to receive those he proposes to send.

We are sorry to inform a Correspondent who has furnished us with some Miscellaneous Poetry, but whose signature we cannot decipher, that we think the picces he has sent may, with great propriety, be confined to the domestic or social circle.

Bookseller, for whom we entertain a great respect, complains that we seldom insert the List of new Books which he sends us. This is true; and there are two reasons for it. One is, that his new books are almost always new editions of old books. Now we do not profess to give a list of these. Another is, that we find it impossible to make an original list ourselves of new publications: we therefore merely select from lists prepared and printed by others. The list for this month will appear in the Appendix.

A. Č. R. seems to be at a loss to understand how we draw the line between rhymes and poetry. We feel that it would be a difficult task to give him light on this point. He will probably admit, however, that there is some difference between the rhymes of Sterahold and Hopkins, and the poetry of Addison or Merrick. We are very sensible that we should please a great number of our readers, and of our correspondents too, by inserting many of the tuneless and prosaic rhymes which we have thought it right to exclude. Our ambition, however, as we have already said, is not to please a low taste; but, if we can, to elevate both the taste and the understanding, while we mend the heart.

We beg to assure R. H. S. that there is not the slightest ground whatever for his suspicion of having given offence. We agree with him, that a Christian will be more refreshed and comforted by pious rhymes, than by the best poetry which is destitute of a pious savonr; but we do not think that this circumstance can be formed into a valid argument for the insertion, in the Christian Observer, of rhymes that are destitute of poetry. We do not recollect to have seen the Paper of PHILADELPHOS.

J. C. has some reason for his complaint. At the same time, we only said that we should use his Paper at a convenient opportunity. All we can now say is, that we have not yet found that convenient opportunity.

APPENDIX

TO THE

CHRISTIAN OBSERVER,

VOLUME THE ELEVENTH.

FOR 1812.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

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(Continued from p. 745.) AVING already given an account of the Brethren's Missions in Labrador, we will now proceed to give extracts from the accounts received from the

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Gruenekloof, June 10, 1809,"We received from the President, Mr. Van Rhyneveld, a most valuable present, consisting of two carts, fifteen spades, and other tools."

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July 8. Five persons were added to the candidates for baptism, and two to the candidates for the communion, Susanna Jaeger and Louisa Voster. The former is an old woman, and speaks good Dutch. She may truly be said to live in communion with God, and to walk worthy of the Gospel. On this occasion, she expressed herself thus: I say unto Him, Thou art my Father in heaven, and I am thy child on earth. Thou art infinitely rich, and I am exceedingly poor; give me what I stand in need of.' She received the message of her being added to the candidates with great emotion. Louisa Voster is young, but very infirm, and extremely poor. We have now and then assisted her a little, to prevent her being starved with cold and hunger, during her frequent attacks of rheumatism, and CHRIST. ORSERY. APP.

often wish we were enabled to furnish her and other poor people here, with some coarse flannel or other woollen dress to cover their nakedness. She was so overcome with gratitude on being informed of her being appointed a candidate, that she could only answer with her tears."

29.-"We received a second present of a very fine cow and calf from the Governor, and pray to God to bless him for all his kindness towards us.

August." In the beginning of this month, we encouraged all the men in the settlement to go to work and make a drain to lead the water off our fields into the valley, by which not only the cattle will be prevented treading down the springs, but their gardens preserved from inundations after heavy rains. On the 7th and 8th they began and worked very diligently, under the direction of a missionary. But as another and larger drain was necessary to be cut, the benefit of which would also be ours, we agreed with twenty men, to give them their victuals during the work. They got bread and milk for breakfast, pumpkins and soup for dinner, and potatoes for supper, and though we had it not in our power to provide them with meat, they were perfectly confent, and we felt great satisfaction to perceive how diligently and

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peaceably they completed their work, in a spirit of real love and gratitude towards us. They soon found what great advantage this improvement was to their grounds, for on the 9th, it rained so hard, that the quantity of water from the mountains flowing together into our kloof was astonishing, but the drains carried it off without damage."

"We received again a letter from the English dragoon at Saldanna Bay, accompanying the Exposition of Christian Doctrine lent him to read. He expresses his gratitude, and the benefit received from its perusal; and adds, that another dragoon, whom we found on our first arrival here, on guard, and who was at that time an unconverted infidel, had not heard our exhortations in vain, but that they were coming up, like good seed sown in prepared ground, and that he was seeking grace and pardon in our Saviour. It gave us great pleasure to hear something of this man, and, in general, that there are many lovers of Jesus in the regi

not understand all the words spoken at church, yet I perceive that my heart feels them, and drives me to them. I do hope that God will bring me to the same place to which he has led those five persons last Sunday,' meaning their being bap tized. Surely my Father in heaven did not bring me and my husband and family to this place from such a great distance for nothing; and though some of my family are still far off in the country, yet I think more on God than on my children.' Both she and her husband are persons of very exemplary behaviour, and in right good earnest seek the salvation of their souls. May the Lord preserve them, and bring them to his fold, that so one straying sheep after the other may be delivered from the fangs of that enemy of mankind, and his head be crushed in this country."

November 1.-"Catharine Mathieu having been admitted to the class of candidates for baptism, was the first time present at their meeting. She wept during the whole discourse, and afterwards said to the missionary,

ment." Oct. 2.-"We had the unexpect-I now see and understand, and reed pleasure to see his Excellency Lord Caledon, our Governor, coming into our house, He very condescendingly inquired about all our concerns, with the kindness of a father. He then went on foot to the dwellings of the Hottentots, most of which he entered, took notice of their internal arrangements, and proceeded to view their gardens, with the improvement of which he expressed great satisfaction. After his return to our house, he conversed much with us on the progress of the mission, and took leave.

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4.-"Four persons were admitted as candidates for baptism, and five were appointed to be baptised." 13.-" Old Catherine Mathieu, who understands Dutch with difficulty, came to a sister and said, Ever since last Sunday I have had a troubled heart. I therefore came to tell you so, and that though I do

ceive it as a hungry man does his bread, that the Caffres, Bushmen, and we Hottentots, have all got but one great God and heavenly Father. He dwells in heaven, and that great light in heaven (meaning the sun) shines round about him, that he may distinctly see what both Caffres, Bushmen, and Hottentots, are doing. My husband is an old captain, and often told me about the great God, and also about the devil and death. I used to say, That place where so many Caffre kings, and captains of Bushmen and Hottentots have landed safe after death, will do for me, and I shall find room there.' However, if I now could get back again to the low country, I would tell them something else. O how I thank God that be has brought me to my teachers, and I thank my teachers for their words, Others may do as they please: I will not be ruled by them. If they

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do not wish to be saved, God is not in fault. I shall not follow their example any more.'"

Gnadenthal, Sept. 3.-" Having made a survey of part of our bound ary, we sat down on the declivity of a hill, to partake of the dinner we had brought with us, and afterwards found, in a space of about fifty square yards, upwards of seventy of the most beautiful flowers, the greater part having bulbous roots, which the Hottentots use both for food and medicine. The variety of shrubs and other larger plants is here so great, that to a person not acquainted with the Cape, an account of them might appear incredible. All of them have fine flowers, and make the whole country in this season of the year, appear like a garden.

"We found, during our walk, two Hottentot women busily employed in opening ant-hills. On inquiry, they informed us, that in the centre of these hills, they find a species of large, white-winged ants, which they eat, and are said to taste like the best fat. We suppose them to be the young insects. The anthills are about two feet in height, and six in circumference, and are built of clay."

September 21-"Was the funeral of Gottlob Hendricks. He was one of the oldest inhabitants of this place, and baptized in March, 1808, by Brother Marsveld. His whole behaviour proved that he had obtained forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God, and lived in communion with Him. He was a man of few words; but whenever any one spoke with him of our Saviour, he then could not find words sufficient to express his thanks and praises to Him for the grace bestowed upon him. During his last illness, his firm confidence and faith were manifest in all he said. He would frequently exclaim: I long to be at home with my Saviour, who died for me, and has forgiven me all my sins. I am His, and shall be with Him for ever.'"

Oct. 3." In a class of the men,

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they were asked, whether they lived together in peace and Christian friendship, and could speak freely with each other of their soul's concerns? Several were found to live in such religious communion; but one said: 'I have no such friend, except in my wife, who has always been a help to me, and often led me into the right way. Yes, I will confess that I have received many a blessing by her conversation.' The Missionary answered: I rejoice to hear this, and hope, therefore, that you live very happily together in every respect.' He replied: That would indeed be very desirable, if it were with us as you suppose. But a man will be lord in his own family. Even if the wife is right, and he is wrong, she must not know it, but do as her husband pleases. It is by this that our peace is frequently disturbed.' He had hardly pronounced these words, when all the men joined him and said: Yes, brother, you are right; a man must be lord in his own house.' Brother Kuester took occasion, from this circumstance, to explain to them from the word of God, how husbands ought to behave to their wives-to love them, even as Christ loveth the church; and how again the wives ought to submit to the husbands in love. Hereupon they expressed themselves convinced, that being now Christians, the rules laid down in the Bible ought to regulate their conduct as children of God. They confessed their deficiency in this respect, promising to pray the Lord to grant them the grace to conform more strictly to his word and precept."

Oct. 15.-"Fifteen persons were added to the candidates for baptism, among whom was Tromp, of the Tambukky nation. Yesterday and to-day we had 43 persons, besides slaves and other servants, as visitors, and were not a little straitened how to provide for so large a party. It was a mixed company. Among them were several principal officers from Capetown, several military men,

and merchants; but all, without exception, conducted themselves with the greatest propriety, and insisted upon paying for their accommodation. They were present both at the forenoon service, and in the afternoon, when five Hottentots were baptized by Brother Bonatz. The transaction was accompanied with a most powerful sense of our Lord's gracious presence, and even the strangers were deeply affected. They afterwards declared themselves astonished at the great devotion, and heart's compunction they had noticed in the Hottentots.

"As soon as it was over, our friend Mr. Von B. a privy-counsellor, came to one of the missionaries and said: Permit me to go into your room, that I may give vent to my feelings.' He then exclaimed, O what real happiness do you, my dear friend, enjoy among your brethren and sisters. May God Almighty continue to bless your labours among the Hottentots with abundant success! Never has my heart felt what it did this day. Happy are these poor Hottentots, who have the favour to live with, and be instructed by you; for it is indeed true what they sing: The Lord hath done great things for us.' This venerable old man has always been our true friend from the begin ning.

"We were likewise surprised to see several Mahometans present at church to-day, for, in general, they affect to hold the Christian religion in most sovereign contempt. One of them accosted our Hottentot ser vant in these words: What I have seen and heard this day at your church, I shall never forget while I live. Were I not a slave, I would leave all, and move hither to you. O ye Hottentots, you are most fortunate to be thus favoured. If you do not make good use of it, you can never prosper.'"

After an account of the earthquake, which occurred at the Cape, in Dec. 1809, and of the religious impression produced by it, some of

the observations of the Hottentot converts are given. Among others,

"Renata expressed herself as follows: I was working in the harvest, and there was not always such behaviour in the baas's house as was proper in a Christian family, but the Lord preserved me from harm. However, since the earthquake, my baas has been quite still, and reads diligently in the Bible. I said to him: God in mercy gives us warnings, that we may amend our lives.' A Christian woman whom I well knew, was gone to the Capetown, and was there during the earthquake. As soon as she returned, she came to me, shed many tears, and said: I will now be converted, my dear Renata, and turn from the sins and wicked practices I have hitherto delighted in, if only God will receive me yet in mercy.' I encouraged her to do so, and assured her that God would pity her, and grant her forgiveness and salvation, if she earnestly sought His favour."

In the course of the year 1809, the number baptised at Gruenekloof, was twelve, and eighteen men became candidates for baptism. The congregation consists of twenty-six persons, and the settlement of one hundred and fifteen. At Gnadenthal, sixty-one adults were baptised, and sixty-seven became candidates for baptism. The Hottentot congregation consists of six hundred and thirty-five persons, of whom one hundred and fifty-one are communicants, and one hundred and twenty-one candidates for baptism; ninety-one more than last year. The settlement contains one hundred and ninety dwellings, and eight hundred and sixty-seven inhabitants.

"Jan. 6, 1810, being Epiphany, we celebrated this memorial-day with our congregation, in the usual manner. The Lord, the Saviour of the Gentiles, was with us to bless us: After the morning meeting, we read to our people several letters from their brethren and sisters of the Greenland nation, by which they

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