main reason, why we wish to be converted, that when we die, our souls may find a good passage into eternal rest." In the midst of Mr. Kleinschmidt's discourse, a woman exclaimed, "O yes, because there is a Saviour, He is surely worthy that we should desire after Him." He answered: "To Him we owe our souls and bodies, for He has redeemed us with his most precious blood." Mr. Kleinschmidt was much rejoiced to find that the three assistants he had brought with him, were ever ready to confirm his words. They were never ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, but confessed Him boldly before their heathen countrymen, declaring to them, that if they did not turn to Jesus, and believe on him, they could never be saved. "We were," said they, "no better than you, and children of wrath, but we have found pardon and rest for our souls with our Saviour." Mr. Kleinschmidt frequently heard the native assistants conversing in this way with their countrymen, and was much affected by it, especially when they described the love, mercy, truth, and grace to be found with Jesus, and how pleasant it is to know Him as a Saviour, and to live in communion with Him. The heathen often exclaimed, nuennekau, nuennekau, "that is pleasing, that is pleasing."

Old Ababale, who is considered by the natives to possess great eloquence, and is much respected by them, after declaring that it was his sincere desire to be converted to Jesus, turned to his countrymen, and pointing to Mr. Kleinschmidt, said: "This is a good man, and a great believer, (meaning a true Christian,) and if it is your intention to be converted, then attend to what he says." Many of these poor people declared, that when they heard of the expected arrival of the Missionary and Greenland assistants, on the evening before they came, they could not sleep for joy. One of them, however, honestly confessed that the news made no impression upon him, yet as soon as he saw the messengers of Christ, he felt in his inward parts a great desire to be converted. As the day was far spent with conversation, the Greenlanders were called together to a public meeting, none remained behind in their tents, even old blind Ajangoak got somebody to lead him to the place, and upwards of 300 were

FIELD PREACHING.

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assembled in the open field. The Missionary sat on an eminence, the assistants close to him, the men sat down to the right, and the women to the left, in regular order. There was no need of commanding silence, for the old people immediately exhorted the young and the children to sit quite still: "Take your caps off," they cried, "fold your hands, and make no noise." Both old and young obeyed this direction. "I could have wished," writes Mr. Kleinschmidt, “that all our dear friends who love the cause of God among the heathen, had been present to behold such a scene, and to see so many hundred heathen sitting in silent devotion, listening to the word of God. I first sang a hymn, treating of the invitation given by our Saviour to sinners of every description, to come unto Him for pardon and peace. I then delivered a discourse on the words of our LordGo ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature:' after which the assistant Benjamin began, and seemed not to know, from zeal and fervency of spirit, where to stop. But, though both discourses were long, the attention and eagerness with which they were heard, did not in the least abate. Among other words of exhortation, Benjamin said: All that you have now heard of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and of his bitter sufferings and death for us, is strictly true, and no falsehood. We have made experience of the power thereof in our hearts. We came out from amongst the heathen, and have attained to true happiness and rest in Jesus, and as you are here like sheep going astray, we come to shew you the way to Him, for you may all become as happy as we are.' When he had finished, we sung that air-Thou God of my salvation,' which sounded delightfully among the bleak rocks and mountains, with which we were surrounded. The Christian Greenlanders of our party raised their sweet and powerful voices, for I had purposely chosen, not only persons of exemplary conduct for my companions, but such as had good and melodious voices. The text appointed for this day of rejoicing to us all, was peculiarly suited to our situation; Ps. cv. 40, 41 He satisfied them with bread from heaven. He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out.

999

On the 7th, all the inhabitants of the twelve tents

on the same side of the water with the Christian Greenlanders set out with them for the South, and on the way they were likewise joined by two boats from the opposite side, the owners saying, that they should bring the brethren to their dwellings near Staatenhuk, and there receive them properly. Our travellers had a very pleasant voyage, till within a short distance from Staatenhuk, where they encountered such a quantity of ice, that they could not penetrate it, and were thus separated from their heathen friends, most of them venturing among the ice, while they hastened for safety towards the shore. The brethren saw with astonishment how the Greenlanders worked their way, both between the fields of floating ice, and against a strong current, and happily they all got to their homes in safety. Notwithstanding the great quantity of ice which lay upon the water, and which usually has the effect of calming its surface, the sea wrought with great violence. When the ice appeared to disperse, the travellers ventured twice to pursue their course, in company with those heathen who had followed them to the shore, but on their second attempt got into considerable danger. They were not a little alarmed to see their miserable skin-boats tossed up and down among the fields of ice and the vast icebergs; in case of any accident, there existed no means of escape. It often happens, that the icebergs burst with a tremendous crash, and fall into the sea. If kayaks or boats are near them, they are instantly swamped and lost. Hence it frequently occurs, that persons going out among them have never more been heard of; and it can only be guessed, that they have met with such a misfortune, from hearing the report of the bursting icebergs, which is louder than that of great guns. It is therefore not without apprehension that one approaches, and sometimes passes close under these terrific objects; and a corresponding feeling of gratitude to God for preservation from such dangers is naturally excited. It is related of an old merchant who used to traverse these seas, that, when he had passed an iceberg, he always pulled off his hat, and offered up a short prayer.

The travellers were glad to get back to the shore in safety; and, having found a small bay, called Nutar

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mio, they spent Sunday, the 8th, quietly in it. In the forenoon-service, Mr. Kleinschmidt spoke on the determination of the apostle to preach Jesus and him crucified to every description of men. Benjamin seemed quite full of the subject, and some heathen entering the tent, and beginning to converse about a variety of subjects, he unexpectedly rose, and gave out and sung several verses from the liturgies treating of our Saviour's passion. As soon as he began, all the heathen assumed an attitude of devotion, and were quite silent. All joined heartily in Benjamin's liturgy. The heathen then said, "Oh! it is most pleasant to hear, if but our ears were opened;" by which they meant to signify their desire to understand the expressions concerning our Saviour. In the evening-service, all the heathen were again present, and appeared very devout and attentive.

On the 9th, the ice lay so thick about the coast, that the travellers feared they could not proceed, and that they might still be obliged to return to Lichtenau, without accomplishing the object of their journey. However they observed that the dreadful roaring which the ice had made during the night had considerably abated; and, at noon, one of their heathen friends came running down from the top of a high hill, bringing the joyful intelligence that the ice was dispersing, and leaving the coast, and that there would soon be a clear passage, the sea also being quite calm. They therefore set out immediately, taking the food half cooked from off the fire. The state of the sea and ice had so wonderfully changed, that the travellers proceeded with safety, and in the evening arrived at a place called Narksamio, which means, "inhabited by a people in a flat country." Most of the South Greenlanders reside hereabouts. It is the southernmost point of the continent of Greenland, Staatenhuk being an island divided from it by a narrow channel, through which one may pass to the eastern shore. Shortly before they reached Narksamio, they rowed by a place where several tents stood. The inhabitants immediately launched their boats and followed them, to be present at their evening devotions. These good-natured people received Mr. Kleinschmidt with open arms. One of them, in the joy of his heart,

jumped into his boat, and seized his box of provisions, to carry it on shore; but, not knowing how to handle it, he turned it upside-down, by which much was spilt, or otherwise spoiled. When he afterwards opened it, and the damage done became known, they all expressed the greatest regret, and observed, in excuse for the poor distressed man, that he was in such a hurry, because he had the greatest desire to be converted. Mr. Kleinschmidt, as may be supposed, forgave him gladly. These poor people now brought Mr. Kleinschmidt, as it were in procession, to a large grassy plain, and shewed him a spot where he might build a house. It appeared to be a very eligible station for a settlement, enclosed by two bays fit for shipping,-the land sloping gently down towards each, and with a fresh-water brook proceeding from the interior, ever flowing, and full of salmon. For several miles east and west, the land is flat, and overgrown with dwarf willows, birch, and juniper-bushes, which would supply fuel in abundance. The bills, which are not high, are covered with grass, to their tops,-this part of the country being thereby distinguished from all the western coast of Greenland.

Though Mr. Kleinschmidt had not acquainted the heathen with the intention of the Brethren to form a Mission-settlement in this part of the country, nor indeed could as yet give them any certain hope of it, yet the Greenland brethren, guessing, from his constant inquiries about every particular relating to the country, that such a plan had been formed, did not hesitate to tell their countrymen that some teachers would certainly come and settle among them. They were quite in an ecstasy of joy, and frequently came to ask Mr. Kleinschmidt whether it was indeed true. As he did not consider himself authorized to give a positive answer, these questions distressed him very much. He told them, that his commission went no farther than to visit them, to see their country, and to preach the gospel to such of them as he might find willing to hear it, and to be converted. With this they were not satisfied, but continually pressed him for a more decisive answer; till at last he was obliged to tell them, that it was certainly intended, if no providential hinderance prevented