Extract of a Letter from Br. G. M. Ihrer.

FREDERICKSTHAL. Last autumn, a company of heathen from the East-coast, fourteen in number, arrived and settled here. Their zeal in learning, their attention at church, and their whole demeanor throughout the winter, have given us much satisfaction. The adults have been received into the class of candidates for baptism, a privilege which appears to have been a matter of joy and encouragement to them all. Another heathen family, who had resi, ded for some years in our vicinity, have moved hither, and we are able to give them the testimony, that they have been regular attendants at the house of God. Of those heathen who have lived among us for some time, an old grandmother was baptized last year into the death of Christ. She attained to this privilege on her death-bed, and soon after fell happily asleep, in lively faith in her Redeemer. A married man and two youths were likewise added to the church by baptism, and three adults, who had been baptized last winter, were admitted to the Lord's table.

The instruction imparted to our catechumens was evidently accompanied with a blessing, and the church and schools were well attended. On the other hand, we have to complain of the demoralization of too many of our out-dwellers. Even some of our own congregation returned from their summer dispersion in a state, which reduced us to the painful necessity of excluding them from the congregation. Our earnest and affectionate exhortations did not, however, remain without a good effect. Many of them have since acknowledged their sin, and shewn sorrow and repentance, and they appear to have become attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.

To our great regret we received two rescripts from the Inspector, Capt. Hollboell; the first of which contained a prohibition to allow any members of our flock, who have once left us, to return to our settlement. The other was verbatim as follows: "I have orders to communicate to you, that, agreeably to a resolution of March 24th of this year, it has been determined, since an underteacher has been appointed by the Danish Mission to the south of Fredericksthal, that the missionaries of the Brethren's Church shall no longer be permitted to receive into their community any heathen that may come to them; all these are to be directed to the Danish Mission." We have, of course, though with deep regret and reluctance, complied with these orders.

NOTE. The settlement of Fredericksthal was established with a view to the conversion of the descendants of the ancient Normans, or North-men, the only heathen still existing in Greenland. They cannot be visited in their dwelling-places on the East-coast, that coast, though formerly accessible, being now surrounded with perpetual ice; they come, however, not unfrequently, on their expeditions as far as the South-point, where Fredericksthal is situ

ated.

Many of these visiters have remained there; others brought the Gospel which they had heard at Fredericksthal to their countrymen; and we have reason to believe that nearly the whole of the people on the East-coast are already in some measure acquainted with it. Our missionaries will now in future be confined to the care of their own congregations, and compelled to refuse admittance to these heathen. We would only hope that the Danish Mission, having reserved to itself the labor among these Eastlanders, will in future do the more for their instruction and conversion.

SOUTH AFRICA.

The intelligence received from our brethren at the Cape of Good Hope, within the last three months, presents but few striking features. The war with the Kaffirs, protracted and calamitous beyond all previous experience, continues to be productive of frequent alarms and much distress of various kinds, throughout the eastern portion of our mission-field,

A very interesting circumstance, attending the progress of this unhappy war, is the removal into the colony of about 7000 Fingoos, previously inhabitants of Kaffir-land, the friendly disposition they had manifested towards the British having increased the dislike with which the Kaffirs have ever regarded them, and rendered it impossible for them to remain where they were. Being thus providentially delivered from a state of temporal thraldom, it is earnestly to be hoped, that they may be led to seek after that spiritual liberty, where with Christ alone is able to make them free. It would seem, however, as if the only practicable mode of bringing the gospel to them, at least for the present, was that to which br. Koelbing refers in his letter of Feb. 23; and our readers will doubtless sympathise in the wish that he expresses, that the Brethren's Church may be favored to take part in so good and desirable a work.

Extracts of Letters from Br. C. R. Kalbing.

DEAR BROTHER,

GENADENDAL, Jan. 22nd, 1852.

The past year brought with it many and severe trials for our South African Mission; yet we have much reason to thank the Lord, for having mingled mercy with chastisement. Have we

not reason to be thankful to Him, that our brethren and sisters,

with their children, were able to conclude the year in Shiloh, in good health, that Enon has been spared,-that the Fingoo portion of the Shiloh congregation have remained faithful up to the present time. All these things and many others are subjects for gratitude, and they encourage us not to despair, but to rely confidently on the divine help. Our brethren and sisters at Shiloh express their gratitude for the lively sympathy shewn, and the liberal assistance rendered, by their brethren and sisters and friends in Europe, to repair the losses and relieve the distress of themselves and their flocks; but we are sorry, that the roads are too unsafe to forward to them the presents which have been already received. Meanwhile, it does not appear that they or their children have suffered actual want.

Feb. 23d, 1852.

We thankfully acknowledge the receipt of 100l., the grant of the Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel, and the present of 50%., from our venerable friend and brother, Jas. Montgomery, of Sheffield, to help us in affording assistance to our missionaries in the Eastern stations, and to their flocks, in this season of distress. A portion of this sum will be appropriated for giving timely aid to Enon. Br. Lehman writes, that the corn and the garden-crops, which had looked very promising, were scorched by the sun and drought; and that Enon is now almost deserted, the people being compelled, by the discontinuance of the rations, to disperse in search of employment for the support of their families. We hope, however, that he will be able to bring back as many as are wanted for the protection of the place. At present no Kaffirs are to be seen in that neighborhood. The cattle of the Enon people are dying away in the Zitzikamma, a country well known as unsuitable for cattle.

With the troops returning from Kreli's country, 7000 Fingoos, with 10,000 head of cattle, arrived in British Kaffraria, because, having rendered assistance to the troops, they could no longer remain safely in Kaffraria. Where they will be settled or located is not yet determined; but, at all events, their arrival promises to open a new field of missionary usefulness. Even although we should not be permitted to gather them, or any part of them, into a regular missionary-settlement, conducted in accordance to our own rules and regulations, I do not see why we should not make application for leave to preach the Gospel to the inhabitants of Fingoo villages.

We have received a letter from br. Bonatz, dated January 3d, from which I extract the most important portions : "You ask, how we are situated as to temporals, and you express some apprehension lest we should be reduced to considerable embarrassment. We should indeed be so, had we not been able again to

earn something by the mill, by lending out our wagon, and by the sale of forage furnished to Government. Coffee, rice, and sugar, and everything, are very high in price; and we shall likewise have to buy our meat. As for corn, we have hitherto not yet been obliged to purchase any, excepting when we were at Colesberg. In about a fortnight we hope to have our own corn safely housed; and as the harvest has turned out very plentiful, we shall be able to sell part of it. The Fingoos are very grateful that we have returned from Colesberg: their wheat and Indian corn look beautiful, and though they have lost their cattle, they have now at least the means of subsistence.

Whilst General Somerset and Captain Tylden, with nearly all their forces, were in Kreli's country, the enemy concerted a welldevised plan to destroy Shiloh, Whittlesea, and Kamastone. In the night, from the 3d to the 4th of January, several kraals were attacked, much cattle stolen, and, as is reported, two women shot. On the 4th of January, therefore, the remainder of the garrison of Whittlesea went out to re-capture the booty from the enemy, and the place was almost deserted. While we were just finishing the first hymn, before the sermon, the rumour was spread that the Kaffirs were advancing to storm the place. All hurried out of the church. Dark masses of Kaffirs approached both on horseback and on foot, who had evidently only waited for the withdrawal of the last defenders. The sheep, goats, and horses of our Fingoos fled with their herdsmen into the settlement. Great was the consternation and confusion, and the cries of the women and children filled the air. Fingoo and English women thronged towards the church. We did not know whether we should remain at home, or seek also shelter in the church. Meanwhile, the hostile bands of horsemen rapidly approached Shiloh and Whittlesea, and crossed the Klipplaat. From Whittlesea, cannons were discharged, but to no purpose. Between Shiloh and that place, some hundred goats were grazing; upon them the Kaffirs precipitated themselves like hawks, and carried them off. They then rode round the whole of the place to rob and plunder; on which occasion br. Kschischang was exposed to imminent danger of life, on going out to bring our horses into a place of safety. From a neighboring hill, three hostile detachments were pouring down, so that we were now surrounded on every side. The latter endeavored to take the horses, but were repelled by a few shots. Behind Whittlesea, another detachment approached, the strongest of all, and carried away all the cattle that were grazing on the mountains, about 1000 head of the Oskraal-Fingoos, and a great number of sheep and goats. Perceiving, however, that our cattle alone was their object, our hearts grew lighter. When these detachments retreated with their booty, a few Englishmen and Fingoos pursued after them, and, wonderful to relate, they re

took more than half of the cattle, and all the sheep and goats. One Englishman and twelve Fingoos recovered from a hundred Tambookies, whom they put to flight, 300 head of cattle. The enemies appear to have had scarcely any powder, and when they saw themselves pursued by a handful of men, they took to their heels like cowards, many leaving their tired horses behind.

From the above account, you will see how graciously the Lord has protected us. To Him, the Preserver of our lives, be all the praise. We commend ourselves to your continued fervent intercessions.

Extract of a Letter from Br. Teutsch to the Mission-Board.

GENADENDAL, March 25th, 1852.

It is remarkable, that, at the very time, when there is a prospect of our being rid of the nuisance of the liquor-stores, the Lord gives us an opportunity of erecting additional altars for Him. Our out-preaching place Twiestwiel, the property of Mr. Linde, about 12 miles distant from hence, is inhabited by 25 families, with about 100 children. Hitherto we used to preach and hold meetings in the house of a colored person, but the place is by far too small. The people now desire to have a house built, in which only Divine service and school may be held. Mr. Linde shews

himself friendly to the undertaking. When we solicited his permission, he not only granted it, but promised to furnish all the timber, and to encourage the people to liberal subscriptions. If this work be of God, He will perform it, and give us His blessing.

A similar necessity appears to exist at Houtkloof, where the present place of meeting is too small for the number of the inhabitants, owing to which many of the neighboring farmers are debarred from attendance at the house of God; we shall, therefore, endeavor to find the means for the erection of a small church at that out-post. This cannot indeed be done without contributions from ourselves and others. We therefore purpose to open a subscription in the district about Houtkloof, and all trust, that we shall have the sanction of our brethren at home to this good and desirable work, and their fervent prayers for the success of our undertaking.

Extract of a Letter from Br. A, Bonatz.

Dear Brother,

SHILOH, Feb. 6th, 1852. Your kind letter of November 14th reached me on the 9th of January, and convinced me anew of the cordial and sympathizing interest felt by our dear brethren and sisters and friends in England, in our distressing situation. This is, and always will remain,