VII.

Beginning of the Mission among the Heathen in Greenland.

For JANUARY the 19th.

THE Occasion for sending Brethren to Greenland was nearly the same, and took place at the same time, with that, which proved the cause of the commencement of the Mission among the Negroes in the West Indies. While Count Zinzendorf and some other Brethren were at Copenhagen in the year 1731, they saw there two baptized Greenlanders, and heard much of Mr. Egede's endeavours to preach the Gospel to the heathen dwelling in that remote country. The Count being informed at the same time of the many difficulties this pious man had already encountered, and of the small success which had as yet attended his zealous exertions; felt much distressed in his mind to learn that serious thoughts were already entertained of relinquishing the Mission in Greenland altogether. He therefore resolved, if possible, to procure help for this faithful servant of the Lord, and the witness-spirit which at that time began to be felt by the inhabitants of Herrnhut, promoted his design. For, when, after his return thither, the Mission to St. Thomas was taken into consideration, the Brethren who had been with him, related at the same time what they had heard at Copenhagen, concerning the Danish Mission in Greenland. The Brethren Matthew Stach and Frederic Böhnisch immediately felt a divine impulse to go thither, and

preach the Gospel to the Greenlanders. Matthew Stach himself gives us the following account of the impulse then excited in him, and the manner in which it was carried into effect:-" While I was attending the meeting at which the latter of the two Brethren who offered themselves to go to St. Thomas was communicated; the impulse I had felt, when I heard for the first time the accounts received concerning the state of Greenland, was forcibly renewed in my mind, for hitherto I had entertained serious hesitations about making that impulse known to any one, in consideration of my disqualifications for such an undertaking, and my great inexperience, as having been only two years an inhabitant of Herrnhut. I was working at that time with Frederic Böhnisch, in the new burial ground on the Hutberg; to him I first unbosomed myself, and found that in him also a desire had been excited to promote the salvation of the heathen. We entered into a simple and confidential conversation on the subject, and each of us felt an uncommon inclination to go to Greenland: yet we knew not whether we were to consider this inelination as produced by a divine impulse and should on that account make it known to the Congregation or ought rather to wait till a call should be given But being of one mind, and simply believing that our Saviour will at all times fulfil his promise, that if two agree as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them, (Matt. 18, 19.) we kneeled down before him in the little grove hard by, and intreated him to fill our minds with clearness, as to this important matter, and to lead us in the right way. We felt, on that occasion, an extraordinary degree of cheerfulness and alacrity, and we hesitated no longer, to declare our

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mind in writing to the Congregation, leaving it entirely undecided to what heathen-tribe we should be called, though we ourselves had the greatest inclination to go to Greenland.

Our letter was read at a meeting of the whole Congregation, and heard by them with great joy. Some, however, expressed a little surprize, that it should be so similar to the letter of the above-mentioned two Brethren; and a few might perhaps even entertain the idea that we had concerted our plans together, or that we had barely sought to imitate the other two Brethren, and this may probably have been the reason why we had to wait so long for an answer, and why even the laborers never entered into any further conversation with us on the subject of our letter. Only one of them expressed his mind to me on one occasion, in such a manner, that little hope was left us that our wishes could ever be realized. Yet did neither these circumstances, nor the representations made us of the perilous voyage, and the miserable way of living in Greenland, deter us from our purpose, and we calmly waited to see, whether our offer would be rejected or accepted. After the lapse of a considerable period of time, Count Zinzendorf sent for us, to enquire, whether we were still of the same mind? having replied in the affirmative, and assured him that we would rather go to Greenland than any where else, we were directed by him once more to consider the difficulties we should have to encounter, both as to maintenance and other essential points-at length, however, he added, that if we were resolved to venture upon the undertaking, in reliance on our Saviour's help, we might get ready for our journey, well assured that his blessing, and that of the whole Congregation, would accompany

us. We could now look forward, with longing desire, to the time of our being dispatched to Greenland, and, in the mean time, we continued pursuing our usual occupations. A whole year, however, still elapsed, before our departure from Herrnhut could take place: and Frederic Böhnisch having, meanwhile, undertaken another journey.

Christian David was found willing to accompany me to Greenland. The instructions given us, at the time of our departure, were very concise; for only in the course of the two last days, the Count held some conversation with us, referring chiefly to the necessity and means of soul and body being perserved in the hour of temptations; and these conversations left a blessed and abiding impression on my mind.

Christian David intending to return the following year, I was asked, whom I should like to have as a companion, in answer to which I mentioned my cousin, Christian Stach; and the proposal being made to him, he galdly accepted it, and hastily prepared for his journey. Our preparations required neither much time or expence. The Congregation consisted chiefly of poor exiles, who could give us but little, and we ourselves had nothing of our own, except the usual and most necessary articles of clothing. But we were accustomed to poverty, and felt no anxiety about our getting to Greenland, or maintaining ourselves, when there. The day before we set out, a sum of money was received at Herrnhut, from a friend who filled a tutor's place at Venice, part of which was given us for our journey to Copenhagen. We looked upon this as so ample a provision, that we would accept nothing more from any one while on the road, simply believing, that He, who had furnished us with the needful supply at the

commencement of our journey, would also provide, in due time, what might be necessary for the completion of our undertakings. The Congregation having as yet, no experience in Missionary concerns, not much instruction could be given us; especially as we were but the second company, who wished to make the attempt to try whether the heathen would receive the message of peace concerning their Creator and Redeemer. The Brethren, therefore, left us at liberty to act according to circumstances, advising us, above all, to follow the leading of God's good spirit. We were, moreover, admonished to love each other with a true heart fervently, to regard that old servant of the Lord, Christian David, with the esteem due to a father; and to obey his injunctions: to offer ourselves and our services to Mr. Egede, that Apostle of the Greenlanders, whom God had called in a remarkable manner, and proved, by various and magnified trials: should he, however, not stand in need of our services, we were directed, by no means, to disturb him. Finally, we were advised to dwell alone, and to regulate our domestic affairs in the way most consonant with a godly life and conversation. These were all the instructions they were able to give us. To the superintending care of our all wise Lord, who has helped us on from time to time, it is alone to be ascribed, that things are in that state in which they now (that is in 1762) appear. We ourselves could neither know nor anticipate, how it would go. A short time previous to our departure, we were blessed with imposition of hands by Augustin, the Elder of the Congregation, and a prayer was offered up in reference to our undertaking; and on the 19th of January, 1733, we set out, accompanied with the prayers of the Congregation, by way of Halle and