which the creditors were urgent, and which it could liquidate only by the sale of property essential to carrying on its designs. More than one hundred children were dismissed from school, for want of means to support the teachers."

The bishop, affected by the state of the mission, generously made use of authority given him by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; and advanced such aid as probably saved the station from destruction; and gladdened the hearts of many parents whose children immediately returned to the schools.*

The following table exhibits the several stations as they now are.

The station at Cuddalore has been abandoned, on account of some irregularities of the missionary, Mr. Holzberg, for which he was dismissed from the service of the Society. It seems, however, by the last accounts, there is some prospect of his being restored. The Provincial schools, established by Mr. Swartz, in

* Miss. Reg Vol. v. p. 464.

several parts of the Tanjore country, continue to flourish under the patronage of Government, and the Rajah of Tanjore. At the other stations some attention is paid to schools, but they are not numerous, except at Tranquebar. These are now committed, by the Church Missionary Society, to the care of Rev. Mr. Schnarre rane, who was sent out to this field with Mr. Rhenius, in 1814. There were by the last accounts 5 English and Tamul, 8 Tamul, and 9 free schools, for the lowest cast, or Pariars. To all these, since their establishment, in 1810, there had, in 1816, been admitted 2410 children, of whom about two thirds were heathen and a few Roman Catholics. There remained under instruction eight hundred and seventy five.*. Strange as it may seem even the Brahmins generally countenance these schools.

As to the whole number of converts, since the commencement of the Tranquebar mission, accounts are various. Seventy years ago they were stated at 18,000, which was obviously too low. Dr. Carey reckons them at 40,000, and Dr. Buchanan in 1805, supposed no less than 80,000 of all casts had been converted to the faith of Christ. As a medium, Dr. Carey's estimate is probably most correct.

*Miss. Reg. for 1815 and 1818.

CHAPTER II.

GREENLAND.

Mr. Egede designs a mission-Meets with various difficulties-Patronized by the king-Arrives in Greenland-Discontent of the colony-Fortitude of Mrs. Egede--Greenland children averse to instruction-Opposition from the Anjekoks-New colony-Ordered home-Mr. Egede remains-Ravages of the small pox-Death of Mrs. Egede-Her character-Mr. Egede returns to Denmark.

GREENLAND, according to the best authorities, was discovered about the middle of the ninth century, and soon after settled by small colonies from Iceland and Norway. After the introduction of Christianity into Norway, it extended, by means of the constant commu-nication kept up with the colonists. into Greenland; so that in the eleventh century the inhabitants were generally Christians. From that time, for three hundred years, they received bishops regularly from Norway. The communication was then interrupted, partly by failure of articles of commerce, and partly by difficulty of navigation, on account of the increasing ice, so that, for a long period of time, Greenland was forgotten. Some part of the country was indeed visited in the sixteenth century, by English navigators, and these discoveries animated the Danes to look for their long lost colony. But after repeated unsuccessful voyages, the attempt was relinquished.*

In 1708, Mr. Hans Egede, who was just settled in the ministry at Vogen, in Norway, began to revolve in his mind the probable situation of his poor countrymen in Greenland. He supposed the colony still in existence, and his fancy presented them destitute of

* Crante' Hist. of Greenland, Vol. I. pp. 244–279.

Christian instruction, declining into all the horrors of paganism. This produced an ardent desire to rescue them from this ignorance. But how could any thing be accomplished? He was settled with a prospect of usefulness, and had a wife and family to support. He tried to drive away the thoughts which had taken possession of his mind; but this he could not do. At length he concluded to attempt interesting some men of influence on the subject, and addressed a memorial to the bishops of Bergen and of Dronheim. To this he received, from each of the gentlemen, an encouraging answer, warning him, however, of many formidable difficulties. These indeed he already began to find. His friends, learning his designs, thought him mad, and not only used tears and intreaties, but raised an outcry against him. His wife too opposed. He was nearly overcome. But the words of Christ," He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me," were brought home with such power to his mind, that he durst not relinquish his object.* His wife soon became favourably disposed, but he had to endure the scoffs and reproaches of a world always ready to condemn what they dare not imitate. Some accused him of ambition, others of cruelty, and many looked on him as a kind of monster in human form; a murderer of his family. He was obliged to draw up a vindication of his designs. All this would have been nothing, had he seen any prospect of attaining his object. But the bishops, to whom he had written, put him off from year to year. At length, tired of delay, he resolved to resign his pas toral charge, and prosecute his memorial in person. On parting with his flock, he was again almost overcome; and his wife, instead of fainting herself, was

* Crantz' Hist. of Greenland, Vol. I. p. 281.

He re

now obliged to animate and strengthen him. paired to Copenhagen and presented is memorial to the College of Missions. It was favorably received. Even his majesty Frederick IV. promised his support. But a voyage to Greenland was so hazardous, the country so inhospitable, that none were found ready to embark in the undertaking. Mr. Egede was ready to give up all hopes. At length he persuaded several gentlemen to raise a capital on shares, partly for mercantile purposes, sufficient for the undertaking on a small scale. His majesty gave him 401., and appointed him a salary of 60l. per annum. A ship was purchased to carry him and some other settlers to Greenland, and to remain there during the winter. Two other vessels were freighted, one for the whale fishery, the other to bring back accounts from the colony.†

Thus, after a patient struggle of thirteen years, this faithful servant of the Lord began to see a door of entrance opening to the heathen. He embarked with his wife and four children, and a number of settlers, in May 1721, on board the Hope. On reaching the Greenland seas, they met with so much stormy weather, and such vast quantities of ice, that the captain, in despair, was almost induced to return. After driving about for three weeks, they spied an opening in the ice, and ventured into it, but soon found themselves encompassed on every side. A storm arose. The ship that was with them struck against the ice, and

* This is one of the many instances, in which females have endured when the stronger sex has yielded. The expediency of attaching females to a mission has by some been doubted; but it will be found in the history of this mission, in which more than almost any other they are exposed to suffering, they were of essential service. The Moravians, whose missions have usually been in the wildest recesses of savage life, make it a part of their system to marry. In contemplating the hardships of a missionary life, it must be remembered, that at least for passive fortitude, for patient endurance of suffering, females are by no means inferior to the other sex. They are like the sapling, which bends beneath the storm, and is then erect, while the sturdy oak is laid prostrate on the earth.

+ Crantz' History of Greenland, Vol. I. p. 284.