PART V.

PROPAGATION OF CHRISTIANITY BY THE UNITED

BRETHREN.

CHAPTER I.

GREENLAND.

Circumstances that led to the first missions of the Brethren-Two of them set out for Greenland-reach Copenhagen-are patronized by Lord Pless-arrive in Greenland-Distress occasioned by the small-poxProspects of the mission dark-Missionaries reduced to famine-Various sufferings-Conversion of one Greenlander--The Brethren change their manner of preaching--Prospects brighten.--Converts are multiplied-Anjekoks oppose.

THE Moravians, or United Brethren, assumed their present distinctive character, and commenced their missionary operations, early in the 18th century. A few families in Moravia, at the head of whom was Christian David, descendants of the ancient Bohemian Church, which before the Reformation maintainedt he doctrines of the Bible in some purity, and produced two illustrious martyrs, John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, but was now almost annihilated by civil wars, and the most unheard of persecutions, being worn out by suffering, began to look abroad for an asylum in some Protestant country. Having applied to Nicholas Lewis Count Zinzendorff, a German nobleman, whố had an estate in Upper Lusatia, they were favourably received by him, and permitted to settle in his domin

ions. They were joined by many of their brethren, scattered abroad by persecution, and in 1722, founded the celebrated village of Herrnhut. Count Zinzendorff at first zealously attempted to bring these exiles into the bosom of the Lutheran Church, but their arguments proving more powerful than his, he became a convert to their faith. He was soon appointed a president, and consecrated a bishop of the congregation.

The Count, who had early turned his thoughts to the miserable state of the heathen world, being at the coronation of Christian VI. in 1731, saw two Greenland youths, who had been baptized by Mr. Egede. They excited his interest for that miserable people; and he learned with regret, that the mission was to be relinquished. About the same time a negro slave informed the Brethren, that he had a sister on the Island of St. Thomas in the West Indies, who daily prayed the great God to send some one to show her the way of salvation; and that many others of the slaves there earnestly desired to be instructed; but he added, that the negroes, on account of their accumulated labours, could have no opportunity for religious improvement, unless their teacher was himself a slave. These circumstances made a deep impression. Two of the Brethren, Leonard Dober and Tobias Leopold, felt so strong a desire to proceed to St. Thomas, that, with a philanthopy almost unequalled, they offered to sell themselves for slaves. Others expressed similar desires concerning Greenland, and missions were shortly undertaken to both these countries.

At this time the congregation consisted only of about 600 poor, despised exiles. Yet weak as they were, they put in operation, and have continued in operation, a system of measures for the conversion of the heathen, more efficient, than almost all the attempts of the whole Church or world besides.

In 1733, Christian David, who had first excited the emigration from Moravia, accompanied by Matthew and Christian Stach, undertook a mission to Green

land. There was no need," says one of them, "o much time or expense for our equipment. The congregation consisted chiefly of poor exiles, who had not much to give; and we ourselves had nothing but the clothes on our backs. Being accustomed to make a shift with little, we did not trouble our heads how we should get to Greenland, or how we should live in that country. Some money having come from a friend at Venice the day before our departure, we received part of it to pay the expense of our journey to Copenhagen; and, as we considered ourselves richly provided for, we would take nothing of any person on the road; believing that he, who had sent a supply for our journey at the critical moment, would also take care for every thing, that was necessary for carrying our purpose into execution as soon as we should want it."

Arriving at Copenhagen they were kindly received. by professor Ewald and Mr. Reuss, to whom they had letters of recommendation. But their proposal of going to Greenland was thought romantic. It was peculiarly unseasonable, as the mission already established by the Danes, was about to be relinquished. Besides, how could they get there, and how subsist, when they were there, without supplies from home. They must certainly perish with hunger, if they were not murdered by the savages. But the Brethren persevered with simple confidence in God. They soon learnt, that the king had resolved, once more, to send out a ship. They laid their case before Mr. Pless,

The missionaries of the Brethren are all volunteers. They make it a maxim to persuade no man to engage in missions. If any member of the fraternity inclines to go, he makes known his desires to the Elders' Conference of the Unity; and, after suitable investigation, is accepted or rejected. They place much dependence, on what they consider the teachings of the Spirit as constituting a call. In the present case, Matthew Stach, while at work in the field, was impressed with the example of the Brethren going to St. Thomas, and his thoughts were turned to Greenland. He communicated what was passing in his mind to a fellow labourer, and found he had the same impressions. They conversed a time, and then retired into the woods to pray. Their resolution was taken.

first lord of the bedchamber. It seemed singular to` this gentleman, that, after the fruitless labours of such a man as Mr. Egede, these illiterate laymen should expect to do any thing. But, when he saw their simple devotedness to the cause, he entered warmly into their feelings. He presented them to the king, who not only permitted them to go out in his ship as missionaries, but requested that others might follow them. He even wrote a letter with his own hand, recommend⚫ing them to Mr. Egede. Several other persons of distinction gave them countenance and pecuniary assistance. Lord Pless one day asked them, how they proposed to live in Greenland. Not knowing, that the land was little more than barren rocks, they replied, "They would build a house, and cultivate the land, that they might not be burdensome to any." He objected, there was no wood to build with. "They would then dig in the earth, and lodge there." "No," says he, "you shall not be driven to that; take wood with you, and build a house; accept of these fifty dollars for that purpose." By means of this, and other donations, they were enabled to purchase various articles for building, and prepare a comfortable outfit.*

On their arrival in Greenland, they were most cordially received by Mr. Egede. They established themselves near him. At first they found difficulty in obtaining a subsistence. They had not been used to hunting or fishing, and could not manage a kajak. The first time they went out to search for drift wood floating among the islands, they were overtaken by a violent storm. They reached home, but the wind during the night carried off both their wood and boat.

* Crantz' His. of Greenland, Vol. I. p. 326.

† Small boat of the Greenlanders.

There is no wood in Greenland. AH that is used, is taken from the water. The Greenlanders use none, as they warm their houses by burning train oil and moss in a kind of lamp.

The boat they afterwards recovered, much damaged. Under these circumstances, and in want of other employment, they earned some necessaries by the humble business of spinning. Mr. Egede aided the Brethren in learning the language. But to these unlettered men, it was a most Herculean task. They had first to learn the Danish language, before they could understand their instructor, and then, the various parts of an intricate grammar was an endless labyrinth to them, who had, perhaps, never before seen a grammar. They could obtain but little aid from the natives, as they seldom called, unless from curiosity, or to steal and, if the Brethren visited them, they could rarely find any to entertain them, even for money.

But all this was nothing to the distressing events, accompanying the ravages of the small pox, of which we have already given some account.* The Brethren were active in alleviating the wretchedness which surrounded them, until they were successively attacked themselves by an eruptive disorder, which often confined them to the bed and took away the use of their limbs. As they were not however all sick at once, they were able to nurse each other. During their illness they received every attention from Mr Egede; and Mrs. Egede never failed to send any little cordial or refreshment, which she had; yet they suffered much.

So unpropitious was the first year of the mission, that Christian David and Christian Stach began to think seriously of returning home; but the arrival of two other missionaries; Frederick Boehnish and John Beck, raised their courage, and they passed the second year, struggling with like difficulties. The third year, they made several long voyages to the islands, and other parts of the coast; began to converse a little with the savages, and attempt some instruction; though they carefully avoided saying much on spiritual subjects,

* See Prop. Christianity by the Danes in Greenland,