no friend of the cause will omit giving something. This is an important crisis in our affairs. We, therefore, hope none will be lukewarm or indifferent. In a short time, we expect the Settlers will be able to support themselves, and to aid other emigrants. Now is the time to encourage them, and lay a foundation for future strength. Many thousands will be enabled, in a few years, to find their way to the Settlement, when it is once firmly established, and employ. ment and assistance can be readily furnished them on their arrival. Let us, then, be up and doing. The cause is great, the object important, and the occasion urgent.

South Africa.

ENON.

UNITED BRETHREN.

Progress and Prospects of the Settlement. MR. HALLBECK having visited this place from Gnadenthal, in the latter part of 1821, thus states to Mr. Latrobe the lively impression which its progress made on his mind :

What I felt at first sight of this vil lage of the Lord, no language is able to describe. I had, indeed, been informed of the changes that had taken place here, since I first witnessed its beginnings; but even the lively descriptions given in Br. Schmitt's Letters presented things much more faintly, than I now saw them with my own eyes. The wilderness, and the impenetrable thicket of 1819, were still present to my imagination. Judge, therefore, of my surprise, when I saw that wilderness changed into fruitful gardens; that thicket extirpated, and in its place a fine vineyard; the lurking-places of tigers destroyed, and, in their stead, comfortable habitations of men. Imagine my heartfelt pleasure, when, on the spot 'where we knelt down, in the fresh track of an ele phant, two years ago, and offered up the first prayer for the prosperity of this establishment, I now found a beauti ful orange-tree, adorned at once with ripe fruit and fragrant blossoms; and, when, shortly after my arrival, I was invited to tea under the huge yellowtree, in the shade of which, but lately, there were no assemblies but those of wild buffaloes, elephants, and other dreaded inhabitants of the desert. You used to

say, that every tree and shrub planted at Gnadenthal was not only an ornament to the place, but to the Gospel: and you may say with equal truth, that every tree and thorn-bush that is extirpated here to make room for more useful plants, is not so much a proof of the strength of the human arm, as of the efficacy of God's Holy Word; for by its influence the work was accomplished. It is cer tainly more than I had expected-to find here a piece of ground, nearly three times as large as the great Garden at Gnadenthal, cleared, levelled, and laid out as a garden and vineyard for the Missionaries, besides about forty gardens of the Hottentots; and all this done amidst a variety of other needful work, such as building, making water-courses, &c. and even in the most distressing times.

Yet, notwithstanding the faithful diligence of the Missionaries and the Hottentots, this Settlement is labouring under great difficulties, not likely to be fully removed, and which will keep the soil is indeed very fertile, when it has moisture; but for want of that, the hopes of the gardener are often blasted by a few hot days. Thus the Missionaries have, by great exertion in watering the plants, only a few beans, potatoes, and other vegetables in their garden; and the Hottentots, who have not been neg. ligent in planting, have but very little produce to expect, except God in mercy sends a fruitful rain. We are, indeed, contriving to remedy this evil, and raise the water out of the river by means of a pump; but this engine, in dry weather, will not suffice for all the grounds.

number of its inhabitants small. The

Notwithstanding all the difficulties with which Enon has to struggle-for instance, scantiness of water, want of employ for the Hottentots, and of good corn-land-there is scarcely a vacant place to be found in the Colony, which, considering the aim we have in view, possesses so many facilities as that spot. This was my opinion two years ago, and I have been confirmed in it. There is one circumstance in particular, which proves, I think, more than any thing else, that you and your company were led to the Witte Revier by the invisible hand of God, and influenced, by His Spirit, to fix upon that spot for a Missionary Settlement; which circumstance may not have been generally viewed in its proper light. It is known that many

Caffres formerly resided near the Witte Revier, even as late as 1812, for their kraals are seen on several spots near the Settlement; but never did we know before, that they had dwelt here in such great numbers and cultivated so much Land, until we made an excursion from hence, on the 6th of last December, into Hofman's Kloof. Having walked for an hour in a northerly direction, we turned to the west, into a kloof or valley of considerable length, in which a great extent of very fruitful land bore evident marks of having been once under cultivation; and we were not only informed by our guide, but soon discovered, by the remnants of Caffre tools, that it was the work of Caffres. This discovery raised our curiosity; and, upon inquiry, we learnt, that the Witte Revier and its neighbourhood had been the favourite abode of Caffres, particularly of the Slambi Tribe. If, therefore, as we may hope, confidence should be restored between the Colonists and the Caffres, and the latter should be permitted to enter the Colony, it is more than probable that some would come to the Witte Revier, and gladly accept, as a boon from the Missionaries, the privilege of living on their favourite spot, knowing themselves to be too weak to maintain it by the strength of their arms. This is not a vague supposition of mine, but the firm persuasion of all the Caffres, with whom I have conversed on the subject. Speaking once with the Christian Caffres, residing at Enon, about their countrymen, I asked them-"What do you think the Caffres would do, were they permitted to enter the Colony?" They seemed astonished, and with one voice exclaimed→ "What do? What else but come to this their native spot ?"

Hence, I think it is evident, that, by the good providence of God, we are brought as near to that aim, which we had from the beginning in forming a Third Settlement,-namely, to find entrance among the Caffres,-as it could possibly be, under present circumstances: we are, as it were, placed on the threshold, to be ready to enter, whenever He, who alone has the keys in His hand, will be pleased to open the door. A Settlement in the centre of Caffraria were, in my opinion, not as eligible a situation as Enon: for there we should have to combat all the deep-rooted prejudices of the Caffres; which are so intiinately connected with their mode of March, 1823.

government, that they cannot well be overcome, but by overturning what they consider to be the fundamental laws of their country: whereas single families emigrating, and placing themselves under the care of the Missionaries and protection of the British Government, may more easily be taught here and converted to Christianity, without the Missionaries incurring the suspicion of entering the Caffre Country to overthrow the existing order of things, as far as their government is concerned.

On revising the accounts of the Settlement, I discovered, with pleasure and surprise, that, by the extraordinary exertions and diligence of the Missionaries and their Hottentots, they have nearly raised the whole of their own subsistence; and have indeed earned their bread by the sweat of their brow, so as to be as little burdensome to the Com, mittee as possible. Their indefatigable industry has excited the astonishment of the whole country, and of every one that visits Enon.

A great difficulty however arises, from the low situation of the bed of the river, which makes irrigation of the land for gardens in summer impracticable without a pump. The water has already been led for above 300 feet under ground, and a pump constructed by the Brethren Schmitt and Hornig; but some more powerful hydraulic engine would be of essential service, if it could be pro

cured.

Caffraria.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

Excursion among the Caffres. MR. SHAW and Mr. Threlfall, Missionaries at Salem near the borders of Caffraria, spent about ten days in that country, in the month of August, in company with Mr. Kay, another Missionary of the Society, with the view of preparing the way for a Missionary Establishment among the Caffres. "They were assisted, as an interpreter, by Jan Tzatzoe, the Caffre Teacher at the neighbouring Station of Theopolis, belonging to the London Missionary Society. Of this Christian Native Mr. Shaw says

Jan Tzatzoe was given by his father, a Caffre Chief, many years ago, when

very young, to Dr. Vanderkemp, to be brought up. He is now a credit to those under whose care he was placed. He reads Dutch, is a good carpenter, is truly converted to God, and an occasional Preacher at Theopolis.

On the 4th of August, the party reached Fort Wiltshire, and were hospitably entertained by Major Rogers and the other Officers. Mr. Shaw preached to about 200 of the Soldiers.

Soon after they had entered Caffraria, the Missionaries had a fine specimen of the persons of the Natives :

We saw about 200 Caffres, at a pass in the Keiskamma River. These Caffres belong to the tribe whose Chief or Captain is named Botman. They are a fine looking race of men: their colour varies; but a deep, jet black is the most common they are well proportioned in their limbs; and appear, in general, very agile and expert. They had no covering whatever on their bodies, excepting the kaross, which is made of ox-hide, peculiarly dressed, and hung carelessly over their shoulders.

On the 6th, the travellers set off for Chumie, the Missionary Station supported by Government, some account of which is given at p. 15 of the Survey; where they arrived after dark, having passed a number of kraals or villages, and seen others

at a distance.

Mr. Shaw gives the following description of the costume and appearance of the party :

I could not avoid a smile, when looking round upon our little company

Persons who travel in Africa need an extraordinary kind of outfit. I and my brethren appeared with trowsers made of sheep-skins: jackets we found more convenient than coats: our heads were covered, some with straw hats, and others with caps. Br. Kay carried a fowling-piece, Tzatzoe a heavy musket; and we all had haversacks slung over our shoulders, in which we carried our provender. An extra horse bore our heavy great coats, which were needed for night Thus equipped, we rode on our

wear.

way.

From Chumie, a messenger was

sent to King Gaika, to request an interview. On the 8th, the party proceeded on their journey; and, after resting at the kraal of Makooa, the eldest son of Gaika, went slept, having passed a number of forward to a village where they kraals in their way. On the 9th, they reached the kraal of which Tzatzoe's father is captain. In their road, Mr. Shaw says

We crossed the finest river which I have seen in Africa, a most beautiful stream of excellent water: the country over which we have travelled is also very fine. There is clearly an improvement in the magnitude of the rivers and the appearance of the country, the further a traveller proceeds to the east from the Colony.

On arriving, in the afternoon, at Tzatzoe's village, the Missionaries found that Gaika had left that place the same morning. Their reception by the chief and people Mr. Shaw thus describes :

We found about fifty men assembled, cutting up an ox, which they had just slaughtered, and were about to cook. After a pause of about two minutes, on our presenting ourselves before them, during which time we silently gazed at one another, old Captain Tzatzoe recognised, in our interpreter, his son; and, on his rising to welcome him, we were presently surrounded by all the people, who eagerly shook hands with us. They gave us about twenty pounds of the beef which they were cutting up, as our share. We took up our abode under the enclosure of a plot of ground, intended to be sown with corn. held Service after dork: a great number attended; and, when they had seated themselves round our fire, we sang a Hymn, and delivered, in short sentences, a few simple truths. We find it an advantage to draw them into conversation on religion. They were here, as in all other places, in a dreadful state of ignorance. Indeed, in Caffreland, if any minds of the people. where, gross darkness hath covered the

We

On the 10th, the party returned to the residence of Makooa; and found Gaika at his kraal on the Chumie River, which has been his

chief abode for several years. Mr. Shaw says of him—

He was seated on the ground, surrounded by a number of his Hemraaden, or Council. He rose to shake hands with us, bade us unsaddle our horses, and then seated himself again; leaning on the breast of a man who sat on his left, and who was ornamented with a chain round his neck, to which was suspended a seal. The King and his counsellors were all armed with the usual weapons. We sat down in front of Gaika; and, by Tzatzoe's advice, waited a short time before we put any questions to him. During this time he was engaged in conversation with the Chiefs around him, and I had an opportunity of attentively considering his person: he is a tall, well-proportioned, and goodlooking man he wore round his head a band, studded, not with diamonds, but with white and black beads, so disposed as to form the shape of half diamonds or triangles: his kaross, or cloak, was of tiger-skin; and it seemed, from its appearance, to have been long a royal garment: like all his male subjects, he had no other part of dress or covering whatever than this cloak, which was thrown carelessly over his shoulders: as to ornaments, his right fore-arm was almost covered with metal rings; as were the two thumbs and third fingers, of each hand, with brass rings, given him at various times by visitors. On one ring 1 noticed the word " Hope" inscribed. I wish I could say that I consider Gaika a HOPEFUL character!

The interview was not very satisfactory. Mr. Shaw remarks

We told him that a King like him, named Pomare, and most of his people, who live on an island a great way over the Great Water, had thrown aside their Heathen Customs, and had embraced the Christian Religion; and that, in consequence thereof, they are now peaceful and happy. "Yes," said Gaika, "when men receive God's Word, and become Christians, I know it will make them happy, and wars will cease; but I am afraid that will never be the case with the Caffres: they are too SLIM;" that is, sly or cunning; meaning, I suppose, that his people are too wise to be imposed upon by the FABLES of our reli. gion; and, truly, they are a most sceptical race of men.

In a subsequent interview, on the 12th, Gaika gave the Missionaries permission to visit Congo, another Chief, who resides on the coast, about 80 miles from Gaika, in the part of the country which is thought eligible for a Settlement; various circumstances leading to the conclusion, that Congo will throw no obstacles in the way. Not being able, however, to proceed at that time so far, the travellers hurried homeward, partly by a different route to that by which they had entered the country, but everywhere finding it well peopled. reached Salem on the 14th. They

Acuteness and Scepticism of the Natives.

The following conversation took place at the village where the Missionaries slept on the 8th ;—

The principal man at this kraal sent off women to the neighbouring kraals, to say that we intended to preach the Gospel at his place, and to invite them to attend. We were allowed to take up our abode in their encircled threshingfloor; and, while we were boiling our kettle, a number of Caffres assembled round us. We desired them to ask us any questions which they thought proper, respecting the Gospel; when the following conversation with a Caffre took place, to which the rest listened with attention.

Caffre. God requires men to pray all their lives, even to death: now this

is too hard. If God would be satisfied with two or three days' praying, that might be done; but to pray all our lives is too hard.

Missionary. Those who pray sincerely will soon find that it is not a hard work, but a pleasure and delight: a child finds it very difficult, at first, to attempt walking; but it soon takes great delight in running about.

Caffre. I am now growing old: I have lived long in the world without God; therefore it is of no use for me to change now.

Missionary. You should consider it a mercy, that now, at the latter end of your life, God has sent his Word to you: the older you are, the more reason there is for you to change, because you must SOON appear before the judgment-bar of God.

Caffre. But you say God is almighty, and can do all things: why does he not change me at once himself, without sending teachers to tell me what I must be?

Missionary. God is truly almighty; but he uses means to effect what he designs. It is the same with the soud, as with the body: he can give us corn from heaven; but he gives none, until the women dig, and plant, and sow; then he sends his rain upon it, and we receive corn and pumpkins for food. Now it is just so with our souls: God sends teachers: you must hear and believe them, repent of your sins, and pray to God; and he will save you.

Coffre. Why does not God change the Devil first: he is very wicked. Be sides, I know that he troubles me, and pushes me on to bad things: why does not God first convert him?

Missionary. The Devil was the FIRST sinner: no person TEMPTED him; and, as he sinned without being tempted, God cast him into hell,and there he must remain for ever. God will not have mercy on him: but it pleased God to have pity upon man; yea, he loved man so much, that he gave his only-begotten Son to die for us, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Here the subject of redemption by

Christ was enlarged upon.

I have transcribed a part of this conversation, in order that you may have some idea of the acuteness which these Natives occasionally display. The questions were proposed by one Caffre: the eyes of some of his companions seemed to sparkle with satisfaction, when they thought he had asked a question which would puzzle us. The answers were given by us all three: sometimes one, and then another of us, taking up the subject, and replying to the inquiries of this shrewd man. We more than once had the satisfaction of hearing from Tzatzoe, after interpreting some of our replies; "Now he is STOм (dumb);" by which he meant that his objections were silenced.

Favourable Disposition of other Natives. In reference to the scene just described, Mr. Shaw writes

After this conversation was ended, the principal man of the kraal made an animated oration of a quarter of an hour long, which Tzatzoe informed us was to the following purport :—

That every thing, mountains, rivers, grass, cattle, down to even his kaross, proved the being of a God. God had sent Missionaries into the land, to speak of Him; and they ought to receive and hear them. If even a child were to call out to them, as they passed a kloof or a bush, and begin to tell them any thing respecting God, they ought to stop and hear; much more when such men as these speak, who are now in the land. The words of the Missionaries should be believed, and not reasoned about: (al, luding to the man who had asked us the above questions.) You allow, that you know nothing; then why should you cavil at the word. These men are much superior to you, and they know more; be sides, they have God's Word, &c.

He delivered all this with such animation, and display of nátural oratory, as surprised us; and the people listened to his speech with profound attention.

Of the estimation in which Missionaries are held, Mr. Shaw says

The inhabitants of a certain kraal, who annoyed us very much when we passed them the day before, and who all came out to us with their assagays and clubs, which they brandished about in a somewhat terrific manner, behaved themselves in a more agreeable manner, bring

ing corn, beans, curiosities, &c., for us to purchase; and, with scarcely an exception, they appeared without their weapons.

Invariably, wherever we came, when it was understood that we were Missionaries, a degree of confidence in us displayed itself. They know that they have nothing to fear from the men who proclaim, Glory to God in the highest ; and on earth peace, good-will toward men.

Prospects of the Mission at Chumie. I was much pleased with the appearance of the Congregation here. About 150, chiefly Caffres, were present: they sang melodiously a sort of native air, to some expressive words of praise to God, said to be composed by a Native Captain; and repeated, as with one voice, answers to the catechetical examination, which was conducted by Mr. Brownlee.

Considering the short period that has elapsed since the commencement of this Institution, and the peculiar circumstances of the country, much has been effected. The site of the village is well chosen: it affords abundance of good timber, pasturage, water, &c. ; and, which is of great consequence in Africa, the