MEMOIR 
 
 OF THE 
 
 J. T. VAN BE'R KEMP, M. 
 
 LATE 
 
 MISSIONARY IN SOUTH AFRICA. 
 
 BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 THIRD EDITION. 
 
 Honnotu 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, 
 
 BY J. DENNETT, LEATHER LANS; 
 
 AND SOLD BY WILLIAMS AND SON, STATIONERS' COURT. 
 
 1812. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
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MEMOIR, &c. 
 
 
 Phe Ministers of the Gospel, who faithfully dis- 
 charge the duties of their sacred profession, are 
 worthy of a high degree of respect; but the Mis- 
 sionary, whose only aim is to preach the Gospel 
 where Christ has not been named, is worthy of 
 double honour. The self-denial, the prudence, the 
 labour, the fortitude, the perseverance necessary to 
 the work of an Evangelist, are properties as rare 
 as they are valuable ; and when they are dis- 
 played and exemplified in a long course of actual - 
 service, they form a character which mankind are 
 disposed rather to admire than to imitate. Such 
 was the character of Doctor Van der Kemp, the 
 leading circumstances of whose interesting life, 
 the Directors of the Missionary Society, who had 
 the honour of patronising him, beg leave to pre- 
 sent to their friends and to the public, persuaded 
 that they will cherish, with the most affectionate 
 respect, the memory of departed worth. 
 
 Johannes Theodorus Van der Kemp was 
 a descendant of a respectable family in Holland. 
 His father was a pious and worthy minister of the 
 Dutch Church at Rotterdam, where his son Jo- 
 hannes was in the year 1748. At an early 
 
 period of life he became afctudent in the University 
 of Leyden, in which his brother was afterwards 
 Professor of Divinity. So rapid was the progress 
 he made in his literary pursuits, as to excite among 
 
4 
 
 his friends a general expectation that he would 
 prove a distinguished character. His acquire- 
 ments in the learned languages, in philosophy, in 
 divinity, in medicine, and in military tactics, were 
 deemed extraordinary. On leaving the l^iiversity, 
 he entered into the army, in which he rose to the 
 rank of Captain of Horse, and Lieutenant of the 
 Dragoon Guards, Unhappily imbibing the prin- 
 ciples of infidelity, and casting off the restraint 
 of a religious education, lie became, to use his 
 own words, “ the slave of vice and ungodliness.” 
 Such were the painful feelings of his pious fa- 
 ther on this account, that they are said to have 
 accelerated his death. Marriage, however, pro- 
 duced an external reformation in his conduct, and 
 he w'as no longer chargeable with scandalous irre- 
 gularities. He now quitted the army, in which he 
 had spent sixteen years, and in which, had he con- 
 tinued, it is probable he would have attained dis- 
 tinguished eminence, and determined to enter on 
 the practice of medicine. His qualifications for 
 this profession were already considerable ; but w ith 
 a view to further improvement, he spent two years 
 at the University of Edinburgh, where he pursued 
 his studies with unremitted assiduity. Here he 
 composed a Latin work on Cosmology, intituled 
 Parmenides *. Having obtained the degree of 
 Doctor of Medicine, he returned to his native 
 country, improved in science, but not in religion ; 
 for by the conversation of some men of infidel 
 sentiments, during his stay in Scotland, he became 
 an avowed Deist, not hesitating to blaspheme the 
 Saviour, and flattering himself that in so doing he 
 pleased God. 
 
 He commenced his practice as a physician at 
 Middleburgh ; where he acquired great reputa- 
 tion, and was deservedly esteemed. A singularity 
 
 * Sold by Dilly, London. 
 
5 
 
 in the management of his business deserves no- 
 tice. He would never admit on his list of patients, 
 more than twelve at any one time, in order that he 
 might be able fully to study the case of each, and 
 to devot^iphis whole attention to their recovery. 
 From this circumstance, however, it is probable, 
 that he was possessed of some properly. How 
 long he continued in the profession of physic, at 
 Middleburgh, it does not appear ; nor are we in- 
 formed of the reason of his quitting that city, 
 but it is certain that he retired to Dort, intending* 
 to employ the rest of his days in literary pursuits, 
 and in rural amusements. But the time was at 
 hand, when such a revolution was to take place 
 in his domestic relations, and in the disposition 
 of his heart, as totally to derange his worldly plans 
 of repose and pleasure, and to introduce him, as 
 it were, into a new world. 
 
 On the 27th day of June, in the year 1791, 
 while the Doctor was sailing on the river, near 
 Dort, with his wife and daughter, a violent storm 
 suddenly arose, and a water-spout broke on the 
 boat, by which it was instantly overset, and, 
 before danger was apprehended, they were all 
 plunged into the water. Mrs. and Miss Van dei* 
 Kemp instantly perished, and the Doctor himself, 
 clinging to the boat, was carried down the stream 
 nearly a mile, no one daring, in so dreadful a 
 squall, to venture from the shore to his assistance. 
 But God, whose watchful eye surveys all human 
 events, and who had designs of mercy to him, 
 and, through his instrumentality, to many others, 
 was pleased to interpose, by a peculiar providence, 
 for his preservation. A vessel then lying in the 
 port of Dort, was, by the violence of the storm, 
 driven from her moorings, and floated towards 
 that part of the river in which the Doctor was 
 Just ready to perish ; the sailors on board perceiv- 
 
6 
 
 ing him adhering to the wreck, delivered him from 
 his perilous situation. In this remarkable man- 
 ner was preserved a life which was in future 
 years, to be employed for the spiritual advantage 
 of mankind, in the propagation of that faith which 
 he had once laboured to destroy. 
 
 The state of liis mkid, previously to this event, 
 may be.st be ascertained from his own words. 
 
 Christianity, to me, once appeared incon- 
 sistent with the dictates of reason — the Bible, a 
 collection of incoherent opinions, tales, and preju- 
 dices. As to the person of Christ, I looked at 
 first upon him as a man of sense and learning, but 
 who, by opposition to the established ecclesiastical 
 and political maxims of the Jews, became the ob- 
 ject of their hate, and the victim of his own sys- 
 tem. I often celebrated the memory of his death, 
 by partaking of the Lord’s Supper : but, some 
 time after, reflecting that he termed himself the 
 Son of God, and pretended to do miracles, he lost 
 all iny former veneration. 
 
 I then prayed that God would prepare me, 
 by punishing my sins, for virtue and happiness ; 
 and I thanked him for every misfortune. But 
 the first observation that I made was, that though 
 I was oftentimes severely chastised, it did not mak» 
 me wiser or better. I therefore again prayed to 
 God, that he would shew me, in every instance, 
 the crime for which I was punished, that I might 
 know and avoid it. But finding this vain, I feared 
 that I should perhaps never be corrected in this 
 life by punishment ; still I hoped that I might be 
 delivered from moral evil after death, in some 
 kind of purgatory, by a severer punishment. Yet, 
 reflecting that punishment had proved utterly 
 ineffectual to produce even the lowest degree of 
 virtue in my soul, I was constrained to acknow- 
 ledge that my theory, though it seemed by a priori 
 
7 
 
 reasoning, well grounded, was totally refuted by 
 experience ; and I concluded that it was entirely 
 out of the reach of my reason to discover the 
 true road to virtue and happiness. I confessed 
 this my impotence and blindness to God, ai d 
 owned myself to be like a blind man who had 
 lost his way and who waited in hope that son e 
 benevolent person would pass by and shew him the 
 right path, so I waited upon God that he would 
 take me by the hand, and lead me in the way 
 everlasting.” Such was the state of his mind, 
 when that distressing event, the loss of his wife 
 and daughter, took place. 
 
 This awful providence seems to have given the 
 first shock to his infidel principles, for, in the near 
 prospect of death, and on the failure of earthly 
 comforts, the human mind is generally constrained 
 to betake itself for support and consolation to the 
 sources of Christian hope. On the following Sun- 
 day he repaired to church ; with what motives 
 we are not informed ; probably to acknowledge 
 the hand of God which had rescued him from 
 the jaws of destruction. It happened that the 
 sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was then to be 
 administered. But who could expect to see an 
 infidel at the table ? He felt that to receive the 
 elements would be inconsistent with his avowed 
 principles; yet, ashamed to withdraw, he placed 
 himself among the communicants. The agitation 
 of his mind on this occasion was extreme. He 
 was overwhelmed. He felt himself, however, con- 
 strained to acquiesce in the sovereign will of God, 
 which had deprived him, in a moment, of his 
 dearest earthly comforts. He felt also powerfully 
 disposed to yield hiniself up to God, through 
 Jesus Christ; yet aware that if he did so, be must 
 necessarily embrace the Christian system, which 
 hitherto he had rejected as absurd. The pre- 
 
8 
 
 vailing impression on his mind was to tliis efl'ect 
 — “ Examine it once more^ and you will judge 
 otherwise ; but eat now of this bread, and remem- 
 ber your new Master.” 
 
 In the afternoon of the same day, recovering 
 his composure, he sat down calmly and closely to 
 reflect on the leading doctrines of the gospel, par- 
 ticularly on those which relate to the disobedience 
 of Adam, and to the righteousness of Christ. 
 He perceived that, according to the doctrine of the 
 New Testament, a sinner, from being in a state 
 like that of guilty and condemned Adam, is re- 
 stored to the image of the holy and glorified 
 Redeemer, the second Adam, and thus brought 
 to the possession of virtue and happiness. In the 
 doctrine of redemption through the blood of 
 Christ, he perceived, that the justice of God is 
 not only uninjured, but exalted; while the grace 
 of God is placed in the brightest lustre, through 
 justification by faith. He then proceeded to search 
 the Scriptures, and was astonished to find his sen- 
 timents so fully confirmed in St. Paul’s epistle to 
 the Romans. From this moment he received, and 
 revered the sacred Scriptures as the word of God, 
 and determined to make them the rule both of 
 his faith and practice. He then took occasion 
 to converse on these and other religious subjects 
 with various serious persons, and was not a little 
 surprised to find how exactly their views and feel- 
 lings corresponded with his own. 
 
 Referring to this memorable period of his life, 
 he says, in a letter to a friend, These were the 
 first steps by which it pleased God to turn me 
 from darkness to light, in which I am compelled 
 to admit that in many instances my knowledge was 
 very imperfect. Taken up with the love of Christ, 
 I had little or no experience of the strugglings 
 of unbelief, of the power of sin, of the assaults 
 
9 
 
 of Satan, of the depth and extent of the misery 
 in which I had been, of the. guilt from which I 
 had been delivered, of mj natural enmity against 
 God, nor even of my own ignorance.” 
 
 In the same letter he adds, “ You will have 
 observed, that when the Lord Jesus first revealed 
 himself to me, he did not reason with me about 
 truth and error, but attacked me like a warrior, 
 and felled me to the ground by the power of his 
 arm. He even displayed no more of the majesty 
 of a benevolent king than was necessary to com- 
 pel me willingly to obey him. But as soon as I 
 had submitted to him as a conqueror, he assumed 
 the character of a prophet, and I then perceived 
 that the chief object of his doctrine was to de- 
 monstrate the justice of God both in condemning 
 and saving the children of men. I was pleased to 
 find that it had been represented to Paul in the 
 same light, when he admired and adored. Be- 
 cause, therein the justice or righteousness of God 
 is revealed from the word of faith so evidently, that 
 it excites faith and conviction in the hearer ^.” 
 Shortly after this memorable era, he. was in- 
 troduced into a new' scene of labour, in which the 
 renovated dispositions of his mind had an oppor- 
 tunity of being advantageously displayed. During 
 the war between Holland and France, a large 
 hospital was erected (in 1793,) in the neighbour- 
 hood of Rotterdam, when Dr. Van der Kemp, 
 being well known, not only in bis former military 
 capacity as an officer of merit, but also as a phy- 
 sician of exaraordinary skill, was appointed the 
 principal director of that institution. Here his 
 talents, improved and regulated by the grace of 
 God, produced the most excellent effects. That 
 extensive and important institution was conducted 
 in the best possible manner ; every one was rea- 
 
 * See Missionary Transactions, Vol. I. page 353, &c. 
 
10 
 
 dily submissive to his directions, every one loved 
 and revered him. The patients esteemed him as 
 their father, and the servants obeyed him with 
 pleasure. He laboured to promote true religion 
 among them. He procured a catechist to instruct 
 them twice or thrice a week, and regularly led 
 them to public worship every Lord’s day *. 
 
 By the subsequetit invasion of the French, this 
 hospital was broken up ; in consequence of which 
 Dr. Van der Kemp removed to Dort, living a re- 
 tired, but not inactive life. His leisure was dili- 
 gently employed in the pursuit of useful know- 
 ledge, particularly in the study of Oriental Litera- 
 ture. He was also engaged in composing a Com- 
 mentary on the Epistle of St..'Paul to the Romans, 
 which he earnestly wished to complete, and to 
 leave behind him as a testimony to the world, of 
 his sincere conviction of the truth of the Gospel. 
 
 In this state of retirement and study it is 
 probable that he would have finished his days, had 
 not the formation of the Missionary Society in 
 London,^ in the year 1795, engaged his attention. 
 A printed address from this Society was circulated 
 in Germany, and put into his hands by a Moravian 
 minister from Hcrnhuth. Mention being made in 
 that address that the Missionary Sermons preached 
 at the comn)encement of the Society were about 
 to be translated into the German language, he felt 
 a desire that they should receive a Dutch transla- 
 tion also, and be circulated in Holland, for which 
 
 * This account of his admirable conduct while superinten- 
 dant of the hospital is taken from the letter of Mr. C. Brem, 
 before inenlioned, who observes, “ that not liaviug seen him for 
 more than twenty before this period, and having heard 
 
 of his former irregularities, he was rather disinclined to renew 
 an acquaintance with him ; he was therefore induced to observe 
 him closely, and to obtain the most accurate information con- 
 cerning him ; the result of which was the satisfactory account 
 above presented.” 
 
11 
 
 purpose he procured a copy, and spoke to a printer 
 on the subject of the publication. As he perused 
 these discourses, he was transported with sacred 
 delight, and tilled with thanksgiving^ to God. who 
 had put this scheme of benevolence into the hearts 
 of his British brethren. Meeting, in one of the 
 sermons, with those words, Curse ye Meroz,” said 
 the angel of the Lord, “ curse ye bitterly the in- 
 habitants thereof; because they came not to the 
 help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against 
 the mighty.” Judges, v. 23 ; he was so deeply af- 
 fected, that he fell on his knees, and cried out. 
 Here am I, Lord Jesus ; thou knowest that I 
 have had no will of my own since I gave myself 
 up to thee, to be spent in thy service, according 
 to thy pleasure ; prevent me only from doing any 
 thing in this great work in a carnal and self-suf- 
 ficient spirit, and lead me in the right way, if there 
 yet be any way of wickedness in me.” 
 
 He now felt himself disposed to communicate 
 to the Directors of the Missionary Society the 
 prevailing wish of his heart, and accordingly 
 wrote freely to them on the sul>ject. The follow- 
 ing is an extract from his first letter, written in 
 April 1798. 
 
 Allow me to say that I am in a strait be- 
 twixt two, having a desire to be sent, if it be the 
 “ w ill of God, by your means, to the heathen ; or 
 to abide in this country, endeavouring to serve 
 my Lord, in stirring up the too-lauguid zeal of 
 my countrymen to imitate your example in word 
 and deed. It appears clearly to me that Holland 
 ” needs an address from your Society, representing 
 the duty of evangelizing the heathen, and recom- 
 mending to the Christians of this country the 
 considerations which have wrought such forcible 
 conviction on your own minds. Do not say. 
 Example is sufficient to express our opinion ; for 
 
12 
 
 ‘‘ whatever we may do here to bring your scheme 
 “ and transactions into view, it will remain out of 
 sight to thousands who are too indifferent to it : 
 but a direct address from a respectable foreign 
 Society will certainly command attention.” 
 
 The Directors of the Society in London were 
 deeply impressed by the communication of senti- 
 ments like these, from a man of Doctor Van der 
 Kemp’s talents, piety, and missionary spirit ; no 
 time therefore was lost in replying to his letter, 
 and in making prudent inquiries concerning him at 
 Rotterdam. 
 
 The Doctor favoured the Society with a full 
 and satisfactory reply to the questions proposed 
 to him, commending the laudable circumspec- 
 tion of the Directors in their choice of instru- 
 ments for the execution of their important plan. 
 In this letter, his deep acquaintance with his own 
 heart, his dread of pride and self-seeking, and the 
 sincerity with which he desired, if it proved to be 
 the Lord’s will, to promote his cause among the 
 heathen, were most abundantly and satisfactorily 
 displayed. 
 
 In consequence of an affectionate invitation. 
 Dr. Van der Kemp came to London, and the Di- 
 rectors had an opportunity, for seyeral months, 
 of enjoying his company and conversation, by 
 which all the favourable impressions which his 
 correspondence and character had before excited, 
 were confirmed and increased. He appeared to 
 be the very man, qualified by the most appropriate 
 talents, to commence and superintend the Mission 
 to South Africa, which he had himself first pro- 
 jected. ® 
 
 During his residence in London, the Doctor 
 was not unemployed. He directed his attention to 
 every subject that appeared requisite to promote 
 the great object in view ; and, among other par- 
 
13 
 
 ticLilarSj the following deserves to be recorded to 
 his honour. Apprehending that an acquaintance 
 with the method of making bricks might prove 
 conducive to the comfort of the Africans, to pro- 
 mote the benefit of whom he intended to devote his 
 future days, he engaged in that occupation, and 
 actually employed himself for many days in the 
 mechanical part of the business, in the neighbour- 
 hood of London. This effort of genuine zeal en- 
 nobled the character of a man of science, such as 
 was Dr. Van der Kemp, and reminds us of that 
 distinguished personage, Peter the Great, who, 
 with a view to the improvement of his country, 
 wrought incognito, as a humble labourer, in the 
 Dutch and British dock-yards, that he might teach 
 his Russian subjects the art of ship- building. 
 
 Doctor Van der Kemp being about to leave 
 Europe, uncertain whether he should ever return, 
 found it necessary to revisit Holland, and settle his 
 affairs. He took with him the address which he 
 had solicited from the Directors, which he imme- 
 diately translated into Dutch, and circulated among 
 his countrymen. The paper was eagerly read, 
 and its effects were sudden and extensive. A 
 body of zealous Christians speedily formed a Mis- 
 sionary Society at Rotterdam, called, The Ne- 
 thcrland Missionary Society;” and another was 
 shortly instituted in East Friesland, both of whom 
 were desirous of co-operating with the Society 
 in London*. A useful Missionary also soon ap- 
 
 ' Concerning the formation of this Society, the Doctor wrote 
 as follows, to a friend m England: — “ The address was received 
 with uncommon avidity; so that a secon i edition of 2000 copies 
 is now to be printed ; and it kindled a fire of zeal and Christian 
 emulation in the breast of many a sleeping and icuiguid believer. 
 After this preparatory step, I visited some of my piou- friends in 
 the principal towns of Holland, and was by their assistance, suc- 
 cessful in selecti'ig about forty spirited Christians, who were rea- 
 dily disposed to form themselves into a Missionary Society. The 
 
14 
 
 peared, who was eminently qualified for the work. 
 This was a Mr. Kicherer, a pious young man, who 
 happening to spend an afternoon at the house of 
 a Christian friend^ received there the first inform- 
 ation of the new Missionary efforts, from the mi- 
 nister on whom the family attended. Mr. Kich- 
 erer was transported with joy, when he learnt 
 that a numerous Society was instituted in Britain 
 for the purpose of evangelizing the heathen, and 
 that a Missionary ship was about to sail for the 
 islands of the South Sea. No information in the 
 world could so much have gratified the ardent de- 
 sires which, years before, had been excited in his 
 heart, in consequence of reading the Voyages and 
 Discoveries of Captain Cook. At that very early 
 period of his life, he conceived the generous idea 
 of enlightening the benighted pagans ; but how 
 such a w'ork was to be eft'ected he could not ima- 
 gine ; for at that time he knew not that there was 
 a Missionary in the world. This spark, however, 
 of Missionary zeal, was never quenched, but burst 
 into a sacred flame tbe moment he heard of the 
 Missionary Society. A correspondence with the 
 Directors soon commenced ; Mr. Kicherer was 
 cordially received, accompanied Dr. Van der Kemp 
 to Africa, and proved a very successful instrument 
 of spiritual good to the Hottentots, especially at 
 the settlement at Zak River* *. 
 
 •whole business was transacted with singular solemnity, and in 
 the spirit of Christian love and unity. It seems to meet with the 
 high approbation of tbe religious public, and with the blessing of 
 the Father of all mercies.” — Evan. Mag. vol. vi. p. 7‘2. 
 
 * A large account of the work of God in tliat place was 
 published in the 9th Number of the Missionary Transactions. 
 Three of the converted Hottentots visited England with Mr. 
 Kicherer in the winter of 1803, and afforded a high degree of 
 pleasure to tiie thousands of British Christians, w ho were gratified 
 with ocular proof of the success of Missionary efforts. Some 
 
15 
 
 But to return to Dr. Van der Kemp. Having 
 settled his affairs in Holland, he returned to Lon- 
 don, and was publicly set apart to the great \york 
 to which he had devoted himself, at the Scots’ 
 Church, in Crowti Court. It was truly pleasing 
 to observe the union of respectable ministers of 
 various denominations, who engaged in this so- 
 lemnity. 
 
 Dr. Van der Kemp, Mr. Kicherer, Mr. Ed- 
 monds, and Mr. Edwards, were appointed by the 
 D irectors to be Missionaries to South Africa* *. 
 The mind of Dr. Van der Kemp was fully set 
 upon the instruction of the CaffVes, whose resi- 
 dence is beyond the bounds of the colony of the 
 Cape of Good Hope; his determination being to 
 commence his labours where the Saviour’s name 
 had never been heard. The journey indeed threat- 
 ened to be long and perilous, but difficulties 
 seemed only to enkindle his zeal, and to manifest a 
 calm and intrepid decision, raised above the fear of 
 danger or of death. 
 
 A passage was procured for these four Mis- 
 sionaries on board the Hillsborough, a Govern- 
 ment transport vessel, which carried out a number 
 of male convicts for Botany Bay, and which was 
 to touch at the Cape, where the Missionaries w'ere 
 to disembark. Tlie Hillsborough sailed from Spit- 
 
 very interesting conferences between them and the ministers of 
 several congregations are preserved in the Evangelical Magazine 
 for December l<s03, and Supplement. Mr. Kicherer afterwards 
 accepted a church in the establishment in the colony of the Cape. 
 But lie still preaches to the natives as well as to colonists, with 
 considerable success. 
 
 * This appointment was made in compliance with the earnest 
 wish of the Doctor himself: the Directors would have preferred 
 a station among the more polished nations of the East, for which 
 his su{ierior talents so eminently qualihed him. 
 
16 
 
 head, on the 23d of December 1798, in company 
 with the Duff, on her second voyage, which then 
 carried out about forty Missionaries (including 
 their wives) for the South Sea Islands ; the vessels 
 parted when the convoy separated, and the Duff 
 was unhappily captured a few weeks after, not far 
 from Rio Janeiro. 
 
 • On board the Hillsborough, Dr. Van der Kemp 
 and his associates found ample scope for their be- 
 nevolent exertions. A set of depraved beings more 
 vicious and more determined on mischief, perhaps, 
 was never found. Before they left the harbour, 
 their turbulent spirit was so manifested, that the 
 lives of some naval officers were in the most im- 
 minent danger. The Doctor was advised not to 
 hazard himself among them ; but notwithstanding 
 the confusion and desperation that prevailed, he 
 did adventure to visit them ; to sit down among 
 them ; to converse freely with them, and to endea- 
 vour, by every lenient art, to soothe their agitated 
 minds, and to reconcile them to their fate. His 
 endeavours were not fruitless ; he procured for 
 them a mitigation of those severities which their 
 mutinous spirit had rendered necessary ; they be- 
 came less refractory, and listened with respect to 
 his admonitions. A few of them appeared to be 
 essentially improved, and there was reason to hope 
 that some became sincere penitents, and true con- 
 verts. 
 
 But dangers of a new kind presented them- 
 selves. Disease advanced with hasty strides, and 
 death began to make dreadful havoc among the 
 crowded convicts. The darkness, the heat, the 
 putrid effluvia, with the groans of the sick and 
 dying, rendered the hospital a scene of inexpres- 
 sible wretchedness. But this intrepid man of God, 
 with his pious companions, remitted none of their 
 friendly offices, but exposed to all the danger of 
 
17 
 
 hanging over the beds of the dying, continued to 
 instruct and console these miserable creatures, with 
 a view to pluck them, if possible, as brands from 
 the fire. These benevolent .men were, however, 
 wonderfully preserved from infection ; and thus 
 not only was a noble example of Christian forti- 
 tude presented to the world, but a strong encou- 
 ragement also afforded to others, who in the dis- 
 charge of arduous duties may be exposed to similar 
 trials. 
 
 Yet the Missionaries had to face the king of 
 terrors in another form. Soon after they entered 
 upon the wide Atlantic, they encountered a severe 
 storm, which, with some intervals, continued for 
 three successive days. The ship admitted much 
 water, which continually gained upon them, not- 
 withstanding the labour of the pumps, and they 
 were thought to have sprung a considerable 
 leak. The danger became imminent, and natu- 
 rally led the Missionaries to their knees, plead- 
 ing, in humble faith, the fulfilment of that great 
 promise, “ Call upon me in the day of trouble, and 
 I will deliver thee.” Nor were they concerned for 
 themselves alone, they cried mightily to God for 
 their brethren in the Duff. The simplicity of the 
 Doctor’s prayer for them was recollected by one 
 of the brethren . — ” Lord, thou hast given them a 
 little ship, and they are with us in a great storm ; 
 we pray that thou wouldest give them great faith.” 
 Remembering that Mr. Kicherer had once said to 
 him, previously to their embarking at Portsmouth, 
 that he was perfectly willing to sail, whatever might 
 be the result, the Doctor now asked him how he 
 felt himself affected ? when he firmly replied— 
 The ship may sink, but the foundation on which 
 my soul rests is immoveable — it can never fail.” 
 The danger, however, at length subsided ; the 
 storm ceased , and it was discovered that by some 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 means one of the ship’s ports had been partly 
 opened, which being closed, the water was got 
 under, and they united in thanksgivings to God 
 for their preservation. 
 
 On the 31st of March, 1799, after a passage 
 of about fifteen weeks, the Hillsborough came to 
 anchor at the Cape of Good Hope. On their ar- 
 rival, Dr. Van der Kemp and his brethren were 
 received with much Christian affection by the pious 
 colonists, who having been apprized of their com- 
 ing, and of their laudable object, had prepared 
 for them comfortable accommodations. Governor 
 Dund as, who had witnessed the beneficial effects 
 of the Moravian Mission at Bavian’s Kloof, after 
 perusing the Society’s letter addressed to him, and 
 the instructions given to the Missionaries, was 
 pleased to assure them of his protection and sup- 
 port. The Fiscal Ryneveldt also treated them 
 with great cordiality. A new impulse was given 
 to the zeal of the Dutch brethren at the Cape, and 
 measures were taken to establish a Missionary 
 Society there. A letter written in the name of the 
 Directors was publicly read in all the pulpits of the 
 established church, and sent to several parishes in 
 the country. In this good work, the Rev. Mr. 
 Vos, then minister of Rodezand, and afterwards 
 a Missionary to the Island of Ceylon, took an ac- 
 tive part. A respectable Society was shortly orga- 
 nized, and entituled, ” The South African Society, 
 for promoting the spread of Christ’s kingdom.” 
 
 The Doctor now applied himself diligently to 
 every necessary preparative for his long and toil- 
 some journey. Letters from the Governor to the 
 subordinate magistrates in the country were kindly 
 furnished ; a waggon (the usual vehicle for tra- 
 velling in that country) was purchased ; and every 
 needful article procured. Bruntjee, a famous ele- 
 phant hunter, sent at the Doctor’s request from 
 
19 
 
 the Moravian Brethren at Bavian’s Kloof, was 
 engaged as guide and interpreter. On the 30th 
 of May he commenced his journey ; passed the 
 valley of Rodezand ; and proceeded to the farm 
 of Myidieer Van Hure ; and from thence to Myn- 
 heer Lordoh’s, crossing several times the Hex 
 River. At Ifength they entered upon a perilous 
 road betweein ridges of perpendicular mountains, 
 where the danger of falling over the rocks was 
 imminent. In the last house on this side the wil- 
 derness tlrey were sheltered from a heavy rain, and 
 the next day they advanced until night, pitching 
 their tent amidst a thick shower of snow. After 
 several days journey through a wretched desert, 
 they were refreshed by calling at the house of 
 a Mr. De Beer, where they were most kindly en- 
 tertained, and rejoiced to iind a family who knew 
 and served the Lord Jesus. Mr. De Beer* ac- 
 companied Dr. Van der Kemp about twelve miles 
 through a narrow kloof, to a krall of Caffres, the 
 inhabitants of which received them in a friendly 
 manner, and to whom he preached. They then 
 pursued their journey for several days through 
 the trackless wilderness, infested with wolves, ti- 
 gers, lions, and other wild beasts. The footsteps of 
 a numerous company of lions were one day visible 
 in their road, but they were mercifully preserved. 
 Having passed this howling desert, they arrived, 
 
 * Vaillant, in his travels, speaks highly of this family, but 
 he knew not the most beautiful trait of their character, that 
 tliey loved the Lord Jesus Christ. When Mr. De Beer learned 
 what was the errand of Dr, Van der Kemp, he called his family 
 together, and falling on his knees, uttered this remarkable 
 prayer. “ O Lord, thou hast afflicted n.e with inexpressible 
 grief, in taking my child from me whom I buried this day ; but 
 now thou rejoicest my soul with joy greater than all my grief, 
 in shewing me that thou hast heard my prayers for the conver- 
 sion of the Caffres, and giving me to see the fultihueiit of thv 
 promises.” 
 
 c 2 
 
20 
 
 June 29th, at Graaf Reinet*, where they were 
 kindly received by the Land rest Brester. That 
 magistrate, with other friends, took pains to dis- 
 suade them from going among the Caffres, urging 
 the extreme danger to which it must expose them ; 
 but the Doctor replied, that having fixed his mind 
 on the work, and having obtained permission from 
 the Governor, he must proceed ; observing at the 
 same time, that he should not attempt to enter 
 into that country without leave of Gika, its king. 
 
 Assisted by Christian friends, the Missionaries 
 proceeded on their way, passing precipitous moun- 
 tains piled upon mountains, and covered with snow. 
 The descent was more easy. Passing the Paardi 
 krall, and the head of the Great Fish River, they 
 found a friendly welcome at the house of Mr. 
 Neikerkin, where a congregation assembled to hear 
 the word. While in this neighbourhood, a lion 
 devoured two horses at the very door of Mr. Mul- 
 der. Shortly after this they passed the river Tarka, 
 which falls into the Fish River. On the way 
 they met with a great number of families, who had 
 fled from their houses to escape the Modanki Caf- 
 fres, and were informed of many robberies and 
 murders which had been lately committed in the 
 ■vicinity. Nevertheless they resolved to go for- 
 ward, and though frequently exposed to the most 
 imminent danger from the hostile Caffres, they 
 were delivered from every evil. 
 
 At length Bruntjee, who had been sent to King 
 Gika requesting his permission to enter bis terri- 
 tories, returned with a favourable answer, bringing 
 with him the King’s tobacco-box, which he had 
 sent by way of passport f. 
 
 * Dr. Van der Kemp found the latitude of Giaaf Reinet to be 
 32° 33' south, variation of the needle 27° 40' west. 
 
 t On their journey they called at the house of Mr. H. 
 Pretorius, whose eye had been plucked out by a Tiger’s claw. 
 
21 
 
 After a tedious and most perilous journey they 
 arrived at the residence of King Gika, to whom the 
 Doctor was at length introduced and having 
 
 Here also they saw a Boscheman’s ( a Bushman’s ) cliilcl who had 
 been rescued by this family from the hands of his father, who 
 was about burying him alive with his deceased mother in the 
 same grave. 
 
 * The introduction of Dr. Van der Kemp to the king, is thus 
 described in the journal. 
 
 After we had waited about ten minutes, the king approached 
 in a solemn and majestic manner, attended by two of his chief 
 men, one on each side. He was covered with a long robe of 
 panthers’ skins, and wore a diadem of copper, and another of 
 beads round his head. He had in his hand an iron kiri, (or 
 club) and his cheeks and lips were painted red. He stopped 
 about twenty paces from us, and one of his captains then sig- 
 nified that he was the king. We then stepped forward towards 
 him, and he at the same time approached us. He reached out 
 his right hand, but spoke not a word. I then delivered him his 
 tobacco-box, which we had filled with buttons. He accepted it, 
 and gave it to one of his attendants. At a distance behind him 
 stood his captains and women, in the form of a half-moon ; and 
 at a great distance, the rest of the people. I then asked aloud, 
 if there were any one who could speak Dutch, and act as an in- 
 terpreter. At length a white man, dressed in the European 
 fashion, whom we took to be a Mr. Buys advanced, and placed 
 himself at the left hand of the king, who, with his captains, 
 sat down on the ground. Gika then asked, by means of the 
 interpreter, if this tobacco-box was intended for him 1 I replied 
 that it was the king’s own tobacco-box., and presented to him as 
 a token that we were the very persons to whom he had sent it, 
 but that we would not return it empty. He said that he thanked 
 us, and was much pleased to see that we put so much confidence 
 in him, and had done well in coming to him, desiring now to 
 know what we requested of him. 
 
 I answered that our object was to instruct him and his people 
 in matters which would make them happy in this life, and after 
 death ; that we only asked leave to settle in his land, expecting 
 his protection, and liberty to return to our own country when we 
 pleased. 
 
 Gika answered that we had come at a very unfavourable 
 time, and that all the country was in confusion ; that he was not 
 able to entertain us as he wished, and tliat being in perpetual 
 danger from his enemies he could not protect us, not being able 
 to protect himself. 
 
22 
 
 stated the object of his journey, and his wish to re' 
 side amon^ the people for their instruction ; was 
 
 While Dr. Van der Kemp resided in this neighbourhood, a 
 singular occurrence took place. A deputation from Gika was 
 sent, requesting, that as his magicians could not procure rain, 
 which was then much needed, he would procure it. They had 
 also brought with them a present of two milch kine, with their 
 calves. Dr. Van der Kemp answered that he could not accept the 
 presents, not being able to procure rain, which depended entirely 
 on the pleasure of God; but he would pray to God to give 
 them rain. 
 
 “ Taking a walk,” says he, “ and reflecting "on w hat I had 
 said, I indulged a hope that God would be pleased to send rain, 
 if I asked for it in the name of Jesus, with a desire to promote 
 his glory among the heathen. I then returned to King Gika's 
 deputies, and said, in their language, “Jesus Chiistus, intakha 
 Thiko, Inkoessi zal izolou, Dia khou theta au le lo khou ni ka- 
 vinvoula, mina, kossliwe.” — that is — “ Jesus Christ, the Son 
 of God, is Lord of heaven, I will pray to him, aud H . can give 
 rain ; 1 cannot.” I then prayed, in subordination to the will of 
 God, that he would be pleased to give rain. 
 
 “ On the next day we were favoured with plentiful showers, 
 which continued the two succeeding days. All the Caffres 
 knew what had happened. Some of our thoughtless peo- 
 ple asked them who procured this rain, expecting that they 
 would mention me as the cause of it ; but one of them gave this 
 answer, “ Tinkhanna (the name v\hich they had given the Doctor) 
 has talked to the Lord, (Inkoessi) on high, and he has given us 
 raitt.” Upon which a man who had before ridiculed the idea of 
 attempting to instruct the Caffres, said, “ Now you vrill see 
 that these ignorant and obstinate people will be induced, by this 
 event to embrace the Christian religion !” I said nothing, but 
 kept these things and pondered them in my heart.” 
 
 Missionary Transactions, Vol I. page 426. 
 
 Perhaps some persons may be disposed to deride this relation. 
 But the truly candid aud pious Christian will not hastily deem 
 such an occasion unfit for a signal interposition of His provi- 
 dence who has all pow'er in heaven and in earth. The facts of 
 the case are attested by unquestionable evidence. Dr. Van der 
 Kemp was not inflated by the event : he never rested upon it as 
 any part of his credentials as a minister of Christ; he never 
 represented it as a miracle. Neither do the Directors of the 
 Missionary Society regard it in this light ; but they caimot sup- 
 press a circumstance so worthy of being remembered, though 
 they are well aware how uncongenial it is to the sceptical humour 
 which many absurdly pride themselves in indulging. 
 
23 
 
 informed that the present was an improper time; 
 and that, on account of the hostilities prevailing 
 in the country, he could not promise him pro- 
 tection. Unwilling, however, to abandon his fa- 
 vourite object, he continued in the vicinity for 
 about fifteen months endeavouring by every pru- 
 dent measure to conciliate King Gika and his sub- 
 jects ; but not directing his instructions so much 
 to them (whose language he understood but im- 
 perfectly) as to some heathens of Hottentot ex- 
 traction, who resided in that country ; and to se- 
 veral of whom it appears that his ministry was 
 greatly blessed*. 
 
 It was no small addition to the trials of Dr. 
 Van der Kemp in this situation, that his com- 
 panion, Mr. Edmonds, determined to leave him. 
 He felt a strong aversion to the CafFres, and a 
 great desire to go to Bengal. He accordingly left 
 the Doctor to persevere alone in his arduous work. 
 Violent opposition was excited by some of his 
 enemies, and it was resolved at one time, that he 
 should be killed as a conspirator against the king 
 of the country, and he was forbidden any lon- 
 ger to instruct the heathen. The rage of his ad- 
 versaries, however, subsided, and be proceeded, 
 amidst all his discouragements, in his Missionary 
 labours. 
 
 After a patient perseverance in his work for 
 many months, he thought it expedient to remove ; 
 and having learned that two additional Mission- 
 aries had arrived from Europe to assist in the 
 work in South Africa, he proceeded towards Graaf 
 Reinet to meet them, where, on the 14th of May, 
 
 * While Dr. Van der Kemp resided in Caffravia, be wrote an 
 account of the Religion, Customs, Population, Language, His- 
 'tory and Natural Productions of the country. This very in- 
 teresting paper, which may hereafter be useful to geographers, 
 travellers, and others, is preserved in “ The Missionary Tran- 
 sactions," Vol. I. page 432 — 468. 
 
24r 
 
 1801, he had the inexpressible pleasure of join- 
 ing the Brethren Vanderlingen and Read, the 
 latter of whom proved his faithful associate to 
 the end. 
 
 Here, however, it is painful to observe that 
 some of the colonists hindered and opposed the 
 benevolent labours of the Missionaries among the 
 Hottentots; in consequence of which Dr. Van der 
 Kemp and Mr. Read resolved to remove, with 
 their beloved charge, from the jealousy of their 
 opposers, and to form a settlement at a considerable 
 distance. To this measure the Commissioner of 
 Graaf Reinet offered both his permission and as- 
 sistance. 
 
 After a long and difficult journey. Dr. Van 
 der Kemp and his pious colleague, Mr. Read, ar- 
 rived in safety at Algoa Bay, in March 1802, 
 with about eighty Hottentots. It appears that 
 his Excellency Governor Dundas, aware of the 
 important influence of Missionary exertions in civi- 
 lizing the natives, and promoting the peace and 
 prosperity of the colony, requested the Doctor to 
 furnish him with the plan of an Hottentot village, 
 promising to supply the necessary materials for 
 the settlement, and food for the people for a rea- 
 sonable time. The spot fixed upon was called 
 Bota’s Place, about eight miles from the bay. 
 A number of huts were soon erected, and imple- 
 ments of agriculture being provided, immediate 
 steps were taken to raise wheat and rice for the 
 people. The good effects of this institution were 
 soon apparent in the improved morals of the na- 
 tives, and in their order and cleanliness. About 
 two hundred persons statedly assembled for divine 
 worship ; their attention was serious, and their 
 psalmody remarkably harmonious. Mr. Read spent 
 part of his time at the neighbouring garrison (Fort 
 Frederic) among the English soldiers, who heard 
 him with delight and advantage. 
 
 1 
 
Not long after this settlement was formed, the 
 Doctor was grealy afflicted with fever and rheu- 
 matism, so that his labours were totally suspended, 
 and his patience tired by a confinement to his bed 
 for eleven months. Various obstructions also, of 
 a local nature, increased his difficulties ; but these 
 were happily alleviated by a visit of Governor 
 Dundas, who represented to him the unhappy pos- 
 ture of afl^airs, and the extreme danger to which 
 the Missionaries must be exposed when the gar- 
 rison should be withdrawn, as expected, from the 
 neighbourhood urging them in the most friendly 
 manner, to suspend their labours, and remove from 
 the scene of danger. Such, however, was their 
 fortitude, that they determined to remain at their 
 post. The worthy governor, finding his prudential 
 admonitions fruitless, desisted, and could further 
 manifest his benevolence only by presenting them 
 with a very liberal supply of oxen and sheep, and 
 with the necessary means of cultivating the ground, 
 and by empowering them to take possession of the 
 fort as a place of safety, whenever they should 
 think it expedient. 
 
 The necessity of such a refuge was too soon 
 apparent ; for only eight days had elapsed after 
 the removal of the soldiers from Fort Frederic, 
 when the settlement was suddenly attacked in the 
 middle of a dark night, by a furious banditti, whose 
 object seemed to be not only the destruction of 
 their property, but of their lives also. The assail- 
 ants fired their muskets at them not less than fifty 
 times, but happily no life was lost. In this mo- 
 ment of terror, the Hottentots insisted upon per- 
 mission to repel force by force, and accordingly 
 fired twice, at random, among the invading party. 
 The assault, from what cause they could not then 
 imagine, immediately ceased, and the party with- 
 drew. In the morning they learned that one of 
 
26 
 
 
 the shots had entered the thigh of a chief, and 
 by dividing a principal artery, occasioned so great 
 a loss of blood, as to terminate his life in a few 
 minutes. On the following night they renewed 
 the attack, but finding the settlement in a better 
 state of defence, they thought fit to withdraw. 
 After this event, the brethren thought themselves 
 called by Providence to retire to the fort, where 
 they were happily preserved from the violence of 
 their enemies. 
 
 In consequence of the peace, the colony of 
 the Cape being restored to the Dutch, his Ex- 
 cellency Governor Jansen paid a visit to the settle- 
 ment, and recommended a more eligible situa- 
 tion. In compliance with his advice, they re- 
 moved to a spot which the Governor had himself 
 chosen for them, situated to the west of Algoa 
 Bay, near the mouth of Z wart’s Koph Kiver, and 
 at the request of his Excellency, named it Bethels- 
 dorp, or Betliel-Viliage ; and here, for several suc- 
 ceeding years, not only the Missionaries them- 
 selves, but many others through their instrumen- 
 tality, found it a “ Beth-El — the house of God, 
 and the gate of heaven.” 
 
 A new settlement was quickly formed ; a 
 church and suitable habitations, the walls and roof 
 of which were composed of reeds, were constructed ; 
 large gardens were planted, and e,very prudent 
 measure adopted to raise a sufficient quantity of 
 corn and vegetables for the supply of the people. 
 A school was also established, consisting of about 
 forty children, of whom twenty soon learned to 
 spell and read. It pleased God to bless the faith- 
 ful labours of his servants, for the great purpose 
 the Society ever kept in view, the conversion of 
 sinners to God. The conversion of a man named 
 Cupido, who had been distinguished for the enor- 
 mity of his crimes, was very remarkable ; and 
 
21 
 
 when renewed by divine grace, he, like Saul of 
 Tarsus, “ straightway preached the Gospel” to his 
 countrymen, declaring, as a living witness, that 
 the Son of God has power to forgive and subdue 
 sin. Other remarkable examples of renewing grace 
 have been detailed in the publications of the So- 
 ciety.* 
 
 The work of God, at Bethelsdorp, was pro- 
 ceeding in a very favourable manner, when it met 
 with a severe check, in consequence of .strons^ op- 
 position made by some of the Boors to the further 
 instruction of the Hottentots. These persons 
 thought proper to make their complaints to the 
 Dutch Government at the Cape, covered by pre- 
 tences of necessary caution, in respect to institu- 
 tions connected with English Societies. These 
 complaints so far prevailed with the respectable 
 Governor Jansen, that though convinced of the 
 utility of Missionary exertions, and persuaded that 
 they were perfectly distinct from all political views, 
 he thought it expedient, for the present, to im- 
 pose some inconvenient restrictions on Bethels- 
 dorp, and to request O*’. Van der Kemp and Mr. 
 Read to suspend their operations there until a more 
 favourable opportunity should arrive. The good 
 work, however, went on, the Brethren Ulbrecht 
 and Tromp, who had been sent over by the Dutch 
 Society, continuing to labour at the settlement. 
 
 In the year 1806, while Dr. Van der Kemp 
 and Mr. Read were at the Cape, the colony again 
 reverted into the hands of the English, which no 
 sooner took place, than the general. Sir David 
 Baird, sent for the Doctor, to consult him on the 
 best method of treating the Hottentot prisoners of 
 war ; and soon after gavd him full permission to 
 resume his labours at Bethelsdorp, where he ar- 
 rived March 21, 1806. The further privilege 
 * See Missionary Transactions, No. VIII, and No. IX. 
 
was granted him to plough and sow, for that year, 
 an excellent piece of ground belonging to Govern- 
 ment. It cannot be observed without gratitude 
 to the great Disposer of human affairs, how sea- 
 sonably the restoration of the Cape to the English 
 Government took place, when the very existence 
 of the Mission was threatened ; it affords an evi- 
 dence also of the justice and mildness of our own 
 Government, which covers with the shield of its 
 power, those who are actively engaged in the la- 
 bours of benevolence. 
 
 Dr. Van der Kemp, amidst all his exertions 
 found time to complete a work, begun before he 
 left his native country, on the Epistle to the Ro- 
 mans, entitled (perhaps in allusion to the cele- 
 brated work of Leibnitz) The Thdodic^e of St. 
 Paul.” This sequel he sent over to Holland to 
 be printed.* He also composed a considerable 
 work on midwifry, for the use of Bethelsdorp. 
 
 * In the conclusion of the preface to the first volume of this 
 work, printed in Holland, in 1799> Professor Krom says; “I 
 could mention much more respecting the amiable and excellent 
 character of the author, if I were not prevented by his modesty 
 or rather his Christian humility, which prohibits entirely even 
 the appearance of encomium. However, my reader, nill un- 
 doubtedly acknowledge with me, that it is a very great degree of 
 self-denial, if any one, who is in want of nothing, but is able to 
 live comfortably and according to his own iucliiration, in his own 
 country, bids farewell, from the love of Jesus Christ, to all 
 earthly comforts, his dearest friends and relatives. But how 
 powerfully must such an one be convinced of the truth and 
 divine origin of the doctrine of the Bible, how deeply must such 
 a mind be penetrated with the most cordial love towards the 
 cause of our blessed Redeemer ! If to the above is added, that 
 a man of such a sublime understanding, provided with such ex- 
 tensive knowledge of all sorts of science, but now perfectly con- 
 vinced that a true and scriptural knowledge of Jesus Christ is 
 the most sublime wisdom is nulling to proceed to the most re- 
 mote parts of the world for the purpose of making known the 
 gospel of our redemption to wild and uncivilized nations. Such 
 can be the conduct only of a true lover of mankind, and such a 
 conduct originates in the purest love and sincerest gratitude to- 
 
29 
 
 lo the year 1808, this settlement had arrived 
 at a very considerable degree of prosperity. ” It 
 contains,” says Dr. Van der Kemp, “60 or 70 
 houses, each having on an average about 10 in- 
 habitants, whose industry appears to increase. 
 The work of God’s converting grace is also mani- 
 fest among the people. In short, after six years’ 
 labour, it has attained such a degree of solidity 
 that it may be committed to the care of another 
 Missionary, which will enable me to devote some 
 subsequent days of my far-advanced age to his 
 service among some of the nations hitherto igno- 
 rant of the way of salvation.” 
 
 Madagascar was the place on which his heart 
 had been fixed almost from the commencement 
 of his Missionary labours. He often mentioned 
 this great and long-neglected island in his letters. 
 But as there were large tracts of country in the 
 neighbourhood of the colony, in favour of which 
 no Missionary efforts had yet been made, he ear- 
 nestly wished to make an excursion, in a north- 
 easterly direction, leaving Caffraria on the right 
 hand, with a view to extend the chain of Mis- 
 sionary settlements along the east coast of Africa ; 
 and first to attempt a Mission among the Ma- 
 thirnbas, or Tamboochis ; or else to proceed to- 
 wards the north, and explore the nations which 
 may be found nearer the meridian of Algba Bay. 
 
 While this benevolent man of God was stretch- 
 ing out his arms towards nations almost unknown, 
 and indulging the delightful hope of enlightening 
 other benighted regions, his beloved Bethelsdorp 
 was not neglected. He had the pleasure to be- 
 
 wards the Saviour of men. The author, who is really a great 
 man, but now become a child in the kingdom of heaven, is ready 
 to sacrifice all earthly pleasures and to make himself Useful with 
 all his knowledge and power, for the extension of the kingdom 
 of Jesus Christ amongst the heathen.” Translation. 
 
30 
 
 bold the increasing fruits of his labour. The 
 schools flourished.^ The ground was more pro- 
 ductive, in consequence of copious rains, so that 
 though the number of settlers was much increased, 
 the corn raised on their land was more than suffi- 
 cient for their support. The fields (once a barren 
 wilderness) were covered with cattle, amounting to 
 1200 head, exclusive of sheep and goats. In short, 
 a rapid advance towards civilisation was produced 
 in the space of six or seven years. — A fact which 
 it is devoutly to be wished may stimulate the exer- 
 tions, and encourage the hopes of many good men, 
 in their future efforts to benefit even the most un- 
 cultivated nations of mankind. 
 
 Another scheme of beneficence dwelt much on 
 the heart of Dr. Van der Kemp, which was to 
 erect an orphan school at Bethelsdorp, The edu- 
 cation of children being altogether neglected by 
 the Hottentots, and it was reasonably hoped that 
 by such an institution, the rising generation, in- 
 stead of becoming useless and mischievous, would 
 be rendered blessings to the country. For this pur- 
 pose he wrote letters to the Directors, and to the 
 Government of the Cape; but it was a work, which, 
 however desirable, was of too great magnitude to 
 be hastily undertaken. The Directors encouraged 
 the proposal, but felt themselves unable to accom- 
 plish the work alone. The assistance of Govern- 
 ment would be essentially necessary, and this could 
 not immediately be obtained. 
 
 About two years ago. Dr. Van der Kemp suf- 
 fered some indisposition. A slight stroke of apo- 
 plexy reminded him of his modality, and was 
 piouslv considered by him as an intimation that 
 his continuance as a labourer in the Missionary 
 field would not be long. In this serious view the 
 Directors also received the information, who could 
 not but entertain the painful apprehension that 
 
31 
 
 they should ere long be deprived of this most va- 
 luable Missionary. About this period he writes 
 thus — “ The Lord continues to support me in the 
 troubles to which I am, by the nature of my work, 
 exposed ; and I have more than once experienced 
 that He who slept in a storm, can give rest to my 
 soul, though all around me is in agitation and 
 alarm.” 
 
 In the year 1810, the number of persons be- 
 longing to the settlement at Bethelsdorp amounted 
 nearly to one thousand, including men, women, and 
 children. Industry continually increased. Matts 
 and baskets were made in considerable quantities, 
 and sold in the country around. The manufacture 
 of salt was encouraged, which was bartered in the 
 neighbourhood for wheat, and other useful arti- 
 cles. Soap-boiling, sawing, and wood-cutting for 
 waggons, became also a source of support. 
 
 Lord Caledon, who, like his worthy predeces- 
 sors, had manifested the most benevolent regard to 
 Bethelsdorp, paid a kind attention to the Doctor’s 
 application concerning Madagascar, and promised 
 to facilitate his conveyance thither. But the Di- 
 rectors, aware that the health of their valuable 
 friend was on the decline, however unwilling to 
 restrain his zeal, expressed their wish that he 
 should remain in the colony, especially as by the 
 great addition lately made to the number of their 
 Misssionaries therein, a wise and judicious super- 
 intendant had become more than ever necessary. 
 
 About this time, a letter from Mr. Read to the 
 Directors, complaining of cruelties committed by 
 the Christians (so called) upon the Hottentots in 
 the neighbourhood of Bethelsdorp, attracted the 
 notice of the Governor, who ordered the Landrost 
 Cuyler to summon Mr. Read before him, and to 
 investigate the source of the complaint. Mr. 
 Read readily obeyed the summons, and laid be- 
 
fore him several cases of cruelty and of murder. 
 Mr. Read also wrote to the Governor, expressing 
 his willingness to represent the facts before his 
 Excellency. The Governor accordingly requested 
 both Mr. Read and the Doctor to appear before 
 him, when such facts were related, as satisfied him 
 that a strict investigation ought to take place. 
 His Excellency therefore appointed suitable per- 
 sons to make inquisition into the affair, and, it is 
 said, to visit the different districts of the colony, 
 annuallv, for the trial of offences. The value of 
 such an institution time alone can fully discover. 
 The cause of humanity however appears to have 
 been materially benefited by the interference of the 
 Missionaries. 
 
 It must also be mentioned, to the honour of 
 Dr. Van der Kemp, that, at various times, he pro- 
 cured the manumission of several slaves ; the ex- 
 pense of which, amounting to many hundred 
 pounds, was defrayed from his own private for- 
 tune. Indeed he was always desirous of relieving 
 the Society from every unnecessary expenditure, 
 and generously supported himself, as a Missionary', 
 with little or no cost to the Institution. In this 
 point of view, as well as in many others, he has 
 presented to the world, a noble example of disin- 
 terested zeal. 
 
 While Dr. Van der Kemp continued at the Cape, 
 waiting for the arrival of the new Governor, Sir 
 John Craddock, wishing also to know the determi- 
 nation of Mr. Pacalt, a German Missionary, then 
 at Bethclsdorp, who, with some others, had been 
 proposed to accompany him to Madagascar ; and 
 remaining as yet uncertain whether he should be 
 able to proceed to that island, Mr. Pacalt arrived 
 on the 3 1st of October 1811, and declared himself 
 perfectly willing to unite in that mission. On 
 the same morning. Dr. Van der Kemp received 
 
33 
 
 a letter, signifying the readiness of his Excellency 
 to forward his benevolent views ; another letter 
 came to hand on the same day from Mr. Thomp- 
 son, a Missionary destined to the East, who 
 having touched at the Isle of France, informed 
 him of some additional circumstances favourable 
 to the ititended undertaking. 
 
 While Dr. Van der Kemp and Mr. Read were 
 detained at Cape Town, they diligently and suc- 
 cessfully employed* themselves in the instruction 
 both of Europeans and Hottentots ; and, in conse- 
 quence of their laudable exertions, an Auxiliary 
 Missionary Society was formed, and a subscription 
 commenced, in which a number of pious British 
 soldiers took a principal part. When the last ac- 
 count came away, the subscriptions amounted to 
 about ^150.* The Doctor found additional em- 
 ployment for his active powers by the arrival of 
 several more Missionaries, sent from England to 
 strengthen the several stations in South Africa. 
 In this good work he had exerted himself with his 
 usual energy and prudence, and had sent off several 
 of them to the places of their destination. 
 
 But now the time, the solemn time arrived, in 
 which this truly apostolic man was to be dismissed 
 from his labours, and be called up to the joy of 
 his Lord. On the morning of Saturday, Dec. 7th, 
 1811, he expounded a chapter with much free- 
 
 * This contribution proves remarkably seasonable, as the 
 e.xpense of the South African Missions has lately been very 
 considerably augmented, the whole support bf which has devolved 
 upon the Missionary Society ; whereas nearly half of the burden 
 was foniterly borne by the Netherland Society. But the misfor- 
 tunes of Holland, and the total want of communication, have 
 completely cut off, for the present, all assistance from that quar- 
 ter, I'he increased exertions of the Society have on this and 
 some other accounts, caused the expenditure of the last two years 
 greatly to exceed their income. 
 
 D 
 
3 ^ 
 
 doni, after which, finding himself indisposed^, he 
 said to a venerable mother in Israel, who had for- 
 merly resided at the settlement in Bethelsdorp. 
 
 O Mrs. Smith, I find myself extremely weak. I 
 should be glad to have opportunity to settle my 
 own alfairs” — but alas ! this opportunity was not 
 afforded. He was seized the same morning with a 
 cold shivering ; a fever ensued, and he retired to 
 his bed. — From that bed he rose no rnore. His 
 disorder rapidly advanced, notwithstanding the use 
 of suitable means ; and his surrounding friends 
 could not but entertain the most painful forebod- 
 ings of the fatal result. It might have been 
 hoped that a man who had devoted so many years 
 of active life to the service of his glorious Lord, 
 and whose lips had fed such multitudes with spi- 
 ritual knowledge, would have been enabled to in- 
 struct and strengthen his afflicted friends with his 
 dying testimony to the truth and excellency of that 
 holy gospel, to promote which he had made such 
 uncommon sacrifices. But so great was the vio- 
 lence of his disorder, that he was rendered almost 
 incapable of speaking ; a lethargic heaviness sup- 
 pressed his powers, and it was with great difficulty 
 he could be prevailed upon even to answer a 
 question. One of the friends, however, who called 
 upon him a day or two before his departure, asked 
 him, What was the state of his mind.” His 
 short, but emphatical and satisfactory answer was 
 — All is well;" and in reply to a similar en- 
 quiry, Is it light or dark with you ?” he said 
 “ Light !” Light, in the best sense, it doubtless 
 was. The light of his Redeemer’s countenance 
 illuminated the darksome valley of the shadow of 
 death, the harbinger of that brighter light which 
 is sown for the righteous — that gladness which 
 awaits tlie upright in heart. 
 
Thus departed, in the faith and hope of the 
 glorious Gospel^of Jesus Christ, an eminently qua- 
 lified, devoted, lalT^'ious, and successful minister 
 of Jesus Christ. Long will his memory be. che- 
 rished by the Church of God, and should it be 
 objected to the cause of missions that suitable 
 Missionaries are not now to be expected, a read}' 
 answer will be found in the example befoTe us. 
 His name will be classed with those of Elliot, 
 Mayhew, Brainerd, and Swartz ; and Christians 
 yet unborn will be excited by his exaijjple, and en- 
 couraged by his success, to imitate his apostolic 
 labours. 
 
 Few such characters as a Van der Kemp adorn 
 the pages of Ecclesiastical history. Few men 
 of such talents, learning, and prospects, have 
 volunteered their services to the heathen ; but it 
 may be hoped that this .short memoir may fall 
 into the hands of some, who, ardently longing 
 to be useful to the souls of men perishing for 
 lack of knowledge, may be stirred up to follow 
 him, and say — Here are we, send us.” 
 
 The Missionary Society are deeply sensible 
 of the loss they have sustained. They are thank- 
 ful for having enjoyed, for thirteen years, the la- 
 bours of a man in whom they could repose the 
 fullest confidence, and whose judgment was not 
 inferior to his zeal ; who brought all his great 
 talents, improved by education, and sanctified by 
 grace, into the great work. They rejoiced in his 
 light, and longed for its contini^ance. But they 
 bow with silent submission to the sovereign will of 
 God, who has been pleased in about two years to 
 remove from important stations, four eminent, or 
 promising, Missionaries — Cran, DesGranges, Brain, 
 and at length — Van der Kemp ! South Africa la- 
 ments her painful bereavement ; Britain, Holland, 
 and Germany unite in deploring, with sympathetic 
 
 D 2 
 
36 
 
 sorrow, the termination of labours from which ad- 
 vantag;es so great have been derived, and from the 
 continuance of which, benefits still greater were 
 a. ticipated. God, however, is all-sufficient. That 
 cause which is infinitely dearer to him than it 
 is to us, can never fail ; and he will doubtless pour 
 out his Holy Spirit on the churches, and call forth 
 others, yet unknown to us, who shall bear his name 
 to the Gentiles, and preach among perishing pa- 
 gans the unsearchable riches of Christ,” 
 
 This brief Memoir of Dr, Van dcr Kemp can- 
 not be concluded with a more appropriate enco- 
 mium than that which was pronounced many years 
 ago, on the character of a true Missionary, but, 
 without reference to any particular person, by the 
 late Bishop Hurd, in his Sermon before the So- 
 ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
 Parts, 
 
 “ The difficulties, the dangers, the distresses 
 of all sorts, which must be encountered by the 
 Christian Missionary, require a more than ordi- 
 nary' degree of virtue, and will be only sustained 
 by him whom a fervent love of Christ and the 
 quickening graces of his Spirit have anointed, as 
 it were, and consecrated to this arduous service. 
 Then it is that we have seen the faithful minister 
 of the Word go forth with the zeal of an apostle, 
 and the constancy of a martyr. We have seen 
 him forsake ease and affluence, a competency, at 
 least, and the ordinary comforts of society; and 
 with the Gospel in his hand, and his Saviour in 
 his heart, make his way through burning deserts 
 and the howling wilderness, braving the rage of 
 climates, and all the inconveniences of long and 
 perilous voyages ; submitting to the drudgery of 
 learning barbarous languages, and to the disgust 
 of complying with barbarous manners; watching 
 the dark suspicions, and exposed to the capricious 
 
37 ' 
 
 fury of savages; courting their offensive society, 
 adopting their loathsome customs, and assimilat- 
 ing his very nature, almost, to theirs ; in a word, 
 enduring all things, becoming all things, in the 
 patient hope of finding a way to their good opi- 
 nion, and of succeeding finally in his unwearied 
 endeavours to make the w'ord of life and salvation 
 not unacceptable to them. 
 
 '' I confess, when I reflect on all these things, 
 I humble myself before such heroic virtue; or 
 rather, I adore the grace of God in Christ Jesus, 
 which is able to produce such examples of it in' 
 our degenerate world !” 
 
 TUE END. 
 
 
 J, Dennett. Drtnler, Leather Lane, London. 
 
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PUBLICATIONS BY THE IMISSIONARY SOCIETY, 
 
 Sold by Williams and Son, Stalioners' Court. 
 
 ESSAYS ADDRESSED TO THE JEWS, OH the Authority, the 
 Scope, and the Consummation of the Law and the Prophets. — 
 Written at the request of the Directors of the Missionary So- 
 ciety, by the Rev, Greville Ewing, of Glasgow. 2 Vols. — 
 Price 5s. 
 
 TRANSACTIONS of the xMISSIONARY SOCIETY. Con- 
 taining Journals and Letters of the Missionaries at Otaheite, Ton- 
 gataboo. New South Wales, South Africa, Canada, and New 
 Brunswick, Newfoundland, Ceylon, and Tranquebar ; Nova 
 Scotia, East Indies, &c. &c. With the Rev. Mr. Kicherer’s 
 Narrative of his Mission to the Hottentots. In Two Vols. 8vo. 
 Price 17s- boards; or in J6 Numbers, at Is. each, 
 
 NUMBER XVII. Containing Extracts from the Annual Re- 
 port of the Missionaries at Bethelsdorp, and of Letters from Dr. 
 Van der Kemp, Mr, Read, Mr. Anderson, C. and A. Albrecht, 
 and Sydenfaden. 
 
 NUMBER XVIII. Extracts of Letters and Journals of Messrs. 
 Taylor and Loveless, Missionaries destined for Surat. — Extracts 
 from the Journal of the Missionaries Cran and Des Granges — 
 Extract of a Letter from the Missionary Ringeltaube, at Pa- 
 lamcotta, 
 
 NUMBER XIX. Extracts from -the Letters and Journals of 
 Messrs. Loveless, Cran, and Des Granges, Dr. Taylor, and Mr. 
 Ringeltaube, in the East Indies. — Extracts of the Annual Report 
 of the Missionaries at Bethelsdorp for 1806 — Letter from Mr. 
 A. Albrecht, respecting the Namaqua Mission. — Extracts from 
 the Journals of the Missionaries at Otaheite, with a Letter from 
 the King of that Island in the Taheitean Language ; also a Fac 
 Simile of the King's Letter in English, written by himself. 
 
 NUMBER XX. Extracts from the Journals and Letters of the 
 Missionaries at Otaheite, from the Annual Report of the Mission- 
 aries at Bethelsdorp, for 1 ?07. — Observations on the great Na- 
 maqua Country, by A, Albrecht. — Extracts from the Journals of 
 the Missionaries Anderson, Kramer, and Janz, at Klaar Water, 
 near the Orange River. — An Account of the Mission to De- 
 merara. 
 
 NUMBER XXI. Containing an Account of the Mission at 
 the Great Orange River. — Mr. Sydenfaden’s first Visit to the 
 Great Namaqua Country. — Extracts from the Journal of A, and 
 C. Albrecht. — A Letter from Dr. Van der Kemp. — Conversion 
 of a Bramin. — Extract from Mr, Des Grange’s Journal. — Death 
 of Mr. Cran. 
 
PUBLICATIONS BY THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 NUMBER XXII. Annual Report of Bethelsdorp, I8O9.— 
 Letters from Dr. Van der Kemp. — Mr, Read, containing his 
 Journey to the Caflies. — Journal of C. and A. Albrecht. — Arrival 
 ot New Missionaries at the Cape. — Free School at Cape Town. — 
 Letters Iroin the Missionaries, New South Wales. — Extracts from 
 the Journal of iVlr, Morrison, in China. — Extract of a Letter from 
 the Missionaries at Vizagapatam. 
 
 NUMBER XXIII. Extract from the last Journal of Mr. Des 
 Granges. — Letters from Messrs. Des Granges and Ananderayer. — 
 Translation of a Letter from Ananderayer. — Extracts of Letters 
 from Messrs. Gordon and Lee. — From Mr. Loveless. — Mr. Hands, 
 at Bellary. — From Mr Brain, at Rangoon. — Letter from Mr. 
 Pritchett. — Extract of a Letter from Mr. Pritchett, at Calcutta. — 
 Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Ringeltaube. — Extract of a Let- 
 ter from Mr. Morrison. — Extract of a Letter from Mr, Marsden. 
 Letter from Ditto to the Missionaries. — Letter from the Missi- 
 onaries to the Directors. — Annual Report of Bethelsdorp. — Ex- 
 tracts of Letters from Mr. Read. 
 
 The FOUR SERMONS, preached before the Society in May 
 1804, 5, 6, 7» and" 8, with the REPORTS, each Year. I 8 O 9 , 
 10, and 11, 3s. 
 
 Just published, EXTRACTS from MISSIONARY SERMONS 
 preached in America, by Drs. Griffin, Nott, Morse, and 
 Miller. Is. 
 
 A few Copies of DODDRIDGE’S RISE AND PROGRESS 
 OF RELIGION, in French. 2s. 
 
 Ditto, in Italian. 2s. 
 
 Jho sold ij/ W illiams and Son, No. 10, Stationers' Court. 
 
 \ The Voice of God to the Churches : a Sermon on the 
 
 Death of the Missionaries Cran, Des Granges, and Brain. By D. 
 
 [ Bogue. Is. 
 
 ; MISSIONARY ANECDOTES: by the Rev. G. Burdek, 
 
 I Secretary of the Society. 12mo. 5s. 
 
 f'rinted by J. Dennett, Leather lane, F.ondon.,