(2) "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH." [JAN. MISSIONARIES are the picked soldiers of the Christian camp. They are sent forward to services of difficulty and danger, to attack the strongholds of Satan's kingdom, and force their way in wherever a breach is practicable. In the conflict they often fall, like good soldiers, at their post, counting not their lives dear to themselves if so be they might finish their course with joy: and so tidings continually reach us of one and another who is no longer with us in this service, and who has gone to be with Christ. On the West-African coast, during the present year, such bereavements have been frequent. Now the good Bishop Vidal, then the Rev. G. F. Gerst, of Lagos, then Dr. Irving, and, very recently, the Rev. J. T. Kefer, of Ibadan. Truly they have proved to the African how strongly they felt his need of the gospel, when to give it to him they were contented, after the example of their great Master, not only to live but to die. Kefer's death was precisely similar in its circumstances to that of Van Cooten. Van Cooten, in March 1851, although not feeling very well, left his station at Badagry to visit some towns in the direction of Porto Novo. He found the people attentive beyond his expectations, and became so interested in his work, that, disregarding the symptoms of increasing illness, he went on from town to town until he sank, and was brought home in a canoe to die. In the beginning of last May Mr. Kefer was not well. Fever was hanging over him. Mrs. Hinderer requested him to take medicine which she had prepared for him; and he seemed so much better as to resume his visits to the town, and his lessons in Yoruba every day with the schoolmaster. On May the 18th, the roof of the church was destroyed by a violent tornado. "He had made up his mind," writes Mr. Hinderer, "to go out the next week to visit some farm villages eastward. On the destruction of the roof of the church he intimated that he thought he ought not to go. But knowing he had set his heart upon it, and that we could not do much, at this time of year, in the way of repairing, I thought it better not to hinder him. On Sunday, the 20th, he did not go to the town at all, but in the morning he preached in one of our piazzas, not being able to use the church, with great spirit and power, from the text, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' On Monday, the 21st, he was busy putting to rights and preparing to go. Tuesday morning, the 22d, we bade each other good bye, wishing each other Pentecostal blessings, wherever we were; and he left, accompanied by his interpreter, Mr. Hardisty, his own servant, and his horseman." Some notes of his journey, made by himself in pencil, will be read with melancholy interest. "May 25-We reached before ten the respectable town of Lalupon, with large compounds, broad streets, and large market-places. The compound of the chief was a very extensive one, quite kingly built. A multitude of women and children, with the chiefs, filled one side, and men and boys the other, of the piazza. The chief himself, a tall, strong, and nice-looking man, was seated on a deer and sheep's hide. He replied very heartily to my salutations, and shook hands. He bade me sit down, but seemed a little reserved. He sent for the agelle, or consul, sent by the balle of Ibadan, these little towns being all tributary to Ibadan; and at the agelle's house I found I was to have my lodging. But before I was conducted thither, I explained why I had come, and what for; and their replies showed that they were not sorry I had come. I was much interested in a deaf and dumb boy, who seemed quite affectionate, and at once went and fetched grass for my horse. After an hour's rest, the chief desired me to come to him and his elders. He received me kindly, and told me he had feared at first, because he thought I had come to sit down, and his master, the balle of Ibadan, had said nothing to him about it; but he could be glad, now that I was going back again, and only came to pay him a visit. After a little talk, they all said they would like some one to teach them God's word, for they would like a word of peace, and they were glad a friend of their master's came to tell them such a word; and the chief added, "If I can only get a white man by and bye, I shall indeed be happy." "My lodging was crowded the whole afternoon with all descriptions of people. I acquainted them with the object of my coming, and told them of the Saviour of the world. The agelle spent much time in my piazza, and studied how to please, and make us all comfortable. The chief also sent me eggs and kolas. In the evening I walked out to see the town, and found it by far larger than I had expected: large and densely-filled compounds, regular market-places-quite a resting-place for traders. Oil and pots are made, clothes are dyed, and indigo prepared for use and to sell. The evening, after a little rest and quinine, as I had felt feverish, we spent in teaching our visitors the first commandment. They could soon repeat it, and we talked over it. I asked a young man if people of this country do according to the word of God, and have no other God beside. He considered it for a while, but his neighbour said, What are you waiting for? Look there: your shango beads round your neck;' and then he said, 'We do worship orishas, and if this be God's word, our fashion must displease Him.' After a little music, which delighted them much, we had our evening prayers, to which they all kneeled down. Two hours had thus passed very pleasantly, and the people did not scem inclined to go till I told them I must now retire." Here ends the last written record of our departed friend, who was indeed "faithful unto death," and has now from his Saviour's hand re ceived the " crown of life." His interpreter gives the conclusion. "Mr. Kefer was ever ready to receive and talk to all who came near him, and he tried to tell all of Jesus. On this Friday, when I saw he had a little fever, I begged him to rest, which he did a little, but said, 'I am well. This little white powder takes all my fever away.' He slept well that night, and seemed quite well in the morning (Saturday, the 26th). There was heavy rain, and so we could not go out till past eleven; but it was then nice and cool, and we stayed out in compounds, &c., till two. Fever returning, he lay down, taking a little more white powder. He became better, and walked a little. After an hour he returned, looking very pleased, but pale. He said, 'I have found another nice little town, to which we must go on Monday.' We had a pretty quiet evening, and Mr. Kefer slept well. On Sunday morning, the 27th, his skin looked a little pale and yellow, which I did not like, and I said, 'You must be quiet, Sir, to-day, or fever will take you strong.' He said, 'I am not at all ill, only a little.' We went out preaching to many people. At eleven I again said, 'Please, Sir, do come home now; but he said, 4 66 FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH." [JAN. "Wait a little longer.' At twelve I looked at him again, and he said, 'Well, we will go now.' As soon as he lay down fever came sharply, and by seven o'clock P.M., or before, he was quite unconscious, and continued so all night. We all watched him the whole night. The next morning we saw his skin more yellow than gold, and I set about making a hammock, for I felt we must get him home or he would die out there. I said to him, 'I will carry you home in a hammock.' He seemed conscious for a minute or so, and said, 'Yes, do : make haste."" "This," adds Mr. Hinderer, " is Hardisty's account in his own words. We cannot be thankful enough for his persevering efforts in accomplishing this bringing home, for it would indeed have added doubly to our sorrow to have had him die out there. But Hardisty had great trouble to get carriers. He begged the chief and agelle to give him people. But as soon as they came near they all fled in terror; and until the agelle himself took one end of the hammock, with Hardisty at the other, nobody would touch it. Our poor brother was quite delirious: one on each side had to guard him, and another held the umbrella over his head; and thus they arrived about three or four o'clock that Monday afternoon. He gave Mrs. Hinderer and myself one smile of recognition, but that was all. We got him to bed with all speed, and gave him medicine which had helped him on two former occasions. While Mrs. Hinderer bathed his burning head he fell into a nice sleep, and we again gathered hope; but by seven o'clock he became very restless, requiring three or four of us to hold him, and at last lay down greatly exhausted by the efforts he had made. We had prayer around his bed, but the spirit which was passing away showed no sign of heeding it. He lay with his hands folded as quietly as a little child falling to sleep in his mother's arms, without sigh or sound; and at seventeen minutes to ten P.M. drew his last breath, and entered into the joy of his Lord. Next day, at five P.M., Ibadan witnessed the first Christian burial. Near the church we laid our dear brother till the resurrection morning, in the sight, and amid the sympathy and tears, of a large number of heathen, and our little band of Christians. God give us grace to be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.' We cannot but think that much of this severe sickness, and removal by early death, must be attributed to the over pressure of work which is inseparable from insufficient numbers. Let us conceive the position of two Missionaries, in the midst of a large African town containing at least 70,000 inhabitants, besides populous towns and villages within an easy distance, and the people willing to hear the white man, and by their attention encouraging him to go on; and we can understand how easily, in endeavouring to improve his opportunities, he passes the limits of prudence in the expenditure of health and strength. Mr. Hinderer, in his journal of May 30th, thus refers to this sad event, which deprived him of a faithful friend and colleague, and left him alone in populous Ibadan. "Oh, what a change has the last week wrought for us! Full of nervousness, I look out from our front door to-day upon a grave near our little church. Can it be? Is it really true that there lie the remains of our dear brother, my most faithful fellowlabourer? Yes! and he has indeed been faithful unto death,' and is now receiving the crown of life." *See Frontispiece, from a sketch by Mrs. Hinderer. |