The house was one of the first on New Augustengroden, built
in 1816, [swept] down by the water in 1825, and rebuilt the same year. He
was an intelligent young man, and answered many inquiries which we made.

Finding the distance might be too great to walk, next morning we procured
horses, and started about seven o'clock, taking from our small stock of
books one for each family. We commenced intercourse with them by first
interesting ourselves about their families and domestic concerns, not
unmindful of every suitable opportunity to turn the conversation on the
subject of religion, which is too much neglected by most of them. They are
of the Lutheran profession; but the church being at some distance, they do
not regularly attend. Most of them have as many as six children, and some
eight, with fine countenances. We felt deeply interested, particularly for
the mothers, some of whom are tender-spirited, amiable women, and wept
much in the opportunities we had with them. Their late afflictions have
made on some a deep impression, and it was a time when, I trust, such a
visit might be of advantage. In the floods, several had their houses swept
away; and one lost thirty-six head of cattle, and had to drag his children
out of the water naked, and take refuge on the tops of the houses. But the
most touching case was that of a man who lost his wife and five children,
his father, mother, and servants. They were sent away in a waggon, as a
means of escape; but the waggon was swept away by the torrent, and all
perished. The husband, who was left alone in the house, got to land on
some boards, part of the wreck of the house, and expected to find his
family safe; what must have been his feelings when he found they had all
perished in the deep! We felt truly prepared to sympathise with them, and
think they were sensible of our visit being in the sincere love of the
Gospel. Their kindness towards us exceeded description. In going from
house to house, one of them seeing us in the field, and not knowing our
errand, thought we had missed our way, and came running almost out of
breath to set us in the road. When he found that our visit was intended
to him, he seemed overjoyed, and conducted us to his home and his
interesting wife. His name is Friedrich Fockensllammen. He soon showed us
all that was in his house and barns; and I may say he was equally ready to
tell us all that was in his heart. We could not get away without taking
coffee with