part of
what was destined for us on their long voyage, and during a detention
of four months at Queda, on the Malay coast. We were, however, happy to
receive Brother Steinman, who was young, lively, and every way
qualified for the service, so that we promised ourselves much
assistance from him; but in less than a month after his arrival, it
pleased the Lord to take him from us by death. You may suppose what we
felt on being again left alone, in want of even the most necessary
articles of subsistence. But the Lord yet helped us, gave us from day
to day our daily bread, and in many heavy illnesses approved Himself as
our best physician. Oh! how many thousand tears have I shed during that
period of distress and trouble. I will not affirm that they were _all_
of that kind, which I might, with David, pray the Lord "to put into his
bottle," and ask, "are they not in thy book," for I was not yet fully
acquainted with the ways of God with His people, and had not yet a
heart wholly resigned to all His dealings. Oftentimes self-will,
unbelief, and repining at our hard lot, was mixed with our complaints
and cries unto Him. Do not therefore think them so very pure, and
deserving of pity as they may seem. Thus much, however, I can truly
say, that amidst it all, our Saviour was the object of our hearts'
desire; and He beheld us with longsuffering and compassion.

We were as diligent as our wretched circumstances would admit, in
clearing land and planting, to obtain what we wanted for our support;
and having only three negroes to cook, wash, and do other jobs, we
frequently laboured beyond our strength, and brought upon ourselves
various illnesses. But there seemed no help for it. At the same time we
exerted ourselves to learn the Nicobar language, and in the best manner
possible endeavoured to explain to the poor natives, the love of God in
Christ Jesus, and the way of salvation through a crucified Saviour.

Not till 1783, had we the satisfaction to see the Brethren J. Heinrich,
Fleckner, and Raabs arrive to our assistance, in company of the mate of
the vessel, with which they set sail from Tranquebar. While they were
lying in the roads of Junkceylon, a French privateer came and claimed
her as lawful prize, because, on searching her, he found a few old
English newspapers in a trunk belonging to Mr. Wilson, an English
gentleman on board, who had escaped from Hyder Ali's prison. This was
pretence sufficient for a Frenchman to seize u