“How God conducted us into Falmouth Harbour and what we there noticed to His praise, you will have observed from the short letter which we wrote on the day of our departure. On the 12th March God gave us a good wind, and everything was prepared for sailing. But the tide being then at ebb, we were obliged to wait till the evening as we could not otherwise get safely out of the harbour. In the afternoon an inhabitant of the town came on board who had been powerfully awakened by Mr Whitefield. This man related to us many things, particularly of the minister of Falmouth—how zealous he was in the discharge of his duty. We regretted that we had not visited him, but as the stranger intimated that he would salute him from us we sent the minister Professor Zimmermann’s treatise on the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ, translated into Latin, in which we wrote a few lines.
“About seven in the evening we sailed, in the name of God, out of the harbour, with a man-of-war, which we thought was to escort us, but the next day we learned that she was to escort the ‘Norfolk.’ With this Divine dispensation we were well satisfied, believing that we should not need that convoy if we could only say with David (Psalm xlvi. 7): ‘The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.’ If the Lord be for us who or what can be against us? We met a Dutch ship from Smyrna to Rotterdam, the captain of which informed us that he had suffered much from the late severe storms, whilst we were quietly in the harbour. On the 16th we were met by two ships which exhibited a sad spectacle. One of them had sprung a large leak and drew several feet of water, so that she lay very deep and rolled from side to side. Our captain backed the sails and sent the carpenter with an officer and some others to see whether they could assist, but on their return they declared that the vessel must sink. The other ship therefore kept quite close to the damaged one that the people might save themselves.”
The health of Schwartz had by this time been re-established and, although subject to the delicacy which is common to people of sedentary habit who have not developed their physical capacities by exercise, the young missionary appears to have started his voyage without much discomfort except a little sea-sickness. But we find him suddenly laid aside.
“On the 21st March I had a fever, which continued till the 10th April. As I fell away so much the doctor was alarmed, but God helped me graciously and soon restored me my bodily health. I must also confess to His praise that this sickness has been of great service to me. On the 22nd March we had for the first time Divine service on board our ship, which afforded us great pleasure. On the 29th we passed the tropic of Cancer and on the 18th April we crossed the line for the first time. There was great joy on board that we had not been detained longer. On the 22nd we were in the bight of Ascension. The 30th God visibly preserved a youth from death, who had entered on board to learn navigation. A thick cable fell down from above, exactly on the spot where he was standing but before it reached him he perceived it and narrowly escaped. Towards evening a ship was seen. We rejoiced at first, hoping for an opportunity of sending letters, but our joy had nearly been changed to fear, as our people began to think that they might be enemies and made preparations for defence. Early next morning we looked out for her but in vain. On the 5th May we passed the tropic of Capricorn and thus left the torrid zone. As soon as the trade wind ceased we were favoured with a delightful breeze from E.N.E. If we attend to the different changes of wind, we may observe agreeable traces of the admirable wisdom of God. On the 7th we saw a French vessel and on our captain firing a signal gun, to desire them to wait, they did so and we came up with her towards evening. The captains conversed with each other on their observations and ours agreed pretty well with theirs. It was a great advantage that we could observe so well in our ship for even in hazy weather the sun appeared a little about noon. The chief mate requested us to communicate the observations contained in our diaries, particularly with regard to the variation of the compass. We did so and he gratefully acknowledged it by giving us a fine large Cheshire cheese. The 11th May we had a very high wind, and the next day a calm. While we spoke of it in the evening and sighed to God that He would have pity on us, as before, suddenly there arose a very favourable breeze. Thus God fulfilled us what He had promised—‘Before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear.’ So that we could praise God with joyful hearts. On the 17th May we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost and heartily besought God that by His Spirit, whom Jesus has obtained, He would fit us for the important office to which He has called us. The 12th May our dear brother Hüttemann was seized with alarming sickness but God most graciously blessed the use of the medicines out of the travelling chest which you gave us, so that he was fully restored to us in a few days. On the 23rd we had an unusually brisk gale, the vessel inclined so much that it shipped water which we had not hitherto seen. However, it passed over without damage. On the 27th we had a complete calm so that the captain and the chief mate went out in a boat to shoot birds, but on the following night arose a real storm, which, as it came unexpectedly, tore all the sails. When we came upon deck in the morning they all hung in rags, and we had only one small sail hoisted. We did not, however, yield to anxious or desponding thoughts. So faithful is God! In need He refresheth and comforteth abundantly. The 30th May we had very pleasant weather, which was a great relief after the storm. On the 31st we saw a Dutch ship. We all wished it might approach us but were disappointed as it passed us at a considerable distance, but in the afternoon our joy was greater, as we caught sight of the Cape. The mountains presented themselves at a distance like clouds, but as we came nearer we could see them distinctly. We praised God heartily, the more so as we had on this very day been powerfully impressed in meditating on the words (1 Cor. xv. 58): ‘Therefore, my blessed brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the Work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.’”
From these incidents recorded by Schwartz it is easy to recall the difficulties of navigation at a time when the ship was absolutely dependent upon the winds and tides. These fine old East Indiamen vessels, which were far more picturesque than are the steamships of to-day, had in his time the double risk to contend with of great and fierce storms in the eastern seas and the prospect of capture, or at any rate injury, by the French Navy, with which nation we were then at war. For these and other reasons the missionaries began to hope anxiously for their journey’s end.
“From this time we began to look out for India, and thought we had now left the worst behind. But on the 17th June, in the night, we had a most furious storm, in which all declared we were in great danger. Even the next day it was frightful to behold and it was much heightened by the heavy rain which accompanied the wind. Meanwhile, when the tempest was at the highest, we slept in peace and quiet, a gracious God had hidden the danger from us. On the 19th there was a pretty strong breeze. A rope, with which a sail was belayed, happened to break, which caused the ship to heel a little, and all at once we lay on our side. The captain called out to the man at the helm to put the ship about, but they could not accomplish it. The vessel had inclined altogether to one side, and was, moreover, quite wet from the rain, so that the people fell as they attempted to walk on the deck. However, the storm at length subsided and we sustained no material injury. In how many distresses hath not our gracious God covered us, as it were, with His wings! On the 30th of June we passed the tropic of Capricorn a second time. Now we came again into a pleasant climate, hitherto we had sometimes very cold weather. On the 4th July the rope of the helm broke, and as the wind happened to blow fresh, the ship fell into some disorder. On the 10th we again crossed the line. The 13th was a most agreeable day for we then came in sight of Ceylon. The chief mate discovered it about nine in the morning. The joy which this produced on board is hardly to be described, since the greater number scarcely expected that we should make it so directly. We said, ‘This hath God done! O how great is His goodness and how graciously doth He hear our prayers! May the kindness which He hath showed us in this instance serve to strengthen us in filial confidence!’
“This day and the following we enjoyed the delightful smell of cinnamon. At the same time we had a most favourable wind so that during the day we passed at a good distance by the rocks of Ceylon. On the 16th of July we were approaching the coast of Coromandel; everyone therefore looked out eagerly for land but the night drew on and we could see none. About nine we found a bottom at fifteen fathoms, and it was remarkable that as soon as it was found, the wind ceased. We therefore dropped the anchor. In the morning when we looked out, we not only beheld the coast but found ourselves right opposite to Cuddalore. We praised the name of the Lord for this paternal guidance, and whosoever delights in the traces of His gracious providence will, on hearing it, exalt His name together.
“After we had cast anchor the natives immediately came on board. The sight of these poor people, who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, deeply affected our hearts, and we awakened ourselves cheerfully to work at their conversion and to recommend to them the salvation of the Gospel. Now the Lord vouchsafe to give us wisdom, grace, and strength to accomplish this purpose, since we are most unworthy to be unto them ‘a savour of life unto life.’
“We informed the Rev. Mr. Kiernander of our arrival and he sent in the afternoon a country boat to fetch us. There we took our leave of the officers and passengers who had shown us every kindness. They were much moved at parting and wished us every blessing in our future ministry. May the Lord do good abundantly to them all! In the evening dear Mr. Kiernander received us and praised the name of the Lord for all the mercy He had shown us....
“On the 24th of July the Rev. Senior of the Danish missionaries, Mr. Wiedebroeck, came from Tranquebar to fetch us. He joined us in hearty praises to God for all His mercies. After having therefore visited several English gentlemen, we departed on the 28th from Cuddalore. Dear Mr. Kiernander accompanied us as far as the first river and there took leave of us. On the 30th we arrived at Tranquebar in perfect health and were most paternally received by our dear brethren. Now hitherto the Lord hath helped us. To Him be glory for ever and ever.”