“This is certain and I have it daily, that neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase. He who, although despairing of himself and his own strength, goes out in all humility with prayer and supplication, seeks that which was lost and then waits for the former and the latter rain from the Lord, he receiveth blessing of God and is preserved from much disquietude. And although the blessing is not instantly visible, yet God awakeneth the heart and enableth us to say, ‘At Thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done they enclosed a great multitude of fishes.’ This text I remember frequently, especially as it is that on which I preached my first sermon at the University, and by means of which God has produced in me purity of spirit and at the same time a filial reliance on His word. May He teach it me more and more and inculcate it by His Spirit.”
The visit of Schwartz and Kohlhoff to Negapatam enabled them to give the European community there some excellent advice as to their duty as representing a Christian nation in their behaviour before the people. This had such a good result that the Governor promised to build a church for the use of the native Christians. Schwartz certainly was an example of the truths he taught, for wherever he went the greatest respect was shown to him. The natives were eager to wait on him, and sufficiently rewarded by his courteous acknowledgment. A high caste Brahmin who had been listening to one of his addresses said to Schwartz, in bidding him farewell, “You are a universal priest”—a significant compliment.
While Schwartz and his fellow missionaries were quietly conducting their work at Tranquebar their brethren in the Madras mission were passing through trying experiences. The French were determined at all costs to gain the paramount position as rulers of India, and on the night of 28th April, 1758, they landed troops near Fort St. David and ravaged the country in a lawless and cruel way, which would not be likely to increase any respect for Christianity in the minds of the natives. It was a reign of terror, and large numbers of Roman Catholic natives sought refuge in the walls of their own church close to the Governor’s house, but a false report was circulated that these fugitives were Protestant missionaries with their converts and on that assumption they were massacred in the sacred building, which was afterwards entirely demolished. On the approach of these soldiers, excited by their success, to Cuddalore, the frightened inhabitants brought their treasures into the mission house, and when the capitulation was arranged, the French General, Count Lally, assured the missionaries that they had nothing to fear, and it is a curious fact that a German officer who had heard Mr. Kohlhoff preach at Seringapatam was with the troops and gave orders to his men to take care of the mission premises, while another regiment under the French flag was almost entirely Irish and were on their part most friendly. This providential incident saved the mission, and the brethren were not slow in showing their gratitude by giving refreshment to the officers and soldiers and making them welcome to their doors. Afterwards the French General visited the mission and had long conversations with the missionaries in English, making many inquiries about their doctrines, and how they made their converts. He gave them a free passport to leave, which they did in two country boats, collecting their little flock and bidding them farewell. It was absolutely necessary for them to take this step, because under present circumstances they would be compelled to take an oath of allegiance to the French Government. In due time they arrived at Tranquebar and were welcomed by Schwartz and the brethren of the mission. Through the instrumentality of Hüttemann, the colleague of Schwartz who had come out with him, a Pandaram of the highest caste was converted to Christianity. On the 21st November, 1760, great interest was awakened at Tranquebar by the funeral of an aged Christian woman, one of the first five converts admitted by baptism in the days of Ziegenbalg and Plütschau in 1707. Her life had been blameless and her testimony as a former Mohammedan was always very profitable to her friends.
Trouble now broke out afresh in Madras, for the French were again investing the town, and the missionaries at Vepery gathered together in prayer for the safety and success of the British arms. During an assault on the town the native horsemen who were assisting the French troops swept down on to the mission buildings and robbed the Christian men, women, and children who were in the church for security. It is surprising that there was no bloodshed, but, as one of the missionaries said, “Our gracious God, however, without whose permission not a hair falls from our heads, mercifully preserved his servants, so that their persons were not touched and, with the exception of being plundered, no one sustained the slightest injury.” After getting some protection from the French officers, Mr. Fabricius went back to his dismantled station at Vepery, where everything was in confusion and only a few manuscripts and books were left by the fierce Mohammedan troops. For some time it seemed as if the English in the fort would not be able to hold out, but at the critical moment their fleet appeared before Madras and not only was the siege abandoned but in several subsequent battles the French power was, as regards India, broken for ever.
The visit of Schwartz to the island of Ceylon was in response to an appeal by the Dutch missionary there, and on his arrival he received a very respectful and kind welcome from the brethren and also the Dutch commandant. The missionaries were converted Tamils, and it was a great delight to them to receive the instructions and advice of Schwartz in their own language. With unwearied zeal he travelled from place to place, visiting the hospitals, preaching in the churches, and, at the Governor’s request, administering Holy Communion. But here his health broke down; what was the nature of his sickness does not appear, but for a whole month he was laid aside and the only record we have is the gratitude of his heart when he was sufficiently recovered to begin work again. At the end of his visit, on his way to India, the ship lost sight of land and the Mohammedan sailors implored him to tell them about Jesus Christ, and when he did so they listened with respect. Schwartz was one of those men of whom it may be said they are never off duty, not only in his ministrations as a preacher, but continually from quite unexpected quarters and at frequent times an opportunity came or someone would open a conversation with him, asking his help and advice. While he was at Jaffna, for instance, a well educated and serious native, who viewed religion as other matters from a scientific standpoint, wanted him to relieve his mind of many doubts on the subject of revelation. A long conversation followed in which Schwartz tried to lead him from his doubts one by one to a position of faith and liberty. The closing advice exhibits the far-seeing judgment of the missionary and is just as applicable to the case to-day as then.
“It is very right to endeavour,” said Schwartz, “by sound reasoning and argument to become convinced of the truth of divine revelation, but this is not sufficient. The chief cause of your unbelief is your own perverse will and inclination. You wish that the word of God may prove untrue for no other reason than this, that you may be allowed to live undisturbed in sin, but I declare to you that your understanding is convinced of the truth—your heart and will must be changed. Turn therefore with full purpose of heart to the living God and endeavour to obtain grace and pardon through the blood of his atonement; and watch and pray and you will find help. You must enter upon this most important business with great zeal and with a holy importunity.” It is stated that this advice was evidently put to some good test, for the listener went home greatly impressed, sent for one of his neighbours who was an enemy and freely forgave him, making reconciliation where there had been enmity and strife.
One of his public services while in Ceylon was at Point Pedro at a spot which had become historic, for under an ancient tree there the famous Dutch evangelist Baldeus had first preached the Gospel to the natives in the seventeenth century. Schwartz was deeply impressed as he stood under the boughs of that old tree and proclaimed the same saving truths to the people.
His letters are so full of interest and so self-revealing that from one written to his friend, Dr. Francke, dated 16th October, 1760, an extract must be given, giving his impressions of Ceylon.
“May I never forget the good I have received at the hands of God; and may the remembrance of His great and unmerited kindness strengthen me to do His will, and to walk in the way of His commandments! I know indeed from experience that after God has comforted the heart with the assurance of His grace and pardoning love, there will be also found readiness and strength faithfully to discharge our general and relative duties. May a merciful God glorify Christ in my soul, as my adorable Mediator and Redeemer, that I may taste and see how gracious He is. I was much troubled and even somewhat impeded in the discharge of my duty by a dry cough in January and February last, which always greatly increased whenever I attempted to remain for any length of time in the open air, during the presence of northerly winds, on which account an opportunity of taking a voyage to Ceylon was particularly welcome to me. When I reflect how God has condescended to humble and purify me by means of an illness with which I was visited at Colombo, I am constrained to praise Him in silence! ‘All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,’ even when it would seem as if He had visited us no longer and contrary to the assurance which His word contains. I have reason to think that the seed of the word sown at Colombo has been productive, in some instances, of real and lasting good. The Commanding Officer at Galle, a member of the Reformed Church, appeared much affected and said to the Lutherans, ‘I suppose you would be glad to receive a similar visit once a year.’ And on my taking leave he thanked me most feelingly for the edification he had received and begged me to come again. The word of God being so scarce in this island I assure you that the divine service was conducted in a very solemn and edifying manner. Indeed my inmost soul was moved by it.”