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.’”