CORRESPONDENCE
OF THE
REV. H. E. A. MEYER,
MISSIONARY AT
ENCOUNTER BAY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
1839 to 1848.
Indexed
AND a Report to Governor Grey,
Manners and Customs of the Aborigines of the Encounter Bay Tribe, South Australia.
By H.E.A. Meyer, 1842.
[some missing pages]
Transcribed by Alistair Crooks, July-August, 2016
Paginated and Indexed by Joe Lane,September-October 2016.
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Cover Letter
? 2000?
H. Kneebone
19 Walkerville Tce,
Gilberton
S.A.5081
19.10.00
Ms G. Inverarity
Wakefield Press
P.O. Box 2266
Kent Town
S.A.5071
Dear Ms Inverarity,
As discussed with you last week, I am now sending you a section of our manuscript, comprising a selection of the early letters of Missionary H.A. E. Meyer, along with a paper given at the Australian Historical Association conference in July this year, which will form part of the introduction to the work.
The translation from German into English using both a transcription prepared in the Leipzig Mission Archive and copies of the original letters in old German script, kindly made available to us by the Lutheran Archives, was carried out by a team of translators ; Cynthia Rathjen Sandy Marty and myself, and proof-read by Dr Lois Zweck. The work has been supported by Garnett Wilson (Chair of the Environment and Heritage Committee) with funding from the Dept of State Aboriginal Affairs, and also by Professor Peter Mühlhäusler (linguistics, Adelaide University).
The translation covers Meyer's attempt to establish a mission in Encounter Bay during the years 1840-48, the hardships of his pioneering efforts to settle and convert the Ramindjeri people, reports of his progress in establishing a school for the children, his ongoing struggles to obtain sufficient levels of funding from the Colonial administration and also his reflections on the prospects for mission work in general in Australia. We consider the publication will be of interest to both the general and more specialised readership; Indigenous groups, particularly in South Australia, those with an interest in both family history and the early settlement history of South Australia, linguists and anthropologists.
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We would also like to draw your attention to the special nature of this collection of materials, which have previously been inaccessible to the English-speaking reader, due not only to the correspondence being in German, but also in old-German script, which is very difficult and time-consuming to read correctly. Our translation also provides the reader with comprehensive annotation on such aspects as names of persons and places mentioned, Biblical references and other pieces of information helpful in orienting the reader. The introduction will cover biographical background on Meyer, comment on content of the correspondence and also place it within the context of Colonial South Australia.
The manuscript is currently in the final stage of proof-reading and footnoting, we then hope to include a selection of illustrations to complement the text, which should be approx. 250 pages in length.
As we are anxious to move forward with our plans for publication, we would be pleased to have the opportunity to discuss various aspects with you including possible timelines, copyright procedures, formatting support and marketing issues.
We look forward to your early reply.
Heidi Kneebone, Cynthia Rathjen & Sandy Marty.
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ERLANGEN, 2 JULY, 1839.
Dearest Pastor,
Your worthy correspondence reached me the day before yesterday together with the remaining letters. As we were on a small journey - on the cause and outcome of which Brother Cordes will report - we therefore only had the pleasure of reading them when we had reached our dwelling in a state of tiredness. May the Lord be praised for his mercy in hitherto guiding and leading our brothers in Australia as on eagles’ wings. May he soon however trample the devil under their feet and cast shame on Teichelmann’s proud and contrary heart so that they may carry out the Lord's work together to the praise and glory of his holy name. Amen.
As I have always resolved to express myself to you openly and freely, I trust that you will not lay any blame upon me for opening my heart to you in the following lines ; for the curious coincidence of circumstances as well as your dear letter has given me cause to do so. Concerning your generous advice in any case to make use of our holiday time, in any case we regret, that in the main we cannot comply; as the dear Löhe only informed us expressly yesterday that as much as he would like, he did not have permission to hand over his pulpit to us. Therefore there is no thought of preaching here in Bavaria. Concerning our visits to the ministers, I believe there are very few with whom we have not already come into contact.
Whatever the situation may be, I believe dear Pastor that I am justified in holding you to your word with some persistence, whereby my holiday journey would assume a quite different direction. A few weeks before our departure I acquainted you with my desire to travel to Berlin and at the same time added quite unreservedly my reasons, namely, that since my bride - as you are indeed aware - was obliged to spend the major part of the previous summer in Madgeburg, I would like to see her again before my departure. You accepted this as a reasonable request and I hope your convictions have not yet changed in this regard.
The reason why the journey was not completed, was because you believed the call could be not much longer in coming and then the whole matter would have taken a different direction, and should it take longer then we could take our holidays. Those are roughly your words, dear Pastor, from which I believe I may not depart. I am still convinced that it would be cruel to visit others and not to consider at all those who are closest to me. However, this is not the most important thing I had to write to you, furthermore, I especially ask that I might take it to the Lord with prayer and supplication and consult with the remaining friends.
You cannot be unaware, dearest Pastor, with what feelings I heard of your explanation that the Society intended to send Brother Cordes and me, if the Lord opens the door, to India, and to this end we should go to Erlangen in order to learn the Tamil language. Even if I have not expressed it, it would be my deepest conviction that anyone else would be capable of going to India, but not I with my meagre gifts. However, that confidence, which you placed in me made me keep silent. But now with the coincidence of such remarkable circumstances, I take it as my duty to request heartily that you consider the question before the Lord of where I would be of most use.
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As I have learnt from your dear letter, Tamil will not be sufficient, but one must also preach in Portuguese and Turkish. These difficulties will not be of significance in Australia, therefore I am quite convinced, so far as I can judge, that I would be more useful for Australia than India. However I can and will not decide so that I can keep a clear conscience. May this statement of mine, if the Society does not comply, at the same time serve as a justification in the future if I should not fulfil the hopes of the Society in regard to India. I reiterate that the matter is important and, as it has turned out, exceptional, therefore I request that you again give it your earnest consideration. For India you need not be anxious, as the Lord is able to raise children from stones1, so he can and will kindle the heart of a strong candidate for India. The little that I have achieved in the Tamil language cannot be taken into account. One equipped with more talents could achieve as much in a shorter time.
Marginal Note : But we would praise the Lord, if he led us thither. I have enough reason to believe that it is possible that three Missionaries would not be too many. Baier will already have acquired candidates for future years for Tranquebar. Brother Cordes will be able to find a much more faithful Jonathon than I have been to him, we both know, praise God, that where the Lord is concerned, all other considerations must retreat into the background. Therefore I am of the opinion that the reasons just mentioned are not sufficient to allay my concerns, I had to write down my view. You must decide. May our faithful God grant that you make the right choice, Amen. Pastor Löhe sends many greetings to you and Baron Wirsing and heartily thanks the latter for his letter. And I add my greetings to all dear friends. May our faithful God be with you and your whole household, that is the wish of,
Your loving pupil,
E.H.Meyer
1 Matthew 3,9 : “for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham”.
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ERLANGEN, 2nd August, 1839.
May the God of all mercy be with you and with all your household. Amen.
Most beloved Pastor,
Early this morning I received your dear letter which I have been earnestly awaiting for some time. You can well imagine our feelings to know that our departure was so imminent. Our hearts trembled partly with joy, partly with holy awe when we considered that in a short while the office of preaching reconciliation is to be conferred upon us. But may God’s will be done.
First and foremost I give you my hearty thanks, dear Pastor for you [paper damaged] that you have not failed to consider my wishes, however, I now take the liberty of an additional request of whether you [paper damaged] and the other friends might give your blessing for me to serve the Lord in Australia. It is a matter of great concern to me, for the Lord our God in these times conveys his will by means of circumstance and carries out his purpose through individuals. When I know that the Society or Church which is delegating me wishes that I go here or there it will increase my enthusiasm. I hope to hear the answer from you in a few days.
That someone is to accompany Brother Cordes to India but that no one has been appointed gave me to think that perhaps it should be one of the brothers in Adelaide, but not longer, it would be impractical, since they have already accustomed themselves both to the people and the language, therefore I straight away put aside the thought.
Tomorrow morning we intend to set out on our journey to Pastor Löhe but will be back in Erlangen on Tuesday. Mr. Von Raumer considers it beneficial that we should be in Dresden for the Anniversary celebrations, I look forward therefore, if the Lord preserves life and health, to visiting, in for eight or nine days.
Please convey my greetings to your wife as well as the children. I send my best regards to you and remain,
Your loving pupil,
E.H. Meyer
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ERLANGEN, 9th .... , 1839.
Dearest Pastor,
We received your dear lines of the sixth of this month early today and to our joy realised that the Lord is especially present in the Mission cause, as indeed with all his people. How true. Gold and silver are the Lord’s. He holds all hearts in his hand. What he unlocks with David’s key no man can close2. As the Lord has helped us so wonderfully with regard to the Mission and has not only allowed a flow of resources but, what especially pleases us, has also given hope of enlisting a strong man, so may he according to his mercy and steadfastness continue to help you in your difficult office and especially bestow on you again the best of health. That is our heartfelt wish.
As concerns your goodly advice, dearest Pastor, to relinquish the plan for South Australia, it would not be difficult for me if only a fleeting thought had crossed my mind, or if other considerations, which moreover are very dear to the hearts of others, had induced me to write my previous letter.
Apart from the main reasons, which I have already expressed, I believe I may cite even more additional, indeed important additional reasons why I believe that if the Lord will make use of me as his tool, I would be of more use for the Australian field than India. One of these reasons which also appears to me to be not inconsiderable I believe I owe it both to my conscience and to the cause of God, to write to you.
I am fully convinced that Brother Klose is the suitable person to work in Australia or rather, with Teichelmann there however to act as a mediator _between S[chürmann] and T[eichelmann]. I believe is pointless, for such a collaboration of these two would not now or ever be of permanence. And what are three people to do in the one place? I therefore believe, that it would be good if two would come so that K[lose] and T[eichelmann] might work together near to the town and at least one other might go out into the inland, which would certainly be of great benefit.
However as Teichelmann must have a colleague of special quality, so must S[chürmann] as well, for an old disapproving and hard taskmaster is not for him as sad experience has taught us. In short, S[chürmann] must be taken as S[chürmann] and have one at his side one who enjoys his full affection and trust. Without extolling myself, for the state of my fame is lamentable, I am yet able to flatter myself that I enjoy S[chürmann]’s affection and confidence in some degree. One example will probably suffice to confirm this.
2Revelation 3,7,"These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the Key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth" .
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These and similar reasons were the motivating forces behind both the former and present letters, coupled with the main reason that, as far as I can judge I am more suited to Australia than India and I must openly confess the great preference I have for Australia. To this I would simply add the request that you might consider well all circumstance as for me there is much of importance at stake.
But may He himself, Jesus, who puts all things to rights also put all things to rights for me in this matter. Amen.
With heartfelt greeting to all my dear friends, especially your dear wife and children.
In the hope of receiving a few lines from you again soon,
I am and remain,
Your loving pupil,
H.A.E. Meyer
3 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.
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London, the 3rd April.
Dearest Pastor,
The grace of the Triune God be with you and your whole house, Amen.
Only a few weeks have passed but already many miles have separated us, and we have had many experiences in this short time. However, the name of the Lord be praised, so far He has made all things, all things well. You will be able to convince yourself of this from the following short description of our journey.
On the 5th we reached Berlin safe and sound around 6 o’clock in the evening. On Friday my visit was to Barschel, in order to organise matters pertaining to citizenship. As a result of his advice, I prepared in great haste an application to the Lord Mayor, which I submitted on the following day, that is, Saturday. Since the issuing of such certificates is a matter for the Magistrate, I therefore had to come away without having finalised this matter.
Having been turned away from there, I set out and found to my great happiness that your advice to approach officials directly in one room also proved to be practical in my case. All were very friendly and promised to see to the matter as soon as possible. In accordance with this promise, I may hope that you already have the certificate in your hands or, at the very least, will soon receive it. Saturday was spent with such matters and the first steps towards gaining a passport. Thus it was Sunday at 12 o’clock before I had my ministerial passport in my hands.
There was little time left remaining, since I had a good distance to walk and had not yet eaten lunch. At 2 o’clock I was also to offer some words of farewell and encouragement to the congregation which I accordingly did, because I could not resist the many invitations extended to me. Because there was no time left for preparation, I retained the same order of service, as in the service of commissioning. In the evening many old friends visited us, and we enjoyed what will probably be our last meal with them and then exchanged our last farewells. However, we had not yet surmounted all the bitterness of farewell. Monday was the last and perhaps the most bitter day which I have experienced in the circle of my dear parents and relatives.
Much was still to be done and brought into order. Nevertheless, Mother did not know what she should do first ; often she just sat down and looked upon us with tear-filled eyes, or pressed us to her breast with melancholy ; only Father packed busily, because we wanted to dispatch the boxes with the post coach and the same would depart at 4.00 in the afternoon. Everything was finished on time. The boxes had been delivered, the post certificates had been obtained ; only Brother Klose was still missing. The hour arrived when his post coach was expected, Klose did not arrive. At 9 o’clock, still no sign of Klose. One consolation remained, namely that he had come by the Frankfurt Post at 9 o’clock and was waiting there in order to depart with the Hamburg Post at 10 o’clock. Our hour of departure struck, and the fact that it is so only in this earthly vale of tears, consoled my parents and us. We hurried to the Post, where many friends had gathered. We commended one another to God’s mercy. It was the stroke of ten Klose was still not there; nevertheless we had to leave.