ii. 29 September 1830

Blumhardt to Handt, 29 September 1830, p.1.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-005
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My dear brother Handt [6]

Your letter from London of the 27th of June, which reached Basle only a few days before my departure at the vacation, has, as you may easily imagine surprised and greatly pained us, the more so, as just then the note of sorrow and lamentation for the death of Missionary brethren had reached our ears from distant Africa. And you my brother, healthy as you are, and accustomed by God’s help to the African climate, must quit your Missionary station in consequence of the mistake of others, as well as from your own choice, and by the providence of God land upon our shores to deepen the wound which the painful events had already inflicted on our hearts.
In taking a calm view of your past course, the sorrowful thought will arise in our minds

Corporate Bodies in WellPro Directory: Basel Missionary Institute
People in WellPro Directory: Blumhardt, Reverend Theopilus

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Blumhardt to Handt, 29 September 1830, p.2.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-006
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as if it had would have been better, had you never been sent to Africa.
When, from being unable to labour united with your brethren, you had separated from them, and retired to Cape Mount, we had nevertheless still entertained some hope, that your residence there would have proved the development of God’s will concerning yourself, as well as perhaps have enabled us to send other brethren with more security to the same place. But this hope failed and left us in uncertainty as to the will of God concerning your destination, as well as in wonder at the mysterious providence (for such with our short-sighted views we must consider it) of the death of your brethren.
You chose rather to return to Europe. We should still have seen some indication, that Africa was your destined station, if you, coinciding in the opinion of your brethren at Sierra

People in WellPro Directory: Blumhardt, Reverend Theopilus

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Blumhardt to Handt, 29 September 1830, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-007
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Sierra Leone, had chosen to remain there, until you had received farther instructions either from us or from the C.M.S. But you have now put yourself in such a situation, that we are perfectly unable to give you farther advice.
Should the C.M.S. be willing to appoint you a station in Africa and send us word of their intention, we will very gladly furnish them with a more detailed account hitherto. We have already mentioned to that Society that we will thankfully repay the £35 advanced for your passage.
May the Lord, who helps his erring children, mercifully show you the way in which you should go, and may he direct you to the suitable spot in his vineyard! To his gracious guidance we recommend you in your future course, and salute you heartily.

In behalf of the Committee
Your brother
Blumhardt

People in WellPro Directory: Blumhardt, Reverend Theopilus

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Blumhardt to Handt, 29 September 1830, p.4.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-008
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[addressed from]
Basle, Septr 29/30
Rev. T Blumhardt
to
Rev. J.C.S. Handt

People in WellPro Directory: Blumhardt, Reverend Theopilus