The state and condition of my Church, situate in the village of Wiltwyck, in the Esopus country, in New Netherland, since ray 3 years residence there is somewhat prosperous, through God's blessing and mercy, as well in Members, which have increased from 16 to 60, as in hearers, and all was well ordered in Church matters and consistory, so tliat every thing is placed on a good footing. I liave also laid a good foundation, both by private and public Instruction of Catechists, both within and without my house, as also by the explanation of the Catechism, so that this newly ' rising community began to grow and to bloom right worthily, when a cruel blow overtook it, and the Heathens fell on, and right sorely treated our Church and Commonality, and

ULSTER AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES. ' 963

under the guise of friendship murdered and also captured many • they intended to destroy this Clmrch altogether, and to devour it alive, had not the Lord our God wonderfully protected it, and they fled, having taken a fright in their heart, when no person drove them away. So that we escaped with the most part of the iuliabitauts, and have still retained the place. The Lord only be thanked therefor, not men -- for men's help was far from us ; for the soldiers whom we had before were discharged and sent to Holland. There lay the burnt and slauglitered bodies, together with those Avounded by bullets and axes. The last agonies and the moans and lamentations of many were di'eadful to hear. I have been in their midst, and have gone into the houses, and along the roads, to speak a word in season, and that not without danger of being shot by the Indians ; but I went on my mission, and considered not my life mine own.