EBG

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Fragment uit de ''Periodieke journalen met betrekking tot de missies van de EBG verricht onder heidenen' uit het jaar 1886.
Eén van de journalen, genaamd Three Native Helpers in Surinam (Drie Inheemse Helpers in Suriname) is opgesteld in verband met het overlijden van Peter Krommie en Harry Maasdamme in 1885, en Petrus Francois Pinas in 1883.

Three Native-Helpers in Surinam.

"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus."
"Salute Urbane, our heifer in Christ." Rom. xyi. 3, 9.

In almost every mission-field our missionaries have their " native- helpers." Besides the twenty-seven ordained native ministers and their wives, about 800 men and 650 women, chosen from among the communicants, constitute a most important body of recognized assistants. One hundred and fifty of the former are also authorized to serve their fellow-members in the Word, and many of these are able to speak to edification and with power of the spiritual things which they know by heart's experience. The females labour among their own sex.

These native-helpers receive their appointment from the mission- conferences in their respective districts, and in their selection regard is had to their Christian character and stability and to the gifts which the Holy Ghost has bestowed upon them for the good of the Church.
Their gratuitous assistance is of great value to the missionary. I£ he has not yet mastered, the language in which the Gospel is to he preached, he frequently finds that a native-helper can act readily and effectively as his interpreter; and, however long he may be at his post, the intimate personal knowledge which his assistants have of their countrymen cannot fail to be a help to him. At stated times these " helpers " meet with the missionaries, and bring in their reports. Their duties include visits from house to house, ministration to the sick and poor, admonishing the negligent, the settling of differences and disagreements, and affectionate entreaty to those who are wandering from the right way. It is also a special incumbency to bring to the notice of the missionaries whatever may prevent harm or further the spiritual life of individuals and the congregation.

Of the 1450 "native-helpers " above mentioned, 344 serve in our mission-province of Surinam. These include 178 males and 166 females, and we may hope that among their ranks there are worthy successors of the three good and holy men who are the subjects of the following brief sketches

Peter Krommie, Harry Maasdamme, and Peter Francois Pinas have recently entered into their rest. Their works do follow them, and their names are held in fragrant and grateful remembrance in the places where they have lived and laboured in love to God and man and earnest solicitude for souls. Their experiences of daily duty in the service of the highest Master differed, for Maasdamme was the faithful schoolmaster at Paramaribo, whilst the other two lived on country plantations, and came more directly in contact with the actual evils of heathenism. These they opposed with striking boldness. But all three were actuated by the same spirit, for they had indeed received that anointing which breaks the yoke of sin and the dominion of self and brings true liberty to the captive. Let us then glance at each in turn, noting the particular way in which he reflected as a mirror the glory of the Lord.

I. Peter Krommie

In the neighbourhood of our station Leliendal there is an estate named Sorgvliet (Zorgvliet) . This was closed against the Gospel until 1844, but when a missionary visited it for the first time in that year and preached to the negroes, he found that the Holy Spirit had His divine work there in one heart at least. A man, called Krommie, received the herald of the good tidings with great joy, and at once gave in his name as desirous of becoming a Christian. There was however a hindrance to his baptism. As a heathen, he had two wives, but now he honourably resolved to keep only the one whom he had taken first, the elder of the two. She, however, was not to be outdone in generosity. Seeing that the younger wife was better suited to her husband, she voluntarily left him, and he was afterwards married to the younger woman according to religious rites. He was then received as a candidate for baptism, but his ardent hopes were at first disappointed, for the lot, then employed in such ases, forbade his advancement to Church privileges for the time being, and even his younger brother was baptized before him. This was a severe trial, but the Holy Spirit made use of the experience to show him more fully the sinfulness of his corrupt heart. " I learnt," he said, " to wait in humility and patience, until I, too, received the privilege of baptism in 1846." When about 50 years of age, he persuaded a slave, who had been brought from town, to teach him to read, and also to instruct the younger slaves in his house. As native-helper and negro doctor he possessed considerable influence, and this he consecrated to the Lord's service. He procured a bell, and used it to summon the people to his house early every morning. Then he would pray with them and exhort them to be faithful in the discharge of their duties. If at any time he had something special to say to them, by way either of admonition or reproof, his bell would be heard calling them together. Thanks to his faithful attention to duty and his good sense, he enjoyed the special confidence of the owner and the manager of the estate, and his opinion on many matters, for instance, in reference to the holding of the services during the absence of the missionary, had weight with his masters.

For a long time he was grieved by the fact that the manager not only permitted, but even instituted dances for the slaves. The whip was actually employed at times to compel the latter to take part, against their will, in these occasions of drunkenness and dissipation. Once, amid the revelry, a dancer suddenly fell down and soon afterwards breathed his last. This circumstance gave Peter the long- wished-for opportunity of inducing the manager to discontinue these gatherings. Some time afterwards the negroes again instituted a dance, but Krommie boldly and effectually put a stop to it by cutting a hole in each of the two drums on which they were beating time. This happened more than twenty years ago, and never since that time have these practices been renewed at Sorgvliet. Peter's watchful care was extended also to other plantations, for if riotous proceedings were taking place in the neighbourhood, he would ask and generally receive permission from the manager to go thither for the purpose of suppressing the disorder.

When the heavy pressure of work at one time tempted the negroes secretly to make their escape to their free comrades in the bush-country, he comforted them, prayed with them, and exhorted them to possess their souls in patience.

He had a special gift for adjusting differences, and many a quarrel which might have had serious, perhaps even fatal, consequences was healed by his influence. The real happiness of young persons entering into life lay much upon his heart, and he was very loving and faithful in warning them against yielding to temptations of the flesh. He would go after the fallen, too, often for years together, until at last, on a dying bed, if not before, he was permitted to see some fruits of his labours.

A married couple related the following incident regarding him : " There is much for which we have to thank Father Peter. When we had the intention of marrying, he called us separately to him and asked us whether we really intended to remain true to each other all our lives, for better, for worse. When we assured him that we did, he warned us seriously to watch over ourselves, lest wo fell into sin before our marriage, and showed us the blessing which rests on a union begun and continued with God's approval. "How glad we are," exclaimed the wife, " that we followed his good advice, for nnder God we must ascribe it to his fatherly interest, that we did not yield to the many and severe temptations which beset us after our marriage, and especially when my husband was transferred for a time to a distant estate. We shall ever be thankful to Father Peter, for having opened our eyes, and warned us so faithfully."

In 1884 Peter was so aged and infirm that he could only come to church in a corial (a native boat), and this less and less frequently. He still preserved, however, his cheerfulness of spirit, and fonnd opportunity of exhorting the younger native-helpers, who looked up to him as a father. Most kindly did he warn them against yielding to unfaithfulness or discouragement. At last his strength began to fail more and more, and he was confined to his bed. His three sons had died in the prime of life, and this had been a great trial to him. The youngest had been a schoolmaster, but afterwards caused him much bitter sorrow. When he died, the sorrowing father exclaimed, " I had thought to leave behind me a flower in the Lord's garden, that should flourish to His honour and glory, but my hope has not been fulfilled." That was at the end of 1884. Some months later, his beloved wife, Maria, fell ill, and the aged conple had to be fellow-pupils in a very trying school of patience. Their daughter, a very delicate woman and a great sufferer, was unable to render much assistance, but some of their Christian neighbours were always willing to spend the night with them. On August 21st, 1885, after much suffering, Maria gently breathed her last. About this time her husband's strength perceptibly ebbed away, and his desire to go home grew so ardent that he had several times to be reminded that he must be patient. " The Saviour is calling me, He has already beckoned to me with the flag of victory," he once exclaimed to the missionary visiting him. On the last day of his life, he exhorted the helpers to be faithful, to conceal nothing from the missionaries, and to be no respecters of persons, since they would once have to give an account before God. He then said, " Now I only desire the crown of life; they are calling me already on the other side ; the Lord will come to-day." On a doubt being expressed as to whether this expectation would be realized, he replied : " Well, as the Lord wills, not as I will." He desired a draught of water. It was brought, and after he had taken a little, he was heard to say, " Now the end has come !" And the happy and peaceful end had indeed come, for his longing spirit was now permitted to leave the earthly tabernacle to be for ever with the Lord.

II. Harry Maasdamme

About thirty or forty years ago there lived at Paramaribo an excellent schoolmaster named Christian Graaf who was a great joy and help to the missionaries. One day a woman came to him bringing her little boy, with the urgent request that he would educate him for the service of the Lord. That child was destined to succeed him as the head teacher in the boys' school connected with the mission, and all who knew old Christian Graaf testify that his spirit descended in full measure upon his pupil, Harry Maasdamme.

Harry's peaceful, useful life may perhaps in some respects be described as uneventful, but his ripe Christian character was euriched by some beautiful traits upon which we will dwell in turn.

One of its leading features was his loving disposition, which gained for him the affection of everyone. Seized with an attack of fever on September 10th, 1885, he breathed his last on the following day. Scarcely had the news of his departure become known when grief at losing so dear a friend might be read upon the countenances of all. The very numerous procession which followed his remains to the grave also bore striking testimony to the general affection and esteem in which he was held. Not even the funeral of the Governor, so it was said, would have been more largely attended. The death of the latter, at any rate, could scarcely have called forth more deep and genuine sorrow than was evidenced by the tears to be seen on many a face, when Harry Maasdamme was called to his eternal home. The children who had been his special charge sorrowed for the loss of a friend. They wept aloud at his grave, for they had felt the power of his loving influence and repaid it by a genuine affection for their kind and faithful schoolmaster. None will regret his loss more-deeply than the people of Kwattapasi, for whom he kept a service on the first Sunday of every month in the small new church of Rossignol. Mr. Heymans, the benefactor to whom this place of worship owes its erection, stood for a long time beside the grave, quite overcome by emotion.

Another trait in his character was earnestness. This was particularly manifest in his addresses. It was always evident that Harry spoke from deep personal experience. " Often," says one who knew him well, " I have been greatly edified by attending his children's meetings. If speaking of prayer, for instance, he could scarcely find words strong enough to urge its practice upon his youthful hearers, and to encourage them to turn to the Saviour in every difficulty."

Such words came very suitably from Harry Maasdamme's lips, for he was emphatically &man of prayer. This was well known, and his intercession was often requested. The following instance is one of many which might be given. A woman belonging to the congregation had an adopted son, seven years of age. This poor boy was suffering from a peculiar complaint brought on by his having accidentally seen a corpse. He had fallen into such a state of nervous excitement that he uttered loud cries, rolled on the ground, and could no longer obtain any rest at night. At last some one suggested that prayer should be offered in the presence of the young invalid. Harry Maasdamme was sent for, and came with two other
brethren. On entering the room, he fell upon his knees with those present and offered a fervent prayer. After this, the child passed a good night, remained calm the next day, and from that time was permanently cured of his nervous affection.

Another beautiful feature in Harry's character was his deep and genuine humility. An aged native-helper named Oldenstam said with reference to this : " Humility, yes, that was a grace that could well be learnt from Harry." He certainly placed no confidence in self, attributing all that he was to the grace of Him who made him. He regarded others as more excellent than himself, and held all his missionaries in special honour.

" I have scarcely ever known a man of a more disinterested nature," was the witness borne to his character by his superintendent, and indeed many will long cherish a grateful remembrance of kind assistance rendered, and loving words spoken, by Harry Maas- damme, the devoted labourer for God.

III. Petrus Francois Pinas

lees hier de vertaling

Our readers must now turn again from the busy life of the capital to a quiet retreat in the country. At Topibo, on the River Para, about five miles to the North of our station of Beersheba, stands a lowly dwelling — not the ordinary and often very dirty negro hut, but an unusually clean and attractive-looking cottage, which has often afforded hospitality to Europeans as well as to the owner's countrymen. There, for ten years, lived Peter Francois Pinas, until he was summoned to a higher and eternal home in the presence of Him whom he loved and served on earth

This good man shone as a light amid the darkness of the surrounding heathenism. The gracious voice of the Lord, calling him out of the night of superstition, had early awakened a response in his heart. His father was of a good family, and had been manager on several estates, but had become reduced in circumstances, and lived like the Para negroes in polygamy. His mother was a slave at Onverwacht. His numerous half and step brothers and sisters live according to the lusts of the flesh like their deceased father. Indeed, one of his half-brothers is still " the greatest heathen deceiver and winti-man in the Para district," a dreaded slave of Satan and enemy of God, who ridiculed, annoyed, and injured his forbearing relative in every possible way. The prayers and warnings of the latter have hitherto seemed all in vain.

Peter Pinas' education corresponded of course with the wild bush-country, on the outskirts of which he was brought up. There was no school at hand where he could obtain instruction, and the letters from him, which are treasured by several missionaries, are a proof of the diligence with which he applied himself in later life to the study of reading and writing.

It is said that from his early years he showed a striking aversion to the heathen dances and games of his countrymen. He kept aloof from them as much as possible, and preferred to work quietly and diligently until nightfall for his mother, whose support he was after his father's death. In early manhood he came more decidedly under direct Gospel teaching, for it was arranged that a missionary should come from Paramaribo and hold services every six weeks. Peter was always sure to be present, and his receptive heart soon responded to the truths] he had heard. And when in 1858 the station of Beersheba was founded, Pinas, who was then just twenty years old, would often walk on Sunday for three hours through the bush, to listen to God's Word. Nor was he daunted even in the rainy season, when considerable portions of the road lay under water, and he was obliged in places to wade up to his arms. By God's blessing on so diligent a use of the means of grace within his reach, his spiritual life grew slowly but steadily, until, when he was twenty-eight years old, he was baptized at Beersheba. The exact date of his conversion is not known, but his earnestness and decision soon made an impression upon the missionaries who came in contact with him.

Let us glance at him ten years later. Made a free man by the emancipation of the slaves in 1863, he purchased in 1870 a third part of the deserted estate of Topibo for 800 florins, the result of his thrift. The same year he married and brought home to his palm-covered hut, as the partner of his life's joys and sorrows, the modest and diligent negro girl Sisette Crisis. Her spiritual life had not the same depth as his own, but ho prayed for and with her until man and wife enjoyed true heart's fellowship. The clean, well-built dwelling, at which we have already glanced, soon took the place of the old negro hut. Round about his cottage stand a number of smaller houses and huts, which belonged to him. Some of their inhabitants were relatives of his, some merely lodgers, and others were labourers in his employ. In this little settlement Peter Pinas kept order and discipline. Morning and evening prayers were faithfully held in his house. For many years also it was his custom to hold Sunday services whenever he and his neighbours did not go to spend the Sabbath at Beereheba, the neighbouring mission-station. Gathering his own family and the inmates of the surrounding houses he would read the Church Litany and a portion of the Bible, engage in prayer, and give a Gospel address. So edifying were these simple services, kept by this earnest Christian man, that a missionary, who came in unnoticed on one occasion, deeply regretted being recognized before the meeting had proceeded very far, and called upon to conduct the rest of it himself. In 1872 Pinas received permission to prepare candidates for baptism, and was afterwards regularly appointed as native-helper at Topibo.

Never will our missionaries forget his faithful attachment to them, and his gratitude to our Church for having brought the gospel to himself and his countrymen. Often did they admire the firm and intrepid manner in which he opposed all heathen practices, and endeavoured to bring them to light. In this respect he was a bright contrast to some of his fellow-helpers, who cannot shake off the fear of man which bringeth a snare. Only those, who know how deeply rooted in the heart of even a converted negro in Surinam is the dread of sorcery and of the magic arts of the deceptive winti-men, can properly appreciate the bold and unsparing manner in which he rebuked the open and secret sins of his countrymen, or frankly, in the presence of the missionary, uuravelled the tissue of lies invented for the concealment of idolatrous practices. Often, indeed, his relations begged of him to let the sorcerers and winti-men alone, or to leave all that to the leriman, who, as a white man, was proof against their magic arts. 13ut he never allowed himself to be dissuaded from his duty, knowing that not a hair of his head could fall to the ground without his Father.

With what faithfulness our late brother followed individual souls ; with what disinterested, brotherly love he served others; how frequently he was the means of assuaging another's grief; how often he suffered himself to be wronged (1 Cor. vi. 7) if only he might save souls,—is known to God alone.

He was, indeed, a branch abiding in the Vine, and bringing forth fruit. Not only did he enjoy constant communion of heart with the Lord, but the spirit of prayer had also been poured out upon him in a very special manner. Many expresssly sought his intercession.

The Lord called His faithful servant home to Himself in his forty-fifth year. The cause of his death was characteristic of this self-forgetful follower of Christ. His attempt to save a negro, who, in a state of intoxication, had fallen out of a corial into the river one dark night, brought on a violent fever, which some months later caused his end.

Gladly would our missionaries have retained for many years the valued services of this native-helper. But on the other side of the veil the Saviour was praying :—" Father, I will that he, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am."


Peter Francois Pinas, Harry Maasdamme, and Peter Krommie — they have all three entered into their eternal rest. Shall we not pray that the Lord will endow many others, both of their countrymen and in all our mission-fields, with the same spirit of consecration and ardent love for souls, and enable them, like these devoted followers of our Saviour, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvellous light?

Peter Krommie

Nationaal Archief - Emancipatie 1863

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Andries
Voornaam: Petrus
Geslacht: Man
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 65
Beroep: Dresneger
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Pleegvader van Dorothea Krommie, Christiaan Krommie, Marianna Krommie, Isak Krommie en Samuel Krommie; geboortejaar 1798.

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Truitje
Voornaam: Maria
Geslacht: Vrouw
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 43
Beroep: Veldmeid
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Geboortejaar 1819

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Petrus
Voornaam: Samuel
Geslacht: Man
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 1
Beroep: Zuigeling
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Zoon van Maria Krommie en pleegzoon van Petrus Krommie; geboortejaar 1862.

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Daniel
Voornaam: Daniel
Geslacht: Man
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 10
Beroep: In de tuin
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Zoon van Maria Krommie en pleegzoon van Petrus Krommie; geboortejaar 1853.

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Isak
Voornaam: Isak
Geslacht: Man
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 13
Beroep: Op steen
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Zoon van Maria Krommie en pleegzoon van Petrus Krommie; geboortejaar 1840. Blijkens borderel slavennaam Izak.

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Marianna
Voornaam: Ernstina
Geslacht: Vrouw
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 16
Beroep: Op steen
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Dochter van Maria Krommie en pleegdochter van Petrus Krommie; geboortejaar 1847. Blijkens borderel leeftijd 14 jaar

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Ferdinand
Voornaam: Christiaan
Geslacht: Man
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 18
Beroep: Op steen
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Zoon van Maria Krommie en pleegzoon van Petrus Krommie; geboortejaar 1845.

Familienaam: Krommie
Slavennaam: Rozetta
Voornaam: Dorothea
Geslacht: Vrouw
Verblijfplaats: Sorgvliet
Leeftijd: 22
Beroep: Bij huis
Godsdienst: EBG
Borderelnummer (eigenaar): PL232
Plantage: Sorgvliet
District: Beneden Commewijne
Opmerkingen: Dochter van Maria Krommie en pleegdochter van Petrus Krommie; geboortejaar 1841. Blijkens borderel slavennaam Rosetta

Harry Maasdamme

Nationaal Archief - Surinaamse manumissies 1832–1863

Maasdamme, Henriette Maria
slavennaam Maria
geslacht V
beroep onbekend
eigenaar/vrijlater David Burgerhard als straatvoogd (126: David Burgerhart)
datum cautie onbekend
bedrag cautie 0
datum borgtocht 7 juli 1841
bedrag borgtocht 500
borgen Helena Maria Wheith en Johannes Hendk. Matthijs
aanmerkingen GR 04-08-41, no. 923

Maasdamme, Harry Lodewijk
slavennaam Harry Lodewijk
geslacht M
beroep onbekend
eigenaar/vrijlater David Burgerhard als straatvoogd
datum cautie onbekend
bedrag cautie 0
datum borgtocht 7 juli 1841
bedrag borgtocht 300
borgen Helena Maria Wheith en Johannes Hendk. Matthijs
aanmerkingen GR 04-08-41, no. 923; zoon van Henriette Maria Maasdamme

Maasdamme, James Albert
slavennaam James Albert
geslacht M
beroep onbekend
eigenaar/vrijlater David Burgerhard als straatvoogd
datum cautie onbekend
bedrag cautie 0
datum borgtocht 7 juli 1841
bedrag borgtocht 300
borgen Helena Maria Wheith en Johannes Hendk. Matthijs
aanmerkingen GR 04-08-41, no. 923; zoon van Henriette Maria Maasdamme