Links, Jakob * 1799, ? † 1825. Brother of Peter Links.1 Jakob Links and Johann Jager accompanied WMMS missionary William Threlfall from the mission station of WMMS missionary Barnabas Shaw at Lilyfontein (Kamiesberg) to Warmbad from where they intended to explore the country. (Threlfall was the first Wesleyan missionary to attempt the resumption of mission work in Namibia.) "[...] after a futile attempt to commence the journey without indigenous support, a guide was eventually granted to Threlfall and his two assistants. Before leaving, against the insistent warning of Captain Bondelswart, Threlfall issued a note which explicitly exculpated the chief from any potential accusations. A few days latler, Threlfall, Jager and Links were dead. Threlfall´s two assistants were murdered in their sleep and the young missionary was brutally killed after a vain attempt to flee. Their guide, Naugaap, had instigated some people they had met on the way to murder the three travellers when the party pitched camp at the present-day farm, 'Dabakabis', near Warmbad."2 According to Mears, the head of Naugaap was dug out by Carl Frederich [sic] a "professional collector for German museums".3 "Jacob Links is remembered as one of the first Christian martyrs in South Africa. He was also the first indigenous convert and church leader to write to the Board of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in London. He wrote in Dutch and told them about the Namaqua mission of which he was a part. He was born in about 1799, one of the sons of Keudo Links, a man of influence in his Namaqua tribe. Among his brothers and sisters were Peter, Jan, Timotheus, Gert and Martha. In 1816 the Rev. Barnabas Shaw, a missionary of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, came to live among the Namaqua people. Shaw had been invited by a group of Namaquas who met him as he traveled north from Cape Town. He settled in Little Namaqualand at what became Lilyfountain Mission. The Links family moved to live at the mission too. Jacob was about seventeen years old when he arrived at Lilyfountain. In 1819 he wrote to the Board of the Mission in London. The letter was published in the 'Notices' ~ the letters from missionaries which reported on their work. The secretary noted that the letter was written in Dutch in 'a very good hand' (Notices 1820, 264). Links told them that he had first heard of the Gospel from converts of the Rev. Albrecht. He listened; but did not understand. Then he thought that by eating the leaves of a Dutch prayer book belonging to his mother he might be able to have the new religion. He tried getting on to the roof of the house to pray, thinking that God would surely hear him there, but to no avail. He then heard that he must give 'his cause to Jesus', which he did. But then he was persecuted by both 'black and white'. The farmers resented the teaching given by the missionaries. People told him he was mad and his mother cried over him. Then the captain of the clan and four men went to find a teacher. They returned with Barnabas Shaw and his wife, Jane. Links said that he now 'found that Christ is the way and the sinner's friend'. Whereas before the people had lived in fear of the farmers who threatened them with death if they became Christians, Lilyfountain became a center for missionary work, both by Shaw and the Namaquas themselves. Jacob Links became a teacher, interpreter and evangelist. Many of the rest of the family also became Christians. Shaw taught Links and others how to read. He had no school books but used Dutch religious tracts, of which he had a plentiful supply. Jacob's new-found skill was put to the test when he accompanied Shaw to the farm of a Dutch farmer. At first the farmer mocked the Namaquas, but Links and his brother Jan told the farmer about the book of life and that Christ had said that people must be born again. The farmer realized that the Links brothers could both read and write better than he could (Shaw 1970, 81). On one occasion Links offered to travel into the interior as a missionary. He was away for several weeks preaching to the people he met. In 1822 Links was accepted as a 'native assistant missionary'. He accompanied the missionary James Archbell on a journey into Greater Namaqualand. He also accompanied Archbell to Cape Town and then sailed up the coast with him to Walvish (sic) Bay. When Archbell was sent to the Bechuanas, Links returned to Lilyfountain. At the end of 1824 the Rev. William Threlfall visited Lilyfountain. He had been ill for some time and had come to recuperate. On 2 January 1825 Shaw held a 'love feast' or communion service. At the service a man named Johannes Jager from the Karee country, a barren land between Garies and Van Rhynsdorp, told how he had heard the Gospel from a Namaqua woman called Delia. A week later permission came from the governor for Shaw and the mission to own the land on which Lilyfountain was built. Barnabas and Jane Shaw took advantage of Threlfall's presence and spent some time in Cape Town. Jager remained at the mission, still hoping for a missionary for his clan. Shaw, Threlfall and Links had often spoken of traveling to the Fish River to see if the people there still wanted a teacher. Because of Threlfall's frequent illness, Links had chosen a friend who would go with them and remain until a missionary could be found. This was Johannes Jager. In the end it was Threlfall, Links and Jager that embarked on the fateful trip. The first letter from the group, which was first read to the wives of Jacob and Johannes and then to the rest of the people at Lilyfountain, brought good news. The expedition was going well and they had found a guide, Tsaumaap, to take then further. On 16 October Shaw received a message from Brother Wimmer of Steinkopf saying that he had heard that the party had been murdered. The same report was again brought to the mission a few weeks later, but it was only in March 1826 that the Rev. Schmelen of the London Missionary Society was able to confirm what had happened. Their new guide, a man called Nauwghaap, had stoned them to death for their cattle and few possessions. He was caught still wearing Threlfall's clothes (Birtwhistle 1966, 137). Although Links, with his potential, was gone, his family did not leave the Christian faith and continued as leaders in the Methodist Church in Lilyfountain."4 J. A. Millard (http://www.dacb.org/stories/southafrica/links_jacob.html 29.11.2006) From a letter of Jakob Links to the WMMS committee in London: "Voordat ek die Evangelie gehoor het, het ek in groot duisternis verkeer, onwetend dat ek 'n sondaar is en ook nie dat ek onsterflike siel het nie. Ek het geen kennis gehad van Hom wat Jesus genoem word nie. Ek het 'n Namakwa oor sonde hoor praat en oor Jesus. Ek het met hom gepraat en was vol van berou en bekommernis, maar het nie geweet wat om te doen nie. My moeder het ‚n paar blaaie gehad van 'n ou Hollandse gesangboek. Ek het gedink dat as ek dit eet, sal ek vrede vind en het dit geeet maar my bekommernis het nie verdwyn nie. Toe het ek op die dak van 'n huis geklim, denkend dat terwyl ek hoog is, die Here my beter sal hoor, maar ek het geen verlossing gevind nie. Hierna het ek gedink, die Here sal my moontlik jammer kry en genadig wees. Maar my swaarmoedigheid von hart het nie weggegaan nie. Deur die woord wat die Here van ons sendeling gegee het om te praat, het ek geleer dat my hart sleg en vuil was en dat die kosbare bloed van Jesus alleen von sondes verlos. Nou het ek ontdek dat Christus die ware Weg is en die vriend van sondaars. Ek voel jammer vir alle mense wat nie die Here ken nie. Ek kry 'n gelukkige gevoel in my hart as ek van die Evangelie praat en van my ondervindings in die Here, vertel."5 The text is much more dinamic, interesting to note which part were ommitted by van Schalkwyk.6 "Africa, Leelie Fontein, Nov. 19, 1819. UNKNOWN BUT REVERED GENTLEMEN, - The salutations which you sent I received from our beloved teachers, and wish you and the society much peace and prosperity in the name of our Lord. I have long been desirous of writing you, concerning my former and present state, but (Page 96) on account of weakness in the Dutch language, I have been hindered. I hope, however, that your goodness will excuse and wink at my mistakes. Before I heard the gospel, I was in gross darkness; ignorant of myself as a sinner, and knew not that I had an immortal soul; nor had I any knowledge of him that is called Jesus. I was so stupid that when a Hottentot came by us who prayed to the Lord, I thought he was asking his teacher for all these things of which he spoke in his prayer. Some time after this, another Namacqua came upon our place; he spoke much of sin, and also of Jesus. By means of his conversation I was very sorrowful und much affected, and knew not what to do. My mother having some leaves of an old Dutch psalm-book, I thought if I eat them I might there find comfort. I ate the leaves up, but my sorrow was not lessened. I then got upon the roof of an old house to pray, thinking that if I were high, the Lord would hear me better, but I found no deliverance. I then eat all sorts of bitter bushes, for I thought the Lord might possibly have mercy on me. But my heaviness did not then go away. I then heard that I must give my cause over to Jesus, and tried to do so, by which I found myself much lighter. Through the word that the Lord gave our missionary to speak, I learned that my heart was bad, and that the precious blood of Jesus alone cleanses from sin. Now I found that Christ is the way and the sinner's friend. I feel pity over all people who do not know God. I often feel sweetness for my soul, while I speak about the gospel, and my own experience in the Lord. Before our English teacher came, we were all sitting in the shadow of death. The farmers around us told us that if we prayed they would flog us. Some of them threatened to shoot us dead, should we Namacquas call the name of the Lord. They said we were not men, but baboons, and that God was blasphemed by the prayers of Namacquas, and would punish us for it. Now we thank the Lord that he has taught us that he has also given his Son over to death for us. We hear that English people pray for us, and hope they will not forget us. The society of all praying people are by me saluted. An unworthy Namacqua, - Jacob Links."7 "The following is a brief sketch of an address given by Jacob in the Dutch language: - Brethren and sisters, hear me, - I have read you the account of two blind men from Matt. xx [sic]. These men were in darkness and could see nothing. Broeders, (brethren,) this is our state. By nature we are blind and know not God. We were blind to God and all spiritual things, before we had the gospel. But we are now sitting by the way, as they were. Broeders, as they cried, 'Have mercy on us,' so are we to cry. Some told them to be still, but they cried so much the more. We are to follow their example. If any try to hinder us, we are to continue crying to Jesus for mercy. Broeders, we have heard what he has done for sinners. We have heard that he will forgive sins. 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Broeders, the same day that the blind men called, they received their sight, and followed Jesus. They did not remain sitting on the road, but rose and followed Christ. If we call on him in faith, he will forgive our sins. O how great is the compassion of God for us, arme zondaars, (poor sinners!) 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.' We have done nothing but sin against God, yet Jesus Christ died for us. He died to save us. Broeders, if we come believing, and with sorrow for our sin, we shall be made free, and shall obtain eternal life. Do you doubt, Broeders, of the power of God? behold the large mountains around you, behold the world which God has made. All these prove his power, and all speak to us; they show his power and Godhead. 'Jesus neemt de zondaars aan,' (Jesus receiveth sinner.) If a good man promise you any thing, you believe his word. So you are to believe the gospel, and to follow Jesus. Yea, Broeders, you are to believe and obey him, and live as the book says."8 "As I was going to preach at a farm some distance from the station, several of the people accompanied me, when the following dialogue, or conversation took place between a Boor [sic] and some of the Namacquas:- Boor.-"What kind of singing and praying is this you have had? I never heard any thing like it, and cannot understand." Jacob Links.-"I think, master, you only come to mock at us, as many of the farmers say we ought not to have the gospel; - but here is a chapter, (John iii,) pray who are the persons that must be born again?" (handing the Testament.) Boor.-"Myne ogen zyn niet goed, (My eyes are not good,) so that I cannot see very well, but I suppose Jesus Christ." Jacob.-"No, master; no such thing; - Jesus Christ says we are all sinners, and that we must be born again of the Spirit, or we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." Jan Links.-"But, master, you once told me that our names did not stand in the book, and that the gospel did not, therefore, belong to us Namacquas. Will you now [Page 101] tell me, master, whether the name of Dutchman, or Englishman, is to be found in it?" (No answer.) Jacob.-"Master, you who are called Christi menoh [sic], (Christians,) call us heathens. That is our name. Now I find the book says, that Jesus came as a light to lighten the Heidenen, (Gentiles.) So we read 'our name in the book." (Famer silent.) Hendrik Smit.-"That master cannot understand many things in the book, is not strange; Paul says, 'The natural man receiveth [sic] not the things of the Spirit of God,' &c. 1 Cor. ii,14." Boor.-"Ik ben geen zendeling, (I am no missionary;) therefore cannot explain the Scripture passages." Jacob.-"But, master, do you ever teach your slaves and servants any thing of the gospel?" Boor.-"Neen, volstrekt niets, (No, certainly nothing at all,) for were they taught, it would make them equally as wise as myself." At the time of going into Namacqua-land, most of the distant famers not only disapproved of the heathens being instructed, but some of them endeavoured [sic] to turn all into ridicule. One of them declared t me, that he believed the Namacquas were only a species of wild dog, and had no souls: I therefore called Jacob Links, who was with me at the time, and offered to prove, that Jacob, though a dog, could both read and write better than the farmer. I believe the farmer could do neither; and finding himself in an awkward situation, he called for his horse, and hastily rode away.9 [italics in original text] According to Gordon Mears, Jakob Links was the first African in South Africa who was promoted as a Methodist minister.10 [It seems that Jakob Links was not ordained as such, but only appointed as minister.] 1820 [1822]: Jacob Links becomes the first indigenous minister of the Methodist church in Namaqualand.[South Africa] He was appointed but not ordained. (http://www.sorat.ukzn.ac.za/theology/bct/denis1.htm 29.11.2006 University of KwaZulu- Natal, School of Theology and Religion) Jakob Links joined WMMS missionary John Archbell and founded the missionstation Buschfontein near Grootfontein S. in October 1821. Seemingly they only stayed there till February 1822 when they returned to Lilyfountein in the Cape.11 Jakob Links left his wife (no child) behind when he died.12 A memorial in front of the NGK in Springbok reminds of the death of WMMS missionary Threlfall without mentioning Jakob Links.13 Married: Children: Education: Other family members connected to WMMS: Brother: Barnabas Shaw Links (according to the photo, see top of document) Johannes (Johann) Links (from Warmbad) attended the five year long course of Fenchel at Keetmanshop from 1889 up to the examination in 1894 together with Frederik Hein from Richtersveld, Nikodemus Davids, Kornelius Zwartbooi from Walvisbaai, Tomy Alcock and Eduard Thomas from Keetmanshoop.14 Wandres writes on the 31.01.1895: "Der junge Schulgehülfe Johannes Links hat bis jetzt zu meiner Zufriedenheit gearbeitet, indes freue ich mich mit Zittern und lasse es an Ermahungen nicht fehlen."15 Johannes Links schließt sich 1905 den Kämpfern von Morenga an. "[...] in hochverräterischer Weise, nachdem er an den Trunk gekommen war [...]"16 While RMS missionary Nyhof was stationed in Steinkopf, waiting for the permission by the military to move to Warmbad, he encounters Johannes Links. Links asks for re-employement and is employed as a teacher.17 By the middle of 1909 it is reported in BRMG that Johannes Links had moved to the Cape and did not return again.18 Paul Links (Nama) attended the "fifth course" of the Augustineum in Okahandja. He was from Gibeon and born 1913. He attended 5 years school in Maltahöhe and worked on Kranzplatz before coming to the Augustineum. (His vita is therefore very much similar to that of Jeremias Vlermuis). He was confirmed in Maltahöhe. He was not married to Martha when joining the course. He spoke Nama. He completed the course with the examination on the 02.12.1938 and was send as teacher to the RMS mission school at Hoachanas.19 Mission Stations: History with the RMG: 1 Dedering 1997:140. 2 Dedering 1997:125. 3 Mears 1968:??. 4 J. A. Millard (http://www.dacb.org/stories/southafrica/links_jacob.html 29.11.2006). 5 Van Schaklwyk 1963:45. Cit. Shaw 6 Shaw :96. 7 Shaw 1841:95-96. 8 Shaw 1841:97. 9 Shaw 1841:100+101. 10 Van Schalkwyk 1963:96. (Quoting Mears, Gordon: Methodiste-martelaars von Namakwaland p. 5.) 11 Moritz 2001:143. 12 Moritz 2001:150. 13 Van Schalkwyk 1963:96. 14 Mentioned by missionary Ch. Spellmeyer in his speech "What methods and which aims should we pursue in the upbringing of our indiginous helpers? Or Why, how and for what do I train my indiginous helpers?", RMG 2.621 p. 208. 15 BRMG 1895:104. 16 JBRMG 1905:22+23. 17 BRMG 1907:198. 18 BRMG 1909:158. 19 AELCRN V 6.1:38-39. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------