FL14425267

Parramatta. March 14th 181[indecipherable]

My dear [original crossed out] [indecipherable]

Ive [sic] [I've] had the pleasure to receive your kind re-
membrances. The ink stand I shall much esteem as it keeps me in mind
of many pleasing circumstances that have passed. I was much
injured to hear from you respecting your dear departed companion,
& trust that your long fervent, & ardent prayers were heard for him.
I find by every vessel that my old friends are dropping off & that
I am likely to be left alone on the earth. I think little of common
acquaintances, but much where the friendship has been long &
sincere. Our best friend wil not change; he remains unchange-
able, & to him we may at all times apply for comfort in the day
of trouble. I am happy to say we are all pretty well thro' divine
mercy. I have had my vexations in this reign, but it will
soon be over now, what the next will be I know not, but the spirit
of the [blank space] will continue to be enmity to God & godliness, & therefore I
think things will be probably nearly the same to the end of life. The
Lord is good & kind & gracious. I have obtained one object that was
much upon my mind by my returning – the establishment of a
Mission at New Zealand. This is a great work & I trust will be
attended with the divine blessing. All has gone on well hitherto,
& I have had only to regret the death of that great man Duaterra
in whom I had placed much confidence for carrying on the Mission
in New Zealand, but in this respect my hopes are now blasted.
Probably you will hear some account of his death in the Missionary
Register, as I sent it to the Secretary. I should be happy to spend
my remaining days at New Zealand, could I do this with pro-
priety, but many ties secure my stay here at present; tho' my
life is a continual warfare & I have fighting without & fears
within. We have some very profane & wicked men in power
here, & it is impossible either to conciliate their favour or to avoid
the shafts of their hatred. I know that some of my friends in
England will not always approve of my public conduct, but
they can neither enter into my feelings nor comprehend the re-