FL14425368

[MS 274]

inst and I felt disappointed in
receiving no letters by her but one from Mr
Birnie. That was accompanied by a hansome
present of wine from Mrs. B. for the women
of the Mission. By the above Vessel we
learned that Mr Marsden's was to sail for
this place in about a week after her,
with Mr Crook & family, which probably
is the reason our friends did not write by
the former vessel. We are daily looking
for her arrival. It is strange the Missi
onaries you speak of had not arrived
in the Colony when the Q. Charlotte
sailed from thence. Perhaps they have
arrived which detains Mr M's Vessel.
I must now hasten to give you a sketch,
& but a sketch, of the present state
of the Islands & Mission, being much hurried,
referring you to Mr Marsden & Eyre for
a more particular account. The
late destructive wars have happily terminated
in favour of Pomare, who has been happily
restored to his Sovereignty, and the blessings
of peace are universally enjoyed by his subjects

[MS 275]
who seem well content with his Mild & gentle
government. And what is better still, or
holy religion has obtained a compleat
triumph over paganism - is competely
established upon its ruins, and become the
National Religion, so that we may well
exclaim "What hath hath [sic] God the Lord
wrought!" Surely He has done wonders, here
and is doing great things in the Leeward
Islands too. We have lately had from the
Chiefs of those Islands in writings the most earnest
& pressing requests for Missionaries to
be sent to them; so that the "fields here
are white unto harvest," & more labourers
much wanted. This is the Lord's doing.
When he works who can let hinder?
We are all thro mercy at present tolerably
well. My complaint has been
better for some time past. Saml desires
me to apologise for his not writing you at
present he has been very busy for some dys
pst loking after some of the cows that calved in
the bush & other things I think it is probable
he will visit the colony by the return of the Active.
I have lately had an addition to my family of an
other daughter. Her Mother Saml & the rest join
in afffectionate respcts to you with
my dear friend, yours most affectionately
W. Henry
Please to give our kind love to your Father, Mother & family