File 1: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 2, pp. 1-297, 1794-ca. 1823

80 The perusal of this little narrative will I trust show that the ways of God however [indecipherable] are all blended with mercy. Here is a little boy brot from the ends of the earth to teach me Charity forbearance & truth to love those who differ in religious sentiments to pray for & instruct them. He is sent to speak to all who read this little narrative to tell them to do good & to communicate - to be willing to receive reproof instrucction & comfort - Had he never been told the evil of swearing & using bad language he probably would not have been aware how simple a thing it is this to provoke the most high - had he not learned to read his testament he would have continued ignorant of its blessed truths - He [indecipherable] might still have said his true Marias and counted his beads instead of offering the acceptable sacrafice of a broken & contrite heart - which [indecipherable] God will not despise - His death too - so suddenly - so unexpected - speaks to all & tells them to Prepare to meet thy God We must needs die. Be ye also [indecipherable] for at an hour ye know not the Son of

81 Parramatta. Jan 15th 1805. New South Wales. My dear Madam It is so long since I have had the pleasure of hearing from you that at times I think you have forgotten us which if the case would give me me great [indecipherable] - The last letter I wrote you was by the Calcutta, favored by Mr. [indecipherable], who promised to call on you & deliver a letter & small box containing some native [indecipherable] & a netting box for Miss Stokes made of the Beef Wood; & a few other things which I hoped would be acceptable as they were not common.

You no doubt wonder how we see going on much in the old, dull & uncomfortable way with respect to religion, yet there is one thing which has a promising appearance; there is more attention paid to the Sabbath. Mr. Marsden has both at Sydney & Parramatta a very large congregation, which is voluntary so that by degrees they may be brought to fear his name, & we do not know what the Lord may do for this colony. We may yet raise up a faithful people to publish his name, & tho I may not live to see it yet it is a consoling hope that he will not entirely forsake this place; which at times I am almost tempted to think he would do for its great wickedness. You that live in the midst of Gospel blazes know not what it is to live among a people entirely ignorant of God & his ways. at times I feel so dead & lifeless that I think I have never been a child of God, & doubt whether I shall even enjoy those seasons of grace which had afforded me such real comfort. Let one boy dear Madam an interest in your prayers that I may be enabled to [indecipherable] that I may gain the prize of everlasting life. Permit me to return you my sincere thanks for your kind attention to my dear Ann when she was in London Mrs V

82 wrote one of your handome present to her - I am anxiously looking for a ship from England, as it is a twelvemonth since I have had letters from Yorkshire. Poor Mrs Johnson I feel much for her; it was a hard trial to part with so fine a girl as [indecipherable] but the Lord knows what is best for his children - My family is the same in number as when I wrote last; a girl & boy. Elizabeth [indecipherable] a great girl, & it is time she was in England but, I do not think I can muster courage to part0 with her. Charles is also an engaging little fellow, & I trust he will be spared to us. Mrs Hughes begs her kind respects to you; when I see her she always enquires when I have heard from you. I believe I sent you word before that her husband is a Master Blacksmith at Sydney, & what with their salary & other indulgences they are very comfortable. Mr. Marsden joins with me in kind remembrances to Mr. Stokes & family, & accept the same from, dear Madam, Your obliged friend, (signed) E. Marsden If you will please to send your letters to William Wilson Esq - Momu -ment yard London, they will be forwarded to Mr. Marsden

Received July 11th 1805.

Fristian Mambe was an Aborigine or native of this colony when he was quite a child he was found [original text crossed out] in the bush by the Rev'd Marsden & brought up in his family. There he was sent to school & instructed in all that was requisite for for him to learn the [indecipherable] read write and cypher tolerably well [indecipherable]. But through the dire influence of Servants who were prisoners & others around he was also taught all that was hard. When Mr M went to England he took the lad with him trusting that he would be severed from his old companions be brought to see the evil of his ways. Departed [indecipherable]. On board however he was still [indecipherable][original text crossed out] in the way of temptation and [indecipherable] drunk for which he was punished. All this [indecipherable] he robbed his Master of a considerable sum of money & ran off. A few years after a Gentleman to whom he was known [indecipherable] and brought him back to New South Wales in a [indecipheable] miserable condition

83 now cometh. the messages of death approach - are ye prepared - Judgt is at hand are you also ready - the Word of God points the path to eternal glory - read [indecipherable] over believe its [indecipherable] truth & the God of all grace & consolation make you a partaker of his Holy Spirit - to remain your hearts & prepare you for his kingdom in glory through his [indecipherable] our Lord

[This seems to be the end of the narrative of the Little Irish Sailor Boy]

P.T.O.