File 3: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 2, pp. 703-1164, 1825-1867

[MS 752]

Rev^d Thomas Hassall Parramatta New South Wales

Bro [indecipherable]-

[MS 753]

York Foot: Hudson's Bay September 7^th 1826.

My dear Hassall/

This afternoon I received my package from England, the ships having just arrived in the Bay: Among other letters I found a small note from you, the brevity and nakedness of which made me come to a decision of not answering it, and that decision was formed, as I thought, upon the justest principles of right and wrong: but when tumblng over some new publications out popped another of somewhat larger dimensions; then I thought that pinning them both together they might, inter amicos, be reckoned as a letter, and as such deserved a line in return. But at this time I must be very short; I must start for the interior in two days and all my letters are unanswered and my commun^s [communications] with the Company and Society not drawn up; and on Sunday I shall have to preach at the Fort & on board. Though as you say you fall off most wretchedly as an epistolary corresp^t, [correspondent] I give you full credit for maintaining the sincerity of your christian sentiments, as well as the integrity of your affections; mine, my brother, are still unalterable and will remain so while the heart performs its office: I once thought that time and distance would completely wean me from friends and country, but the case is quite the reverse; the right of The Old "Prince of Wales" has set all my nerves and feelings in a complete uproar: inclination leads and prompts me to apply for leave of absence for a season, while duty imperatively says "remain where you are"- both principles are inclined to an arbitrary decision

Remember me to M^r Ch Marsden, and all my well known friends in our family circles.

[MS 754]

but I must give my casting voice for the latter at present: I have been here for some time, dwelling among the tents of Kedar, with my very soul harassed with beholding the anxiety of worldly men stretching every nerve after "that which is not bread," while they are in respect to religion too parsimonious of their time to attend to what God has to say to their soul. Still I am thankful to say that decency is more attended to than when I first came to the country - And the tone of moral feeling is considerably elevated; they allow me to preach twice every sunday to about 200 people. At the place where three years ago, for want of common attention, I was obliged to sleep on the floor, I have a comfortable apartment set apart for my use: but as to the conversion of a soul I cannot hope!

I am very happy to say that the case is different at Red River Settlement, many are thro running to and fro and knowledge is increased; each year a young man came out as Missionary and Assistant Chaplain, but "entre nous," he and his wife are not quite what I could wish, I think a man is not fit for a Missionary whose mind has not been framed to that degree, in the very mould of the gospel, so as to be willing to become all things to all men; and I want female missionaries to be so much impressed with the degradation of their sex, that bed hangings - window curtains and carpets may give way to continual exertion for their amelioration; some "uxorious men" (as M^r Cecil calls them) and you perhaps among the number, will say that this is welsh sturdiness, and expecting too much, if so it is an error of judgement: I must tell you also that married missionaries seem to me to be in greater danger of forgetting their calling than Bachelors, when children come in the way of discharging duty I lose all patience; "I cannot go to the prayer meeting this evening my little darling is not well," a very pretty speech! - by the bye you must keep this from M^rs Hassall or else when I come to Paramatta I shall have a cool reception.

[MS 755]

The difficulty of approaching the Indians is naturally great, and you must remember that so well the enemy plays his cards, that the ruling authorities consider it absolute treason to meddle with them; still it is of no avail knowledge reaches them, and they appreciate the kindness of the friend of Missions; I might have hundreds of children did the nature of the country allow it, the difficulty of procuring provisions is very great. Better times will dawn soon;- the robust entanglements of Satan will not much longer debase the native character, at least in the vicinity of a Missionary station.

I have not much news from Wales, poor M^r Morris was in the deep waters when he wrote to me; M^rs Morris was near her end in the beginning of June, he writes "I am overwhelmed with grief, pray for me & my poor children; she has had no rest four six day, [for six days] nor has [she taken] nourishment during that time, with a sweet smile on her [indecipherable] emaciated face, he sends her christian love to you, Adieu &c."-

Thus my Brother one tie after another gives way, one attachment after another, which bind us to mortal existence, vanishes like the morning cloud, oh let us prepare for the momentous period for it is at hand. Last spring at Red River our Almighty Father sent us affliction; it was occasioned by a flood, which swept away a great number of log houses, my house had seven feet water in, I lost Books - furniture &c to the amount of £200; the two churches had 10 feet water in them in the midst of this God sustained us and our dear people; M^r Corkman & myself gladly sailed from hill to hill and from one eminence to another to lead their attentions to that happy land

"Where winds nor howl nor waters roar"; this is another striking coincidence in our lives, you have been delivered from death in a similar way it seems "bless the Lord [oh? on?] our souls."

[MS 756]

You are very unsuccessful in regard to a settlement; when thus circumstanced and when thinking of New Zealand, do you not hear a voice saying "What doest thou here Elijah"? - Of course you and your friends know what is your path of duty - Well we shall meet at last. Our inheritance will be very different to

to our present portion; there is no fading away of delusive prosperity [indecipherable] there will be no disappointments, for hope shall vanish away in the attainment of its object, and faith will no onger ebb & flow for we shall always see the adorable Jesus "as he is". -

Yours ever faithfully & affect^ly Davis Jones

To The Reverend Thomas Hassal Parramatta Near Sydney New South Wales.

Rev^d D Jones Rec^d 3 May 1827 ans^d