Hassall family papers, 1793-2000

[Ms 45]

Eimeo Feb 27 1813

Very dear Friend

It was my intention to have written to you by the return of the vessel we came in; but Mrs Wilson was exceedingly ill and the vessel came in the afternoon and sailed next morning which prevented me.

When we arrived the King was on this island and remained three month after our arrival too. Tahitian chiefs came then and fetched him away he and the Leeward Islands chief and men went over to Otaheiti, but the state of the Island is as much unsettled as ever for though he still lives peaceably among them he is not restored to his former authority 

  We also live peaceably here, but without any very pleasing prospect respecting the Missions. This is our comfort that the Lord reigneth over the Kingdoms of the Heathen and though clouds & sickness be round about them, justice and judgement is the habitation of this Island. One thing which encourages us to hope that the time to favor these Heathens as not far distant is that Pomare has openly declared the vanity and folly of

of this past abominable superstition and  idolatry and sacrifice the true truth of God Jeremiah 16.19 his view of the way of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ is very clear and consistent that he who has been a monster in inequity and very chief among the children of disobedience should not overcome every abominable, deep rooted custom and prejudice all at once is not considered it at all, but it is certain if  the Lord began a  good work in him or any other he would carry on and perfect it.

        When we arrived here [indecipherable] late Mrs Heyward and Mrs Henry were both very ill and are now no more and suddenly Mrs D and infant were removed from time into Eden. The most of us now alive here enjoy but a very imperfect state of health Mrs Wilson has not enjoyed 6 days of health together since we have been on the Island, but our boy is very hearty and runs about finely and I hope will soon talk it is needless for one to inform you these things Mr Henry will give every information.

When Mr Crook wrote to me by the [vessel name]] he asked me how much money I had paid towards C? as you had forgot to which I answered £24

£8.5sh moving him to look among some papers for your bill of  6 pieces of Boft... at 10/6

    6 p ___ calico at 7/- 

This mistake I recollected a day or two after.

This sheep which you was so kind as to give to Mr Wilson lived so much she had it out exceeding well, but she eat too much grain provision at N Zealand about a week after we left that, but we are indebted and equally thankful for that as for various other instances of your unsolicited liberality towards us while in the Colony.

We condole with you upon the melancholy accident which befel your dear little daughter we must say the Lord gives and the Lord both takes away blessed be the name of the Lord. Mrs Wilson joins me in our sincere respects to Mrs Hassall and all the family wishing that grace Mercy and Peace may be multiplied unto you through Jesus Christ our Lord

I am Dear Sir yours Sincerely

Capt. Wilson

To Mr Rowland Hassall

Parramatta

Dear Sir

I have to thank you for taking under care and vending the pork which br. Nott took to the Colony for me and should have been glad for the continuance of your kindness but thought it inconvenient for you to attend to such a trivial concern you being situated at such a distance from the port. I have consequently troubled Mr Shelley to take under his care and sel for me &tc. a Cask I have sent by the present convayance per favour Capt. Walker of the Governour Macquarie and desired him to settle with you respecting the pork above mentioned.

      I would have given you a detail of our affaires here had not br. Davies informed me that he had written to you and the Society given a statement of our situation to the Revd. Mr. Marsden which doubtless you will see. But suffice to say that br. Bicknell has broke of his connection with the Society on the affaire of the Vessell

Vessel intended to be built by us for the benefit of the Mission and has in conjunction with his nephew commenced one for themselves after we had made every concession as far as our situation and the nature of our connection together here would admit to accomodate and Mrs. N. has joined him and his Family in the most virulent opposition to us and her Husband in the business. 

You have heard Sir of Mr. Box's description of the crooked Rib. In some ways he was correct in his description of the deformity caused by it in the subject was considerable! But instead of [indecipherable] having one crooked Rib she has the most perfect curvature in all her [indecipherable] and employs her more superior faculty to her own designs and the [indecipherable] of other

Her Fury is daily imployed on abusing her Husband in the most unjust and cruel manner and to slander others without [indecipherable] less just cause. Her hands are imployed in endeavouring to blacken in the Colony the Character of the most of us here. Her news of late are never directed to the [place] where

where prayer is wont to be made but daily she joines with those who are studious in their designs to perplex and thwart us. 

You will see Sir by referring to the above mentioned paper how far we are just in doing what we have done for the peace and unity of the Society believing you to be an impartial Gentleman

I remain dear Sir

your humble obedient servant

Jas Hayward

To Mr. Roland Hassal

Parramatta

To Mr. Rowland Hassall

Parramatta

answered per mr Henry 5th augst 13

Parramatta July 31 1813 to M

My dear Mrs Nott

   Yours per favor Bro Henry -

came safe to hand, and I anxiously imbrace his return to answer the same. - I have the pleasure to acknowledge that through the good providence of God My Dear Husband and each of our children injoy a good share of health and peace for which I desire to bless his holy names and pray that you and your dear Husband may injoy the same blessings in a superior degree - I was very glad to hear of your speedy Voyage only 28 day to Tahieti\a, what cause for thankfullness when you compare the same with poor Ship Christies - 16 weeks. I hope the good providence of God will fill you with thankfullness - your letter was also a matter of grief as well as gladness, to hear of my 3 dear sisters being taken off - I cant inform you how my mind was effected - a circumstance I so little expected O dear Mrs. N. How uncertain the comforts of life - and even life itself, these things considered; what, what, manner of women ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlyness, O let us consider that altho they are no more, yet they are a Voice to us to be doubly diligent in the work of the Lord = O that

He may strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to ? we may be truly followers of those who through faith and patience now [indecipherable] the promise - I have no doubt but that our sisters are in glory with their dear Redeemer, their evil day is past, but we have - it may be - a few more stormy winters, and scorching summers to go through.

It is only a May be, perhaps our Lord & Master may call us to his righteous Barr at the shortest notice, to account for all our engagements with him, you & I have given up ourselves to be wholly His for ever. By a sacramental oath we have again and again sworn allegiance to the King of Kings & Lord of Lords - the Voices of God are upon us, who is sufficient to go through what lies before us. May the Lord give us strength according to our day - that we may not sculk in the rear but venture boldly for the Lord -  be desidedly on god part, knowing nothing but Christ and him crusscifyed having holiness written upon all we do, that the Heathen and our friends & neighbours may be constrained to say that we are followers of Christ as dear children - O what a desirable pattern for our imitation in every case let us consider what our dear Lord would do in such circumstances, which will teach us to be more humble, more prayerfull, more peacable more obedient more heavenly minded more cheerfull in the work =

of the Lord, more loving to our Husbands & friends and by thus looking to arm dear Lord Jesus we shall be able to fill up our appointed stations in this time state to bare each others burdens on the Lord - and when we are calld as our dear Sisters have been to their heavenly Father we shall be able to cast our crowns at his feet and declare to his praise that he has done all things well - and may the Lord bring us in the most heavenly manner to injoy him, that we may see the evil of all things contrary to his holy will and find by happy experience that Salvation is all of grace.

      I am very sorry to hear from you that friend Hayward - so much forgot himself to distress, the distressed in reading Fox's Trash, to his wife in her diing moments, and sincerely wish that he may have a better comforter in such triing cases, and that we may truly learn to be heard to our dear Husbands in such way that they cant forbare, but in love and affection to bear with us in the most dificult circumstances that we may be truly [indecipherable] fellows in the Lord.

I was much concerned to hear of the poor state of health of your dear Husband