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[Page 18]
Sydney, New South Wales, Feb. 24, 1825.
TO THE REV. MR. THRELKELD.
DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER,
A NEW field of labour now opens before you ; and, while it affords encouragement to our hopes of success, to see the finger of Providence so clearly indicating the Divine will, it should inspire you at once with confidence and with zeal in entering upon this important sphere of Missionary labour, with the persuasion that your exertions shall not be in vain in the Lord.-While we know well that the success of all Missionary efforts depend upon the sovereign influence of the Holy Spirit of God, it yields us no small satisfaction in feeling confident that your talents, your devotedness to your work, and your extensive experience as a Missionary of the Cross, render you, in our estimation, a suitable instrument to be employed in this important engagement.
The novelty of an undertaking which proposes the conversion of the debased Aborigines of this Country to Christianity, and their instruction in the arts of civilised life, will fix upon you the eyes of all in this Country especially, and the Christian world in general, and awaken at once a universal interest, and a peculiar curiosity in observing your operations, and in anticipating your results of the pending experiment.-Being aware of this, we doubt not, that on your part, prudence, and activity, and perseverance, and patience in your great undertaking, will put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and realize the hopes of the Society, and of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ ; while the promises of God, that He will give the heathen to his Son for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, will strengthen your hands, and encourage your heart, in a Work which all will regard as peculiarly arduous, but which these promises encourage you to hope shall not be unsuccessful.
The liberal promise which the Government of this Country has given of the appropriation of a large portion of land for the use of the Natives at Reid's Mistake, and on which you will reside with your family, makes the way open, and removes every impediment ; so that you will proceed to your Station there so soon as you can complete your previous arrangements and preparations. We think it advisable that you should take a house at the Town of Newcastle for a short period, for the accommodation of your family, while you will use your best endeavours to erect a suitable residence, for your future convenience, on some appropriate spot within the limits of the land which has ben given. As to the best means of building such a house, will be left to your own discretion ; the funds of the Society being responsible for the expences, you will see it necessary to use all the economy which is consistent with domestic convenience and comfort.
As a knowledge of the language of the Natives must be regarded as essential to the success of your Mission, you will deem it your duty, while the house is in progress, as well as after you have taken up your abode in it, to be using your best efforts to acquire it ; while it will greatly facilitate the progress of your work, to make yourself familiar with their customs, superstitions, and habits. By a knowledge of these, you will see what the principal difficulties opposing your success are, while an intimate acquaintance with their language will enable you to communicate that information, respecting the Gospel of Jesus, which will be the best adapted to remove the obstacles, and to ensure success.