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page 007

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10.

as to the propriety of the step you have taken. The solemn manner in which you were consecrated to this peculiar service, the great importance of the work itself , the sacred obligations into which you entered in the presence of the Most High God, and of the Church, would we hope be a pledge for your faithful adherence to your duty, and that nothing but the extremest peril and most imperious necessity would induce you to abandon a Station so solemnly Committed to your Care.  Our paternal affection for you, and the favourable Sentiments we entertained of your Zeal and devotedness , incline us to indulge every hope in favour of your faithfulness and as you, doubtless, went out in the expectation of meeting with difficulties, hardships and personal dangers, and professed to go with your lives in your hands. We trust it will not appear that your removal, was the effect of a sudden alarm, a feebleness of Mind, or a want of patience and perseverance in your missionary Work.  But, however, favourably we may be disposed to hope Concerning yet as considerable doubt prevails in the Minds of many on this subject.  It appears by your having recovered the Boat of the Nautilus that your intercourse with the Natives and influence on them Continued to the last.  What Circumstances led to the ill treatment of the two Brethren who were deputed to demand the honour we are unacquainted with, but as you well know the passions of the uncivilized heathen are hasty and impetuous

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and soon subside, and as they experienced the efficacious interposition of Pomarré on the occasion, you certainly would not Consider this event alone as a justification of your removal.  the religious public, as well as ourselves, are extremely anxious to hear of the Brethren who we suppose were left behind, no intimation being given of their death.  We conclude, therefore, they might previously have fixed their residence on some Contiguous island but if your flight from Otaheite was owing to a well grounded apprehension of your lives being endangered, you would no doubt recollect that the Circumstances of your Removal would previous expose them to increased danger, and we trust it will appear that you called on them wherever they were, informed them of their perilous situation and gave them the opportunity of accompanying you to a place of safety.  We hope, also, from the continuance of your desire to promote the conversion of the Heathen that you would if possible call at the Friendly Islands with a view to aid your Brethren there in their labours and that your fixing on a British Colony was the effect of necessity and not of choice.  We anxiously wait the arrival of your Journals that we may be able to assure the the religious public that you have discharged your duty, that you have been unwearied in your prudent exertions to conciliate the Heathens, that altho' your labour may not have succeeded with respect to the adults among them which could not indeed reasonably be expected

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