Transcription

[MS 45]

Matavai in Tahiti           Aug. 12th 1801                           

Dear friend,

                     As our Brother Shelley will fully acquaint you with all the particulars of our voyage, and also our present situation; it will be superfluous and unnecessary, to repeat the same.

    When I take a retrospective view of all the circumstances thro which the mysterious, but unerring providence of Jehovah hath conducted us and the work without wherein we are profoundly engaged I am at the same moment filled with wonder, joy and gratitude, on the one hand, sorrow and fear on the other. It was far from my thoughts when twelve of us set out together to embark on the missionary cause, that so soon, our then small number would be reduced [as it is seen this day] to two-thirds. Not only this, but that also of the few remaining here one would be found, that made a ship wreck of the faith, [??] you betrayed his Lord and the great cause he was entrusted with. Both thru'  [mysteriousness] and [?, may do thus, nevertheless the [?] of God standeth sure, and he knoweth whose that are his.

[MS 44]
Have you heard anything of Main. He thanks you to enquire
of Mr Marsden if he can give an order for Main's wheat
to be put into the stores at Hawkesbury if you get an order and pray send word to him. I do think he is not in good [?]
he might have got my wheat
..... [indecipherable]

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