Transcription

[MS 134]

and convenient accommodations of a worldly nature, are of no value & should
be of no weight in forming the character and directing the purposes & exertions
of the Ministers of Christ. No - the love of Christ must constrain them, Compassion
for perishing Sinners must influence them - and devotedness to the Cause & Glory
of God's must be the governing principle upon which they act, if they wish for
success in their labours, and as they shall answer for engaging in them, to
theire great Lord & Master of his Second Coming.
  You are in a situation dear Brother to feel the force of these
considerations both as they respect the providence of God which placed you therein
and the objects of profligacy & impiety which surrounds you. We present
these reflections with a view to excite & to continue that self examination that
self knowledge, that rectitude of motive, that holy devotedness & that godly
Zeal, which your situation, your office and your character peculiarly call for.
We have no jealousy or knowledge of failure, or deficiency on your part - our
desire is to stir up your mind by way of remembrance, to such necessary and
important considerations as have an intimate connection with your Comfort,
your stability & success.
  We thank you for the attention you have shown to Mr & Mrs
Crook and to Mr Caw. The latter we are sorry to have sent; fearing
by which we hear from you, Mr C. & Mr Marsden that he will be useful
in no capacity at Otaheite. He appeared determined to go thither, and
it was hoped that his Zeal would be combined with such mechanical
knowledge as would have made him useful to the missionaries. We are
gratified at all times, in receiving intelligence from you concerning the
missionaries in the South Seas; Your sentiments therein will ever meet
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with due consideration from us, and every Service you can perform
in[sic] behalf of your Brethren on that station will be gratefully accepted
by us.
  Mr Crook will be written to by this conveyance, and the
Directors will forward such advice and Instructions, as they conceive
necessary for him. A Letter will be addressed to Mr Harris. We have
not heard from him, since he came to your Colony - but we are glad
to learn from Mr Marsden that he continues with instructing Youth
in religious knowledge, and that his Character is becoming his
profession. We shall attend to your request for children's Books
as [I?] shall [indecipherable] to you for distributing them in the most suitable 
and useful manner. With our christian regards to Mrs Hassall
                           We remain
                                                                                     Dear Brother
                                                                     Your Friends & Servt. in the Gospel
                                                                            Joseph Hardcastle
                                                                                              Treasurer
                                                                           Geo. Burder
                                                                                               Secretary

 

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