File 1: Rowland Hassall papers, 1797-1810

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the Lord, the cause of it is Sin that that thing which God abors - let a sense of you State Urge you to seek support where it is to be found - in Christ, and in him alone, for you know there is neither strength nor true pleasure to be found out of him, may you receive out of his fullness by precious faith every timely Supploy to perform every act in your life consistent with is Glory that you may be numbered among His faithfull  labourers remember immortal crowns are promised to those that endure to, the end, & God is faithfull  his word cannot fail, give my Christian love to your Dear partner in life I hope it is from Sound Motives she hath taken to be a fellow labour labourer with yourself - I pray that she may be to you a meet help mate in the Lord,  and prove a true servant in the cause of our Dear Lord untill Death thus may you strive to gather in one common cause till your work is done

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is the prayer of

Dear Bro

Mr Will Shelley letter first

- yours truly in the best bond

RH

Mrs H

wishes me to send her Christian love to you Both and remember us affectionately to all our Dear friends in Otaheite let us hear from you upon all ocasions and you may fully expect returns

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[Letter]

Dr B. Shelley Parramatta November 17th 1802

It being so short a period since your  departure - I have nothing much to write about as the Venus is to sail to the morning.

I have only time to drop a line but through your request I cannot let this opertunity slip - 

My last to you was dated Novr  the sixth 1802, by which I hope you reced  the articles you made mention of to me the articles you left with me are still in hand, same the fishing tackle and a few of the matts which are sold and I expect they will all go in a short time, you had better send me word by the first opertunity what you wish in return

This country at this date is in Great distress and altho Wheat is so very dear the farmers are starving for Bread, but we fully expect the harvest to begin in about 14 days when their wants will be 

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supplyd - Last week in company with Revd Mr Marsden went to Mr Smith  & McDugels and found them in like trouble, they having nothing to eat but Barly cake which they told us stood them in thirty shillings a Bushel. 

Mr Bean & family find it hard work to live She has been very ill this past week, and is now, I suppose to have Miscarried, - He is now at work for me on which account I let him have what Meat I can spare with 2lbs of Bread each day out of my Rations and intend so to do till Monday harvest they wish to be remembered to you both self and children are well

But Mrs. H - is much as usual - Mrs Marsden is recovered, and was at church last Sunday - Captain Mc Arthur is gone home in the Hunter  sailed last Sunday morning through the Captains concerns there is a something took place that hath caused a disstance between Mrs M  & Capt Piper & Cox.  I wish it may

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have a good efect - The Governor hath been very ill, But is now gettng better all other things are much as usual with us - 

Mr Fitzgerald is repairing the preaching House at Toongabbie and tells me it shall be put in proper order last Lords day there was more hearers than I have seen for some time - let us pray that before long the [indecipherable] will do services good in the name of His Dr son,, Mrs H and family joine me in rememberance to you your Dr partner Sisters, and all the Breth and suffer me to conclude by saying

I am truly yours

Mr Will Shelley Oteheite

per favour Captain Bishop

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[Letter]

Missionary House Matavai Feby 2d 1803

Dear Brother,

I wrote last to you by the Venus Capt. Bishop who left this place Aug. 20th. 1802 when he sailed for Eimeo and the Society islands

At present I have nothing particular to send only I would wish not to forget your kindness to me in time past, and request a few lines from you the next opportunity.

This I send by Capt Simpson, who sailed from here to the Sandwich islands, came back again and sailed for the Society islands and is now here the third time.

The late distractions of the island together with the frequency of ships made the hogs so scarce here, that probably in future our communication with Port Jackson will be less frequent.

At present as you will here, we enjoy peace and tranquility, and the work of the mission is in a measure going on.

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Almost all the inhabitants of this island and Eimeo have heard the glad tidings of Salvation, and we have reason to hope that our labours will, not altogether in vain, yet we have cause to lament hitherto that tho' the understandings of many have in a measure been enlightened, that the preaching of the word was not followed with any lasting or saving effect as far as it appears yet.

I should be glad to hear whether the preaching of the word in your Colony, doth in any greater degree, stop the torent, yea the deluge of sin and ungodliness!

May the mighty and gracious Jehova if agreeable to his will hasten the time that New South Wales now famous for wickedness, be made a famous monument of his free grace and pardoning mercy, and not like Sodom of the Divine displeasur, and just vengeance.

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I cannot reflect on the condition of the poor savage natives without pity and sorow  at heart when looking on the European examples they have before them ~~

Of which we have lately but too true a Specimen in the residence of some of them here, the deplorable effects we have frequently to lament. Yet we trust that their stay here and all the late disagreeable events will in the end contribute to the furtherance of the gospel.

I would esteem as a favour and obligation if you could without trouble or inconvenience send me some collections of native words having been informed that persons in the colony are acquainted with a good part of their Language, among whom I heard Mr. Commings mentioned. I'll add no more but praying that the god of all grace may bless you and your family with the chief of his blessings, and make you shining lights among a crooked and pervers generation

Your Brother

John Davies