File 1: Rowland Hassall papers, 1797-1810

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Desperate Resolution I plunged deeper in Folly to stifle them - Nor were these the Transactions of a Day or a Month Only - but for more than Eight long Years have I refused Offers of Grace and Mercy which if tendered to a Legion Devils they would have made all Heaven ring with the Praises. for in short if my former situation be taken into Consideration you will join me in saying that a Pandemonium Council could never have formed a more desperate & harden'd  Character!  And yet I trust I am forgiven ! - And hope to enjoy the Blessings Christ purchased for

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his people both in Time & Eternity - Tis true I feel doubts at times that all may not be right and therefore beg your prayers.

I shall be happy to correspond with you & Mrs. Hassall. There are  frequent opportunities from the Trade that is carried on between Port Jackson and India - If therefore you direct to me by the Name of Captn Willm Bloomfield, to be left at the General Post Office till called for the Letters will no doubt come safe to hand.  but if possible to avoid, trust now in the hands of Individuals --------

Yours &c &c

Benjn . Broomhall

Messrs  Harris ) & Hassall )

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[Address on outside of leter]

Mr Broomhalls

Revd. John  Harris Parramatta New S. Wales

[Letter]

Parramatta 16th Octobr. 1810

My Dear Sir

Yours dated 11th March came safe to hand accompanied by Brother Bicknell & the Female Missionaries, all of whom we received with the most cordial affection in our Dear Lord. They are now with us in Parramatta and each of them enjoy a good State of health and I trust, much of the Presence of their Lord & Master - we have had several happy seasons together, which opportunity   I hope will Increase, for we learn by experience that the more intimate we are with Jesus the better we are quilified for the great works before us, and after all our fellowship and communion with him we find it Needful to Say who is Sufficient for these things.

Each of our Dear Sisters wish to be most affectionately remember'd to you & the Society and I have the pleasure to say that they are well satisfied with their lot, and express the greatest thankfulness to God for His manifold mercys in his kind providence towards them in all the way the Lord as lead them from the bosom of their friends through the Mighty Seas to this remote Part of the world & giving them a kind reception in the midst of Strange face's, nothing is too hard for the Lord - O my Dear sir pray that we may be kept from

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the evil of the day and faithfull untill Death.

The Rev'd Marsden as well as myself often express with great Pleasure your wisdom and attention to the mission in Sending the Present addition, and hope that they will be a means of repearing  the wide breach that is made by one cause or other & help to Establish the mission in such away that the gales of Hell not prevail against it -

Through so many deserting the cause and returning like the dog to his vomit it is still Needful to pray to the Lord of the harvest to Send forth more labourers into his Vinyard for faithfull labourers are very few, and if you could send a few active men & women such  as are true lovers of Christ  to join among us. They would be well Received and might be serviceable to his cause as well as to themselves and families ----

On the 13th Instant we held a Meeting of the Missionaries when the greater part of them was willing to return upon the Mission to Tahuta the particulars will be forwarded by this conveyance therefore it is useless to enlarge - but I earnestly pray that the Mission may be reestablished in God's own time and way - but I fear our numbers are far too small for so great an undertaking - I think at least there should be thirty families formed into one body and a vessel always in the Service if you

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if you wish to Establish a permanent Mission in these Islands - 

Our Sisters are busily employed writing to their connections and friends and by the diferent accounts youl receive, you will be better able to Judge what to do.

We have been thinking to buy a   Vessell in this Colony - or to have one built at Tahuta - or buying a India Bottom but we have come to no determination as yet - no further then a Vessell will be necessary - but I am of Opinion that an India Bottom Vessell will be best in the end, as by a few Voyages she will be able to defray the expense, & may God direct us what to do.  I suppose you will hear from Mr Marsden upon this business.

Mrs Hassall joins in kindest rememberance, and through a divine blessing both we and our eight children are in good health and strength - and we shall think it our bounden duty at all times to use our utmost endeavour for the cause of Christ in this part of the world, and as far as we can promote the Interest & wishes of the Society which lies near our hearts - please to remember us at a Throne of Grace and to our Christian Friends [and the Society in particular] & believe me truly yours

Rowland Hassall

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[Address on outside of letter]

The Revd. Matt. Wilks Old Street Road London

[Note on side]

Mearly a Copy sent by the Alalanta