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I can not express how grateful I feel that our Heavenly Father has sent us such a man to rule over & guide us — But with our mercies we have our trials — Tuesday evg [evening]  I was sent for to Macquarie Grove to visit poor old Tom Boat. He had, had his thigh broken on the Monday by a kick from a mare & they were compelled to amputate it that night
Before my return he was dead & Burried — On that night Mrs Hassall told me of Thos's sad conduct — and on my return Sabbath eveng from Vermont I heard he was no more
he died on Sabbath morng having hastened his end by intemperance — What a solemn warning to George and others —

I had written him a long letter but he never received it — What an awfully besetting sin is that of intemperance — but the love of money on one hand & the love of drink on the other hurries men on to destruction —
I have just returned from his funeral the Revd Mr Rogers read the service — There were not many present alas my nephew !! —

We are getting on with the interior of the Church I cannot help thinking it will be a great improvement — I held service last Sabbath in the School Room & suppose we shall be one or two Sabbath more there — Mrs Barber was much pleased with your Wife & Childn