(Copy) Secretary to Mr T. Kendall CM House, London. Dec 16th 1814 My Dear Sir We were very happy to receive yours to Mr Woodd of Dec. 28/13 and March 11/14 with those to me of March 11th and June 15th. Mine of March 18th last I hope you have received, and will shortly have another of Aug.18. It gave me much pleasure in having heard of Mr Hall’s having taken up his work, and that you and he proceeded to New Zealand. You will see by the Missy Registers what notice we have taken of Mr Marsden’s efforts to rescue the South Sea Islanders from oppression & cruelty. I have accepted your Draft for £120 for Salaries up to Christmas. As we trust an auxiliary Society will be formed in N.S. Wales, all our concerns must henceforward be placed under its management; as it will be necessary in so distant a quarter often to take important steps before an opinion can be had from home. Nor can we reasonably fear that we shall have cause to rescind the proceedings of men animated by the same views as ourselves, and judging from the best local information. With respect to yourselves and families give up all to the Glory of God, and be assured of the kind care & protection of the Society. I have urged this on Mr Hall and John King. In proportion to your fidelity, activity, and devotedness in your great work, the Society will feel its obligation to be the protector of all whom you may leave [f] behind. The price of various articles is so high that it must be advantageous to have your Salaries sent out in stores. If the Committee of the proposed Society will order an Investment of Goods as part or as the whole of our proposed annual Grants to the Society, you might have your portion of such goods. When you want any little convenience for yourselves we will send it. Some Crockery and Stationery are sent out for your use; with a very good watch as you desired; also a pocket compass for each of you. I have sent 3 Vols of our Proceedings in boards, which, with those you have, will make 2 setts complete; not knowing how the volumes you have are bound, I thought it best to send these in boards, as you can probably get them bound somewhat uniform at Sydney. The other sett is to be given to Mr Marsden for his Library. The Moderator Newspaper is sent, with Magazines &c for your general use. I have sent put up also some Reports of different Societies. A copy of Hints on languages prepared by a friend, may be of some service to you, in preparing a Grammar &c of N.Z. language. I have sent 12 Copies of Nr 23 of the Missy register for your own distribution, beside those sent as usual; this No containing some statements deservedly in praise of Mr Marsden’s efforts. Mr Andrews, who has frequently been with me, has given us many interesting particulars respecting New Zealand. The account which you give, in your Letter of June 15, of the Active and her voyage, is highly pleasing. Mr Marsden’s instructions respecting the voyage were those of a wise man, who well knew what he was doing. [f] I admire your conciliatory spirit toward Wm Hall. May God ever, by his grace, maintain and encrease that spirit in you! Your account of New Zealand excites ardent expectation & hope in my mind, that God will condescend to employ us and you as instruments of conveying eternal blessings to that noble race. Go on, my Dear Friend, in the strength of the Lord, possessing your soul in patience, and quietly labouring till your evening of rest shall come. There is no greater honour than to be called employed in increasing Christ’s Kingdom among men; and especially among the Gentiles. You feel the want of a regular authority as a Clergyman: but let not that trouble you. You may do every thing in a heathen land, under the character of a Catechist, except the administring of the Sacraments and the time may come, at no great distance, when we may send out some Lutheran Clergy to your aid, who may admit you, according to the authority which their Church vests in them, to Holy Orders, if that should be found necessary. But my counsel to you is, to go on contentedly, doing the work in which you can consistently engage. Believe me, Dear Sir, With unfeigned regard, Yours Josiah Pratt