Bay of Islands July 25th 1817
Revd & Dear Sir/
	Having seen your letter to Mr Kendall I confess that I am heartily sorry that any disagreement should have taken place amongst us; and much more so that the report of it should have been circulated so wide, not considering that peace and friendship might be restored before the letters could reach England, as it proved afterwards.— We must acknowledge with regret that through a number of trials privations and crosses taking place, that we were inexperienced with, that Satan in some measure gained his end amongst us at the beginning. But we can rejoice now through the grace of God, that he has lost his ground very much, and not only amongst ourselves but also amongst the poor dark-minded heathen. We have some of them living with us that formerly used to break down our fences, and abuse us and steal and carry away every article they could get hold of. But now we can see a wonderful alteration in them, they are become quite familiar and sociable, they live amongst us and works [sic] with us, and we can almost say of some of them, “that he that stole steals no more.” Mr Kendall has got a very good School, and a good supply of victuals and rewards for the Children, and Mr Carlisle to assist him, the means are fully obtained and through the blessing of God upon it the effect will shew itself in time— [f] Mr King has got a Ropewalk made and is teaching some of the Natives to spin twine and lay up small Ropes, and by patience and perseverence [sic] there is no doubt but they will improve. I am at present cultivating land for wheat agreeable to Mr Marsdens instructions, I have kept five or six men at work these six months past clearing ground breaking up and fencing, I victual them constantly in my house and pay them for their labour.— I take the hoe myself and literally break up the fallow ground with them, If I could as easily do it spiritually upon their hearts, I should rejoice.— And although our situation at present is of the unfavourable kind for Cultivation, yet we expect some benefit will arise from it, and at the same time it is instructing the Natives, so that they may know the proper process, when a better situation is fixed upon and as soon as the wheat is sown and finished, I mean to teach the Natives to saw Timber, I made a beginning upon that work when I was at Wythangee and they seemed to offer very well, they will require a great deal of patience and perseverance, But he that can furnish a table in a wilderness can furnish his instruments with qualifications requisite for their work.—
I must acknowledge myself a very improper and worthless Character, especially if as bad as represented.— But the Lord has often done great work by very unlikely instruments, according to mans judgement.— And he can when he pleases, out of Stones raise up [f] Children unto Abraham.— But as I expect nothing from man and all good things from God, I shall never be disapointed [sic] because he does and will do all things well in His own way and time.— The prayers of the people of God on our behalf hath been visibly answered to an eye of faith, I and my Family has been literally saved as brands from the burning, and we must acknowledge Gods hand in all things as well as all things in Gods hand.— I am silent with astonishment when I think, that so unworthy an instrument as I should be employed in so great a work, but He that made the World out of nothing, can when He pleases, without the use of means, raise up a seed to serve him and call His name blessed.—
And that the Lord may bless the labours of all those that have set their hearts and hands to the Gospel plough is the sincere and fervent prayer of.—
Revd and Dear Sir
Your most unworthy Servants
And labourers in Christ
Wm & D. Hall
P.S. This is almost the same as I wrote before, but if you receive as few of our letters as we do of yours, we have need to write line upon line, We have not had a letter from our friends in England these four years.—