Church Missionary Society London Decr. 14/18 Dear Sir, We wrote to you briefly, on the 9th of Nov., by the Rev. Richard Hill; & now purpose to answer your various Letters. We have received from you Copy of a Letter from Governor to you, dated April 13/14 Letters to Mr. Pratt, 1 dated Feby 20. 3 dated May 2. 1 Nov. 28. 3. Dec. 10. 1 Dec. 12/17. 2 May 14. 1 May 15. & 1 May 20/18. Copy of the Correspondence between you & Judge Advocate Wylde, in April 1817. Letter from Governor Macquarie to you, dated April 15/17 Your Letters to Earl Bathurst, dated Nov. 28. & Dec.Decr. 8/17, & the Enclosures. Letters from Mr. Kendall, dated June 10, July 14, 25, 27/17. With Lists of Children from January to April. Letter from Mr.Kendall to the Rev. Basil Woodd. Letters from Mr. William Hall dated June 10th & July 25/17. Letter from Mr. John King dated July 23/17. The Committee need not say again, how much they have been grieved by the heavy trials which you have undergone. They anxiously considered how they could most effectually aid & support you. Our Treasurer, who is a personal friend of Mr. Goulburn’s, has had several interviews with him; & Mr. Goulburn himself, who is now become one of our Vice Presidents, is well disposed to do what he can in our cause but we find, rather a wish that the Patience of the sufferer should overcome by endurance, than that Government should authoritatively interfere. This was to be expected, when we consider what influence a Colonial Government will always have with the Government at home. While the Committee regret the circumstances which made you consider it necessary to resign your office as a Magis-trate, they cannot but think, with you, that you are more likely to have peace & comfort in being more retired from public affairs; & they would hope also that your usefulness may not be diminished. God is overruling all for good. They feel that, under the blessing of God, the New Zealand Mission owes every thing to you. [f] From the recollection, therefore, of your part disinterested & unwearied labours, as well as from the need of the continuance of them, the Committee would most deeply regret your removal. They cannot but hope that this may become unnecessary. Your hands will be strengthened by the arrival of two Chaplains, Mr. Hill & Mr. Crosse, who will prove, we trust, like minded with yourself; & we think it very probable that a new Governor may proceed shortly to the Colony; & under him a new & better order of things be established. We would say, in the words of David— “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, & he shall strengthen thine heart; wait I say on the Lord.” But we must still remember that our Saviour’s Kingdom is not of this world; &, whoever reigns here, we would look only to Him, & depend solely on Him to direct all things to His own glory. This is our support amidst many trials and difficulties here, & it will be yours in New South Wales. We were struck with your observation, that the Inhabitants of New South Wales were likely, through your late troubles, to be more fa-vourably disposed towards New Zealand. How wonderful are God’s ways of accomplishing our great desire — the coming of His Kingdom. The Committee quite approve of your sending Cattle & other stock to New Zealand, & will willingly bear this expence. They rejoice to hear of the progress made in cultivation & civilization; & trust that this only precedes the great object in view — the cordial reception, by that noble people, of the Gospel of Christ. The Committee approve also of the outfit given to Mr. Carlisle & Mr. Gordon; & think that you rather erred on the side of æconomy, than on that of liberality. We were much pleased with Mr. Hassall, who is now in Wales. He had taken great care of Tooi & Teeterree, & seemed a very promising young man. Tooi & Teeterree have deeply engaged the affections of all who have had intercourse with them, during their stay in this country. Their conduct has not only been irreproachable, but truly exemplary. They will carry back with them many good wishes, many prayers, many valuable proofs of the interest which they have excited. You will see how the Committee addressed them in the public Instructions. We regret that we have been unable, from our own [f] overwhelming engagements, & the engagements of those to whom we could have entrusted the work, to prosecute, to any great extent, the fixing of the New Zealand Language. Something has, however, been done; the Committee trust that such a beginning has been made, as will enable Mr. Butler & Mr. Kendall to go on with the work. The Committee now send you, as they are persuaded, a most valuable body of Labourers The Rev. John Butler, is a plain man, of strong natural talent & warm affections whose heart has long been set on the Heathen World. He superintended the Schools at Bentinck Chapel; & Mr. Woodd gave him up with great reluctance. His son will be able to take charge of the School. Mrs. Butler will manage the household matters; & in every practicable way, we trust, render herself useful. Mr. Francis Hall is an humble, diligent, & consistent Chris-tian. We need not say more to shew his value in the New Zealand Mission. Mr. Kemp, the Smith, & Mrs. Kemp, are truly worthy people. He has a good knowledge of Agriculture; & is ever way, by piety, talent, knowledge, & sweetness of disposition, calculated for his Station. May the Lord, the giver of every good, bless them & go with them all; & give them great success in His work! Repecting the salaries to be allowed to those now going out, we have told them that we refer them entirely to you. In western Africa where provisions & European Articles are very dear, we allow ?200 to the married ordained Missionary for himself & his wife. By reference to this you & your friends may be able to adjust a suitable allowance for Mr. Butler. A proper yearly allowance should be given to his son, provided he renders himself useful. In all these matters, we are sure that you & our other friends will endeavour to combine a due regard to æconomy in the application of the Society’s funds, with a proper consideration for the comfort of its Missionaries. Mr Hall is a single man & will be able to take such a situation as Mr. Kendall now hasm & may have a Salary in proportion, We leave it to you also to fit Mr. & Mrs. Kemp’s Salary. The Committee wish to “give unto them that which is just & equal. We have seen Captn. Ker, who gave us information as to [f] the present state of things in New Zealand. He did not call at the Bay of Islands, not being able to make the Eastern passage. Many friends regularly meet at the Society’s House every Saturday Evening, to pray for the Divine Blessing on its Missions, & for the general success of the Gospel. You are not forgotten on these occasions, We wish our New Zealand Missionaries & Settlers to observe a similar practice, as is done in our other Missions. Those who come out now have each a fowling-piece, & we have also sent one to replace Mr. Hall’s. We are not allowed to send powder, & it is the less necessary, as we are informed that they can be supplied at New South Wales. We will thank you to give them such a quantity as they may need. They are all furnished with provisions sufficient for a time after landing: their Salaries are, therefore, to take date from their entrance on their labours; you charging to the Society what may be expended on their account while in New South Wales, & for their passage from thence to New Zealand. We rejoice at the prospect which your last Letters hold out, of the Settlers soon growing their own wheat. On the whole the Committee feel that they are called to much gratitude in the encouraging prospect of the very distant Mission of New Zealand. They thank you most sincerely for all you labour, self denial, suffering & anxiety on their account. They have no wish that you should personally suffer, from any expences requisite to the prosperity of the Mission; & they leave the conduct of it in your hands. They think that you will find willing helpers in this in Mr. Hill & Mr. Crosse. May the great Head of the Church bless you, & your family & your labours, & frustrate , in mercy, the designs of all who seek the overthrow of this endeavour to benefit the souls of the benighted New Zealanders. We beg very kind remembrances to Mrs. Marsden, & to Mr. Cartwright & Mr. Youl with our other friends, and are ever, Dear Sir, Very affectionately yours, (Signed) Josiah Pratt Edwd. Bickersteth