Kidi Kidi, Feby 12. 1822 Revd Sir Your letter by Captain Thompson I duly received; in which you expressed your being pleased with my proceedings. I do not wish to be applauded Sir: I am more worthy of demerit than applause. To applaud a person destitute of sufficient grace is likely to take off my attention from its proper object, and set it upon applause. If my labours be more blessed than others, it is not of me, but of God. If I should be more faithful than others, it will be of God, who giveth grace to the humble. I wish Sir to be more sensible of my own nothingness, and of God’s all sufficiency. I do not wish to live for myself but for him who gave his Son to die for me. I wish for no greater honor here, than to be a poor despised follower of the lowly Jesus. We have seen very dreadful sights here since you heard from us last. Shone [sic for Hongi] and his party have brought a great number of Slaves home, some say 1000, others more; many were killed before our faces & part of them offered to Mr Kemp and I as food. Hundreds were killed at Mokoea, River Thames &c. Shone’s late expedition has been the destruction of Mokoea & Enake was killed besides many others Chiefs: Bave, a Chief whom I believe you know, was killed: indeed, I am not able to tell you of half the destruction made [f] at the River Thames. I believe Shone has been hurt much by his Voyage to Europe if we may be allowed to judge from the Spirit and state of mind which he returned with Mr Kendall, to speak in plain terms, has been the means of prejudicing his mind against some of his best friends. I now see with my eyes, and hear with my ears, Mr Kendall’s true character, I fear.— I have thought since he arrived I should see something very unpleasant, and alas! I now see it.— Mr Kendall keeps a New Zealand girl, and gets drunk! Relative to the spiritual state of this Mission and its labourers, it is I think so low that it cannot well be lower; however I am not in the least discouraged, for I know that he who beginneth a good work in any Land, is able, yea will carry it on, and perfect it. 14th February— Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving another letter from you.— I am happy in being, through divine grace, enabled to fulfil your wishes.— I trust I shall ever have the Salvation of the Heathen at heart.— I hope that, through divine grace, I shall be enabled to seek their Salvation, and it only.— The Salvation of one Soul is of more value than a World, therefore it will be wise for me to devote my time, all my time, to gain a Soul, and if one Soul be not saved, I believe the word of God may be published amongst the Heathen. ‘tis I believe worth all my time to publish a part of Sacred writ, to the Slaves of sin and darkness. With respect to my proceedings, I go on as when you heard from me last. I travel to Okoola and the adjoining Villages.— I some times do a little [f] Gardening &c, Converse with the Natives, learn the Language, and translate part of the Scriptures. I have thought, that to make preparations for the Scriptures to be read and conversed upon, is the only means to do good to the New Zealanders; & That to build houses and plant vineyards, will only add to the temporal good of the Missionaries; therefore to spend one’s time, or moste [sic] of one’s time in building, fencing, farming, &c is like spending it for nought, as respects the Natives. At present, the Natives value none of our comforts. They cannot apreciate [sic] our civil advantages.— They seem to love none of our ways. We must first turn their attention to things relative to the Kingdom of God then I doubt not but they will wish to [live] as we live, and do as we do.— There is now at this present time I think five or six hundred Men gathered togather at Kade Kade from different parts going to the Eastward to destroy and bring away all they can. Our friends Mr & Mrs Kemp have been very ill, Mrs Kemp in particular. I hope they are now recovering— We have been very peaceable and quiet lately.— I cannot find fault. I am still living in Mr Hall’s rooms. I learn that you have much to contend with. May we all have grace sufficient to our day, which is the prayer of Sir, Your Humble Servant James Shepherd