Parramatta Sepr 8th 1822
Revd Sir/
	This will be delivered to you by Mr William Halls Son, whom he has sent to England for his education— I have draw[n] upon you for his Passage agreeable to his Father’s instructions, which Sum will be charged to his Father’s Salary— he is a fine promising Boy; has been at Parramatta almost two years— Mr Hall requests his Son may be sent down to Carlisle to his Friend the Revd John Fawcett, who will provide a Situation for him in some School— His Father was with me from New Zealand very lately, and returned in a Whaler— His Father has been a very laborious man in New Zealand, and his moral Conduct is unimpeachable— He has laboured hard in the work and endured many privations. [f] He is naturally of a very strong persevering mind and very prudent in his Conduct— He fell into the Temptation of bartering Muskets and Powder for a time— but I believe he will never more violate the Instructions of the Society in this respect. He had strong Inducements to follow the Example of his Colleagues, as no Arguments would prevail with Mr Kendall to leave it off— The difficulties that have arisen in the Mission have chiefly originated with the Missionaries— The Natives have always behaved much better than Savages could be expected to do— I have no doubt but they will become a civilized nation in due time— God will deliver them from the Power of the prince of this world, and they shall see his Salvation— The way is open, if Labourers can only be procured fit for the work and God will find them, and send them forth when he sees meet— We must not sow and expect to reap the same day— When God shall pour out [f] his Spirit upon the Inhabitants of New Zealand, then his word will have effect— In order that you may know the real State of Things I have judged it meet to send you several Letters which I have received from which you will be able to judge for yourself— I greatly lament the evils— but these do not make me despair— I know the people are ready, and prepared for the Gospel— yet they may receive it in a different way from what we calculate upon. You have some very pious Missionaries whom the Lord will bless. Francis Hall is one of the excellent ones of the earth— Mr & Mrs Kemp are very valuable to their Station, and so are Mr & Mrs William Hall— Mr Shepherd is a young man of great natural Abilities— Sound Piety, a Love for the poor Heathen, tgho’ he has not had the advantages of Education, being the Son of a pious Convict a man who has walked in the Fear and Love of God for twenty years in this Colony— Mr Shepherd has a great Capacity for acquiring the Language, and will make himself master of it, and will speak it well. He is far superior to any of the others in this respect. [f] You will see what Mr Shepherd says of Mr S. Butler’s Conduct. He is at present at Parramatta intending to marry if he can meet with a young woman— he does not live with me as formerly— His Father behaved so improperly when I took him before, that I would not admit him into my House as an Inmate again— His Father would not allow any Part of his Son’s Salary to go towards his Support, tho he lived at my Table like a Gentleman and treated as one of my Family. I never would have taken him but in Hopes of cultivating his mind, and preparing him for his work, and keeping him, until he was older, from forming improper Intercourse with the Native Women, and guarding him against the Snares of youth. I much fear he is too far gone ever to be of much use in N. Zealand, should his Father remain there. I have sent yolu Mr Leigh’s Letters— I believe he is a valuable man, and will be a great Stay to tghe Cause of God when he is settled in his own Station. The Revd Mr White has arrived, and will join him the first opportunity— Mr Leigh always laboured hard, and prudently in this Colony as a Missionary, and was much esteemed by all my Colleagues who fear God—
I am yours affectionately
S. Marsden
Revd J. Pratt