To unidentified recipient in England1

[c. May 1806]

My long and wearisome voyage is concluded, and I am at last arrived in the country in which I am to spend my days in the work of the Lord.2 Scarcely can I believe myself to be so happy as to be actually in India; yet this hath God wrought through changing climates, and tempestuous seas. He has brought on his feeble worm to the field of action, and will, I trust, speedily equip me for my work. I am now very far from you all, and as often as I look around and view the Indian scenery, I sigh to think of the distance that separates us. Time, indeed, and reflection, have, under God, contributed to make the separation less painful, yet still my thoughts recur with unceasing fondness to former friendships, and make the duty of intercession for you a happy privilege. Day and night I do not cease to pray for you, and I am willing to hope that you also remember me daily at the throne of grace. Let us not, by any means, forget one another; nor lose sight of the day of our next meeting.3 We have little to do with the business of this world. Place and time have not that importance in our views that they have in those of others; and therefore neither changes of situation nor lapse of years should weaken our Christian attachment. I see it to be my business to fulfill as an hireling my day; and then to leave the world. Amen. We shall meet in happier regions. I believe that those connexions, and comforts, and friendships, which I have heretofore so desired, though they are the sweetest earthly blessings, are earthly still.

To Malachy Hitchins

Aldeen Gardens, Serampore, East Indies. May 30th, 1806

My Dear Sir,

I have found no difficulty in remembering the promise I made you of writing on my arrival in Bengal.