“Gomalty, Jan. 1st. 1807. I would begin the new year by reviewing the old. The mercies of the past year are many and great; and, for these mercies, I am bound to be exceedingly thankful. During the voyage, my attempts were not without some good effects on the minds of V. and Y. especially: the Lord made my presence a restraint on some who would otherwise have been more profane, and gave me favour in the sight of many: kind friends have been raised up for me in India, wherever I have come, and all my wants have been abundantly supplied. These mercies call for the loudest praise to Him who rules on high; but especially do spiritual mercies call for gratitude: that I have been kept from gross sins before men; that I have not been permitted wholly to restrain prayer before God, or to cast off His fear; that I have been enabled in public preaching to declare what I believe to be the whole counsel of God; and that some tokens of Divine approbation have been granted to His word. I feel a growing boldness to speak for God in private, and something more of a power to cast off the fear of man. These are subjects which may well furnish matter for everlasting songs. I would record what I feel still wrong, that I may be disposed to live more simply on Christ for strength as well as righteousness. I find a disposition to seek the applause of men, which sometimes leads me into words and actions which grieve the Holy Spirit, and wound my own soul. There is a sinful nature; a disposition to rest in the form of godliness; and a spirit of indolence which causes me to waste hours and days to no profit. These things grieve and bow down my soul. I would, also, record my purposes, that I may be bound to perform them. I intend to keep aloof from visiting parties at Chunar, as much as I can; to establish worship as often as possible; and to teach and preach Jesus Christ, ‘publicly and from house to house,’ both to professed Christians, and to the heathen. But, when I reflect how most of my resolutions have hitherto come to nothing, O Lord, let thy power rest upon me! I would record my most earnest desires, to mark the Lord’s dealings with me, and His answers to prayer. My first desire is, that a ‘door may be opened’ at Chunar, and that I may have power to enter in thereat, that so ‘the word of God may have free course and be glorified’ in the conversion of souls. Secondly, that my dear family may be the special objects of the favour of Jehovah; and that my dear sister may come out to me, _if it be the will of God, otherwise not_. Thirdly, that V., Y., and B., may be kept from the power of the devil, the world, and the flesh; and that they may be redeemed and preserved from all iniquity, and have liberty to serve God without fear.