“My mind has at times, been sorely exercised with temptations to give up all exertion in the cause of Christ, and take my ease like those around me; more especially, about a fortnight since, the improbability of success, the sneers of the world, the dread of singularity, were the chief engines the enemy attacked me with, respecting the Europeans; respecting the Heathen, his suggestions were chiefly, the opposition of government, the extreme ignorance of the natives, the fear of commotions in the country, should I attempt their conversion. These, like fiery darts, were at different times, and in divers ways, cast into my soul, and grievously wounded me. I bless God, whose love is everlasting, that He has rebuked the tempter. I look back as one who has escaped shipwreck, barely with life; and I feel determined, through the grace of Christ, to count not even life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. “We have had divine service regularly every Sunday morning, at sun-rise, in the fort. Our commanding officer has for some time left off attending, though he continues very civil and obliging. He makes ill health an excuse; although he has occasionally been in the fort soon after the time of worship, and without any cause but his own pleasure. Another officer has also left off attending, although for some time after my first arrival, he was regularly among us. Some others have all along been irregular in their attendance, and continue to come occasionally. The gentleman and his wife, I alluded to in my last report, do not go on as I had hoped, though they are very kind, and my only intimate associates. Although he does not enter into my views, he yet talks familiarly with me on the subject of religion, and tells me his own views and feelings respecting it; which, together with their regular attendance on public worship, made me to hope they were under a divine influence. But, oh, the love of this present evil world, is a clog which weighs down the souls even of those who know more of its vanity, than these [persons] at present do.