First: You have beep informed that I am happy. In reply to this I beg to observe, I cannot be very comfortable, when I reflect that the precious cause of Christ, probably, has received a wound through my carelessness—and _if_ any part of my conduct has given occasion for the enemies of Christ to blaspheme, or to increase their hatred to the Gospel; this is an heart-breaking circumstance to me.—Secondly: To be deprived of the blessed ordinances which I once so richly enjoyed, is a source of much sorrow—never did I know their value as I now do; nor can I wonder at David, when in exile exclaiming, “My flesh and heart crieth out for the courts of my God.”—Third: The afflictions of the Church since the commencement of my troubles, in September, 1816, must deeply affect me. Its loss of that poor, feeble ministry of unworthy me. Its divisions, and the many apparent attempts to deprive them even of the place to meet in; with the scoffs, jeers, and contempt of the proud they have to bear. Believe me I am grieved for the afflictions of Joseph, for surely no vessel in a storm has been much worse torn to pieces than our poor Church, which I have long named the “Packet Distress.” Another part of her affliction has been from the lies of certain Ministers, who have attempted to build their Churches with what materials they could collect from us, to keep up the fire amongst us, and increase our afflictions—they are perpetually running about, to degrade both myself and people. I could mention their names, if it were prudent, but they are well known. The main point they aim at, is to hurt me in the estimation of _the few godly characters we have left_, and _this_ is their common cant—“No doubt Mr. C. is certainly a fallen character, but even _that_ we might pardon, did we but see him sorry for it; but instead of that, he is as cheerful, light, and trifling as ever.” This is always expressed with much seeming pity, sorrow, and concern, but could you see the heart of hypocrisy lurking at the bottom, and the infernal design of such initiations, you would despise such persons, who are described in the Bible as hawking pedlars—“Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale bearer among my people.” Such are like sharks, following a sick ship.—And now comes another daring, cruel, and unjust charge: “O, Mr. C. I hear, is supported in his situation by just such fellows as himself.” But my dear friend, the persons who support me, and my dear children, are chiefly a few pious women, of good character, and who are well known in the Church: and as to bad characters, men or women, whom I know to be such, I am determined at all times to deal faithfully with, and then they will soon leave me. Another charge you hear of is “That there are many bad people in the congregation, and who attend the sacrament now.” This is another falsehood, for the deacons will not allow any person of bad conduct to communicate with the church at the Lord’s supper; and if you