Andrew Fuller, Kettering, to Lucius Bolles, Salem, MA, 15 April 1814.
Kettering Ap 15th 1814
Dear Sir
Early in this year I recd your favour of Oct 4. 1813, inclosing a bill drawn on Samuel Williams Esq. London, for £63 from The Salem Bible translation and Foreign Mission Society to the Baptist Missionary society in England in aid of translating and printing the Scriptures in the Eastern languages. Present Sir our grateful acknowledgments to your Society, and accept the same yourself.
I learn by Letters from the east that Mr Judson had left the Isle of France, and that he and Mrs Judson were bending their course towards Rangoon in Burmah, with a view of joining our Brethren Felix Carey & Norman Kerr. Dr Marshman says of both Mr & Mrs Judson & of Mr Rice, that they have a true missionary spirit. I suppose the latter may be in America ere you receive this, but with a view of returning.
Your letter came via Lisbon. I have not been able to see or hear of Mr Caleb Hirons. I wrote to Fairford to inquire after him, but have had no answer. You shall have the Numbers of the P. A. [Periodical Accounts] you request; but it is difficult to get them out during the War; and how Mr Hirons wd get to America during its continuance I do not know. I hear that Mr Rolt of Calcutta is dead. I suppose Mrs Rolt may be in England, but have not seen her.
The work of God is spreading in the East considerably. There are not less than 10 presses going continually in printing the SS [Scriptures] in the different languages; and about 20 editions are in the press. The same spirit for disseminating the SS which has prevailed and continues to prevail in Europe and I suppose in North America, is now diffusing the sacred oracles thro’ the Eastern Islands. Orders for large editions of the SS in the Malay langauge have been sent to Serampore by the Governors, or others of those Islands. It is expected that a printing press will be set up in Burmah, for printing the SS. Applications have been made to the Emperor by the Serampore brethren for leave to do so, but it is supposed it must go to Java for his Majesty to see it. Yet all this may work for good. If bror Rice be with you present my Christian love to him – also to Dr Baldwin, or any other of your Society. I am
affecy yrs
Andw Fuller
Address: Mr Lucius Bolles | Salem near Boston | North America
Agency for American | Prisoners of War | London | Received & Forwarded
Postmark: Boston 5 [date illegible]
Endorsed: Rev Dr Fuller England 1814
Text: Ann Judson Folder, RG no. 1108, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.