William Knibb, Jamaica, to Thomas Raffles, Liverpool, 7 August 1844.

Revd and dear Sir

      I feel confident that no apology is necessary for my now addressing you.

           I believe that [it] is customary with many churches in England now and then to address those of their members who tarrie in distant places, and as my Brother Edward is still in connexion with your Church I think a letter of advice would be of much service. God has [illegible word] smiled upon his efforts; and I fear that it is engendering a love of the world, which is so awfully destructive of real piety. It will be well that the effect may be the better that he should not know that I have written any thing at all the nearness of the relationship prevents my speaking to him on these matters as I could wish, and surrounded as he is by temptations on every hand, a letter from the Church, such a one as I am sure you would write, might bring to remembrance those things which immersed in worldly cares, we are all so apt to forget.

      It has pleased our heavenly father to afflict us with a very severe drought and the poverty and distress it has produced are distressing, while the Mission has been seriously crippled in its resources. Well the Lord reigneth, and if these causes are all but sanctified, they will prove universal blessings.

      It will give you great pleasure I am sure to learn that the breach between ourselves and our Independent Brethren is fast healing. Mr Barrett preached some time ago in our Chapel at Kingston. I expect to meet him there next week when I shall invite him to Falmouth.

      Nothing has given me so much pain, as this aberration [sic] in speach [sic] among brethren. Mr Freemans visit did unusual good. A visit now and then from a father in the Gospel would cheer our hearts.

      These are necessary when the Missionary needs all the support and council that can be given. What a mercy that there is one ever at hand to impart it.

                                          with sincere respect

                                                            I am

                                                              William Knibb

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), p. 323 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 379, fol. 1157b, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. William Garland Barrett was an LMS missionary to Jamaica, 1835-48. Joseph John Freeman visited Jamaica on behalf of the LMS in 1842-43.