iv. 4 July 1831

Handt to Woodruffe and Coates, 4 July 1831, p.1.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-013
-----------------------------------------------------------

[note] Rec’d Novr 21/31

Sydney July 4, 1831

My Dear Sirs,

You will, I hope, have received my letter, dated the 27th of April, Simon's Town, Cape of good Hope. We left the Cape on the 3rd of Mai, and after having been favoured with a very fortunate voyage of eighteen weeks, not having lost nor broke one spar of our vessel, and, in general, been in good health, we arrived here in the harbour of Sydney on the 25th June, Saturday Evening about 8 o'clock.
As I was generally well on board, except sea sick some times, I could well attend to my duty which I daily continued to pursue in the same manner, as I described to You in the letter before mentioned that namely, every day, except there occurred a particular hinderance [sic], I read with the Convicts, in the hold of the vessel, a portion of Scripture: that I first made one of them read one verse, then read it loudly and distinctly over again myself for the benefit of those who could not read; secondly, explained that verse to them; and thirdly, asked them occasionally some questions. And that having thus gone through one or more verses, if the connexion [sic] would not permit to take one

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Handt to Woodruffe and Coates, 4 July 1831, p.2.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-014
-----------------------------------------------------------

only, I proceeded to the following; at every time, beginning and ending with prayer. The parts of Scripture which I thus read with them, were: The 22nd Ps. The 15th Ch. of St. Luke. The Gospel according to St. John. The two Epistles of St. Peter. The Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians and that to the Colosians. The 4 first Chptrs. of the Epistle to the Hebrews. And the 3 first Chptrs. of St. James's Epistle. Every Sunday I performed divine service, if the weather did permit; so that on the whole I preached fourteen Sermons.
The time which I, on a constantly moving vessel, could apply to study, was taken up, by preparing for and performing the duty of the day, and by composing Service for the next Sunday. In addition to that, I had daily to give a German lesson to the Officer of the Guard, who was my Assistant in English.
I found the Convicts chiefly very attentive. They were also truly thankful for the means of grace; which were daily tended to them; for they showed their gratitude to God in the conduct of their lives, of which both the Doctor Mr Stephenson, and the Captain Cock are witnesses. The people here in Sydney, therefore, are very glad of having such people sent to them.
I wrote You before concerning the manner in which I had distributed the Bibles Testaments, Prayer Books, and tracts, and will, therefore, not repeat it. I informed You, at the same time, that the Doctor afforded me every opportunity of

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Handt to Woodruffe and Coates, 4 July 1831, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-015
-----------------------------------------------------------

going to the Convicts, and that the Captain was a very ill humoured man. With him, however, I had very little to deal, as his business only was to bring the vessel to Sydney. He consented, however joyfully to my giving the Sailors some religious books, and was never opposing me, even when he could have done so. As for the Doctor, he behaved civil towards me to the end. This, You may also tell Mr. Northover, because he very anxiously desired to know whether I had gained the favour of the Doctor and Captain.
I did not read all the Prayers, when I had divine service on board; I read however the Litany: time not being sufficient for all.
When we had arrived on Saturday Evening, I did not leave the vessel till the afternoon of the Sabbath day, in the foredeck I performed divine service. But I went on shore, and to Rev Richard Hills. [12] He was not home, but in the Sunday School, to which I went, and where handed over Your letter to him. He kindly received me, took me afterward to Church, and then home. I shall probably stay in his house till Mr. Matthews arrives. Mr. Hill has here procured for me some business in the Poor house, as I shall not proceed to Wellington Valley, our appointed place,* till Mr Matthews arrives.
Now, thanks be to our God and Saviour for all his blessings! May he continue to bless his Gospel for his own name's and blood's sake.

* as is expected

I remain My dear Sirs
Your humble servant
J.C.S. Handt

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson | Hill, Reverend Richard | Matthews, Reverend

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Handt to Woodruffe and Coates, 4 July 1831, p.4.
Class Mark: C N/O 51/
MS page no: 1-016
-----------------------------------------------------------

[addressed to]
Revd T. Woodrooffe
or
D. Coates Esq.
Missionary House
Salisbury Square
Fleet Street
London
England

[addressed from]
Sydney, July 4/31
Rev. J.C.S. Handt.

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson