darkness, where he sojourns. This intelligence comes
too at a very acceptable time, for I have had a slight attack of fever
for these last ten days, which, though it is not worth mentioning,
has, like all fevers, left me weak, and with a tendency to depression.
Nor is this all the good the Lord has done me. The Roman Catholic
merchant whom I mentioned before, has been again with me. He told me,
that when I came from England I brought a letter for him, which is
true, from a very dear friend, in which he was requested to come every
day to see me, and talk with me, for I was neither a Roman Catholic, a
Greek, an Armenian, nor belonging to any other denomination, but a
Christian. He, however, never came. Shortly after my arrival I met him
at the house of another merchant, and as I could not talk with him, my
dear brother Pfander did; but nothing could exceed the timid reserve
and coldness with which he answered all questions respecting religion.
But yesterday he told me, "Now I do not fear to converse with you."
Surely here is something gained. May the Lord grant me grace to pour
in the sincere milk of the word. At present I see nothing more than a
willingness to hear and consider; but this is almost like finding a
spring in the desert, when you are parched with thirst.

I have also received from Mr. Brandram, the Secretary of the Bible
Society, a kind and generous letter from that noble institution, which
enables me to enter on their work with all my heart, leaving the
question of money free, and only seeking the soul's profit of those on
whom their benefits are bestowed: if I obtain money, well--if not, I
am only to seek a fair guarantee that the people will read and take
care of the books I have without money full liberty to give. These
books are arrived at Bussorah, so that when they reach me, what with
those I already have, and those coming from Constantinople or Smyrna,
I shall have quite a depository. All these circumstances at present
make me determine to stay here, the Lord enabling me, though we again
hear that the Persians are at Sulemania. I was lately informed that
Capt. Chesney, with a gentleman from Bombay, and his wife, had
endeavoured to pass on to Shiraz from Bushire; but that they were not
allowed to enter that place. They next tried by Shuster, but from
hence likewise they were obliged to turn back. They appear to have
made a third trial with more success; but an Armenian, who was with me
the other day,