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Sorry to hear that McMillan intends to return to Lane Seminary next session. Sermon preparation and delivery.

Hints at a personal dispute with women. Notes a local revival, his own conversion, and his desire to be more pious. Teaching a Sunday School class and has been asked to teach another at the Dutch Reformed Church. Discusses the young minister at his church. Wishes to visit, reflecting on their friendship. Hopes to become a minister rather than continue teaching. Briefly mentions a local vote. Asks after acquaintances, including whether Clinton's father "challenged Asa to a duel yet."

Appealing to "Friends in New York" for aid to help relieve famine in Ireland. "...as Curate of the Protestant Church in the West of (the extreme west of Ireland) I am called on to witness many scenes of the most heart rending wretchedness." Notes the rising distress, his region reaching "the same miserable plight as our more unfortunate neighbors," and the cessation of all public works. Mentions Belgian merchants purchasing all the corn available in Galway and all other provisions being sold at exorbitant "famine price." Worried about impending "vice and criminality," especially from unemployed servants. "My house is surrounded from morning until night by female applicants for Relief." Describes the weakened and starving condition of residents. "...the mirth of the land is gone,--and to employ no exaggerate terms, a strong lad might push his way through the most dense crowd--all are shadows." Appreciates the aid already rendered by America and hopes God will bless continued charitable efforts.

Returned from a visit to New Hampshire, where he met with Bishop C[arlton] Chase (1794-1870) and preached for him. Comments on other religious happenings in New Hampshire amongst Episcopalians. Despite financial difficulties in N.H., hopes to send a missionary to Orford. Speaks of delegates at a diocese convention at Manchester. Went to Concord to attend a session of the State Legislature, where he encountered [Charles Brickett] Haddock (1796-1861). Asks about Hale's role in the "great transaction of bribery & corruption" between Trinity Church and Geneva College, convincing New York State legislators to refuse petitions requesting an appeal. Hopes Hale "got the grant secured to the college on something more than conditional premises." Mentions Bishop [William Heathcote] De Lancey (1797-1865), the good effect he has had in New York, and his efforts to dissolve the seminary. "I am more & more convinced that if our church in this country is to be saved from schism, it May be by restraining, if not reducing, the power or the general Convention."

Sending a pamphlet, first published in Honolulu 1836 and recently republished in Buffalo, "containing an appeal from the Missionaries of the Sandwich Islands to their friends in the United States." Notes letters from the Sandwich Islands published in religious journals. Comments on local efforts to publish and distribute the pamphlet to those "who will be likely to respond to the principles it contains." Believes Cowles, as a professor at Oberlin College, is in a position to bring the appeal to the notice of a great number of ministers, "especially to the young men who are under your care and influence in the theological department of the Institution." Discusses the slow rate of the world's conversion and the gloomy state of "the spiritual horizon," believing ministers are failing Jesus' commands to "preach his gospel to every creature." Also sending Rev. William Todd's sermon on foreign missions to circulate among Cowles' colleagues and students. Has also sent copies of the appeal to Prof. [John] Morgan (1802 or 1803-1884) and Prof. [Charles] Finney (1792-1875).

Ecstatic Methodist revival.

Travelled through New York State by wagon, railroad, stage, and steamboats in order to attend a religious General Conference. Visited New York City and went to Williamsburg to visit his brother-in-law's grave. Stayed with a Methodist in Philadelphia, visited Fairmount Water Works, attended service at Trinity Church, and visited recently returned missionaries ill with "African fever." "They are from the Oneida Conference and went to Africa two years ago last November . They have a native girl from Africa who was one from the recaptured slaves of the Bark Pons." Staying with a Methodist Episcopal minister in Baltimore before heading to Washington, D.C.

Missionary writes of his attempts to learn Chinese.

Letter of appreciation to Dr. Gilman for agreeing to write down his recollections of Dr. Brazer. He assures Gilman that he has the desire to be an impartial historian with regards to his work. He also mentions that he had been planning to include the late Dr. Palmer in his project.

Clergyman, recently turned 87 and is writing to his children despite "bodily infirmities." Notes on Christmas as a religious season and celebrating the New Year. Religion connects his dispersed family together. Assured that his departed family members are in heaven, and that God forgives the penitent. Sending a circular [not present]. Family news.