To obviate some peculiar Disadvantages, under which I labour in my present Situation, I made personal Application to You lately for the Mission at Johnstown;--not but that I had turned my views that Way a considerable Time past,--only I was prevented by some Circumstances, which till then had not determined me. However, that there is now a Prospect of having shortly a Gentleman qualified, from Representation, to supply that Place, gives me much Satisfaction ; And I make no Doubt, from the Character given of him, that his Abilities and good sense willenable him to perform his ministerial Duty, in such a Manner, as to prove beneficial to all the good People whom he purposes serving.

T return you sincere Thanks for your kind Wishes, and Expressions of Consolation. But the very Thing which enables me to continue in this Mission, is the Grievance I complain of : For my constant Attendance on the School, prevents me from paying that Attention to my Congregation which I cou'd really wish, and from my being obliged to write two Discourses every Week I am confined from taking that Recreation which I find my Health requires.

_ Indeed, when I offered myself for that Mission, it was not from a Presumption that I shou'd have perfectly answered the Description given, but truly from higher Motives, which I trust in God, will always influence me to domy Duty with that continual steady care, that my Station requires. Avoiding, at the same time, the Levities which my Age might incline me to indulge, and the Gloominess that frequently attends our Cloth.