“11th mo. 20th. 1817, An apprehension has seized upon my mind this morning, that after having finished the little books I am preparing for the children of Sierra-Leone, it will be my duty to attempt the introduction of them myself into that colony and the neighbourhood, and even to attempt the reduction of unwritten languages. I would not go merely under a profession of opening a school or schools, but to proceed to the religious instruction of the children; for my heart feels an engagement towards them, that cannot probably be fulfilled without going there.

“In sitting with my dear Friends at Ackworth the last evening I was there, though disposed to enjoy conversation with two or three of them especially, yet the sound of Sierra-Leone was so in my ear that I was silent mostly; till, in the evening, the conversation became more private, from the company having generally separated. One Friend, but young in years, sat down by me, and made this impressive remark: ‘There are some precepts of Christianity which have appeared to me, at first view, as of very easy attainment, yet afterwards, as difficult, and of very high attainment. The disposition to say, After all we can do, we are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do;’ to be able to say this, felt to him a very difficult and, at the same time, a very necessary attainment. […]”