From Lady Dornford at Deptford Road, [London]. Dornford has been absent from home and since her return has had most of her time taken up with a most distressing family situation. Reference is made to the letter written by [Mary] Tooth.
It has been almost a year since the death of her dear husband [Sir Josiah Dornford] and in the middle of the mental pain caused by unkind people, Dornford is in better physical health and has more energy than has been the case for ten years. Spiritual matters are discussed. Dornford has felt more of God's presence recently than in the whole of her previous fifty-seven years of life. Spiritual matters. are further discussed in detail, with particular reference to Dornford's work among the poor and her promotion of greater 'planning', with regard to debt etc. Even with good intentions, some people get into financial difficulties, 'pledge' [pawn] their clothes and then through shame avoid going to class meetings because of which they grow spiritually cold. Domford has had one person in this predicament for whom she has found employment and she trusts that tomorrow he will be finally settled.
Dornford has always considered that if she outlived her 'poor invalid' [her daughter Esther] then she would go to India and spend her final days with her son [Thomas Thomason], but God has kept her occupied so that she rarely wants for things to do and is suitably grateful.
[Esther] has passed this last year without serious illness, although remains what would generally be considered invalid. Dornford hopes that the girl has increased in spiritual wisdom but that is God's work and Dornford can only 'PREACH by firmness…' She is an interesting young woman and is the very image of her father as much as age and youth can allow.
Her son Joseph has gone back to Cambridge - [Charles] Simeon has visited him there and the report he has brought back of his conduct gives Dornford cause for hope. The boy has finally decided to go into the ministry [of the Church of England]. Dornford has remained silent on the subject although she anticipates with delight the time when he will go and assist his [half] brother Thomas [as a missionary in India].
Since Dornford received Fletcher's letter, she has had five letters from Thomas in Calcutta. They contain excellent news of the prosperity of his church and of the establishment of a Bible Society there. Dornford will express it in Thomas's own words.
"The events of last month have been unusually important. The Auxiliary Bible Society of Calcutta is organised & about to commence its important operations. God has been pleased to smile on our endeavours. The hearts of many have favoured the institution. The committee will consist of sixteen persons of the first respectability, among whom is the Chief Secretary of government! Another is a RICH PORTUGESE, who is at the head of all the Catholics. Another a rich ARMENIAN who may be called the representative of that body. Two are Colonells in the army, in important official situations. Two more are of the class of merchants & amongst the most respectable. In a few days we propose to hold our first meeting when our proposal and proceedings will be published in the papers, the subscription papers will be sent round and this a NEW vessel WILL BE LAUNCHED INTO THE DEEP!!! …It is a cheering reflection that in such a heathen infidel place, the Bible should be publickly countenanced - & a society embodied for the promotion of the gospel…"
After hearing Thomason preach a sermon on behalf of the fund, one of his hearers a lady requested a favour of her husband, that he would sell a pearl necklace of a value of 2,000 rupees (£250) and give the money to the fund of the Bible Society.
Dornford is pleased to say that Thomas's health has been restored and his wife and children are also in good health.
She was very interested to hear about the young men, for Dornford has been similarly occupied in the higher reaches of society.
Her eldest grandson [James Thomason?] last night was taken to London, to be placed under proper care for being in a 'confirmed lunacy'.