the cause of our Church, how effectually you have interceeded for us with the Gentlemen of Bengal, and have prevailed. The fenfe of which favour, as it increases the obligation, when it comes to us with a good will; fo it adds to the praise, when it meets with approbation, and doubles the joy when crowned with fuccefs. The unexpected return I have met with from our brothers, Mr Stevenfon and Mr Long, gives us but fmall hopes of fuccefs towards our Church from the Gentlemen at Madras, who instead of an apology for fo cold an entertainment, have sent us a scheme of proposals to be figned by the Gentlemen of Bombay towards their Charity-school there lately erected, before they can venture to subscribe to our Church; intending, I fuppose, to drive a charitable trade with us, and keep up a mutual correspondence between their School and our Church; but they make fuch hard bargains, and raise so many objections and limitations to our defign, to beat down the price of it, like fo many ftock-jobbers, that I believe our merchants will not easily be induced to comply with such unreafonable terms as they propofe, nor be perfuaded to fo disadvantageous a profpect, as to part with a certainty for an uncertainty. I have here fent you the copies of what hath past between us, begging your affistance in cafe of an engagement, that I may be the better prepared. I remain, with my humble refpects and hearty thanks to the honourable Prefident, &c. and Council, Dear Sir, Your entirely affectionate and obliged humble fervant, Richard Cobbe. To the Reverend Mr Richard Cobbe, at Bombay, Surat, Mar. 12, 1716-17. Rev. Sir, BEING at the factory, Mr Clerke told me he was writing to Bombay, fome days fince fent me your letter of the 18th of February last, which came to hand about fix days paft, which acknowledges the receipt of the three hundred rupees fubfcribed by Mr Jarvis Clerke and myself, towards the finishing of your fabrick, which has been long in agitation, longer projected, long neglected, almost became defolate, became a widow before an espouse, now in a fhort time may rejoice and fing anthems to her heavenly King; may you proceed profperoufly, long enjoy your labour, and reap a plentiful harvest in the Lord's vineyard! is the defire of, Reverend Sir, Your most humble and obedient fervant, George Bowcher. To the bonourable Robert Hedges, Efq; Prefident, &c. Gentlemen in Bengal. Honourable Sir and Sirs, Bombay, May 4, 1717. YOUR fubfcription-paper for the Church of Bombay, dated August 24, 1716, we received inclosed by the Reverend Mr Samuel Briercliffe, and return you our public and hearty thanks for the fame; for those liberal contributions you have been pleased to honour us with towards the rebuilding of our Church; affuring you not only of a thankful commemoration of fuch your charitable supplies, but a due and faithful application of them to the good use they were defigned. E We We hope, Gentlemen, in a fhort time to fee the good effects of your liberality in the completion of our Church; and if in any good work or charity of like nature we can be ferviceable to you, we shall readily embrace any opportunity of returning the obligation, and remain, Honourable Sir and Sirs, Your obliged friends and very humble fervants, Charles Boone, Laurence Parker, Stephen Strutt, Thomas Wilshere, Richard Cobbe, John Hope. John Clapham, To the Rev. Mr Sam. Briercliffe, Chaplain at Bengal. Dear Sir, Bombay Castle, May 4, 1717. YOUR two letters I received with the fubfcription-paper inclosed for the Church of Bombay, the which I laid before the Trustees for the faid Church at our laft monthly meeting, who accordingly agreed that the same should be registred in our fubfcription-book, and a letter of thanks returned to the President, &c. Gentlemen in Bengal for the fame. I thank you likewife for your own additional generous fubfcription, and care in particular; and the rather because the freer, having nothing tacked to the end of it, being unconditional and without reserve, a double favour to, Dear Sir, Your obliged humble fervant, and affectionate brother, Richard Cobbe To the Rev. Dr Richard Cobbe, Chaplain at Bombay. Calcutta, May 28, 1717. Rev. Sir, YOUR paftoral letter I have received, and fhould have answered your charitable admonition ere this, but multiplicity of business has occafioned the letting it alone till now. It is with no fmall fatisfaction I hear from every one the forwardnefs of Bombay Church, and the pious care and trouble you are at to carry for ward that work, the glory of which will redound to your credit, and make your name famous to pofterity; after having finished a work so often attempted by others, and left as by fate to be concluded by your care. That fo good an intention may not meet with any lett for want of my subscription, have now wrote his honour Boone to deliver to you, or the directors of the work, for me and my family, the fum of new Bombay rupees eight hundred; and alfo requested he would grant you liberty to vifit these factories in the season, that we may partake of your labour and good company; not having had the honour of feeing a divine of the Church of England fince Sir John Gayer came out in 1693. I queftion not your zealous approbation of my fo just request, and that at the seasonable time you will not fail of making the fame request to his Honour, that my family and felf, with others, may partake of the greatest bleffing and fign of our faith. With the due refpects of my wife, fisters, and family, I am, Reverend Sir, To the Rev. Mr Richard Cobbe, Minifter of Bombay. Anjengo, June 28, 1717. Rev. Sir, YOURS of January the 31ft I have received, wherein you were pleased to advise me of what progress you have made, and the fair profpect of feeing your Church compleated. None (in my opinion) who have a serious zeal and refpect for our holy religion, but must be overjoyed to see it spread in a country who know not GOD. And as for my part, I cannot but think myself happy (although I have not the fatisfaction of feeing) to hear thofe Gentlemen concerned fo diligent in promoting what is infinitely beyond all worldly Intereft. I have requested of his Honour Boone to advance on my account one hundred rupees towards the finishing so good a work, and do affure you fhould have been more liberal, but being defigned for England (by reason I have not my health here) shall find several relations who ftand in need of my help, and who I cannot fee want; therefore I doubt not but you will accept the will for the deed. I reft, wishing you health, and that the Church may never want a minister to attend it, who bears so just and great a character as at prefent, Reverend Sir, Your most humble fervant, To the Worshipful William Kyffin, Efq; Chief at Worshipful Sir, Anjengo. Tellichery, Dec. 5, 1717. YOURS I received with the inclofed fubfcription to our Church of Bombay, and re turn |