Oldham, Thomas Wesly

Grahamstown Octr 29th 1821
May it please Your Excellency
An apology, I trust is needless for
troubling your Excellency with this epistle, therefore
I would offer none, but let the present state of the colony
plead my excuse. It is certainly to be regretted that
there are no legal restrictions to support religion, or
religious institutions, established in this part of the
District: the Lords Day, being scarcely regarded, which
falls heavily, upon the labouring class of people, the
interval of relaxation which Sunday affords to the laborous
part of mankind, contributes greatly to the comfort, and
satisfaction of their lives, & conduce to their happiness, &
civilisation. Whoever reflects how great a majority of
the human species, these classes compose, will acknowledge
the utility & perceive it to be every mans duty to
uphold the observance of Sunday. For if the worship
of God be a duty of religion, public worship is a necessary
institution; for without it, the greater part of mankind
will exercise no religious worship at all. And public
worship has been the universal practice of the world.
in all ages, & under all religions, & such an universal
consent, is no less than the voice of Nature, for it not
only supports the Belief of a God, in the mind but it
strikes an awe of him also, which proves a great preventative
to immorality; and public assemblies afford

…)
I submit these remarks, with due
deference, for your Excellencys approbation, knowing you will
feel pleasure, in embracing any opportunity, that may offer
for diffusing Christian Knowledge, among the present Colonists,

as well as the rising generation, I remain
your Excellencys
most Humble & most Obedient Servant
T. Wesley Oldham