Colony Serbin, Cunningham's P. O. Bastrop Co. Texas
on the 5th day of July 1860

Reverend Dear Sir! Rev. Passavant, Pittsburg, Pa

It is already a long while ago as the 217th number of Your Missionary came at my hand. I was somewhat stricken with surprise to find therein your composition of notices about our Serbian Colony and Church, superscribed: "A Serbian Church" Your public kindness induced you to do too much honor to our littleness. However, I cannot longer delay to notify you the receipt of Your favor. We are again heavily visitated by the hand of God. We are afflicted by an extreme drought, water begins to be deficient, nearly all pasture is burnt out by the hot sun, the corn crop fails. I might send You some money for Your orphans. But silver and gold is wanting here in such hard times. Therefore I send you for thanksgiving here-with, my first attempt in the English language to a discretionary use thereof.

Respectfully Yours -
John Kilian, P.

[Taken from a much corrected copy (draft) of the original in the hand of Kilian. Arthur C. Repp]