A Pastoral Message from 1792: Voices of Port Jackson

A Pastoral Message from 1792

Voices of Port Jackson

The Record of Souls (1792)

Baptisms	226
Marriages	220
Burials	854

"My parochial duty is enlarging daily... my health is not so good."

Written over 230 years ago, Reverend Richard Johnson’s "Address to the Inhabitants" remains one of the most significant pastoral documents in Australian history. Sent from the isolation of Port Jackson to be printed in London, this address was Johnson’s way of ensuring his voice reached every corner of the expanding colony—from the rough huts of Sydney Cove to the remote cliffs of Norfolk Island.

Johnson was a man of remarkable endurance. In his 1792 text, he speaks of a "sincere and heart-felt concern" for his "unhappy" congregation. He famously chose not to address them as criminals, but as "My Beloved," treating his role not just as a colonial officer, but as a faithful servant to their eternal welfare.

This document holds a special place in my own research. Having reconstructed Johnson’s first sermon based on original letters—copies of which I was privileged to gift to The Hon. Michael Kirby—I find that this Address perfectly captures the transition from his first raw impressions to a mature, deeply felt pastoral mission.

The Gospel as a Social Foundation

Johnson’s Address provided more than just spiritual comfort; it set a standard for a new society. He argued for the dignity of the person, warned against the "stumbling-blocks" laid before the local Indigenous people by immoral behavior, and offered a vision of a community built on honesty and mutual respect.

You can access the full historical text of Johnson's address below:

Read the Full 1792 Address (PDF)

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