| Title: | Incomplete: [?] [New Brunswick?], to "My very dear Sister", |
|---|---|
| ID | 2271 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Rev. Alexander/17 |
| Year | 1873 |
| Sender | Rev Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | Presbyterian minister |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | St John, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Destination | Ireland? |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | D 1792/E: Deposited by the late Rev. J.C.K. Armour and the Rev. J.S.S. Armour |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N. Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9909292 |
| Date | 02/07/1873 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 05:10:99. |
| Word Count | 1407 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | St John NB [New Brunswick?] Wednesday July 2. 1873 My very dear Sister, I received your long and very interesting letter on last Saturday evening the 28th of June. It gave me great pleasure to find you still able and willing to write me so fully, although you regretted want of time to say all that you intended. Having the past week, month I had occasioned to write our mutual friend W Brown, as Secretary to our mission more than once, and he may probably have told you something of our ecclesiastical affairs, as our fathers and Brethren at home put to their missionaries here some such searching questions as could only be answered by a full true and [c-----?] account of matters and things in general. We are rather anxious to know if they valued the information which they thus sought and [blamed?] from me and [----?]. The [referral?] of Synods meeting which has not yet reached us will doubtless tell something of what we want to know about such I was much pleased to have full [reference?] of the meeting of General Assembly, as you kindly sent me. The discussion on the Instrument and music question was most interesting. The moderator showed a great deal of wisdom and good sense in presenting resolutions which were generally acquiesced in by both parties. I have heard some of the opposition say how that "they were rather self-contradictory and illogical" No matter they met the requirements of the case, and showed that when W.J. was in the chair, 'the right man was in the right place.' By the way, I was much pleased with W Johnston when he visited, as a Deputy, New Brunswick, a few years ago. I remember too that the fullest private reception, excuse this little piece of egotism, he had in the [-?]! John was at my house when he spent a very pleasant evening with the great and the good of the city. I may just say in passing that the friends of Instrumental music are now in the majority here even amongst Presbyterians. It was not so a few years ago, but the desire for union has led those who once opposed all innovations to place this music question with the mint anise & cummin. Already W Bennet of the Synod of the Lower Provinces had an harmonium in his Church, and it is used in public worship. Whilst the ministers of the [Kirk?] representing the old Establishment in Scotland, have had organs for some time. From the two synods which these and such like Brethren represent have resolved on union, and ignored altogether any allusion to the subject of music as a ground of controversy The question will here after be settled by every congregation doing just as it pleases. This is one of the many happy and peaceful consequences which flow. I speak after the manner [----?] from what may be regarded as the idol of the day in the Church and what many of the excellent ones in the world call Christian Union As our dear departed parents used to say " we live in wonderful times" Oh! indeed we do, but compared with the days of old these last days are remarkable [----?] of old for the wonderful changes which have come over the minds of men respecting right and wrong, wealth and error. Even the best of men are but children in understanding, and He who knows the end from the beginning is doubtless over-ruling all events to haste the accomplishment of his own pleasure and purpose."Great is the truth and it will (at last) prevail." I have however written more than enough on this style I must now pass on to other topics. Indeed there is so much to say that I scarcely know what ought to have the preference. Our Brethren from Nova Scotia are all in New Brunswick at present. We had a meeting of Presbytery yesterday at Barnsville 21 miles from the city. It was ["Dominion?] day" so called in honour of the confederation of these provinces It was outwardly one of the most unpleasant 5 days I we have had or are likely to have for a long time. With me it was not a holy day. At six in the morning I married a young couple, desirous of finding "that bliss beyond what lonely life can know". After breakfast I left at seven for Barnsville taking in my carriage Rev R. Stewart and W. Machellan. We got up to W. Lawson's Church after passing through a drenching rain at 11 o clock and found a good many assembled for public worship. I at once occupied the pulpit having been appointed previously to preach at the opening of the Court After sermon [Presbytery?] was [constituted?] and we proceeded with business which occupied our time till after three o clock. Then instead of going with the Brethren as invited to dinner at Dr. Brady's, & remaining for a service in the evening, I had in consequence of other arrangements, to leave without any delay on my return home. After encountering a still more severe storm then we had in the morning I arrived back about eight o clock - after changing wet clothes (for dry ones) I went according to a previous appointment to solemnize another marriage, and concluded the day's work by going to see a sick child of one of our members. I had been sent for to visit during my absence - all this with some little incidents, which there is not time to narrate, I only got through at 11 o clock last night. Today though I feel a little wearied. I have however many little matters to attend to as my wife is to leave to-morrow on a visit of some weeks to Nova Scotia. She accompanies an intimate friend the widow of out late Dr. (Millar) Mrs. M. has been delicate since her excellent husbands death about two years ago, and requested Margaret to accompany her. They intend going first from St. John by steamer to [Higby?] - thence to [Bren?]river - thence to Annapolis - Wilmot, Cornwallis, Halifax, [F----.?] Pictou perhaps Prince Edwards Island. They intend to remain at different places whether with friends or at private boarding Houses, as may seem desirable If nothing unforeseen occurs to prevent they expect to be away till some time in August, returning home by rail after making a circular tour through both provinces. I have just returned today from attending the funeral of the Principal of the High School, [------?]. His death took place on Monday. it was very unexpected. He attended the forenoon Session till 12 o clock, and appeared in the best of health and spirits - went home for dinner sat down in a chair & expired. As a man - as a teacher and as a christian he was universally beloved and is universally regretted. He was Jane's teacher and she was about the last to speak with him before he left the school on Monday. It will not be possible to find any one to fill his place, in the affections at least of the pupils, and indeed it is quite likely that many of the young ladies which he taught will not return to their classes again. Public examinations of all the school are to take place at the Institute next week before the Summer vacation, but [W Hart's?] death will have an extremely depressing influence on all concerned. I question if Jane will go at all. W Stewart came down from Barnsville today and will likewise cross the [B----?] of [F-----?] to-morrow. W Sommerville [Jim?] & Robert and his lady, who went up with him are not expected till to-morrow. Robert has accepted our invitation, after refusing Call to Cincinnati Ohio, to go there as the supply of our people for twelve months and intends leaving our bounds in the month of September. He has lately parted with his dwelling house the hew house of worship which he built at Wolfville is still in the market. There is some debt on it - The Presbyterians are likely to buy it - We write home waging for more labourers, but as our appeals are all in vain, we have just to look on quietly and silently as places are occupied by others, to which under other circumstances we would have prior claim - [last page missing ?] |
