| Title: | Rev James Smith, Glasgow to William Wightman, [Alabama?]. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2529 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smith, Rev. H/141 |
| Year | 1824 |
| Sender | Rev H. Smith |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | clergyman |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Destination | prob. Alabama, USA |
| Recipient | Wightman, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends, business |
| Source | T 1475/1 p24: Copied by Permission of Miss A. McKisack, 9 Mount Pleasant, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9404168 |
| Date | 25/09/1824 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LET |
| Log | Document added by LT, 20:04:1994. |
| Word Count | 548 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Glasgow 25th Sept. 1824 My dear Sir, In your letter to Mr. Brown of 28th May, you make some enquiries respecting the papers of your brother, Mr. T. [Thomas?] Henderson Wightman, which he has requested me to answer. My admired, beloved, and lamented friend, a few days prior to his death entrusted his M.S.S. [manuscripts?] to my care, begging that I would destroy whatever I thought did not tend directly or indirectly to glorify God, and adding that perhaps some poetical pieces worthy of being published at his native place, the profits of which would go to refund his friends for the expense in consequence of his long illness. These as nearly as I can remember, were his very words. On looking over my friend's papers, all of which I examined with the exception of his private letters, I found they consisted chiefly of poetical effusions, some of them of very high merit and none of them deserving to be destroyed. They were therefore all transmitted to his friends in Ireland together with his books, wearing apparel, etc many months hence. This day I write to Mr. Henderson informing him of your wish to obtain some of your lamented brother's productions and requesting him to forward them to you without delay. What steps have been taken in regard to them by him, none of us here know, but should it be thought advisable to print any of them, I am sure that all in this country who had the happiness to be acquainted with him much more than were admitted into the number of his friends, would consider themselves privilaged [privileged?] in being allowed to become subscribers. I ought to have corresponded with Mr. Henderson on this subject long ago, but having very soon after his decease been presented to the Parish of [Al-a?], about 34 miles from this City, then found the duties connected with that charge press so heavy upon me, that I have scarcely a moment's time to myself. This is the first time that I have visited Glasgow since I became a Parochial Minister. Often in my retirement do I think of your Brother of his fine genius, extensive learning, and ardent piety. Sometimes when engaged in my sacred duties, I recollect how often these duties were the subject of our conversation in our daily walks. I marvel as well I may at the mysterious dispensation of providence which removed one so admirably fitted to discharge them to the (upper) service of the upper sanctuary. But He doth all things well. Your Brother knew in what he had believed. He died in the approved hope that, to use his own words "It was denied him to serve God here, and he should praise him forever hereafter". Let us follow his footsteps and we shall with him inherit the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Were I at home I should write at greater length, but I have been able only to catch a few minutes, being engaged in this great city during the few days of my stay in constant business. Perhaps I may hear of some opportunity of writing to you again when I shall tell you all I remember of your brother's illness, believe me to be My dear Sir, Yours very truly H. Smith. |
