| Title: | William G. Eliot, St Louis, USA to William Wightman. |
|---|---|
| ID | 988 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Eliot, William G/54 |
| Year | 1848 |
| Sender | Eliot, William G. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | St. Louis, Misouri, USA |
| Destination | USA |
| Recipient | Wightman, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | T 1475/1 p.30: Copied by Permission of Miss A. McKisack, 9, Mount Pleasant, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9006043 |
| Date | 03/01/1848 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 27:08:1993. |
| Word Count | 336 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | James Wightman's mother was Eliza Kennedy daughter of Russel Kennedy who signed the call to Mr. Craig. Mr. Wightman's second wife was Miss Henderson Ravement. His first wife was Mary Fulton daughter of Mr. Fulton of Lisburn. John Henderson her brother married Miss Burnside Orrfield. St. Louis. __________ Jan [January?] 3rd. 1848 Mr. Wm. [William?] Wightman My dear Sir, I was much pleased to receive your letter a few days ago, and had been in part prepared for it by conversation with Mr. Malcom concerning you. Your strong desire to make the subject of religion a living, personal experience is the best guarantee of your fitness to become a member of the Christian Church, and I shall have no hesitation in receiving you as such, whenever you can come to St. Louis. We become members of the Church not as a proof of "having already attained" but in evidence of our desire to "press forward" We join ourselves to the "true vine" with the hope that the sap of life will invigorate our feeble efforts and enable us to bring forth fruit more abundantly. If therefore your faith in Christ is sincere and your desire for moral and religious growth earnest there should be no good reason why you should not act according to your convictions, by making an open avowal of them, and I think that the sooner you take this step, the better for you. It is true that it is one of the most important steps in life, and should be so regarded. I do not speak or think of it otherwise. But mere procrastination does no good and you are now at an age when you can [determine?] for yourself what is your duty, as well as at any subsequent period I hope therefore that it may be in your power, before the present year closes, to act upon this subject. Meanwhile you have my very best wishes and most sincere prayers for your success in the great business of life. To be true to one's self to live up to our best convictions, is no easy work, and you will find that it requires all your resolutions and the most persevering endeavour. But that you will succeed I have little doubt and whatever aid I can at any time afford you will be cheerfully given. I remain Most truly your friend, Wm. [William?] G. Eliot. [Elliot?] |
