Dear,——I see I shall hardly get away before winter, I might start during the winter, but that I should hardly choose unless duty calls. I have been kept longer in Canada than I thought, for my object was the States. We have had two conferences, both blessed; in the first, out of town, more enjoy_ ment of communion, perhaps; in the second, in Montreal, more instruction—a good many fresh souls from the States. But another thing kept me awhile: the loose gatherings which emigrants and others have formed have been nearly broken up among themselves, and several were desirous of coming into communion; and the local brethren, many of them little informed of the facts, were glad of help; and I have been occupied in two or three places with that disagreeable but useful work. Many have seen what it is all about, and are clear, and a good many have come in. I have always found that knowing the blasphemies that were really in question has dissipated the fog they had managed to produce in many minds where there was real conscientiousness. The older gatherings have been sadly neglected. This I have a little attended to also, and all this kept me, and I have not done yet. Meanwhile, conversions continue....
I shall very possibly go after some gatherings in these quarters, and by Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, to Boston and New York, visiting Concord; but this runs past hundreds of miles, and will take some little time. But I am desirous of returning. I shall hardly return here: if seeing those I ought to see before I leave, it will hardly be before October, and then comes winter.
The Colonies, and much of the States, are a difficult field, in this, that people come out to get on—own land—in a word, the world. I am sure Christ only and His service are worth anything. All else passes away, to say the least—well, if we are not hindered by it here. What I feel anxious about as to brethren is, that they should be devoted, not conformed to this world, which has crucified the Lord of glory; but which grace has visited from on high to take us up there, giving us now our citizenship in heaven, and leading us to wait for the blessed Lord. Nor shall we be weary of the way when we see the Master's face; nor now, if our eye is fixed on Him—sad we may be, but not weary. But there is a sad want of looking after souls—the first confiding commission of Christ—what was on His heart, "Feed my sheep." Peace be with you. Kindest love to the brethren, whom I shall be glad to see again, the Lord favoring my journey.
Affectionately yours in the Lord.
Belleville,
September, 1876.