3, Richmond Terrace, Domain, Sydney, N.S.W.,
May 18th, 1877.
My Dear Sister in the Lord,-When I received yours of the 6th March, 1877, at Christchurch, New Zealand, I was naughtily inclined to write-“To ask an old man, upwards of seventy-two, who never had any health from infancy, and can recall few days without pain-‘How is your health?’ seemed a strange question." But some hours afterward it floated through my mind, " You thought for some days, end of February or beginning of March, that you were rapidly sinking, and must give up animal food, when suddenly, as the poor saints out here began to show out their love, and one sent Devonshire cream and butter, and fresh eggs, and another strong beef-tea and loaves of home-made bread, and preserves and cake, you suddenly rallied! I had to say, ' It was of the Lord.' " But if brethren beloved have prayed for me, then the Lord, the prayers, the love as above, and the sudden change, form links in the chain.
I try to keep a set time for prayer for you all, and the rest of the saints. But when in another hemisphere, with its rush of work upon me, I cannot write as if I were free. So you must put this in as the reason of few letters....
Most affectionate love to one and all, G. V. W.