MY DEAR MR. NOBLE,--You sympathise with us, I know, though far off; and so I write to tell you of another stroke on our congregation. Last week George Jackson, (an elder in Finniston Church for many years) who to the last was always with us in spirit, if not in presence, was laid in the grave; but we did not think that another bereavement was near. William Ralston died (also one of Dr. Bonar's elders, and well known in connection with his work in the Bethany Hall) on Saturday evening! Influenza and erysipelas combined carried him off after only four or five days illness. What a useful life he lived! what a calm rest he now enjoys! what a bright crown awaits him in the day of Christ! I feel as I suppose John the Apostle felt in his old age--all his fellow-disciples gone before him. But I have no visions in my old age,-- only I pray much (O you, brother, must help me in this) for what Paul calls the 'Spirit of wisdom and revelation (it is "apocalypse ") in the knowledge of Christ.'
Remember me and mine. We are in health as a family, but on every side sickness is to be met with among our congregation. . . . Your brother in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Christ,
