1887-1888
Malta, Egypt, India, Burma…
November 10th 1887
Bombay, November 10th 1887
My Beloved Angee,
"Mail day" as it is called returns again tomorrow so I will begin my letter today. I was disappointed not to get a letter from you last Monday, but suppose you were not clear to where to address me. I am now cabling my address every week to P.F.Co. who I suppose transmit the name of the town to you and there is no reason why we should not hear from each other about every 7 or 8 days. You will be glad to hear that I have quite recovered from the fever and now feeling as well as every and plod away at the work every day and so far, after one week's labour, have met with much encouragement and there seems every prospect of doing a very large business here. It is a very large place, nearly a million population, but the natives here unlike those in Egypt are a fine race, beautiful faces and they seem industrious.
The European part of Bombay is the finest place I have ever seen in the world - such splendid buildings - the principal Railway Station is the grandest affair I have ever seen - Paddington is nothing to it. You may judge of my joy in seeing dear Mr. Robertshaw's face on Tuesday last. I sent a card on board the steamer and the native soon found him out and delivered it. I happened to return to the Hotel the moment Mr. R. arrived and first saw the boxes, last seen in Ilfiacombe - then on going up over the steps to the Entrance Hall I saw he was signing his name - we were glad to see each other and he gave me your kiss before all the company – he likes the Hotel here and the food and if you were to see us you would say so. He is looking very well, although his experience in Egypt was not unlike my own only it had other effects upon him - he is visiting the places of interest around and will leave for the North West (Delhi) tomorrow - I shall hardly finish for another week at least.
The Lord has given an interesting time among the few saints here - last Friday we came together for a reading - Saturday, prayer meeting and we broke bread on Lord's day morning before breakfast - the brother's house is over 3 miles in the country - we had a very blessed moment together in remembering the Lord and showing forth His death. There were 8 or 9 altogether. In the afternoon dear Mr. Pile and I visited a dear sister an invalid – lately occupying the position of a Matron in the British hospital and having very comfortable rooms there now - she was very glad and refreshed in her soul. I preached the gospel in the evening at the same house we broke bread in and the daughter of a Bro. in fellowship confessed after the reading meeting last night that the Lord saved her through the word she heard. The brethren were cheered and encouraged. Through mercy, now that the depressing effects of the fever have passed away I am enjoying the work altogether and do not get much idle bread to eat.
My servant will be a help and comfort to me - he is called Lazarus and says he is a Christian - meets with a company here called the Irish Church Mission - you would be amused to see how he watches my movements and seems quite interested in the business - he is married and has two children - lives about 4 or 5 miles out in the country and gets in to my bedroom mornings before 7 - follows me all the day when I am not about the business and waits upon me at the table.
November 11th 1887
Mail day is a terrible day especially in such a climate as this - I have been writing since about this morning and it is now nearly 1 and have to keep closely at it up to the hour of closing at 4 this aftemoon. Through mercy l am keeping well and getting on capitally with the business and expect my letter and enclosures to P.F.Co. today will be a welcome batch when they receive it. Mr. Robertshaw leaves at 8 this evening travelling through the night until he reaches Delhi - he wishes and so do I that he could have remained here another week, but he has set himself a task to accomplish and for myself l should not care to go at the speed he has marked out. Dear fellow, I hope he will be preserved amid all the perils, he is as simple as a child in many things and I doubt not has true love to the Lord. He feels the heat here very much but is looking well and eats very heartily. This for dear Eliza is comfort. And now with much love to you my dearest Angee and dear Arundel and Harriett and all the darling children, Harry and Emma and their darling children and all my dear friends at Ilfracombe and Barnstaple and elsewhere if any enquire, believe me my beloved wife.
Being affectionate Husband
Do write every mail.