1888-1889

Gibraltar, Algeria, Malta, Egypt, India, Burma, Singapore, China, Japan, Korea, Russia

January 20th, 1889

Calcutta, 6.45 am

The Lord gave us a very blessed day yesterday – one of the brightest I have ever had in India – the morning meeting was exceedingly precious and the mouth of one dear brother was opened in thanksgiving that had been closed for years – Oh what a divine reality it is to be gathered to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and to have Himself in the midst and so He gave the little company to prove yesterday. His own grace and power seems to have awakened every heart toward Himself so that the place was "full of Glory". In the afternoon four of the brethren came to my room and we had a nice time in prayer for the gospel and God graciously gave an answer to it in filling the room and giving the word of the truth of the gospel. The day will declare in whose hearts it entered to be understood and kept and to do its own effectual work in bringing forth fruit with patience.

I must soon be saying good bye to India now and after breakfast the packing up will begin again. The Lord has allowed the business to baffle me a good deal in Calcutta this time but He has given joy in another way that I shall ever bless Him for and I have confidence in God that He will not allow P.F.&Co. to suffer but that their interests will be prospered too in spite of the difficulties.

And now my beloved Angee may the Lord continue His gracious care over you and all our beloved ones and help us to live in all the reality of the consummation of His and our own joy when we shall see Him face to face and be like Him. If this joy in divine power fills our hearts they will be guarded against all the vain things this poor world offers and we shall know how to enjoy richly all that our Father God gives us and use the world and not abuse it. Once more with much love to all our home circle, to the dear brethren and always a special portion for yourself believe me my dearly beloved wife.

Being very affectionate Husband

January 20th 1889, Lord's day

My Beloved Angee,

I have just time to acknowledge your welcome letter of 20th Dec. before posting my last and the next morning yours of Dec. 27th came to hand, so that I had a good batch of home news from your dear self and Arundel and Eunice and Eliza but none again from Harry who seems to be hindered from some cause from writing me as regularly as my other home correspondents. Dear Harriett's health gives me some sorrow of heart and I can see that Arundel feels it too, but I do trust and pray that our ever gracious Father and God may be pleased to preserve her. S.&P.'s action too at Barnstaple in opening a retail business is not what one would have expected from them – this too has driven me to God Who is a refuge for us in every time of trouble. I have not received any letter from Henry at which I am not much surprised as he would find it difficult to address me in terms of affection and brotherly love after having forged a sword and placed it into the hands of one they could trust to use it skilfully and especially against dear Arundel. I am grieved at that as a father may be expected to feel it, but I am equally concerned as to where they have drifted in their souls to allow such a thing to be done under the peculiar circumstances. However I will seek grace to receive it as from a Father's hand and continue to pray for them but I feel that it has destroyed the confidence and fellowship that existed between us and must make it more difficult than ever for Arundel. But with all their wisdom and greatness I would rather be in the place of the oppressed than the oppressor and I feel sure God will have much to say to them for their unchristlike act.

The gentleman I came up from Madras with referred to in my last is the Hon. Mr Masters I find and is well known to dear Mr Wait and his wife here – how nice of him not to have paraded his titles upon his baggage as many would have done – he gave such a hearty greeting on leaving the ship and we afterward met again at the Post Office. The dear brethren here were all glad to see me again as I was to see them. Mr Wait (the elder brother) looks very fagged and will soon be going to England for a rest – his wife is a nice lady – they have no children – he is very deaf which is a great trial to him in his duties as as[sic] assistant Director General of the P.O. His heart is much occupied with Christ and His interests upon the earth, and they (viz. Mr Wait, Col. Beckett and Major Jacob especially) are much encouraged to hear of interest springing up among the saints in England toward India where there is a very especial need of labourers, and they are looking to the Lord that He may be pleased to send out some. They have had a great sifting here since my last visit - there did not appear to be a state of things that met the Lord's approval and He has made it manifest in a way that has brought "fear" among them – many have been removed by death. I enjoyed the meeting this morning and felt a real sense of the Lord's presence and here was liberty and power I felt for praise and remembrance of the Lord Jesus. About the same number present as we usually have at Ilfracombe so that there is nothing to boast of as to numbers. Mr Muller of Bristol is in Calcutta and I am told does not go near the meeting of Open Brethren, but preaches at the Methodist and Baptist and places of this kind and the newspapers make a good deal of the large sums he has received for the orphanage and indeed it looks rather like begging for it. It is no wonder he did not find himself in the same path as J.N.D. who cared nothing for the praise of men which Mr. M. is certainly getting in India. I was glad to read your letters describing the Christmas day morning – how I should have rejoiced to have heard all their prattle and to see their dear happy faces – I sometimes heartily wish myself home and think I shall not be able to remain away much longer, but I must not dwell upon that topic either for your of for my own sake as many months must elapse before my face is again turned homeward. I do bless the Lord for His goodness and care over you my dear Angee and your letters are a great comfort to me every week and I read them all over and over again often the last thing at night and by the very earliest streak of light that enters my room in the morning. I hardly think our mail service will be so uninterruptedly regular after leaving India and you must make up your mind to wait 2 or 3 weeks sometimes, but one thing you may rely upon I will D.V. not miss a passing mail if I can help it. Merchants here give me the credit of flooding the market with biscuits and some seem afraid to order on that account – our goods are selling well by most of them and I am expecting a successful visit again but shall not remain more than another week – then I go to Rangoon where my next letters are addressed but Mr Wait has kindly telegraphed to Bombay to have them delivered here instead which will be a comfort. Have sent Eliza a note and enclose one for Eunice as they were both kind enough to write me. Trust you are keeping well and happy and once more with much love to you my dearly beloved wife and all our dear ones believe me.