Gibraltar, India, Malta

March 14th, 1890

Secundrabad, India

My Beloved Angee,

I did not go to Bangalore from Poona as I intended when last writing you but came on here, thus following the same route I took on my last journey. Lazarus and I went to the Southern Madratta station at Poona to look at the carriages which were uninviting and he pressed the importance of Secundrabad and thought I should visit that again as I did so well the last time so we came and it was well we did as I do not think I have ever visited a place in India where our goods are more appreciated and I have done a splendid business and especially with all our enamelled tins. This is cheering and gives good hope that all the toil under the Indian sun will not be in vain. The heat is becoming very great but through mercy I am preserved in good health and Lazarus is now getting himself again. We drove over to the Nyzam's[sic][1] city yesterday – Hyderabad and did a good business there – some of the palaces and scenery of this place are very fine and our drive over by the side of a lake extending about 5 miles was really enchanting as far as natural scenery is concerned. We hope to leave here this evening for Madras this will occupy two nights and use days so we expect to reach there on Lord's day morning soon after 6. You mail for this week is there now and shall be glad to get letters again – it is a very real pleasure to receive weekly tidings and keeps the joys of home present in spite of the distance of miles between us.

Madras, March 17th, Monday morning

 We arrived here yesterday Lord's day morning at about 6 after two nights and a day's travelling in great heat, indeed our carriages were like a furnace at midday on Saturday up to about 5 in the afternoon – a dear brother called Blake met me at a station about 4 miles from Madras, a nice suburb where he lives and he wanted me to get out there, as the meeting was at 8, but this was not practicable and I was glad that he could arrange to have it at 10 instead, thus giving me time for needful at Madras and to get my mail. I was thankful to get my old room at the hotel which was all very clean and comfortable. Lazarus soon prepared my bath and made ready for a change of raiment which you may suppose was no small comfort. While I was having a little breakfast he went to the P.O. for my letters which were a comfort to my heart once more for which I do give thanks to God our Father Whose gracious care and mercy over you all is witnessed in them. The one from dear Arundel had an enclosure from each Daisy and Mildred – such nice letters and it was very touching to see their reference to their dear mother's grave over which they had been planting some primroses and snowdrops – dear children, their hearts are too young to understand what a mother's grave really means, but all is well and our God is a God of resurrection and in the very spot where all human hopes are ended, our God has made hope to spring up – blessed be His name – He has raised Jesus up from among the dead and given Him glory and that settles everything for everybody for time and eternity.

I got over to our brother Blake's house a little before 10 and with his wife and two other sisters we broke bread and found our heart's delight in remembering the Lord Jesus and shewing forth his death ‘till He come. It was a green spot for my own heart in the midst of this dry and barren land. I returned to Madras again and had a nice rest in the afternoon and read and reread my home letters again – in the evening I went over to our brothers for a reading which we all enjoyed (John XVII) and reached my bed room about 9.30 and found Lazarus had my dinner ready – a plate of rice and mutton curry and a couple of water biscuits and then inside the mosquito curtains for rest which I did enjoy I assure you. Thro' mercy feel much refreshed by this morning.

P.F.& Co. write in their letter just received "after finishing India we presume that you will be directing your course homeward via Madagascar and South Africa returning from the latter place the opportunity may very likely present itself to call at St. Helena, the Canaries and Madeira." They then give me figures showing how their trade has fallen off in these places and saying it is high time someone should visit them. So I infer from this the colonies are set aside for the present and I have seen that it was quite impossible for me to do all that was marked out and return by the end of the present year. D.V. I shall visit Calcutta and probably Rangoon then go to Colombo taking French mail from there to the Island of Mayhe (Sachelles) where the same company's boats have a regular service to Tamatave the principal place in Madagascar. God willing therefore I shall in a few weeks be on the other side of the equator and homeward bound "just calling" as they so simply put it at these places before named. I hardly know about taking Lazarus as it will be rather expensive especially when I have finished with his services in sending him back to Bombay. He was very delighted yesterday on enquiring from Manu Sahib to receive your kaleidoscope – he is much better and looking himself again.

March 18th

The early morning is about the only comfortable part of the day here and having had a little refreshment for body and soul I will add to this letter and get on with a little more of my mail which goes out tomorrow – through mercy the business here yesterday was very encouraging and in the evening I went over to our brother Blake's again who had invited his neighbours, a nice number coming in for a reading, but it took the character of the gospel and we trust that God has commenced a work with some present who expressed thankfulness for having been there. Another meeting is arranged for this evening in some other part. My heart is much drawn toward dear Blake and his wife who are simple and live in the enjoyment of what God has made known to them and the household and children all testify to godliness. The Lord Jesus preserve them for Himself in the midst of this dark heathen land.

So far as I can now see I shall leave Calcutta about the middle of April by British India steamer direct for the Mauritius where I can make connection with other steamers for Madagascar and South Africa. You will not be able to receive any letters for several weeks after leaving India, but you may rely upon it I will not miss a chance mail that may offer. I understand the voyage to the Mauritius takes about 17 days from Calcutta. My poor heart sometimes sinks under the thought of it, but the unfailing grace of God lifts me up again and He knows how and when to bring home His voice to our poor trembling failing spirits "Be of good courage" and thus He ministers strength and teaches us to wait upon Himself.

Since writing the above your letter of Feb. 27th is to hand one day before expected and I am grieved to hear that you are suffering from this influenza and do trust it may not be serious - I hardly know what you will do having to change houses in the midst of it, but must cast my burden on the Lord Who does so wonderfully care for us. I was not sure until receiving your letter when you intended leaving Ilfracombe and as you will have removed by this time I shall address this to Barnstaple and shall also notify the same to P.F.&Co. although I dare say you and Arundel will have previously done so. Once more my dearly beloved Angee I commit and commend you to our Father and God and all our dear ones. It will not be many months more before I return God willing, so cheer up and I will not leave you again. With much love to all our dear ones and all I can express for your dear self believe me my beloved Angee.

Being very affectionate Husband

Footnote

[1] The Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad, popularly known as the Nizam of Hyderabad, was a monarch of the Hyderabad State.

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