1894-1895
Ireland
November 11th, 1894
Northern Counties Hotel, Portrush, Co. Antrim
My Beloved Angee,
I have had a day of rest and quietness indeed and have really enjoyed it. It has been good for spirit, soul and body. The surroundings here are all quiet too just like Ilfracombe in Winter but although not raining yet it has been rather dirty and not very inviting for walks abroad. The hotel faces the ocean just as the Ilfracombe hotel but the coast is more strewed with rocks – I hear that when the weather is fine some of the high hills in Scotland are seen from here. At Larne where I stayed last Thursday night the passage from Stranaer[?] in Scotland to Larne only take 80 minutes to cross and yet it is not the favourite route with this advantage.
I have seen this book Mrs Shapland refers to at the book stalls, lately but have not read it – the word you give – watch is the key I believe to the truth of the Lord's return so far as the soul's state and attitude should be but fixing dates for the present dispensation is a dangerous thing I fear. I am deeply convinced that "the end of all things is at hand" and the moment very near when the Lord will come according to I Thessalonians IV. And our hearts should be filled with it more than they are – really like the simple Thessalonians 18 centuries ago who turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from Heaven even Jesus which delivers us from the wrath to come. The pure word of His grace puts everything in its right place and faith works by love. When the Lord read from the prophet Isaiah in the Temple to that scripture and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord – He said this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears but He did not say that 18 years would intervene before the rest of the verse was fulfilled "and the day of vengeance of our God" and blessed be His name. His long suffering is salvation not willing that any should perish.
Hope you have a happy day at home and that Harry is all the better for the rest – suppose you will be losing Florence soon – her lover ought to appreciate her kindness in coming to see and to spend such a nice time with him.
I wrote the dear children yesterday and enclosed a cheque for 2/6 to Hilda drawn on a Banker in Lavender Gardens – I hope it may be honoured.
Am rather purposing to stay here until Tuesday morning as I require my collars and shirts washed – there are two towns near I can visit and return again. A few of P.F.'s letters rather troubled me again last week – bothered about discounts - I do hope they will not worry me as the work is fearfully trying in itself without any further trouble. I fear they are not prospering – they have stopped giving again show cards and stopped all Xmas cakes to customers doing under £30 a year and only allow a 3 Shilling[?] cake for that – a 4 Shilling cake for £150[?]. It seems as if they were studying the most effectual way of offending people.
If Mr Parnell should call please [do] not say much to him about my work here – I shall keep clear as I can of any correspondence with him.
Well my beloved Angee once more I commend you and all our loved ones to our gracious Father – may He bless you very abundantly is my continual prayer and with much love to dear Harry & Emma, Margie and the children and Florence. Believe me my worthy and beloved wife.
Being very affectionate Husband