Transcription:
Dear brother John: I was glad to receive a letter from you. The music book came the day after I got your letter, and John
Reid happened to know the time. So I almost learned it the night after we got the book, but couldn't find the other one. Mr.Graham
gave up the Sunday School Sunday before last, so we went to Midland last Sunday. But, John ,it is not the Sunday School it
was when we left it. I said it was cauldrif. Mr. Maitland said he hoped it would get better through this winter. He seemed
anxious and engaged himself, but I thought the others seemed rather carless and the little ones for want of teachers that
could come steady have been rather neglected. But I hope things will get better. We have a pretty good turn-out at the evening
meetings there, and Father and Batesell and John Reid takes the lead turn about. Mr. Jones came back again, but he couldn't
think to bring his wife to a log house and there was no other empty ones round, so they are building him a frame one, and
he has gone away again till it be ready. He wants them to build a meeting house too, and he (unlike the other Presbyterian
ministers) wants to have a prayer meeting through the week, and wants all his congregation work along with him and says if
they do not he will leave them. Some of them think he is too hard on them, but although weak (for when he came first he had
to rest two or three times in his sermon and once in his prayer) I think he will be the means of doing more good then many
stronger in body. I heard that he has a good many members, and that Mr. Maitland was made an elder, and that Violet and Catherine
Cairns later Mrs. David Muir were going to join there. Mr. Fay was buried more than two weeks since. They say he died when
asleep. Mother told me to ask you where your shorthand book is, and if you have any other lent out, so that we may if we get
a chance get them to you. I am gland, John, that you are so well and comfortable, but Pa heard all the fun about the ladies.
I couldn't help it, for he is always asking if they have got any letters, and when he knew I had got one he came forward anxious
to hear it read. I think I am getting some better now. I was over beside Sarah for about two weeks, and it did me much good.
For a while before that I was worse a good deal than when you left. John Reid thinks it is about