Letters to Mrs. Parker

Glasgow, 7th May 1823.

MY DEAR MADAM, — Mrs. Chalmers desires me to say, that as soon as Dr. Rainy authorizes the movement, she will most gratefully avail herself of your kind invitation.* Blochairn has often been a most precious and important asylum to me, and it is there that I have been always most protected from all that could interfere with mental exercises. With kindest compliments to Mr. and the Misses Parker, I entreat you to believe me, my dear Madam, yours most gratefully, No. XCI.

Blocliairn, 1st July 1823.

MY DEAR MADAM, — I feel the utmost gratitude for the very perfect accommodation that I here enjoy, and shall never for- * See Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 472.

get the lasting obligations under which you have laid both myself and my family. We have a few callers, but nothing oppressive in this way. Dr. Lockhart arid his lady have paid us a short visit: we feel exceedingly comfortable; and, I am sure, are greatly better off than we could possibly have been in any situation that had been selected by ourselves. Grace has been thrown somewhat aback by cold, but has certainly made progress upon the whole since she came out to Blochairn.

I cannot adequately express the thankfulness I feel for that kind Providence which has conducted me to the arrangement that I now enjoy. I would have sunk under the accumulated weight of my prospects and preparations had it not been for this precious season of tranquillity. I have now the likely anticipation of such a readiness for my new office as may warrant the hope of getting over the approaching winter with some degree of comfort. — With kindest compliments to the Misses Parker and Mr. James, I entreat you to believe me, my dear Madam, yours with gratitude and esteem,

THOMAS CHALMERS.
No. XCII.

Blochairn, llth July 1823.

MY DEAR MADAM, — Mrs. Chalmers was interrupted in her purpose to write this letter, and as she is still in bed, and our messenger with us at present, I have to state from her, that she knows you will be gratified to hear that Grace, in spite of short and temporary fluctuations, from one day to another, is making steady and general progress, and is certainly much stronger and better than when she first came out. I have great satisfaction in adding, that Mrs. Chalmers herself is evidently improved by her country residence; and there are additional grounds of thankfulness for all the convenience and pleasure enjoyed by myself in this most retired and romantic spot. — Yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. XCIII.

9th October 1823.

MY DEAR MADAM, — Mrs. Chalmers fixes on Friday week, being the 17th of this month, as the one that would suit her intended movement, for your servant being at Blochairn. We had proposed to move on the Saturday, being the 18th, and we think it well that the turmoil of the Synod is over before we enter into Glasgow. The remaining few weeks will no more than suffice for our preparations previous to our departure.

There is one point of negligence on which I cannot reflect without compunction. I have not visited those humble neighbours whom I should have plied with ministerial advice and attention. I have only seen Mrs. Sibbald once, and Mrs. Smith but for a single moment, when I left a promise that I have not, from bad health, been able to fulfil. Walter’s wife I have never visited, and on looking back, I can offer no other explanation than that I have allowed my prospective labours to encroach a great deal too much on my present duties.

We shall always look back on Blochairn with feelings of peculiar interest and delight, and will never fail to join with the recollection that kindness from which our family have de rived such inestimable benefits. — Yours very affectionately, No. XCIV.

Blochairn, 20th October 1823.

MY DEAR MADAM, — We have delayed leaving this delightful neighbourhood for two days longer than we originally purposed, and only take our final departure this morning. We fear that this may have somewhat disturbed and deranged the operations of your servants. Our little Grace, in virtue of a severe toothache, had become quite feverish on Saturday, and we were apprehensive of the consequences of a removal. I myself had been laid up, and am now greatly the better of the repose and retirement of one rural Sabbath. We are now in full equipment for moving. There is, indeed, an impressive necessity now for beginning our operations at Windsor Place as soon as possible. But we do leave this interesting mansion with deep emotions of regret. My walks have supplied me with many local associations that will serve to impress with vivacity upon my remembrance an abode wherewith I shall ever connect the most inestimable blessings to my family.

I shall not trouble you any further with the expression of a gratitude that I am sure, both with Mrs. Chalmers and my self, will never be effaced, but remain indelible under all the varieties of our future history in the world. — Yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. XCV.

St. Andrews, §ih January 1824.

MY DEAR MADAM, — I should have written long ere now of Mrs. Chalmers’s arrival, and of her excellent health. I have the utmost reason to bless God for the state of my family.

We have greatly humanized the appearance of our house since Mr. Parker saw it, and I beg that he will give up his benevolent alarms upon that account. The public rooms are both most comfortable, and, with the exception of our bedroom, they are all in a very fair and habitable state. The truth is, that my Glasgow friends were not in fair circumstances for a right judgment upon the matter, as they saw the house in a wholly dismantled state, and without furniture. I have Mrs. Chalmers’s authority for saying, that it is a much better habitation than she had been led to apprehend it.

It will, I am sure, give you much pleasure to know, that hitherto I have had great peace and comfort in St. Andrews.

The weather has, upon the whole, been uncommonly fine, and the walks are delightful. It is not that I have little sensibility towards Glasgow, the place I have left, but that the air, and the tranquillity, and the style of occupation of the place I am in, are all so very congenial to my habits, that I have so much of enjoyment in St. Andrews; and it gives me the utmost pleasure to connect the facilities of my present condition with my residence in Blochairn. It is to that arrangement that I owe such an amount of preparation for my class as has made an undertaking practicable that otherwise would have been most oppressive.

I feel that I have oeen wanting in my duty not to have written you sooner, and, greatly wanting in it not to have writ ten Dr. Rainy,* whose unwearied friendship and assiduous offices of kindness to my family have given him as high a place in my gratitude as he before had in my esteem and regard.

Mrs. Chalmers joins in kindest regards to the whole family, and our children — who by the way attend a most excellent school at our veiy door — send their best wishes to Miss Anne Parker. May the protection of heaven ever be over you; and may the sense of God, as God in Christ, be ever present, both to cheer and to sanctify the hearts of all in whom you are interested. — I am, my dear Madam, yours with the utmost gratitude and esteem, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. XCVI. — LETTER TO MR. PARKER.

St. Andrews, 25th February 1825.

MY DEAR SIR, — It gave me the utmost satisfaction to hear from Mrs. Parker of Mr. James’sf academic honours: I had before been apprized of them by the London newspapers.

The letter I received some time ago from Mr. Charles took

* Mrs. Parker’s brother.

f The late Vice-Chancellor, Sir James Parker.

M no notice of his providential escape at GKiadaloupe. I was much impressed by Mrs. Parker’s description of it, and I do sincerely hope that a circumstance so awakening will not be lost on your son who has been delivered in a way that so strikingly announces the hand of an unseen Preserver.

Mrs. Chalmers and the family are all in remarkable health. The weather here is quite marvellous for the season. We have had a succession of the finest vernal days — or I might say, weeks — that I ever recollect, though we cannot but have an overcast before the winter has altogether passed away.

With kindest and most respectful compliments to Mrs. and the Misses Parker, in which Mrs. Chalmers joins, I am, my dear Sir, yours most truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. XCVII.

St. Andrews, 25th June 1825.

MY DEAR MADAM, — As Mrs. Chalmers is somewhat taken up with the children, she has requested me to answer your very kind letter to her. We are both very sensible, and have had much experience of the charms of Blochairn; and have resolved, with much gratitude, to avail ourselves of your kind offer of its accommodations. The only condition is, that Mrs. Rainy shall not in the least be put out of her way by our intrusion, which cannot, however, with the arrangements which are before us, last longer than a fortnight, as our various excursions to Fairley, Mosshouse, &c., will take up the great majority of our time in the west.

We had very great pleasure in the visit of Mr. and Mrs. with Miss Babington. There is a life and a refreshment in the converse of religious people, of which we here stand eminently in need. Since they left us we have been much gratified with a visit from Mr. Thomas Erskine, author of some most valuable treatises, and a truly spiritual as well as richly-gifted intel-MRS. PARKER. 13(J

lectual man. He regretted having missed the society of the venerable Mr. Babington, to whom, by the way, I have written to the care of Mr. Parker.

Mr. Erskine sends the kindest inquiries after Dr. Rainy and Mr. R. Brown, whom he had formerly met with in Glasgow. — Yours with great esteem and regard, No. XCY1II.

HlocJtairn, 13th September 1825.

MY DEAR MADAM, — We have been very happy here in the midst of great quiet and of the most unbounded kindness. The scheme of our future movements is somewhat embarrassed by a public sermon which I have to preach in the middle of next week; and I find in consequence that it will answer best for us to come down to Fairley on Monday the 3d of October, being Monday fortnight. But should any other week be more convenient for you, I beg that you will mention it.

I am glad to understand that Mr. Parker is so much better, and that Mr. James purposes to stay with you till the JOth of October. I am very desirous of some conversation with him, and more especially since I understand that his studies have been directed to Political Economy.

Mrs. Chalmers joins me in kindest compliments to you and the Misses Parker. Both the families here are in great health and enjoyment. — I am, my dear Madam, yours very truly, No. XCIX.

Glasgow, 3d August 1826.

MY DEAR MADAM, — Your very kind letter I received yesterday.

I can assure you that it is with no ordinary regret that I bereave myself of your society during this excursion. It was my firm purpose to have been a week at Fairley; but the com position of a preface for Mr. Russel’s “Sermons,” rendered it, in the first instance, necessary that I should be in the immediate neighbourhood of Glasgow, and, in the second instance, desirable that I should have the command of six entire days for study in the week — an advantage which I behoved to forfeit by the steamboat passages to and from Fairley. This last advantage I secure at Mountgreenan, for I drive there on Tuesday evening, and back again on the morning of the Monday after.

What I desiderate is, a visit to the west, without the encumbrance of any duty or task work, when I should enjoy the society of my friends; and I do sincerely hope that, in a future summer, I shall be able to avail myself of your great kindness, and make Fairley the head-quarters of a little tour along the Firth of Clyde, which I have not yet explored, along its coasts and through its islands.

I beg my kindest regards to Mr. Parker, who, I trust, will get fast well; and to Miss Parker. I go to Blochairn to morrow. — I am, my dear Madam, yours most truly,

THOMAS CHALMERS.
No. C.

St. Andrews, ISth January 1827.

MY DEAR MADAM, — It at all times gives both to me and to Mrs. Chalmers the utmost refreshment and real pleasure to hear from yourself and your family. I hope that the imagination of my time being too much engrossed for a correspondence that we feel so desirable, will not diminish either the regularity or the frequency of it. The truth is, that my time is not so engrossed here as it was in Glasgow; and besides, the habit into which I have got of setting apart an hour a day to letter-writing, enables me to overtake all the duties which in this way are laid upon me.

I am much interested by your information regarding Mr. James. I saw an advertisement the other day of a work on “Political Economy,” by a member of the University of Cambridge. Its specific subjects were those that we had very fully discussed on my last interview with him at Blochairn; and which is not always the case, we agreed in our sentiments. I was tempted by this circumstance to conceive that he might have been the author. I am sure that his decided Christianity would prove a far higher gratification to you than his first-rate talent; and I pray that your anxieties and supplications for the souls of your relatives might bring down that influence which alone can convert and sanctify. I would answer every letter, if James would but write me. — I am, my dear Madam, yours with greatest esteem and regard, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CT.

St. Andrews, 18th August 1828.

MY DEAR MADAM, — As I leave Mrs. Chalmers to fill up this letter, I have just room to say, that I received your son’s valuable present of Schleusner’s “Lexicon.” I am quite sen sible that the best ingredient of a gift is the disposition which it indicates in the giver; and I prize very highly indeed the friendly regards of your family towards me. At the same time I cannot but further remark on the great worth to me of the particular book which he has selected, fitting in so exactly as it does with my present professional studies, that, from the moment of its arrival, I have made, and will continue for some time to make, daily use of it.

I beg my kindest regards to the Misses Parker, and Mr. James and Mr. George. May you have great comfort in them; and may the afflictions and trials of earth ripen you and yours for Heaven. — Believe me, my dear Madam, yours most truly.

No. GIL

Edinburgh, 17 ‘Hi November 1828.

MY DEAR MADAM, — We were both much gratified bj your letter. A notice from an old and tried friend is peculiarly welcome to those who have the feeling of being strangers in a strange land. In many respects I have made a great personal sacrifice by renouncing the comfort and ease of St. Andrews; but the call of duty appeared quite clear and imperative. Mrs. Chalmers has left our old and beautiful house with very great reluctance; and we have not altogether met with very reconciling circumstances since our arrival. But we are in the best hands, and all, we trust, will end well.

I cannot express the tenderness that is felt by us all, and more especially by myself, for the various members of your much-loved family. We feel it a great alleviation to the sorrow of our removal from St. Andrews that we are so much nearer to you. May the God of all comfort and grace uphold you in the midst of your trials. Anne says that she will write to your Anne soon. Our address is 11, Argyle Square. — I am, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. GUI.

Edinburgh, 30th January 1829.

MY DEAR MADAM, — I gladly avail myself of the opportunity by Mr. Smyth to offer you a few lines. We are all in a convalescent state now, though Mrs. Chalmers perhaps feels more overdone than she did when her labours in the sick-room were more abundant.

You have really rendered us a substantial accommodation by taking Anne from us in our state of danger and infection. It was a great relief both to myself and Mrs. Chalmers her being taken out of the way; and it was made all the more complete

MHS. PARKKJl. 143

that you kindly assured us of her presence being no inconvenience to yourself. We both think that the time of her return to us should be now drawing near; and Mrs. C. calculates from the number of her music ticket that she should be with us by the 12th of February.

I received a letter full of cordiality and of most gratifying friendship from Mr. Charles, to which I shall reply in a few days. He little knows the value that I set upon his attachment; and never, in fact, did I feel myself so blended by all the ties of memory and of the heart with any family.

I sincerely hope and pray that the impression on Grace’s mind may prove a lasting one, and form the anointing that remaineth. We feel not enough our responsibility for the souls of our children, and how much it is our duty to pray, and to labour, and to watch for them. May the Giver of all grace prepare all the members of both our families for Heaven. He willeth all men to be saved; and what an encouragement to us that He makes this the express ground of our duty to intercede for all.

I beg my kindest regards to the Misses Parker, Mr. George, and the two Annes, in which all here join; and I entreat you to believe me, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most truly, No. CIV.

KirTcaldy, 24th April 1 829.

Dr. Alexander Chalmers of Kirkaldy died on the 22d, at half-past one in the morning.

MY DEAR MADAM, — The interest you take in our family has determined me to send the above intimation, though I believe you did not know my brother. He was a mighty favourite with us all; and, meanwhile, we are greatly solemnized by the warning. But this is so very different from being spiritualized by it, that there is a loud call for prayer and persevering energy, in order that instead of a transient emotion, it may ripen into a practical and an enduring principle. The anointing which remaineth can alone accomplish this. — I entreat you to believe me, yours with greatest affection and esteem, No. CV.

Burntisland, 28th September 1830.

MY DEAR MADAM, — I received your kind letter only to-day, I having come here for a little retirement, and that I might prosecute the work of my preparations at leisure. We have long heard of your illness; and I heartily reproach myself for not having written sooner. I can truly say that there is no individual out of my family whose acquaintance I am so glad to retain and so anxious to improve with the closest possible intimacy. I know that I will annoy you if I speak of gratitude, though that is a feeling which does and which ought to burn strongly in our hearts. But you will at least permit me to speak of friendship, and under its impulse it is my fervent hope and prayer that you may be speedily restored to health, and be long spared a comfort to us all and a blessing to your family.

Health may fail; but the hope of the gospel will not fail you. The more firmly you cherish it, the more surely will all its objects be realized.

I go to London myself in about a fortnight. It is a great annoyance to me, but I am under a kind of moral compulsion to take the journey.

In reference to your application for a sermon in behalf of our colonies, it would be quite unfair in me not to let you know how the matter stands. I am overborne with the work of my own proper vocation; and I really cannot engage for any other work but at the expense of what I esteem a higher duty, and therefore with as great pain to my conscience as to my convenience. — I am, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CVI.

Edinburgh, 1st February 1831.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I have always the utmost pleasure in hearing from you, and should be sorry to let any other beside myself reply to communications that I so highly value. Your letter of the 25th of January has greatly relieved us; for when I was in Glasgow a month ago, I had not so favourable a report of your health as you have yourself sent me. May the God and Giver of all mercies perfect your recovery, and enable you to bear up under the inclemencies of this severe winter. To-day we have a perfect tempest of drifting snow; and the winter may be said to have fully and fairly set in.

Mrs. Chalmers has relapsed this winter to a considerable degree into her wonted delicacy; and when I think of her present family duties, I am not without uneasiness. But let us roll over all our anxieties upon God, casting our burden on Him and He will sustain it. — With kindest regards to both the Misses Parker, in which all here join, I am, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CVII.

Penicuick, near Edinburgh, 19th July 1834.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I write by my children who I expect will be with you in about a week. I am much interested in Grace, who, I think, is somewhat more impressed at present than usual; and I should rejoice in any opportunity you had of keeping the minds of either of them alive to the great matters of their everlasting concernment. I earnestly wish, in behalf of us both, that we might be blest with the high privilege of a thoroughly Christianized family.

I am to write Mr. Dow. I take the greatest interest in his parochial operations. What has been done for Fairley is quite beautiful, and will tell I think most beneficially in the way of example. I hope you continue to have great comfort in the services of your new church.

I live in great repose here, and have been ordered an entire cessation from study, which I am strictly observing. I think that this summer will determine whether or not my constitution has received a permanent shock.

Give my kindest regards to Miss Parker and to Captain and Mrs. Darroch when you see them. — I ever am, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most gratefully and truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CVIII.

Burntisland, 14th September 1836.

Mr DEAR MRS. PARKER, — Nothing but circumstances prevents me from availing myself of your kind invitation; the days I spend at Fairley being always the sunniest and most delightful I spend anywhere.

I beg my kindest regards to Miss Parker, and also to Mr. and Mrs. James, if still with you, and to Captain and Mrs. Darroch. It is truly refreshing amid the storms of a world that lowers hostility and menace against all who offend it, to turn one’s thoughts to those in whose friendship and kind aifections they feel the most perfect confidence. — I ever am, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

CIX.

Ardgowan, 27th October 1836.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I cannot say it was officious, but I must say it was greatly overkind of you to pay the noddy. I am never happier than when enjoying your hospitality; but you must ever allow me to pay my way to and from your much loved abode.

I find that Sir Michael had after all sent a carriage for me to your house, which I regret we left before it had arrived.

We have just lunched — Mr. Patrick Stewart is one of the party. I like the Duke of Somerset exceedingly — plain, unaffected, and very intelligent. Lord James Stewart and his lady arc here, whom I had met before in England. These, with the Duchess and Dowager Lady Stewart, make up all the strangers; so that I do not feel the visit to be so cold or formidable as I had apprehended it to be.

I am not to annoy you with my expressions of gratitude; but I must be permitted to say, that every visit to Fairley rivets more closely the deep affection which I feel for you and yours.

May the providence and grace of our All-kind Father be richly experienced by you all, that after a life of discipline and preparation here we may all meet again in the blissful realms of light and life above.

With kindest regards to Captain and Mrs. Darroch, I ever am, my dear Madam, yours most affectionately, No. CX.

East Kilbride, 2d November 1836.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I received this day your most welcome letter; and though I leave the greater part of this sheet to be filled up by Margaret, (who owes you much for your great goodness to her,) I cannot give it over to her without letting you know how much I felt interested at Ardgowan by the decided piety of Lady Stewart, and the promising dispositions of Sir Michael. Here, too, there is much that claims my gratitude in the palpable usefulness of Mr. H., in the acceptance he meets with among all classes — the kindness of the higher ranks, and honest heartfelt cordiality of the general population.

In point of beauty and fertility it is a far better parish than I expected it to be; and the manse, now building, seems a very perfect one. — Ever believe me, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXI.

Burntisland, 5th September 1837.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — It is very much to the regret, both of Mrs. Chalmers and myself, that our engagements have so multiplied upon us as to make it impossible that we should visit Fairley this season — the place of all others in which it is my delight to live and to luxuriate, for nowhere do we enjoy more of kindness within-doors, and more of beauty all around us.

I have great reason to be thankful that Mrs. Chalmers enjoys so much better health this season than she has done for several years. It is of mighty advantage to her that we now live out of Edinburgh, and between Morningside and Burntisland I trust that, through the blessing of God, she may be long spared to me.

May He, who is the Giver of all that is necessary both to life and to godliness, shed all blessings, spiritual and temporal, on yourself and all the members of your family. — Ever believe me, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours writh greatest esteem and regard, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXII.

London, 15th July 1838.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I should have written you long ago; but Mrs. Chalmers’s repeated illnesses have protracted our stay in France, and so prolonged our journey homewards, that I have waited till now in vain ere I could state, with any degree of certainty, the likelihood of our future movements. We are now thus far on our way to Edinburgh, and should have been in the steamer which went off last night, but for another relapse, which we are hopeful, however, will, through God’s blessing, allow of our taking the next opportunity by sea, which is on Wednesday evening, taking us home on Friday the 20th, from which day I am quite at your disposal.

May I therefore beg that you will write me at Edinburgh, on receipt of this, and tell me the day that you have fixed upon, when I shall hold myself in readiness to leave home two days before it. I quite lay my account with the possibility that in consequence of my delay you may have made anothei arrangement. This would deprive me of the gratification of seeing Miss Parker, before her change of state, but not of visiting Fairley, as I am engaged to visit Sir Andrew Agnew as soon as possible after the 1st of August, and I could not do better than take Fairley in my way. I do hope that these unlocked for postponements on my part have not embarrassed you. A few days at home would certainly be convenient; but to make it possible for me to move any day you may choose to name, I have sent some commissions forward to Edinburgh by post.

I feel the greatest possible interest in you and yours; though I have not had the opportunity of expressing all my sympathies on the late melancholy event in the history of your bereaved household.* May these affecting changes teach us to sit loose to a world that will soon pass away from us, and to seek our portion in Him who is the same to-day, yesterday, and for ever. — Ever believe me, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS. No. CXIII.

Edinburgh, 5lh November 1838.

MY VERY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I cannot, now that Margaret is on the eve of returning to us, refrain from pouring forth the * The death of Mrs. Parker’s youngest son.

150 CORRESPONDENCE OF J)Ii. CHALMERS.

feelings of a most cordial and affectionate gratitude for all the goodness that we have received at your hands; and it is my prayer and my trust that the friendship begun here, and the fruits of which we have so richly experienced, may at length be transplanted and take root in Heaven, where, may it be God’s blessed will, that the two families shall meet in full company together, and partake in the services and the joys of a blissful eternity.

Anne and the baby are with us. He, I do fear, is in a very precarious state, though somewhat better to-day. Mr. Hanna is at Belfast; and we have just heard from him of the death of his younger brother, John — the last son but himself, and a sad blow, in which you, my dear Madam, will know fully to sympathize with both the parents. — I ever am, my dear Madam, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXIV.

Edinburgh, 1st June 1839.

My DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I should long ere now have communicated the intended marriage of Eliza with Mr. M’Kenzie, the minister of Dunkeld. I have long felt that ours is more a family relationship than an ordinary friendship; and nothing but the extreme pressure of employment would have prevented an earlier notice of this arrangement. It is proposed that the marriage shall take place in August.

I feel somewhat languid and overdone after the fatigues of the Assembly. If God be pleased to spare me, there are few things which I should like better on this side of death, than an evening of life spent in complete retirement from all public business, and devoted to the enjoyment and converse of those Christian friends who are looking heavenward. Let us hope and pray that all our present divisions may be overruled for the good of the Church, and the glory of the Redeemer.

Mrs. Chalmers is at present in tolerable health, and all unite. in most affectionate remembrances and wishes to you and yours. — I am, my dear Madam, yours very truly, No. CXV.

Balllair Cottage, 23d August 1839.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I cannot resist my inclination to tell you how much I have been gratified by my visit to the land of your nativity. I have been two nights here in a summer cottage of Mr. Dempster’s of Skibo, now looking on the scenes of your infancy, and greatly delighted with the beauties of the neighbourhood. Yesterday I went down to Dornoch, and on my way visited the Manse of Criech, determined to make myself personally acquainted with the localities of your birthplace. The old gentleman was at family-worship; but we were conducted to the west room up stairs, whence I looked down upon the church with the old burial-place to the east of it, and from the gable window on the church of Kincardine, and the mountain barrier with Ducairn Brae and the hills of Strathcairn beyond it. We took a hurried leave of the old gentleman. I was delighted with the beauty of the ride all the way to Dornoch, which looked in its greatest perfection on a glorious sunshine day with its tide full. I cannot imagine a liner feature than the Dun of Criech, and the exquisite little bay behind, and on the east side of it. Nothing could exceed the blandness and cordiality of oifr reception by Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy; when beside his son George, we found Mr. and Mrs. M’Pherson of Golspie with their two daughters, Mr. M’Kenzie of Rogart, Mr. Campbell of Kildrum, and Mr. M’Kay of Clyne. I had a meeting in the Cathedral of about 300, and was honoured by the presence of Mr. Gunn and other grandees of the district. Mr. Dempster of Skibo was along with us; and we had a very pleasant dinner-party of twenty-two in the inn afterwards. The Cathedral is a very interesting relic, now completely renovated and restored, of the olden time.

Will you tell Dr. Rainy that far the most interesting geographical acquisition I have made was from a hill behind Balblair Cottage, whence I could see in greatest possible beauty, and through a clear atmosphere, the abrupt and precipitous outline of the hills in Lochbroom, Benmore, Assynt; the hills of Edderachillis; Benhope, which sends its waters to the Pentland Firth; Benklibreck, in the very centre of Sutherland; and the end of Loch Shin; and the beautiful Vale of the Oykel.

Since beginning this letter I have been with General Munro of Teaninich, to Cromarty, Fortrose, Avoch-house, and Roxhaugh, in which places I renewed my acquaintance with the two Ladies Mackenzie, the latter of whom I had not seen for thirty-eight years. I am now at Rosskcen with Mr. Garment, and am going forward to Dingwall and Inverness.

May the God of all grace bless and sanctify us and ours; and with my best regards to Mrs. Cardwell, who I rejoice to hear from Mr. George is better, I ever am, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXVI.

Edinburgh, 31st January 1840.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I am always delighted to hear from you, and only regret that the amount of other correspondence not so welcome or agreeable should preclude my writing you so frequently as I could wish. Mr. Cochrane, our secretary, would reply to your letter in behalf of a new extension church, for which we shall most cheerfully do all we can. It is altogether a fit object for our largest possible aid; and I only regret that the unfortunate juxtaposition of another question now agitating the country, and menacing the Church, is for the present keeping our cause at abeyance, insomuch that our Supplementary Fund which should by this time have reached £100,000, does not exceed ,£40,000 — enabling us to allow, as yet, only £400 for each of the next hundred churches; I trust, however, that times will improve.

With best regards to Mr. and Mrs. James Parker, and Mr. and Mrs. Cardwell, and earnest prayers for the spiritual well-being of all who are near and dear to us, ever believe me, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours most affectionately, No. CXVII.

28th April 1840.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I most sincerely hope that you will accede to our joint request. There is nothing I would more enjoy than a few quiet weeks in secluded intercourse with yourself, an opportunity we may never else have on this side of that death which is coming nearer to us every day, and which I pray may not find us unprepared for the great and solemn change. — I ever am, my dear Madam, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXVIII.

Burntisland, 29*7* September 1841.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — We have heard with great interest of your brief visit to Dunkeld, and are delighted when circumstances prevent that more direct and personal intercourse in which I always have the greatest pleasure, if I can even hold converse with you through the medium of any of my family. But this is not enough to satisfy the demands of my heart for a more frequent association with the best and truest of my friends; and as I am really not able to come west this season, I have most earnestly to beg — and in this I am joined with equal earnestness by Mrs. Chalmers — that you will manage to spend as much time with us as you can this winter. We leave this for Edinburgh on the 9th of October, and have no other prospect than that of being constantly at our home there till April. You will find us very domestic and very quiet, as your nieces, the Misses Brown, can attest, whose visit, last winter, gave us so much pleasure. We do hope therefore that no obstacle will stand in the way of an arrangement which would afford so much real delight to our family. We can promise you all the repose and independence that you require; and feel assured that, with the blessing of God upon our intercourse, your visit might be productive of great profit as well as com fort to us all. Let me entreat therefore that you will entertain the proposal. We shall leave you to name your own time, our only desire being, that you will not make your visit a short one.

With the kindest regards of us all, ever believe me, my very dear Madam, yours most affectionately, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXIX.

Edinburgh, 1th January 1842.

MY” DEAR MRS. PARKER, — It is a great disappointment to us all that we are not to have the pleasure of a visit from you this winter, and we very much regret the cause of it.

It is my earnest prayer, that the same Providence which has hitherto watched over you, may still preserve and prolong your days in the midst of us, and that, under God’s blessed will, we may still have much intercourse in this world.

The state and prospects of the Church are well fitted to loosen our attachment to all that is earthly. The issues of our present contest are as uncertain as ever; and I can well see a fixed purpose on the part both of Government and of the higher classes to flood our Church with Moderatism. It is difficult as yet to say what the friends of a pure and scriptural Christianity ought to do; but I trust and pray that they might be ready for a sacrifice rather than give up their principles, or surrender the religious good of the people of these lands. Let us hope that our way will be made clear before us; and meanwhile it is well to be still and know that the Lord reigneth....

“With best regards to Captain and Mrs. Darroch, General Darroch, and Mr. Rainy, I ever am, my dear Madam, yours very truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXX.

Edinburgh, 30th December 1842.

MY DEAR. MRS. PARKER, — I expect very shortly to present you with my views on the subject of your much esteemed letter. Meanwhile I enclose a specimen of what we are doing,* and what I believe might be done in every parish were it not for the indolence or the fears of those who have the natural influence over its people, and whose part it is to take the charge of them. With but a zealous and intelligent agency I never found any failure on the part of the humbler classes.

Our collectors met yesternight for the first time, and the united contributions amount to the rate of more than £300 in the year — a proportion to the number of our people which, if carried over the whole of Scotland, would yield half a million annually.

May I beg that you will let our friend at Gourock know that the Sabbatical question of which she wrote you I have treated in a sermon to be found in vol. ix. of the series of my Works.

I have a most delightful recollection of my last visit to you. May the Giver of all grace pour His best blessings on you and * Enclosed was a tract, “What should the People do?”

yours. Our family are at present in their usual health, and unite with me in warmest regards. I beg to he cordially remembered to Miss Hutchison, Captain and Mrs. Hay, and Miss M’Call. — I ever am, my dear Mrs. Parker, yours with the greatest affection, THOMAS CHALMERS.

No. CXXI.

Edinburgh, 14th January 1843.

MY DEAR MRS. PARKER, — I received your truly munificent proposal some days ago, but I have not yet reported it to the treasurer of the Provisional Fund, as I think it possible that you may perhaps, on reflection, prefer sending what you have to give through the medium of a Fairley Association, should such be formed. My reason for, at least, offering this suggestion is, that here in Morningside the large and small subscribers have joined their contributions in this way, and with great good effect in the way of example on our little parochial community here. But though I submit this alternative to you, I, of course, will most gladly abide by whatever decision you may think it right to adopt.

I enclose an address which I am now distributing amongst my friends. Sir James Graham’s letter is convincing many that instant efforts must now be made to raise funds — that, in fact, the crisis has already arrived, or, at least, that all should now act as if it had.

May the wisdom that is from above animate and direct our Church on the present eventful occasion. — Ever believe me, my very dear Madam, yours most affectionately,