Whilst at home I received the following simple, but tender and touching, letter from our carpenter, Mr. Hamilton, a coloured man, from Jamaica, which deserves a permanent place, in memory of a dear child, a child of grace and heir of glory, only four years old, and of its father since deceased, for twelve years a respected and useful member of the mission.

“When these lines come to hand I hope they will find you and Mrs. Waddell well. But you will be sorry to hear how the time goes with us. From December to February sickness and death have been amongst us; but though we walk in the valley and shadow of death yet will we fear no evil, for the Lord is with us, his rod and his staff they comfort us. We cannot expect any better; for the Lord Jesus has told his people of old that in the world they will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for we will overcome them all. Our John was very sick in December; for nine days he had fever and was given over; but the Lord in his kindness raised him up, and he is now quite well. In the time of his sickness the Lord had something to do, but we could not see it. John got better and was running about the yard as usual.[…]”