My dear Calvin,

Well, my Presbyterial Annual meeting is over and very satisfactorily so too. Mrs. Symington, Mrs. McGregor (our new Sec. Miss Laing had to give up, Mrs. McG. a niece of late Geo. Young) and myself had to go Monday Evening as our morning meetings begin at 10 o'clock. I was entertained at the home of the County Attorney Mr. Cowper. It was a most comfortable house Mr. & Mrs. Cowper were exceedingly nice and kind and gave me every attention. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham and the ladies of Welland had done everything possible to make us welcome.

A splendid lunch to over 100 in the basement of church. Such very kind nice ladies too and quite a number stayed over night on Tuesday so as to hear Dr. McKellar and see her limelight views in the evening. In the afternoon she gave us an extremely fine address. I wish it were possible for all the churches to hear her. We are to have her in our church morning after 16^th. ¹ Mr. Leitch objected somewhat but other Elders were agreeable.

Mrs. Ratcliffe and two daughters were there, the widow was inquiring especially for you, she is so pretty but I cannot remember her name. Another little person from the church where you preached in St. C. was also asking for you. I stood the day very well did not come back till Wednesday morning, but feel more tired to-day. The Deans have bought their house and also a motor, so they are starting off in style.

There have been so many deaths of prominent people recently, Capt. Fairgrieve amongst them, you will have noticed them, I expect. John Patterson seemed to have been much esteemed and a proposition is made to erect a memorial to him. A children's hospital is suggested, so that money will not be wasted and a really needed object attained.

I do not know if I told you that old Mr. Maclaren and Mrs. Maclaren went up to Guelph for the winter as she suffers from bronchitis. First of all he had a stroke before Xmas and one side was paralyzed but he seemed to be recovering when he took grip, but he does not seem to be rallying. Tom has just received notice to assist in receiving to-morrow Premier of Prince Edward Is. I am quite sure your Cantata would be very good indeed, something like that is very interesting and engages the young people. I feel so pleased to think your ladies are keeping up Auxiliary. It seems too bad, they are so out of the way of hearing missionaries, it would be such a help for them.

The weather is remarkable, too warm for Jan. here; it was so fine for our meeting, so we had a very large attendance. Poor Geo. Tuckett Sen. died in delirium tremens, and so did Blachford the younger. Well it is getting late, and I must close. The weather is so uncertain it is a great mercy you do not catch cold. Mary has had a sore throat for a week past, but is quite better now. With very much love.

Your affectionate mother

M.B. McQuesten

[P.S] Thanks for [?] received. Shall I send you Saturday Post. It will be no trouble.

[Enclosure: Newspaper clipping describing WFMS Annual meeting in Welland and list of officers elected for 1913, Mrs. McQuesten-President]

¹ For more on Dr. Margaret McKellar, see W6853.