My dearest Calvin,

Have just received your letter with sermons and am hurrying to catch the noon mail, as the time will seem long before you hear from us. It certainly is a most tempting opening and every thing to be desired, but I see in it any amount of work for you and I know with your temperament, you will go into it heart and soul and will not spare yourself. You are now fresh after a summer of comparative ease, and I know by my own temperament how meeting friends and speaking before appreciative people inspires one beyond one's strength. So what Tom and I fear is that you would break down. The building of a new church would simply be additional excitement and work for you.

Now if you got the charge at Stratford you would have $1200 and a Manse and could take things more quietly. Your sermons are most attractive and really fine and we have very few even fair preachers. I know there is an attraction about these new congregations in comparison with the [?] ones of Ontario and I know that God can give the strength required. If you do take it, you must determine at the first sign of weariness to give right up. At the same time it seems a pity to use up one's fine stock of health by taking a heavy charge when by husbanding one's strength one could do good work for a long time. Of course it is a disappointment not to have you home, but that would be nothing if we knew you to be in the right place; we would enjoy hearing of your work.

As to Ruby, apparently she is the same. Dr. Arnott has taken up the case to see what he can do, for his own satisfaction, he or his father will visit her twice a week, charging only for the medicines. R. likes the old doctor very much he is so kind and tender with her. What effect the spring will have upon her is my anxiety. The rest of us very well. Must run. May God guide you! He alone knows.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten

[P.S.] Tom saw Paulin who had been called on by Dowling late Ass. to Dr. McQueen, he had thrown it up, as he wanted a church of his own, the impression seems to be that assistants are worked hard. So we do not want you to be worked to death at the first outset. How did you come out with your lands? Have you got to wait for your money as sometimes or did you get paid? The repairs &c. for Cottage cost me nearly $250.