[The letter is edged in black.]

My dear Sir,

I have to thank you for your very kind letter of 23^rd sympathising with us in our bereavement.

Altho' our dear Mother was in her 80^th year, she was able until within a few weeks of her death, to read and converse with us more or less every day, and this made our attachment to her all the greater, increasing the longer she lived. Oh how we miss her now! She was of course the centre of the house ever since our fathers [sic] death, and almost everything about reminds us of her. She has left an example for good, which we pray for Divine aid to imitate. I need not dwell on her merits as you knew her. One of her chief characteristics was humility, and she received largely that grace which is promised to all such.

Our dear Mother, as you were aware was prostrated for some years with Paralysis, and altho' she gradually became weaker, she suffered little or no pain until about 18 months ago. On last Christmas, symptoms of heart disease began to appear and gradually increased, causing much suffering. But she bore it patiently and longed to be at rest with her Saviour. During the last few weeks, when we were unable to hold any regular conversation, her mind (being quite conscious) seemed to become more & more heavenly, and she would frequently give utterance to passages of Scripture, containing rich promises, long since treasured up in her memory, one of the last being, "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life." She said not long since that she was "Rejoicing in hope." Many old hymns too, particularly adapted to her circumstances, were great favorites with her. Among others, that by Toplady "When languor and disease invade."

The first verse of "Jesus Lover of my Soul" was, I believe, the last she repeated.

On Thursday 12^th April, a change for the worse was observed, and in the presence of us both, she passed calmly away, leaving a blank in the home which can never be filled.

Her remains were removed to Kingston and interred on 17^th April, at Catauragin Cemetery, beside our Father, according to her wish. A number of old friends accompanied me to the Cemetery.

My dear Sir, I am glad to know that you still enjoy a measure of health and energy, and that you are enabled occasionally to proclaim the truths of the Gospel. May you yet be spared many years, to prove the faithfulness of Him who is "the same yesterday to day and for ever." In the course of nature you will ere long enter into His presence and join with those Saints you have known on earth in the song "Unto Him who bred us and washed us from our sins in His own blood." May we all have that blessed reunion.

My sister has not been well lately. Anxiety & fatigue during our Mothers [sic] illness have told seriously on her general health. She joins with me in sending her kind regards to Mrs. Baker and yourself.

I remain dear Sir,

Yours fraternally

W.J. Robertson