My dearest Calvin,

As your letter last week reached me on Monday, I was looking for one to-day before writing you. This will not go till noon to-morrow (Tuesday) and we well see if it reaches you on time. Unexpectedly Tom turned up at noon on Friday, he had come on business. As we were to celebrate Ruby's birth-day he came up again next day, and we were also having our anniversary services and Prof. Kilpatrick preached, it was quite a privilege to hear him, it is so seldom one gets any instruction. In the morning he spoke from "God is a spirit &c." and in the evening both Paul's prayers in Ephesians 3rd chap. "I bow my knees unto the Father." It was extremely fine, he said how often we felt our prayers were dry and formal and he counselled us when we seemed unable to pray to take some of the prayers of the Bible and just spread them out before God, applying them to ourselves and noticing that the first need Paul prays for is strength. I wish I could tell you more but my memory is so poor. But do you know, I do think his sermons were appreciated by many, first because he was long. I felt I could not afford to miss it, but I was pretty tired, just because there was so much to be taken in. Mrs. Mullin took tea with us and went also and thought it extremely fine. He has such a beautiful spirit and a fine manner. The Kilties were paraded to St. Paul's and made a great show as it was a beautiful day.

Edna started off on the coach this morning quite bravely to spend a few days with the James. It was a little warmer to-day but the weather has been very fine. The girls are all up at the Sunday School, to-night is a social evening. Our new choir will do very well, I think Mr. Hutchinson has a lovely tenor and a Mr. Peacock a beautiful baritone, the ladies do in a chorus but not as soloists. Last week Hilda and Ruby went up and saw Colin and Mrs. Fletcher, he is gaining strength. I shall try to go up this week. We hear Capt. Fairgrieve is very ill of the same trouble. The carpenters put up the new gate to-day, it looks very well indeed. The daffodils made a fine show this year and the violets too.

The Globe this morning seemed full of serious troubles. The Afghan raid in India and a conspiracy against Lord Kitchener and others, it is all so alarming, one just dreads another Afghan War as if there was not enough in India. Then there was the fuss about the High Church doings; I am glad they are not ignored. Spoke to Mat Glassco about a stove and will see him again. Am finishing letter at P.O. Mat has nothing. This is Tuesday at noon. Your letter did not come this morning. With much love.

Your Mother

M.B. McQuesten