My dearest Cal,

It seems a long time since I have written you and a long time since I have heard from you. We received the paper from Saskatoon telling that your ordination was to be, and I rather expected another giving an account of it. I trust by this time you are having finer weather, we have been so sorry for the Westerners, that the Spring has been such a very cold one, it is very discouraging and very hard on people's faith. Life certainly is a fright a hard struggle for the majority. Grace Rioch and her husband are not returning to Swan River, he and his partner have decided to separate and Dawson goes to Vermilion, a miserable place, where Grace does not care to live, like others they cannot get their money in.

We had Mr Hossack last Sabbath and I should say, if he had ever studied his Bible, he had quite forgotten it. In the morning, he preached from Acts "The Lord added to the church" continually dwelling on "a subtle influence," never calling it the Spirit of God. The Evening was much worse when he preached from "Paul reasoned of righteousness xxxx and judgement," he said, this meant "the kindly judgement of God" (Do not think Felix would have humbled at that) ignored the everlasting judgement and told the people "just do the best you can." No presentation of the Gospel at all. Mr Chisholm agreed with me that the elders should be severely censured for bringing such a man. It is to be hoped he will never get another call, he wants one.

I have been busy this week getting that King St. property settled, it is sold for $4700, they are paying me 6 per cent interest, and I have no further Insurance to pay. For one thing I am also kept busy, cutting out items of news to put in Tom's letters, as no newspapers are carried to Elk Lake, just he says they are the only items that percolate through. Then was a report in Monday's Globe that Elk Lake was burnt out, but Tom telegraphed the office to "Advise family there was no truth in it."

Ruby is doing nicely, fever really going and got her appetite back, and quite cheered up. This afternoon we paid Mrs. Thomson a visit, Laura [Hofstetter] has got all the teeth out now and seems much better. The Lawns are looking beautiful now, the grass so green and you can smell our violets from afar, the daffodils were fine too.

Saturday 8th. Your letter has not yet come, but perhaps it may on Monday. Have no idea which is best day to send off your letters. With much love from all.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten

[P.S.] Want to know where to address the barrel.