Letter dated 29th May 1811, sent from Reverend Stewart of Dingwall to Reverend Dickenson
Description
Handwritten letter dated 29th May 1811, sent from Reverend Stewart of Dingwall to Reverend Dickenson. Within the letter:
- Apology for not writing, diffidence about writing akin to Mr Newton’s comment that he prizes prayer but is backwards in doing so.
- Congratulates Dickenson on his brother’s restoration [of faith?] and praises God for it.
- Pleasure on hearing from Dickenson that Mr Bolt, chaplain to the Marques of Stafford, has regained sight [probably a reference to spiritual sight, not physical].
- Sadness that Lady Stafford, niece to “Our Lady Glenorchy” has lapsed from the true ways and regret that he’s not had the opportunity to bring her back to true faith.
- Some replies to Dickenson’s queries in a previous letter:
Dr Stuart, Minister of Luss, and son of Mr Stewart, Minister of Killin. Mr Stewart was just translator of the New Testament in to Gaelic. Dr Stewart was an avid naturalist and a linguist and he was charged with translating of The Old Testaments in to Gaelic – this was too big a task and the prophets were translated by a minister in Argyll.
No reply from Dr Stuart to an enquiry from Dickinson sent on by Reverend Stewart.
Discouraged that the Meikle Ferry Disaster had not resulted in any visible change in faith among the "careless survivors". Enquiries with Mr MacIntosh suggest he has also found no improved characters. Although one illiterate man may be considering the situation.
No information on the letter in Gillies Historical Collections and he hasn’t yet got his Gaelic Grammar to the printers and his isn’t convinced Highland parents will support an Edinburgh initiative to develop Gaelic schools.
Disappointed that Episcopalians in the area are being advised by their Bishop not to go to Church of Scotland services.
Enquires after Dickenson’s father and mother, and asks also about Dickinson himself.
Mrs Stewart and the family have been ill over the winter.
