Letter dated 6th November 1811, sent from Reverend Stewart of Dingwall to Reverend Dickenson
Description
Handwritten letter dated 6th November 1811, sent from Reverend Stewart of Dingwall to Reverend Dickenson. Within the letter:
- Starts with acknowledging his indebtedness for kindness of Dickenson and his brother
Replying to Dickenson’s enquiry about the state of religion in Dingwall, and he is critical:
Indifference, irreligion, attachment to the world, intemperate use of “spirituous liquor”. Some has threatened to leave the church, disliking his preaching which he interprets as aversion to the truth. A few seem responsive, especially of the “lower ranks”.
- Eldest son is apprenticed with a Perth manufacturer and Stewart is concerned for his spiritual state, but son reads sermons by President Dickenson of Princetown College, but he is still inclined to be indifferent.
- His younger children, still at home, show no sign of “saving change” but are diligently educated by their mother and Miss Holme, a tutor.
- He’s anxious about his eldest daughter, Catherine, on the verge of womanhood. Asks for prayers for all of the children, that they may be “plucked as brands out of the burning”.
He appeals to Dickenson to request the prayers of his “female associate” Miss Reynolds.
- Expresses his pleasure that Dickenson has not succumbed to Satan’s snares. Refers to Dickenson’s use of donations from the charitably minded for the distribution of tracts to the poor, and wishes he could do the same in Dingwall, although the number of readers among the poor is small, if also increasing.
Dr Stewart had applied to the British and Foreign Bible Society for bibles, but suspects his application has been overlooked, and there is no convenient delivery source between England and Inverness, apart from a three week service from London. He would like to establish a religious and moral library but the congregation’s poverty precludes this, unless providence provides.
- Reports that Mr Mackintosh was well when he last heard, that he knows the diary of Jos Williams, commends the witing of a Mr Meikle, surgeon and a man of war, and sends thanks for the tract from an Evangelical Magazine.
- An obscure discussion about exact translation/meaning of Joel 2:2 with reference to the Hebrew.
- Warmest wishes for health of Dickenson and his family.
- An appended note at the very beginning adds that his niece Mrs Robertson died a fortnight beforehand. Stewart hopes to meet Dickenson “at the Lord’s footstool tomorrow” [praying at the same time?].
