“OTTERY ST. MARY, _October_ 7_th_, 1876. “I am writing this letter, though I am not sure that I shall not be with you as soon as it is. But I know you will be glad to hear from me if I can reach London in time for the post. “I rejoice to think the Congress {202} is over, and am thankful also that I went to it. I believe that the paper was accepted of the Lord. It provoked no controversy, and was most kindly spoken of next day by one of the Ritualistic speakers: I had great reason therefore to be thankful. Some of our people did admirably, manifestly helped of the Lord, and I do not think the truth suffered. But we sadly wanted more Evangelicals; the Ritualists put on a number of young men, many of them foolish fellows and poor speakers, but they got more people on their legs than we did. “Now for a race between my letter and myself; I wonder which will win!” * * * * * (MISSION), “MANCHESTER, _January_ 30_th_, 1877. “You will be thankful to hear that the Lord is prospering us. We have had some desperate weather, and the congregations have of course been much less than they would have been. But you know I am not dependent on numbers, and have sometimes found the richest of blessings amidst a little flock on a stormy night. I hope we had such an one last night. It is almost impossible that the weather could have been rougher, but there was a capital congregation, considering, and profound attention. I believe also that there are many seriously impressed and others already greatly helped in their faith.” * * * * * “YORK, _May_ 29_th_, 1877. “I am delighted to hear a good report of you all, and rejoice to think how happy you must be now that the work is finished and the scaffold down. Notwithstanding all hindrances, it is an easier matter to beautify the outside than to reform that which is within. We cannot set the heart right with Portland cement! “I cannot say much about myself. I hope the Lord may have given His blessing, but I have not had the sense of power as in former days: possibly I have not sought it so much from the Lord; possibly people expect more from me, and are disappointed at what they hear. “It is curious to find how ‘Rome, Turkey, and Jerusalem’ is read and thought about. I hear of it in all directions, and people express a great interest in it. “The owner of the enclosed letter was also interested about ‘Inspiration,’ as he remembered the address when originally given, and I promised to send him a copy.” * * * * * “CATERHAM, _April_ 14_th_, 1878.