“I have felt the last three months to have been a profitable time for us both, and I trust it has brought us into a closer union with each other than we have had before. I consider that as dear girls grow up they become not merely the children, but the companions and fellow-helpers with their parents, and therefore I rejoice at all that brings us together, as I believe the Confirmation has done, and as I believe that our uniting together in the Lord’s Supper will yet further tend to do. I cannot tell you with what a deep feeling of interest I look forward to the joy of receiving you as a Communicant on Sunday next. I trust that it may be a help to you in drawing nearer to God than you have ever yet done, and in feeding on Christ by faith to the very end of your course. I am sure of this, my dear girl, that there is no joy like that of knowing Christ, no place like that to be found in His love, no happiness like that which springs from His grace, and it is no small comfort to me to rest assured that you feel this yourself, that you have not merely felt the importance of it, but have also known something of the joy. It is a great thing to have the knowledge of our real and great necessity, but that cannot give us peace; it is the sweet assurance of His sufficiency that can really give rest to the soul. That sufficiency, dear girl, is for you, freely offered to you in Him, without money and without price, and I trust sweetly enjoyed by you through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. May He lead you forward day by day, and graciously prepare you for His kingdom! “Since beginning my letter the post is come, and your letter with it. I knew the good news before I came away; but I am not quite sure whether I shall come, for I do not know whether I am wanted here. Tell your mother I am very well, and am taking the greatest care of myself. I got on very comfortably yesterday, and was not overdone. This afternoon I go (D.V.) to Leeds. I am quite concerned about baby. Dear love to your mother. “Your most affectionate Father, “E. H.”