Queenstown
South Australia

July 27th, 83

My dear Mother,

We arrived safely at Adelaide on July 17th, in the morning after day-break. Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Freddy and Addison, with some of the Queenstown friends met us. Queenstown, I may explain, is a suburb of Port Adelaide. After leaving Cape Town, from which place I wrote to you, we had very fine weather for 7 days. After this we had some rough weather; but we had a splendid vessel and a very able captain. The 1st saloon was a fine room, all the breadth of the vessel, and lighted, as well as the cabins, with the electric lights. We had every comfort; but after all life at sea cannot be made altogether pleasant. We reached Melbourne on the 12th July, where we remained two days. It is a magnificent town, with 220,000 inhabitants. I was surprised at the fine buildings, surpassing the most of English towns, and the business that seemed to be doing there. We left Melbourne in a coasting vessel, and had an uncomfortable passage. The small steamer was packed with passengers, and the most of them were sick. We, however, kept all right; but it was unpleasant to hear people puking on all sides. Adelaide is a fine town, with beautiful buildings. The gardens are the finest I have seen. Where I am we are near to the sea, about seven miles from Adelaide, to which we go by train.

We have a very nice chapel at Queenstown, which will seat about 250 people. I preached for the first time on Sunday to large congregations. We had four converted after the evening service. There was a large tea meeting and Reception service on Tuesday last. There were several ministers present at the evening service, besides many leading laymen. Mr. Parker occupied the chair. It was a very enthusiastic service. I go to North Adelaide on Sunday, where we have another society. Ellie and Mr. and Mrs. Parker are going with me. North Adelaide is a pretty part of the city, where the most of the fine residences are.

Our house is not so large as the Aliwal one; but it is very comfortable and sufficient for our wants. There are three bedrooms, dining room, parlour, scullery, kitchen, and bath room. There is a small flower garden in front, and land for a large garden at the back, but it needs cultivating. It is pretty well furnished. But there needs a good deal doing yet, so we are staying for the present at Mr. Parker's, whose house is only a very short distance from us. Life is more like what it is in England than it was in Africa, and everything is very much cheaper than it was there. The climate is very similar. Kate has gone to what is called the "Model School". The fee is-/6 per week - or about six shillings per quarter. In Aliwal I paid for her £3-10 per quarter. Annie and she are in very good health. They find plenty of company among their cousins.

Mr. Parker had a newspaper from Stephen last week. His address is "Joppa Camp, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. I sent him a newspaper yesterday, containing an account of the Reception Service. I will write to him in a few days time. You will see a long account of the meeting in the "Primitive Methodist". If you still take the Christian World, you may send it by post. You might, I think, send two for one penny, if you tear the advertisements off. I will send you a remittance for it, and also renew the subscription for "The Primitive Methodist".

I hope to have a letter from you soon, as I am anxious to hear how you are doing, and how Phebe's health is. I would like to hear about Cuthbert's wife & children, as well as about my cousin John & his family. Ellie is in very good health and spirits, and delighted to be with her sister again. Freddy is a fine boy, a good scholar, and steady, industrious youth. Addison is also very much improved. Nellie is a rosy-cheeked girl of 6 years. And then there are Harold and Percy - 3 and 1 year respectively. We join in kind love to you & Phebe & Cousin, and his wife and family.

Your afft. Son,
John

Young Street
Parkside
Adelaide
South Australia

May 6th, 1884

My dear Mother,

I am amused at your asking so often for my Queenstown address, since it was at the head of every letter I wrote - Queenstown, S. Australia. The above is my present address. The letter, which reached you unstamped, was lost by me on my way to Adelaide. Some one must have picked it up, and sent it on to you. I got the P.O.O. but it was too late to send it by that mail.

We are settling down in our new house, in which we have been nearly three weeks. It is a very good house, in a beautiful respectable street. The chapel is close to the house, and is a very good building. We have one of the best choirs I have ever heard in any of our chapels. It consists chiefly of one family of the name of Hamman - the father and mother and several daughters - all good musicians and singers. My other places are Goodwood 1 ½ miles away - Henley[?] about 2 miles - Mitcham 3 ½, and New Glenelg about 6. We are asking for a married minister from England, to station at New Glenelg, a beautiful watering place on the Gulf of St. Vincent. I go occasionally to Queenstown, and the minister there comes into my circuit.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker come up every week, on the Saturday, to spend a few hours, and bring two of the children with them. We have a tea-meeting at Goodwood to-day, to which they are coming, Mr. Parker, Chairman. Ellie is also going and Mrs. Howchin. The Howchins are members of our church. Mrs. Howchin and Stella were up last evening - Stella remained with our children, while Mrs. Howchin and Ellie were at church and sacrament. Kate and Stella are great friends - Kate was at tea yesterday at Mr. Howchin's, and Stella and Edith came to our house. Stella is a nice girl. She is going to the Advanced School in the city.

Kate goes to the Flinder's Street school in Adelaide. She takes her dinner with her, as it is about 1 ¾ miles. She walks there and back through the park lands usually, when tired she takes the tram, which passes the school. She is learning very well, and took her first lesson in German last Friday. She has been much more robust since she left England. The southern climate suits her well. We are arranging for her taking music lessons with Miss W[???], one of our members, a very excellent teacher. Annie is as bright and merry as ever; she had sore eyes for a week or so; but is now quite better. This complaint is very common both here and in Africa, through the bright sunshine. Ellie and I are quite well, though we had severe colds just after we came here, and Ellie was very much frayed[?] with the cleaning which she did herself. She has got a washer woman since we came here, which relieves her very much.

We are having very beautiful weather just now - bright, clear days and nights, such as you have scarcely any idea of in England. We have an abundance of fruit here. All kinds of English fruits, as well as those peculiar to semi-tropical lands. We have had grapes for about 5 months - the most of the time at 2d per pound. Commencing with strawberries, cherries, &c, last October, we have had all kinds of fruit up till now, and we are still getting figs and grapes, pears &c - the second crop. Then during the few months of winter there are plenty of apples and oranges. We get gooseberries, black and red-currants, and other things, that we could not easily get at Aliwal. It is really a fine country, where you scarcely see any poverty.

I have not forgotten Annie and her children, but I wrote last. Still I should have written again had I not been so unsettled. I will write soon. In the meantime, give our love to them, and say I would like to have another letter from the boys. Remember [me] also to Cousin John, who, I have no doubt, hears the substance of my letters.

I had my first marriage before I left Queenstown - My fee is £3-10. This is the regular charge. Many of our ministers make a great deal by marriages; but I have not been fortunate yet. This will be a better district than Queenstown. If I could average two per quarter, it would be a great help to me.

I have great deal of travelling here by rail, or train, or on foot, but I find it good for my health. I often go into the city, where I have joined the Library, containing several thousands of volumes - and all sorts of reviews & newspapers - Sub. £1 per year. I have also been made a member of the "Royal Society of South Australia", for the promotion of science. I hope to be able to get to some of the meetings.

There are in this street, besides our church, a Baptist church, about 150 yds from us, and a Wesleyan church, just being opened - ¼ mile from us. There is a Mr. Woods, who is making a great stir in Adelaide just now. He professes to be able, through the power of Christ, to heal diseases, and, however accomplished, there have been a great many wonderful cures. I am sceptical as to there being any supernatural element in them; but he is, it is admitted, a good man, who is fully persuaded that he works these cures by the power of Christ. Many have not got any good, but he attributes the failure to their want of faith. The Salvation Army is also very strong in this country.

I see Mr. Dent is dead. He was a good man. My love to you & Phebe, Cousin John & family, and My uncle & family, in which Ellie and Kate Join.

Your Affte Son,
John

Young Street,
Parkside,

March 14. 85.

My dear Mother,

Enclosed is a P. O O. for £9. I have not yet received your reply to my last letter, but it will probably be delivered to day.

Our new minister, Mr. Wetherill, from England, is expected next Wednesday by "The Orient". He has four children. We have been busy preparing for him this week. We have taken a very good house at Glenelg, and Ellie and I were with Mr Daddow, our Queenstown minister, yesterday in the city buying furniture for the house. He will stay at our house a few days. We shall be rather crowded with 6 in addition to our own family. He takes New Glenelg and Goodwood Park, two of my places, leaving me Parkside, Henley Park, and Mitcham. My circuit will be very compact. Tenley[?] Park is only a mile and a quarter distant, and Mitcham about 2 ½ miles. I can get the Tram to both places. We shall, however, have a struggle to get money sufficient for a while, as those two places take away nearly £20 of our income. But I will be able to give more attention to the places I have left.

You would get Kate's letter enclosing Nellie's. They composed them themselves. Kate is doing well at School. There is one opened in our street, which makes it easier than to go to the City. Annie is also quite well.

Mrs. Parker had a daughter about 7 weeks ago - a pretty little thing. They were very pleased, as they had so many boys and only one girl before. They call her Barbara Winifred. Mrs. P. was staying with us about a fortnight ago for a few days with the baby. Fred is now in the office with his father, who is in business for himself.

There are great changes taking place among my English friends in P. Methodism. many of the older people have died, and the ministers are being scattered about the kingdom. Mr. Atkinson tells me that, if I return in a few years, I shall find great changes. Whether I shall ever return is doubtful. At any rate my post of duty is here for many years to come. I have plenty of work and am in excellent health. The climate suits us all extremely well. I never have any colds or hoarseness such as I had often in England. We have much the advantage of you in point of climate. I have often had a desire to go back to Africa, but that is not likely to come to pass. We often have letters from our old friends there, and both Ellie and I have pleasant memories of that country.

We get lots of books out of the Library in Adelaide, in which there are thousands of volumes. You would enjoy the privilege very much. How are you supplied with reading?

With love to you both from all.

Your affectionate Son
John

P.S. I hope Phebe is in good health, as well as yourself We often speak about you, and wish you could see the children.

P.S. Will you let me have Cuthbert's widow's address? I have lost it, and am afraid my last letter miscarried. JW

Young Street,
Parkside,

June 15./ 85.

My dear Mother,

Enclosed is a P. O. O. for £9. Kate has said so much in her letter that it is not necessary for me to write a very long one. I am sorry to hear of my Aunt Agnes' sudden death. My uncle will feel lonely at being left at his age after such a long married life. My aunt would, however, be about 76 or 77 years of age, I suppose. Is my uncle now in his 78th year? I shall write to him shortly. How fast the whole of the generation to which my uncle and you belonged is passing away from this life. I saw in a Wesleyan paper an announcement of the death of Thomas Hodgson, Ireshopeburn, at the age of 68. Were I to return in a few years time I should witness very great changes - a great many even of my friends and acquaintances would be gone.

These solemn events make us think more of that land where the associations and friendships of life will be resumed under happier circumstances, and will never again be broken by death. I often think of the words of Alfred Vaughan that those who have passed away "have death behind them and not before them", as we have. The thought that the living Christ is the Lord of the dead as well as the living often engages my mind - "all live unto him". Our dear ones that have died in the Lord are Christ's, and are under his training and guidance, though in a higher school, as well as we. Our "gathering together in him" is our dearest hope, our most ardent longing, if we are the Lord's. I trust, dearest mother, that as the years advance, and heaven comes nearer, our faith in Him and love to Him will increase yet more and more.

I preached in Parkside church twice yesterday, and administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper after the evening service. Kate stayed at the sacrament with us; she has joined the church lately, and has, I think, very strong desires after good things. Annie was also at the service; she had made many enquiries about the bread and wine, and was hoping to get some of these things; but she fell asleep during the Service. When she awoke, after coming into the house, she said "Why did Da not give the bread and wine?" Her Ma replied that he gave them while she was asleep. Then she said "Why did he not give them before I fell asleep?" At tea she coined a new word. There was something that she wanted a lot of. But Kate got some of it. So grasping what was left she shouted, "I have got the lottiest." Kate says she gets funnier every day. She is a great singer, and can catch almost any of the Sunday school ditties, which she sings the day long. Kate is getting on very well at school, and will, I think, become a very good scholar; she is improving in her music. She is also a great reader. I wish you could see them, and especially have Annie to quicken you a little.

We have just had our Quarterly meeting, which passed off very well. In consequence of the taking away of two of our Societies I was above £13 short of my salary, but the deficiency will soon be made up, and I hope that by the next quarterly meeting our income will meet the expenditure. We have a very heavy debt upon our church and manse; but we have paid off this year £50, and are in a fair way for gradually reducing it. Mr. Wetherill's prospects in the "New Glenelg Mission" are promising, although he is also lying out of part of his salary. The exceedingly depressed state of trade and agriculture in this colony make against. Nevertheless, our people do very well. The giving in the colonies is, in proportion to the number of people, much larger than it is at home.

It is our winter now, and is often wet and cold; but we have got some very good coal, and make ourselves comfortable; and having plenty of books, magazines, and reviews of all kinds, we quite enjoy ourselves in the evenings. How are you supplied with books? Is there any library to which you have access? Do you see the daily paper? One of the advantages in colonial towns is that you are certain, even if the town contains only 200 or 300 people, to have an Institute and Library. In Adelaide, of course, our advantages, in this respect, are of a very high order.

We in the colonies take a great interest in home affairs, and lately the people in England are awakening to a sense of the importance of these colonies. There can be no question that the "Greater Britain" will exist in the southern hemisphere. Such are the resources, the extent, and the splendid climate of these colonies that in half a century they will have become great nations. New Zealand is, I am told, a fine country, very like England, with a very large rainfall - a country of lakes and mountains and verdant fields.

The prospects of our church are becoming brighter, and, with the return of prosperous times, will still more improve. There is an increase of about 750 members in Australasia this year. Mr. Howchin has preached a few times in our church, without any injury to himself and very much to the profit of our people. He is now attending to the Bookroom in Adelaide. We had him to dinner yesterday and had a long chat with him.

Mr & Mrs Parker and family are well. Winnie, the baby, is a splendid little morsel of humanity. Mr. Parker is doing very well, for the hard times, in business. He spends a good deal of his leisure in painting. He will have 6 oil paintings at the forthcoming exhibition of paintings in Adelaide. He took two prizes last year for flower pieces.

I had a letter from Stephen a few weeks ago. he is doing very well, as far as this world goes, but is very much cut off from religious services. He will do much better than in England in the long run. Ellie is in good health, but is kept very busy, as we have no servant, and there is at times a good deal to do for the church.

My sheet is now filled. I am sorry you cannot get out, and that Phebe is not very strong. My love to you both and to cousin John, Mrs. Watson, and their family. Ellie & children join in love.

Your affectionate Son,
John

P S. Shall write to Cuthbert's widow & family soon. JW

Young Street
Parkside
South Australia

Sept 9th. 1885

My dear Mother.

Enclosed is a P.O.O. for £9. Your letter reached me by the last mail. Annie & Kate were glad to hear from you. Annie was five years old on the 21st August, when she had a party of young people - about 12 of them. They had a nice tea & then all sorts of games afterwards. Nearly all the girls brought her a small present. I bought her a picture book. She studies picture books very closely. I get a good many books of African travel, which are pretty full of pictures & she sits for a long time looking through them. The Monday after her birthday, she went to the public school with Kate; they have left this morning for school.

Kate is getting on well at school; she is ambitious to be a teacher. After she has gone about a year longer to the present school, I want, if I can afford it to send her to the "Advanced school" in Adelaide. But it is somewhat expensive. Stella Howchin went to it for a time; but as Mr Howchin was sometime out of a situation, they were obliged to take her away. She is now training for a pupil teacher in the city public school. After the new year she will get £25 for the first year. She will then, after a time, go to the Training College, when she will be allowed £1 per week for a year to pay for her support etc. Stella felt it a great trial to leave the Advanced school, where she was learning German, French etc, & doing very well. But we are passing through very hard times in S. Australia, & almost everybody is obliged to cut down expenses as far as possible.

We had our Quarterly meeting on Saturday. Since the new minister came it has been much more difficult for us to raise sufficient money. I agreed to take £4 per quarter less than I had been getting. First quarter we were more than £13 short but I got it all before the last quarter was up. At this Q.M. I am £7-16-8 short of my salary; but it will, I hope, be paid before the quarter comes to an end. This is a new experience to me. Until last June I had never in 23 year's ministry wanted a penny of my salary. We expected this, however, when we divided the circuit. And there is little fear that we shall be able to pay our way in the course of a quarter or two. The people at Parkside are very liberal, but the debt of £1800 on the church & manse is a crushing burden for a small society.

Mr Wetherall is doing very well at New Glenelg. He has purchased ground for a new church, the present being far too small. He also is going short of his whole salary, as are nearly all the ministers in our district. I hope Providence will send us better times. We are all in good health, & like our circuit & people very much.

Ellie & I are just going to walk into the city this morning, where we have some business; & I am going to the library. We get a great many books out. I generally have one which I read aloud. In this way we have read this Winter - "Romala" - "Middlemarch" by G Eliot; "Esmond" by Thackeray etc & I am now reading "Daniel Deronda" I have read these of G Eliot's before but we wanted to go through them again. Besides these, we have our own books. Ellie reads a great many of biography, travel & general literature. Sometimes in an evening Kate & I go to the library, which is 1 ½ miles away, walking there and back-Kate likes these walks with me.

I should very much like to see you again. When I left Africa I had almost decided to return to England then; but the scale fell in favour of Australia. I have sometimes thought of returning, in the course of a few years, to England; but the prospect seems growing weaker of my doing so. I am doing, perhaps, as well here, & we should feel the cold climate of England very much, after being so long in these milder regions.

I trust you are keeping in tolerable health, & that Phebe is also better than she was at one time. Warmest love to you both from all. Remember me to cousin John & family.

Your affectionate son
John

Young Street
Parkside

July 1st /86.

My dear Mother,

Since Kate wrote the above letter the school has recommenced, and she has been advanced to the 2nd class, in which the work is harder. Stella Howchin has returned to the school; she is in the lower 4th class. Kate is working at German as well as French.

This country is still in a state of great depression. We have had, however, during the last month splendid rains, which have put new hope into the farmer's hearts. Through the previous long-continued drought the sheep and cattle died in great numbers. I trust we shall soon have an improved state of trade.

Mr. Parker's business has been very slack for a long time. In fact, there is next to nothing doing in the building trade. But he has got temporary work under the government - which may lead to something permanent. He is engaged in surveying for the purpose of Water Conservation, and receives £5 per week, and all hotel and travelling expenses. In the meantime he carries on his own business, when there is anything to do. He and his family are well.

In church matters we are going on as usual. We have had very good meetings of late. The ladies are preparing for a Bazaar, and have tea-meetings at their houses once a fortnight. Those that have been already held have been well attended.

I am now writing, on a Saturday evening, with my back to a good fire. Ellie is knitting close to me, and reading "Good Words" at the same time. Annie, at my left hand, is very busy dressing a cap doll, trying to use her needle; and Kate next below her, having finished her lessons, is reading the newspaper. We are all well, except that Ellie has a cold. With love to Phebe & yourself -

I am your [illegible]
John

Young Street,
Parkside,

July 14th, 1886.

My dear Mother,

Your letter arrived last week. I am glad to hear that you and Phebe are so much better than you were during the winter. We have learnt from the English newspapers that you have had a very trying winter. We are now in the midst of our winter, but we never see any snow, and there has been very little rain as yet. The sun is shining brightly this morning, and were you here you would suppose it to be a cool day in summer. Sometimes the cold is severe in winter, but this season is very mild. There is great need of rain; the farmers are suffering very much. If it does not come soon, the country will get into a wretched state, and it is bad enough already. There has not been such a depression for many years. There are hundreds of empty houses. It is to be hoped that there will be a turn in affairs for the better soon.

Enclosed is a P. O. O. for £9.

Kate has sent you a newspaper containing a portrait of her teacher, Miss Dornwell Bachelor of Science. She is only 21, but is a very clever young woman. Kate likes her very much. The Quarterly Examination commences to-day. It is conducted by Mr. Hartley, Inspector of Schools, and continues until a week next Thursday. Kate's class have History and Composition to-day. Kate walks to the city and back again every day. The school opens at 9-30. Then they have dinner at 12-30. They can either take their dinner, or have a hot, substantial dinner in connection with the school. Kate generally gets her dinner there as it only costs -/6. They resume work at 1 o'clock and leave the school at 3 P.M. After tea, her home work usually takes up all her time, until she goes to bed. She is, however, in splendid health, and her long walks give her a healthy appetite. On Tuesday evenings she often manages to get to the young people's class meeting. Both she & Stella Howchin are members of the church.

Annie has more than half-a-mile to walk to school. She comes home to dinner, and then trudges back to school. She is also in good health. Ellie is in very much better health since the cool weather set in; she is indeed, excepting a cold she has at present, in vigorous health.

We live a very simple and pleasant life. I get up at day-light, which now breaks a little before seven. I set the fire on, and the breakfast things on the table. By this time Ellie & the children are a stir; she then boils the porridge, & by half-past seven we are usually at our breakfast. In summer I get up much earlier. We have lots of books, reviews, & newspapers. After breakfast, and the morning newspaper has been disposed of, I work at Latin, or the Greek Testament, or sometimes a little French or German, then read some book I have in hand. I have frequently to go into the city on business, or to the Library and News-room. In the evenings, when I am at home, I often read aloud. I am reading in this way at present "The Adventures of Philip through the World", by Thackeray, who is a great favourite with us. I have read aloud during the last year, "Esmond", "Pendennis", and "The Virginians", besides other books and articles from Reviews.

We had our Chapel Anniversary two or three weeks ago. The hard times made against us very much. We have a heavy debt of £1750 upon the Church & Manse. It was £1850 when I came to the circuit, but we have paid off £100. I was very anxious about the chapel affairs before the Anniversary; but quite unexpectedly there was opened out for us at the tea-meeting a prospect of relief. A lady came to me, & said "she had saved a little money, & thought she could not do better than try to help the Church with it". She promised me £25, if an effort was made to reduce the debt somewhat. I saw a few friends, who thought we ought to endeavour to raise £200 within 12 months. In the course of an hour I had £100 promised. In addition to the donation of £25 by the lady I have mentioned, two of our leading men promised £25 each, another gentleman £15, and myself £10. Since then the amount has been increased to £115. I hope we shall be able to accomplish our object, as it is difficult to raise the interest of the debt in these hard times. I am lying out of more than £11, and shall probably have to advance several pounds more during the next six months. If we had a return of prosperous times, there would be no difficulty in raising the necessary funds. I like the people at Parkside very much, and hope to remain [them] among for some time to come.

On Saturday, we were all at Mr. Parker's. He & Mrs. Parker, and family are well. He is feeling the pressure of the times in his business. Fred, who was with his father in the office, has got a situation at the "Advertiser" office. Addison is at school, and is working for a "scholarship". We saw the Howchin's yesterday at chapel. Mr. Howchin preached at Parkside twice the Sunday previous. He is greatly liked as a preacher. Stella is going back to the "Advanced School" at the beginning of the next term. I have been helping her a little in French & Latin. Stella is a very industrious student, and will excel. She would like to matriculate at the University, and I hope to be able to keep Kate at school until she could do so also.

There are some clever girls, trained in S. Australian schools. There is a daughter of a Wesleyan minister, who was educated at "The Advanced School", now at the London University, studying for a doctor's diploma. Two of the daughters of a Baptist minister have also gone to England to prosecute their studies. I forgot to say that there is a large staff of lady teachers at Kate's school; Miss George is the head-mistress. Another Miss George teaches French; a German lady, German; Miss Domwell, besides the ordinary work of her class gives instruction to the other classes in Science, Algebra, &c. There are from 120 to 150 girls in the school.

We have not got any minister in Mr. Wetherill's place. His circuit has been united to Queenstown, under Mr. Daddow. My circuit remains the same as it was, with three places. It is an easy circuit. The most of my preaching is in Parkside, which I give 16 sermons in the Quarter on the Sunday and Mr. Howchin 2, the remaining 8 by the local preachers; Mitcham gets 6, & Umley[?] Park 4.

You will see by the papers I send you to-day that there have been some terrible volcanic eruptions in New Zealand. I wonder whether the tourist, who has been lost, is one of the Bainbridge family in Newcastle.

I trust you & Phebe make yourselves comfortable, and that you enjoy much of the peace of God in your heart. We often talk about, and would like to see you again; but my post of duty is here at present, and may be for a few more years. Much as I would like to return to England, I want, above all things, to be where the Lord would have me to be. This is in many respects a pleasanter country, but I miss the happy reunions with my brother ministers at the Dt Meetings, & Conferences too.

With warmest love to you and Phebe, in which we all join,

I am yours as ever,
John

Parkside,
South Australia,

Sept. 19. 86

My dear Mother,

Enclosed is a P. O. O. for £8. I fully intended to send you the usual amount, but at last I was disappointed in not getting in some money which I expected. I shall, if all be well, be able to send you the full amount next time. I am glad to hear that you are in good health, and trust that you will continue to be blessed therewith[?]. I am sorry, however, to hear that Phebe is not very strong. Does she go out enough? A change for a week or two would be good for her if she could arrange it.

I had intelligence of Mr. Philip's death before I received your last letter. We felt very much at hearing it. I am writing to Mrs. Philips by this mail. I had a long and interesting letter from Mr. Johnson of Tudhoe Colliery, to whom I had written a short time before. He gave me a great amount of information about the Spennymoor people. Mr Reed is dead; his wife also died very soon after him. They were reduced to poverty before their death. Robert is in America, and Thomas Henry & sisters are in Queensland. Mr. Johnson intended to have a society meeting, and have my note read to the members. They have 98 members at Tudhoe.

You will have received a letter from Kate since I wrote last. She is working very hard just now at the Quarterly examination. As she is in a higher class, it is much harder than the last. It began last Monday, and continued through the week, and will be resumed to-morrow (Monday), and continue until Thursday. They then break up for a week's holiday. She is going to Rawminster[?] to the Rev. W. R. Stephenson's to stay during the holiday. It is about 30 or 40 miles away. As Mr. Stephenson has a conveyance, she will be driven about to a good many places. Perhaps, I shall run out for a day or two, and drive with them down to the Murray River, which is the largest in Australia.

Kate will be writing sometime during the Quarter, and will let you know how she stands in the examination. She cannot get to the top this time, as there are a great many girls in the class, who have been in it for some time. For the Quarterly work she is the 8th out of a class of 30. Only one, and she a girl of 17, is above her of those that entered last quarter, but for the Examination Kate is as yet above her in all subjects. Miss George, the Head Mistress & Miss Sim[?], her teacher, both said that she had done well. She was, I may say, at the head for German. She got 96 percent marks, the next girl being 88. Stella was at the head of her class, the lower 4th, for the Quarterly marks. The work is very hard in this class.

I must not forget Annie. She has had her Zamination, as she called it. She says she passed in reading, and Arithmetic, but failed in writing and "the clock". But she says she wrote a "nice copy". She is going up, she tells us, into the "Upper Juniors". There is an excellent system of education in this country, and at a cheap rate.

The depression in trade continues, but we have had fine rains, which have created a hope that we shall have a good harvest. Wool also has risen in price, which will make it better for the Squatters. But copper mining is still very dull. The Jubilee Exhibition is to be held here next year. As it will bring a great many people from various parts of the world, it will give an impulse to trade. I trust we shall soon see the last of the depression. As it is, many are getting into very straitened circumstances through its long continuance. I think I told you that Mr. Parker has temporary employment by the Government at the rate of £5 week salary. This has come in very providentially, as there is nothing doing in his business. He and his family are well.

There is nothing special taking place in connection with our work in the Church. In my circuit we hold our ground. Our monies came up well at the Quarterly meeting, enabling us to meet all demands. We had an increase of 5 members. Mr. Weatherill is a long way back in his salary at Mount Barker[?], but it will be partly made up after the harvest. His brother, a minister in Canada, is coming here shortly, and will receive an appointment in the Adelaide District. I knew him, he was a student in the Institute, when I was Examiner.

Do you think you could get your portrait taken, and send it us? I would like much to have one, of you as you are at present, if you could manage it in any way. We have not had ours taken since we came to this country.

Mr. Howchin is in good health, and frequently preaches. We have him in the house after preaching every Sunday morning he is not away preaching. The children have just come out of the S. School, and I hear Kate begging & pressing Stella to stay to tea.

With much love & many kisses for you & Phebe from all.

I am yours as ever
John

Young Street,
Parkside,

March 21/ 87

My dear Mother,

I am glad to hear you have been so much better this winter than the last, and hope you will continue to improve. I am sorry, however, that Phebe has not been so well as could be desired. Probably she does not get out as much as she ought to do. I had a letter the other day from G. Hopper, Junr. of North Shields, asking what prospect there is for him in this country, as it was almost impossible to get a living where he was. I cannot encourage him very much, as business is very dull here, the prospect of a change through the discovery of gold mines has not made any change for the better. Probably it has only prevented the country from sinking into deeper depths. We expect that the opening of Adelaide Exhibition in June will bring a great many people into the country, and so give business an impulse.

We have had our Dt. meeting. I am stationed again at Parkside, which we all like very much, and from which we have no desire to remove. In consequence of removals we have a decrease of 20 in the district, though my circuit has had an increase of 5 members. There is still a great deal of talk about Methodist Union, more especially between the Bible Christians and our Church, and the New Connexion people. These have only 1 minister & 1 church, but it is a fine building in the centre of the city. The Bible Christians have more than 2800 and we more than 2900 members. United we would make a strong church. Committees from these bodies will meet next month. I am the convener of our committee.

Kate was away from school for nearly a week through a swollen face, caused we think by the bite of an insect. There are certain flies here which produce such an effect by their bites. Annie had once or twice a "bug eye" when we were at Queenstown. The doctor thought at first it might be erysypelus, but on the second day he said it was a bad bite or sting which caused it. She was grieved to stay at home, as it would lose her a great many marks. She & Stella Howchin are going to Mowatu[?], about 130 miles away, to Mr. Goodwin's, to spend the Easter holiday. She gets, through being at the Advanced School, for ¼ the fare by rail.

Annie is now going to a school which a young lady has commenced in our school room. She is getting on faster in her reading, since she changed schools. Then instead of having to walk a long distance in the sun she has only to cross the yard to school. Ellie is in very good health, but kept busy with her own work and church affairs On Saturday we were all at Queenstown, at Uncle Thomas'. To-day we are all going to tea to Mr. Howchin's where we shall meet Uncle & Auntie, and Mr. & Mrs Allan, who came also from the north of England.

Our summer is nearly over though it is still very warm. We have had some very hot weather. For three nights in January Ma & the girls slept in the passage with the back door open & the front door partially open, just to get a breath of air. But on such nights we wander about a great deal - in and out of the house. We use the bath very freely. Every morning still I have a shower and plunge bath, which refreshes me very much. We have often gone to Glenelg, and bathed in the sea. You should have seen how Annie plunged in, and let the waves dash over her head. She is a brave little bather. Ma is an old practitioner, at home in the water.

Our S. Anniversary has just been held. the children sang beautifully. Instead of the usual tea we had a fruit banquet. Lots of fruit were given for the occasion. We get a great deal of fruit. One of our members brings us in his trap every Sunday a basketful of grapes. We can buy splendid grapes at a penny and penny half penny per pound. We have often said you would look to see the quantity of grapes & other fruit on our table every day.

I have not heard from Stephen lately. Kate wrote to him last week. But we are not sure as to his address; it is so long since we heard from him.

With warmest love to you & Phebe in which we all join,

I am your affectionate son
John

P.S. Enclosed is [a P. O. O.] for £9. We have not received any "Christian World" papers for two or three months. Did you send them? JW

[P.S.] I got the enclosed stamp from Mr Hopper. It is no use here. It will be of use to you.

Young Street,
Parkside,

Sept. 19. 1887

My dear Mother,

I enclose a P. O. O. for £8. I would have sent £9 as usual, but I am lying out of a large amount of money this quarter for the Church. I have not yet recd. a letter from you saying that you recd. the last order, but I suppose it is all right with it.

We had over at the Exhibition Stephen Bee & his wife from Ballarat, Victoria. He is a son of Mary Bee, of St Johns, and his wife a daughter of Thomas Hodgson, Sedlin. He knows your brother, my uncle John Harrison, and his wife who are living in Ballarat. My uncle, though getting up in years, is quite well. A son of theirs has a large Music store in Ballarat. My uncle's address is; Barkly Street, opposite to the Wesleyan church, Ballarat East, Victoria. I thought perhaps you might like to drop him a few lines.

Cousin John Watson, from Riggs, is the Manager of the Solomon Pasha Gold Mine Ballarat. He told me of a host of other people who are living there, whom I know well - Joseph Donaldson - Old Pattison's daughter, or daughters. There must be hundreds of Weardale people around that District. I hope to be able to visit Victoria soon, as the railway is opened right through. If I were to go there on a preaching tour I would get scores of Weardale people to hear me.

Stephen Bee has only one son, whom I baptised 22 years ago in Weardale. He & his wife stayed two or three weeks in Adelaide. They saw my name advertised in the daily paper, and came to hear me at our own church one Sunday and at the New Connexion another. We had them to tea one day, and we filled up many hours with talk about Weardale, & Weardale people. It seems that business is better in Weardale than it was. Cousin Thomas Watson still manages the Langdon Beck Mine, and Hay[?] & Co, who have cut a vein of solid ore - 6 feet wide - the richest that has ever been opened in Teesdale.

We are in good health. The children are getting on with their School work. Kate is just now busy again with her Examination. She is doing well. She wrote a long letter to uncle Stephen the other week, from whom we had a letter two or three months ago. He is at Queanbeyan, New South Wales. I enclose his letter.

There has been a great revival in our Queenstown Church -- about 120 have been brought to the Lord. Among them Addison Parker is one of most valiant of the converts. Little Nellie also professed to get good. Fred is also under gracious impressions, but has not yet fully decided. He is however a very fine young man. Uncle & Aunt have been working hard in the revival. We are going to have meetings here, which I trust will be equally blessed.

Dr. Dale from Birmingham is now in Adelaide. We have been much pleased with his sermons, and speeches. We are having a splendid season, and the promise of a plentiful harvest, which will tend to restore prosperity. The Exhibition is drawing many visitors - from Victoria & elsewhere. One day 1600 passengers came to Adelaide from the country places of our Colony. Next year there is to be a great Exhibition in Melbourne - I hope we shall be able to visit it. I wish you could see the hills & country around Adelaide, just now. Every thing looks glorious. With love to Phebe & you from Ellie, Kate, Annie, & myself. Annie is just saying that she is going to write to you soon.

I am your affte Son,
John

Young Street,
Parkside,

Dec. 12. '87

My dear Mother,

I received your letter a few days ago, and am glad to hear you and Phebe are in good health. We are also well, and getting on about as usual.

Since I wrote we have had in connection with our church a gracious revival. More than sixty or seventy professed to be converted, and our church was also quickened. We report an increase of 30 members this year and 17 catechumen members. Ellie worked very hard in the revival, going out with us every night to sing in the streets, and directing the enquirers to Christ in the after meeting. She has been appointed to lead a class of ladies since the meetings. Our neighbours the Baptists & we hold a united prayer meeting every Sunday morning at 7-30 - The Baptist minister conducts the meeting in our church & I in the Baptist church. It is well attended. Ellie & I are there every Sunday morning. Kate & Annie sometimes go.

Annie would have me to put down her name as converted. She said she knew what it was to be converted. You go into the enquiry room, and you cry. Then somebody comes & speaks to you, and you are converted. She sings Sankey's hymns very well.

Our congregations are very much improved. I am invited to stay another year at Parkside - a 5th year - and have consented to remain. We like the place & the people very much, and I think they like us.

Kate is engaged this week with the Quarterly examination, so she has not time to write to you, but she will very likely write during the Christmas holidays. You would see from the paper she sent you that she and Stella passed the primary University Examination. Stella has since been sitting for the Junior Examination, but the results are not yet published. Kate will go in for this next year. This is a stiff examination, taking in French and German, Physiology, Botany, Algebra, Euclid, and other things.

We are getting near to Christmas again, but how different it is here with the bright, hot summer days, and the short, dark days at home. This has been so far the coolest summer there has been almost in the memory of the people. We have had a splendid year for rain, and everything looks promising for an excellent harvest. Business is somewhat brisker, and it is hoped that when the harvest is reaped there will be a return of prosperity. It will be a pleasant change from the depression under which we have been living for sometime.

One of our ministers Mr. Goodwin is purposing to visit England this next year. He and his wife are pleasant people. They have been in the Colony nearly 20 years. Kate & Stella spent last Christmas with them at Moonta[?]. If he should visit the North I wish he could see you, and tell you all about us. They have no children. I wish I could run over and see you also. In these days of swift steamers, making the passage in 30 days, the voyage does not seem much. In fact it would be a pleasure if I could make other things right. If I do not come home for good I would like very much to visit England for 9 or 12 months. It is pleasant to dream of these things, but I do not know whether they will ever become realities.

Mr. & Mrs. Parker are well. Fred and Addison are both employed in stores, but Mr. Parker has no work at present. I hope he will soon get something to do. I was at Queenstown preaching last night, in connection with their chapel services and am going to a tea-meeting there to-night. I am kept very busy, and have very little leisure. Those that are willing to work always get plenty to do.

The Exhibition is still open. Grand concerts are held in connection with it. Ellie and I were at one on Saturday night. We heard Amy Sherwin, a splendid singer, called "The Australian Nightingale". We have had a great many notable visitors this year. Lord Carnarvon has just been here, and the Duke of Manchester is here at present. You would be sorry to hear of Lady Brassey's death just after she left Australia. We were all through the Sunbeam when she was here.

We all join in love to you & Phebe.

I am yours ever affectionately
John

[P. S.] I send you a P. O. O. for £9. Ellie will not hear of you having less, when we can afford it. I have had fortunately two weddings which bring me in £6 or £7. We should be well off were it not that Kate & Annie are costing us at present over £4 per quarter for education. But the Lord always sends us enough. And we have plenty of everything that we really need. The rest we can do without. JW

Young Street,
Parkside,

March 13. 1888

My dear Mother,

Enclosed is a P. O. O. for £9. I have not yet recd. your letter saying whether my last remittance has been received, but I suppose it will have reached you.

I have sent a request to the General Missionary Committee asking them to permit me to return to England next year. The people here are very much grieved at my doing so, and have done their best to dissuade me from taking the step. I like this country very much, but the English ministry has more attractions for me, and I cannot think of leaving you & Phebe any longer at such a great distance from us. The Lord has graciously spared you all these years of my absence, and as the ten years abroad that I have always thought of as the term of my ministry abroad will then have passed, I feel a strong desire to return, and be near to you in your latter days.

I do not know whether the Conference will grant my request; they may wish me to stay two or three years longer. But having made my request I must leave the result in the hands of Providence. And I trust I shall be able to accept it either way as right and good. Still I think the Conference will grant my request I have thought of paying a visit for 12 months to England, and our people here would help me to do that, if I would return to them. But I do not see how I could arrange to do so.

The Rev. J. Goodwin, one of our Ministers, and his wife are about to leave for a 12 months' visit to England. Three of our members are also visiting England at the same time; but they will be, with perhaps the exception of Mr. Goodwin staying mostly in the South of England. They sail on the 4th April by the German Ship, the Salier, and will arrive about the end of May.

We have had a remarkably cool summer - just like an English summer. It has indeed sometimes been very cold at nights. This colony seems to be entering upon a career of prosperity. We have had an abundant harvest, and mines of various kinds are being opened out.

Mr. & Mrs. Parker are well. He has been two or three months from home, and will be until the beginning of June, in the North, doing work for the Government. It is rough work in which he is engaged, but he gets paid at the rate of £2-2 per day, and all expenses found.

Yesterday we had harvest Thanksgiving Services in our church. It is most beautifully decorated; and we have an immense quantity of fruit, which we are going to sell to-night. We had large congregations, especially at night, when I preached.

We introduced the New Hymn Book yesterday. Ours is the first church that has done so in the Colony. I sold more than £10 worth last week.

We are all in good health, and join in warmest love to Phebe and yourself. May you enjoy in rich measure all peace & joy in Jesus Christ !

I am, dear Mother, Your ever affectionate Son.
John Watson

Young Street,
Parkside,

June 18th, 1888

My dear Mother,

I have been waiting before I wrote to you for a letter from you. But as none has come yet I shall not wait any longer. This quarter I have sent you only £8, as we have had to pay £15 this quarter extra for dentistry for Ellie, which she has needed for a long time, and as we always act on the principle of paying for everything as we get it, it leaves us with a little less money to begin the quarter with than we usually have. We shall, however, we find, get on very well with care. It trust it will not inconvenience you. Please to let me know if it does, as we cannot think of you suffering any want.

Ellie, the children, & myself are in excellent health. In fact, through the blessing of God I never ail anything, and am always strong for my work. I trust both you and Phebe are in tolerably good health. I wish, by the way, Phebe would write a few lines to us. She ought to get into the way of writing letters, as she may not have you always to write for her. And it would be a miserable thing for her to be always dependent on others. I had a letter from Stephen a few days ago, which I enclose to you. He does not seem to like the idea of my going to England.

I have not heard from Conference yet in reference to my request. it is quite possible they may ask me to stay longer in Australia. Our people here are sadly annoyed and troubled at the thought of my leaving them, and would do almost anything to keep me. They would like me to go home next year on a visit, to stay nine months there, and then return. The Lord, in whom I trust, will direct my path. What I desire the most is to see you once more and if the Lord spare you that will, I trust, be brought about.

Kate is still going on with her schooling very satisfactorily. She is, I believe, a sincere Christian, taking pleasure in reading the Word of God, and attending all the services she can get to.

Annie is very merry and healthy. She does not get on very fast with her reading yet. But she will listen for hours if I am reading an interesting book. On Saturday I got one of Rider Haggard's novels from the library, called Jess, a tale of the Transvaal. Kate & I read it aloud for two or three hours, sitting over the fire on Saturday evening, and Annie sat on the hearth-rug listening. Whenever we stopped she cried, "Go on; go on !", and was ready to cry when we gave up reading at 9 o'clock. She has the promise that we shall resume the reading to-night.

Our circuit work is going on satisfactorily, but my colleague, Mr. Carter, a young minister we have called out, has been very ill for sometime. He is, however, likely to resume work soon. He is a promising preacher, but very young - too young for bearing the work of the ministry.

Mr. Goodwin, who is visiting England, may have called to see you by this time. He is one of our ministers, and promised to see you. He is a very agreeable man.

Mrs. Parker has been ill for some time of Gastric Fever, but is now recovering. The rest of the family are well.

With love to you & Phebe, & to Annie (Cuthbert's Widow) and family, whom we have not forgotten, from all.

I am your affectionate Son -
John

Young Street,
Parkside,

December 11 -- 1888

My dear Mother,

You have heard, I understand, that we are going to Chester First station next year. I had no idea to what part of England I would go, until I received on the 13th of September a cablegram from Mr. Travis asking me if I would succeed him at Chester, and requesting me to wire back. I knew nothing of the circuit. But I saw that Mr. Travis had been six years there, and was now in his seventh year. Rev. G. Warner was staying at our house, and he told me that it was just the place for me, as it was the best circuit in the Liverpool district. The people were pleasant and peaceable. So I telegraphed back the single word, "Yes", and the matter was settled as soon as it could have been if I had been living in England.

Chester is on the border of Wales, near to Mr. Gladstone's residence. Liverpool is only 17 miles distant and Manchester 36 miles. It is an interesting old city. The climate of Cheshire is milder than the North of England. We shall not therefore feel the change so much. I have had a letter from Mr. Travis saying how glad they were to get my cablegram, and giving me some information respecting the circuit. The salary and other allowances will, when the difference in the cost of living is taken in account, place me at least in an equal position to what I hold here. In fact, I have reason to think that I shall be better off than I am at present. There are two ministers in the circuit and a missionary at Ellesmere Port working among the navvies there, who are engaged in making the great Manchester canal. It is a somewhat wide circuit but there is good railway accommodation, and I can, if I like, get home every night.

A chapel and schools have been erected in the city of Chester costing about £7000. Most of the sittings in the new church have been let and the people are pretty well off. The premises are equal to anything in the Connexion, and the best in the city. The church is also, Mr. Travis thinks, the largest. "We have a good position here. It is no coming down to be a Primitive Methodist. We have very splendid possibilities. Take it altogether there is no circuit I would so soon accept." These are his own words. With the blessing of the Lord I have good hopes that we shall be happy and successful. Ellie and I are very satisfied with the prospect, and shall be glad to see the old land and yourself and Phebe again.

I am not certain when we shall leave Australia. It will probably be either on the 1st or 18th of April. At any rate, if all go well, we shall reach England at the latest on the 22nd or 23rd of May. We shall, I hope, be able to make our way to the North to see you soon after landing. Ellie is very busy making things for the voyage and England. We shall arrive at a good time, and have the summer before us. We had two winters the year we went to Africa and we shall have two summers the year of our return. I was sorry to hear from Mr. Atkinson that one of his sons was in dying circumstances when he wrote, the youngest, in his 20th year.

We are all in good health. I shall leave Kate to tell you all the other news - With warmest affection to you & Phebe.

I am your affe Son
John

[P. S.] Enclosed is P. O. O. for £8. JW

Young Street
Parkside,

March 8th. 1889

My dear Mother,

We set sail for England on Monday, April 1st, by the Orient Steam Ship "Iberia". It is our intention, if all go well, to stay a week, or so, in London, on our arrival, and then to go on to the north to see you and Phebe. We expect to reach England about the 6th of May. I am going either before, or after, Conference to Wearhead to preach chapel sermons, and then to Spennymoor for the same purpose. Ellie and the girls are going to Weardale with me and probably to Spennymoor. Besides these engagements I am invited to take part in the Free Trade Hall meeting in Manchester in October, and to preach Anniversary sermons in Liverpool in September. I am likely to be invited to a great deal of this kind of work. But as my circuit is a large one, requiring a great amount of attention and labour, I shall not go much from home, when I am once fairly settled in it. I have had letters from Mc.Kechnie and others welcoming me back to the English work.

We have just held our Conference here of which I have been President. It has been a very harmonious and successful meeting. A farewell meeting is to be given to us on the 25th of this month. Mr. Goodwin is expected to arrive from England in a few days. He informed me of his visit to you, and that he spent a pleasant hour or two in your company. Mr. Gilmore and his family are coming to this colony. We have appointed him to North Adelaide, where we have a very handsome church, and which is a most beautiful place of residence. His son, who is entering the ministry, is appointed to Morgan, a small township on the Murray river. Mr. Gilmore is leaving England on account of his wife's health. I trust he will be successful and happy in the Colony. He is expected to enter upon his duties on the 26th of April. It is intended to give him a splendid reception meeting. I am sorry I cannot see him. We shall pass each other somewhere in the Indian Ocean.

We are anticipating seeing you with great pleasure. Kate will finish this letter. Love to you & Phebe.

Your loving Son
John