430 Hackney Road
Dec. 11, 1867
My dear Brother

I am still here with our dear Mother in her trouble which if you have received my letter to Walter you already know all about. We laid our dead to rest on Sat. Dec. 7 in the same grave with our sister Josephine in Abney Park Cemetery. As you, his sons, were absent, my son Elijah & Uncle Alex were chief mourners; Uncle Hopwood & Sydney Turner also followed.

It was a cold, snowy day, all was dull & dreary, but out hearts were not so sad as you may imagine for we did "not sorrow as those without hope". He left a sure testimony behind of his faith in Jesus. We therefore, with reverent care, laid the empty shell in the grave, but our hearts pictured him before the throne radiant in glory - rejoicing with the blood-washed multitude who cast their crowns at Jesus' feet & own that all the praise of their salvation is due to him. Once I said to our Father, "Are you happy?" "Yes, perfectly." "What makes you happy?" "O trust in Jesus." Ah my brother, what would poor sinners do without trust in Jesus! I cannot tell what they do who live without Jesus but to die without Him is impossible, that is to die in peace as our Father did - calm & quiet, without a murmur - pleased and satisfied with all we did for him - so he passed away.

How is it with you my brother? If without it now, how will you do in the death valley? - Our Father would have been lost if it had been left to the dying hour - but for several years he was ready. The fine plans of salvation that men form for themselves won't do in the dying hour. Their own moral life - their reverence for God - their sincerity in their false hopes - all this then appears in its true light & nothing but it - nothing but it will do then, but oh how much better to have it for the friend in life. The friend to go to in trouble - the friend to help in time of need - the friend to guide all our footsteps in the wilderness. My dear brother, do give your heart to this friend. He has called you many times - now by this death He is calling you again. Don't turn away but seek Him now. Our Mother is comforted now by Him. She knows where to look for comfort & therefore she is calm & looking forward to the time when she too will depart in peace & see the Friend who died for her & the Husband who had gone before. May we all meet there an unbroken family, saved by the blood of Jesus.

Mama will finish this.

Believe me, dear Alex, with love to your wife, Walter, his wife & children,

Your affectionate sister

Anne Evans

I want Mama to come & live with me & then with what Papa has left & what you may send she will be very comfortable. Try to persuade her.