20th Dec. 1867

My dear Walter & Alexander

Much as my mind is depressed by the melancholy death of your dear father, I cannot suffer this letter to be sent off without adding a few lines to you both. Thank God my dear children are still left me. Would that under these trying circumstances you were here to blend your tears with mine in sympathy, but in the Providence of God it is ordered otherwise, for even my daughters are at least 100 miles off. This seems hard - very hard.

Your dear father, I rejoice to say, left a happy testimony behind of his resting upon Jesus as the only Saviour of sinners. In broken accents towards the last he said "I am waiting for the appearance of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" and when asked what he had to say to the dear boys in a far country, his reply was, "Give them my love and tell them to seek Jesus". His illness was remarkable for but little suffering, much calmness of mind and resignation to the will of God. Poor dear, he has not left a better behind in many respects.

Dear Anne left -- [torn] a week -- she -- right hand. Your dear father insured his life for a hundred pounds and in two Societies [so] that I hope with the rents of 3 Cottages which at present are in the Building Society, when all debts are paid, I shall have nearly enough to live upon. My time here can only be for a few years at most when I hope to be reunited to the husband of my youth and "old age". We know in Heaven there is neither marriage nor giving in marriage but I believe there will be a knowledge of the relationship. At all events we shall see each other, for the Bible says there we shall behold Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that in Heaven there will be no parting. This enables me now to bear without overwhelming grief the bereavement of one who was dear to me in life and will be so in death.

May God bless you and yours my dear sons and make you happy here and hereafter. I will try and write again soon but as my stay in this neighbourhood may be short, you had better direct your future letters to Mr. Hopwood, 195 Sloane St, Chelsea. Should I determine to take up my abode with Anne of course they will be directed to Brimscombe. I remain

My dear Sons

Yours in much love but in deep affliction

Sarah Murray