DEAR MR. EDITOR,—As so many former deputies to the Forces in England have already given detailed reports of their mission, I do not intend to give a detailed account of mine, as it would involve, in many respects, repetition of what has been previously so well stated. I shall therefore be very brief.
Our Mission is very much now confined to Chatham and Portsmouth, and between these two places I spent the last three Sabbaths of June and the first two Sabbaths of July. There is still a large number of Highlanders, especially from Lewis and Skye, serving at these places, and our average attendance would be about one hundred. It certainly gives one a feeling of terrible responsibility to stand before these dear, brave men. Some of them have just returned from the jaws of death, while others are being daily called away to join their ships, to meet cruel enemies, and possibly may never return. May He who could command the wind and waves to be still and there was a great calm, keep them and bring them back safely!
It may be interesting to your readers to know that in Chatham the prayer meetings, which were reported by former deputies, are still held by the men each night of the week. I attended these meetings every alternate week on Thursday and Saturday. It is encouraging to know that one of the naval officers takes part in these meetings when his onerous duties will allow him. There are several men in this place who evidently fear the Lord, and who are capable of conducting the meetings. It was also pleasant to see so many young men attending on week days. The contrast between the attendance at those meetings, with the seriousness which characterized them, and the attendance at the meetings held at home in connection with the war, was very marked. Those men are brought face to face with solemn realities.
At Portsmouth the men had not the same privileges as at Chatham. One reason why they have not these daily prayer meetings is that they are more scattered than at Chatham, and few of them stay in the Barracks. A service, which I attended, was kept every Friday evening, besides the service on Sabbath evening. Our services are greatly appreciated by these dear men in their trying circumstances, and all were pleading that we should attend to them in their time of need, and saying that they would ever remain grateful to the Free Presbyterian Church for those services.
I also paid a visit to Hunstanton, a beautiful small town in Norfolk, on the sea coast, where a company of the Lovat Scouts was stationed. Here I met some from all parts of the Highlands, especially from Fort-William, Skye, and Uist. I held a service in the evening, when about one hundred and fifty assembled, and this being the first Gaelic service they had had since leaving home, it was much appreciated. All were anxious that our deputy should visit them, either on week-day or Sabbath, as often as possible.
Our heart’s desire and prayer to God is that the weak efforts put forth may be blessed to these dear fellows.—Yours, etc.,
NEIL MACINTYRE.