L AIRG, Sutherlandshire, 6th October, 1908,—My dear friend,
I duly received your kind letter inviting me to your solemn assembly which is beginning this week. Well, however, much I would like to be with you I find now that it is out of the question that I can go at this time.
I find it more apparent the longer I live, that it is not in man who walketh to direct his steps. Should I go I could not leave until Friday, and I have (D.V.) to be in Dornoch on Tuesday a week to-day, and besides I have a bad cold though the weather has been so hot of late, but that is the worst kind of cold. I have little reason to complain when He is bearing with me yet, for it is very true, however, little I realise it that it is of the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. I know you will be feeling your weakness but “in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” “He giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” I trust that will be true concerning you at this time.
I had a letter the other day from a highly esteemed friend who was on the west coast of the country in which he said, “that the Lord has been nearer His people in solemn means this year than I have felt for many years past. This was specially true on the west side of the country.” I am sure you would wish this would extend as far as you.
I believe very trying times are very near us, I fear clouds are gathering that will cause great bloodshed in the world and
that in judgment it will come to us for we as a nation and individuals are provoking the Most High to punish us for our sins. May the Lord keep His own as the apple of His eye as He promised to do.
I was at Dornoch on Saturday and was a while with worthy Angus Murray. He is wonderfully bright although very frail. His memory is gone as to earthly things but in spiritual things he is kept wonderfully. Yours sincerely, A. Gray.