c/o Keeling,
814 Arlington Street.,
Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada.
28th Nov., ’62.
Dear Mr Sinclair,
I wish to give you a brief account of my sojourn to U.S.A. and Canada. On the 13th July I flew from Prestwick at 12.30 (noon) and arrived in New York at 1.50 p.m. (N.Y. time) that afternoon, i.e., 6.50 p.m. B.S.T.—6hrs. 20mins. We were flying at a height of 35,000ft. over the Atlantic. Mrs John Gillies, Glasgow, (Mary Cumming) with their two little daughters and Mr John Macdonald (Divinity Student) kindly came with me as far as the Prestwick Airport. Mrs Donald Mackay, 117 Ridge Road, Donglaston, New York, was meeting me with their car at N.Y. Airport. I stayed with Mr and Mrs Mackay for ten days. They showed me the greatest kindness. I held services on two Sabbaths in their most hospitable home. We had 25 to 35 present. There I was very pleased to meet Mrs Kursar — affectionately known as Janetta MacAskill, Edinburgh.
From New York I travelled by bus to Detroit — 687 miles. Mr Angus Thomson, 3958 Lakepointe, with whom I stayed, met me with his car at the bus station. Mr and Mrs Thomson (from Ness, Lewis) showed me the greatest kindness. I held a service on Sabbath in Mr Angus Campbell’s house, 125 Berkeley, Dearborn. Many friends in Detroit kindly invited me to their homes.
Mr Angus Campbell (from Ness, Lewis) kindly took me all the way from Detroit to Toronto by his own car, a distance of 240 miles. In Toronto I stayed in the warm home of Mr and Mrs John Morrison, 10 Chartwell Road. I held a service in their home and also in the Bloor Street Church. We had from 20 to 35 present. Mr and Mrs Morrison (from Ness, Lewis) showed me the greatest kindness. They took me by their own car on a beautiful day to the Niagara Falls — a wonderful sight.
From Toronto I flew to Winnipeg, a distance of 1,230 miles. It took us 3 hours. At the Winnipeg Airport Mr and Mrs H. Kitchen were meeting me with their car. Since coming to Winnipeg Mr and Mrs Kitchen have been kind and affectionate friends to me. Many friends in this large city have shown me much kindness. Time and space does not permit to mention them all by name. I was over two months here in Winnipeg before proceeding to Calgary and Vancouver.
I travelled from Winnipeg to Calgary by train, a distance of 800 miles. Mr and Mrs Allan Macleod and Mr Anderson kindly met me at the station. While I was in Calgary I stayed in the hospitable home of Mr Angus Beaton. Mr Beaton and his two daughters were exceptionally kind to me. I stayed with them for a week before proceeding to Vancouver and a week on my way back. I held services there on two Sabbaths. We had 30 and 37 present. There were a good number of Holland friends present.
From Calgary I travelled by train to Vancouver, a distance of over 800 miles. On my journey to Vancouver I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful scenery of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Our dear friends Dr. and Mrs Macdonald and Mr Allan MacAskill were kindly meeting me at the station. I stayed in Vancouver for two weeks. Dr. and Mrs Macdonald made me feel very much at home with them. While in Vancouver Dr. Macdonald and I visited most of the Free Presbyterian homes there. All the friends were very kind to us.
From Vancouver I went to Prince Rupert by ‘plane, a distance of over 500 miles. I stayed there for two days and flew back to Vancouver. That evening Dr. Macdonald and I travelled by train to Calgary. After a week there I came back to Winnipeg where I am at present. The Lord has been breaking up the way for me wonderfully and to Him be the praise. I trust I have enjoyed “times of refreshing from the Presence of the Lord” since coming to Canada and U.S.A.
We had our communion here last Sabbath. Messrs Thomas Macdonald and Allan Macleod (elders) were with us. We are having fairly good congregations here—quite a number coming from other denominations.
Many friends in Winnipeg, who hold the Rev. James Macleod’s name in high esteem, are very sorry to hear of his illness and are affectionately asking for him. Our dear friend is prayerfully remembered in public and private by his friends in this city.
If you wish, Mr Sinclair, to send the above to the Free Presbyterian Magazine you are at liberty to do so. I am having good news from home. I trust you are keeping well.
I am staying with Christian friends Mr and Mrs Keeling (not of our church). Mr Keeling is English and his wife Irish. They show me the greatest kindness.
With very kind regards. A happy New Year (D.V.) when it comes.
Yours very sincerely,
Angus Mackay.