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- Handwritten letter and envelope sent by Andrew Inglis of London, England to David Birrell, of Windsor, Canada, concerning matters of religion and the effect of the Civil War on the supply of cotton in England. London 31st January 1861 My Dear Birrell, I had much pleasure in receiving your letter, and note[?] all you say. It is, as you remark, a delightful thought "God loves us," for had our salvation depended on our love to God we could and have been saved as all after the fall. But may you and I not be thankful that we have been led by the Spririt to choose the better part which shall not be taken away from us, may we not be thankful that we have had the light that is denied to so many, or rather you so many refuse. My conviction of the necessity of f[….] Christianity is more strengthened within the last two months since I entered my new office. There are in it other four who are all very […], & three of them very immoral. Of course they look upon religion as mere humbug; I want to convince them that it is not, and I see the best way to do it is by the life. I see that if I declare myself to be led by the dictates of the Birth, but at the same time enter heartily into their amusements & idle pleasures, that my Christianity is vain. They respect a man who says 'no' to temptation, but they disrespect a man who is always arguing & never acting. I am precluded from quoting scripture as their [sic] is a Roman Catholic in the office who is constantly doing so, but out of whose mouth at the same time proceeds blessing & cursing; this of course has led them all to think very lightly[?] of the scripture. I hope that my influence amongst them turn[?] out for good. By-the-way you will be glad to hear that I have got another situation. It is in the Secretary's office of one of the London Railways, & I like it very much, it is not such hard work as I had before & rather better pay. I notice your comments upon the political state of America at present, which are very interesting & which have afforded me additional information to what I get in the newspapers. Your explanation of the revolution is a good "get off"- you make out that the Americans could not stand […], because they are a chip off the old block- Thus rolling the blame on the old block after all; however that is done with, what we have to do with is the present. I was in the City today & heard one gentleman say to another "Well are they going to make you a director of the new Cotton Co." so you see we are looking about us to see where we can get cotton independent of the States- India & Africa are both looked to as fields & have been spoken of for many years, but you know we speak about things a long time before we act; but now since we are pushed, we are making an effort. Your mention of B[…] G[…] reminds me of old […], who I am glad to say is again in a good way of living- he is servant to a lame[?] gentleman, which suits him much better than […] at kicking […]. My friends at home are all in their usual, my Father very frail. Mr. Bell is quite well, he has another of his brothers coming to London. London swallows up a great many S[…]. My Uncle's family are likewise well. And I am well and hoping this will find you the same I am My dear Birrell. Yours Affectionately, Andrew Inglis
- Date Issued:
- 1861-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society