[Envelope addressed: Rev. John A. Cairns, Poplar Grove P.O. Assa., North West Territ Via Wapella. Postmarked: Halifax N.S. Can. 1903 Feb 911:30 p.m. Two cent Queen Victoria stamp. Receiving postmark: Wapella Assa. Fe 14 03. Sealing wax on flap of envelope.]
26 Robie St Feb 9th 03
Dear Mr. Cairns,
I was much pleased a few days ago to get a letter from you and hear of your prospects in the great west. I have often thought of going to the west. I thoroughly believe that now is the time to take the gospel into the country for delay in doing so no doubt will make it more difficult later.
At present I am in my last year in Dalhousie. I expect to come back to Pine Hill next year. Some of the students at Pine Hill at present expect to go west this summer and next winter finish their course at Winnipeg College. I spoke to some of the boys about buying some of your books but they seemed to think that it would be impossible for them at present, some said they would buy after if they could have a look over them, and thus select what would suit them. For myself I should like very much to get a few; but I did not look over them closely while at the manse and do not remember any that I need. I expect to go into the foreign work and any books I would need would be along that line would you mind sending me a list of what books you have on foreign missions. I would like to have a few of them, but owing to my poverty at present I fear I will not be able to buy many.
I had a very pleasant visit at the manse while in Barney’s River. Mrs. Cairns looks very well somewhat older than when I used to see her in Scotsburn. The rest of the family are also looking well and hearty. I saw a great difference in them especially in John whom I scarcely think I would know had I met him anywhere else than at home. Miss Janet is managing the school there very successfully so the people of the section whom I met said. The schools closed before I got to Barney’s River so I did not have an opportunity of visiting her school.
I believe the west at present is a splendid place for teachers. I was much pleased to hear about Robert Dean being out there. I used to know him at Pictou Academy. He carries the stamp of the Sedgewicks all right both in appearance and intellect.
I think your plan for preserving news paper clippings a good one. So far I have not formed the habit of preserving these clippings at all but I believe it would be a good plan to do so. I have made four envelopes such as you described but I don’t imagine I will need many except for foreign missions clippings. My whole inclination is toward the foreign work and feel that news paper clippings preserved in that work will be of great use to me later.
They have not secured a successor to Dr. Gordon at Pine Hill yet. Rev Mr Goudier former pastor of Fort Massey church is talked of as a probable successor. Most of the students are in favour of his appointment.
On the first sabbath I was at Barney’s River they took a vote on the organ question. The ballots were not counted when I left; I never heard how the vote went but would judge from what each side had to say on the subject that neither would be apt to take defeat gracefully. Two years ago a son of McDonald one of the organ opposers was attending Dalhousie I boarded part of year in the same house with him there. A more stubborn piece of humanity I never saw I was rather curious to see the family from which such a fellow could come so while in B.R. I had the opportunity. McDonald asked me up to spend a night with them. They used me splendidly but I could easily see where the young fellow got his peculiarities. I have little wonder that they have disputes in the congregation if they have many such studiously obstinate characters as the young fellow I used to know here. With best wishes for you in the great west,
I am yours sincerely, Luther L. Young