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Your very welcome letter of the 20th Oct. found me yesterday in London—-at
½ past 8 last night we left via Dover & Calais & today at 11
we reached this most splendid city in the world. First however let me advert
to the contents of yr letter. It contains much of interest. You had
previously written me about Tommy's profession of religion, but said
nothing about the girls. I trust their young hearts may become thoroughly
imbued with the love of Christ & that they may never lose these sacred
influencces, but live & grow in them daily. I am really grieved to hear
of poor Sutter's death. I hopes he would get well—how does his poor
wife bear it! like a true Christian no doubt! truly poor Brother & Sister
Sutton have had afflictions to come heavily upon them. May God enable
them to bear all & yet praise Him. Poor M. Preston, yet why say poor—he
is blessed—in having a disposition a desire to turn to Christ. May he
if still living have faith saving faith & if already gone may his heart
have been cheered with the sweet assurance that his sins were all forgiven—through
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. how empty do all things
earthly seem, when afflictions lie heavily upon us. How utterly insufficient
is all that earth can give us—when we feel that death is near.
Oh Lord grant that we, all of us, may have Christ formed within our hearts
the hope of Glory. To promise ourselves any such happiness we must walk
in his commandments & statutes blamelessly. God help us to do so.
Sunday morning last I heard preaching in the Wesleyan Chapel on City
Road street London—the chapel was built by Mr. Wesley—the interior is
very handsome yet neat the wa;;s are filled with monuments under the
galleries & in the rear. The pulpit does not stand against the rear wall
but some twenty feet out. The recess is a semicircle & used for the communion,
in this recess are slabs to Jno. & Chas. Wesley, Fletcher, Coke,
Watson & some other distinguished Wesletans. The congregation was a good
one, yet not over 30 remained to communion. In the afternoon we went
to St. Paul's Uathedral, probably the handsomest Cathedral in the world
& heard a sermon, and chaunting of all the Psalms and Paryers—the chaunting
is all by Men & Boys, in white gowns, and is thrilling beyond description.
The organ is fine toned & when the sound swells through the
long aisles & lofty arches it is sublime. William & myself on Monday
went up to the top of the ball 660 feet high, it is very laboring. We
went also to the Tower of London which I must tell you about when we meet.
I was very sick crossing the channel last night, as were nearly all
the passengers & my head is not yet clear of it.
We are at the Hotel Windsor on the Rue Rivoli which runs along side
the Tuileries. I suppose one of the most magnificent public gardens in
the world, at lower side commences the Champ-Elysses—a most beautiful
drive lined with trees on each side, here is also a great open place or
square covered with grand Monuments & rising in the center the Luxor (a
tall shaft covered with Hieroglyphics) brought from Egypt by Napoleon &
supposed over 3000 years old. The sight is grand beyond description,
carriages driving in every direction, soldiers on horseback & on foot,
rising near all the magnificent Palme d'Industrie or Chrystal
Palace, whilst we were in the midst of this exciting scene this
afternoon we observed the mounted guards & foot police actively
clearing out the road, when presently came furiously by the Imperial
carriages, these with four horses to each with postiooions
and outriders, whipping & spurring the horses to their utmost
speed. We could not see the inmates but I understood the Emperor
was in one of the carriages. They drove up to the Crystal Palace.
Wm. & myself went in but saw nothing of the Royal party. It is
now bed time. I will reserve a small space for the morning &
then close, so good night & God bless you all.
full.
This is a charming day. Paris is gay, smiling and doubtless happy.
The French are the happiest looking people in the world—you will
be delighted when you come over with the bright looks of the
handsome chamber maids, with the neatest white caps on, jabbering away
in French and looking as innocent as doves, and may be for aught
I know.
Every thing is done here to amuse the people that can be
imagined, that is the policy of the government, to keep them from
feeling that they are oppressed. William is complaining of his
foot, he hurt it going up to Adl—- Seat near Edinburgh & has
not gotten over it. Kiss Charley, Lizzy, Ally, Carry, Lelia,
Rosalie, Tommy, Robby & Nanny & take 1000 for yourself. Love to
all & every body. Farewell & may Heaven bless you.
of Elizabeth Echols. EDG)
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