Description John Geddie

Mr & Mrs W. Harrington ---

 

Aneiteum, New Hebrides, Jan 15th, 1867

My Dear Charlotte and William,

I take my pen to write you a few lines.  I scarcely know what to say as Mama's and Lucys letter will contain all domestic news.  You will be glad to hear that we are all well though suffering a little from the heat at this season of the year.

I wish to write you a few words about my dear John.  He is now bordering on 15 years of age.  It will be necessary to decide something about his future prospects by the close of another year.  You know that nothing would be more pleasing to his mother and myself that to see him in the same work as ourselves, but God only can incline him to this.  If he is not inclined to prosecute his studies for the ministry then he must think of something else. You are on the spot and will be able to advise him, and I trust that he will be quided by your advice in this and other matters.  I have written to Mr. McGregor and to Mr. Stairs also about John and I am sure they will be willing to give you the benefit of their counsel.  It will be great satisfaction to us to hear that John has decided on something.  He is now growing up to manhood and there is no time to be lost.  I should like to yeild to Johns own wishes about his future course, as far as possible.  My choice for John would be the ministry of course.  If he declines this he has before him the professions of law and medicine, neither of which I would chose, but which I would not oppose.  Then there is business.  I think that I would rather see him in business than a lawyer or doctor, because those latter professions are expensive to acquire and the country is already over run with them.  May you be divinely directed in all that you do.  I am far away and can not conduct you, and you must act as you think best for my poor boy.  Give John my love, as I may not be able to write him.

Lucy is likely to settle on Tana.  The other missionaries are well so far as we know, but some of them begin to have their trials.  Mr. Morrison had a teacher killed by the heathen of a neighbouring district.  A small vessel was captured by the natives of Fate and the crew was killed.  A brig which sailed from here a few weeks ago was destroyed by the natives of a small island of this group called Maw, and the fate of the crew is still unknown.  So you see no good has resulted from the visit of H.M.S. "Curacoa." The natives have committed more outrages since she was here than for many years before.

Remember me to Mr. & Mrs. W Harrington, Leit and family Mr. & Mrs. E Harrington and family etc.  May God bless you all.  Write often.

Your Affectionate Father

John Geddie