Rev A Brandram - No 106
Woodstock, New Brunswick, 22nd July 1841
My Dear Friend,
I arrived in this place about dusk last night from Madawaska, after being cramped up for two days in a little canoe made of the bark of the birch tree, having descended about 120 miles down the River St. John. The narrative of my mission to that place shall be immediately prepared, and be in readiness for next packet.
On my arrival I received your letter of the 2nd July at the Post Office here; and as there is a pending subject in it, I hasten to reply.
You say, in reference to my wish to prosecute my medical studies during the ensuing winter at Montreal, "Could not that study be better and more advantageously prosecuted in London, or Scotland?" Knowing the medical circumstances of the three places, and their respective advantages and difficulties to a student such as the one in question, I have no hesitation in deciding in favour of Montreal. There I have hopes of accomplishing the object I have in view, but in the other two I could not I fear hope for the same. I need not enter into the particulars, as they are medical and college points. I therefore decidedly prefer Montreal, and I may say, medically, for personally it would be more gratifying to me to spend the winter in London or Edinburgh.
Your kind and unasked indulgence of continued salary last winter, you know I do not petition for. The past favour was kind and unexpected, but do not embarrass yourself by any official difficulties on this score. The first £100 medical fee that I receive, shall be yours, in lieu of that kindness. This is a bird in the bush, you will say, and so it is; but you will recollect, I offered you one in hand.
I am glad that you all acquiesce in my view of a mission to Spanish America. I have turned the subject over in my mind much, and gave you the result of my cogitations. The Lord direct in this mission: it may be very important in its results. I do earnestly request of each individual among you who may at times remember me at the throne of grace, to pray specially for me in reference to this mission. Much as I have travelled, and familiar as I am with these countries, yet still I feel it quite an undertaking to start for them, and to traverse them anew. But I murmur not, nor hesitate, and I have nothing to complain of, for when I went first out to those countries, I went out with the purpose of never returning home. I did return, because the way was made obvious to me, and duty required. But if I should now return and die there, all is well. I say these things to induce my dear and kind Bible associates to pray the more for me, for I feel more than ever the need of prayer.
I am happy in learning that you have two excellent offers of service for the West Indies. Whether you send one or two, you must hold them up by prayer, for the climate is trying and critical, and so is the Bible service there. But the field is rich, and well worth being diligently cultivated by you for years to come. It is divested now of its giant difficulties, but still there is much need of great care, friendliness, and delicacy, in steering among the various parties civil and religious in these Islands. I shall always read your Reports of them with interest.
Praying for yourself, and for all our Associates,
I remain, My Dear Friend and Brother,
Affectionately Yours,
James Thomson.