has been delightful for the last two or three days, although there has been a sharp frost morning and evening. The warm clothing has arrived, so we are all jolly and comfortable. I have been very weak since my illness, and unable to write, otherwise you may be sure, dearest mother, I should not have kept silence so long. There is positively nothing stirring here. Strong firing is kept up at intervals; but with this exception, one might really doubt whether we were in an enemy's country. The hospitals are still full, and many poor fellows die every week; but I trust we have seen the worst. The chaplain of our Division has gone to England invalided, and there is no one to take his place, so we have no service for sick or well: but I mean to ask the Colonel whether I may read in the hospital next Sunday. You will he glad, precious mother, when I tell you that, although there have been cloudy seasons for my soul, I have generally been enabled to rely on the faithfulness of Jesus; and I find such comfort in looking only to Him, and trusting in His intercession and atoning blood. Oh! darling mother, how lonely I feel when Jesus withdraws himself from me, and leaves me for a time to myself; but those blessed words in Isaiah have often restored happiness to myself — 'For a small moment I have forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.' I enjoy the presence of Jesus often now, and when He is near me I feel happy and peaceful. May He become more precious to our souls each day, and may our hearts be changed gradually more and more after His likeness.
"God bless and keep you all. Give my best love to my dear grandmother, and tell her I remember her in my prayers."
