me to Jean Gordon, my hostess of the
night season, a letter from Sandy's wife, Jean Hamilton, with sad news
of them at Earlstoun. It was intended for my brother, but according to
the custom of these days, it was not so addressed, for the transmission
of such letters was too dangerous at that time.

"Dear Mistress" (so it ran), "your letter did yield great
satisfaction to me, and now I have good words to tell you. The Lord
is doing great things for me. Colvin and Clavers (Cornel) have put
us out of all that we have, so that we know not where to go.

"I am for the present in a cot house. Oh, blessed cottage! As soon
as my enemies began to roar against me, so quickly came my kind
Lord to me and did take my part. He made the enemies to favour me,
and He gave me kindly welcome to this cottage.

"Well may I say that His yoke is easy and His burden light.

"Dear Mistress Jean, praise God on my behalf, and cause all that
love Him to praise Him on my behalf. I fear that I miscarry under
His kind hand.

"Colvin is reigning here like a prince, getting 'his honour' at
every word. But he hath not been rude to me. He gave me leave to
take out all that I had. What matters suffering after all! But, oh!
the sad fallings away of some! I cannot give a full account of
them.

"I have nothing to write on but a stone by the water-side, and know
not how soon the enemy may be upon me. I entreat you to send me
your advice what to do. The enemy said to me that I should not get
to stay in Galloway gif I went not to their kirk.

"They said I should not even stay in Scotland, for they would
pursue me to the far end of it, but I should be forced to go to
their church. The persecution is great. There are many families
that are going to leave their houses and go out of the land. Gif
you have not sent my former letter, let it not now go, but send
this as quickly as you can. I fear our friends will be much
concerned. I have written that Alexander may not venture to come
home. I entreat that you will write that to him and close mine
within yours. I have not backed his. Send me all your news.
Remember me to all friends. I desire to be reminded to them.

"I rest, in haste, your loving friend and servant,

"JEAN HAMILTON."

Now, I declare that this letter made me think better than ever