LETTER FROM THE LATE REV. S. EDGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6564, 30 November 1882, Page 3

LETTER FROM THE LATE REV. S. EDGER.

The following letter was written at sea by the late Rev. S. Edger to the Rev. Mr. Neill, of the Thames:—"Our voyage is likely to bo remarkable as the longest passage on record. Fifty days to Cape Horn— no one ever heard of a passage of more than thirty-five days, and now we are becalmed half the time (2Sth July). We drag our weary way along, often at the rate of one mile per hour. When we manage to go faster it is generally out of our course. I should have managed very well, but this is wearing me out; whether I shall see the end of it I cannot tell. ... I have done a vast deal of writing, including some sermons and a lecture on Carlyle, nearly finished, but I am getting tired and weary, and I am afraid dispirited. Things seem to be against us. Last Sunday was the first Sunday wc have had lit for a service. We bad one at eleven a.m.; I gave them a little sermon. 1 suppose we shall keep it up to tlie end of the voyage if possible. lam very glad of it, as 1 cannot bear having nothing to do, and a little work of the kind makes the time go more pleasantly, and what is most to me, makes it seem more worth while to be here. I often wish you were here, J feel so lonely, and being often very unwell and in pain, want some kind of relief which I cannot get. The nights are especially trying, as 1 cannot sleep, and get quite worn out with restlessness. . . . If I never see New Zealand again, I entrust all my MSS. to Katie and Lily to edit and publish. You may be able to render them some assistance. I do not believe my life has been in vain. There are questions raised, and partly studied, both in the later sermons and in some autobiographic notes that should accompany them, that are worthy of attention, and will sooner or later demand it. Since leaving X;w Zealand wc- can appreciate it. If I ever get well enough, oh, bow we shall long to be lack again! I don't think there is any place like Auckland, and expect that feeling to grow every day. Hope we shall hear from you ; and. if it were right, the stro:.gest wish I have ever had would be to see you again soon. I cannot realise .'fci'.tall. With love, and remembrance to all friends at the Thames, — Yours, most truly, Sami'ki. Kdckr.