Letter from Emelia Gurney, London, to Mrs John W. Field, 1886 December 12 : autograph manuscript signed.

Expressing her sympathy for the suffering Mr. Field is enduring in his illness; saying "I can only cry for some miracle of blessing to come out of this dark abyss of suffering - Shall we know one day what it means by the formed substance of patience & Endurance which will equip him for a Leader & Hero among the spiritual hosts - In the mean time, yes, we, his friend, will try & learn from him, as you say, from you both dearest friends in the Furnace - & we will lift up our hands in longing prayer for your upholding - I want to send you an autotype of a picture by Mr. Shields which I think so wondrous - of Peter sinking in the cruel waves & our Lord upholding him - It will speak to you - See how it is just written on the brow that is seeing all poor Humanity's bewilderment - Oh thou of little faith wherefore didn't thou doubt? I have scribbled this off at my Home for poor girls having just received your dear letter - I perfectly remember the 2 Misses Turnbulls - one is beyond the water floods I know - Do thank the kind writer of the letter - I will write in answer soon - This will get to you just before Christmas - What a Christmas! May some previous gleam of its message shine out for you dearest friends - we all value your letting us share a little of your cup of woe as you do. Y'rs & Miss Turnbulls go on to C.E.S. & she communicates with the Leslies & Annie Ritchie."