Faraday to Benjamin Vincent   25 August 1857

Highgate | 25 August 1857.

My dear friend

I take the cool of the morning to communicate with you for the weather has been so exceedingly hot, and I feel it so much, that even to write a letter or notes in the middle of the day has been oppressive. We hear that all is going on well, & my wife was glad to have a letter: she has thanked you really, if she has not yet written, I cannot call her writing to mind.- Here we are all about as usual. Many away for health mingled with recreation, some for illness alone. Among the latter Mr Martin¹ was confined at home on Sabbath day which is not usual with him. I had hoped that he was in the country, for I think it is fifteen years since he took a trap to the seaside or elsewhere. Mr Paradise whom you will know to be with us looks quite as well as usual:- he returns home this week - It is interesting to observe how fast this world changes. When we are away from our accustomed places the gathering alteration goes on & soon makes an amount that we hardly expected:- and so, if we only remember it, information to those who are away soon waits in quantities. With us, we have had both grave & joyful matters. Yesterday midday I had a note from Mr Macomie² at Old Buckenham, which however was dated Friday³, stating that Mr. Fishers time had come. He died on the Friday supported, as he had been so evidently of late, by a power not human, but of God. On Sabbath day we had the the [sic] happiness to receive a young man William Douglas into the church⁴[.] He is no connexion of any of the friends, though Mrs. Charles Baxter⁵ has been his very kind acquaintance for a little while back. He made his way into the Church nothing stopping him:- he spoke to the Elders before dinner; to the Church in the Evening, & was joyfully received by all. It is often striking, & was in this case, to see one come in who, not been accustomed to the manner amongst us, is in that respect new; & to many, as it may appear peculiar, the truth of the matter being however the same; & then it strikes most as a new thing for a little while, & gives rise to questions; & the answers to them may often make oneself think of our own habits of thought. It just shews that wherever God gathers his people out of the world the teaching is the same. It was delightful to hear him take the scriptures, & them only as the rightful declaration of the purpose & way of God & the guide to the Church. So by gathering into his house, & also by gathering into his everlasting kingdom, living & dying, we have had given to us the evidence of the presence of him who is ever watchful over his creatures & is bringing all things on in their course towards that day.

We looked in at your house the other day (when we were taking tea at Mr Whitelaws⁶)[.] All your party looked well there; & they say they are getting on quite successfully. From what I heard from Charles [Vincent] I hope there is some probability of a good entrance into practical life;- but you will know all about it.

Margery [Ann Reid] is here;- they are coming down stairs & I am sure would wish me to send their remembrances to you & Mrs. Vincent. You know how we should like to be remembered to friends, Mr. Boyston⁷, Mr. Philip⁸, Dr. Chrichton [sic]⁹, Mr. Macintosh¹⁰ &c &c[.] I put ourselves in your hand[s.]

Ever dear Brother | Affectionately Yours | M. Faraday.

Address: Mr Vincent | Mr. T.H. Baxter¹¹ | Murraygate | Dundee