FAMILY LETTERS COPIED BY FIONA MACKAY SKINNER AND DELIVERED TO ELIZABETH BALDERSTON IN BERKELEY, CA. 7/09
From The Reverend Donald Sage Mackay to his parents.
June, 1898 On Board the Royal Mail Steamship "Etruria" Saturday afternoon_
My dear Father and Mother,
We are now steaming down the channel beneath cloudless skies and rapidly leaving England behind us. It is a most exquisite day and I sincerely hope we may carry such good weather all the way over. However, I anticipate fogs at this time of the year. I had a pleasant time down from Glasgow to Liverpool this afternoon. I felt dreadfully depressed of course after leaving you all, and now I feel sorry I was not longer in Glasgow with you. Still I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity of seeing your faces once more and we can hope and pray that if ???? we may meet soon again. Papa is ever in my thoughts and prayers and I ???? we may gain some measure of comfort and strength. It was a terrible heartbreak leaving you all.
I found a letter from Nellie awaiting me on the steamer and they are all well at home. I expect another letter from her at ????????. We have a small passenger list and so far I have found no one I know. This is all my news so far. I hope will will have a ????? at Skehuorhe????? ?????. Remember me with kind love to Aunt Bella. It is a great comfort to feel she is with you in these anxious days.
May the Lord greatly comfort and strengthen you.
With much love
Believe me
Your affectionate son, Donald
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_????__XI 1898 From Reverend /Donald Sage Mackay to his mother, Christian Sage Mackay. Sent from 27 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey where he was pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church.
My dear Mamma,
We got the cable on Saturday announcing that the funeral of our dear Father was over. It was a relief as I did not know whether the funeral would be on Friday or Saturday. I need not tell you how constantly you have been in our thoughts and prayers in the bitter loneliness of this time. Personally I cannot get over the sorrow although I do rejoice that his long weary struggle is over and that he has entered into rest. The sympathy of the people here has been extraordinary. I have had scores of letters, cards and flowers. On the night on which the cable arrived telling of the death, a newspaper reporter called — how he heard of it, I do not know — to ask about Papa and a little sketch of him and his work appeared in the paper next day. I enclose some of the letters that you may see how kindly and tenderly they think of you and your grief. I preached twice yesterday as usual as I felt it would be better to carry on my work than brood in the house. It was, however, terribly trying — I with difficulty controlled myself in the pulpit as I realized that this was the first Sabbath in my ministry that I was without his prayers and intercession. The choir sang one anthem from the words, "God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes", which though very beautiful was very trying. However, I got through with services before two ??????congregations. I hope that all matters are being arranged as you would wish. If I were you, I would have the furniture taken out of the house and stored for two or three months and then go and visit Will til you decide what your future movements may be. I think you should leave the Manse as soon as possible. There can be no comfort in staying there. Nellie and the children are well. I have written withdrawing my name from the Fifth Avenue church but we may decide after all to go to the Collegiate Church after the end of this year. With much love your loving son, Donald
From 20 East 66 Street, New York. 5:V:02
My Dear Mother,
I arrived here on Saturday morning after a delightful voyage. We reached the harbour on Friday night but did not get off the vessel until next morning. I enjoyed the trip exceedingly. We had the most beautiful weather. I presided at the ???? board on Thursday evening and made a speech which took so well that nearly all the passengers appeared at Church to hear me preach yesterday! Many of them were English Episcopalians — but they were there. Nell was waiting for me at the pier with Donald, as well as Janet, M. Highman, M. Sinclair, M. Middleston, the Sexton and some others. I had what's called the courtesy of the Port and none of my trunks were even opened by the Custom House officials. I found Nellie looking very well but she is much run down and needs a good long rest. Annette and Winifred are still away so I have not seen them. But Donald and Stewart are in the very best of health and the Whooping Cough is not at all troublesome with any of them. They have it very lightly. I enclose one of Annette's letters — she writes every day. Both she and Winifred are getting on splendidly. Stewart runs about everywhere. He is a great climber, but he grows so affectionate and more like dear Murray in disposition as he grows older.
Yesterday was a beautiful day and we had two splendid congregations - the evening one was specially good. I think the sermons went very well. I feel very encouraged. Everyone was so kind and cordial in welcoming back.
I hope you are enjoying rest in Aberdeen
***
