Passages in the lives of Helen Alexander and James Currie of Pentland, and other papers

Letter from Mr. John McMillan * to
James Currie, Merchand, upon
the death of his dear Wife.
Eastfortli, 29th March, 1729.
Dear Brother, — You had never till now an occafion of writing
letters upon such a melancholy subject as the death of your godly
but now glorified once Spouse. But now she is no more yours but
her Lord's, who loved her & gave Himself for her. Now she
fings, but you figh ; she rejoiceth, but you mourn, w h . sM not be so
much for her lofs as envying her poft and place ; for her tears are
wiped off her cheeks, but yours may yet trickle down ; sorrow &
sighing have left her, but yours for a time may continue. But
it's comfortable that it's only in the world that His people hath
tribulation. Tho' ye knew the time of meeting when you came
together in the relation of husband & wife, you could not tell
when the time of parting might be, or on whose fide Death sh? firft
lowse the relation. But now you can tell & say that she is gone
* The Rev. John McMillan (1669-1753) was minifter of the parifh of
Balmaghie, but was deposed by the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright in 1706, on
the sole ground of his refusal to retract a paper which he had presented to the
Presbytery, craving redress of grievances, and advocating Cameronian prin-
ciples. In 1706, he joined the United Societies, and became their first mini-
ster. His son, the Rev. John McMillan, married Elizabeth, daughter of Dr.
Charles Umpherfton. — See Appendix, Note B, — Rev. John McMillan.