1841:06:06 I. Blair to GW

My dear Grace,

I was favored with yours this morning – the weather till [?] these few last days has been very favorable for your worthy Aunt’s getting out, as she gets used to it she will feel the exertion less, & her strength will probably increase. I have been informed that muscular strength is never obtained but but by air & exercise both as requisite, to it – exercise without air, is not so beneficial – the weather is colder now but has been & will again be fine – if you cannot apply yourself to Mrs Ferguson Middlehaugh about your // Book perhaps Miss Augusta F might do so, but I thought if you & she were in a friendly way, it would come better direct from yourself, to Mrs. F. She is at Middlehaugh so as Miss AF knew when I asked her, but if you want Miss AF to do it – she has no prospect of meeting with her that I know of, nor can I presume that she can make such an application to her, but know she will be most ready to do it if she can. I need not tell you huw much I prefer our form of worship to the Presbyterian but there is one thing that has struck me, that at the sacrament the congregation giving the elements to each other seems more like the first institution of it “take this & and divide // it amongst yourselves” – it never sruck me so forcibly as lately – I fear to do wrong in not doing it in that way – I have looked into a great many Books after the Rules of the Church of England upon the sacrament[.] I can find none that explains why it is not done in that way – I am surrounded by Presbyterians here I have almost no one I can get the opinion of after it[.] Will you tell me what you think? Was it to the Disciples only that were to divide it among themselves – they being Ministers appointed to teach and to preach and then to divide and give it through the [?] – I know the heart is what our Blessed Saviour desires to be right – no [] can be put in competition with that – [?] must be secondary of course, please // let me hear soon as to this & please address to me Logie Almond [i.e., Logiealmond], Perth – I mean to go there Tuesday [?] & to remain for some days – perhaps a week – well kind regards I am

Affectionately yours

I Blair

I am very much pleased you have got Mr  Ramsey I Mulyah’s[?] names[.] I hope from the way you write may be uncles – I have got [?] & write for Miss AF [?] to be useful and interested in your work – she left there some time ago and resides in New Scoon – I heard from her yesterday – if Miss Webster cannot go out for weather or any other reason walking or doing little things through the home is far better than no exercise, for making her sleep. I like so to be employed through the day for that & other reasons – but for[?] the air] she will find it best for her strength to take exercise regularly through the House too when able.