BUTCHER, To the Editor of the Dear Sin,—I received this morning the enclosed Christmas greeting from Butcher, with the request that it mig be communicated to the members of the Cathedral congregation. It has unhappily arrived too late to be made use of, as the Dean wished, on Cisristmas Day; but I am sure that those to whom it is addressed will agree with mo that it is better to publish it now than not at all. May I ask you therefore kindly to insert it in your coltimns, together with these few words of explanation. It came into my hands, because the Dean thought that I should be in charge of the Cathedral at Christmas-time, Believe mo, Yours truly, J.C, Hoare.
Ningpo, 3rd January.
My Dear Prorte,—I must place in the hands of the clergyman who is in charge of the Cathedral a few words of affectionate reeting to be read in your ears on christmas Day. Believe me that though we are separated by long distance, I am with you in heart, and my thoughts are often'in your homes, and in the Church which is the link between us, I trust that you may have a happy Christmas unsaddened by illnesses of friends, or bereavements, and that the New Year may come with many blessings in its bounteous hands. I have heard with sincere pleasure that hitherto all has gone well since we parted may you prosper in things material and things spiritual alike; acting and living as if God was your guide, and Heaven your Home.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.