Underground in France
Mar 14th 1917

My dear Ethel,

Yesterday was a happy day.  Your parcel and one from the Pres. Church Elmwood packed by Miss Matheson.  Every item contained was so very much appreciated.

There is so much to depress one including the absence of mail from you that it is a great event when a parcel comes to hand.  It was in perfect condition.  Even the cigars were not broken and I will write and thank Harford for them.  I have gone over the contents again and again thinking of you and the heart aching love it means and the delight of the children sending so much to Daddy.  I trust they did not have to deny themselves too much.  I am writing this in a very deep dug out in the chalk while the guns of both sides hurl shell at each other at intervals over our heads.  On top we are about our business as usual and I am interested in watching the effect of the Artillery fire until Fritz gets too attentive.  When the forward movement takes place we shall be in the thick of it and get all the artillery fire we want.

We cannot tell what the outcome may be for the any one of us but I do not let my mind dwell on the morbid side of it.  But I cannot go thro’ this experience without thinking of you and the dear children and commending you to God’s care for I know He will care for me and His protecting Arm will not fail me unless He wills it.

In looking back over our married life I am inclined to reproach myself for bringing you so little happiness but I know you will believe that I did my best.  If in the good Providence of God I should return you will know that I have given my all for you and the dear children and your protection which has been a man’s part since the dawn of history.

While on this subject I might say that I am sure you will know better than I what steps to take in the event of my death, but I would suggest tho’ I am sure the same thing would occur to you, that you take some part of the funds you will receive and devote it to qualifying you for some occupation by which you could help augment your income.  I know this presents difficulties which you might not be able to overcome, but I only make the suggestion in a general way.

You will know the value of education enough to need no hints from me on the subject.  But I am sure you would watch over their vital years and see that they are informed on those subjects ignorance of which lead to so much harm.

I would like the boys to be specially guarded against the gross profanity which I regret to say is so widespread throughout Canada.  I would not like them to grow up thinking that the sweet name of Jesus could be used with unblushing shamelessness such as I hear every day of my life these days.  I would like to think of the children growing up to love their Home as the best spot on earth and to learn to always associate with it the name of Jesus and the Bible.  They will learn to read the Bible in the light of modern thought and to know that Christianity centers round a lesson rather than a book.  That the Greatest reality is the Spirit World and things we see around us are expressions and revelations of it.

You must not think that I wrote all this in a fit of despondence for such is far from being the case.  I am in good health and spirits and looking forward to my return to Canada and Home some time this year.  But away back in my mind is the “[?]”.

You will know that I sent a remittance of $45.00 to N.Y. Life Wpg.  This may take 2 months to go through.  So you will keep an eye on this and remember that there is a month’s grace ending about May 21st.

I will write the N.Y. Life myself.

Well, my dear Ethel, I am writing you quite a long letter but I have not heard from you yet since the time you know of.  Why I do not know unless mail is being held back or sunk.

I would like to know that you got this letter so please acknowledge it by reference to the Green envelop it is in.

I have seen nothing of Jim Bird.  Please send me his address.  I suppose his mother is very anxious about him.

Well I must now you wish you goodbye or better still Au revoir with kisses for Dear Dot (“How she does love this man”) and Amy and Alfie and Ernie likewise for your dear self.

Wishing you health and God’s best gifts

I remain
your loving husband
Ern