Sault-Ste-Marie
2-20-17
32 Ferris Ave

Mrs. [?] McLean
Echo Bay.

Dear Mrs and Mr McLean

I saw in the Echo Bay News the account of the death of your noble brave young son. You are again called upon to go through mother "Gethsomane". May He who went through his "Gethsomane" sustain you in your hour of deep sorrow. Dear friends you certainly have had your share of sorrow. But remember the words "He whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." You have been sure tried but the [?] of sorrows are [?] acquainted with grief understands it all. He will give you that peace that passeth all understanding that the world cannot give and the world cannot take away. From my own experience I can recommend Him I have tested Him and found Him not wanting. For certainly is a grand thing when we can come to God with all our sorrows and burdens. He can make our burdens easy and He can help us to say "Thy will be done."

I know Mrs McLean that your loss is great no one but a mother knows how great. Your are one of many mothers. My time may be next as I have a son overseas went with first contingent, a son-in-law as German prisoner I have [?] and cousins there also. Someone has to go crush these monsters who are trying to conquer the world and your brave son who felt the call gave his fine young life with all its bright prospects etc as sacrifice on the altar of his country. "Greater love hat no man than he who lays down his life for his friends." He died that we might live and not have our splendid liberty taken from us. "Noble boy" you can always remember him with love and pride. He had the blood of his noble Scottish ancestors in him no slavery for him. You remember when Brinee Derick to his men Who will fill a cowards' grave let him turn and flee. Your son heard the call and he did not turn a deaf ear to it.

Should Canada ever need his help
To give his enemies a scalp
He'll make them proud [?] like any whelp
and give respect to Canada

Your noble son responded when Canada was in need of help and he did his "bit."

Now my dear friends may the God of love and compassion give peace to your heart and soul is the heartfelt prayer of

Mary Jane McLean