Letters of condolence sent to Mrs E Murray on the death of her husband Ebenezer Murray on 16 March 1885
Letter dated 18 March 1885, sent from 20 Dublin Street, and signed by John (South?). The letter reads as follows:
Dear Mrs Murray,
It was with a feeling of deep sorrow that I last night received the intimation of Mr Murray’s death.
You will miss him much and all the more so, after the bustle and excitement connected with your present painful duties have been performed and his dear remains are removed to their resting place. It has pleased God to spare you long together and now “one has been taken and the other left”.
I beg to assure you of my sincere sympathy in this your painful bereavement and pray that you may be sustained and strengthened for all that lies before you in the future,
With kindest regards,
Yours ever truly, John (South?).
Letter dated 1 April 1885, sent from 24 Grange Loan, Edinburgh, and signed by (?) on behalf of the Deacons of Albany Street Chapel. It reads as follows:
Dear Mrs Murray,
I need hardly say on my own behalf that while deeply regretting the circumstance which has called forth such an expression of sympathy as the following, it gives me unmixed pleasure to have the privilege of conveying it to you.
At the Deacons’ meeting held in Albany Street Chapel last night it was resolved unanimously on the motion of (?).
“That the secretary express to Mrs Murray the sympathy of the brethren with her in the loss which has befallen her by the death of Mr Murray, and their trust that she may be sustained in her affliction by the God of all consolation.
While the brethren regret the loss of Mr Murray, they have great pleasure in testifying their appreciation of his consistent life as a Christian; of the ability which he brought to bear on the work of the church; and of the hearty and lifelong interest which he took in her welfare.”
I am, Dear Mrs Murray, Yours faithfully (?), Secretary.
Letter dated 6 April 1885, sent from 20 Dublin Street, signed John (South?)
Dear Mrs Murray
At the church meeting held on the 2nd Inst, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to, viz “That it be recorded in the minute book, the great loss we, as a church, have sustained by the death of Mr Ebenezer Murray, who during a long lifetime, rendered valuable service to the cause of Christ in this place, and whether, as an individual, a church member, or as an office bearer, manifested by his consistent walk and conversation, the deep interest he felt in the master’s work. This meeting also desires the Secretary to convey to his widow, the sincere sympathy and condolences of the church in the bereavement she has sustained.”
On behalf of the church I remain
Yours very sincerely John (South?)
Secretary, Albany Street Chapel, Edinburgh
Letter dated 20 April 1885, sent from 134 Princes Street Edinburgh. Signed by Thomas R Marshall, the Treasurer of the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor. He wrote as follows:
Dear Mrs Murray,
I herewith beg to enclose a cheque for £62.10 being payment of the last quarter your late lamented husband attended at the office in Hanover Street.
As I have been connected with the Association since its commencement I had an opportunity of judging of the great worth of your late husband, how intimately he had the interests of the Society at heart, how much he did to develop its […] operations and how wisely he acted often under difficult and trying circumstances. His loss has been a great one but he has left the mark of an honoured name behind and the esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
With kindest sympathy, I am, Dear Mrs Murray, Yours sincerely, Thomas R Marshall.
Enclosed with the letter was a press cutting which reads as follows:
“Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor. A special general meeting of the Acting Committee of the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, summoned by Major William Wyld, chairman, met in the office, No 69 Hanover Street, on Wednesday forenoon for conference. There was a large attendance of the members. Major Wyld, in feeling terms, expressed his deep regret at the death of Mr Murray, superintendent, and the great loss the society had sustained by his removal from among them. In present circumstances he said he felt it necessary that some arrangements should be made at once for carrying on the work of the office; while at the same time there was no need for anything like undue haste in appointing a successor. The members of the committee cordially joined in the remarks of the chairman, expressing their sorrow at the death of Mr Murray, and their sympathy with Mrs Murray at her sad bereavement. After a free interchange of opinion regarding the business of the association and the need of a responsible person to carry on the work, Mr Hugh Rose moved that the Rev A D Robertson, who is a member of committee, be requested to conduct the work of the association in the meantime, and that this meeting stand adjourned for one month. The Rev George Dodds seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. Mr Robertson, being present, agreed to act as superintendent pro tem. Major W Wyld, chairman; Mr T R Marshall, treasurer; and the Rev A D Robertson, superintendent, pro tem, were appointed to act as a sub-committee of management till next meeting.”