[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Princeton Feb. 14th 1880
Dear Sister:-
It is now Saturday night. I have just returned from prayer meeting. I have several letters which must be written: but yours shall come first. Since the young ladies were the chief theme of your letter, I shall attend to them first. Julia [wife of his brother Calvin, a missionary in China since 1864] had told me of Miss Davis' application and appointment togo [sic] as a missionary. She must certainly be a fine lady. Her spirit of consecration is very much to be admired. I should like to meet her. Julia thought she would come to Phila. to study medicine. If so, I may get to meet her. If she is not intended for me, perhaps some of my missionary class-mates might fancy her. There are five of us on the warpath. It is amusing to see how animated we grow on the subject. We rather think we ought to go out next Fall: - "but just think, I have no wife", so it goes.
Mr. Ridout a royal man is going to northern China. Perhaps he & Miss D. might agree. I rather fear she is too light complected for me. Jai Laughlin has positively decided to go. He thinks his field lies between Africa & the Indians. He has no idea of Lillie [Robert's sister] for a wife. I am persuaded of that: so Mother need not give herself any trouble on that score. I know nothing about Eckler.
Ridout is going out with me to spend next Sab. at Millstone[.] It would be grand if he would marry Lillie. I have just heard from Marquies. He sends love to the family. He is having good success in his work. Wishard [Luther Wishard, a class-mate, and a leader in the Y.M.C.A.] is now on his way to Tenn. where he is to spend a month travaling [sic] among colleges. Dr. Nichol of St. Louis, is to preach here tomorrow.
I am drifting off of the wife question - Lillie & I spent last Sab. in Phila. I went out with Miss Lee in the evening. I am very much pleased with her so far as I know her. As to whether she is the one for me to take to China, however, I am not yet able to dicide. [sic] I don't know
thatwhether I could get her or not if I should be disposed to ask her. Julia can give you a better idea than I as to what sort of a person she is. I am trying to leave this matter with the Lord. No doubt it will all come out right in the end.The new Review is out. I have not heard much about it however. I overlooked your questions about the book & article. I shall enquire and let you know. Mr Wilder's Review is still flourishing. I have not called to see them very recently. There is a new Evangelical Review just started by Dr. Simpson of N.Y. City. I judge it will be a splendid thing.
Calvin & Julia spent a Sab. here [Calvin & Julia Mateer were in the U.S. at this time, on a visit from China]. They were nicely entertained by Dr Aiken. The people liked them both very much. I heard very many students say that Calvin made the best talk they ever heard on Missions[.] Some professors said the same thing. He is certainly a success in that line. Horrie has positively decided to study medicine. I am glad to hear of Mr Reigart's new departure: also that Jane is so pleased with her new home. I am very undecided as to the near future, I
[Rest of the letter by brother Robert Mateer is missing.]