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Grateful for gifts sent, describing their receiving the package from the postman. Had to work on an upcoming "Sabbath School Festival." Her mother has been ill with "Inflammation of the Stomach and Liver." Describes gifts exchanged for Christmas, including fabric and a collection of religious poems, The Changed Cross, possibly by Anson D. F. Randolph. Briefly comments on a passage sent from "Dr. Bushnell's sermon," possibly Horace Bushnell. Discusses religion and the willingness to "do and suffer God's will." Attended Methodist meetings held by Dr. [Walter] Palmer and Mrs. [Phoebe] Palmer, of the Holiness Movement. Discusses lectures, attending a Sunday School Teacher's Institute led by Mr. Pardee of New York, and going to a meeting of the "good Samaritans" who sew for the Industrial School. Mentions the rising popularity of "short dresses." Comments on Mr. Pardees talking of Ralph Wells, "a very successful S. S. Superintendent," and her wish that she could attend his school.

Quotes from an article published in the Liberty Herald on June 5, 1867, relating to Ambrose Colston's death following a train accident. Copies Mary Louisa Chitwood's (1832-1856) poem, "To the Memory of a Friend." Had been uncertain whether he could survive another winter, but has now turned eighty and health is improving. Notes the household labor he can still perform and the help he receives from other residents in his house. Family news, including infant deaths and Ambrose's train accident. "I cant get along with this for I am blind with tears." New Point lacks a church. "... it is a young place we have preaching fr[e]quently but I cant here it we have a sabath school but not the interist taken in it that there should be." Received a religious paper. Portions of the letter written on small scraps of paper.

Sympathy on the death of the recipient's mother. Reflects on the loss of his own mother.

American Anglican, possibly studying with the Society of St. John the Evangelist. Visits Paris and London. Remarks on English churches, their sacristies, and their commitment to confession. Discusses ritualism. Comments on an encounter he and Father [Simeon Wilberforce] O'Neill had with a laborer who "scoffed at our cassocks." Describes the view from father [Oliver Sherman] Prescott's room, noting Christ Church Meadow and the Cherwell and Isis Rivers. Sentimental notes to his wife, wishing she was with him. See also: W. F. ALS to wife, August 18-20, 18[68?].

American Anglican, possibly studying with the Society of St. John the Evangelist. Describes the clothing he wears and draws a picture of his new biretta. Comments on the Father's heavy work load, describing him as "a typical monk. Such a one as the founder of the monastic life whould have loved." Mentions the recitation of canonical hours, the food and beer, and a local flower show and its fruit. Notes how deserted Oxford is due to the schools' long vacation and describes the area. Speaks disparagingly of the locals. Went for a walk with Father [Simeon Wilberforce] O'Neill. Encourages his wife's uncle to move to England "when he gives up the Seminary," citing reasons why it is a good place to live. Notes the "spiritual depth of the movement," likely referring to the Oxford Movement shifting Anglicanism towards Catholicism. Notes devoutness, popularity of confession, preaching on forgiveness of sin and the resurrection of the body. Comments on Ritualists and the "extreme wing." Expecting a large crowd for the opening of the monastery in October, including the principal of the Cuddesdon theological seminary. Comments on Dr. [Edward Bouverie] Pusey, [Henry Parry] Liddon, and Father [Richard Meux] Benson's work ethic, reputation, and shabby dress. See also: H. F. W. to wife, August 16, 18[68?].

Regarding the author's employment as a pastoral helper. Lewis Tappan and others have responded to the idea earnestly. Notes the need for more people laboring for the church. Includes a draft of a petition to help encourage the creation of the position at Plymouth Church, "in view of the vast amount of labor to be performed in an organization of such extendid [sic] membership as ours." Note: Halliday served as Henry Ward Beecher's assistant at Plymouth Church for nearly 20 years, from 1870 until Beecher's death.

Inquiring after Preston's wish to subscribe to the National Baptist. Notes the low price, the four month's passage since Preston's subscription began, and his desire to know whether or not Preston will pay the $2.50 fee. Written on "The National Baptist. A Religious and Family Newspaper" stationery, listing Spratt as General Agent. See also O. W. Spratt ALS to C. M. Preston, April 18, 1871.

Five months have passed since Spratt advanced Preston the cost of a subscription to the National Baptist. Frustrated at Preston's silence on the matter and will not be sending any further newspapers. "Our paper--as I explained to you is a cash paper, and if you allow any loss from having given you credit it comes out my own pocket." Written on "The National Baptist. A Religious and Family Newspaper" stationery, listing Spratt as General Agent. See also, O. W. Spratt ALS to C. M. Preston, March 3, 1871.

Letter wishing the best for the new year, and relaying the events of the Christmas Season. He mentions attending a Christmas Festival at Church, gifts that he'd received and details about family affairs.

Letter to his cousin residing in Eugene City, Oregon describing attitudes towards temperance broadly speaking and the Women’s Temperance Movement specifically. “From your remarks I infer that you are a very strenuous supporter of temperance. So also am I, but not by any means friendly to the present movement.” Refers to the actions of temperance activists as “intemperate” in their methods, specifically by “desecrating the holy office of prayer” whenever they enter saloons to pray and sing in protest. “I don’t suppose that the movement has yet reached you, or if it has I suppose it is in a mild form, so you have not the same opportunities for forming a true estimate of its worth.” Describes his belief that there will be counteraction against the movement, and that the “evil they design to check will be intensified twofold” as well as his belief that it may be more successful in small towns where “everybody thinks the same way and… knows everybody else’s business.” Cites Cincinnati as an example of a large city where the movement had previously failed. Note on envelope reads “Very important From John Walton 1874 about liquor question.”