2110-4-9-10

34 Great King Street Edinburgh

10th June 1926

My dear John

Ever so many thanks for your letter. I can't tell you how pleased and encouraged I am by it. I am indeed proud that an expert like yourself should think that the style of the book is good, but I am not a "master" of it as you too kindly credit me with being. The toiling journeyman is the suitable word; mere grammar is an almost insuperable difficulty with me. I was brought up to stand on my legs and spout, and though I've never got much out of it for myself, I think I could do that with most men: but I can't write - or only on a few given subjects and with pain and tribulation on them.

I am very glad you like the Essays, and think the first and last - which are the best, do say

something which is not commonly said and which is true: and that you think they could do good. Alas, I know only too well and that sort of book doesn't cut any ice. I publish it mostly as a hobby and for my private friends. The general public don't buy religious books: and no wonder, for though some decent religious books are published nowadays, the unctuous and unintelligent slop that poured from the religious press in the last 30 years of the 19th and the first few of the 20th century has seared the public; on the other hand the people that do read religious books don't want and wouldn't like the sort of book I write - they want Church religion. My last book only got three reviews at all, and so far this one has only got one - here it is from 'The Evening News' - a working men's paper - chuck it in the fire, its a cutting sent me

I wish you would take up the message of the Kingdom, John. Your name would make it, and you would become immortal, and do tremendous good. If the message of the Kingdom revives it will not be through the churches but through the poets and men of letters. To the Churches the Kingdom of God will continue to mean their particular denomination, and Jesus will be just an institution of the Church. But the artists will see the beauty & truth of the Kingdom message, and the greatness of the messenger.

I take it very seriously as you know, and if I thought it would catch on, and I could do any good I'd chuck sentencing offenders, and become a preaching tramp - But I don't think it would.

I hope Susie and Alice and the boys are well. Please give them my love.

Again ever

Johnny Jameson.