A Proposal of Marriage

My dear Miss Proctor,

You will probably be surprised to receive this letter from me but the importance of the subject matter & the anxiety I feel about it must be my only excuse.

The fact of the matter is plainly this: I have determined to alter my condition of life, & long ago I determined that whoever should be mine must be one that loved my Saviour & would place no hindrance in the way of my working for Jesus.

The first time I saw you, you made an impression on me, that although I tried very much at the first, I could not erase, & that love has been growing stronger ever since until you have become the only one on earth I desire to call my own, & I write this to ask you to become my dear wife.

I will not ask you to decide upon so important a question without due consideration, as it will involve the happiness or otherwise of one heart at least, if not two.

Show this to your dear Father & Mother, get their advice before you decide. But especially, lay the matter before your Heavenly Father & seek that he may guide you aright. For my own part I fully believe I am acting under the leading of God’s providence.

I had thought of waiting until I came to Wedderburn again & then asking you this important question, but there are many changes in this world. I don’t know how long it may be before I got up there again. I feel so anxious, I long to know my fate & can wait no longer.

Of course, I make this proposal in the hope that no one else has been fortunate enough to win your heart & your consent to marriage. I shall be glad to receive a reply to this as early as you can conveniently give one & believe me to remain in fondest love, yours devotedly & affectionately,

William Henry Wingfield

Surat lamaran perkahwinan in adalah sebahagian dari surat-surat yang terdapat di National Gallery of Victoria. Surat ini di tulis oleh William Henry Wingfeild pada tahun 1872 kepada Miss Proctor. Beliau menulis surat ini sebaik sahaja beliau sampai ke Australia dan mengambil masa selama 4 bulan untuk sampai ke tangan Miss Proctor yang berada di England.

Surat ini menjadi bahan menganjaran pada hari ini. Dari surat ini, kami dapat faham tentang pegangan agama pada ketika itu, kesopanan, formaliti dalam hubungan intim, rasa hormat dan semangat untuk memenangi hati orang yang tersayang walaupun jarak perjalanan dan masa yang sangat besar.

Begitu juga dengan kami, pelajaran hari ini menaikkan semangat kerinduan pada insan-insan yang tersayang. Insan-insan yang tersayang, beribu-ribu kilometer dari Australia. :(