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I cannot tell you how much pleasure your letter gave me
yesterday, and I have scarce thought of anything else since. I received
it, but its contents and the enjoyment I should derive from
answering it. Unfortunately however this morning found me suffering
from just such a fit of languor and debility as the day before you
left (only not quite so bad) and in everything I attempt to do I
feel as if some heavy weight were attached to me clogging and fettering
every thought and means of expressing what I feel. I only tell
you this Frank that you may find some excuse for me if I send you a
dull stupid letter in return for one which interested me so much.
What a treasure a letter is when it comes from the hand of an absent
loved one, and no words could tell you how much I prize each one you
send me, but at the same time while it gives me such delight, it
makes me long to see you so much that I can with [OMITTED](torn) [OMITTED]
feelings of impatience for the time to come when we shall meet again.
I think I can say with truth Frank that you only do me justice in
saying that I feel for you in every thing, and I am so grateful to
you for valuing my affection so highly as you do, and I hope you
may never have reason to repent of having loved me. I do pray for
you continually my own dear love, and if my petitions are weak and
unworthy they are at least heartfelt & sincere. We should both pray
earnestly and longingly to have our supreme effections centred upon
God and heaven that the very fountain of our life being thus purified
and sanctified, we may love each other with pure hearts fervently,
our hearts being cemented by the purest of all ties, that of Christian
fellowship. I think sometimes, you know thoughts will not always
be chained, that when we all meet in the heavenly world our affections
will not at all be influenced by former ties such as relationship
and like things, but we will all see each other as we are, and
our love be excited by only such things [OMITTED](torn) [OMITTED]lovely
thus two closely [OMITTED]in heaven move in far different
[OMITTED]and such as consideration should move us to
seek together our higher interests, and if we would wish to spend
an eternity with those we now love, to strive continually to be one
in Christ and to move heart and hand together in every good word and
work. Thus bringing our spirits into close and inseparable union,
and all that is spiritual must live forever. So we may deduce good
even from our fancies sometimes. Mrs. Davis, I am glad to say continues
to improve. Mr. & Mrs. Holcombe with Miss Alice & Mr. Saunders
left home yesterday. William Dunglison also came to take leave
of us and goes to-day. By the way, you bad boy, I must scold you
when I see you for keeping a secret from me. I have found it out
though notwithstanding. Mr. Kean came in on purpose to tell me of
his engagement, and I have not heard anything that pleased me so
much for a long time. Poor fellow, he has suffered enough to make
his happiness tenfold now, and he says he is the happiest man in
Christendom. I was very much disappointed last evening by hearing
pleasant little trip there [OMITTED]
but Mr. & Mrs. Minor [OMITTED]
go are going Monday [OMITTED]she cares for.
Aunt Mary is going to Harrisonburg next week, when of course I shall
accompany her. If I am there at the expiration of your four weeks
you must come there and be my escort home. Mr. d'Alfonce brought me
sixteen crayons yesterdau besides what I already have, and I have
not even drawn a stroke since his last lesson. He intends staying
here the whole vacation I believe. I received a letter from Maria
in Culpeper in which she tells us Eliza is as captivating as ever.
The little thing received three nice presents before she even reached
the end of her journey. She had not yet seen Cousin Betsey. One
thing only distresses me Frank in your letter that you seemed to be
in bad spirits. Now my dear one you must cheer up, for you have every
thing to comfort you, a loving Saviour, kind friends, and if I am
not at your side, I am thinking of and blessing you here as the very
joy and prop of my life. You say there is in the past what you
would give worlds to blot out, but you ought not to forget St. Paul's
injunction that we look not at the things that are behind but press
forward, and however heinous our offences may have been, yet if we
have repented of them they are forever blotted out from the book of
Job's remembrances. Why then should we look back but in thankfulness
for having been plucked as firebrands from the burning, and an incitement
to redeem the time while yet it is day. I have been so
negligent as not to deliver Somerfield's message to the boys, for I
never thought of it when I saw them, but you may give my love to him,
that is if there is no objection. George is waiting anxiously to
know if your brother Edward can go with him to the Natural Bridge etc
Mr. Wertenbaker had already sent the letter when George inquired, so
you must doubtless have received it ere this.
Good bye, my own dear precious Frank
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