University of Virginia Library

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Yours of the 15th inst has been received. We were glad to
hear you were all well. You complain of not hearing from us more
frequently. I wrote you twice since your letter before the last
was received, and if there was any improvement in Mr. H's condition
I would gladly inform you of it, but as far as we can judge he
continues the same. I do not think his strength is declining and
he suffers no pain from the Abscess, and were it not for the difficulty
of breathing occasioned by the swelling of his stomach
pressing against the lungs he would be comparatively comfortable.
From this cause he experiences much uneasiness at times. The Abscess
does not appear to be healing although it does not discharge
so much as formerly. He has been confined to his bed nearly nine
months and the Summer has been unusually severe, and yet he has
been sustained and brought through it by our heavenly Father. Even
in the midst of affliction we realize that "The Lord is good" and
with the assurance of his word, that "all his ways are faithfulness
and truth" and that no good thing will be withhold from them that
walk uprightly" we endeavor still to trust in Him. We are in hopes
that the cool weather may brace him up so that he may be able to
go about the house again if no more. He still maintains his cheerfulness
and his spirits are as elastic as ever. Bro. Rodgers was
to see us last week. He was very well and much pleased with his
new home. He, as well as we, regrets that we could not all meet at
your house this summer to enjoy your company and partake of your
hospitalities, as we had anticipated, but if we are faithful to
the grace given already we need not be disappointed in meeting all
our friends on that blest shore where parting is no more. There,

May this be our happy portion forever. Let us here from you often.
Our love to all.