University of Virginia Library

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I will now endeavor to fulfill my long neglected promise to
write you. I could not allow my silence to argue forgetfulness, for
rest assured that your kindness to me will ever be remembered, the
more because I was a stranger not only to yourself & family, but to
all by whom I am surrounded, & being far from my home and friends
I am doubly grateful for any kindness or attention shown me. I have
delayed for no other reason than that of a lack of interesting or
important items to communicate knowing that you hear often from Mrs.
H and Fannie consequently I have waited from week to week in the
vain hope of at last finding something to write about. We are all
much pleased to have Mrs. Harrison & the children with us again.
Little Lucy is improving rapidly. I do think that she is a beautiful
child and universally admired. Poor children! so soon deprived
of a father's love & care. May their Mother long be spared to them
to teach & instruct them in the great truths of Divine Word, to tell
them of him, who blessed little children & said "of such is the kingdom
of God" & may the God of the fatherless ever supply their every
want and in blessing them here prepare them for the enjoyment of
"Heaven's bliss". They are a source of the greatest comfort to their
afflicted mother's widowed heart, & I hope that God in mercy will
spare them both to her many long years. I know too well the anguish
that one feels in giving up near & dear friends in the providence of
God I am left an orphan sometimes I am tempted to murmur. I cannot
see why it was necessary for me to be deprived of my father's care,
my mother's boundless love & tender anxiety & left alone, then I
pray for forgiveness & for resignation & for God's grace to prepare
me to meet them in the mansions of the blest. There we'll never never
part. It is a consoling thought that the seperation is short, the
reunion eternal. You too have buried your loved ones, & soon expect
to meet them. I often feel as if I would like to be as near the
grave as yourself, for aught I know I am, again I experience such a
fear & abhorrence of its gloom-its loneliness-life to me is sweet &
I cling to it with all the earnestness which ever characterizes hopeful
youth—yet sometimes in the solitude & quiet of night there
comes over me a sense of its uncertainty, of the insufficiency of a
worldly life to afford pleasure, then I resolve to consecrate my
heart, life and abilities all to the cause of Christ. But with returning
day returns sin, & I yield to the temptation and daily offen
my Saviour. Will you not remember me in your prayers? I do not ever
expect to see you again. I return home in December. I may visit Virginia
at some future time, yet I will ever remember my visit at your
house, the hospitality & cordiality with which you received me.
Please give my love to Miss Mary & Miss Carrie, Miss Stewart & Mrs.
Stevens. My respects to Mr. Williams.