University of Virginia Library

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Mary Jane's letter (for which I owe her many thanks,
especially as I am aware how difficult it must be for her to find
the time and opportunity to write so frequently) reached me Sunday
afternoon, and gave us the satisfaction of knowing that you
had been improving a little. I trust that, through the blessing of
Our Heavenly Father, you may gradually regain your customary health,
and that you may grow better more rapidly as the weather becomes
milder. We have not had very much sickness here apart from the
measles, although many have suffered with colds. In & about Charlottesville
there have been more than the usual number of deaths,
some from Pneumonia. Our own family is now pretty well, excepting
that Flora is complaining. The vhildren have pretty well recovered,
and, what is remarkable, have thus far escaped the measles.

I hope that Mr. Cross has entirely recovered. He must
have found it very difficult to attend to his public duties while
suffering so much from indisposition. Give him my kind regards. I
need not ask him to afford you such advice & consolation as he can
& will give you. I trust you are abundantly comforted by divine
grace, and that you are able to cast all your care on your Savior.
Dont yield to any temptation to unbelief, but strive to be a simple
& childlike believer in God's promises through Christ Jesus.

I hope Margaret has recovered, and Mary, and that the
children are well. We were sorry to learn that both Mary & Margaret
were complaining. I was pleased to hear that Minnie had not forgotten
her uncle Gess.

I have not time to write now more than these few lines.
I thought it would be agreeable to you to hear from us, and determined
to write, even if it were only the shortest note.