 | Berkeley papers |  |
I received your letter this afternoon, and assure you
that I am very thankful to you for writing. I know so well how
difficult comparatively it must be for you to find the opportunity
& inclination to write, expecially suffering as you have
been from indisposition, and burdened with so much care & anxiety,
that I am truly obliged to you for favoring me with a
letter. Indeed I could wish that you had been able to send us
more cheering news: but we must not allow ourselves to be cast
down above measure. Sorrow and affliction seem to be the way
through which God, our Heavenly Father, designs that we should
walk. Let us remember that these may, through divine grace, be
converted into real blessings. Only let us be patient & submissive,
humbly trusting in God, and all will work together for
our good. Be careful not to expose yourself beyond what is indispensably
necessary—and strive not to be anxious about the
affairs of the family. In this, as in every thing else, we have
a right, in we believe in God's good Providence, to commit our
cause to Him. Do what you can, consistently with your health,
but wuthout endangering it, and then doubt not that every thing
will be ordered for the best. I still hope that Mother may be
raised up from this sickness. I still hope that she will be sustained
and comforted in all her affliction by the consolations
of religion-that her faith will be abundantly strengthened, and
her hope brightened. And if God shall be for us, why need we fear
any evil? But, above all, let us continually strive to submit
ourselves humbly & thankfully to the will of our Heavenly Father.
We feel great sympathy for Mary in her affliction, & for
Margaret in her anxiety. May God grant them support and comfort.
We had not even heard of Mrs. Gen Lewis' illness. How
mysterious are the ways of Providence! Of all Judge Lomax'
daughters only Charlotte remains, and of all his children only
three. I cannot but feel how many of my old friends are called
away. I too am beginning to find that I am among the smaller
number left behind. We ought to be ready too. We ought to live
as in view of the grave to which are hastening.
But for the extreme pressure of my duties, which demand
all my time, I would certainly try to come over, if but for a day.
I cannot now see how I cant get through my work.
If you need any thing, let me know it, and you may be certain
I will promptly do any thing in my power. What you most want
is somebody to take charge of the family affairs. This, of course,
must yet lie in the hands of Providence to appoint. But you may
want money for this & that necessary for your comfort. I enclose
ten dollars to apply as you please. I would send more, but that
I am just now rather straitened for cash having a large bond to
pay off.
Give my love to all the family, & believe
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