 | Berkeley papers |  |
I received your letter Saturday, and although you had
not any very cheering news to give about our dear Mother's
health, yet it was much to have some definite information. For
want of this we had become very anxious. It seems to me hardly
reasonable to expect that she should be able to endure a great
while longer such continued & severe sufferings. I am truly
thankful that she has been so far sustained as to bear them
with patience, and, if our Heavenly Father please to send affliction,
& accompanies it with grace to bear it resignedly, we ought
to be thankful. Do encourage her to cast herself with perfect
confidence on the all sufficient atonement of our blessed Redeemer,
and, remembering that he ever lives above to make intercession
for us, to ask Him nothing doubting, to bestow more and more of
the comforts of his grace, so that she may rejoice in tribulation
also. How willing is He to give! —more willing than are parents
to bestow good things on their children. I know how apt dear
Mother is to be despondent—but God can give strength to the
humble & believing heart. He will not forsake those that put
their trust in Him; but with sorry trial will give grace to bear
it. I am not able to leave home, else how gladly would I make
haste to be with her. But if I cannot be with her, I want to know
that she is happy in the love of the Savior.
We have had some sickness in our family, besides my own
attack, from which I am nearly recovered. Flora was taken very
ill friday, having violent epileptic convulsions. These lasted
all friday night, & until saturday night, about 9 o'clock, when
she began to be better. About noon saturday I almost gave up all
hope of her recovery. I think now that she may survive this attack,
although she is still ailing. Rosalie & Charlotte are having
the measles; but thus far quite mildly. We have a number yet
to have them.
Eliza expected to visit Maria Rives for a few days this
week, but is prevented. She wishes to be with Mrs. McGuffey in
her approaching sickness-for this & other reasons, she cannot
leave home. Had you heard that Mrs. Courtenay has twins? two
boys—to be named Marshall & Hamilton.
I am not surprized at William Stevens consenting to become
a candidate again—although I very much doubt if he is consulting
either his interest or his comfort. I cannot understand how a
man having a family can willingly consent to become a politician.
But I have more than most men a dislike for public life.
The family unite with me in love to Mother & the rest. I
saw Mr. Rodes today—his family was well.
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