Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 50, 1874

Children

Gorham, Maine

September 2, 1874

Previously unpublished.

Dear Children:

I feel it to be a privilege to write you a few lines this morning. I am now sitting in an armchair in your Aunt Lizzie’s chamber. I have arisen as soon as I could see to gain a little time to write you, my dear children. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 1

Our camp meeting at Lancaster was very well attended but not as large as the camp meeting in the western states. The people in New England have had no labor from ministers for years. They need help. We think the camp meeting will be a great help and blessing to them. Monday was the most interesting day of the meeting. I stepped from the stand where I had been speaking and was on my way to the cars at once. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 2

Sister Hall and myself had barely time in Boston to get across the city from one depot to the other before the cars were off. We tarried Monday night at your Aunt Harriet’s. We found your Uncle Samuel’s place vacant—his work on earth done. Your cousin Mary, Mr. Morrison’s wife, died leaving three interesting children. We think he will marry Emma, sister to his first wife. He is a man of steady habits, good looks, and in every way worthy of an excellent woman. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 3

Your Aunt Harriet has bled at the lungs and coughs very hard, and may not live longer than fall. I felt very badly as I thought of her life of trial in watching over one child after another who has died with consumption—three in number—then the many years she watched over her husband until he died. Probably she took the disease from him. Then Mary, a beautiful woman, was taken with bleeding. She bled seven times. Oh, what a scene! She had not prepared for death. She would plead with God for forgiveness of her sins between her bleeding spells. She continued to call upon God while she lived, and the most evidence she had to meet the uncertain future was a hope God had forgiven her sins. She faithfully warned her sister not to put off the day of preparation. She lived four weeks and died. We hope to meet her in the resurrection morning. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 4

Just as Harriet was feeling that she could be free to rest and visit her friends, this disease seized her and she began to spit blood. She felt that she could not be reconciled to this, but felt that it was useless to war against her destiny and has submitted to go the same way the others have gone. Yet there is not a religious influence in the family. No family prayer, and no blessing asked at the table. A godless, prayerless house! What can be worse? 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 5

We could only tarry overnight. The next morning at eight o’clock we left for Portland. Brother Gowell met us at the depot with his carriage, and took us to the country to his beautiful residence. We stayed at his house till after dinner; then he let us take his horse and carriage to come to Gorham. We leave here after breakfast, go into the city, and then take the cars at noon for Minot to visit your Aunt Mary. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 6

Again we are in a prayerless house, which we dread. Leases will go with us to the camp meeting, I think. I shall get Sister Mary to go if she will. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 7

I hope, dear children, you are contented and that you are enjoying the blessing of God. Here is our happiness in this world, to have the privilege of calling God our Father. To have a right hold of heaven is worth everything. The things of this life are of but little account in comparison with eternal riches. Secure these without fail. We cannot afford to make any mistake here. We must have the immortal inheritance, that better life which will measure with the life of God. Be true to your principles; be true to God and cling close to the dear Saviour and He will cling close to you. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 8

In much love, 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 9

Your Mother. 2LtMs, Lt 50, 1874, par. 10