1858-10-05

Stony Point: Oct. 5th 1858.

My own and very dear sister,

What a pleasure it would be to me to write to you tonight, if I could just say the word that would induce you to partake freely and cheerfully of [this?] food which our kind and merciful Father has provided for the sustenance of our perishing bodies. It is true we are sinners and if with-holding food from us would make us better, would he not with-hold it? Most assuredly he would. He says Himself in the person of his "son" not that which goeth into the man, defileth him; or in other words, showeth whether or not he is righteous; but that which [proceeds?] from the heart. These things that come from the heart, show man's true condition; and it is at the heart God looks. Now my sister, what comes from your heart today? A desire to to do right - or a desire to do wrong? I think I hear you say, "Oh, Sue, I want to do right; you know I do." Well, my sister, do right; eat the bread that perisheth to sustain life, so long as your heavenly Father is pleased for you to live. [?] guilty of suicide. The bread of [?] [likewise?] abundantly provided, eat of this and thy soul shall live also. One body has been sacrificed for your sins and this is sufficient. God don't require another. He says, listen, now don't forget it, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice. That is, he will have you to be merciful to your body and not sacrifice it. In God's providence you have been placed and the care of physicians for

the restoration of your health and I want you to feel it your duty to take their advice. I am sure they will not require you to do [wickedly] Ma tells you she is poorly. She walked to church Sabbath night - I was taken sick before she got home. I think the unpleasant feeling remaining about the head is from the [Laudinum?] she took to relieve the colic. If she can hear you are eating and growing strong she will recover faster. We were glad to learn from Dr Fisher's letter of today, he had returned to his post. I know you were glad to see him. So avail yourself of every opportunity of [?] in joining his family circle when he is present to [?] the pleasant incidents of his sojourn among the [springs?] and mountains of [?] I don't think because other patients can't have this privilege, you must deny yourself of it. Mrs Fisher and Miss [Nannie?] assured me they would be pleased to have you associate with them freely for your good and because it was a pleasure to them to have you with them some times. Miss [Nannie?] wrote me last week you had almost ceased to visit them and she regretted it. I love Miss [Nannie?] and you must go to see her occasionally for my sake. I saw Miss [?] at prayer meeting and [Dr. Long's?] last [?] evening. She said "give her love to Etta and tell her she hoped to meet her agian some day. I have some things to send you as soon as I can get them to the depot. If there is any thing you need particularly, write immediately and let us know. Remember me kindly to all my friends. I write in haste tonight.

Very affectionately and sincerely, I am your loving sister, S A Webb