Letter from Ann King, dated 1863-12-30

to gain common respectability amongst men; yet having been taught to think all his acts were good, my understanding was quite beclouded, and now that I see Him a just God I have no slavish fear of him for "love casts out fear."

This is for thy private perusal; yet do as thou thinks best about reading parts of it if urged to it. I trust to thy judgment.

I hope you who are together are in the full enjoyment of domestic comfort and that those wilt ere long let me hear from thee.

Love to all, to thy daughter Mary & thy Sister in [??] thy Sister Mary.

Thine Ann King.

[page break]

Ferrisburg 12th Mo. 30th 1863.

My dear R.

I have not spent all the time since thy pleasant visit here, last fall, in forgetfulness of thee, or the subjects we found for conversation, but I have many times recurred to the sweetness of that friendship which then, I believe, clothed both of our spirits; and have mentally visited thee and thine, I cannot tell thee how many times, and tenderly sympathised in thy sorrows, and thy fears for the dear absent ones; yet hoping that those who are near thee were in their usual health, and capable of enjoying all the blessings our impartial Father bestows upon his children. "All are mine", he says, by every favor he extends to us; and yet how many of us fail to return thankfulness. How few turn towards him the moistened eye, flooded with tears of joyful gratitude, and give him the praise which every favor demands. I imagine your little

circle of a very different class, however, and will therefore turn from the thought which is often uppermost, that ingratitude of the many which inclines to crush the poor, and fill our land with poverty and woe.

There must be much suffering in our cities this winter tho' the benevolent institutions have been increasing each winter; but there are so many families deprived of their laboring members that a great deal must be needful to supply the wants of the lonely, the feeble and the juvenile. We all need the faith of the energetic George Muller. If you have a circulating Library in your neighbourhood, let me recommend G. M's. Life of Trust. P. Hurlbut purchased it to lend. Then perusing it in her family she lent it out, and now hears that it is read by many and she knows not when she will see it again. I think this a good investment of a dollar.

Thou knowest my dear that I am inclined to look for a sudden removal and tho' I may be mistaken and may yet live to wear out the patience and even the strength of my friends, I do not expect it, but in the

[page break]

hope of better things will entreat thee, should this sorrow fall suddenly upon thy Cousin, my long loved brother, to hasten to him, and spend with him a few days of what would otherwise be his most lovely season. But oh! the days, weeks, months, and perhaps years, that he may have to wear the mantle of loneliness and at time the gloom of despondency! This prospect I dare not look at much, lest my tender regard for him should lead me to attempt to ward off the danger from him, and plead for longer life on his account, when I have been so long assured that the Omniscient Eye sees what is best for us, and guides the movements, and helps forward the plans of all who see for his Divine instructions.

I seem to be living a second life having passed my fifty seventh year ere I could see God as the loving father of every intellectual being; ere I saw him as good to his children as an earthly parent must be even