ENPages
p.
thou art near them does the ever green still flourish we planted by brothers grave still flourish it was a tree of my choice on account of the "soul-like" sound the wind make when playing with its thousand harps.
I think if must awaken sad reflections to revisit the old home where so many thou loved once dwelt, but all have passed away, thy hearth too is not what it was.
Oh! what is earth a "bruised reed at best but oft a spear" then let us not lean on [underline]it[/underline] but endeavor to secure an eternal [underline]resting[/underline] place.
A letter from thee does me so much good I wish thou wouldst write oftener but I know I ought not expect it of thee. Ellen is still teaching where she was last summer the rest of our little flock attend school.
Betsy Peasley requested me to send a large bundle or bunch of love to thee for them. Uncle Samuel has been very lame with a cut foot but is better now. our spring is late we are planting corn now much love to [underline]all[/underline]. I remain as ever
J H M
[page break]
Muscatine 5th mo 22d 1862
Dear cousin R
An earlier acknowledgement of thy favor was due, but time has slipped noiselessly by bringing in its train cares trials & perplexities, but my great obligations to thee in remembering me so far away and so unworthy have not been forgotten, more especially as thy heart & hands must be so full of other things of more importance.
Our Uncle Rowland must be very lonely but I hope his loss will be his gain too since his earthly comfort has been taken from him may he seek the comforter which will abide with him forever. Oh that he would turn to that long neglected bible which points to the true and living way and be persuaded to walk in it. I can but hope that
p.
thou mayst be an instrument in thy Heavenly Fathers hand in turning them from darkness to light, thou probably wilt find more ready access to their hearts then any one. May none of us or them trust to good works. Oh how [?] a foundation, for to do our very best is no more than our real duty, and we but unprofitable servants.
Thou said nothing about your little meeting whether you had one or whether the two or three still met. the "few" must feel very lonely but I hope you are blessed with the hidden manna as well as the early and [better?] rain Hold fast your confidence even in times of striping and deep proving, for God is ever faithful though he may see meet to prove you long.
It seems as if this scourge that is visiting our land [?] must be felt deeply by those situated as thou art, with a dear son in the field but I hope he will
[page break]
be permitted to return to thee wiser than he left. Thou didst not say whether thy children were teaching or attending school. I was glad to have an account of all.
Sister Anny is keeping house for Uncle Joseph and son &c in near Salem. Uncle has been afflicted with the neuralgia in his face the past winter. I cannot give thee much or any particular account of Uncle Lindly. I dont know but brother Thomas is jogging along about after the old fashion. I have not heard anything very particular of late from sister H but hope to ere long, but believe she is teaching school in [Hakome?] in Ind, sister Anny had a letter from Mary a short before she left I think they were well. We cannot seem to get brother Josephs whereabouts but think he is in Ind. I want to find him out that I may write to him. I hope thou still remembers the graves of the dear departed when
