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Cousin R. B. Stevens
I wish thou would confer with Paulina Davis & others of the propriety of your holding an indulged meeting anny longer.
The committee appointd by our monthl meeting to attend your meeting are expected to make a joint report next month.
R. Hazard
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North Ferrisburgh 10th mo. 4th 1863
Dear cousin
R. B. Stevens I have so many things [strikeout begins]I have so many things[strikeout ends] I want to talk with thee about I'll not wait for monthly meeting time again when I hope we ma be favoured with thy company? we have much to discourage us in Society Matters [and?] to make us exclaim with griefe can these things be, so, perhaps thou has heard that James Burton has been disowned for immoral conduct a case something like that of Benjamin Tabour, & our dear Lydia Hazard has attached her self to the Methodist, but again there is a presious remnant left & we find that severe trial brings out the true friend when we thought there was but little. Peter Dakin & Lynus G. Prindle & Lindly Maccomber wer drafted & gave them selves up to commanding officers but Refused to do any war servise they have been brought into severe trial & punishment but the Lord has
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been with them through the whole & they have felt great peace of mind they write home excelent letters. Peter says no oficer can place them out of the reach of our saviour nor take there souls from them the last we heard from them they were at Culpeper but we hope(by acounts from Newyork) that through the influance of the representative Meeting they are paroled & will soon be home.
Unkle Nicholas Holmes is very sick not likely to get well - the rest of our Friends in usual health. Rufus & I have been south to visit my relatives started the 30th of last month was gone near three weeks went with our horse & carraige had nice travliing & beautiful weather consequently a pleasant journey found the most of my relatives that wer liveing prety well some had gone to there long homes my brother inlaw that died in eighth month I missed very much.
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A young man a friend from the state of Main staid here last night he was at Middleburg & by enquirey found where Friends lived & came to spend the day & attend Meeting we had a good meeting how much I think of you in your reduced number you cant expect to keep up a meeting, but all, however lonely that silently wait on the Lord with there whole minds tunned to him to know his will concerning them will feel there strength renewed will realize that his arm is not shortened that it cannot save neather has his ear grown heavy that it cannot hear. We want to here from you all pleas write & tell us who is comeing to Monthly & Quarterly Meeting. Perhaps Mary & Ann pleas be at home here. Thomas & Esther wer here this afternoon.
Rufus joins me in much love to thee. Thomas & wife Charlie & the rest & [Let?] [He?]
