PhillipsFamilyBox1_10-11_004a

Andover, March 27. 1790

My Dear Bro

I recd your kind consoling letter of the 14th of Decr last, for which
I heartily thank you, Especially for ye pious sentiments & advice therein sug-
gested. You will, I hope, pardon ye long delay of acknowledging such a fav[??]
tho' long it is wth ye greatest difficulty, with a proper, composure of mind,
that I now attempt it. - When I look back, & consr. ye Early, constant & most
affectionate regard you have discoverd every way in the power, of a sincere
pious friend ^to [illegible] to my family^ I must suppose my self writing to One who has a fellow f[eeling?]
wth me under this most affecting (tho' most Holy & Righteous) Dispensation
of providence. - But what shall I say Brother, - Complain, I ment no[thing?]
that would savour greatly of Ingratitude to ye Supreem Being our greatest be-
nefactor, who has given & upwards of Fifty One years continued to me the en-
joyment of one of ye greatest comforts, yd. Richest Blessing, of a temporal nature, this
world can afford. I suppos'd myself well acquinted wth ye work of our Dear
Departed friend while living. But when I look back upon her past conduct from
my earliest requaintance wth her, - the strict regard she always paid to ye Sabbath
her constant & ^I trust^ conscientious discharge of Duty in publick, private, & secrete and
all ye circumstances, prosperaty & adverse, In all ye Relations in life in w'ch providence
had placed her - When I hear ye M[oans?] (not only those of Relations) but those
of her acquaintance also, Especially the poor & afflicted whom she always appeard
anxious to comfort & in all ye ways in her power, to support & relieve --

When I feal ye want, not only of her company, but of her Tender, Friendly help,
her Christian comforting advice & support under ye various tryals we meet with,
& that very frequently, in this world of change - I must say that I was mistaken.

One foot seems to be now in the grave, the other hastning fast, very fast
after it, I am now in a declining state of health, & have very little ground of ho[pe]
that I shall recover it. M[?] used have not ye desir'd effect, my appetite,
[slight?], strength & courage, failing, my age (75 years last month) and the
broken state of my body, similar, by my son's accot, -- to your's, will, I fear,
prevent our seeing one another, again in this world. -- However, the Suprem
Being may order, as to that. hope we, shall, by the Sovereign, free & rich Grace of God
be prepard: to meet in Heaven, & there be forever happy in the Enjoyment of God, of Christ of
the Holy Angels & of our pious departed friends & Relations. There is not one now in
my family related to me; but my children (considering their distanced Engagements) do
all in yr power, & more yn I could wish, to tender my circumstances every way agreeable &
a kind Providence favours me with a most excellent Houskeeper, & shop-keeper,
a careful skilful nurse, & as attentive to my comfort & interest as it is possible for one
in her situation to be. This circumstance I know will afford you pleasure,
would,