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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