ENPages
(seq. 1)
[100 - ]
Townsend Feb. 7 1850
Dear Mother
I have been thinking about you and I keep thinking about you, and should have gone to Gardner today but when my meeting in this place closed last evening - a strong desire was expressed that I would hold another meeting, in the next village this evening, so I concluded to write you, and stop and lecture to night, and then go to Groton to morrow
Mr. Smith of Westminster, the Bible agent, preached here on Sunday last and when the notice of my meeting was handed to him, he said that I was to come [?], and that he would not read such a notice from his pulpit. And as the minister was absent, he asked what the deacons thought about it.
The friend who wrote the notice is not in the habit of consulting deacons, and told him so. He refused to give the notice. Now I am going to write an article for the next-weeks Liberator, and I wish you would drop me a line at Boston. or wherever you see by the Liberator, the convention for next Sunday will be and tell me what Smith's given name is and if he did not while in Gardner Westminster, make great professions of Anti-Slavery. Don't fail to write, as soon as you get this.
I wanted to see you very much, to-day to talk about your leaving Gardner, & do think that a [dire?] regard to your own health requires, that you should stop preaching, and you ought to decide soon so that you can rent your home to good advantage. Will be better for you and Phoebe too, to be free from care, and both of you will stand a much better chance to get well, than, you can, where you are both troubled with the care of so many people's souls. Just preach a farewell sermon, that shall be truly christian. Take the 25 chap of Mat. for the morning sermon, and show from it, that there is no need of creed, or prayer, or sermon, or church organisation but that all that the Lord their God requires of them, is to do justly to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. That no consecration of time, or place, and no formal ceremony, and no stated services
(seq. 2)
can save the soul, but that only, he that doeth righteousness is righteous. That each man is his own savior, when he confor ms to physical and moral laws, and none can make an offering for him. And having made the whole matter plain, in its beautiful simplicity - preach them a farewell sermon that shall convince them of your kind regard, and of your sincerity. Such a course I know, might secure you enemies today, but the anointed eye sees the Nature, full of thank offerings for the light you shed on the darkened pathway of those, who were groping for the right, and who by you, were aided to find it.
I hope you will leave Gardner and go home. I shall be sorry to have Sarah there alone, but I would agree to write her a letter once a fortnight, which should help to supply the loss of your absence _____________ I have had to stop to talk with a good Methodist, who is just waking up to the pro-slavery of his church - and tho it has been a little trouble to me, it will do him good, and my loss will be his gain
Most affectionately yours With love to all your household and the dear sister household next door
Lucy Stone
(seq. 3)
[postmark] Feb 7 [1850]
[Addressed to]
Rev. Wm. B. Stone Gardner Mas.
(seq. 4)
[490]
Boston Mar. 29 1853
Friend Harmon
I shall be in Lawrence this week on Sat. I intended to have an anti-slavery meeting there, on Sunday evening next, it is not announced but if there is a "hearing ear" in Haverhill, and you will take the trouble to get me to your place on that day Sunday, I will go there for next Sunday evening - I am very glad that my other meetings did good there. And if they will give me any better access to the people, I will be glad to improve it, for their sakes, whose lot is sadder than that of women even.
About the pay, you need not be troubled, though I think a small fee, while it would keep out rowdies would cover expenses.
With kindest wishes for your household
Lucy Stone
