Letter from P.A. Sands, dated 1862-02-25

ReadAboutContentsHelp

Pages

p.
Needs Review

p.

Thou alludes to the trial of having thy son go south. I can sympathise with thee in the affliction - tho thine is providentially mitigated - and may it remain so. We have an only son, who is married & has two fine little girls - he too caught the infeciton last Spring and had a great desire to go to Washington as he thought to defend his country - but did not go. Oh how our young people are deluded in this respect. This war cry enkindles their youthful enthusiasm and takes them away from our influence - e'er we know it. I suppose thou hast heard that Sybil Jones eldest son went whether he remains I have not heard from Sybil how her sensitive feeling were grieved they said at first it seemed as tho' it would destroy her but now she comes out bright in the ministry.

Our friend Esher C Weeks has lately had some appointed mtgs in this vicinity much to our satisfaction. She evidently [deepens?] in the truth - and is considered a great Preacher especially among other people. They throng her so, it is enough to spoil her - but it dont seem to as I see. Thy poor friend stays at home mostly which I believe is the safest place for her pray for me that I may receive ability to carry on the work while time is granted. Thou will please write & tell when we may look for thee here, whether before or after Yearly Mtg - farewell affct'ly P A Sands

[in left margin:]

Give my best love to all thy family & inquiring friends in your vicinity

[page break]

Sing Sing 2 mo 25 1862

Thy long looked for letter came at last, and right glad was I to hear from thee once more. I thought perhaps I was thy debtor and had about made up my mind to write & inquire so thou sees, I had laid up no long scores against thee. I can readily perceive that thy duties are many & pressing and am quite willing to excuse thee for any amount of tardiness, that does not amount to total silence, and a complete obliteration of our former sweet fellowship. The pleasant hours passed with thee and thy family often comes to my remembrance with a freshness that makes me [deleted]to[/deleted] seem to live them over again. I would like to meet with thee once more, on the Lords footstool if consistent with His will concerning us and as many of thy children as can come with thee. Whether I shall ever get as far north as Montpelier remains a secret in the future, upon which rests a doubt. If I were to consult inclination only I think you would see me with the first birds of Spring - but that cannot be.

[in left margin:]

All those of us who have a few comforts left in this time of stripping ought to be very thankful for them. "What more than others do I deserve yet God hath given me more, for I have food while others starve and beg from door to door." Farmers can get a pretty good living out of the ground but we commercial folks have to be cut down to a very low figure nothing doing in out line

Last edit over 2 years ago by catslover
p.
Needs Review

p.

I regret to hear of dear Mary's continued ill health please give my dear love to her, and tell her I dont know but I owe her a letter, if so, she must accept the will for the deed; and am sure she would, if she could see the pile of unanswered letters laying on my shelf. I do not write this boastingly, but only to show what a poor dilatory correspondent I am, many of these - tho' excellent will never get answered, merely because I have not the capacity of do it as they deserve, Mary's among the rest- if it is so - that I am indebted, she must forgive and write all the same, if she feels at all inclined dear girl I now remember my impressions of her that if she proved faithful - she would have a commission in the gospel intrusted to her, and I believe now she is under the preparing hand for future usefulness in His vineyard, may nothing be allowed to mar the work upon the wheel - let no discouragements prevail. The same power that raised up her grandfather to be a light in the world - and her father to be as a landmark to his children, and to the people around - is able to provide a succession of faithful standard bearers - from among your little flock. I would encourage you all to increased dedication & faithfulness

[in left margin:]

Our poor distracted country - presents in some places the scenes of a charnel house how the heart is de[?] with sadness at the thought of man's inhumanity to man and everydays report of wrong and out-rage write when convenient for thee to do so.

[page break]

Now it occurs to me while writing, that if those who are Elders among you were a little more stirred up to the importance of interesting & instructing young people on religious subjects you would all gain thereby. I dont mean to censure - only to encourage - for I thought there was much goodness to be felt among you, only dont dwindle, and let quakerism [run?] out - where the principle is so much respected as it is with you. Our mtgs are small - and yet there is life to be felt our young people dont like; much to take up the cross yet they love to see quakerism flourish & increase still we have some among that class who are willing to show on whose side they are - two quite young men not looking older (tho' they are) than thy son Thomas, & his cousen George were engaged visiting the families of our Quarter - and a part of the two adjoining [qrs?] both of them acknowled[?] ministers when they visited us, it was cheering to witness two such youthful disciples. the fact itself was loud preaching. may some among you take up their cross with renewed confidence that His power is the same that ever it was, and that He will arise for their help and obliterate the mountains of opposition that rise up before them

[in left margin:]

We have had very good sleighing for the past [1?] week, tho' not much snow & quite mild [now?] [down?] to zero this winter. This morning down to 12 above and windy it seems as cold as at any time this season how many [destituted?] there are in the world who suffer now from want [!?]

Last edit about 2 years ago by catslover
Displaying all 2 pages