BakerOliver18321102_003

I now attend, and expect to attend this year the sabbath school in this
[?] parish, though perhaps I can get the [?] you sent to your [?].
I have very little that will be new [?] the state of missionary policy in the
seminary or [?] hardly got settled yet, it is so far as I can judge about [?]
won last term. We know of one or two in the junior class that we decided,
you [?] to me whether you had yet taken up the subject you will
probably recollect what I told you you would doubtless do upon that subject.

I congratulate you very much, in your prospects for earning something, and
at the same time [?] me of your classical studies, but write you will
doubtless be hopeful in those two ways. I should very much fear that it
would be a detriment to you in your theology. I should think it must
[?] at least, three hours per day of your time, and then if you take
a [?] portion for exercise, I think your time for investigating the
subjects of theology would be rather wont. You however can doubtless
judge best upon that point. If we would be properly prepared for the
embassy of our master we must think fast, think deep, and think straight.
And in order that our hearts may be properly prepared to think, feel and act
we must not for get that the throne of God is by all odds the best place for
[?] the proper state feeling. I think we must, if we would be but free
[?] to act for our master, have a part of each day in which we can engage
exclusively in those more private religious exercises [?] we can feel that we are
entirely alone, and where we can [?] ourselves [?] of all restraint
and lay our hearts entirely over to our God.

[?] know that Dr. Skinner has been appointed
professor [?] this seminary. He has not yet give his answer, he
has been expected here the last week, but he has not yet come, - all
think the probability is in favor of his accepting the appointment. -
Please give my best wishes to [?], [?] and
all my acquaintance at New Haven. I shall lie happy to receive
and answer other communication, and possibly should I
have occasion to answer [?] it might be done in a little
more systematic way. Pardon me for jumbling every thing
together as I have. I have mentioned those things which I supposed
you would be most glad to hear, and not thrown down just a [?]
happened to come to my mind.

Yours, with much love, and christian affection

Aldin Grout

O Baker.