Oliver Baker 1822 (1826-1834)

Andoun May 1829 Dear Sir I thank you for your letter to me which I received some time ago and which i have intended to answer the first opportunity. Not knowing of any immediate chance of sending this I have begun it without date. Your expresions of mind regard to me and my family are the more acceptable as I have no doubt of their sincerity, on account of the manner in whic you have always treated us. I have lived enough in the world to acknowledge the trhough of the proverb 'hat actions speak louder than words.' Not the least interesting part of your letter, was that in which you speak of your feelings on religious subjects. I am not quite sure that I understood you, buit if I did I am

induced to hope that you have either found the Saviour of men to be precious to you as he is to them that believe, or that you have begun to think in good earnest of securing the interests of eternity. Whichever may be the case be admonished to persevere to the end, for to such only is the promise of life everlasting. Though my conduct does not always (I might say never) correspond with my belief or my professions, I am more and more [con?] of the [?] of our Savior's words, that religion is the "one thing needful".

You may possibly have heard that I am going from Andover this next fall to settle somewhere in the vicinity. I do not leave from dislike to any of the good people here, but because I think I have done my part of a very laborious and vexatious business. I do not know exactly where I shall go, but I trust in

that indulgent Providence which has hitherto been my guide. I am very desirous to see you and enjoy the privilege of a long conversation on topicks which it was not well to commit to writing. Litera scripta manet. When may I see you here? At any rate write to me soon and let me know all about you. I either sent you or designed to send you one of my printed addresses. If I have not done it, put me in mind when you are here and I will give you one. Mrs C. sends regards. Remember me to all acquaintances,

Yours &c

Jona. Clermont.

P.S. I have been rather more careless than I expected to be in sending this, but you will excuse it. Better late than never.

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Chester (N. H.) June 15th 1830

My dear Sir

On a vist to Andover last week I found your welcome letter, which had been safely taken out by my wife a few days before. The money which it contained I paid over to Mr Foster and found that you are now owing him about four dollars and a half. He says you can pay that when [?] is convenient, speaks of you in terms of high consideration and hopes you will soon make a visit to him and stay long enough to cast the interest for yourself. He says he always found you a frank and upright man and wishes he could say the same of all his old boarders. - In regard to the information you received from N. Haven concerning a preaching there, you must be under a mistake. I do not presume to compare myself with S. H. Stearns who was unquestionably the clearest head in his class at Andover. He is also a man of great generosity and would take as much pleasure in hearing that I was tolerably well spoken of in that seat of the Muses as he would in hearing himself commended.

I judged by your letter that you had nearly or quite resolved on the profession of divinity and were now ag-