FL14378293

[MS 963]
Bedlam 9th February 1821
My dear Friend /
Beleive me when I assure you
each of us deeply sympathizes with you in an
event which has bereft you of a Parent to
offer consolation would be vain, as nothing
earthly can compensate for the loss you
have sustained, but is not the reflection constantly
that you have a heavenly father to whom
you can look for strength and support under
every trial however severe, who has promised
strength according to the day, may you enjoy
much of his (underlined twice) presence (underlined) and be enabled to say
"It is the Lord's doing" (sentence underlined) All is well (3 x words underlined) -
though you sorrow let it not be as one without
hope, view your Father as a poor (underlined) pilgrim (underlined)
who had travelled many (underlined) years (underlined) through this
howling (underlined) wilderness (underlined) just as poor Christians
did with many troubles on his road to the
Celestial City, but at last arrives safe at his
fathers house, an habitation not made (?)
with hands eternal in the heavens. -
don't you feel more reason to rejoice at his happiness
than to regret his removal from this transitory
world every affliction serves to show us
that our rest is not here, I have read
some author who says afflictions when
sanctified prove our greatest mercies
It is indeed the greatest of blessings to be
(crossed out word) Children of pious parents oh that I