From Abbie to Allie, July 1855
Dublin Core
Title
From Abbie to Allie, July 1855
Subject
Abbie
Allie
Billerica, MA.
Description
From Abbie to Allie
Creator
Abbie
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
No date indicated
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (Transcribers)
Rights
For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #231
Coverage
No date indicated but probably Billerica, MA.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Tuesday Evening
My very dear Sister,
Happy, most truly so, were we to hear from you today. How eagerly have I waited for your coming letter, for I felt that it would announce to us much satisfaction in regard to yourself. Something within has whispered that you too were feeling the guiding influence of Divine wisdom: was turning your gaze upward, looking for strength where it alone can be found.
You speak of your need of more personal counsel and sympathy. It is, indeed, what we all desire, and yet remember, that the greater obstacles you encounter and overcome, the greater the victory won. Amid uncongenial influences your own faith may spring up, and from the fires of opposition and depression through which it passes, be made to endure beyond all time. Continue then, my dear Sister, in the path which you have chosen, abounding steadfast, and unmoveable. We are free to act and think as we please, and let our minds but be made up with what appears to us as right in the sight of the All Wise, and that then, will it matter if man may turn aside, and reject our belief. But I dare to say Mr. E. [Ellis] ably counseled you on this, as well as on many other points of duty. I long to hear of “what he speaks.” You are particularly blessed in respect to having a faithful Minister to guide and direct your heart. This, I think, would supply many other deficiencies. Should I not rejoice to be with you when you are listening to Mr. E’s [Ellis’] counsel. I have not seen Mr. C. [Chaffee] to have an interview since I wrote, though there are many things which yet linger in my mind that I would know better. I shall always respect him for the kindness he has shown me, and hope that the aid he rendered may be such as will help me to aid myself. That is what we need, and a feat we must strive for, self sought wisdom. Not what others may do, but our own exertions will create, with God’s permission, clean hearts. A life, too, must not be regarded too great a sacrifice, in His service.
Last Sunday I attended church all day. Mr. C. [Chaffee] spoke of the power and wealth of thought in the morning; in the afternoon, of the exalted state of man, “being made little lower than the angels.” I remained at Sunday School and three little boys were placed under my charge. I think I shall enjoy the season of instruction much, if I am permitted to continue with it; and hope too, to derive much good discipline from it.
How very glad I am that you are coming home, only it is none too soon, but I will try what patience can do and be contented. I do not think it will be possible for me to come down, though I should be very happy to do so.
The Home School closes next Friday, and then Mr. Grant will take his final leave. There is to be a quiet gathering in the evening. I wish very much you were going to be here.
E. Judkins came home last Saturday, and today I was invited there to tea, as Willie A. and his mother were expected. A note came while I was there saying W. was not as well and they had left Bedford for further medical advice. I should think his chance of life here was very small.
I expect Mrs. Bickford, and the little folks started yesterday. They were here last Saturday to bid us good bye. Little Hattie was better, though looking very feeble. Haddie Berry was here Saturday afternoon and we had many callers.
Our sewing circle meets tomorrow at Miss Norton’s. She called here the other evening to invite us. Aunt P’s sister, Mrs. Parker is up.
Write again very soon, and the particulars of Mr. E’s [Ellis’] conversation. I wish again to see Mr. E. [Ellis] and hope an opportunity will soon be offered. Let us “watch and pray,” and press onward for good, now, and eternally. Mother says if she could write as fast as she can think she should say much.
Write soon. Love to all from Abbie
My very dear Sister,
Happy, most truly so, were we to hear from you today. How eagerly have I waited for your coming letter, for I felt that it would announce to us much satisfaction in regard to yourself. Something within has whispered that you too were feeling the guiding influence of Divine wisdom: was turning your gaze upward, looking for strength where it alone can be found.
You speak of your need of more personal counsel and sympathy. It is, indeed, what we all desire, and yet remember, that the greater obstacles you encounter and overcome, the greater the victory won. Amid uncongenial influences your own faith may spring up, and from the fires of opposition and depression through which it passes, be made to endure beyond all time. Continue then, my dear Sister, in the path which you have chosen, abounding steadfast, and unmoveable. We are free to act and think as we please, and let our minds but be made up with what appears to us as right in the sight of the All Wise, and that then, will it matter if man may turn aside, and reject our belief. But I dare to say Mr. E. [Ellis] ably counseled you on this, as well as on many other points of duty. I long to hear of “what he speaks.” You are particularly blessed in respect to having a faithful Minister to guide and direct your heart. This, I think, would supply many other deficiencies. Should I not rejoice to be with you when you are listening to Mr. E’s [Ellis’] counsel. I have not seen Mr. C. [Chaffee] to have an interview since I wrote, though there are many things which yet linger in my mind that I would know better. I shall always respect him for the kindness he has shown me, and hope that the aid he rendered may be such as will help me to aid myself. That is what we need, and a feat we must strive for, self sought wisdom. Not what others may do, but our own exertions will create, with God’s permission, clean hearts. A life, too, must not be regarded too great a sacrifice, in His service.
Last Sunday I attended church all day. Mr. C. [Chaffee] spoke of the power and wealth of thought in the morning; in the afternoon, of the exalted state of man, “being made little lower than the angels.” I remained at Sunday School and three little boys were placed under my charge. I think I shall enjoy the season of instruction much, if I am permitted to continue with it; and hope too, to derive much good discipline from it.
How very glad I am that you are coming home, only it is none too soon, but I will try what patience can do and be contented. I do not think it will be possible for me to come down, though I should be very happy to do so.
The Home School closes next Friday, and then Mr. Grant will take his final leave. There is to be a quiet gathering in the evening. I wish very much you were going to be here.
E. Judkins came home last Saturday, and today I was invited there to tea, as Willie A. and his mother were expected. A note came while I was there saying W. was not as well and they had left Bedford for further medical advice. I should think his chance of life here was very small.
I expect Mrs. Bickford, and the little folks started yesterday. They were here last Saturday to bid us good bye. Little Hattie was better, though looking very feeble. Haddie Berry was here Saturday afternoon and we had many callers.
Our sewing circle meets tomorrow at Miss Norton’s. She called here the other evening to invite us. Aunt P’s sister, Mrs. Parker is up.
Write again very soon, and the particulars of Mr. E’s [Ellis’] conversation. I wish again to see Mr. E. [Ellis] and hope an opportunity will soon be offered. Let us “watch and pray,” and press onward for good, now, and eternally. Mother says if she could write as fast as she can think she should say much.
Write soon. Love to all from Abbie
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE (Josef Rokus)
No date is indicated on this letter. However, based on the contents of the previous letters and the postmark of the envelope that accompanied these letters, this letter was probably written in July 1855.
No date is indicated on this letter. However, based on the contents of the previous letters and the postmark of the envelope that accompanied these letters, this letter was probably written in July 1855.
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Letter/Paper
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Reference
Abbie No date indicated, From Abbie to Allie, July 1855, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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