How. shall I address you! How approach you without intruding on your feelings of painful seclusion, and adding a fresh wound to a heart that has already sorely bled, or without adding to that cup of sorrowEditorial Note: This is a reference to the death of Eddy’s mother, Abigail A. Baker. Baker died on November 21, 1849.. which you have so lately drained to its dregs.
Pardon me. if I offer one admonition.;– ere you read farther let me say — be calm, and control your feelings.– If you cannot,. I will add that it is well with me and my friends. and read no farther.—
I feel myself unequal to the effort of presenting motive for consolation to one who, is more capableAs Written:copable. of "imparting than receiving" from me. But one thing I can offer– the sympathy of a heart that feels to bleed for its own a loss, — for ties forever broken.— no not forever broken, that cannot be, but "for a season" then to be As Written: b reunited in unmortal vigor, forever strengthening and entwining by those holier emotions which bind the redeemed of Earth, in one blessed family above.
More solemn or sudden news seldom if ever was received by me than that by the Con. Journal & PatEditorial Note: Concord Journal and Patriot, not having heard before but all were in usual health.
After reading the obituary, tho, my eyes were filled with tears yet in my spirits I could say "praise God" that the departed one has left such evidence of her acceptance with God, that I can feel assurance without a doubt that her "spirit immortal" has been welcomed As Written: wellcomed home to the bosom of her SaviourEditorial Note: Jesus Christ and her God— This consideration As Written: considiration should bid all murmurings cease —
Oh how sweet to feel that when our friends have departed,– they have but thrown off the shackles that bind to earth— released from all suffering or sorrow, have launched away as it were on the "Ocean of bliss." soon to anchor on bright immortal shores above, there to gaze back after the convoy of angels that have been sent to release us also, from this life of trials and afflictions As Written: offlictions
But a few short years. perhaps but, months will be numbered with the past, ere angels will be hovering around our pillow, waiting till death has done his work then to convey us to our friends that have gone before
As the ties that bind us to earth are severed As Written: sevrd may those that bind us to heaven be strengthened., May we receive grace and wisdom to enable us to fulfill the end of our being— live to the honor and glory of God— be prepared for all before us in this life — for the hour of death, and finally for the sweet and holy enjoyments of heaven is my earnest, desire, and fervent As Written: frvent prayer.
My dear friend Mary, what shall I say more to thee, thou child of suffering and sorrow! — I will bear thee in the arms of prayer to Him who knoweth how to pityAs Written:pitty. — And oh- may the Father of all mercies bless my dear friend & friends, and sanctify this painful dispensation of his providenceAs Written:providen to her, & them for due present and eternal Good
When you feel the composure you desire, and without taxing, you let me hear from you. I think now bye & bye after you & your friends have had time, for the mind to rest, so that you could feel like seeing me, I shall visit S—Editorial Note: Sanbornton Bridge (now Tilton), New Hampshire
Remember me to all the family, and believe me