Your letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. (or rather treasure) received but two days since, came like the morn's refreshing dew to the early flower, reviving the thirsty hope of joy that hath long, too long been deferedCorrected:deferred.― And if etiquette it was for you to write first– it is mine to rejoice that the conviction thereof came not at a later period. Why ask me dear Augusta, to aid your memory in aught that would render you less charitable towards myself? this, you oblige me to do with your very gentleness; and wring from me a confession, one too, not a little y mortifying– even that of an unfulfilled promise to a very dear friend. And then that beautiful quotation from 'Mrs Hemans,' was it not unlike your trusting heart? Tho'Expanded:Though a more tender feeling, and finely wrought fancy, never blended more happily in a reproval. Forget thee! I believe it impossible to teach my heart forgetfulness; and without the effort, think you the bright star that shone in friendship's sky, could fade in the twilight of memory? No, no, Augusta, it is still bright tho'Expanded:though solitary. And with with patience on your part for prolixity in a letter, I will proceed to give the reasons for an unreasonable delay.

Two weeks after you left, I had taken my pen for a long "tête-à-tête' with dear Augusta; and had not sooner commenced, than all of a sudden a ride was proposed to ConcordEditorial Note: Concord, New Hampshire. I dropped discourse; prepared myself and was away in the afternoon. Found Martha like yourself believing a lost paradise restored in "the green bower of home" while I, unlike his "Satanic majesty," gaze only to admire and apprope Corrected: approve We returned at the close of the [?] Unclear or illegible  next day, [?] Unclear or illegible  and in the evening I again sought my materials for a conversation with you; when who should present themselves as the sure precursorer Corrected: precursor of my letter's fate, but the marv [?] Unclear or illegible elous James Smith! Your crazy correspondent was correct, so far as pre [?] Unclear or illegible tensions warrant; he professes to have religion, and so-far succeeded in exhausting that interesting and exulted Corrected: exalted subject, I grew weary and retired. The next morning (Sabbath) a long series of meetings commenced at the Methodist Church, and continued five weeks held alternately at both societies. I frequently met your dear Mother at meeting, and she requested me to write you in her behalf; to tell you she had been alone with her remaining family since you leftEditorial Note: Augusta Holmes Swasey moved to Haverhill, New Hampshire, following her marriage to Samuel Swasey in November 1842., and had by no means forgotten you. She then mentioned her reasons for not writinCorrected:writing, and such as I suppose most Mothers deem a sufficient excuse. But dear Augusta, the meetings were so very interesting, and every day brought with it some extra labor (the constant arival Corrected: arrival of friends or connexionsCorrected:connections,) that I finally concluded not to attempt again to write you, until I found more leisure and could give a more conclusive account of many things that I thought would interest you. But again perceive my wayward destiny! returning from an evening meeting in the rain I took a violent cold attended with such extreme pain in the side I have been unable to write until the present; but am now much better.― And now let me ask dear Augusta (tho'Expanded:though I plead guilty in some respects) if she cannot in conscience accord me the charitable verdict; "not willfully So"

(Your description of HaverhillEditorial Note: Haverhill, New Hampshire scenery was indeed interesting to me, for I well remember your love for what was wild or picturesque in nature But pray tell me how am I to imitate your example that you call "expressive of your wishes when I answer" except in speaking of sober matter-of-fact occurrences? You say your "correspondent" gave an account of a revival at S. B.Editorial Note: Sanbornton Bridge, now known as Tilton, New Hampshire. And you ask if it is so? It is dear Augusta, almost all of your acquaintances are now rejoicing in the hope set before them of higher aims and nobler joys. The skeptic'sCorrected:skeptics scoff, and the ribaldry of the multitude, is scarcely left among us.– I will mention some of your particular acquaintances who have experienced a change indeed since you were here Esqr. Cate & wife. Mr. Curry, wife, and two daughtersEditorial Note: Benjamin and Hannah Curry. They had two twin daughters born in June 1841 named Josephine B. Curry and Georgeanna B. Curry. Mr. WingateEditorial Note: Possibly John C. Wingate, a blacksmith in Sanbornton (now Tilton), New Hampshire.. R. Atkinson. J. Tilton Mr. Bartlette Mr. Carr. & wife My sister, Mrs. Tilton; with a hundred of others, I cannot mention, and with whom I am unacquainted. Would that you were here to witness with me this changed scene! thoExpanded:though I fear for some, I rejoice with many, whom I doubt not possess the "pearl" which is pricelessMatt 13:45 ¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Matt 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. And do you not also rejoice with me if it were but for one sinner that hath repented?Matt 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? Matt 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Matt 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Luke 15:3 ¶And he spake this parable unto them, saying, Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Doubtless as you feared, there are some who have deceived themselves by "zeal without knowledge"Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. - But methinks we have less to fear from fanaticism, than from stoicism; when a question is to be decided that involves our weal, or woe, for time and eternity Do you ever think of me, Augusta, now that you have so sweet and interesting a husband to think of? You say you could tell me many more things if you "would." Is that kind? I should no doubt laugh to hear others; but it would be quite a novelty to me to think of your getting sentimental, and really think I should feel more like weeping from very vexation, envy, or som Corrected: some such noble feelings.― Meet with me in spirit at our next anniversary, (town meeting) and I will magnetize a letter with "Sap Sugar" and send you I will see your Mother to-morrowCorrected:tomorrow, and say to her all you wish me to She is expecting your bro'Expanded:brother and sisters from CExpanded:Concord.― very soon to spend several weeks here with her. I wai [?] Unclear or illegible t the arival Corrected: arrival with as much paitience Corrected: patience as I can. Really Augusta, you cannot tell how "doubly lone" I feel since you and Martha have gone. I have tried to forget sis. but Phenix-likeCorrected:Phoenix-like [?] Unclear or illegible her image is constantly rising up before me from some desolate vestige! We shall expect Mr. P.– and wife here after the 10th of March By-the-by Augusta, I had quite forgotten to notice "respects" from Mr. Dickey. Say something nice to him from me any thingCorrected:anything your own sense of justice pwill prompt. What a wonderful memory! a letter written in behalf of my ParentsEditorial Note: Mark Baker and Abigail A. Baker not forgotten yet!!!! (Forgive me) "My brother's friend"Editorial Note: The brother referred to here is Albert Baker, who died in 1841. is a name linked with every dear and powerful charm of association O! yes there is a "tenderness unutterable felt for all whom he has loved; and its feeling in memory will never die, it is the treasured relic of departed worth that I have learned to love and can never forget [?] Unclear or illegible Please to present my warmest respects to Mr. Swasey Augusta, I wish [?] Unclear or illegible you had been with me to laugh when I read the curious word ("Mother Swasey") you speak it with such a grace I think it must be pertly perfectly easy I should think your family connexions Corrected: connections must afford you a vast deal of happiness I think I should love the “politician" My dear Mother wishes to be remembered with Mmuch love. And now dear Augus pray write me again soon, everything about yourself, and it will interest me

Excuse the miserable execution of this hasty letter; believing me ever yours truly.