Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1840.10.21 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Oct. 21st, 1840
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 8)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1840-10-21
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elm Valley Oct 21- 1840 Wednesday afternoon.
My Dear Frederic,
Under the shadow of this dark road, and after it has been hanging over us, three or four days, it is hardly safe to begin writing a letter, lest there should be a tinge of “the blues” persuading its spirit.
But this is the time and there is no getting off so if you find any lack of cheerfulness, or brightness, just think of this my dreary storm.
Yours to Bethia came last [S]aturday night. It is a great comfort indeed to hear from our ambient friends. We sent you a letter on Tuesday from Liric Teicher and last evening we had two others, one from Mrs. Fisher1 to me and one from Liric to Bethia forwarded from Boston by [Doct Dean?] who has been to France, and was a nation of [Farnk] him. Mrs. Fisher also sent by him a map of Paris, which he left in Boston.
Edward has at last had his fate decided. Mr. Mills2 has sent up a man to take charge of the New Factory – and Edward of course will quit-After mentioning the fact in his last letter, he says ” If I did [guess…?] on hearing it. I have not uttered a sigh except for my creditor; and I verily believe, if I have my health, that ten years hence, they will not bother worse for it. I feel more than ever confident, [?]I am [?], that God will provide me the means of paying them. He blesses the effort of those who try to help themselves.” I am very glad he is not discouraged; probably he does not let us know all that he feels. For several weeks, he has been providing his own food, and eats and sleeps in his office.
Since the first Sabbath in October we have attended worship at Northampton3, you father with the rest of the family. He has become very much pleased with Mr. Dwight’s preaching, probably because he adapts his style, more than he did to the taste of his [?]. [Mr. Cranch] preached there two Sabbaths, we heard him both times-his last sermon, which was whim then word, “Blessed are the poor in hear for they shall see God, seemed to be a continual pouring forth of a given eloquence.
Wednesday evening. I have thought a good deal about you, [Mr. Perkins?]- what is the [?] concerning him? And what is your prospect as to [?] supplies!
You cannot love upon aid, and you give us not account of your matters. True you do not expect help in this time from us, but you are sure of our feeling a deep interest in everything which relates to you. We have been sending forward some anticipations, as far as thanksgiving, in which you had some concern shall we give them up in famous of [Doct Ware’s?] family? You know how gratifying it would be to us, to have you here; and I know also how much it would please you to be with us-with there views of the case I am willing to have the decision with yourself. You can decide better than we.
In either event I trust we shall meet in spirit. The theme of grace is a common center, where friends on earth, and friends in heaven, may all both meet communion. [?] as we aught [?] and improve this privilege. It is not merely the idea that our friends think of us , but the thought and desire of infinite goodness, which purifies and exalts the spirit.
Theodore and Bethia are making a visit at
Theophilus this evening.. [Be]Thia has not yet measured her strength, and in consequence of weakness, her spirits are somewhat depressed. This you know is a strange thing for her. I hope she will soon be better. How hard a thing it is for us to learn that afflictions are often our greatest blessings. Charles’ family are all well. Helen is better than I have seen her for two or three years- Sarah is in Boston yet. As you probably know. She [sent?] as [usual?]_. We had a letter from William two or three weeks since.
Most truly and ever your
Affectionate mother-
Elizabeth-