Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1844.11.29 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Nov. 29, 1844
Description
This letter is part of a correspondence between Elizabeth Huntington and Frederic Dan Huntington. In the letter, Elizabeth refuses to satisfy Frederic, citing God and reason as her rational. However, to show her affection, she attached a pair of socks, which she knit herself, in the hopes of keeping him warm as the winter approaches. Elizabeth also hopes to gain more information about Frederic’s family and parish through “Bethia”, whom is visiting. She then inquires about Frederic’s new hired man, and hopes he works as hard, as well as listens to the gospel as much as Frederic. She offers Hannah a mother’s magazine to help her with her new boy-though apologizes for how old it is. She notes that Theophilus reluctantly enjoyed reading the Christ Doctrine. Winter is fast approaching, and with it brings the end of mourning. She closes with a wish that God will allow them to meet and to never separate. Lastly, she remarks on the joy of reading the second volume Greenwood’s sermons at family Sabbath.
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1844-11-29
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elm Valley Nov. 29th, 1844
My very dear Frederic,
Could I persuade myself that you were sincere and in earnest, in making the request in your last letter, it would give me [pain] to refuse; for you know I have it in my heart always to please you and do you good. In this instance however, your kind feelings for your mother have taken the place of your better judgment. If the thing were [possible], I would most gladly help you, but as the [case] is, it would be [absurd] in the highest degree for me to attempt it- it would be a mere evidence that the faint glimmering of reason had departed.
Whether, with greater opportunities for mental cultivation in youth, I might have been able to write a decent paragraph, as whether there is a natural deficiency, a want of intellectual capability are questions which it would be difficult for me to answer. I must content myself with the hope, that if [I] here, according to my poor ability [to desire] and [and concur] to do good in a very small way, if only by waiting and [escaping] between the porch and the altar; I may in a future life be [furnished] with [powers] which will enable me to render a higher service, to Him who claims and [deserves] our [best] and our all. I feel thankful that I have hands and strength to use them; they have prepared for you a small article which you may find comfortable as the cold increases. I like to force myself [upon] your notice, if it is only by warming your feet. If the socks are [disgustingly] coarse, send them back, and I will knit you some that are finer.
When Bethia returns, I shall hope to have many particulars respecting your family affairs, and [those] of your parish, which you of course cannot have time to communicate. I shall be with you in spirit. I hope the “[hired] man” you mention in your letter, will prove himself a true disciple of the great master, and that you may have good reason to hope that your [labours] are not in vain in the in the Lord [among] your own people. It gives me great comfort to find that you are not wasting your hours, among the great dinner-tables in Boston – or at any other fashionable parties. It is a [blessed] thing that your [hearers] are willing to hear the gospel both parts of the day. It is well also that your members do not diminish – indeed I find I have much to be thankful for on your behalf. I have had a little concern on Hannah’s account – hearing so often how poorly she looks – but I hope her complaints are only those occasioned by nursing a great boy. [Tho] I have not seen him, I often try to imagine how he looks, and often carrying him for a [blessing] to Him who said, “Of [much] is the kingdom of Heaven.” To dear Hannah , I send a [volume] of the mother’s magazine. There may be some things in it which do not exactly suit your taste or her’s – but I feel quite [sure] that here are many things which may be attended to with pleasure and benefit [also] – I hope she will pardon my giving her an old book.
Saturday – Theophilus is much pleased with the [Christ] Doctrine – he was rather reluctant to read it, as he thought it must be controversial – but he likes the sentiments much and admires the spirit in which it is written. Our public national interest might give alarm – this prospect is threatening. If […] or if our sins had reached to [… …] and deserves the [union] which is […]. Our only hope is in the Lord our God – for he can turn the councils of the wicked into foolishes.
Winter seems to be coming in earnest. How forcibly it [presents] to my […] the winter of age- may I also have faith to view the [blessed] inheritance where everlasting [sharing] abides- and “the days of our mourning shall be ended”- may the spirit of God abide with you and at length grant us to meet in the great company above, never more to separate, [which] is the desire of
your loving mother
Elizabeth
While [Mrs. Fisher] was here she had the second volume of [Greenwood’s] sermons, which you with such kindness sent to us last winter, it remained at [Charles’] some time after she left and we are now reading them in the family Sabbath evenings. It is like partaking of a delicious feast to hear them.