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A Place In Thy Memory
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259 | The success of benevolence and religion, is not wholly dependent upon the efforts of man. God can work and none can hinder, and in due time the labor of his hands shall be accomplished. But, Mr. D---, when I think of being again barred within those massive walls, my heart sinks at the thought of your coming there no more, to heighten with your presence our pensive joys. Oh! I fondly hope you will visit us sometimes, and let us feel the pressure of your friendly hands, and the cordial greeting of your endearing words. I have passed the winter with my Rochester friends. Spring has come, and it is decided that I take the cars on the first May morning, for the New-York Institution. | |
260 | A shadow of sadness nestles in my heart when I picture the future; but we see not as God sees. It is a part of my faith that whatever is, is for the best, so I manage to put on as sunny a face as possible, and laugh when they speak of my returning, and resuming my labors as a noviciate. We have had a charming winter, and the last twelve days have been exceedingly fine. Lizzy and Carry are busy bossing their gardeners, so I have had an opportunity of passing much of my time out of doors. My general health is very good, but alas for these poor eyes! I much fear they will never recover from the severe blows and coal fires of the Institution. | |
261 | Glad to hear that Mrs. B. and her family are well. I shall write her soon. Please share my heart's most affectionate regards with Mrs. D. and the other members of your family, and believe me ever gratefully yours. | |
262 | Long Island Water-Cure, Aug. 31, 1843. | |
263 | MY MOST EXCELLENT FRIEND MR. D.:--- | |
264 | You may think me unmindful of the many demands upon your time. Mrs. N. replied, after reading your last, that she would be most happy to be the bearer of a note to you, an opportunity which I cannot let pass. Dr. N. is certainly one of the choicest spirits I ever knew. He greets me every day with "how do you do, my child?" so affectionately, that I am getting to love him with my whole heart. Mrs. N. is very like him. Fanny Forester and several other lights of the age, were pupils of hers. Mr. D., I am certainly very happy here, and perfectly satisfied with every thing as it is. I wrote you the other day by Mr. E., did you get it? All is going on now as then, only the water is growing colder, and I am every day stronger and can walk farther. "With as much grateful affection as my heart can give, I send you this brief note. I cannot tell you how very, very glad I am to hear from you. Your missives, as you call them, are precious things; all here love to read them; indeed we are so out of reading matter, that old letters are sometimes resorted to for pastime. The other day Mrs. N. read me all of yours, often exclaiming as she read on, "What a blessed man that Mr. D. is; I certainly must know him." | |
265 | Oh, every body is so kind to me! Thank you for that sweet assurance, that this darkness does not cloud the hearts of my friends, that it does not make them love me less; their love and sympathy are all that bind me to earth. They are God's gifts, and I do prize them. They spring up every where now, but will it be always so? God grant it may! Heaven bless you, and all yours! | |
266 | COUSIN WILL: -- I am glad you have at last begun to paste your scraps. I have written, according to your request, the following little address, which if you please you may copy neatly, and place upon the first page; and when your book is completed, I will write for you the close. The accompanying engravings are some which I selected for my own use, but I do not care for them now. You must border them with gilt, and intersperse them through your book; they will both relieve and ornament its pages. | |
267 | TO MY SCRAP-BOOK. | |
268 | I found thee amidst a multitude -- a nameless, blank, unmeaning thing; with a look expressing nought but cold neglect. Perchance it was pity moved me; or the kind feeling of the good Samaritan. Be that as it may, I passed thee not by, but have brought thee to my own home; and henceforth WE will be FRIENDS, dwelling together in unity and love. Thou shalt be to me a silent companion, sharing all my joys and sorrows; and I will gather for thee from the storehouse of knowledge; I will enrich thee with the unfading beauties of thought -- with treasures of intellect; and the holy fires of feeling and love, hope and ambition, too, shall be thine. Upon thy heart will be written indelibly the laws of gratitude and the great rule of right; and thou wilt speak a language pure as lisped by angel-tongues. Thy lessons of wisdom I will make the mottoes of my life. I will bind them about my heart; and be governed by them in all my ways. Thou wilt reason, too, and reflect; and oft, as we onward journey, when Silence holds her spell-like reign, thou wilt turn my free thoughts backward, far o'er the current of years, gathering for me all life's scattered sweets into one hour. | |
269 | The Poet's art shall be thine; and, more eloquent than lyre of purest note, thou shalt sing of Him who sits in majesty enthroned, whose hand has gemmed the upper skies, and given the rose its tint. For my sadder hours, thou |