Newport, N. H., Oct. 23, 1863
My Dear Children, Henry, Edson, and Willie,
We feel somewhat anxious in regard to you. We know that you are
with one of the best of families, and we wish you to act in a manner to
be esteemed by them. Cultivate habits of refinement. Be elevated in
your conversation and all your acts. Be constantly fitting for the society
of the good and holy here, and the pure and heavenly in the kingdom
of God. Be ever striving to fill some position where you can be of
use and do good. Don’t chat and talk merely for the sake of saying
something. Never talk unless you have something to say—something
which will add to the general information of those with whom you
converse. Children, let your aim be to be right, just right. Let not
others who love not God be your patterns, but imitate the life of Christ.
Cause the family with whom you live as little trouble as you can.
Be very guarded on the Sabbath. Henry, you must try to interest
your brothers in scriptural and moral reading. I think it your duty to
study the Bible more on the Sabbath. Says the Saviour, “Search the
Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.” You will have a
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conflict to be right. I Don’t command you to read the Bible—I never
shall. I want you to read the Bible because you love it, not because
you are driven to it, for then it will be an unpleasant task. But if you
neglect the reading of the Bible, you will lose your love for it. Those
who love the word of God are those who read it most. By reading
and searching out scripture references, you will see the chain of truth,
and will see new beauties in the word of God. While you make the
Scriptures more your study, and become more familiar with them, you
will be better fortified against the temptations of Satan. When inclined
to speak, or act, wrong, some scripture will come to arrest you, and
turn you right. It is not natural for the heart to love the Bible; but when
it is renewed by grace, then the mind will feast upon the rich truths
and promises contained in the word of God.
Watch and pray, children, lest you be overcome by the enemy.
Make persevering efforts for everlasting life. Live Christian lives,
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