Letter from Samuel Pickard to Mary Little

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This is a scanned version of the original document in the Abernethy Manuscripts Collection at Middlebury College.

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Newbury, Dec 17 1821.

Much respected and dear Madam

Without an hyperbole I think I can assure you that yours of the [20th?] [ult?[ was received with much pleasure. Its value was greatly enhanced by some circumstances attending the time at which it arrived. I had just seated myself at the table on thanksgiving day morning, and being rather indisposed felt as though there was but little enjoyment for me, when my attention was called to the door and I was permitted to receive your friendly letter. A perusal of its contents seemed [illegible] dissipate the mists of horrour with which imagin[ation?] had surrounded me, and although my indisposition forbid my joining the social circle, yet I felt my spirits sensibly elevated, and I enjoyed the day far better than the brightest anticipations, under such circumstances, could have induced me to believe I should do.

The friendly sentiments expressed in your very acceptable letter I think I can heartily reciprocate, and I have long wished I might be permitted to call you by the endearing appellation of sister (for like a sister you have long seemed to me.) It affords me much pleasure to learn that you arrived in safety notwitstanding the uncomfortable season in which you took your journey and the peculiarly unpleasant weather you had during the latter part of it. It gives me additional pleasure to be able to conclude (an inference I draw from you silence on the subject) that your health is as good as usual. - It is not

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a little gratifying to hear that you find some time to read; for in books, if you make a good selection I think you will meet with the best of society. From them as from the purest fountains you may derive [more?] golden maxims of wisdom and truths of much practical importance and utility. The evidences of Christianity instead of being slightly read as is too generally the case, ought to be faithfully studied. Surely no work is better vouched than the Bible, yet none perhaps is more frequently and wantonly attacked. While infidelity then continues to exist it is important that the friends of Revelation, should be well acquainted with the external evidences which alone bear any weight with those who doubt its authenticity and deny its authority. You say that appearance does not answer your [expectations?]. I hope you will not have reason to complain of his preaching - I want you to give me the general character of his [deletion] Sermons. - The reason I did not answer your request for "the [?] of thorns" was siimply this I did not receive your letter until after the waggon left - Should I find an opportunity of sending it I shall. It is a very interesting little volume. It forcibly inculcates, by example, the importance of pursuing with unvarying steadiness that "short and narrow way" which alone conducts to the peaceful shores of that happy country where are pleasures forevermore. It points out the great folly and wickedness of our wishing to break over those salutory restraints, which are so necessary to keep in due subordination our lawless passions & appetites, & to check that criminal curiosity which we too often manifest to pry into things with which we had better be unacquainted. If we [deleted]rightly read[/deleted] were careful to read with close attention the book of providence ever open for our inspection, we should find ourselves [heaped?]

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about with so much undeserved kindness, which, it seems, should secure our ceaseless gratitude & constant obedience. Yet notwithstanding the constant experience we have of the goodness of God and of his loving kindness - how prone are we to go astray from him, and by so doing, [we?] [cause?] to ourselves that punishment which is most justly inflicted on us for endeavoring to break down [those?] [hedges?] which are set up to defend us against greater evils lying beyond them.

After so much inteligence as you must have received by the great number of letters recently addressed to you, it would be presumptuous in me to think of offering any thing new. Your mother however I must tell you is so well as to keep about the house - she attends I believe considerably to spinning. She does not appear at all pleased with the idea of [deleted]going[/deleted] being shut up all winter. I supposee you have been told that she attended meeting on thanks giving day. I think she is as well as when you left. Y[our?] brother M. is at present rather more ill than [usual?] occasioned I believe by a sudden cold - Other friends much as usual - I. [Slate?] appears to be doing well. M. [Tappan?] remains indisposed - his friends are yet in doubt to know what to conclude respecting him. - Mr. [Miltman?] continues to be afflicted with the rheumatism- I think however he is better. Capt [Baufreau?] is about sailing again. Mrs [R.?] I think will return to her father's. I have time to write no more though I have a thousand things to say. Mrs Miltman has charged me to remember her regards to you whenever I may have opportunity. Miss [Winsthe?] [?] give my regards to your brother & sister & let me be remembered likewise to [I?] yours with esteem S Pickard

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to write you again to be able to write you win [but?] no let me not from you. yours []

[] Mary Little Newbury Vermont

[] soon and [] a better letter [] [] this - wait to hear

Sam Pickard to Mary Little [Wport?] Dec 17 - 1821 - in VT

Last edit about 1 year ago by garnettRVA
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