p.

[?] permit

Midd. Coll. Jan 1. [1830?]

Dear Friend

your thrice welcome letter
I have delayed answering in order that I
might hear from you by Mr. Robertson
and has lately returned here; & I rejoice to
hear that you & yours are well, beloved
& respected; impressing every opportunity
of usefulfulness within your reach
I felt when reading yours that though
changed in clime you are not changed
in mind or attachments & our walk
together while in college our
correspondence while in Andover, our
occasional Meetings afterwards, & our parting
visit to Mr Stubbins,- all rose up to my
mind with distinctness, The journal of
Mr Bird I always read with interest; &
you have had trials: you have had what is
incouraging, My Brother. You have the
consolation of knowing that your labor
has not been in vain in the Lord; & in
the changes that are going on I cannot
but believe that there will be a wide door