(seq. 59)

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RCH in KZ at Jun 28, 2022 02:47 PM

(seq. 59)

[fol. 2v]

ligious assurance? How can I acquire that patience, which
possessed her soul through every trying scene of a long and
distressing illness? How can I gain that sweet composure of
mind, with which she bade adieu to the world, and all, she
held most dear? Often have I heard and discoursed of the
power of religion in sickness and at death. Often have I been
with those, who, in near view of eternity, have expressed rather
a willingness to die, than any cheering unclouded hope of future
felicity. But never did I hear, or was I witness of an instance of
a more perfect submission to the will of Providence, than my
Abigail constantly manifested, and, at the same time, of such
unshaken conviction of divine acceptance. During her tedious
disorder, she had 33 different watchers, most of them heads
of families; and I have reason to hope, that the impression,
which her conversation and example made upon their
minds, will prove of lasting benefit. O! could my barren
preaching but second this effect, I am persuaded, it would
have the happiest tendency.

But I feel almost disheartened, when I reflect not only
on my own weakness and deficiencies; but on the common
obtacles, which oppose, and on the new obstacles, which
threaten to oppose ministerial success. We have daily
evidence, that the principles of Jacobinism are gaining
strength in our land. Already do its friends realize with
melancholy grounds of assurance the completion of
their wishes. The Essex Junta, (I pray heaven our coun-
try may never have more designing foes,) feel assured, on
the most moderate computation, that Jefferson will have
as many, as 72 votes, while the highest federal candi-
date will have but 69. I find, also, it is the opinion

[fol. 2r]

of the best informed men, that the next house of
national representatives will be decidedly Jefferso-
nian. The Chronicle and Telegraph are daily
teeming with the most violent and groundless in-
vectives against the clergy; and, however respectable
the order, they oppose, we have the assurance of the
wise man, that "a continual dropping weareth
away the stones." The language, which these pretended
Republicans use, clearly evinces, that if they employ
their power, when they obtain it, as they do their reas-
on, the friends and, especially, the preachers of revealed
religion will have little to hope, every thing to fear.
But your reply for our mutual comfort, that a wise
[...]d good Being overrules all events. True, my [ ]
[...]ut the existence of his cause, and the fulfilmen[ ]
[...]s promises may be consistent with our n[ ]
al destruction. You further reply, why dwell on
such gloomy prospects, when we have long enjoyed
and continue to enjoy so many invaluable bless-
ings. We have, indeed, every reason to be grateful
for divine mercies. But have we not, also, the
greatest reason to dread divine judgements? Should
my life be spared, I may yet have occaison to be
thankful, that, in the strictest sense of the phrase,
my dear wife was "taken away from the evil to
come."

In hope, that our correspondence may be con-
tinued as frequently, as possible, with desiring an
affectionate remembrance to your wife, and express-
ing my best wishes for yourself & children, I am, &c J Pierce.

(seq. 59)

[fol. 2v]

ligious assurance? How can I acquire that patience, which
possessed her soul through every trying scene of a long and
distressing illness? How can I gain that sweet composure of
mind, with which she bade adieu to the world, and all, she
held most dear? Often have I heard and discoursed of the
power of religion in sickness and at death. Often have I been
with those, who, in near view of eternity, have expressed rather
a willingness to die, than any cheering unclouded hope of future
felicity. But never did I hear, or was I witness of an instance of
a more perfect submission to the will of Providence, than my
Abigail constantly manifested, and, at the same time, of such
unshaken conviction of divine acceptance. During her tedious
disorder, she had 33 different watchers, most of them heads
of families; and I have reason to hope, that the impression,
which her conversation and example made upon their
minds, will prove of lasting benefit. O! could my barren
preaching but second this effect, I am persuaded, it would
have the happiest tendency.

But I feel almost disheartened, when I reflect not only
on my own weakness and deficiencies; but on the common
obtacles, which oppose, and on the new obstacles, which
threaten to oppose ministerial success. We have daily
evidence, that the principles of Jacobinism are gaining
strength in our land. Already do its friends realize with
melancholy grounds of assurance the completion of
their wishes. The Essex Junta, (I pray heaven our coun-
try may never have more designing foes,) feel assured, on
the most moderate computation, that Jefferson will have
as many, as 72 votes, while the highest federal candi-
date will have but 69. I find, also, it is the opinion

[fol. 2r]

of the best informed men, that the next house of
national representatives will be decidedly Jefferso-
nian. The Chronicle and Telegraph are daily
teeming with the most violent and groundless in-
vectives against the clergy; and, however respectable
the order, they oppose, we have the assurance of the
wise man, that "a continual dropping of [neareth?]
away the stones." The language, which these pretended
Republicans use, clearly evinces, that if they employ
their power, when they obtain it, as they do their reas-
on, the friends and, especially, the preachers of revealed
religion will have little to hope, every thing to fear.
[Buh?] your reply for our mutual comfort, that a wise
and good Being overrules all events. [Free?], my [?]
[but?] the existence of his cause, and the fulfilment [?]
[this?] promises may be consistent with our natur-
al destruction. You further reply, why dwell on
such gloomy prospects, when we have long enjoyed
and continue to enjoy so many invaluable bless-
ings. We have, indeed, every reason to be grateful
for divine mercies. But have we not, also, the
greatest reason to dread divine judgements? Should
my life be spared, I may yet have occaison to be
thankful, that, in the strictest sense of the phrase,
my dear wife was "taken away from the evil to
come."
In hope, that our correspondence may be con-
tinued as frequently, as possible, with desiring an
affectionate remembrance to your wife, and express-
ing my best wishes for yourself & children, I am [&c?] J Pierce.