4

there are no external objects present to excite or
direct the thoughts, and more frequently when
visible objects and passing events are seized
on, if I may so say, to convey impressions to our
minds - or more properly when the impressions
made by the external world are employed by
the spirits of the departed, to make us sensi-
ble of their presence. It seems to me that
I have repeatedly been so impressed with the
consciousness of James presence to my mind
since his death, that nothing whatever was
wanting to the certainty of that presence but the
evidence of the seeing eye, the hearing ear &
the sensible touch. But I cannot pursue this
subject now. What the great majority of mankind
have believed in all ages must be regarded as having
the stamp of truth. About next Wednesday
I shall leave for Riverside to consecrate the
church there. About Wednesday week I expect to
join Henrietta at Chattanooga to proceed via
Charleston & Sea to N. York. She wishes to go - her friends
there insist on it, and some one must go with her.
The duty falls naturally tho' inconveniently, on me and
I must obey. - I wish you would write to Loop
and tell him of Sommerville, Shelbyville, Mur-
freesboro, McMinnville, & Ripley near Dr. Oldhams,
all of which places will support a young, unmar-
ried man genteelly with promise of increase. But
clergymen who will not come to Tenn.e as you and [Tomes?]
& I and some others have done, "having faith" in God to
provide for us, had better stay away. We have had enough
of those who ask "quid dabitis."?

Yours ever, Jas. H Otey

My love to your family. If I can serve you, North.