Letter to James & Susan Mackey, 1860

Transcription of the letter:

Xenia Nov 27, 1860

James & Susan Mackey

Beloved cousins,

This even-

ing’s mail brought me sad intelligence, I knew by the

black edged messenger that it[s] tidings were sorrowful,

double was its tale of anguish to me, I could mingle

my tears with yours and feed on sorrows bread with you,

but what will it profit, could I bring them back to

your tender embrace. I would freely shed tear, hot, burn-

ing tears, until (like the Psalmist) my couch would

advise. I know your hearts clung to your beloved

offspring. I know your life was bound up in theirs,

your happiness their comfort, their afflictions your

most watchful anxiety, their death the deepest an-

guish of your soul: But my dear cousins, wipe away

those tears, “look from the rod of affliction” with which

you have been visited “to Him that smitheth.” It

was God who gave you those dear children, and if

he wished to take them away to himself, oh! be

resigned to say not our will, but thine be done

our Father. Many earnest prayers did I offer up

to God, that he might spare Jimmie to remain with

you, to comfort & solace your advancing ages, but he

who was the wiser saw fit to call him hence, &

Allie too. Dear girl has gone to her rest, yes, it was the

will of him “who doeth all things well” to take her

from earth, she is now free from all the sorrows

& afflictions of this life, disease with its fatal, sickening

touch, will no longer feed upon her body, her

soul -we trust- washed from every stain of sin has

winged its way to mansions of eternal bliss, that

voice which was so sweet to you is singing that

glorious song of Moses and the [section missing]

[illegible] in heaven, yes how [missing section]

& sister, who were so dear to each other upon earth, u-

nite in singing, everlasting praises to their God & King.

Oh! There mourn not that your children have left

the miseries of this life, and have gone to a world where

sorrow & anguish are never known, it would be wrong

for you to wish they were back here, to be corrupted by the

evil influence which would surround them, oh! Receive

these comforting words from one who sympathizes with

all his heart, from one who loved those children

& from one who hopes they have passed from death unto

life – Now Dear Cousins – indulge me in a few words of ad-

vice; These judgements of God in afflicting you have some

object in view, try and see what that object is, perhaps

you laid too much affections upon those children, and God

knowing that the affection which was due him was cen-

tered upon those loved ones, thought it best to take them

away, that he might receive the affection due him from

all his creatures. Oh! there my cousins take him as he

is offered to you in the gospel. He will more that supply the

places of those children. He will be a brother, an elder brother,

yea, he will be a Father to you & a friend in every time

of need, there may be other reasons for this affectings, con-

sider the matter carefully, prayerfully & give all glory

to the Lord Jesus Christ. Take comfort and these trials, be

patient under your afflictions, give yourselves away to your

God, and you will one day meet those dear ones, where

glory never ends & parting is not known, they have gone be-

fore to await your coming. Then prepare to meet your God.

Remember you have my prayers, my sympathies & my

affections. My health still continues good, & I hope this may

find the rest of you enjoying your accustomed health, please

write me a few lines as soon as possible, I send my love

to you and all the friends, please to hand this note to Mr.

[section missing] with my new home & hope shall

[section missing] present, believe me as ever

[section missing]

M. M. Gibson