M. E. S., a Massachusetts Matron, to John Brown, November 8, 1859

[Massachusetts,] No v. 8.

Dear and Honored Friend: At last my bonds are loosed, and I can write you a word of love and helping. Comfort and cheer you have from obedience to that eternal law of right God stamped in such living characters upon your soul when he sent it forth to do its work among the children of men. Your sublime allegiance to truth is our comfort and cheer in this sharp trial. Through much and sore anguish I have come to look upon the second of December as the glorious birthday of one whom all men will delight to honor when the mists of sin and selfishness shall have rolled away forever from their eyes. Dear, brave old friend, you can never die! The gallows seems no longer a degradation, since your example has so hallowed and glorified it! For the Truth's sake I can let you die; but for our affection's sake we would put our arms around you and hold you here forever, You are constantly in our minds by day and by night. I cannot tell you what we all suffered the few first days; and had I not been confined to a sick bed, I think I should have found my way to that Virginia prison. God bless you forever for your faithfulness to a great principle. Justice, truth, and immortality seem the only realities when contemplated from the heights you have achieved. I will try to be a braver and truer woman and mother (albeit a sadder) for the lesson you have taught. Your name shall be a cherished household word; and as long as we live your Heavenly Birthday shall be kept in our hearts and home.

"Pace In thy cell, old Socrates,
        Cheerily to and fro;
Trust to the impulse of thy soul
        And let the poison flow;
They may shatter to earth the lamp of clay
        That holds a light divine,
But they cannot quench the fire of thought
        By any such deadly wine;
They cannot blot thy spoken word
        From the memory of man,
By all the poison ever was brewed
        Since time its course began;
To-day abhorred, to-morrow adored;
        So round and round we run;
And ever the truth comes uppermost,
        And ever is justice done."

My little son Henry sends you his love, and says he will never forget you.

And now, dear, brave old friend, farewell. “A little while and we shall not see you, because you go unto the Father. And again, a little while and we shall see you, because we, too, go unto the Father." May the blessed God reveal to you more and more of His Divine Spirit until "mortality is swallowed up of life."

Your friend with enduring love and reverence,

M. E. S.

SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, p. 413-4