Rawsonville, Nov.
23.
My dear Brother
John: If I have not been first to come forward to express my sympathy for you,
in this your hour of trial, it was not because I did not feel very deeply; but
whenever I undertake to give expression to my feelings, words are inadequate,
and I find myself driven away from earth in thought to find consolation; and I
rejoice that there is One seeth as man cannot see. O, my brother, if I could
say any thing that would help to cheer thine heart or buoy up your spirits, I
should be most happy. You say in your letter to Jeremiah that the time may come
when we will not be ashamed to own our brother John. Do not let the evil spirit
suggest such a thought as this to mar your peace. No! I rejoice that a brother
of mine is accounted worthy to suffer and die in His cause, and I feel myself
impelled to cry out, "The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice;" and,
as you, like our Heavenly Master, have been a "Man of Sorrows, and acquainted
with grief," I do pray that you may be able to forgive your enemies, and
to pray for them, as Stephen of old did, "Lord, lay not this sin to their
charge."
O, read the 53d
chapter of Isaiah, and may it comfort and sustain you as it has me. O,
"fear not them that kill the body and have not power to kill the
soul." I feel that you will be sustained in every conflict. Let it cheer
you that thousands of Christians are offering prayer to God daily and hourly in
your behalf, and that God will get honor and glory in the finale of the matter.
I received a letter yesterday from her that was Harriett O——, saying,
"Tell your brother how deeply I feel and pray for him in these his days of
trial, that God will be his friend and support to the last." Sister D——
would unite with me in this, if she were here; for it is the first thing
thought of when we meet — How shall we express our sympathy for him? What can
we say that will add one ray of comfort? I shall write to Mary, for my own
widowed heart can in some measure realize how bitter is the cup of which she
must drink. I should dearly love to receive a few lines, at least, from you. My
children send their sympathy and love; and now, dear brother, God be with you,
is the prayer of your affectionate sister.
Marian S. H.
Please receive what
mother has written as coming from myself also; and may God be with you and
sustain you in all your trials. I can say no more.
* Half sister of
John Brown, daughter of Owen Brown and Sally Root.
1 Addison K. Hand, son of Marian Brown &
Titus H. Hand.
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