Boston March 23. 1842My dear cousin Lydia,
I have thought a great deal about writing you, but have put off doing so, untill [sic] we should hear from Thomas. We recieved [sic] letters from him, a few days before I did yours,. [sic] He writes that his health is excellent, and says that both mind and body seen to expand, and recieve fresh vigor, beneath the influence of an African Sun. He dates from River Gambia, Gonee [Guinea], about the 17th of January, this was the last, the other was written rather more than a weak [sic] before[.] He had an opportunity of attending church a Wesleyan Missionary. He was much pleased and edificed. There were about 20 Whites and 200 Blacks & Mulatto[.] Thomas expects to be at home by July at the farthest. He had gone when we recieved your fathers letter. Thank you so much for my part of that, and the one later recieved. You were very kind to take so much trouble to send us those nice Nuts. We are all very fond of them and the taste much better coming from your farm, than if we had bought them here[.] It was quite a pretty present -
Edward was married the 12 of October, he has boarded out since and appears very happy with his wife (They are very loving certainly). Thomas sailed in a fortnight after -
I am glad to hear your church were ready to receive the influences of the Holy Spirit. I hope christians in your town and elsewhere will continue to feel more and more the importance of earnest prayer, and of not letting an opportunity pass by of conversation with unconverted friends. We are daily refreshed with the news from the churches in Boston and recently, of many conversions. In the Eliot church Rox. (ours) there has just begun to be a depth of feeling on the subject of religion. Great coldness has prevailed. We have had different minister almost every sundy [sic]. But we hope and pray for better things. Will your father and you remember us in your prayers. The principle grace we need is Humility -
We are all in good health and are happy to hear you are all well. Please to give much love from all our family, to every member of yours and remember me to Mr. & Mrs White - It would give me more pleasure than I can well express to make you a visit if it were only for one day, but there is no prospect of it at present, butt [sic] I hope you will be able to return my visit first. We expect to change our place of residence this Spring. When we get settled I will write you again -
We have had two great preachers in Boston all winter Mr Kinter [?] and Mr Knapp I suppose you have heard of them. They have been (the instruments) doing great good in awakening christians and converting sinners[.] Mr. Knapp has been very successful in arresting the attention of some of the most degraded in society, his houses have been thronged by those who would hear no other preacher, and many who went to scoff, returned to pray. He uses very familiar language, talks to the people. - Mr. Kinter [?] is an elegant preacher but very clear in elucidating doctrine & duty &c - He says he does not mean to [...] his [...] in the other world and have [them] say: he covered Hell to there -
I believe I did not tell you I took lessons in Oil Painting the winter after I saw you[.] It employs much of my time and I really delight in it - I like to hear of your studies and what you are doing - you must not think, when I do not write that I have forgotten you, indeed I could not forget your father after our tugging up that Mt. together Give love particularly to each one and take a large share for yourself
Yours Affectionately
Frances A. Seymour