Mar. 8th 1885Precious Herbert,
You are not much older than you were yesterday, but in my mind you have made quite an advance. [Ed note: It's his 20th birthday.] Judging from my own experience you too must feel that you have added quite a portion of time to your life.
Doubtless your thoughts have been busy in reviewing the year or years that have gone by. You have remembered with grateful heart the mercies that have marked the past, & the mistakes faults or sins rise before you, & you resolve that the year to come shall be free from those things which have made the retrospect painful in some respects. We are to remember "the things that are behind" only so far as they can minister to our strength in the performances of future or present duties.
We may not forget the aid which has been granted by which we have been enabled to overcome besetting sins & have reached a higher place of Christian living. We speak of the passivity of material bodies, but a living soul cannot reach a state when it must wait for some outward influence to set in operation the powers of its own being. It can be impelled to greater activity or guided & controlled by a power or influences that are beyond self, still the thinking & acting belong to itself & the responsibility must rest with the same.
What my dear boy, I would impress upon you, what you already know & in measure feel in heart, that each noble life that history gives us, was made such, not by the circumstances of the times, but by a consecration of soul & body to an earnest purpose to know the good & reject the evil, to carry out in other words, the great end of its existence, to live for God & humanity. Self-acting does not mean self-centered. A life that plans to do good things & great things for its own enjoyment, will be a failure. A suffering world calls for something more than material aid. The same compassion that glowed in the heart of the divine Redeemer will find a response in hearts unmoved by gifts that minister to bodily necessities.
Mon 9. I have only a few moments before the post closes. A [...] cold night but a bright day. One week of sunshine, how delightful!
Papa and I have a little present for you but think we will keep till you come as there is always some risk in sending by post.
Aunt Martha is still here, talks of leaving this week but think she better remain till next. - Papa & I have been filling out an order from Harpoot. It took me about two days to make the purchases.
I go to Chelsea tomorrow for a meeting. Last [men?] went to Newburyport. I dont see how I am to find a place for Clifton Springs. [?] You will soon be with us.
The meeting last eve was excellent, conducted by Parker Fisk, several of the young men spoke & prayed.
Did you send of the revival at St. Johnsbury? almost all of the 300 scholars are Christians. Now must say good bye.
Lovingly
Mama