My dear Herbert
It is my turn to write to Edward I think, but I must at least begin a letter to you on your birth day. How much I should enjoy being there today as I am sure you will have some observance of the day in our little home circle, perhaps Susie & Emma present. How the years speed on. I look at these pictures of my little Bertie and think how short a time ago they were taken & now he has grown to man's stature. "The years roll on." "A few more years shall roll."
Have you read any in Young's Night thoughts You will find many fine tho'ts in that. One just came to my mind as I was writing. "This is but the bud of being" &c. What will be man's course, or the redeemed soul's course beyond this world. What can there be to occupy these powers of the soul in all the ages upon ages of an existence wh[ich] is never to end. How little we know, but God has not made man in vain. What is that race we are to run, wh[ich] is now so closely hidden from our eyes? We know not, nor can we know now, but all this we are sure that all this "earthly care is Heavenly discipline" for a life upon which we shall enter beyond the bounds of time. How short-sighted are they who centre their hopes on anything here below. I used to like one passage very much which begins in the 4th night thus:
"Man! know thyself. All wisdom there centres; To none man seems ignoble, but to man; Angels that grandeur, men o'erlook, admire." &c.
"But the grand comment, wh[ich] at full displays our human height, scarce severed from Divine. By Heaven composed, was published on the cross."
I think you would enjoy reading that book.
The snow still lies on a part of the plain. We have had fog many days, now a high wind has scattered it & is taking off the snow.
Of course you will have heard before you will read this that the Brownes are rejoicing over the birth of a son Edward Kendall. Mr. Gates and Miss Sears are about starting for the U.S. Perhaps you will see them before they return. Mr. Gates goes to be married, seems inclined to settle at Mosul.
The meetings are still kept up at the lower quarter. Pastor Geragos is working very faithfully. H. S. Barnum and family with Mrs Knapp & her little girls are about starting from Van [?] for America or will go as soon as the traveling will permit. They go via. Tiflis & Poti, thence take steamer to Const[antinople]. You will of course see them. Perhaps Mrs K. will live in Auburndale as Mama does with her children. Mr. K. remains in Bitlis.
What have you been thinking about the College you will go to. I don't know as you can do better than to go to Amherst. I see in a list of Colleges that Amherst draws the largest number of Christian young men, but there is time enough for you to decide that before the time arrives. With a great deal of love from Papa on your 18th birth day.