[Paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]My dear Parents
Do you not wish to hear from your Hally once more? Well, I have joyful news to tell you, news, that I know will fill your hearts with gratitude, and cause tears of joy to flow[.] Oh! will you not rejoice with me? A Savior's love is mine. Is it not a richer blessing, than one so vile, so unworthy, as I, could win hope to enjoy? I cannot tell you, how happy, happy, I do feel. All is so calm, and peaceful. I seem to hear my Father's gentle voice, in every whispering breeze. "Come unto me, and I will give you rest," are the precious words, which fall upon my ear. Oh! I do hope I have given my heart, to that blessed Savior, and humbly trust, my sins have been forgiven, through his atoning blood. Is it not indeed a blessed hope?
And do not you, my dear Mother, who have tasted these joys, do not you rejoice with me? Ah! yes. That quivering lip, and tearful eye, speak volumes of words. Methinks I hear you say, "persevere my child in the path of duty." And will you not pray for me dear Mother? will you not plead earnestly at the throne of grace, that I may never wander from the fold of Christ? May the consecration I have made of myself to God, never be forgotten; may the vows of which my little room has been a witness, may they never be broken. I am fully aware that the christian's life is not without its trials, that they who tread the thorny path, which leads to heaven, must arm themselves with faith, to understand the numerous temptations, which may, and will, assail them. I know I can do nothing of myself but in the "Rock of Ages" I would put my trust. He has promised to be the sinner's friend, and to him I would come and humbly seek for guidance.
And now my dear father, permit me to address a few words to you. I know not what to say. I can tell you of nothing, but that you have heard again, and again. I can only entreat you to come and give your heart to the Savior. "He is ready. He is willing." How many, many times, have I heard you sing these lines. Oh! That it might indeed be the language, of your heart. At last, my dear father, will you not give this momentous subject, your serious consideration. You have spent many years in folly, and in sin, and have you ever found true enjoyment? but win now, if you "will hear his voice, and harden not your heart," you may find that peace, which passeth understanding. Forgive me, if I have spoken too plainly, believe me it came from the fulness [sic] of my heart. The retiring bell will soon sing so I can write no more to night[.] I love you all love you dearly better now than ever before. Good night, good night, good night.
Dear Mother
I believe I will devote the remainder of this letter exclusively to you, although it was not my intention, when I commenced it. To you, I feel that I can come, and unburden my heart, Yes I have ever found you ready to listen to me even in worldly matters, and know you will not turn away, when I speak of a subject, far, far, more important[.] Perhaps you would like to know some of the circumstances, which led me, a thoughtless, and impenitent sinner, first to think of this subject, but indeed I cannot tell you.
It seems to me, one cannot live in this family, where the words of eternal life, are so constantly sounding in our ears, and the precepts of the Gospel so ardently enforced, by the examples of those around us, without giving our attention to it[.] I cannot tell you how distressed I have been in my mind,f or a few weeks past, but now all is calm and peaceful.
And I do not rejoice alone, many, yes, very many, here, hope they have begun to love the Saviour. Among them, we can number four of our own little circle. Mary Brinsmade, Emeline, Charlotte, and myself. Elinor had made a public profession, when [...] came. All but Ellen Lewis, and Mary Comstock. Oh! how my heart yearns for them. I believe all but three in section, indulge a hope.
But I must close now, for the bell will soon ring, and I am very desirous to send this letter, this morning. I have not answered Mrs M-'s letter yet. I commenced one some time ago, but for various reasons, I was unable to finish it. give my love to her, and to another who is very dear to me. Tell him we can now rejoice together, and if we are not united in this world, we may hope to meet in heaven, where parting never comes. My love to Cornelia and George. No more at present, from your affectionate daughter, Hatty.
I did not finish my letter in time this morning, and now I have broken open the seal, to tell you - Ah! you know it already, that death seems again inevitable. Is it indeed so? Is there no hope? Oh! my dear Mother how can I bear to think of it. Indeed I do noeed the consoling influence of religion in this trying hour, I feel it is all for the best. "Whom the Lord loveth he christeneth["] and oh! that I might bow in humble submission, to his holy will, and seek his direction and guidance.
My prayer is that he may live at least to hear that I too have a blessed hope of meeting him in heaven. Pray for me dear mother pray that I may bear this affliction, as becometh one whose trust is in God. But I am seeking time which ought to be devoted to my duties and must not cannot write more. With a sad and aching heart I bid you adieu[.] But I mourn not as one without hope[.] Tell him this it may cheer him in the dying from H. L.