[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Amherst, Dec 8. 1849.
My dear Miss Williams
When we bade each other adieu at Holyoke, I think somthing was said about writing, but of this I am not certain, I am only certain that it would give me much pleasure to hear from you, & almost equal pleasure to write you, now that I have learned your address. I say almost because I am, as I fear, selfishly fond of receiving benefits, & what I might say would not perhaps interest you. It is so pleasant to talk with my former schoolmates of scenes at Holyoke, I think I did not know how much I was attached to all there, until we were separated. I am often with them now in imagination.
Do you not love to return thither to those cherished recess meetings? How exalted were our privileges, & how little, I for one, improved them. I shall ever have cause for gratitude, that I was led to enter those walls, as it was here, I hope, that I found there was mercy & peace through the Savior, though at the eleventh hour. Perhaps you knew that I was long involved in darkness & doubt, & it was only just before leaving Holyoke, that I seemed to find peace.
It now seems to me so strange that I, or that any, should so long resist the offers of mercy, but it is through grace alone that any are made willing. I have many enquiries that I wish to make in regard to N.J. as a field of labor, especially as my thoughts have been recently turned towards it. My sister, who perhaps you know, thinks of going there to teach, hopes to reach there on Thursday, Dec. 27. & it is her wish & mine that I should accompany her, but I would first ask, is there work for me to do?
Perhaps you will say that one who has finished a course of study, ought to have discipline & culture sufficient to do something more than to teach the elementary branches, but to me it seems that mental discipline, (what little I may possess), is not thrown away even when expended upon the ignorant. To me it seems, that our great desire should be to be useful, to work for our Heavenly Master, & it matters little what station we occupy, if it is where we can best promote His cause.
When my sister first thought of going to N.J. I expected to remain in New England, but as I did not commence teaching at the time I anticipated, I should not probably commence till spring, & it would be very pleasant for sister & myself to be near each other, as well as gratifying to our aged mother. Should there be an opening, I should be greatly obliged by any information you might give, as to situation, duties, &c. I would also be glad to know what are your religious privileges.
It is now past ten, & I must close. I would add that I recieved [sic] a letter from Susan Wingate some time since, she was then taking lessons in painting. Her health was quite poor. It is four or five weeks since I heard from "Our mountain home," they had just nicely began studying, with a very full school, & a large Senior Class. Is Miss Luce there this year? Please remember me to her, when you write her, also to any other of my schoolmates, who may be teaching near you. With much love
Yours truly
Martha A. Dodge