South Hadley, Oct 7th 1848.
Miss Lyon,
My dear Mother,
How kindly and how seasonably too, the wants of your many children have been to day anticipated, for we whose privilege and happiness it is, to address you as our Mother, have received with gratitude and heartfelt satisfaction, the liberty which so unexpectedly has been given. Separated as we are at present, from those, whose sympathy and love, we have at all times shared, the pleasure that we shall receive in addressing you by letter, will in some measure compensate for the absence of those much loved friends, from whom we have so recently been called to part, and on whom for many days, our thoughts have almost constantly been fixed.
As you desire a short account of the manner, in which we all have been engaged, during our absence from this pleasant home, I would not hesitate to mention some few things that have transpired in relation to myself, though almost eighteen months have passed since I was here before.
A sudden and unexpected Providence, called me to leave my Holyoke home, which for two successive years, I had been wishing to enjoy. My father died, and my mother was brought low by sickness, pain and suffering. Then it was that first I thought I could in my measure realize what would be the orphan's lonely state, but God who is infinite in goodness and in mercy, spared her life, and after months of illness, she was partially restored.
Then I thought again of Holyoke, and desired if possible to return once more to the school I loved so well, but my mothers health was not sufficient, and I concluded to defer it one year more. In the mean time a favorable opportunity presenting itself I engaged in a school, only a short distance from home, where I spent many happy months, though not without a weight of responsibility, which at first, it seemed I never could sustain.
A few months since, I left my home to spend the summer, where I might once more engage in study, but it was not thus to be. Disease, not easily subdued, attacked me, which continued many weeks. Never before did I realize so sensibly, how great is our debt of thankfulness to Him, who gives us health, the greatest of all earthly blessings. As soon as there was any prospect of health sufficient for the undertaking, I concluded to return to Holyoke, and I am happy now to number myself among Miss Lyon's pupils. Desiring to remain this year, if it is my Heavenly Father's will, and hoping by my correct department, and consistent character, to secure my teacher's favor, but more especially the favor of my God, I remain now and ever,
Yours affectionately, Harriet Ely.