Ripley125

ter’s affection from me, because in sickness she forsookme not: but performed a mother’s part to me, a strangerin a strange land, when many passed by, and noticed notthe sorrows that came on me, to qualify me to seek thesalvation of mankind in general. Albany, New York State, 26th 8th mo. 1805. MY ENDEARED FRIEND A. E., LAST evening I returned from my visit to the Indiansof Oneida, South Settlement, Stockbridge, and Brother-town, and I was presented with two letters from thee,whom I am united to by the strongest ties of Christianfriendship, that will no doubt end in the full felicity ofour spirits, when they enter into the City of our God.Here our joys are mixed with pain; our love with anxiousdesire, that causes bitterness of spirit, through a separa-tion: but in Heaven, one Object will attract our notice,even the Spiritual Bridegroom, who is now the Head ofthe Invisible Church, as well as the Visible One, whichwe are members of. Since we were parted, many havebeen the baptisms my soul hath endured for the childrenof men, while I have travelled five hundred miles, andhave had above thirty appointments, which were held inthe Court-house, Steeple-houses, School-rooms, Barns,Fields, or Woods; yet there has been sufficient time forme to think of my precious A. E. although I assure thee, Iwatch with a godly jealousy over my natural affections,lest I give to thee, or any other sincere acquaintance,more than is due to mutable creatures. Thou must ac-knowledge God, the Father of us each, is entitled to ourardency of soul, and continual thoughts; and I believe, aswe are more weaned from terrestrial objects (in whom weshould place no confidence) we shall have our minds sub-jected, and lay passively in His Hand, doing His Will, andsuffering patiently for His sake, while employing thewhole of our time, which I imagine though dost call Onebusiness. If I were to indulge myself in expression atthis time, I should use strong tender words to thee: but I