couragement, or with whom I could claim kinWith the poet I could say: dred. "There are no friends nor fathers here, A sister's love I may not share, 'Till life was spent, Nor seek abroad a better home." I also wrote again to my parents, stating to them my feelings and prospects, and expostulating with them for their neglect, as I supposed they had received my former letters, and from being offended with me, refused to answer my epistles. This however, appeared ultimately not to be the case, as the reader will hereafter learn. During the passage of my letter I continued to improve my gift and to get acquainted more extensively with the families around me. Among these families was that of Mr. N. Judd, who, though they were ranked among the mediocrity of the honest and industrious, were rich in faith and in the knowledge of divine things. My first acquaintance with this family was in the month of August, 1827, and in the month of April following, I was united in the bands of matrimony, with Susannah, their daughter. A few weeks previous to my marriage I was informed by a gentleman that there was a letter for me in the Post Office, and he concluded from the superscription, as it was directed to North America, that it was from England. I nastened to obtain it when it proved to be from my father, and as it may tend to give the reader an idea of his feelings I will insert it. Frampton, Dec. 1st, 1827. MY DEAR SON: I received your letter, dated October 6th, 1827, and am very much surprised that you have not received any letter from me, which is the cause of your most unhappy complaint. I have received many letters from you, to which I have immediately sent answers. Your information that you have not received any since you left the Isle of Wight gives me but poor satisfaction. The cause of these failures, is no doubt, owing to the great distance which separates us from each other, and ters have probably been lost on the way. my let Dear Son, your request has been gratified, in that I have attentively perused your letter, and in the first place, I commend you to God, and pray earnestly that he may be your guide, protector, and redeemer; that you may honor and fear him all your life; be a useful and dignified member of society; and eventually, that we may all meet in Heaven, where nothing shall separate us from that union and felicity which has been purchased for us by our blessed Redeemer. Let me also affectionately advise you, as you have escaped your unpleasant condition and situation for one of a more social and endear ing character, to preserve it with deep felt gratitude. Use every effort to make it agreeable to you, and be content in those fortunate circumstances in which Providence and the mercy of God have placed you. You will accept the ardent love and best wishes of your parents, and also the same sentiment of respect from all the family. We should be glad to see you return to your native land, which may God grant. This leaves us all enjoying good health, except your mother, whose weak constitution obliges me to say, at times her health is very precarious. Your cousin James L-, of S., died about twelve months ago. Your brother J-is no better of his lameness. May this find you in the enjoyment of health, and O may God be with my transmarine son !—and bless and save you ir his heavenly kingdom, which is the prayer of, DEAR SON. Your respected Father, WM. LIGHTÓN. The perusal of this letter had no small influence on my feelings, and I regarded the conveyance of my letter as an act of God's goodness towards me. It was the first time I had heard of my dear parents for seven years. The idea that they no longer cared for my welfare was removed, and with it a load of sorrow. Since that period, I have, through the blessing of Providence, received two or three communications every year from them, and nothing subsists between us but feelings of the most perfect friendship and affection. |