.MTIxNA.OTQxMjQ

So you, my dear sister, had your childhood and youth been passed in the full tide of health and luxurious self-indulgence, would your spirit now be tender and loving, your disposition amiable and kind?

    Again, had I. at your age been settled with a companion I loved, in a situation to gratify my tastes and my ambitions- I fully believe that I should have been very cold-hearted and selfish, lived and cared only for myself, perhaps been haughty and imperious- doubtless much more unlovely in character than now: It is true of me as the phrenologist said, that the social principle is the most strongly marked mere ambition, my feelings, very warm and earnest most usually predominate over judgement in the pursuit of any desired object, it is perfectly natural for me to run headlong headless of consequences. The All Wise only knows what I should have become without His retraining Hand. He has hedged my way, he has held me with bit and bridle. 
   It is very probable, nay certain to my mind that Almeda will do more good, contribute more to the happiness of her friends , and consequently enjoy more herself than if her four prospects had not been blasted and her path made narrow and thorny. If the wisdom of the dealings of Providence can be plainly seen in reference to the world, how much more, in the preparation for a higher and nobler state of existence. So Joseph and we all may have cause to bless the afflictive rod which at present seems so dark and trying. Perhaps too the unfolding of Providence may make my mission more plain:- my energies of mind and body and heart too, may find full employ in ministering to his comfort and happiness and how much rather to be chosen than "eating the bread of strangers! A stranger, a mere boarder, has no right to expect, or want, sympathy or indifference - if sick or lonely, or sad, or weary, what matter? who cares? -  I do not complain - have no reason to: the experience of a stranger -a mere passenger or sojourner is to new to me. Sister Anna

[left hand side]I have had my same old velvet fixed over with blue satin folds on the edge and crown, lined with white. This is the third winter I am wearing my Thibet dress and cloak without any alterations just as good as new! [top of page upside down continued from 3 previous pages back= page 1 of this lette]chapter of experience. I am finishing off my education now. Mean to learn all I can.