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Dear Mother Boston Jan 4th 1839 I did not intend it should be so long before an answer would be sent to your letter but as Joseph says I have been 'driven'. I was unusually faithful in act visiting last month being the close of the year, I made calls upon above 40 families stopping a while to converse with most of them, I commonly carry tracts to only a bout 20 families because we go separately, ( Miss Mann & I,) but last month we went together which took almost all my spare time except evenings for three weeks. (this month I carried them all in two hours, it was a new year's tract to be left at the door only). I have been attending a course of free lectures to teachers every Wednes. several weeks, on different subjects connected with education, by different gentlemen which are instructive and interesting. My health is, as usual perfectly good, my school is pretty full, I have several attending to drawing and painting which take my time out of school, but is more profitable, I sometimes feel almost weary of my school with its vexations, turmoils, responsibilities, and look back upon the winter I spent a Milo with my school in the "fore room" with something like regret that such happy easy days will probably never come again . with some such feelings I suppose as all who have gone far enough on the journey of life to have its cares a "reality" look back upon by gone days. How hard a lesson it is, to learn not to expect our happiness from this world, and place dependence on it; but the sooner we learn this lesson I believe, the more happiness we shall enjoy; I have thought much of your expression, in the close of your letter, that the nearer we keep eternity in view, the happier we shall be, and I fully believe it, but we keep forgetting that we are but 'strangers and pilgrims' here, and keep looking round and trying to grasp at something in this world that we can depend upon for happiness. The thought of growing old, and losing all the freshness of youth with the bright hope & sanguine anticipations of the 'morning of life' sometimes is painful to me, but at other times I can feel thankful that I have passed so many of the snares and temptations that beset us at this golden period. The prevailing feeling of my mind is that of peace and contentment, I do not now look forward to any 'great things' but it is my desire to be satisfied and happy wherever, and with whatever my Heavenly Father shall appoint; we are sure that 'all things shall work together for our good' if we are indeed his children, I can see that even my little disappointments, rebuffs, and discouragements, have been really for my good; and how unreasonable it is not to place full confidence in the faithfulness of our God & Saviour.

[top of page upside down] I have not room to say any thing particularly to you all, but it is not because I do not think of all. A. is as well as we could expect. Lucy is well a sweet child. [along right side top to bottom] C. had better not be in a hurry to get his in a [while?] if he pick up some thing without education and early training he will double instead if dividing his cares,-- let him go on fighting his way through his difficulties & looking for strength from above & they will certainly vanish.