.MTIzNw.OTgxMzI

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  My Dear Son I thank you for your kind and encouraging letter - but beware of encomiums lest you cause a poor old Sinner to think more highly of herself than she ought to think But give all honour to Him who in great mercy has fulfill'd his gracious promise to the widow & fatherless for his own name's sake - & pray for me that I may be ever fill'd with gratitude that my children not only are an honour to me but are signally usefull in society. But what is far more - bless & trust to a better inheritance than earth can give.
 As I cant "do nothin else" I will put up with your protestation against social parties great or small all gatherings, for mirth and amusement etc. etc. But do you not think it right to allow yourself or perhaps force upon yourself some kind of relaxation from hard work. Close application of the Mind - and incessant toil.
  As to Settlement  - Tho' the property I have brought here & the work we've all done seems considerable yet there are other things which perhaps ought to be brought into the scale Tis a great deal for a young man say of Eliabs age to take the whole care of a mother & four little children - it has doubtless not only hindered C. from doing as well for his own interest as he might have done