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Mentally, We have plenty of reading. Miss Howe takes Harper Magazine, we take the Unitarian Quarterly Journal, Tribune, Water Cure Journal & Sunday School Gazette. besides an abundance of transient papers & magazines. I have read more books this winter than ever before in the same time. Since I have been confined to the house so much, have spent much of my time reading. If we have not improved mentally it has been our own fault. Spiritually, We ought to say as much. Our family worship morning and evening. We prise, and trust it has made us better. Our Sunday School worship has been broken. Mr. Putnam left Petersham 1st Oct. since then we have had various Minister: one a Mr. Jackson from Walpole N.H. has been in our family. We prise him much. - has supplied this pulpit now 10 or 12 Sabbaths, I think. An elderly man and one of large experience, was an Orthodox minister 30 years, is now thoroughly Unitarian, has a well stored mind and knows how to draw from it, to suit every occasion. I think we have profited bu his ministration in our family and from the pulpit. A Mr. DC Normandie from Town, preached for us two Sundays ago. The Parish gave him a call in Dec. he could not accept, as his people would not give him up. Since then a Mr. Bush has preached for us as a candidate, was liked very well but could not be our minister as the salary offered him ($700) was not adequate. Last Sunday & to-day we have had no preaching. Who we shall have to break to us the bread of life is not entirely solved? Ministers are scarce. Mr. Putnam asked a discussion 1st Apr to take place in six mos. The failed in pastoral duties was ever esteemed a good preacher. I have had your request and that of your sister, brought before the Church. It was voted to give you letters, and in the absence of a minister the Officers of the Church should make them out. You will probably get them with this letter. -------- Pecunniarily, Our gains are slow, but we are making something more than our living. As steady an industry as we practice ought to bring us gain, in many places it would bring us much more than here. Still we are contented and love our good & quiet home, kind friends and loving hearts around us, we are happy -