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Elyria Oct, 23 1854

    Elyria Oct. 23/54
It seems unnecessary to address separate letters to you that are all together, so please to receive this as not only to you, dear mother, but as written also to the brothers and sisters. We were indeed very glad to receive yours & Lucy's, of 14th Inst. though much pained by the sad news it contained.  We do both feel deeply for brother Rider as well as Almeida, - it is truly a great trial calling for much Christian faith and patience. I do not doubt they are supported "Him who is touched with the feeling of our inferior ties."  We want to know more particularly of his situation whether he sits up is about the house - of course he cannot speak until the lip is healed which the doctor says takes place sometimes in a few days, when the parts are well brought together, but otherwise has to ulcerate & takes a much longer time,  Do the other places cause pain & will they require an operation or does the removal of the one on the lip, remove the disease. I suppose I cannot realise the affliction yet I can & do feel for them very much. I am not insensible to the blessing, the happiness unclouded by many trials, the earthly good of my present lot so different from many from most, in this world of disappointment sorrow and pain, and with a grateful consciousness of strife totally undeserved mercies. I feel too a conviction that I

on side: a piece of 'a piece' of calico we got in Boston