William Rotch, Sr. letter to Lydia Rotch, Nantucket 7th mo. 1795

               
  A-22-5
                                                      Nantucket 7th mo 1795
  My beloved Daughter
                          Under a fresh remembrance of our parting at Portsmouth,
  which was made more easy than I could have expected do I address thee believing
  it was right that this separation should take place for the works sake, which if
  on thy part but to hand a cup of water to a disciple will meet its reward.  how
  instructive are those metaphorical inscriptions, that are reduced so much sim=
  -plicity, which evinces that the great object lies more in future indication than in
  the magnitude of the office, as we find the most minute act of humble obedi-
  =ence is invariably attended with an adequate reward; how ought [illegible]
  us to unreserved faithfulness, which will produce fruitfulness,the [illegible]
  of would be a crown of exceeding and eternal weight of Glory:now my
  dear child, when under the consideration of thtis, and a little prospect at
  times opening of the glorious mansion prepared for the righteous, it is not
  worth giving up all our own, and suffering all that we can suffer for it in
  the subjection of our wills to obtain it, which may be compared to a mo-
  =ments pain while heare, to secure an eternal Inheritance with the just
  of all generations, knowing thou hast been mercifully favour'd to see
  these things, & to be measurably sensible of their value & importance; 
  when I feel any little strength to life up my heart toward the habitation
  of the Shepherd of Israel, (tho' times of refreshment are seldom my
  portion, at which I do not repine, but desire to be kept in patience)
  how does my Soul interceded for thee, that thou mayest be faithful
  to his manifestations, & make no reserves to thyself, shoul'd any thing
  be required exposing the Creature; I readily allow it is necessary
                         perhaps
  to try the fleece wet &^ dry, but when such indubitable certainty
                                                           the answer
  is requested, it must be under full resignation to follow ^ if conde-
  scention is vouchsafed, (which I have no doubt, will be the Case if
  asked & waited for, in humble submission) what abundant instruc-
  -tion & encouragement, does the case of Gideon afford,(with many
  more in holy writ,) who when his request of such a singular
  confirmation of the divine command was grated, he did not hesi-
  =tate but gave up to the heavenly direction; what simple [illegible]
  were then employ'd for he great end intended; his Army reduced
  to an handful of men, hat were to attack & vanquish the host
  of Midian, not by might, nor by power (of man) but by the Spirit
  of the Living God, not with bright glittering Swords, nor mighty
  instruments of war, bu by the contemptible weapons of trum
  =pets & earthen Pitchers: how wonderful, how teaching, how convinc=
  =ing that the instrument in itself is nothing, but that the power
                                                               or in
  is all, whether placed in Trumpets, earthen pitches, rams horns,^Slings
  & Stones, is equally efficatious to perform the purposes
  of him, who is Lord of all; Thus my much beloved Child I entreat
                                                             thee