William Rotch, Sr letter to Thomas Rotch, London 8th 2d 1785

               
  B-163-1
              No 1 
                             London 8th mo 2d 1785
  my dear Son Thomas
                          Altho I am far distant from thee
  yet is has no opperation in abateing my care & affection
  for my tender offspring, but thou my son I hope will
  carefully attend to the advice & counsel of thy dear Mother
  Brothers and Sister, who with me I have no doubt 
  our concern for thy good; be carefull to keep out of 
  all unprofitable company, be diligent in thy business,
  but above all attentive to the great councellor in thy
  own bosom, which will reprove thee when thou does
  
  wrong, and speak peace to thee when thou does well,
  endeavour after stillness of mind at all opport=
  tunities, even when thy hands are imploy'd in business,
  a sufficient degree of it may be acquired for thy 
  preservation, but above all in Religious Meetings
  endeavor to gather thy mind into gratitude, and watch=
 
  fullness, which although we cannot attain it in or by
 
  our own will endeavours, yet by cherrishing a  
  desire after it, strength will be afforded from time to time