B-197-4
Wooster 12th of 6th Mo 1820
Respected friend
Since thou wast pleased to interest
thyself so much in our happiness in the enjoyment
of our dear little one, I now find it in my heart
at this sorrowful season to address a few lines to
thee. We have this day buried our son, he is
gone, we thrust, where thou saidst, "other little
Thomas's have gone." He ever preserved that placid
disposition, for which he was admired by thee.
Every [illegible] added day, he was spared to me, the
strong ties of nature became still stronger, and bound
him more closely to my heart. But it pleased God
in a moment to sever those ties and take him
from me. He hath done it for the best and
wisest of purposes. May it please God to open my
heart that I may receive instruction, and discern
by the assistance of his Spirit what that good thing
is, which he would have me to do. For behold
he hath sent chastisement, and affliction upon me,
and surely he would not send it vainly, or unnecessarily