Lydia Parker letter to Charity Rotch, New Bedford, 2nd mo 15th

              B-281-3 
	       The renewed testimony of thy novice
and regard beloved Charity received last eve was
as unexpected as greateful, for I feel that I am
increasingly unworthy of either~  Have often
reflect with satisfaction on that 1 day eve when
favour d with thine and dear husbands precious
company, it seemed indeed like a little strength
in the needful time my mind being involved
               And trials
in much weakness^ had been witnessed arising
chiefly from my own unstable and unsubjected
mind, and from reflecting on my unfitness for per-
forming with any degree of satisfaction to myself
or benefit to others the charge I had taken upon
me in the care of these dear girls.  I am surely the
most unfit person living to be entrusted with the
care or education of children.  And should my
future accord with present feelings shall not again
be the means(which fear I have in several in
stances) of taking them from places where they
might have enjoyed the benefit of good example
and precept far beyond any thy can receive from
so poor and so frail a creature, for I am one