Letter to Mr. John H. and Anna Northrop, Hebron, Washington County, New York, from Lydia Wells, Lisbon 1829
It has pleased the great Arbit[r]ator of life and Death to deprive me of my beloved Husband and you of an affectionate Brother My Benjamin took his departure from this world of sin and Sorrow on the morning of the 24th of July 1829
But my dear Brother & Sister we mourn not as those that mourn without hope; no for he has left behind him a bright evidence that he is now shining bright as the sun at noon day and has Joined that unnu[m]bered host in singing the praises of his God forever He became about a year before he died very serious and Joined himself with the Methodist Society he has since that time lived an altered life and devoted himself to the service of his God; his hope was firm and undaunted and through all his sickness he was never heard to complain or to say he wished to live but on the other hand he longed for the time to come when he should lie down this tenement of clay to be food for worms that his soul might [rise?] triumphant to those Realms of bliss where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest And now let us raise our hearts and minds far above all Earthly objects and place our minds on the Rock of Ages which is Christ Jesus that whenever he sees fit to call us from time to Eternity we may be prepared to go and meet our friend in the skies where the sting of disapointment and the anguish of parting can no more reach us to disturb our Eternal filicety.
Oh; the happy thought of Eternity with what rapture it fills my soul to think that in a short time I shall give this body up to be prepared for the Tomb while my soul will Join him who has only gone a few days before me never more to be sepperated and although bereived as I am now of all that made life dear to me I could not wish him back again no he has done with pain and woe and he rests in peace but life will be lonly yet I feel to bow my head in resignation and to say thy will Oh; my Father not mine be done he gave and blessed be his name he takes but what he gave and he has taking [taken] him to his Glory and if we are all faithful we shall all soon see him face to face.
He warned all to flee from the wrath he would talk and pray and sing untill he became speechless & particular to his children and Oh; thou blessed Redeemer wilt thou in thy Infinite mercy hear his prayer for them and bring them all into thy fold place thy Paternal arms around them shield them from every evil keep them in the paths of Virtue and truth and at last land their happy souls far above the troubles of this world to Join their Father in giving thee Praise and Honor is the wish of their lost
but affectionate Parent Brother Peter Wells was taking sick the latter part of May with the Inflamation on the Diaphragm for some time we did not expect his life from one moment to another he is still very low we will leave him in the hands of God if he sees fit to take him from hence may he prepare him to go if not may he prepare him to live devoted to him.
I have neglected wrighting a long time on the account of Peters health but it is still precarious and I cannot say how it will terminate. All our friends here are in good here [health] except Patty Morery she is quite out of health and has been all summer. My family are all well and send their respects to you.
There has been a lett[er] [wri]tten to you since Mr Wells death but we have received no answer I wish you to write on receipt of this if you please.
And now dear friends of my lost but beloved husband may your hearts be prepared to give up all Earthly things that when the King of Terrors come, you may say Oh Death where is thy sting Oh grave where is thy Victory this is the wish and shall be the prayer of thy affectionate Sister Lydia Wells
Lisbon Sept 20, 1829
Notes: Letter to Mr. John H. and Anna Northrop, Hebron, Washington County, New York, from Lydia Wells, Lisbon, September 20, 1829 — From the Phillip F. Schlee Collection, Manhattan, Kansas