Lt 4a, 1866

White, W. C.

Kensington, Connecticut

October 1866

Previously unpublished.

Dear Willie:

What shall I say to you, my faithful, good boy? I need not tell you that I love you. Do your duty to your father faithfully and you shall not lose your reward. God’s eye is upon you, my dear boy, and He knows every privation that you endure to wait upon your sick father. Stand faithfully at your post and you will never regret it. Angels of God will mark your faithful devotion and will strengthen you to fulfill your part, and then will He ever fulfill His. Honor thy father and mother is the first commandment with promise. Do all you do cheerfully. I believe you will. Love God with all your heart, my dear Willie, and your reward will come at last.1LtMs, Lt 4a, 1866, par. 1

Your cousins work hard and go very poorly clad. I feel sorry for them, but they love to work. But they do work far beyond their strength. They speak of you and wish they could see you. I should love to have you meet them, for they are good boys and mean to do right.1LtMs, Lt 4a, 1866, par. 2

Dear Willie, don’t neglect to pray to God for strength to do your duty with cheerfulness. Possess a happy spirit. Be faithful to your father in mother’s absence. I will return as soon as I can and be free; that is, as soon as I feel that God would have me.1LtMs, Lt 4a, 1866, par. 3

My whole heart is in the work of God. Your father’s afflicted condition is a great drawback to my happiness. Were it not for this, I should feel that I had no trials. Do not, my dear boy, get any bad habits. Ever speak cheerfully. Never fret or complain.1LtMs, Lt 4a, 1866, par. 4

May God bless my dear, true, loving boy. 1LtMs, Lt 4a, 1866, par. 5

From your affectionate mother.1LtMs, Lt 4a, 1866, par. 6