Troy, Monday, April 25th, 1842

My Dear Friend

Having been again reminded of my promise of writing to you, and having a few moments to spare, I feel inclined to occupy them in addressing one: the recollection of whom time nor distance cannot easily efface from my mind, and in whose welfare I have ever taken a warm interest. But as the circumstances under which I write are not very favorable (being very much fatigued and having a very poor pen) I feel the necessity of your arming yourself with patience to spell out a dry and poorly written letter. But as I believe excuses between friends to be entirely superfluous I will make no more, being fully assured that the patience of my dear Charity is quite equal to her task. How natural it is when we sit down to address a friend, one who is rendered dear by the ties of Christian friendship, how natural I say to have all those circumstances under which we first became acquainted and the many scenes which have since occurred, both of a joyful and also of a trying nature, in which we have both participated; come rushing upon the mind in such a manner as to exclude every other thought, while we are in imagination walking over the same ground while the faces of each dear friend vividly pass with rapid succession through our minds and the many scenes which time has thrown far in the rearground but which our memory snatches from oblivion, is presented to our minds as a solace to cheer us in our less happy moments. Yes, my dear Charity, since taking up my pen, nearly every scene in which we have been participators [end of page]

[page 2] have risen up before me bringing to mind some of the happiest moments of my life. Greenfield is dear to me, and I believe it ever will be. Changes have rendered it less dear, it is true, but the same hills and woods and stony roads and houses where the Lord met with and blessed us, still remain, and also some true hearts and dear friends that will ever be remembered with pleasure. Yes, some of the dearest friends I ever had on earth I was once associated with in Greenfield. But my dear friend, while we look with pleasure and regret upon the past, let us look forward to the future with hope and anticipation. Our time of departure is drawing near and what remains for us to perform, in order to obey the divine command, we must be up and about it. O! Charity, if I could see you I would talk a great deal faster than I could write, and tell you a great deal that I cannot write. We have had a gracious revival this winter, but have been myself prevented from attending in consequence of the sickness of our family, and since their recovery, my own health has been poorly by rather overdoing, which has confined me the best part of 3 months to a sick room. But I am getting much better, and I hope by next Sabbath to be able to attend church, during the winter though deprived of the means of grace I felt the Lord very precious to my soul, and during the trying scenes through which I have been culled to pass, I have been supported in a wonderful manner, for which I truly thank God, but since my own health became poor I have suffered a dullness of mind and depression of spirit, that I have been subject to ever since I was converted, when my health has been poor. But [end of page]

[page 3] I trust as I recover my health to regain more than I have lost of the Love of God, but I have never enjoyed as much religion in Troy as I have in Greenfield. I know not how it may be with others, but as for myself I am persuaded that I never can, I do not know but it is wrong for me to say so, but I know I have strove as hard to serve God in T[roy] as in G[reenfield] and I have the satisfaction of knowing that God is pleased with the service of his children in one place as in another, provided it is sincere, all I can say more is that there is a great many helps in the Country where there is a thousand hindrances in the city. I understand you are at present boarding, which I think on many accounts is much pleasanter. I am glad you have got so good a tenant in your house and so good a family in your neighborhood. I am partial to Brother Poor, but his family I am not acquainted with. Charity, you promised me if I would write to you, you would return an answer. And now my dear sister, I expect a fulfillment of your promise, not because I have written so poor a one, but because my dear Charity told me so. I some think of visiting Ballston this summer, if I do I should try hard to visit Greenfield, if it be but for a very short time. Please give my love to Brother and sister Youngs and to a great many others that I love, and please reserve a good share for yourself. And now my dear girl, do not forget to pray for me. Tell sister Mary and Nancy I should be happy to hear from them by letter. Be sure and write soon. Tell Tryphena that Elizabeth [end of page]

[page 4] often speaks of her, she is improving very fast. Now until we meet again, either here or in a better world, accept my love and best respects.

Cornelia Jane Gillespie

[p.s.] When I write again I will write better to what a dirty letter. - Jane