Nebraska City March 28, 1869

Dear Cousins

We received very unexpectedly your good letter enclosing your photographs for which we give a thousand thanks, will send you ours when we get them. We think well of the relationship of cousins but more of the brotherhood of which you speak. We are bought so right by the cleansing blood of Jesus and binds us so closely together in the inseparable bonds of love and fellowship makes us all one in Christ. I love your theme holiness to the lord – my blessed Jesus you me to see the beauties of holiness as a very early ago I can’t tell you all in this short ___ the lord forgive my sins when 8 years old backslid and was reclaimed [end of page]

[Page 2] at 13 years of age and joined the N.E. Church at 18 was grown fully corrected for a clean heart might have received then if I had consented to have made a public profession of it which my poor unbelieving heart and stubborn will expressed to do for 13 long years but finally had to yield and then Jesus washed me in his own most precious blood, and and ___ thire the holy ghost witnessed with the blood that I was saved and for the last 34 years holiness to the Lord has been my constant theme and delight. Glory to God Jesus save me still the atoning blood still awaits for me, that blessed hymn O Love thou bottomless abyss my sins are swallowed up in thee covered is my unrightousness, not spor of guild remains on me as well as many other of our excellent hymns as well as the precious [end of page]

[Page 3] Bible book divine has been and still are my daily food - in are here is a new but beautiful country, but very few dare say much about holiness it has seemed sometimes, as though I was almost alone to witness that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin but has always felt it all important to stand up boldly in defence of this Bible doctrine and ___ is upon believers to avoid the ___rs of this blood bought privilege. We have a little class in our place, which has been struggling for existance for these 10 years, have met at ourhouse for prayer and preaching. Meetings all last summer, where __ got a nice brick school house in which we now worship, and the good Lord in answer to prayer during the 10 years has come to our help and some __ have been added to [end of page]

[Page 4] our member some of them backslides who had been members before coming to the country and had backslid have been reclaimed and now bid faces to hold on our prospects are rather encouraging. The ___ a great many backslides here who lose their religion and standing in the church during their emigration and change of circumstances, and loss of religious means, but as are country fill, up and new circuits and societies are organized therese backsliders are looked after and many of them and we hope the most of them will be brought back again to the Savior. Our annual Conference sets at Nebraska City 6 miles from us on the last day of this month. Biship James Prisedy we are expecting an interesting time. My wife is unitery and my sheep is fed so farewell our love to all friends unite often amen.

Joseph Foote.