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you, and to learn any thing that in any way affects your welfare.
I sent you ten dollars the other day. Did you get it?
I have also endeavored to stir up Christian friends to visit and write to you in your deep affliction.
I have no doubt that some of them at least will heed the call.
Write to me, care of Capt. John Avis, Charlestown, Jefferson County, Va.
“Finally, my beloved, be of good comfort.”
May all your names be “written on the Lamb's book of life” --may you all have the purifying and sustaining influence of the Christian religion — is the earnest prayer of your affectionate husband and father.
P. S. I cannot remember a night so dark as to have hindered the coming day, nor a storm so furious or dreadful as to prevent the return of warm sunshine and a cloudless sky. But, beloved ones, do remember that this is not your rest, that in this world you have no abiding place or continuing city.
To God and his infinite mercy I always commend you.
J. B. Nov. 9.
Letter to his half brother.
Dear Brother Jeremiah: Your kind letter of the 9th instant is received, and also one from Mr. Tilden, for both of which I am greatly obliged.
You inquire, “can I do any thing for you or your family?”
I would answer that my sons, as well as my wife and daughter, are all very poor, and that any thing that may hereafter he due me from my father's estate I wish paid to them, as I will endeavor hereafter to describe, without legal formalities to consume it all. One of my boys has been so entirely used up as very likely to be in want of comfortable clothing for the winter.
I have, through the kindness of friends, fifteen dollars to send him, which I will remit shortly.
If you know where to reach him, please send him that amount at once, as I shall remit the same to you by a safe conveyance.
If I had a plain statement from .Mr. Thompson of the state of my accounts, with the estate of my father, I should then better know what to say about that matter.
As it is, I have not the least memorandum left me to refer to. If Mr. Thompson will make me a statement, and charge my dividend fully for his trouble, I would be greatly obliged to him. In that case you can send me any remarks of your own. I am gaining in health slowly, and am quite cheerful in view of my approaching end, being fully persuaded that I am worth inconceivably more to hang than for any other purpose.
God Almighty bless and save you all.
Your affectionate brother, John Brown.
P. S. Nov. 13.-Say to my poor boys never to grieve for one 