Franklin County: E. to Edward McPherson, September
5, 1859
Summary:
E. writes to Edward about a visit from the Mchaffeys, the death of Cousin Susan's
son, E.'s potential visit to Baltimore, doubts of whether the Pages will go to
Louisiana, and the state of the church.
September 5th, 1859
Frederick
My Dear Edward--
I am under the impression that you are in my debt- yet, as it is a rainy day, I
concluded to amuse myself, by telling you, that you might not forget it, for it
strikes me, you are not as good a correspondent as you were some time ago; you
must have some more agreeable occupation for mind & body, to be found
ever in Gettysburg. Is it so? I received & thank you for your Lecture
which I read with much pleasure. Mr T- has not had time to do so, as he has been
busily engaged, preparing an Article for the "Princeton Review--" on Sir William Hamilton-- Last week, we had a very short,
pleasant visit from Mr. Mchaffey & Elizabeth after their
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return from Hagerstown. Mr. M. never
remained overnight here before & he thinks
Frederick greatly before that place. We only regretted they could not remain
longer. E- received your letter, here. By this time I suppose they are in Philadelphia, as they left here
on Thursday last for Washington, intending to spend Friday there & on
Saturday proceed to Philadelphia to meet [unclear: Phersey], who went there the week
before. They both look remarkably well & were in fine spirits. I hope
you feel much better & stronger after your visits to the different
watering places & will be well prepared for the labors, & pleasures of the coming winter, not vain amusements, for I have ceased to class them under
the head of real pleasure for rational beings.
Poor Cousin Susan has been again most severely afflicted in the death of her
youngest son, a very lovely & promising youth, who died last week after
a few days illness. But they have much to comfort them in the belief that he had
the Christian's hope to sustain
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him in a dying hour. About a year
ago he made a profession of religion, the [deleted: third] fourth of
the sons at home, who have done so, since their father's death. We have been
looking for you, in vain, ever since last Spring, & now I would not be
surprised if you make your appearance during my absence. I hope to go to
Thorndale the last of this, or beginning of next week -- if by Emmittsburg,
probably about Tuesday next - I expect to remain there until the marriage of Mr
Birnie's daughter early in October immediately after
which, I hope to return home by Baltimore to see Cousin & her family. I
could procure a driver & carriage if a good & safe horse could
be had, but I am afraid to trust the livery stable horses, especially with a
youth not greatly experienced in driving. The only alternative then is to go by
Emmittsburg which would be very pleasant, if I had company, but I suppose that
will have to be adopted or give it up altogether. Mr. Page & Nannie
expect to start for Louisiana next Monday week, though none would be surprised,
should they
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draw back, at the last. He is so inefficient. He is
expected to start the school & build it up. We fear for the result,
unless he bestirs himself. The Colonel's family have
been in the country nearly all the summer, so that, I have not seen any of them.
From Lizzie's account I would scarcely know Gettysburg, the changes in every
way, are so great. The state of things in the Church would be my greatest grief-
How truly sad it is! I may be mistaken, but I cannot think Mr Van Wycke's
friends, who absent themselves from the church, do right - it will only widen
the breach & most probably end in a division which would be deplorable -
though I do not know, but what, that would be
better, than a constant warfare. However my comfort is, "the Lord reigns". Let
us hear from you very soon-- Love to all friends. Mr T & your Cousin C-
join me in much love to you.
Yours ever affectionately
E
