Augusta County: L. D. Jenkin to Lucy Turk, Mary
Smiley, Mary Turk, January 30, 1866
Summary:
The letter declines an invitation to a party and provides Christian advice.
Jan 30, 1866
New Providence House
Misses Lucy Turk & Mary Smiley & Mary Turk - My Dear Young friends,
I have received your kind invitation to attend your soiree on tomorrow night. I thank you very much for it. It would afford me great pleasure I know to attend, for I am a dear lover of music & like to see young people enjoying themselves, & I doubt not you will have both good music & much true enjoyment on tomorrow evening. But my duties here are such that it is impossible for me to leave [unclear: home] at this time; I have an appointment to preach at Mr [unclear: Ind.] R. Berry's tomorrow afternoon.
Permit me, my dear friends, to say a word or two of earnest counsel to you, for I
feel a deep interest in your welfare.
[page 2]
Just one word in a general way.
Always in all circumstances remember that you have characters as young ladies to
maintain, & never permit yourselves to compromise in any way the
gentleness, modesty, & kindness which should ever characterize the true
lady. But especially never compromise in the least your christian character. You
are the professed followers of the blessed Savior- always remember that,
& act accordingly.
The highest, & most precious ornament of
a true lady is genuine piety.
Live near to Christ then, my dear young
friends - study diligently your Bibles - be faithful in prayer & in the
discharge of every Christian duty. This need not, & should not mar a
single pleasure, or make your faces less bright. Be cheerful- live ever gay -
but let your cheerfulness & gaity be that which becometh
[page 3]
[deleted: &] followers of Jesus. Let [deleted: y]
not your gaity be boisterous or frivilous.
May the blessed Savior bless you richly, & enable you to gr[deleted: ] grace in the knowledge of the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
I am your sincere friend & pastor
L. D. Jenkin
Please hand the enclosed note to Miss Baldwin.
