Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-09-07

- ,-lESssSV1Es
The following letter has been furnished To
the Boston Watch fbr publication. Twas ad-
dressed BY Mrs. Judson "a. the clsildran Of DR..
Judson, now residing in Worcester. Mass, and
was written on the effective occasion of his late
embafkation for the isle of Bourbon, with a
view Of regaining his health. The letter af-
iords touching example of affection, and Of
true missionary devotion;
MAULMAIN. April II, 1850.
Mv VERY DEAR CnILpREN--I have painful
news TO tell yo1-news that | am sure will
make your young hearts ache; but | hope
your heavenly Father will help you to bear it
Your dear papa is very, very i'll indeed so
much so that the best judges fear that he will
never be any better. He began to fail about
FIVE months ago, aud has declined so gradually
that we we're not fully aware of his danger
until lately but within few weeks those who
| love him have become very much alarmed
In January we went down 10 Mergui By the
steamer, and we retnrned-thougut he was a
! little better, but lie soon failed again. We
spent month at Amherst, but he received
little It any benefit.
Next, the doctors pronounced our house (the
one you used to live in) unhealthy, aud we
moved 10 another. But all was of no use
Your papa continued to fail, till suddenly, one
evening, his muscular strength gave way, and
he WAS proS.rated on the bed, unable to help
himself This occurred about two weeks ago.
| The doctor now became alarmed, and said the
only hope for him was a long voyage. 1t was
very hard to think uf such thing in his redu-
ced state, particularly as coull not go with
him; bus after we had wept aud prayed over
| il one day and night, we concluded that it was
our duty to use the only means which God
had left us, however painful.
We Immediately engaged his passage on
board French barque bound for the island of
Bourbon; but before it sailed he had become
so very low that no one thought it right for
him to 90 alone. They therefore called a
meeting Of the mission and appointed Mr. Ran
tney. 1t was great relief 10 me, for he is a
very kind man, and loves your dear papa very
much; and he viii do every thing that can be
done for his comfort. The officers of the YES
sci too. seemed greatly interested for him, as
did every one else He was carried on board
week ago yesterday, in litter, and placed
on a nice cot made purposely for him. stay
ed with him all day, and at dark came home to
stay with the children.
The next day foundthat the ship bad only
dropped down a little distance, and so took
boat and followed expected this certainly
would be the last day with him, but it was
not On Friday | went again, and though he
did not appear as on the previous days, was
forced to take as | then supposed, a final leave
of him. But when morning came, felt as
though 1 could not live through the day with
out knowing how he was. So took a boat
again, and reached the vessel about O'Clock
P NJ He could only speak in whispers, but
seemed very glad that came. The natives
| had sent to fan him till he should get out of
the river, came to me and begged 10 have him
taken on shore again; and SO small was my
hope of his recovery that my heart pleaded
on their SIDE. though still thought it duty
to do as the doctor had said. / cameaway at
dark. and though his lips moved to say some
we.d of farewell, they made no sound.
| hope that you, dear boys, will never have
cause to know what heavy heart / bore
back 10 my desalate home that night. The
zessel got out to sea about 4 O'clock on Monday,
and last night the natives returned, bringinga
letter from Mr.. Ranney.
Your precious papa has revived again
spoke alound-took little tea and toast-said
there was something animating in the touch of
the sea breeze, and directed Mr.. Ranney to-
write to me that he had stong belief that it
was the will of God to restore him again to
health. feel somewhat encouraged. but dare
not hope too much.
And now. my dear boys, it will be three
perhaps four long months before we can hear
from our loved one again. and we shah all he
very anxious. All we can do is to commit
hi m 70 the care of our heavenly Father and
If we never see him again in this world, pray
that we may be prepared to meet him in hea
ven.
Your most aff+ctionate mother,
EMILY C. JUDSON,