Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-11-26
which time there are no tdings Of him. The seectmen
have offered $500 reward for his apprehension
A RELIGIOUS EPIsTLE FROM OLD BROWN.
LETTER TO ms LrronrrID scHooLNAsrKR, WRITTEN IS

LETTER LIroBvrKID scHooLNasrrR WRITTEN ~
PRISON
The Ina,pendeni publishes the following letter ,r,.r
by Old Brown in prison 20 the Rev H. L. Vain of Iitcb.
held Conn, who remembers him "a having been under
m ms instruction IN 1917 at Morris Academy The words
IN Italics are underscored In the original
@ CHARLEsrowS Va Nov IL 1870
REv II. L. VAIL My dear steadfast friend - yo,r
most kind and most welcome letter of the sh inst reach
d rery grateful for all the good feeling you exprcss
and also for the kind counse you rive togeber ;,l
your prayers in my behalf Allow me here 20 saw not
withsnnding my soul Is amongst lions still believe
that God in every deed Is with me, You will no,
therefore, feel surprised when tell Won that am "oy
in IN my trbuations; that do feel condemned of
MN whose Judgment ~ just, of my own conscience
Nor do feel degraded by my imprisonment ms chains
or prospect of the galows have not only been (,hourb
utterly unworthy permitted to "sufier affection with
'fods people,, but have also had great many rare on
portunities for preaching in the great con-
gregation trust il will not all be lost The tailor
in whose charge ami and his family and assistants
nave all been most kind and he was one
OF the bravest OF all who FOUGHT me he il o abused for
ms humanity. So far my observation goes none but
orgre men are likely to be humane fallen foe Cow
ards prove their courage by their Tocity" In NAV he
done IN that way with but little risk
wish could write you about IA few only of the inte.
resting times here experience with different classes of
men, cteTqysen among Others Christ the great ca ntain
OF hTty as vel as Of salvation, and began his mis-
son. as ioretold of him, by proclaimng IT, saw fit to take
from me sword Of steel after had carried il for time
but he has put another ia hand the sword of the
spirit, and pray God TO make faithful soldier
wherever he may send me, less the scaold than
when surrounded by my warmest sympathizers
MY dear old friend, do YOU have not forgot.
ten our last meeting nor our retrospective look over the
route by which God had then led u.s. and bless Iii.
name that He has again enabled me to hear your words
OF cheering and comfort at time when l. at least, am
on Tie brink OF Jordan (see Bunyans Pigrml God
IN Infinite mercy, grant another meeting ON the
opposite shore have often passed under the rod of
MN Nhom call my Father; and certainly no son ever
needed oitener; aud yet have enjoyed much of life
rs was enabled TO discover the secret of this
early IL has been in making the prosperity and happ
ness OF others my on; so that really have had great
deal oi prosperity am very prosperous STILL and look
ing forward TO time when peace on earth and good
VIII TO men shall everywhere prevail / have no muir
mgring thoughts or envious feelings fret my mind
III praise my Maker with BREATH
am AN unworthy nephew of Deacon John and loved
MN much and in view of the choice friends hayo
had here am led the more earnestly TO pray gather
nor my soul with the tfnrighteo'fs."
Your assurances Of the sympathy of the friends
IN my native land is very grateful my feelings and al
low me to say word OF comfort to them -
As believe most firmly that God reisns cannot he
eVe that anythng have done, suffered or NAV vet suf
teT riH be lost 10 tie Of God or Of H.aGnity
Aud before began my work at Harpers Ferry felt as.
s1reu mat IN the oorst eeet il would certainly
often expressed that belief and can now see no possible
cause TO alter my mind. as vet in the main AT
all disappointed. have been gooi deal disapponted
As regards myEsI IN not keeping up to my plans
out new feel entirely reconced to that even; for Gods
plan was infinitely better no Doubt or should have
Kept TO my own Had Samson kept his determination
oil not telling Deah wherein his great strength lay he
would probably have never overturned the house did
not tell Delah but was induced to act very eonfrarv
to my letter judg7aeHt aud have lost my two noble
BOYS, and other friends, if not my too eyes.
But Gods will not mine be donen feel n comfort
able hope that like that erring servant of whom have
nst been writing eyen may Through infinite mercy in
Christ Jesns) yet die IN taih" As both the time
and manner of my death have but very Ittle trouhl
good cheer.r " ' "
send through you my best wishes to Mrs. W and