Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-05
JOHN BROWNS LAST LETTER TO HIS FAM
lily
CHARLEsrowN PRIsoN.

CHARLESTowN PRISON,
Jefferson County, Va, Nov. 80, 1859. (
My Dearly BeLoUed Wife Sons, and Dauqh.
terS-ECery One: AS l now begin what is
any OF you, l conclude to write to all at the
same time. l will mention some little matters
particularly applicable to little property con-
Germs III another place.
recently received a letter from my wife,
from near Philadelphia, dated Nov. %, by
which 1t would seem that she was about giving
up the idea Of seeing me again. had written
to her to come on if she felt equal to the I'M
dertaking, but do not know that she will get
my letter III time. 1t was on her own account
chiefly that asked her to stay back AT first
had most strong desire to see her again.
but their appeared to be very serious objec-
tions and should we never meet in this life, |
trust that she will in the end be satisfied it was
for the best at least, if not most for her COM
fort. enclosed in my last letter to her draft
OF 500 from John Jay, made payable to her or
der. have now another to send her, from my
excellent old friend Edward Harris, of Woon-
socket, H. l., for 500, which | shall also make
payable to her order
am waiting the hour of my public murder
with great composure of mind and cheerful
ness, feeling the strong assurance that in no
other possible way could l be used to SO much
advantage to the cause of good and of human
lty, and that nothing that either | or all nv
family have sacrificed or suffered will be LOST.
The reflection that wise and merciful as
well as a just and holy God rules not the
affairs of this world, but OF all worlds. is a
rock to set your feet upon under all circum-
stances even those more severely trying
ones INTO which our own feelings and wrongs
nave placed us. have now no doubt but
that our seeming disaster will ultimately result
In the most glorious success So, my dear
shattered and broken family, be of GOOD cheer
and believe and trust in God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, for he doeth all
things well. DO not feel ashamed on my &C.
count, nor for one moment despair of the
cause or grow weary of well doing. | bless
God never felt stronger confidence in the
certain and near approach of bright
morning and glorious day than | have felt.
and do now feel, since my confinement here.
am endeavorng to return, like a poor prodi-
gal as L am, to my Father, against whom |
have always slnned, in the hope that he NAV
kindly and forgivingly meet me, though very
great way off.
OH my dear wife and children, would to
God you could know how have been travail
ing in birth for you all, that no one OF you
may tail OF the grace of God, through Jesus
Chrst-that no one of you may be blind to
the truth and glorious light of his Word, in
which life and immortality are brought to
light, l beseech you every one TO make the
Bible your daily and nightly study, with a
child-like, honest, candid, teachable spirit
of love and respect for your husband and
father.
And l beseech the God of my fathers to
open all your eyes to the discovery of the
truth You cannot imagine how much Won
may soon need the consultations of the Chris.
tian religion. Circumstances like nv own for
more than month past have convinced me
beyond all doubt Of our great need of divine
support. Oh do not trust your eternal all upon
the boisterous ocean without even a helm or
compass to aid you in steering. | do not AJAX
OF you to throw away your reason; | only
ask you to make a candid, sober use of your
reason.
My dear young children, will you listen TO
this last poor admontion of one who can only
love yout On be determined at once to give
your whole heart to God, and letnothing shake
or alter that resolution. You need have no
fears OF regretting it. DO not be vain and
thoughtless, but sober-minded and let me en-
treat you all to love the whole remnant of our
once great family. Try and build I'D again
your broken walls, and to make the utmost of
every stone that is left. Nothing can so tend
to make life a blessing as the consciousness
$500 49, t'S eiiN PIC JJlpSS anu leave Won
the stronger. Still, it is ground of the utmost
comfort to my mind to know that so many of
you as have had the opportunity, have given
some proof OF your fidelity to the great family
OF men. Be faithful unto death; from the ex.
ercise OF habitual love to man. it cannot he
very hard to love his Maker.
must yet insert the reason for nv firm no.
Lief In the divine inspiration of the Bible. not.
outstanding am, perhaps, naturally skept
cal, certainly not credulous. wish all to con.
sider 1t most thoroughly when you read that
blessed book, and see whether you cannot dis.
cover such evidence yourselves. 1t is the
purity OF heart filling our minds, as well ne
work ana actions, which is everywhere insist.
ed on, that distinguish it from all the other
teachings, that commonds il TO my conscience
Whether my heart be willing and obedient
or not, the inducement that it holds ont il
another reason of my convictions of its truth
and genuineness, but do not here omit INV
last argument on the Bible that eternal life l.
what my soul is painting after this moment
mention tins as reason for endeavoring to
leave valuable copy Of the Bible to be care
fully preserved in remembrance of me. To see
many OF my posterty instead of some other
book of equal cost.
beseecl you all TO live in habtual content.
ment with moderate circumstances and pains
OF worldly store, and earnestly to teach this 10
your children and children's children infer
you, by example as well as precepf 10 do.