The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-12-09
TO HIS OLD SCHOOL MASTER.

Rev. II. l.. VAIL:
My Dear Steadtast Friend: Your most
kind and most welcome letter of tho 9Th
inst, reached mo in dCo time.
lam uery grateful Cor tho good feeling
you express, and also for tho kind counsels
you give, together with your prayers in my
behalf. Allow me here to say, that not.
withstanding "my soul is amongst lions"
still believe that "God in very deed is with
me-" You will not therefore feel surprised
when tell you that am joyful in all my
tribulations that do not feel condemned
of him whose judgment is just; nor of my
own conscience. Nor do l feol degraded
of the gallows. l have not only been
though utterly unworthy permitted to
suffer affliction with Gods people" but
havo also bad great many raro opportun.
ties for "preaching righteousness in tho
great congregation" trust it will not oil
be lost. The jailor lin whose charge | am
and his family, and assistants, have all been
most kind and Notwithstanding he was one
of the bravest of all who fought me he is norc
being abused for his humanity. So far as
my observation goes. none but Jrdvc mon
are likely to be humane to fallen foe.
"Cowards prove their courage by their .fe-
rocity" 1t may bo done in that way with
but little risk.
wish could writo you about few only
of tho interesting times hore experience
with different classes of men, ciergymen.
among others. Christ tthe!great captain of
| liberty as we'll as of salvation. and who
began his mission, as fOretold of him, by
proclaiming il, saw fit to take from mo "a
sword of steel aftor had carried it for n
time but he has put another in my hand.
("the sword of tho Spirit" and / pray God
to make me faithful soldier wherever he
NAV send me, not less on the scaffod, than
whom surrounded by my warmest sympn-
thiz rs.
NV dear old friend. | do assure you
have rot forgotten our last meeting, nor
our Retrospective look over the route by
which God had then led US and bless his
name that he has again enabled me to hear
your words of cheering and comfort at q
} limo when 7. at least, am on tho "brink OF
T Jordon" SEQ Bunyan's Pilgrim. God in
infinite mercy grant us soon another meet
ing on tho oppcsite shore. l have often
passed under tho rod of him whom | call my
Father and certainly no son ever needed il
oftener; and vet | have enjoyed much OF
life. as was enabled to discover tho secret
of this somewhat early. 1t has been in
making the prosperity and the happiness Of
o,hers my o,cn so that really have had a
great deal of prosperity. I am worry pros
porous still and looking forward to time
whom "peace on earth and good will to mon
shall everywhere prevail. have no muir
muring thoughts or onvious foolings to fret
my mind. "I'll praise my Maker with my
breath"
am an unworthy noIhow Of Dea. John
and loved him much; and in view of the
many choice friends have had hero. am
led the more earnestly to pray, "gather mol
nv soul with the uarighteous."
Your assurance of tho earnest sympathy
of the friends in my native land is very
grateful to my feelings; and allow me tc
say a word of comfort to them:
As ] believe most firmly that God reign'
/ cannot believe that anything have done
suffered, or may yet suffer. 'Oia be lost 10 III,
cause of God or Of humanity And before
began my work at Harper's Ferry, ! fel
assured that in the VOrsi event, it would Ger