Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-12-22
John Brown, in Prison. To his old
Schoolmaster.

--s>s>.-
John Brown, ia Prison. TO his old
Schoolmaster.
CHARLEsTowH, Jefferson Co, Val
November ID, 1889
THE REV. II. l.. NAIIE-.Ny Dear,
.Steadfast Friend:-Your most kind
and most welcome letter of the sth
inst. reached me in due time.
am very grateful for all the good
feeling you express. and also for the
kind counsels you give, together with
your prayers in my behalf. Allow me
here to say. Notwithstanding my soul
is among lions," still believe that
"God in very deed is with me-" lou
will not, therefore. feel surprised when
| tell you that | am Joyful in all my
tribulations;" that | do not feel con
demned of Him whose Judgment is just.
nor of my own conscience. Nor do |
feel degraded by my Imprisonment, my
chains, or prospect of the gallows. i
have not only been (though utterly
unworthy permitted to "suiier atilic
tion with Gods people," but have also
had great many rare opportunities
for preaching righteousness in the
great congregation" / trust it will
not all be lost. The jailor Tin whose
charge l am and his family. and as
sistants. have all been most kind and
notwithstanding he was one OF the
bravest of all who fought me. he is
now being abused for his humanity
SO far as my observation goes, none
but brave men are likel y to be humane
to fallen foe. "Cowards prove their
courage by their ferocity." 1t may be
done in that way with but little risk.
wish | could write you about few
only of the interesting times ! here
experience with different classes of
men. clergymea among others. Christ,
the great captain of liberty as well a.
of salvation. and who began his mis-
sion, as iorctold of him, by proclaim
ing it, saw fit To take from me u sword
of steel, after had carried it for a
time; but he has put another in my
hand. ("the sword of the spirit" and
| pray God to make me faithful sol
iier wherever he may send me. not less
on the scaffold than when surrounded
by my warmest sympathizers.
Ny dear old friend: do assure you
| have not 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 time when
| |. at least. am on the brink of Jordan
See Bunyan's Pilgrim. God in in
finite mercy grant us soon another
meeting on the opposite shore. | have
often passed under the rod of Him
whom | call my Father: and certainly
no sen ever needed it oftener; and yet
| have enjoyed much of life. as | was
enabled to discover the secret of this
somewhat early. 1t has been in max
ing the prosperity and happiness of
others my own. | am very prosper
ous still; and looking forward to a
time when peace on earth and good
will to men shall everywhere prevail.
l have no murmuring thoughts or en-
vious feelings to fret my mind. 'l'll
praise my Maker with my breath.
am an unworthy nephew of Dea-
con John. an! loved him much: and
in view of the many choice friends ]
have had here. l am led the more
earnestly to pray, Gather not my soul
with the unrighteous.'
Your assurance of the earnest sym
pathy of the friends in my native land
is very grateful to my feelings; and al
low me to say a word of comfort to
them
As | believe most firmly that God
reigns, | cannot believe that anything
have done. suffered, or may yet sui
fer. will be lost to the cause Of God or
of humanity. And before | began my
work at Harper's Ferry. / felt assured
that in the worst event it would GER
tainly pay | often expressed that be-
! f;and can now see no possible cause
to alter my mind. | am not as vet. in
the main, at all disappointed. l have
been a good deal disappointed a. re-
CARDS myself in not keeping upt to my
own plans: but now feel entirely recon
ciled to that, even; for Gods plan was
infinitely better. no doubt. orI should
have kept to my own. Had Samson
kept to his determination of not tell
ing Delilah wherein his great strength
lay. he wonld probably have never
overturned the house. ! did not tell
Delilah, but l was induced to act very
contrary to my better judgment; and
have lost my two noble boys,
and other friends. il not nv two eyes
But Gods will. not mine, be done
| feel a comfortable hope that. like that
erring servant of whom have Jus,
been writing. even may Through in.
finite mercy in Christ .]e~us) yet die
in faith As to both the time and
manner Of my death. l have but vers
little trouble on that score. and an
able to be as you exhort) of gooc
cheer.r
! send. through you. my best wishes
to Mrs. W and her son George
and to al! lesr friends. Nay the Go,