The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-05-25
Letter From Persia.

| Rhea which occurred at the village OF All
Shah on tho End of September last while OF
his way from Tabrees to Oroomiah. Mr.
Rhea was IL son of the late Samu el Rhea, o
Sullivan County. The following letter from
his bereaved widow, who is II daughterof Mrs
DI. Cunningham of this place, will be real
with deep interest not only by his friend
but by the friends Of missions throughout
the country-[EDs. FLAG.l
URooMIAH, Persia, Feb IL, 1866.
Dear Mother, Brothers and Sisters 1T is
tantalizing to me to write again until heaI
some uLterances from you on the subject o.
our loved ones death. The last mail OF
month ago, brought me n letter from DR.. An
derson, Of the American Board, full of SYM
pathy and consolation. Several papers also
from the United States and England men,
toned the event. The December Mission
ary Herald" contained quite notice. But
there is no word from you, and have coun-
ted over the days, weeks and months, until
ache with waiting, and know not how
shall endure it longer All do so long
to sit down by your sides that we may weep
together, and pray together, and talk about
his perfect loveliness, and gentleness, and
purity of character and life--and his glo-
rious and abundant entrance into the JOY OF
his Lord. long to know how you have
been sustained under the crushing affection,
if you have sunk down amazed and broken
hearted, or If the everlasting arms have been
beneath to bear you up and if heaven has
gained new charms, and the Saviour, (his
dear Saviour) more attractions, If the Holy
Spirit and Comforter has sweetly sanctifed
this severe rod to your souls.
How have prayed that it might be the
means of quickenng us all in spiritual
things, and IL the deceased has one brother
or sister, friend or relative, that has not yet
attended to the salvation Of his or her soul,
the one thing needful, may this loud call,
and crushing stroke, be Gods chosen efiec-
tual means of eternal blessings. Annie and
Foster are quite well. Fosters birthday
was January y. He is three years old On
the same day Willie Shedal was one year
old, DR.. Perkins kindly celebrated the joint
anniversary by inviting us all to dinner, to
the great joy Of the children, who ate i'm
mense quantities of rice sponge cake. DR.. 2.
gave Foster presents Of rock candy and a
Persian writing case, containing pencil, knife
and scissors. lie was delighted, and begged
for several days afterwards to have repe-
titon of his birthday" DR.. p. is very
tender and pitiful to the little fatheress ones,
and they love him fondly lie is like II father
to all the families of the dear Mission circle
he loves so well. But Mr.. Rhea was his pc
culiar favorite, and be feels deeply afflicted
| In his death. n 4
have q sad story to tell about Cooley, my
beautiful gentle, fayorite horse. Two weeks
ago, he sickened, and to our great sorrow
died next day. Mr.. Rhea bought him for me
last summer, taking the greatest pains to suit
me perfectly, loved him because he was
dear Samueps chosen gift and moro than all
perhaps, because he bore the precious cofhE,
when the other horses failed, on our, sad
Journey from Ali Shah home lie carried
bis kiEd master to the grave bearing the cof-
fin so steadily so safely, so gently, that
watched him moving of through my tears,
and felt peculiar satisfaction, when | could
not longer 60 with my dead. Doctor Per-
kins has found another horse, so we keep
up our sleighing. We have now had eley-
en- weeks of the finest slsighing, and have
been out nearly every single day, except
| Sundays. 1t Is remarkable for Persia. We
find 1t highly advantageous for health. Mrs.
Labaree is quite well at last, and Mrs. Shedd
about so, though suffering severely from
neuralgia. Both have been alarmingly i'll.
We hear of an Italian physician in Caviar
three days distant, and there Is some pros
pect Of his making US visit in the spring
lie is now engaged for the winter in Dizza
Caviar, as the physician Of the TTrkisl
Army We do not know much about him
but he has formerly been in Elzroom ant
practiced In the missionary families there.
Monday AoTaiHg-The long expected mai
came yesterday, bringing me nearly scor'
Of the most afeetionate and comforting let
ters from mother and John, and E. r. NJ, an
NJ. B., and the ShsGey cousins, Mr.. Logan
Ma. Pa. and y. Your letters we're dated No'
l9-Dec. 5. thank you for yearning kind
ness and sympathizng love. | have expect
ed and relied upon 1t through these five dei
olato months Of weary widowhood alresd
past. thought such words would come
me, and the expectation was strSngthenin
and sustaining. thought your love woul
encompass and uphold US, and your fervsn
burning prayers 60 up and bring down upc
us blessings and help from on high. De-
mothers words Of cheer and courage do n
a world Of good Indeed all your letters a
sweeter than honey and more precious ib1
} gold. Us plan to start for Us immediate
and come on I'LL we should meet wnerevl
that might be- does honor TO bis heart, ar
proves hts noble natqre ike Samuers ow