The herald., 1897-12-04
A LETTER FROM JOHN BROWN
Striking Epistle of the Famous Aboli-
ZIONIST Just Made Public

Hartford, Conn.-The Rev. Luther
Humphrey a cousin Of the famous abo-
litionist, John Brown, died here recent
ly. Among his property has been found
letter written by John Brown during
his incarceration, after his raid on Har-
pers Ferry. It Is dated Charlestown,
Jefferson county, Va, Nov. 10, 1859, and
is as follows:
REV. Luther Humphrey: My Dear
Friend-Your kind letter of the 18th inst.
is now before me. So far as my knowl-
edge goes as to our mutual kindred. I
suppose I am the first since the landing
of Peter Brown from the Mayfower that
has either been sentenced to imprson-
ment or to the gallows. But. my dear
old friend, let not that fact alone grieve
you. You cannot have forgotten how
and where our grandfather, Capt. John
Brown, fell in 1776, and that he, too.
might have perished on the scaffold had
circumstances been but very little diff
ferent.
"The fact that man dies under the
hand Of an executioner or otherwise has
but little to do with his true character,
as 1 suppose. John Rogers perished at
the stake. a great and good man, as
suppose, but his being SO does not prove
any other man who has died in same way
was good or otherwise. Whether have
any reason to be Of good cheer or not.
in view Of my end, can assure you that
I feel so and that I am totally blinded II
do not really experience that strength
ening and consolation you so faithfully
implore in my behalf. God of our faith
ers, reward your fidelity.
II neither feel mortified, degraded nor
in the least ashamed of my imprison-
ment, my chain or my near prospects of
death by hanging. feel assured that
not one hair shall fall from my head
without my Heavenly Fathers will. al
so feel that have long been endeavoring
to hold exactly such part as God has
chosen. See the passage in Isaiah which
been more happily spent than that have
spent here and humbly trust that no
part has been spent to better purpose.
would not say this boastingly, but
thanks be unto God, who giveth us the
victory through infinite grace.
IT should be 60 years old were to live
till May 9, 1860. have enjoyed much of
life as it Is and have been remarkably
prosperous. having carly learned to re-
gard the welfare and prosperity Of
others as my own. have never, since l
can remember, required great amount
Of sleep, so I conclude that have al
ready enjoyed fully an average number
of waking hours with those who reach
their three score years and ten. have
not as yet been driven to the use OF
glasses, but can still see to read and
write comfortably, but more than that,
l have generally enjoyed remarkably
good health. I might GO on to recount
unnumbered and unmerited blessings.
among which would be some very Sc
we're Affections, and those the most need
ed blessings of all. And now, when I
think how easily I might be left to spoil
all have done or suffered in the cause
of freedom, 1 hardly dare risk another
voyage if ever had the opportunity. 1t
Is a long time since we met, but we shall
soon come together in Our Fathers
house, trust. Let us hold fast that we
already have, remembering that we shall
reap in due time If we faint not. Thanks
be ever unto God, who giveth us the
victory through Jesus Christ, our Lord
And now, my old, warm hearted friend
goodbye. Your affectionate cousin,
JOHN BROWN"