Letter-1839, August 14

Rev. David Terry writes:—

Aug. 14, 1839.— Miss Mary Todd: Esteemed Sister….

   “Be sure we are well pleased to learn from your letter that you are fully determined to ‘stand in your lot’ in the confidence that your Redeemer has inspired your heart with…. No light is equal with our light; let it then be your endeavor to be acquiring more light and love…. Endeavor to continue to improve in knowledge and purity, for who can tell to what work the Lord may yet call you to perform…. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the love of God. Increase in these respects is absolutely necessary to personal holiness and happiness. Why should you stop short of perfection’s height…. Allow me to say, continue to read the Bible first and last; make it the man of your counsel. Read other devotional books as you have opportunity. Lose no time in idle chit-chat…. a fault you are not at all addicted to. Let your reading be such as tends to the salvation of the soul…. There is no rest here; but that is small moment if you be only journeying to that rest that remains to the people of God.”

   Later he wrote regarding her starting on her journey to the Shawnee Mission:— “I will return (from Newburgh) to New York shortly…. Mrs Terry will leave on the evening of the 24th Aug…. You can make arrangements perhaps accordingly and go with her when she goes.”

[MSS. Dept., K.S.H.S.]