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not like to see Ann obliged to work for afiiving, neither will I , w1~Jile
I can assist her. I have no doubt but if we were on a farm we could do
very well. For my part I hate to be obligated to anyone for a living,
I woUld rather live on corn bread and drink water, and earn that than
          one
stoop to any~for Gods bountiful gifts. America is a good. place for
families and sin~le men.The last thought that occurs to me is being
                              thing
brought to want. There is no such as starving for here is enough and
to spare.
    I will not say anything to you about coming to this country, it is
a matter that belongs to yourselves and you must individualLy settle:.it.
If you stay I hope I may be able to say "it is well" and
if you
come I
trust I may still utter the same language. IIfyou are getting a comfort-
able living, and serving and~ioving God what can you need or desire
more except heaven. The toil~ of this life will very soon be over, and
its pleasures are as fleeting as the petiod of the rOse's bloom. Our
great concern, if we would be happy, must be about Eternity. Everything
but religion is as wormwood and gall, nothing else can satisfy, bu4f
we have this we have a portion that is infinitely better than the dower
of a princess. Therefore with all thy getting, get wisdom which is the
principal (thing.
    I have sometimes thought if we could be all together upon a tract
of land, we might be very comfortable while the Lord should please
to spare us in this world,~ say if we had from one to two hundred acres
a piece, but this I leave. .to the wise disposer of all events. I have
some idea of farming for a year or so, as I think the state of my health
will require it, I am too closely confined at present and my nervous
system is somewhat shattered. But what I shall.do I cannot tell. I think
if I was torecr[u]it~Uttle my usefulness would be increased. I find
that the little experience I have had in farming, teaches me that that