Name/Title
Letter from James and Julia Ann Goodrich to H.W. Aldrich.Entry/Object ID
2000.FIC.065Scope and Content
Three page letter from James and Julia Ann Goodrich to Henry Waterman Aldrich. The letter relates news about James Goodrich preaching, and congregation, and how Bible verses relate to him. It also relates how James faith sustains him and other theological discussions. Some news of common acquaintances health and family. James also worries about his ability to provide for his family on a preacher's salary, and considers other means of employment. Also contains news of his farming and financial matters.
Sunbury, Dec 1 / 53
Dear bro Henry,
Your Letter of Last Aug.
has remained untill the present unanswered
I sit down to answer. I am afraid however
that I shall not be able to do justice to
it. I commend your frankness, &
must say, you have done ample jus-
-tice to your subject; but must tell
you that it is easier to preach than
to practice. One of the greatest discour-
agements with which I meet in the
ministry, is that having preached the
truth, to which men have listened with
apparent interest, they go away & forget
all that I have said. You speak of the
19 & the 34 verses of Mat. inclusive. This is a
portion of scripture which I have red often
& feel that it was written especially for
me, but no more for me than for all.
I would not neglect a heavenly treasure for
an earthly one, nor would I be unduly anx-
ious about the comforts of this life. But
PG.2
Consequently if I ever make any provision for
my family, it must be done in some other
way than by preaching. As a family you are all
well situated in life except Julia Ann, & perhaps
you cannot appreciate her circumstances as
she does herself. I have no reason to think that
she regrets choosing this situation, still, if
I can lawfully make some provision for the
future, is it not my duty to do so. I often
think of an incident that occurred in New
England. An aged Minister, and Pastor in Boston
[who had a large family besides — inserted above line]
was exhorting Eld. John Leland to devote
himself entirely to the ministry, & trust
God for the care of his family, He answered
that it was easy for a man who had a large
farm, & a good salary besid to trust God, for
the care of his family. Thus much I have
said Dear bro, not by way of complaining
of my lot, for this I have no heart to do,
nor by way of refuting your letter; for
I have felt the force of this from the
day I recd it, but by way of showing you
my true position, & my convictions of
duty relative to my family. If I have erred
in writing to plainly, I know you will forgive.
PG.3
We are in usual health at present, except
Julia Ann. Her health is quite poor, though she
keeps around the hands a part of the time.
She has done without a girl most of the
time since we returned from Dover, by my
doing her washings, & many other chores
about the house. The truth is we have
not been able to hire a girl, & there is the
greatest imaginable difficulty in getting
a girl in this place; especially one that
is good for any thing at all. I raised last
summer about 80 bushels of corn. Have got
it harvested, & my fodder home. This cost
me in all about $10,00. Quite a speck for
a minister. I have three warrants, which
call for 120 acres of land; for the last one I
owe $20.00. Bro.Mintouge failed to get his patent,
so I have nothing to do with that, & he is to
refund to me the $40. which I paid
him, which I think he will do
soon. Soon as I can get this, I think of
going west to locate my land if I like.
All said, my ways are in the hands of God & I
would not have it otherwise. Our love to your
family, & all our friends. J. & J. A. Goodrich
W. Aldrich
*Written Vertically*
Please write again. Your letters are always acceptable.Collection
Aldrich Family CollectionRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Aldrich, Henry WinsorPerson or Organization
Costney, J.M.Person or Organization
Fuller, AndrewPerson or Organization
Goodrich, JamesPerson or Organization
Goodrich, Jullia AnnPerson or Organization
Mintegue, Brother
