Name/Title
Letter from Rev John Johnston Dec 28, 1848 to Mrs. Abner (Frances) Bull of Woodstock, NB, CanadaEntry/Object ID
000015Tags
Frances Bull, John JohnstonSubject
Stone House Copy
Letter from Rev. John Johnston
From: John Johnston
December 28th, 1848
To: Mrs. Frances Bull,
wife of W. Abner Bull
Woodstock, Carleton Co., New Brunswick
(Queen Victoria’s Dominion)
Newburg December 28, 1848
My Dear Frances,
Perhaps this may be the last letter you will ever receive from me. I am now confined to the house with an Influenza or affection of the wind‑pipe, which causes a constant tickling followed by a Cough. I have no pain and feel well, except this constant tickling, which will wear me out, if it be not removed. I have continued to preach once, and sometimes twice a day, since I was first affected, which must have been 7 or 8 weeks ago. I hope I shall be prepared at all times to say, “The will of the Lord be done.” My precious Eliza is afflicted that I must lay aside my pen. Well may we bless cry out, “Lord what is man? Poor feeble moth.” We are frail worms of the dust. Let us then endeavour so to live that when we are called to die, we may leave all behind and enter upon that rest that remains for the people of God. How blessed shall we be, that having belonged to pleasant and agreeable acquaintance here, though separated by a few miles upon death, the hour of dissolution will bring us together in a richer and better world. Where no strife appears, but all shall harmonize with the Redeemed of the Lord, from among all Nations, unto him that loved us, & gave Himself for us, and caused us to be clothed with a robe of Phil’s own righteousness, unto him be praise & honour & glory for ever & ever. Let not wonder that you & I should be allowed to entertain a hope that we shall even form a part of this precious and ever blessed society. O how time gradual helps we’ll give up the trifling toys, our Souls enjoy neither fit, nor to reach Eternal Joys. May God deliver us from undue attachment to this world, and any of its vanities. May we so live, that when called to die, we can say farewell vain world, and do it without a sigh or a pang. Who can understand the realities and glories of the Heavenly World, as they shall be unfolded to the admiring view of the Heirs of the Lord, as they enter into the presence of God & the Lamb, and mingle with Saints & Angels, to participate of that blessed life of which they only had a foretaste.
Friday Morn. I could write no more than the former page yesterday. Mr. Samuel Buell was with us a few minutes yesterday on his way to Albany. He had been chosen as one of those to represent the County of Orange in the Legislature. He looks well & in good spirits. He left Friday Morn in his usual style of bold confidence. In all probability it will not be long before he will pay the debts we have all so freely written unto the dust, for we are all dust. What have shadows & dying people from different parts of the country with us this year. I recollect several ladies who presented Mrs. with a large double basket shawl, calculated to shelter from the attacks of Jack Frost, and to her great surprise a lady came & gave 35 in value, 12 Dollars with a large double basket cake tray together with a silver platter, cake tray. She would accept of them as tokens of affection from several ladies, an affectionate people. I recollect the kindness great indeed. To repay them can only be done by a double diligence. The performance of the duties & the discharge of our functions in a humbling appreciation of a redeemed heart & mind. We feel that we ill deserve such tokens of affection. May the Lord grant that the time to come may bring forth many more tokens of such engagements in his service. There has therefore been transferred. My two youngest daughters Hannah Mary & Sarah probably remain there 3 or 4 weeks. I have lately seen several friends from the country and can say they are generally well. The family you know is numerous, and from one generation to another we often hear of Death, still I do not recollect of any whom you are acquainted.
Nehemiah is with the Mersereaus married in Buffalo, on Lake Erie, and it may be she will eventually remain there, mean while she will not return to this region until Spring, no fears.
D. Bull was here, some time ago. He was then on his way to Albany, having been chosen as one of 36, in the State of N.Y. to support the Whig Ticket. They all gave their votes for Yashbury, Taylor and Fillmore. Helenore. They said the family were well. Aunt Sally enjoys very good health and is gratified with a namesake within the minions of Royalist Republican. Royalists do sometimes amalgamate and hence, we expect that Aunt Sally’s namesake will grow up a fine girl, and if she should see fit to come to this part of the world, we will try to do her good; it wont hurt. In the mean time you may kiss her for me and say to her, that as she has the name of one whom I highly esteem, and at my suggestion I hope she will be a comfort to her parents, useful in society and an ornament to the Church of God. You inform us of the great transformation that has taken place in that little girl that accompanied you here, four years ago. I thought a good deal of her then, and I think a good deal more of her now. I am much pleased to learn that she is so well situated and enjoys so fair a prospect of comfort, as she travels down the highway of life. May she and her companion be like Zachariah & Elizabeth of old living in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Tell her husband to salute her from me and see if she can distinguish between a Republican and a Royal State. The Republican is candid, affectionate, warm hearted, sincere, ready to be reproved. Royalty must knock under. Methinks I hear you say, you are mistaken. Well be it so. Each will do the best he can. It is now snowing, and has been for two days, at intervals. We have at this moment, good sleighing. The Weather is mild for the season. Many of our people are preparing to go to California. The attraction of gold is so great that the country is draining of population. All are wondering their way to California. The public prints will inform you of the state of this epidemic. I have no doubt the result will be disappointment, starvation, & death, to multitudes. You say that unless I come to New Brunswick, you not likely we shall ever see each other, may be so, yet God in his Providence may order it so that we shall both remain a meet where we little think of. I am glad to hear Mr. B still intend to see us again. I will try to give him a more ready reception than you had, though it cannot be more welcome. You are all remembered in O. County and remembered with pleasure. And behaving as well as you did before you will be made doubly welcome. you forgot to tell us how many little responsibilities you have. The ladies you know, always inquire for the Babies, how many and who they look like. When you come bring them all with you, and exchange your goods & chattles in Queen Victoria’s Dominion, for a permanent residence in Or. Co. I have found my nerves to direct my pen thus far, and I am doubtful whether you can read what I have written, Wm. & and Daughters all unite in kind remembrances to you, your good Husband & the Children; your Mother & your Mother in Law Caroline & her Husband, all inquiring friends. May you live long in God’s presence the enjoyment of Gods presence be useful, and your latter end be peace.
your Sincere Friend,
John Johnston.
I have laboured hard to finish this letter before the Mail leaves this even Dec. 29th. Before this reaches you another year will have made its appearance. In view of it I wish you and all a happy new year year, may it be the most happy that you have ever seen. So happy that you may be constrained to say, “Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon the earth that I desire besides thee.” Farewell.
Your Friend
John Johnston
Mrs. Frances E. Bull,
the Wife of W. Abner Bull,
Woodstock, Carleton Co., New Brunswick
Queen Victoria’s DominionsLetter Details
Letter Date
Dec 28, 1848Sender
Name
Reverend John JohnstonAddressee
Name
Frances BullAddress
New Brunswick, CanadaRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Frances Bull, John Johnston
