Dundas Minnesota

February 25^th 1873

 

Miss Parna Crist.

            Dear Cousin.

                                    A few days ago I received a letter from you which it give me pleasure to answer. I rejoice with you and with the angels in heaven over the returned prodigals. God is good. There is cause for rejoicing, when amidst the depravity & worldliness which summonds us & works in us, the light from the sun of righteousness shines forth and dispells the moral darkness, melts away the icey crust that often encases the hearts of his professed children, / and vivifies souls dead in trespasses and sins. May God bless the dear ones who have so lately turned their backs upon the city of destruction, and their faces toward the land of Beulah. May the Lord of pilgrims guide them, supply their wants, & keep their feet from wandering from the narrow way. Last Sab, I preached from Ps. 48:14. "This God is our God for ever & ever. He will be our Guide even unto death." O what comfort & encouragement in that text, to the child of God. My earnest prayer is that your brother Robert may also be brought into the family of Jesus. Pray for him, for God says "Ask and it shall be given unto you", and He means just what he says. Is Mary a child of God, or is she yet a wander? When you / write to her, give her the love of a cousin, who earnestly desires & hopes to meet her in heaven, when the toils & sorrows, and joys of earth are o're.—

 

            We are all as well as usual this winter. The cold has been intense, and the wind has been very high, with the cold which is unusual. The snow has been between two & three feet deep, not so deep now, but an abundance yet. The lanes are all full. You ask of brothers. John is West of me in this state on the frontier. Asabel is with me this winter. William is in central Wisconsin teaching school. My girl left me in September. I could not get one worth any thing after that. On the 17^th of October I married again, a good christian lady / from Blairsville Pennsylvania. I trust she is a gift from the Lord. She makes me a good wife, & a kind mother to my children. If ever I have any likenesses of her taken I will try & remember & send you one. I do not know what the Lord has in store for us. Appearances now are that we will not be able to remain longer than spring at least as pastor of this people. removals & reverses of fortune have weakened the church so much that with my family it is thought it will be immpossible to give me a support. Possibly I may be in Iowa another year. God only knows & I trust He will guide us. Please give love to all the family. I remain as ever Your Cousin, Jas. H. Hunter.

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