Johnstown October 31^st 1863

                                                                                                            Saturday Noon.

 

My Esteemed Friend Frank

                                                Your letter reached me this morning, and I hasten to answer it and set your mind at ease. It seems my letter must have miscarried as I received your last letter and answered it the 14^th of this month. You have never to my recollection written anything in any of your letters which I considered out of place. I thought you must be sick or marching that you did not write, but am glad to learn that you are not either. While I am pleased to learn of your health, allow me to say that mine has improved so much within the last six weeks that I feel almost well. Annas health is not so good, as she is continually fluctuating between hope and fear about her husband. Although she has been persuaded to put on the habiliments of mourning, still, as long as she has no cer-/tainty about him, she cannot altogether give up. She seldom ever mentions his name, but anyone who knows her can tell that he is continually in her thoughts.

 

Poor Anna, she never dreamed what trouble was in store for her, when she so trustingly gave her hand where her heart had been given long before. She sends kind regards to you and is always pleased to hear from you. Pa & Mother are both well and send their respects.

 

Your letter gratified me very much. To those who are striving to serve their “Heavenly Master,” there is nothing which gives them more joy than to know that others are seeking the same path for their feet, expecially if that other is one in whom they feel an interest in consequence of friendship existing between them. If I have been instrumental in encouraging you any in seeking for the “pearl of great price,” I am thankful to my Heavenly father. I would add, do not be tempted to give up. The struggle may be hard but it cannot fail in its result if you are but firm. Remember that you have at least one friend who offers up prayers daily for your/conversion. In your petitions ask—yea—implore for an increase of faith, and I will be with you in your petitions. While I have not been permitted to labour much as I would like for God in the appointed means of grace, I am thankful if I can do a little good with my pen. I feel that my heart is in the good work, and when I get started on the subject I hardly know when to pause.

 

True—cold frosty winter is coming with rapid snow-clad feet and often, on a cold night, when I go from the warm stove to my warm bed, my thoughts revert to the “brave soldiers”, and I wonder if my friends are protected from the weather. I believe we are all a little selfish, and I fear that when we pray for all the soldiers with our lips our hearts only petition for the few loved ones in our own little circle of acquaintances. But we are not perfect, and poor human nature will assert its sway over our hearts. May I ask how long you have to stay in the army yet. I have some friends in the “army of the southwest” from whom I have not heard lately. I feel anxious to hear. Hoping & praying for your present & eternal welfare/I close with kind regards. I trust this letter will reach you and the other also. write soon to

 

                                                Your true friend

                                                            Mollie E. Bowen.

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