Johnstown. Penna

Dec. 28^th 1863

    Monday Morning

 

Sergt. F. C. Miller.

                                    Friend Frank.

 

                                                            I cannot say like you “this beautiful morning,” for it has been raining and snowing all morning. Yesterday it was colder, and the pavements were a perfect “sin of ice”. It was almost impossible for pedestrians to get along at all. But in spite of it all, we all went to church but Mother. I remarked, as we went along, that the weather caused us to violate our church rule concerning dancing. But I felt well repaid for all my trouble, while sitting listening to the most excellent “christmas” sermon with which our worthy pastor edified us. Often, while sitting under the preaching of the word, I wonder if my soldier friends are enjoying the same blessing. I had a letter from a soldier a week ago, who had not heard a sermon for ten months,/with the exception of one which was delivered by a colored preacher. This friend is in the “Army of the Southwest” in Sherman’s corps. He related some amusing circumstances concerning the contraband. He engaged the services of one, who, if he was away from him ten hours, would not know whether he was his employer or not.

 

How did you spend your Christmas? The day passed off quite pleasantly here. We had company to dinner, and should have been very much pleased to have seen Sergt. Frank C.M. at the table. But the war is in the land, and we cannot always have things as we want. In the evening we—Anna Mr W. P. K. (her brother in law) and myself—went out and spent the evening, which was the first time she Anna had been out in company since her bereavement.

 

I was at a fair on Christmas Eve, and received some two or three presents. I was not expecting anything and was therefore agreeably surprised.

There was on thing in your letter which I would beg you to reconsider. It is in reference to joining the church. I think you are in/error in thinking that it would not be worth your while to unite with the church while you are travelling around as you are. It is my firm opinion—and I am a church member—that you would derive incalculable benefit from your connection the M. E. church. There are so many means of grace connected with it which you need in your state of mind. Especially the classroom. Do not allow a false pride to keep you from doing your duty. If you were a member, you could then claim all the privileges of church membership wherever you would go. As long as you see a duty before you and fail to do it, just as long may you wait for the blessing which you seek. Excuse me for speaking so plainly, but I felt it was my duty to do so. But I must close. Pa & Mother are well. Anna talked of writing to you this time, but I dont know whether she will get it done or not. Accept the kind regards of

 

                                                                                    Your friend

                                                                                                Mollie E. Bowen

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