Richford, May 6^th 1858

 

                                                Dear cousin

                                                                        As you have been so kind as to write to me, I think at least that I am in duty bound to answer it. As you say it has been a long time since I have written to you but I hope to be more punctual in future.

 

With regard to the all important subject I rejoice to say that I hope that I have indeed commenced to lead a better life. I trust it has pleased the Lord to enable me to realize in/some sense the nature of my sins and hope that he, in his infinite mercy, has been pleased, to forgive them. You probably reccollect the time when some years ago I thought that I had commenced the service of the Lord. Alas since that time I have fallen far short of my duty I have allowed the world and its temptations to have the ascendency over me, and have been a great deal worse than I ever was before; but thanks to the goodness of God I trust he has called after me and placed me in the right way/

 

Will you pray for me Alice, that I may never fail in doing my duty and in living as becomes a christian

 

I am glad to hear that so much has been done in West Hartford and hope it will not pass by your place  The interest still continues here though lately there has not been any new cases.

 

Warm weather is coming on apace I presume the season is more forward with you than it is here, it is generally the case. We have considerable rain. Tell Royal that I go fishing here some. I snared a sucker the other day that weighed nearly two pounds lacking about three ounces./

 

I should be glad to visit you this spring but d’ont think I shall be able. If I enter college next fall I shall be along then if not I d’ont know when I shall come

And now Alice d’ont let this correspondence stop here I will endeavor to do my part

 

                                                Yourt affectionate cousin

                                                            R.K. Woodruff

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