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418 W. James St, Lancaster Oct, 20, 1899
Dear Cousin Will,
I am writing you again on the same errand as before. I heard last night of a sufferer and they are very anxious to try your famous remedy. Glad to be able to tell you that the ladies in Zanesville (?) are better. Mrs. Moorhead wrote me to that effect in her last letter. You sent me a pamphlet a long time ago. I gave it away to Cousin George McGowan and I have forgotten the name of the physician. Can you send me another or tell me his name and I will write him myself. You were so very kind in responding so promptly before . Mrs. Moorhead wrote me of the nice letter you sent. I thank you sincerely. I know your good heart of old. How long ago it seems since we walked together around the Minneapolis streets. Do you remember the night that dear Mary Jenks (?) lost her sack and it was found the next day. How Aunt Salome wondered how we wandered so far. You were such an impossible youngster then. I can hardly realize that you have grown so great and famous. That was in 1872. I remember the date so well because it was ten years after the Indian Trouble in Minnesota and one of your favorite practices was to try to make us think that the Red Skins were still lurking around in dark places especially at Minnehaha. You never succeeded in scaring me but I know Mary used to shake. I am growing old, wearing glasses and getting gray. The change is only on the outside I am thankful to say, what matters then if we pile up the years.
I have been looking to hear from dear Aunt Salome for some time. I know her’s are busy days and full of trouble but I do wish she could find a little while for me. I would be so glad to hear from her and she writes such newsy interesting letters. If there was only good news of Uncle Roberts condition.
I have been home but a few weeks and next week we are on the wing again. Mary and I go to Philadelphia to attend Percy Hix’s(?) wedding. He is Mina’s oldest boy and will be married on Wednesday 25th at 7 PM We will likely remain to see “Dewey” He comes on October 31st as the guest of the city. Our Exposition is rather good. The musical feature remarkable fine. We can put in a week very pleasurably. Dewey might feel slighted if we missed him.
The other day in overlooking my papers that had accumulated while I was away I found one I thought you may have sent. It was from Minneapolis and contained the account of Ingersoll’s death. Shall I tell you how it made me feel: Ah, so sad, sad for him. To think such a brilliant life ended in such darkness. Sad
for his family to whom he left such a legacy (No hope for the future) and sad for all those whose minds had been perverted by his brilliant but false reasoning. Dear Will, my heart aches for you for I judged you shared his views. It is so dreadful to live this life with no hope for the after-life. His family clinging to his empty casket dreading to bury it out of their sight because they had no hope of ever seeing him again was pathetic in the extreme. He was most cruel to those he loved the best because he taught them so. On the other hand when I see how in the midst of the deepest sorrow a Christian is sustained, sorrowing not, as others who have no hope. I cannot be too glad and thankful to know there is such an anchor for the soul sure and steadfast. I say know, not hope, because there is this perfect assurance of a blessed life beyond the grave. I am so glad to tell you , Will, that my greatest comfort, yes, my only comfort is this. There is not __?__ in this world that I would exchange for it. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens” Eye hath not seen nor ear heard. Neither hath it entered into the heart of man The things God has prepared for them that love him. Death is only transition and the beginning of the real life. Not the end of all. Our few school years here are only the preparation for the eternal riches beyond. This is not idle talk nor a sentimental rhapsody. I wish I could make you know how real it is and I only wish that you could have seen even a faint conception of the blessed comfort. Thine is in this assurance. Dear Will, I do not want to preach but Oh, if I only could make you know him real. This is (real) to me and the joy and happiness I have in knowing that. God is not a cold impersonal thing but - My Father in Heaven - and that I am his child not only by creation but adoption because, I believe in Her dear Son, I do not want to weary you but my heart is so full that I scarcely know how to stop.
Will you give my best love to all my dear cousins. How often I think of you all. I hear there is some talk of holding the next National Republican convention in Phila. You know we have facilities not, the Exposition building is finished. There is a fine auditorium seating capacity of 6000, big enough for you people with swelled heads, reaching out “Hands across the sea” in all directions. I wish something would turn your feet this way, I would dearly love to see you.
If you write promptly a letter would reach me in Phila I send my address there for it. At least, a week after the 25th. (no 1629 Vine St.) otherwise the address at the heading of letter would be best
With much love
Sincerely yours, Rosa H. Jenks (?)
I do not know who this person is. Possibly a relation through Robert Elwood Grimshaw’s second wife Salome. If anybody knows I would appreciate hearing. ~~JGF