Boston Mar: 18. 1755 Dear Brother,

I this day Rec'd your kind present and am the more Oblig'd Since you happened upon a point of Christian duty that I am so often pondering and find my Self So unable to perform as becomes me. Tis a great Encouragement to find that you approve any part of my Conduct in this important part that I am Call'd to act. The aprobation of a Judicious friend is of great Service to animate us to proceed be the task ever so hard to us and I must tho' with Sorrow Say that the rules that you Lay down for the Education of youth is to much neglected and even Ridicul'd by a great part of the world and even by them that in other things are govern'd by the Strict Rules of Reason & Religeon, and this Renders it much more difficult but not less nesesary. I shall treasure this token of your Love to me & mine among the Choicest of my jewells and endevour to transcribe the Coppy in my Conduct towards the growing branches that flourish round me and hope we shall both live to rejoice at Seeing them grow up to practice Vertue from a principle implanted even now in their infancy for this I firmly beleive 'tis my duty to Strive for when reasons bud first Shoots forth. I Could fill more paper than you have, in Expressing my aprobation of your Sentiments which indeed are my own tho' in a better dress. I shall think myself under a great obligation for any other Remarks of this kind that in your Leasure you may Commit to paper for I doubt not but your hints will be of Service to one who is desireous to gain all the knowlege in human nature and to trace the Errors of my fellow Creatures back to the Cause that is productive of so much evil as we daily See in the actions of men, by doing thus I think even we the weaker Sex may be Servicable to the Society where we live and to the world in general by bringing up our Children in Such a manner as to abhor vice and act Virtuously from a principle early inculcated which is the most likely to be lasting.

I beg when you read this you wou'd accept the Cencerrity of your Sister and Consider her Curcumstances for I am Launch't into a broad Sea where I met with So many Opositions that I find it hard to Stear my little bark free from the evills that threaten on every Side. Thesse difficulties render me unfit for any task of this nature tho' ever so pleasing. We are all favoured with health and remember you with great tenderness. Your friend & Sister,

A. GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine att Lancaster"; endorsed.