Boston Augt. 29. 1755
Dear Brother,
Since I have an opertunity of Conveying a few lines to you I shall take the freedom of writing what I did not chuse to speak, lest I shou'd betray a weakness that in this Case I am asham'd of. I have throughly weigh'd your reasons for entering into publick Service for the good of your Country, and the arguments you design to make use of to animate the Soldgers to Courage have had a great influence over me & I think upon Mature Consideration I can freely Consent to part with you since your motive is the Service of your Country and the good of the rising generation this undertaking is of a very different nature from any others that you have Engaged in, but I think it must be Confess'd a more Laudible and Generous Spirit seems to animate your Courage to Engage with the Enemies of your Land than that which Call'd you forth to war with the fishes of the Sea. You were Protected by the Care of divine Providence and return'd to us in Safty then and at other times you have been made to See the Salvation of the Lord upon the great deep when all humain help was vain he by his Strong hand and Mighty Arm brough relief. When I thus take a vein of former mercys either to my Self or friends I dare not distrust the goodness of the Same Allmighty Power in Gaurding & defending them for the future. I therefore offer this petition with Strong Faith, that you will be secur'd against all the dangers of Sickness and that your head will be Cover'd in the day of battel and your Labours blest for the Good of your Country. But if an Alwisse Providence has other designs and you must Lay down your life in this Honourable Employment may it be to his Glory and your Eternal rejoicing. I make no doubt but that you are always preparing for this great Event which Sooner or later you must Experience. May you be found ready to Sing that Tryumphing Song O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory &c. Oh! how you will Clap your wings & with Joy to us poor Mortals unknown Soar above thesse regions of disapointment, disease & Sin that drag a long train of evills that put our Virtue to the test so often. How! will you Exult in your freedom & rejoice in the full fruition of that happiness not to be describ'd by mortal Language. We may never be permited to meet again in this life. I may be the person Call'd to leave this frail Cottage before your return but however that be I hope to meet where we never shall have this hard task of parting more but where we303shall forever join to adore the Glorious Author of our Salvation and where it will be our highest joy without interuption to Contemplate that wisdom & Power that we now behold as through a Glass Darkly. I shall be often puting up my petition for your Safety. I ask the same rememberance of you and I hope that the perfume of thesse Sacrifices will mingle a Sweet Smelling Savour before the throne of Grace and return unto us as the dew upon the tender Grass. I Recd. a line from Sister last night. She writes to me of you much in this manner and seem quite resign'd having a lively faith that your determination is for the best. If you have time pray send us a few lines to Strenthen our present heroick disposition and increase our dependance upon him who is alone able to Lenthen Life or cut Short the tender thread.
I now think it time to Lay asside my pen but first wou'd repeat my earnest request for your Safety and beg to be often in your rememberance as your Sencere Friend & Sister,
ABIGAIL GREENLEAF