Cambridge May 11th 1746 Couzang,

I received yr. letter very unexpected but very gladly; but being Sabbath day after meeting att night & almost prayer time I must be very breif which pray excuse. As for yr. Query: I have recollected all the little I know about the Scriptures but cant find the place that directly informs that Christ died only for the Elect; for if he died only for the Elect how can every one be welcome to come to him. Tho' I cant give a text in Scripture to prove it I am ready to think Christ died for us all; for I've often heard so from the Pulpit. If Christ died not for us it is in vain to seek to him for pardoning mercy. If we have not merit in his Blood we cant be sav'd; & how the Birth of a Saviour will be of Great Joy to those that will be Condemned I cant as yet see: but I do think you took a Subject too high for me for I am at a loss what to think about it. I belive It has been a subject that has puzled many a Divine. If what I have said be not according to Scripture I should take It very kind to be put into a right way of thinking. In disputing from Points of so great importance we are very apt to get into wrong notions and if it were a Pint of less Concearn it would Do as well. I intend to pay you a visit in a short time and then will settle matter with you but must now remain yr. sincere freind & willing Couzang,

ROBERT TREAT PAINE

PS Please to keep my lines as private as you may Depend upon it I keep yours.

RC ; endorsed.

Boston June. 10. 1746 Dear Brother,

As theirs nothing more pleasing to me than to hear from my absent friends, so I hope these Lines will be acceptable to you, Since they Come from one who I assure you is a true friend to you. I Recd. yours1 which you Sent to me Last fryday but I did not See the bearrer & so Could not Send the bottle which you requested, but I shall Send Catto to bring you Some Linnin Next fryday and by him I shall Send the most Suitable bottle that I have.

6

I am very much oblidg'd to you for the vial you Sent me, and am very much pleas'd that I am so much in your thoughts when I am absent from you.

I have Sent to Mr. Owens2 and he Says that you must Come down Next Wednesday tomorrow come Sevenight to try on your Cloths.

Mother is much better than she was when you Left us. She puts on her Cloaths and sets up the most of the affternoon. The family is all in Good health Except My Self who am very much indispos'd. My Father has heard that his vessell that went a flag of Truce to France is taken in her passage home which is a Loss to him tho he did not own all of her. I have a merry peice of News to write to you of a strange accident which happen'd to us. Last Thursday night father took an uncommon Care to Charge Freeman to shut the house and he said that he had done it which made us all Neglect Looking to the fore door and so went to bed with it open. Some time before we arose Sombody Came in open'd all the inner doors, and went to the pantre and took a Bottle full of Rum out of the Case and part of a line of Roast veal out of a dish and Left a Spoon and porringer & three tea Spoons on the Shelf in open view, from thence they advanc'd into the Kitchen and took a Loaf of brown Bread and the Sugar box and three pocket handkerchiefs out of a basket of Cloaths and so departed without any further Mischef, which I Look upon to be very honest in a theif. It has Caus'd abundance of Laughter amongst us, and in me abundance of thankfullness that we Come off so well, but I hope it will be a warning to us not to be so Carless for the future.

Dear Brother I have forgot my self and the haste I am in and so must Conclude by adding that your Watch is Come home and shall wait upon you with Catto. Father & Mother & Grandmother send their Love to you & Sister3 joins with them. I Remain your Loving Sister Ready to Serve you.

ABIGAIL PAINE.

RC ; addressed: “To Robert Treat Paine att Cambridge"; endorsed.

1.

Not found.

2.

William Owen (d. 1748), a Boston tailor, who lived on Tileston Street, in the North End of Boston (Annie Haven Thwing, Thwing Index of Boston Property Owners and Inhabitants, 1630–1800. MHS).

3.

Eunice Paine (1733–1803), RTP's younger sister who never married and was a partial invalid for much of her life. The letters exchanged between RTP and Eunice indicate a particularly close relationship.