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Columbian College
5th Jany. 1861

My own precious Vir:

I did not forget last
Wednesday that I had a letter in my pocket
from you unanswered; for I came very near
writing in reply; but after thinking about
it I came to the conclusion to postpone
the pleasant duty till now as only a
week from last Wednesday I had written
you.  I hope this delay caused you no dis-
appointment.
    Christmas is now [clean gone][underlined].  It passed
so differently with me from what I have been
accustomed to that it seemed no Christ-
mas.  The fact alone that I was away from
home took away from it the character that
it has always had in my eyes.  The week
passed as it commenced very quietly
with me as it seemed to do with all here.
I was invited to a sociable[underlined] at Mr. Fox’s &


[Pg2]

one at Mr. Kendall’s, his father-in-law, but did
not attend either.  It was not convenient to
go so far out into the country, nor did I
have a [frolicing?] spirit at the time.  I am
sorry that you all down in [?] did not
enjoy your holiday more.  However sober
every body might have been I know if the
privilege had been allowed me of being at
home this Christmas the pleasure of my
holiday would have been very much in-
creased.  I can not tell the number of times
I thought of you, dear Vir, & the happy hours
we had spent together on Christmas occasions.
    New Year’s day is always one of some stir
in Washington as on that day the President
& his Cabinet receive company.  I went with
the crowd in calling on the President.  A
large crowd was present, but it was a very
sober one – a feature very different from
what I expected to see.  It may be that as
Mr. Buchanan received his company he
                     own
imparted some of his only[crossed out] melancholy
spirit to them; for it is said that the


[Pg3]

sad condition of the country has had such
an affect upon him that at one time the
old man was moved to tears, to my eyes
too he wore a sad countenance last Tues-
                                                what
day.  I believe the President does an[crossed out]^ he thinks
is for the best & is conscientious in his
opinions & actions.  According to his re-
commendation yesterday was observed
here as I suppose it was through out the
country as a day of prayer & humiliation.
I hope the day will tell upon our future
history as a nation.  We had prayer meet-
ings in College both in the morning & at
evening.
   With all my heart I join you in the
prayer that this year with you may ex-
cedl all the others of your past life in the
               will
profit which it ^ bring to yourself & in the
good which you shall do to others.  How
much do the best of men need to grow in
grace & prepare for heaven.  I ask of you
to join me in a similar prayer on my own
behalf.  [] you with the new year I have


[Pg4]

5 Jan. 1861

made new resolves, but the opposition
in my heart to all that is good is so
great that now even before one week of
a new year is gone there is scarcely one
of my good resolutions that has not
been beaten down by the opposition.  But
thank God I do not despair yet; I call
upon my soul to rise & make another
stand & join in another conflict with the
enemy.  Fight on, my soul:”? by the Lord’s
help I hope thou shall yet conquest.  Thus
I encourage myself.  One great means of
the christian’s growth in grace is activity
in the works which Christ has left in the
hands of his people to do; this fact is
not sufficiently appreciated by christ-
ians.  If we will work for God we will
be blessed & the more we work for him the
                             many
more we will be blessed.  How ^ precious
opportunities of working for God even
by a few words spoken to an uncon-
verted friend do we allow to pass which


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if employed would certainly result in bene-
fit to ourselves if they did not in addition
to the one to whom we speak.  Then, Vir, if we
wish to progress in holiness during this year
let us work more for God, & thus we will bene-
fit ourselves & others besides, & honor our
master.  I am not one of those who think
(if there be any who think) that women can
do little.  It is not so.  Would that they knew
their power.  I take the exhortation to my-
self; for it is one that I need more than
you do.
   The students return slowly; so that
scarcely half are here.  I suppose the others
will be here Monday.
   I am sorry that the folks in dispensing
their sympathy should have given all to
Jim.  I think I needed them as much.
Tell Cousin [M. Ms.?] that I feel complimented
that she gave me the promised party at Christ-
mas & regret my inability to attend.  Give my
love to all who ask about me.  Shall I expect a letter
to morrow?  Good night, my dearest Vir,
   Wishing you a happy new year I am
Your own
John.