Memoirs of the Marstons of Salem; With a Brief Genealogy of Some of Their Descendants

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873. Excerpt: ... BE.Tn MA.RSTON TO HIS NIECE ElIZAh WATSON.1 Boston, FebJ. 16, 1777. Written while in duress. Mr Dear Niece, I huve rec1 your Very kind letter, wch gave me much real pleasure. Shall I any longer reckon that a misfortune wch ha.s bro't me to be acquainted wth so g )od a girl? No, I will not, --for, unless what has happened to me, had happened, I never should have been in a situation to have experienced your kindness, your friendship, & never perhaps should have known half your worth. In the language of men, such accidents as have befalen me are called misfortunes. Bat it depends upon ourselves, my dear Eliza, whether they shall be evils or not; for if we take occasion from any adverse situation to practice Patience, Fortitude. & a Resiynalion to yc Divine Will, ---to get vc approbation of our own Heixrts, & of the good and virtuous part of mankind, shall we then have any reason to complain of the hardness of our Lot? I think not;--and if Virtue is a necessary condition of Happiness (as I am much inclined to believe it is), can we ever obtain y practice of it at too dear a rate? Surely, no. Let this great truth be strongly impressed upon our minds: That the Author of all things designs the best Gooa & Happiness of all, and that all the dispensations of his Providence, however dark & intricate to us short-sighted mortals, unerringly tend to that Grand Point. Shall we then allow ourselves, for the sake of some temporary gratifications, to wish the order & course of things to be changed, and this Great, this' Good Purpose to be suspended or thwarted?--... How much more noble to submit--cheerfully to submit, --& thereby (as far I mean as we little creatures can)' help forward the Great, yc Good design of lln who governs the Universe. The thought is transportin...