Letter 52 Mary Charlton to Martha William Wright Moody

Date: 15 May 1868 [unknown]
Location: Petersburg, Virginia
Surnames/tags: Moody Wright

My Dear Sister -- We have just heard with sincere regret that William is no better, and that too after having heard he was so very much improved.

Feel assured my dear Sister of our tenderest sympathies & earnest prayers in this the day of your sorrowful visitation. I can offer you no consolation except in "Him who doth not willingly afflict The children of men” and “who chastens those whom he loveth." May his everlasting arm be around about you all and out of present darkness bring future light.

Poor old Martha is deeply grieved by the affliction of your household and tho shadows of grief hang heavily around her declining form, she too must soon be gathered to her Father. These are sad, dark days for many of us, but they will so soon be past, and from all the sorrows of today will tomorrow borrow sunlight if tomorrow we awake safe in glory-- God has too long cared for you my dear one to forsake you now. cling to Him the closer as the storms of life gather thicker and with your hand in His the wand shall pass o’er thee, and thy rest shall be sweet at the last. If our presence would be any comfort to you I would gladly share your weary hours, but quiet & calm is the best & only hope of recovery-- which may a merciful God speedily vouchsafe to your poor afflicted son.

Words of comfort are idle when our sufferings are so very great, but the prayer of God's children will be heard & ours shall ascend for you & yours.

If you can spare time, do write me a few lines.

With sincere affection & sympathy I am fondly your

Sister Mary

Our friend Mr. Wallace died last evening. He sleeps sweetly in Jesus.

May 15, 1868.

VLR (Virginia Leigh Refo)

Mary Charlton writing from Petersburg to her sister Martha William (Wright) Moody on the illness and presumed imminent death of, William Scott Moody, her oldest son. William survived the illness and lived another 14 years, married and had several children. Still he predeceased his mother. Presumably, Martha is at the family home near Garysburg, NC. "Poor old Martha" is Mary's and Martha's mother, Martha Robinson (Crump) Wright Charlton. The letter is written on stationery embossed with a gothic “C” for "Charlton". Mr. Wallace is unknown to me.

Acknowledgement

• Many thanks to cousin Virginia Leigh Refo whose research and transcriptions added to this profile. The originals were donated to the Library of Virginia in 2004 by Liz Edens Vermillion with the help of Virginia Refo Moody Family Papers, 1750-1881. Accession 40535, Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.