Letter from Varnum Noyes to his "dear Parents," June 17, 1836
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Varnum Noyes to his "dear Parents," June 17, 1836
Subject
Parents; Clergy; Presbyterian Church; Sons
Description
In this letter to his parents, Varnum begins by apologizing for not writing more and discusses how he will not be visiting this summer. He informs his parents that he and his wife have had their second son, Henry Varnum. He would like his parents to visit him. He concludes by musing about Christianity, and the Bible--although much of the letter is cut off because the page has been ripped.
Creator
Noyes, Varnum
Source
Loose, The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection
Publisher
Unpublished
Date
1836-06-17
Contributor
Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant
Rights
Format
PDF
Language
eng (English)
Type
Text
Identifier
noyes_c_cor_932
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Guilford Medina Co Ohio June 17
1836
My Dear Parents,
It is a long time since
I have written to you and I do not know but
you begin to think me an ungrateful son.
I have however many things to attend to
that I cannot find much time to write
letters, and were it not that you were strong
claims on a porter of my time I should
not think I could ever more spend time
to write you. I received a letter from sister
N. sometime since and was gratified to hear
of your health and welfare. Although I
am far distant from you I do not forget
you nor lose my interest in your welfare.
You are perhaps expecting a visit from me this
summer. And I should be very much gratified
in coming but I have concluded that I must
wait another year. My people have made
commendable efforts to have me preach in
Guilford all my time this year and as I have
been prevented from preaching a number of
sabbaths by sickness and have been absent
four weeks attending the general assembly
of the Presbyterian Church at Pittsburg
I feel as though I could not reasonably
have them destitute any more this sum
mer. I have all along made my calcula
tions to visit you this summer, but it
appears to be my duty to relinquish the
object. I mentioned that I had been sick.
I have not been confined to my bed at any
time, but had symptoms of the billious
fever and was obliged to make use of power-
ful machines to throw it off which greatly
weakened me and rendered me unable to preach
for three or four sabbaths. I was quite feeble
when I set out for Pittsburg but thought
that possibly a journey might prove ben-
eficial to my health, and had it not been
for the long and tedious session I should have
claimed considerable advantage from the journey
And even now I am better than when I left
and am in hopes that I shall pass through
the season without a ton of fever. the
other members of my family are well. It may
be news to you to learn that we have been
presented with a second son, a fine healthy
boy whom we call [u]Henry Varnum[u/]. We have
now two lovely little boys which we hope to
bring up for the Lord. Sister Fay is now with
us. She deeply feels the loss of her husband
and I fear will grieve so much as to destroy
her health and life. Although I have been
afflicted since I have been in this state yet
I have good reason for gratitude. I have an
agreeable companion and a pleasant home.
I should be exceedingly gratified in visiting
my relations in New England especially my
aged parents, but I question whether you
would think it admiseable in my pres
ent circumstances. I intend to come another
year if the Lord permits. I should be very
much gratified to have you come and visit
me and spend six months or a year with
me. I will endeavor to make you as comfort
able as I can if you will come. Father Walker
has been here twice and I think he is older
than you. I have built me a house so I that
I can accommodate you pretty well for
this country. If you should come in the
fall and tarry till spring, you would be in no
danger of suffering from the climate of this
country. But I hope that whether we shall
see each others faces again in the flesh or
not we shall mak it our principal busi
ness to prepare for the future world. You
dear parents have almost reached the period
of three score and ten, an age reached by
few and you cannot but look who your-
selves as standing on the brink of eternity.
You will son have done with all things
terrestrial and go to your reward. And I
hope you will spend your few remaining
days in making preparations for the future
world. Somehow or other we are apt to let the
world engross our attention too much and
neglect the concerns of our souls. But soon
the things of this world will appear as vain
and empty as the bubles of the deep. Then
to have an intrust in the Saviour will be
of more value than worlds. I think that
one point in which all christians are defi
cient is studying the bible. I am confident
that we cannot study the bible too much or
too carefully follow its directions.
The state of religion in this plase is [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
holy love, and I know because almost [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
I do not know of any class of men [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
more patience than ministers of [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
ful. We may preach the most affec [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
and our people will appear to literal
attention and then go away and forge [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
every thing they have heard and live as [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
they were to remain in this world forever. [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
I do not know what to do in order to [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
up the stupidity of this church and exc[Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
them to [?actively?] in the presence of God. [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
sometimes think that I am standing in [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
way, and the Lord will not bless this [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
ple because I am here. We have been [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
led the past year with cases of discipl [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
The church is divided and the cause i [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
[?pased?] to reproach by professors of [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
The whole Presbyterian church is [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
agitation and I do not know but [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
will be a division soon. I was exceed
ingly worried with the proceedings of the
general assembly and unless the state of
things shall alter for the better shall
hope never to allow another meeting of
this body. I believe the Presbyterian Church
is too large and ought to be divided. I
trust you on [illegible] from the unhappy
contentions which are reaching the Presbyterian
Church. May the Lord overrule all these
things for his own glory and bring all things
to a happy and glorious [illegible]. From yours
Varnum Noyes
If sister Z was here I think she might teach
school to good advantage. It was my inten
tion if I came to New England this summer to
have brought her back with me if she was
willing to come, but as it is I do not know
as she will know any opportunity to come
but if she should I hope she will improve
it. W send many teachers in this country
who are well gratified.
[Note: this page is folded into three parts. In the middle section, the following is written]
25
Dr Josiah Noyes
Westmoreland Newhampshire
guilford
ohio
June 22
[Note: the following text can be found on the third section of this page]
If I should be released from preaching for any
length of time I should take to set up a
school and I am not sure but I could in
this way do more good than by preaching.
A good school mistress can have a dollar and
a half per week and an ordinary master
twelve dollars per month. If sister Z is in
clining to consumptive complaints this coun
try would most likely be conducive to her
[?math?]. Consumptions are real in this coun
try. Billious fevers are the most prevalent of
any diseases. I think upon the whole this is a healthy
country.
吉尔福德 1844 年 7 月 1 日
亲爱的妈妈，
如果 N.姐妹收到了
几周后我给她写的信
可能会期待我的一个
这次。我练了这么久
我想在我生日那天给你写信
我很可能会继续练习这么久
上帝在祂的旨意中认为适合继续——
在这个世界上让我们俩在一起。我出生的回归
天算了 不仅要唤我的心
对过去的严肃反思，但要提醒
我对父母的义务，尤其是
我年迈的母亲。这将是一种特殊的满足
让我看到和想到我的母亲。
但在被剥夺见你的特权的同时，
很高兴想到你并送一些
这些想法给你。我有一些希望
在俄亥俄州见到你，但由于你的
我不敢坚持
否则我应该这样做。我非常高兴
随着 Z 姐妹对我们的长期访问，应该
很高兴再次见到她或我的其他姐妹或兄弟。
我开始有了再次访问新英格兰的想法
我是否会来，或者什么时候来，我现在不能说。
我觉得主对我很好
饶了我这么久，当我如此
在他的服务中无利可图。我已被允许
到四十岁，开始穿
岁月的痕迹。白发不仅在这里而且
在我身上；但我的头脑变得越来越混乱
明显结霜。我的家人还没有
幸免于难，目前都身体健康。
N.夫人目前身体很好，但
她很不忍心。做的有点过头了
会让她彻底心烦意乱。我们有一个很好的
女孩。莎拉对我们几乎和雇工一样好
女仆，比一些好。她要去上学
今年夏天，我们把亨利留在家里
帮助他的母亲。他几乎同样擅长照料
作为一个小女孩的宝贝和帮助房子，
完全胜过最年长的爱德华。我们发现
我们的小家庭有很多种类。我们的
孩子们的性格似乎有很大的不同
位置。爱德华会为炉子锯木头
牛奶，如果 e
有任何人与他一起工作，但要设置
男孩独自工作是没有多大用处的。他们做了
但很少有进展。我希望他们应该
生活，在几年的过程中，他们将
能够管理我的农场。我们的小哈丽特
最小的是相当不稳定，虽然她长得很好，而且
看起来很健康。百日咳正在出现
在附近，也许我们的孩子可能
在夏天的过程中拥有它。我已经
有些人咳嗽了几个星期，但
认为它更好一些。我找到了很多工作。
我有点从事耕种土壤的工作。有
一小块玉米和土豆，还有一点
花园，发现很难控制杂草。
我也有很多蜜蜂，有八只
蜂拥而至，并期待更多一两个。我已经失去了
两群人，要么逃跑，要么被抢劫。我发现
我的蜜蜂、农场和其他世俗的事情太频繁了
进入我的书房，或者更确切地说，进入我的脑海
研究。我不知道，但我的心正在变得
太世俗化了。我经常抱怨我的人
因为他们的世俗思想，也许他们很快就会
开始以同样的理由抱怨我。我不
希望变得如此沉浸在这个世界中
非常依附于世界的物体，但
我可能愿意愉快地拥有它们
每当上帝发出召唤。这很好
感觉我们是地球上的陌生人和朝圣者，
我们正在寻找一个更好的国家，那就是
一个天上的。就我们而言，这个世界的事物
需要他们应该被感激地接受为祝福
来自上帝。但这些东西不应该
让我们的思想远离上帝
或使我们疏忽履行义务
给他。我逐渐发现我的会众在这个地方
不顾一切反对而增加
我们遇到的。昨天我们的小聚会所
装满了。人们似乎很专心
我不能不希望主有祝福
为我们准备好了，尽管我完全明白
我们不应该得到他们。我在讲十
诫命，已经到了第三条。寻找
对他们的研究对我来说很有趣和有利可图。
我们希望有两三个家庭搬进来
将对我们有所帮助。我觉得非常困难
通过
夏天，但很少有人参加。我有一些困难
在教会中，或者更确切地说，在教会的两三个成员之间，
我辛苦了
解决，但收效甚微。这些是
更让部长失望的事情
胜过传福音的劳苦。虽然我
遇到很多困难我爱我的人
并且无法忍受拥有它们。我相信我
有很多真正的朋友，我想我也有一些
敌人。欧柏林教堂
目前缺乏
一位牧师。浸信会正在建立一个会议-
房子在第四个地方
我们的小村庄。在沃兹沃思，费伊兄弟在哪里
以前住过 过去很病态
春天。我熟悉的许多人都有
走了全地的路。我很害怕
疾病会蔓延到这个地方，但是
它没有。它是丹毒的一种，
影响了喉咙。我很高兴听到教会
在 W. 的繁荣如此之好。如果你有一个
好部长，我希望你能留住他，并且
支持他。这种频繁更换部长
对部长和人民都不利。我希望你
将努力生活在与上帝亲近的地方并拥有
你的心思多在另一个世界的事情上
[注：侧写在空白处]
N. 夫人向您和我们所有的关系表达她的爱。把我的爱献给我所有可以接受的老朋友。
你无疑是明智的，你必须
很快成为居民。我们的许多联系
已经在永恒的世界里，我们将
很快就会成为他们的号码。很快我们必须推迟
这个帐幕。我们可以为此做好准备
交换世界的庄严事件和
为超越无尽的境界。救主会
支持他的门徒，满足他的恩典
他们根据他们的日子。
【注：中段侧身】
吉尔福德 O 25
7月2日
Mehitable Noyes 夫人
威斯特摩兰
新罕布什尔
[注：地址后接字母]
没有一个信靠他的人会被抛弃。
我们可以很高兴我们有这样的救世主，
当我们感到自己的软弱和不...
用我们的精神进入战斗的能力
敌人，我们可以采用使徒的语言说，
感谢上帝赐给我们
借着我们的主耶稣基督得胜。愿你
有恩典来支持你和弱者
晚年终于有丰富的入口
赐给你进入永远的君王——
我们的主耶稣基督的王国。来自你的儿子
（我希望你能尽快回答这个问题） Varnum Noyes
1836
My Dear Parents,
It is a long time since
I have written to you and I do not know but
you begin to think me an ungrateful son.
I have however many things to attend to
that I cannot find much time to write
letters, and were it not that you were strong
claims on a porter of my time I should
not think I could ever more spend time
to write you. I received a letter from sister
N. sometime since and was gratified to hear
of your health and welfare. Although I
am far distant from you I do not forget
you nor lose my interest in your welfare.
You are perhaps expecting a visit from me this
summer. And I should be very much gratified
in coming but I have concluded that I must
wait another year. My people have made
commendable efforts to have me preach in
Guilford all my time this year and as I have
been prevented from preaching a number of
sabbaths by sickness and have been absent
four weeks attending the general assembly
of the Presbyterian Church at Pittsburg
I feel as though I could not reasonably
have them destitute any more this sum
mer. I have all along made my calcula
tions to visit you this summer, but it
appears to be my duty to relinquish the
object. I mentioned that I had been sick.
I have not been confined to my bed at any
time, but had symptoms of the billious
fever and was obliged to make use of power-
ful machines to throw it off which greatly
weakened me and rendered me unable to preach
for three or four sabbaths. I was quite feeble
when I set out for Pittsburg but thought
that possibly a journey might prove ben-
eficial to my health, and had it not been
for the long and tedious session I should have
claimed considerable advantage from the journey
And even now I am better than when I left
and am in hopes that I shall pass through
the season without a ton of fever. the
other members of my family are well. It may
be news to you to learn that we have been
presented with a second son, a fine healthy
boy whom we call [u]Henry Varnum[u/]. We have
now two lovely little boys which we hope to
bring up for the Lord. Sister Fay is now with
us. She deeply feels the loss of her husband
and I fear will grieve so much as to destroy
her health and life. Although I have been
afflicted since I have been in this state yet
I have good reason for gratitude. I have an
agreeable companion and a pleasant home.
I should be exceedingly gratified in visiting
my relations in New England especially my
aged parents, but I question whether you
would think it admiseable in my pres
ent circumstances. I intend to come another
year if the Lord permits. I should be very
much gratified to have you come and visit
me and spend six months or a year with
me. I will endeavor to make you as comfort
able as I can if you will come. Father Walker
has been here twice and I think he is older
than you. I have built me a house so I that
I can accommodate you pretty well for
this country. If you should come in the
fall and tarry till spring, you would be in no
danger of suffering from the climate of this
country. But I hope that whether we shall
see each others faces again in the flesh or
not we shall mak it our principal busi
ness to prepare for the future world. You
dear parents have almost reached the period
of three score and ten, an age reached by
few and you cannot but look who your-
selves as standing on the brink of eternity.
You will son have done with all things
terrestrial and go to your reward. And I
hope you will spend your few remaining
days in making preparations for the future
world. Somehow or other we are apt to let the
world engross our attention too much and
neglect the concerns of our souls. But soon
the things of this world will appear as vain
and empty as the bubles of the deep. Then
to have an intrust in the Saviour will be
of more value than worlds. I think that
one point in which all christians are defi
cient is studying the bible. I am confident
that we cannot study the bible too much or
too carefully follow its directions.
The state of religion in this plase is [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
holy love, and I know because almost [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
I do not know of any class of men [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
more patience than ministers of [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
ful. We may preach the most affec [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
and our people will appear to literal
attention and then go away and forge [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
every thing they have heard and live as [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
they were to remain in this world forever. [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
I do not know what to do in order to [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
up the stupidity of this church and exc[Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
them to [?actively?] in the presence of God. [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
sometimes think that I am standing in [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
way, and the Lord will not bless this [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
ple because I am here. We have been [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
led the past year with cases of discipl [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
The church is divided and the cause i [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
[?pased?] to reproach by professors of [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
The whole Presbyterian church is [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
agitation and I do not know but [Note: illegible because the paper is ripped]
will be a division soon. I was exceed
ingly worried with the proceedings of the
general assembly and unless the state of
things shall alter for the better shall
hope never to allow another meeting of
this body. I believe the Presbyterian Church
is too large and ought to be divided. I
trust you on [illegible] from the unhappy
contentions which are reaching the Presbyterian
Church. May the Lord overrule all these
things for his own glory and bring all things
to a happy and glorious [illegible]. From yours
Varnum Noyes
If sister Z was here I think she might teach
school to good advantage. It was my inten
tion if I came to New England this summer to
have brought her back with me if she was
willing to come, but as it is I do not know
as she will know any opportunity to come
but if she should I hope she will improve
it. W send many teachers in this country
who are well gratified.
[Note: this page is folded into three parts. In the middle section, the following is written]
25
Dr Josiah Noyes
Westmoreland Newhampshire
guilford
ohio
June 22
[Note: the following text can be found on the third section of this page]
If I should be released from preaching for any
length of time I should take to set up a
school and I am not sure but I could in
this way do more good than by preaching.
A good school mistress can have a dollar and
a half per week and an ordinary master
twelve dollars per month. If sister Z is in
clining to consumptive complaints this coun
try would most likely be conducive to her
[?math?]. Consumptions are real in this coun
try. Billious fevers are the most prevalent of
any diseases. I think upon the whole this is a healthy
country.
吉尔福德 1844 年 7 月 1 日
亲爱的妈妈，
如果 N.姐妹收到了
几周后我给她写的信
可能会期待我的一个
这次。我练了这么久
我想在我生日那天给你写信
我很可能会继续练习这么久
上帝在祂的旨意中认为适合继续——
在这个世界上让我们俩在一起。我出生的回归
天算了 不仅要唤我的心
对过去的严肃反思，但要提醒
我对父母的义务，尤其是
我年迈的母亲。这将是一种特殊的满足
让我看到和想到我的母亲。
但在被剥夺见你的特权的同时，
很高兴想到你并送一些
这些想法给你。我有一些希望
在俄亥俄州见到你，但由于你的
我不敢坚持
否则我应该这样做。我非常高兴
随着 Z 姐妹对我们的长期访问，应该
很高兴再次见到她或我的其他姐妹或兄弟。
我开始有了再次访问新英格兰的想法
我是否会来，或者什么时候来，我现在不能说。
我觉得主对我很好
饶了我这么久，当我如此
在他的服务中无利可图。我已被允许
到四十岁，开始穿
岁月的痕迹。白发不仅在这里而且
在我身上；但我的头脑变得越来越混乱
明显结霜。我的家人还没有
幸免于难，目前都身体健康。
N.夫人目前身体很好，但
她很不忍心。做的有点过头了
会让她彻底心烦意乱。我们有一个很好的
女孩。莎拉对我们几乎和雇工一样好
女仆，比一些好。她要去上学
今年夏天，我们把亨利留在家里
帮助他的母亲。他几乎同样擅长照料
作为一个小女孩的宝贝和帮助房子，
完全胜过最年长的爱德华。我们发现
我们的小家庭有很多种类。我们的
孩子们的性格似乎有很大的不同
位置。爱德华会为炉子锯木头
牛奶，如果 e
有任何人与他一起工作，但要设置
男孩独自工作是没有多大用处的。他们做了
但很少有进展。我希望他们应该
生活，在几年的过程中，他们将
能够管理我的农场。我们的小哈丽特
最小的是相当不稳定，虽然她长得很好，而且
看起来很健康。百日咳正在出现
在附近，也许我们的孩子可能
在夏天的过程中拥有它。我已经
有些人咳嗽了几个星期，但
认为它更好一些。我找到了很多工作。
我有点从事耕种土壤的工作。有
一小块玉米和土豆，还有一点
花园，发现很难控制杂草。
我也有很多蜜蜂，有八只
蜂拥而至，并期待更多一两个。我已经失去了
两群人，要么逃跑，要么被抢劫。我发现
我的蜜蜂、农场和其他世俗的事情太频繁了
进入我的书房，或者更确切地说，进入我的脑海
研究。我不知道，但我的心正在变得
太世俗化了。我经常抱怨我的人
因为他们的世俗思想，也许他们很快就会
开始以同样的理由抱怨我。我不
希望变得如此沉浸在这个世界中
非常依附于世界的物体，但
我可能愿意愉快地拥有它们
每当上帝发出召唤。这很好
感觉我们是地球上的陌生人和朝圣者，
我们正在寻找一个更好的国家，那就是
一个天上的。就我们而言，这个世界的事物
需要他们应该被感激地接受为祝福
来自上帝。但这些东西不应该
让我们的思想远离上帝
或使我们疏忽履行义务
给他。我逐渐发现我的会众在这个地方
不顾一切反对而增加
我们遇到的。昨天我们的小聚会所
装满了。人们似乎很专心
我不能不希望主有祝福
为我们准备好了，尽管我完全明白
我们不应该得到他们。我在讲十
诫命，已经到了第三条。寻找
对他们的研究对我来说很有趣和有利可图。
我们希望有两三个家庭搬进来
将对我们有所帮助。我觉得非常困难
通过
夏天，但很少有人参加。我有一些困难
在教会中，或者更确切地说，在教会的两三个成员之间，
我辛苦了
解决，但收效甚微。这些是
更让部长失望的事情
胜过传福音的劳苦。虽然我
遇到很多困难我爱我的人
并且无法忍受拥有它们。我相信我
有很多真正的朋友，我想我也有一些
敌人。欧柏林教堂
目前缺乏
一位牧师。浸信会正在建立一个会议-
房子在第四个地方
我们的小村庄。在沃兹沃思，费伊兄弟在哪里
以前住过 过去很病态
春天。我熟悉的许多人都有
走了全地的路。我很害怕
疾病会蔓延到这个地方，但是
它没有。它是丹毒的一种，
影响了喉咙。我很高兴听到教会
在 W. 的繁荣如此之好。如果你有一个
好部长，我希望你能留住他，并且
支持他。这种频繁更换部长
对部长和人民都不利。我希望你
将努力生活在与上帝亲近的地方并拥有
你的心思多在另一个世界的事情上
[注：侧写在空白处]
N. 夫人向您和我们所有的关系表达她的爱。把我的爱献给我所有可以接受的老朋友。
你无疑是明智的，你必须
很快成为居民。我们的许多联系
已经在永恒的世界里，我们将
很快就会成为他们的号码。很快我们必须推迟
这个帐幕。我们可以为此做好准备
交换世界的庄严事件和
为超越无尽的境界。救主会
支持他的门徒，满足他的恩典
他们根据他们的日子。
【注：中段侧身】
吉尔福德 O 25
7月2日
Mehitable Noyes 夫人
威斯特摩兰
新罕布什尔
[注：地址后接字母]
没有一个信靠他的人会被抛弃。
我们可以很高兴我们有这样的救世主，
当我们感到自己的软弱和不...
用我们的精神进入战斗的能力
敌人，我们可以采用使徒的语言说，
感谢上帝赐给我们
借着我们的主耶稣基督得胜。愿你
有恩典来支持你和弱者
晚年终于有丰富的入口
赐给你进入永远的君王——
我们的主耶稣基督的王国。来自你的儿子
（我希望你能尽快回答这个问题） Varnum Noyes
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
Noyes, Varnum, “Letter from Varnum Noyes to his "dear Parents," June 17, 1836,” Letters from Harriet Noyes: Missionaries and Women's Education in Nineteenth Century China, accessed April 19, 2024, https://noyesletters.org/items/show/1021.