NAWSA, GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE PeARRY, EdwArd [*My sisters wish me to record sentiments of esteem for thier brothers' friend. I suppose you are busy enough with those Greek and Hebrew Lexicons about this time. How I want to be in [O?] to see you graduate next come. I see by the papers bro James Monroe is married please tender my congratulations best wishes [?] Will you be so kind as to send me some flower seeds from your garden just for curiosity. I have a little. spot where I want to plant a few flowers. If you will put a few of some light kind of seeds in your letter, I shall get them.*] Dear sister Snoy I need not say that it is not because I have forgotten you that I have neglected to write this long. I have been waiting to hear from [A?] again before I wrote to you. I have not yet recieved an answer frome one of my classmates to whom I wrote sometime since. It has also been a question in my mind whether I might not find myself some of these pleasant mornings walking the plank sidewalk which leads towards your [pleasant] noble hall where beauty and wisdom meet to kiss each other. I had almost begun to make it a matter of anticipation but I no longer think of returning at present and hence I am reduced to the necessity of talking to you on paper or saying nothing at all to you. My health is very good although I am somewhat wearied with my winter's work. I closed my school about 3 week ago since which time I have been at work. Endeavoring at the same time to obtain some light in regard to what I shall do next. I can not say that I have arrived at any clearly defined conclusion. I have stood shouting question after question into the care of destiny and recieved very little answer. save echo. But it is only in regard to details that I am thus undecided. It has ceased to be a question with me whether I am to live for myself or the race. God has given me an excuse the shape of this letter I wrote more on the last page than I intended Direct Lyndonville Orleans Co N.Y. Where are the John and Abby. I have almost lost track of the [???] cause except [???] my observation. I think some of sending for the Liberator. for six months instinct which forbids me to rest while a single humans heart bears the heavy burden of sorrow. I see the pathway of humanity blocked up by the hoary relics of rotten systems and purified as slow as the Congress of its great processions as it moves towards the goal of its existence ever and anon I hear the strokes of some daring spirit engaged in deadly conflict with the wrong. and my heart beats high with the impulses of a mighty faith in the power of truth I long to rally at the side of those brave and noble spirits who have given up their lives to do battle with the spirit of evil, and join in the mighty strife to expel with falsehood and anarchy from the earth and establish the reign of universal beauty and love. But where should I act. In what part of truth's ranks shall I fight. For what shall I prepare myself, are questions which must modify or control my conduct today and hence require an answer today. I think I am willing to act any where if I can but feel that I am doing all in my power to elevate and bless my fellow men. But in regard to the exact course that I shall pursue to [co???ss], this I am in doubt. Will you dear sister give me the aid of your counsel as from this point I cannot not at present feel content to devote my time mainly to any agricultural or mechanical pursuits. Such would [?] afford me the greatest personal gratification of my course of life were that the only object of my existense. I am determined at present to prepare myself as far as my circumstances love to Saml William and all our Dear please let me hear from them. [such] will permit [to] for stump speaking so they call efforts of that sort down here. The restless [desire??] of my constitution for continued activity will prevent my doing anything in another capacity And I believe I have a pair of beings which with judicious treatment will do me some service. I have often wished that the time which I have spent upon the languages had been bestowed upon the natural sciences. I cannot but think that I should have derived greater benefit from such a course of study. I intend to acquire some knowledge of them as soon as possible. The going has been so bad that I have not been able to hold but five or six meetings this winter. If I have effected nothing more, I think I have at least assisted in arousing an inquiry [?] the [minds] of a few individuals. I know no one [?] this part who fully sympathizes with our views but there are several with whom I have had the privilege of discussing the subject who are willing hear and investigate [?] with [c???????] and whose faith is [nerves are] much shaken in the doctrines curretly received among many of the liberty party. This morning (Sat) I have walked 7 miles on foot to give out two notices of meetings one a week from tomorrow afternoon, the other a week from tonight. Sat and Sun is the only time I can get at present to do any antislavery work. Think of me at that time. I endeavor as far as I can to present those principles that I believe to be true in the spirit of kindness. There is no such thing as resisting truth expressed in love. It has an omnipotence which find a response in the depths of the human heart. Love as the principle which must yet harmonize all the discord and antagonisms which are now destroying the peace and happiness of man. for its universal reign the souls of all true and noble ones are longing. O how important that one should make at controlling influence of our lives if one would do anything, to make man holier and happier than now. I have not found a single person in this part of the country with one exception that I can call a working abolitionist: he is a minister of the Christian conviction. A man of good natural abilities though unpopular among his sect on account his friendship for the slave "Edward" Perry Oberlin Miss Stone, Oberlin Loraine Ohio Remember me too all my friends let me hear [from] of the Jrog[??ds] of the cause in the State of [Ohio?] and what it has done with its refractory members. GC He [preaches?] on his own book sabbaths or labors on his little farm during the week, although still a liberty man I think he is inquiring and will act out his convictions without fear of [consequences?]. We find that a fearless abolitionist is as very unpopular here a well as elsewhere It cost sacrifice to obey [charity?] anywhere in these times . But how transient is the present. How soon will the day with all its gilded tinsel crowns end [?mist??rea] will soon pass away and the darkness of eternity shroud it from our view. But [?charity] and every high [?souled ] creation which it has prompted shall not be buried in oblivion. They shall endure forever like green oases in the desert of wasted time which shall greet the spirits eyes as it gazes through the vistas of the past. I want to hear from you very much. With your brothers best wishes for your health will you please write as soon as you receive this and happiness I am Edward Troy Mi Co ohio December 8th of this month 1845 Dere brother I reseive your letter with much pleasure and was glad to heare that you was in Ob I am well and hope these few lins may find you injoying the same blessing . I want to see you and I want you come as soon as you reseive this letter I was happy to here from my mother and father give my respets to those that come with you. I cant come wher you ar know be cause I incurred and I cant leive home my bissness is so I cant leave it is out of my power to leave home theirfore I can not leave home we have a good school heare as you have thire the teacer is frome ob [Oberlin in pencil] Mr. Devore is our techer when you come you can in quier fore Mr. Barry house and come rit on fore I want to see you so bad I don want you to stope no Whare give him y my best love and respet and tell him I am well my wife respets to you and here love five my respets to Miss Ston and family give my respets to all y my in quiering friends I have bin at my cusins last summer and he was very sick at that time and he wants to see you vry bad you must come fore I wont you to come with out faile I still remain you affection brother on till death Edward Barry poast hast Lucy Ston oberlin Sorain Co Ohio Edward Peary 1845 Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.