We had a very affecting death here on Christmas, Henrietta Beers, cousin to Julia, & who had been adopted by Mr. Beers as a daughter died on that morning, her funeral was attended on Monday morning. All Miss Jones’ scholars walked in procession to the grave, she was very handsome, & very much beloved. Her friends have hope that she was prepared for death, if so she is now singing the praises of her Redeemer. May you be prepared to meet your death, at whatever period the king of terrors may summon you to depart. The Methodist church has had a protracted meeting which has continued about three weeks, a number of young people have become hopefully pious, & a few old. The temperance cause seems to be gaining. Mr. Kirchon (?) from N. Haven has been laboring here, & a number of drunkards have signed the pledge, & we hope they may continue firm to their oath. Tell Mary I will send Charles’ stocking the first opportunity, I have not finished your Father’s stockings yet, while at C— I knit for your aunt Ruthy & since that I have gone on slowly as there are but few evenings when I can keep my eyes open, but they are nearly done. Love to Mary, Charles & James, to Isabella also—& take a great deal for your self—from your affectionate aunt S. P. LITCHFIELD. March. 14. 1842. DEAR JOHN I am sorry that your congregation have got into such a bad state, but it seems to be the state of the present time to run into extremes, a few years past, it was with difficulty that we could get a decent house to worship in, & now people are for emulating Romanists, in building, & decorating their churches, there is no religion in it, but as Dinah used to say, “_needless pride_.” Satan was never more active than at the present day, fomenting contention in churches, where he has not as yet been able to introduce false principles. I think it a great sin in these hard times to lay out money needlessly when so many benevolent institutions are suffering for funds. ... I think you would not do wisely to buy a lot to build on, as it is always expensive to build, & there is always in the course of every year, houses to sell at a low rate. Love to the children, tell James we hope to see him as soon as the mud is dried up, & the weather warm enough to play out door. S. P. LITCHFIELD. June 23. 1842. MY DEAR NEPHEW.