Very sincerely yours, GEORGE O. PHELPS. * * * * * * The subjoined is the answer to the reception of the account of their last hours on earth. UTICA N.Y., November 30, 1886. MR. WM. KNOWLES: MY DEAR SIR AND BROTHER--You have laid us under great obligation by your lengthy and painstaking statement respecting your lamented parents. Seldom have we been affected so deeply as in the reading of it, which came so appropriately as to time and feeling, just as we were closing one of the sweetest meetings of our little "_Gospel Band_." Yes, truly, those dear, true friends of ours were as "little children" in "the Kingdom of Heaven." Nothing would afford me greater satisfaction than to be able to add further by word or incident what you desire to gather up by way of a grateful memorial. As I stated in my letter to Mr. Young, my impressions were made by their uniform consistency of character, and not by any particular event or circumstance. Perhaps the enclosed letters will afford characteristic illustration of your father's habitual godliness or tenor of life. As to your mother, why, she was always "going about doing good," seemingly never tiring. What death-bed scenes! If those faithful words of hers are ever forgotten, somebody will have a hard witness against them at last. Their memory is indeed blessed. We will all try to profit by their examples of godly fidelity, and faithful admonitions. With the sincerest sympathy, I am, Gratefully yours, GEORGE O. PHELPS. * * * * * * UTICA, N.Y., February 17, 1887. MR. WM. KNOWLES: DEAR BROTHER--You have laid us under new obligations. On my study table is a picture of the pastor of my childhood--It has been there nearly my entire ministry. You can conceive the influence it is designed to exert over me. Now there will be, if not in my study exclusively, in our house itself, the constant stimulus of such reminders of devotion as these two most welcome pictures. We are indeed very grateful to you for them; your filial love was strong while they lived, and must be quickened by their death, but if anybody _outside_ of the circle of kindred exceeds our veneration for your parents, _they_ deserve it all. We certainly cannot fail to cherish what has been so well done by the artist, the expression in both pictures is so characteristic. It seems, when we dwell intently upon them and let thoughts come and go at liberty, that the lips must open and pleasant words come from them as in life; but they do speak, nevertheless, and as distinctly, and as affectionately. Oh! that we were more worthy to hear. And that blessing upon yourself, how valuable and hopeful, or encouraging it must be.