Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/187

Rh inserted here with her husband’s, though it is of a much later date.

Dr. Guthrie’s letter bears date September 4, 1862:—

“Your letter was a great pleasure to all of us, and all the more after the distress into which we were thrown after the most painful rumor that one of your sons had been lost in the Jordan. It was some little time after this appeared in the newspapers until we heard of it. I clung to the hope that it might not be your son, although it was stated to be a young student by the name of Carter from New York, and we knew that your sons were at the time specified in the Holy Land. Still I assure you we were very happy and thankful to learn some time before receiving your welcome letter that it was none of yours who had been drowned while bathing in the Jordan.

“How well I would like to see you again! We go over often our travels with you, and recall with pleasure the intercourse between our two families. I hope we shall meet again on earth; meanwhile may we be making daily progress to that better land where they meet to part no more…

“What is to become of your country? In some respects the providence is as dark and terrible as the thunder-cloud which has been flashing and pealing over this house for the last two hours. As you will remember, I never anticipated any other result than that which has happened. Be they right or wrong, men fighting for what they consider independence, with their wives and children at their back, are hard to subdue. And in the accounts from America, how often do I wish that God would step forward and put an end to the horrors! We are all greatly distressed about America, and our only comfort is the hope that the blot of slavery will in the end be washed out. It is sad to think, however, that should be done by tears and blood, although perhaps not much to be wondered at. It is a blessed thing to know that God reigneth supreme over men, with all their folly and