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The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Philander Chase wishes his sister Rachel good health and tells her he has been praying for her. He updates her on the health of the rest of the family at Jubilee.
Date
3-24-1843
Keywords
Philander Chase, Rachel Denison, health, illness, religion
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Rachel Denison" (1843). Philander Chase Letters. 1178.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1178
Rights Statement
Transcript
24th of Mar 1843
Jubilee Cottage
Dear Sister Rachael.
I can not write you a long letter for I am yet an invalid and have so much to do, every moment in my sick bed room being occupied, except my sleepless nights when my perspiration is too great & the cold too intense to allow me to ruse and light my candle and go to my studies and writing as I used to do.
I have heard thro our mutual friend, how sick & emaciated you are by this dreadful “Tick” and have pitied and pitied you as if the pain were my own. And then I have prayed for you that the Good God in wrath sh’d remember mercy & assuage your pain and compose your distracted feelings and soothe & comfort your dear Heart for Jesus Sake. Above all that the Holy Ghose would fan the flame of divine love in your bosom, and sanctify all your afflictions to you: that he would raise your hope and strengthen your faith in the certainty of future felicity in another & a better world than this. By the precious bloody Jesus our Angel Jehovah manifest in the flesh hath our title to this blessed inheritance been purchased; and if we believe this with all our hearts and manifest the same by an undeviating conformity to his will the same will be ours. Never were these truths more impressed on my soul than lately. The Spirit seems to bear witness together with our spirits that we are the Children of God-- and if children then heirs. What joyful [?] these to be sounded in the ears of perishing sinners. Let us then take courage in our distressers now is our Salvation nearer than where we believed. It draweth nearer & nearer the shades of our life long then on the evening of our days. Blessed be God the time of Rest is near at hand: then a few moments- to the body- rest [in] the grave.
When cometh the Resurrection to eternal life. An event so glorious that I cannot dwell on it without rapture inexpressible.
From this thence to come back again to the affairs of this life might seem what the poets call “sinking.” But the bender of bodies is still tied to us like a stone to the captive bird that strives to fly.
I am glad to tell you that we are all well, but myself, and so far as I know all are doing well. The few pupils whom our dear Mary is teaching improve [?] But we have so many things to contend with that unless we have great faith and perseverance. I fear disappointment. We are as oeconomical as possibly. Having us salary we all have to labour and do the work of servants to save our bread.
Were this not so we should [?] down as my poor Kenyon has done. By the bye I am [?] reviewing Bishop MacIlvaines Balance Sheet and tells me that all is not right in Denmark.
Do give my love to your good Husband and love to your Children. If Laura my dear Grand Daughter be in your house or if you see her give my best love and blessing to her.
To your good Clergyman the Rev Mr Sprauge give my most respectful compliments.
N.B. I have not time to write a shorter & better letter than this. So take it as it is, and remember I am your loving Brother
Philander