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PF2.1.122
Date
4-29-1834
Transcript
Kenyon College April 29th 1834
My Dear Mary
Dismiss the groundless fears which have arisen in your mind, in consequence of not hearing from me sooner nor for a moment entertain the thought that there is hardness enough in my heart, wilfully to become the cause of one unhappy moment to you. If we should judge of the firmness of a union, be promisis[sic] and vows, and ot by the heart from which they proceed; then you might entertain fears of being forgotten by me: For many whom we might suppose to be bound as closely by the silken chains of love as we, have been severed.
But let not my promises have any weight with you, farther than, as you have confidence that they came from a heart averse to deception, and capable of unchanging love
This confidence I know you have. Then never My dear Mary, never believe, that I sought your affections, and heightened them by so many promisis[sic] to share the fleeting joys, and sorrows of this life with you, for the purpose of piercing the heart so closely united with mine. Could I fully present to you in true colours every thought and wish of my heart, I know the picture would excite a smile of approbation, and I should be considered still more worthy of your love.
The statement and explanation of the causes of my delay in writing to you; would take up more room than a single letter affords for this and for other reasons also, I hope you will pardon me for not giving them. But I pledge you my word my dear child, they are nothing about which you need be concerned, when I enjoy your company again I will explain them to you.
I told you in my last that I would inform you in my next when I should come to N. York. It was my calculation to do o next August, but if the Class to which I belong should remain at College during the time of vacation, for the purpose of studying I shall be obliged to do so, or be behind them the next session. If this should not be the case, I shall see you again the last part of next August
I have enjoyed good health ever since I wrote to you last, with the exception of the week past which was occasioned I believe by wading versus a creek, to get to a sunday school which I have about three miles from the College, but I am now well ag[ain] I am truly pleased that your Mother has joined the Church Tell her that it is my cincer[sic] prayer, that she may find wisdom’s w[?] to be ways of pleasantness; that she may ever enjoy that peace wh[ich] the smiles of Our Savior, alone can give, and may He whose [?] is sufficient for her, keep her faithful untill[sic] death, and in morning of the resurrection may we all be found among the genera[l] assembly and church of the First Born whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of Life.
I am dear Mary Yours cincerely[sic]
Hiram L. Whi[te]
Say dearest canst thou trust me now
That thou art mine?
Then why is sadness on thy brow
Why does repine?
Thou art my only love, my life
And thou shall be my darling wife
Then let thy heart with joy be rife
For I am thine
When bloom and beauty both shall fade
When blight shall come,
And when earth’s glories are laid
In the cold tomb;
When winds and waves in tumult boil
We’ll stand above the waste and smile,
And to each other cling the while
Above the gloom.
In storm and calm alike I’ll love
And leave thee never;
Nor death not doom shall ever move
Our hearts to sever;
But on that high, eternal shore
When sadness ever shall reach us more
We’ll sit and sing our sorrows o’er
And love forever.
Recommended Citation
White, Hiram L., "Letter from Hiram L. White to Mary Jane Davis" (1834). 19th Century Correspondence. 18.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/correspondence_19thc/18