| Citation |
NHG-P.776.039
19 Nov 1776:12,13 (26)
To the Rev. Mr. Badger, at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sir,
Where you and family are, whether in Halifax or heaven, is
uncertain to me--I have wrote often before you left Boston,
receiving no answer--I imagine you was gone to a better
world, as I head of your bad state of health, at which I
could not wonder; sympathy begets sympathy.--Your sorrows
add to mine, tho' mine were great enough for one to undergo.
Our deliverance being high and even at the door raises my
drooping spirits, and am sure it will have like effect on
you and yours.--Our case is not much unlike that of the
Israelites who hung their harps upon the willows and wept
whenever they thought on Jerusalem--they were tantalized by
their captors with, 'come sing us one of the songs of Zion'
they were in a low condition for many years and could not
sing--but at last the Lord delivered them out of all their
distresses. We have greater reason to hope that, tho' he
tarries long, yet he will come and gloriously avenge our
wrongs--Faith in the noble prospect gives vision to my
weeping eyes, and comfort to my aching heart. I view the
happy time to meet my friends once more in my native land,
where peace and virtue shall ornament the name. My generous
friend, be of good cheer, because tribulation is a refining
fire to purge away alloy and leave the gold behind. We have
been among false brethren, are wandering about being
destitute, having not where to lay our weary heads, and how
can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land.--[33 lines,
signed] An Enemy to Dr. Foster.
Cold Bath Square, No. 7, July 9, 1776.
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