by the sweat of the brow, eat your daily bread,
maintaining, at the same time, a pure and unblemished character, than
to have a fortune that only induces idleness and self-indulgence,
opening to you an avenue for the destruction of soul and body; and,
perhaps, too, as is often the case, cause you to blindly drag your wife
and children with you, if not to vice, at least to want and to
disgrace. Money is only good when properly valued, and properly used.
It is desirable as a means of education, and of refinement; for the
cultivation of one's taste in the field of nature, or in the arts and
sciences. It is gratifying, and not wrong, to have handsome houses and
grounds, tasteful furniture, fine paintings, or statuary, libraries,
and everything pertaining to an elegant establishment. It is very good
when used to make people happy who, in the providence of God, are not
supplied with the necessaries of life. "The poor ye have always with
you"--why if not to keep the stream of benevolence running fresh and
sweet? And money helps materially, perhaps too much, toward giving one
position in society. All things considered, it is hard to lose it. It
is trying to feel, as you pass along, people are saying, "There goes
poor Mrs. A., or B. She has come down in the world!" Some malicious
ones will say, "Well, she deserved it, for she was very extravagant,
and she held her head too high." Women, no doubt, are more susceptible
to suffering and mortification, from reverses in fortune than men are;
yet there are many ways in which they feel it, too--according to their
characters and dispositions. And, my dear children, if I were to say
that we had not felt or cared for the reverses in life of which I told
you in my last letter, it would not be true. We did feel it, and that
in many ways. My husband was humbled, and disappointed, but entirely
submissive to the will of God; for he believed that adversity, as well
as prosperity, came from His loving hand, and was designed for the
highest good of His people. Instead of having the effect to lessen, it
strengthened his faith. Instead of making him more anxious and
striving for the accumulation of wealth, he was less so; and he
continued to be less so throughout the remainder of his life.
Notwithstanding he was quite as industrious, just as energetic; yet
there was less of dross mixed up with the pure metal in his soul. To
me, it was evident that he advanced rapidly in the divine li