Letters: Theological, Religious Scholarly--To Dr. Francis--To Robert White, upon
Shakerism--To Rev. S. J. May, Rev. J. H. Allen, and others.

TO MISS HEALEY.

West Roxbury, November 29, 1842.

Press of business has delayed my writing before, my dear sister, in
answer to your kind and most welcome note. I have been delivering
"Six Plain Sermons for the Times" in the Marlborough Chapel, Boston,
during the last successive Monday evenings; and as each sermon occu-
pied nearly two hours in the delivery, and only a part was preached,
you may suppose the preparation of the said sermons required time
and labour. To speak in the style of the Old Testament, they have
been a "work of sweat and watching."

Last night completed the course, so to-day I have bad little to do
but hear a few scholars recite who come to me to be helped in their
studies, and to read Mr. Brownson's review of my poor book, which I
have not had leisure to study or look at till now. Now I have the
evening to answer letters of long date, and yours, my good Caroline, is
the first to be answered.

Don't think I shall ever be hurt by persecution or neglect. I think
I can stand in a minority of one. if need is, and feel no danger, except
from an access of pride. I have lived long enough to know that a
serious man is not to look to men for his reward. He that sows to the
flesh "shall of the flesh reap corruption."

However, I have had the sweetest sympathy expressed from some
very true and noble hearts, as you know very well. I am sorry for
your position in the midst of what you must needs despise, if you had
not a Christian heart still. I think it will be advantageous to you.
It will call you away from leaning on external things, and teach you to
rely still more on yourself and the invisible supporter of man. Ten
years hence, I doubt not, you will rejoice in a depth unfolded by these
very circumstances, now so disagreeable. Still more, you will help
even the bitter evils about you: a good word, I fancy, never falls idle
to the ground. You or I may not live to see it bear fruit, but others

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