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Columbian College 5th Jany. 1861

My own precious Vir:

I did not forget last Wednesday that I had a letter in my pocket from you unanswered; for I came very near writing in reply; but after thinking about it I came to the conclusion to postpone the pleasant duty till now as only a week from last Wednesday I had written you. I hope this delay caused you no dis- appointment.

   Christmas is now [clean gone][underlined].  It passed 

so differently with me from what I have been accustomed to that it seemed no Christ- mas. The fact alone that I was away from home took away from it the character that it has always had in my eyes. The week passed as it commenced very quietly with me as it seemed to do with all here. I was invited to a sociable[underlined] at Mr. Fox’s &

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one at Mr. Kendall’s, his father-in-law, but did not attend either. It was not convenient to go so far out into the country, nor did I have a [frolicing?] spirit at the time. I am sorry that you all down in [?] did not enjoy your holiday more. However sober every body might have been I know if the privilege had been allowed me of being at home this Christmas the pleasure of my holiday would have been very much in- creased. I can not tell the number of times I thought of you, dear Vir, & the happy hours we had spent together on Christmas occasions.

   New Year’s day is always one of some stir 

in Washington as on that day the President & his Cabinet receive company. I went with the crowd in calling on the President. A large crowd was present, but it was a very sober one – a feature very different from what I expected to see. It may be that as Mr. Buchanan received his company he

                    own

imparted some of his only[crossed out] melancholy spirit to them; for it is said that the

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sad condition of the country has had such an affect upon him that at one time the old man was moved to tears, to my eyes too he wore a sad countenance last Tues-

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day. I believe the President does an[crossed out]^ he thinks is for the best & is conscientious in his opinions & actions. According to his re- commendation yesterday was observed here as I suppose it was through out the country as a day of prayer & humiliation. I hope the day will tell upon our future history as a nation. We had prayer meet- ings in College both in the morning & at evening.

  With all my heart I join you in the 

prayer that this year with you may ex- cedl all the others of your past life in the

              will

profit which it ^ bring to yourself & in the good which you shall do to others. How much do the best of men need to grow in grace & prepare for heaven. I ask of you to join me in a similar prayer on my own behalf. [] you with the new year I have

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5 Jan. 1861

made new resolves, but the opposition in my heart to all that is good is so great that now even before one week of a new year is gone there is scarcely one of my good resolutions that has not been beaten down by the opposition. But thank God I do not despair yet; I call upon my soul to rise & make another stand & join in another conflict with the enemy. Fight on, my soul:” by the Lord’s help I hope thou shall yet conquest. Thus I encourage myself. One great means of the christian’s growth in grace is activity in the works which Christ has left in the hands of his people to do; this fact is not sufficiently appreciated by christ- ians. If we will work for God we will be blessed & the more we work for him the

                            many

more we will be blessed. How ^ precious opportunities of working for God even by a few words spoken to an uncon- verted friend do we allow to pass which

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if employed would certainly result in bene- fit to ourselves if they did not in addition to the one to whom we speak. Then, Vir, if we wish to progress in holiness during this year let us work more for God, & thus we will bene- fit ourselves & others besides, & honor our master. I am not one of those who think (if there be any who think) that women can do little. It is not so. Would that they knew their power. I take the exhortation to my- self; for it is one that I need more than you do.

  The students return slowly; so that 

scarcely half are here. I suppose the others will be here Monday.

  I am sorry that the folks in dispensing 

their sympathy should have given all to Jim. I think I needed them as much. Tell Cousin [M. Ms.?] that I feel complimented that she gave me the promised party at Christ- mas & regret my inability to attend. Give my love to all who ask about me. Shall I expect a letter to morrow? Good night, my dearest Vir,

  Wishing you a happy new year I am 

Your own John.