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---Reminiscent Thought---
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Sitting alone amd glancing over my past life, long and eventful as it has been, I recall many of its scenes of pioneer adventure that were marvelous manifestations of the power and goodness of God in protecting us in our travels through wild regions, inhabited by savages and the haunt of wild beasts.
Yet we were kept and marvelously blest as we made our way over these wild deserts or through the untamed wilderness--yes, kept by the mercy of God as the "apple of his eye".
I havedecided to write out some important pointsas they occur to my mind or are copied from my diary as written in years long since gone by, that my children may have printed in book form if they choose to do so. I trust, however, that it will be for no motive greater than to preserve and keep alive the ever present truth of honest ancestry, honorable parentage, a true patriotic sentiment, and simple Christian faith as a rightful heritage in the hearts of all those near and dear.
Should any word of mine so inspire the hearts of any casual reader of these lines as to create a desire for knowledge in regard to better things in matters either temporal or spiritual, then shall I have labored not in vain.
To all who read this book I say may some gentle chord be touched, some noble inspiration given, or by its tone may some deed of noble kindness be done. Or should these homely lines prove ample to beguile an idle hour or turn your hearts to seek for better things, then will I have been well repaid for the time and effort extended to this simple narrative.
To each and all of you I wish a hearty "God-speed" in the undertakings of your lives, and as we bid "hale and farewell," let us extend to each other encouraging words or the helping hand that lifts the weary soul above the care and turmoil of life's weary round and brings the soul into the sunshine of nobler living. Let us extend the helping hand to a faltering one whose feet have forsaken the way of integrity, exerting that integrity and strength of will power and integrity of purpose that aids the weak, uplifts the fallen and cheers that life whose way is through darker shades or on lines of lower level.
It has ever been my delight to seek the needy, to visit the sick or afflicted. My little work in this world of that kind which the world calls charity has ever been in the way of helping the widows, the fatherless, or to those surrounding circumstances appealing to the humane hearted.
While performing these acts I have enjoyed the loving approbation of my dear Savior in a way that is not possible in any but true humility of heart; indeed I have found opportunity for the exercise of every available physical energy, and the distribution of all surplus money or goods that I possessed without going out of the environs of my own home, and never did such surplus exist in my possession but some heart could be found grateful and gladly accepting such favors, thus proving beyond controversy that where ever the desire to perform charitable deeds exists the opportunity is not wanting.