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Object Description
| Title | He is now basking in the sunshine of Jehovah's presence |
| Creator | Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), 1834-1911 |
| Date Created | circa 1862 - 1865 |
| Digital Collection | John B. Alexander papers, 1855-1911 |
| Description | This letter was written from Ansonville, N.C., and written October 19th, year not given, but probably after September 1862. In reasonably accurate transcription, it reads, The envelope has two blue 5-cent Jefferson Davis Confederate State stamps on it and is addressed to Mrs. Annie W. Alexander, Cowan's Ford, [illegible]. |
| Transcription | "My Dear Mrs. Alexander, Wishing to offer a few condolations, and to mingle a tear of sympathy with those of a bereaved friend, I've concluded to write. It has been my purpose to write to you since the death of our our dear brother, but I have felt too sad to communicate to my dearest relations. My dear Mrs. Alexander, we all sorrow with you, in your great bereavement, but we too, have drank deeply of the same bitter cup. Brother Patric was dear to all our family - my parents loved him as a dear son, while my sister and I lavished upon him the affection we would upon our own brother. [Capt. Patrick j. Lowrie died at Wilmington, n.C. in 1862 of yellow fever. He was the writer's brother-in-law.] My distressed sister is becoming a little more resigned to her greatest of afflictions, but she still finds it hard to say and feel "Thy will be done." We do not think she could have possibly survived his death, had she not been with him in his last moments to receive his last smile [illegible] But there is a comfort for [illegible] in our bereavement, which [illegible] have not. Brother Patric was a consistant [sic] Christian and we all have the blessed assurance his is in Heaven. Yes, he is now basking in the sunshine of Jehovah's presence, and unites his sweet voice with the countless multitudes of white-robed palm-bearing throng, in signing [sic] the songs of the Redeemed in glory. Our noble brother has winged his happy flight to the Spirit world, but like the noble Judson, "he's left the pearly gates ajar." [Reference to the poem by Emily Judson, also known as Fanny Forrester, entitled "The Pearly Gates Ajar"] He was taken to increase the ties in heaven and to draw our souls Godward and Heavenward. One by one the "loved ones" are plucked from earth, leaving the pathway more dreary and desolate. They have dropped away as we journey on. But there is a hope when all earth's flowers are crushed and broken, and hearts are bowed down beneath the darkness [illegible] Life, at longest [sic] is but a "bubble that burst so soon as it is wounded." [illegible] We clearly realize daily the shadowing nature of earthly possessions, and a brighter view of that love which has removed our friends to an "inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away." On earth everything bright and lovely is passing away. Everything material sighs, "Passing away." The day, the hour, the successive periods of human life all hasten away and are remembered only as an evening dream. With fearful rapidity are we hastening to join the vast army of the [illegible] dead to remain for a brief space with them in death's dungeon, and thence to pass to the judgement seat of Christ. The brightest eye will soon lose its brilliance and its dark fire shall grow dim in death. We were al grieved to hear of the death of Capt. Houston Lowrie [illegible] we all sympathies [sic] with you and the family. My sister Louise [illegible] to hear of his death. [Captain Houston B. Lowrie, 6th North Carolina State Troops was killed in action at Sharpsburg, Maryland in the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862] She loved him much. How crushing the blow must have been. But - oh!- may He who tempered the wind to the shorn lamb lighten this affliction now so overwhelming. Would I could bind up the deep wound in your heart, but -alas!- that is not given poor mortals to do. Look to God we must for comfort in every affliction. A dark impenetrable cloud is now o'ershadowing you, but could you but penetrate the dim vista of the future you would find "He doeth all things well." We are taught in God's Holy Book to "kiss the rod that smites us." Many have been the smitten friends since this [illegible] Not alone, not alone are you in your sad bereavement. We have scarceley [sic] a friend who is not mourning the loss of some loved one. The rod of affliction has has [sic] passed heavily in our family. I had two noble cousins killed in the bloody battle of Sharpsburg and two more are severely wounded in Richmond. It is sad, sad to think of our relatives being buried where we cannot visit their resting place, or plant sweet flowers o'er their grave. But though the land be distant and none but strangers be around them, they sleep in peace with thousands of brave and chivalrous spirits, who with them, poured out their life-blood on the soil of Maryland - a libation to freedom. May God give comfort from on high as He alone can do - yet though comfort come, thought the balm of consolation heal the wound, yet it will always be true, then the angel of death with his cold wings of sorrow has swept o'er your love's consecrated harp and when 'eer you touch it - in the future ther'll be a broken string. With much affection, Winnie Watkins." |
| Subjects--Names |
Judson, Emily C. (Emily Chubbuck), 1817-1854 Alexander, Ann Wall Lowrie, 1834-1893 Lowrie, Houston B., 1832-1862 Lowrie, Patrick Johnston (P.J.), 1832-1862 Lowrie-Tucker, Louisa J. Watkins, 1839-1919 Baldwin, Winifred (Winnie) Salina Watkins Redfearn, 1842-1928 |
| Subjects--Topics |
Condolence notes--History--19th century |
| Coverage--Place |
Ansonville (N. C.) |
| Digital Publisher | Charlotte, N.C.: J. Murrey Atkins Library University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Object Type | Text |
| Genre | manuscripts (document genre) |
| Finding Aid | http://library.uncc.edu/manuscript/ms0218 |
| Format | image/tiff |
| Relation | Forms part of : John B. Alexander Papers, 1855-1911 |
| Language | eng |
| Repository | J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Rights | Materials in the Digital Collections at Atkins Library are provided free for educational use under fair use as outlined by current U.S. Copyright law and accompanying guidelines. Written permission from the J. Murrey Atkins Library or the rights holder must be obtained before using an item for publishing or commercial purposes. |
| Location of Original | Manuscript 218, Special Collections Manuscripts--10th Floor, J. Murrey Atkins Library |
| Note | Atkins Library has provided the description and subject analysis for these images. We encourage you to contact us at spec-coll@uncc.edu with your comments and feedback. |
| Identifier | Alexander_MS218_1_6_01 |
| Date Digitized | 2011 |
| Rating |
Description
| Title | Alexander_MS218_1_6_01a |
| Creator | Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), 1834-1911 |
| Digital Collection | John B. Alexander papers, 1855-1911 |
| Digital Publisher | Charlotte, N.C.: J. Murrey Atkins Library University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Object Type | Text |
| Genre | manuscripts (document genre) |
| Finding Aid | http://library.uncc.edu/manuscript/ms0218 |
| Format | image/tiff |
| Relation | Forms part of : John B. Alexander Papers, 1855-1911 |
| Language | eng |
| Repository | J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Rights | Materials in the Digital Collections at Atkins Library are provided free for educational use under fair use as outlined by current U.S. Copyright law and accompanying guidelines. Written permission from the J. Murrey Atkins Library or the rights holder must be obtained before using an item for publishing or commercial purposes. |
| Location of Original | Manuscript 218, Special Collections Manuscripts--10th Floor, J. Murrey Atkins Library |
| Note | Atkins Library has provided the description and subject analysis for these images. We encourage you to contact us at spec-coll@uncc.edu with your comments and feedback. |
| Date Digitized | 2011 |
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