Potter, Nathaniel Jr. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Title

Potter, Nathaniel Jr. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Creator

Potter, Nathaniel Jr

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Date

1844-10-17

Description

Handwritten letter from Nathaniel Jr Potter to Amy Kirby Post, October 17, 1844.

Is Part Of

Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Rights

The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Identifier

616

Location

Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Transcription

(Page 1)

East Hamburg 10.. 17.. 1844
The enclosed is mostly for thy Sister whom I love
in the truth. – As for thee I had concluded to neg-
lect thee this time. – Dont say as Bloss did – Bless the
Lord for that” for I have altered my mind, and
have concluded to scribble a few lines – If only
just to advise thee not to vote for Henry Clay
this fall – If it is best that he should be
elected just persuade some loco to vote
for James G. Birney and that will help him just
as much. – It will make a talk among the pro-
slavery portion of our Society if we vote for
a slaveholder. – for they like to see us consistent. –
I confess I feel for the tender consciences of
such dear friends and hope we may be
more favoured at an [other] ^next^ Yearly meeting if
we are permitted to meet, – than our last. John
Mott is of the opinion that it will be so –
and I think he is more of a prophet than Stores
who has decided that the world will burn & Christ
appear the 10^th day of the 7^th mo. Jewish time
which they say will be about the 23^rd of
this month – A plenty of believers in the
prediction hereaway – good farmers give up
their business and let their crops go to destruction
I think the excitement will be likely to
continue as verry [sic] many who do not admit the
proof with regard to the time; yet say it is near at hand. –

(Page 2)

Now it is useless to say we have got the truth &
will not try to instruct others. – It does certainly
appear to me – that the battle of the great day
is near at hand. – Think for a moment – how
many will loose their reason during the
present month – many no doubt. – Then ought we
not to investigate and see where we are and
let our light shine. – For I too believe that
Christ will come in power and great glory. – but
those who expect to see him in bodily shape
and the Earth literally burnt up – will be
disappointed. – His coming will be in spirit
like lightning a swift witness against all
iniquity. – and the nation that will not serve
him shall be destroyed; – as sure as Sodam
and Gomorrah were destroyed. – This is my firm
belief – And such men as Wright are raised
up as a warning preparatory to this des-
truction. – I thought when I was with you
Whright was too severe. – On reflection I
see I was wrong. The time is short &
the work is great; – there is no time to put
pillows under the arms of the rebellions &
those who are not rebellious will not
be hurt by the truth where it is
breathed with language of mercy to all
who repent. – Can I be mistaken? Is it
not clear that mankind know the
right and yet the wrong pursue? –

Write to me – – – – N. P.
I hope Bloss will be elected to the Assembly. –
                                             Sixth day Morning
         What curious ups & downs the mind of man is subject to – Sometimes
I look on what I regard as the delusions of the age and feel
thankful that I have a little light – again I feel myself the
verryest [sic] idiot – this morning I have felt so much of the latter
that if I had never felt so before I should have put these
letters all in the fire. Such a bundle of trash said I – to
send to those who are in the habit of good reading. –
[such as Silas Whright] I dont know how to spell this
morning ^OH^ –
                  O for some lone secluded place
                           With genial spirits there
                  Where I could live my short lived race
                           And give myself to prayer. –
                  None but friends sincere & true
                           Should meet and mingle there - &c.
This morning as I was leaning over the bible – thinking
of some perplexing circumstances, brought upon me by the
neglect of others – (Not that I would care for loosing [sic]
property if in loosing [sic] the Lords poor would be the
better provided for – but when it is the reverse I regret it; –)
Sister Alma asked me if I was Studdying [sic] out the Miller
doctrine. – I told her no – If we live we shall have
seedtime & harvest & see an other rainbow. This revived
in my memory some poetry from a dear sister in
Christ of which the following is a part. –
                  “Remember that the rainbow’s hue,
                  Is bright ‘mid clouds & sunshine too. –
                  Remember tho’ we’re doom’d to part.

[Text in left margin]
*Alas! that
heart is
now in the
silent tomb.

[Text normal]
                  *There lines one fond and faithful heart
                                    Who loves her travelling brother.”

(Page 4)

Amy Post
care of
Isaac Post
Rochester City

Tags

Abolitionism; Personal

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Potter, Nathaniel Jr, “Potter, Nathaniel Jr. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2908.

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