Marks, B G Bushnell. Letter to John Robinson.

Title

Marks, B G Bushnell. Letter to John Robinson.

Creator

Marks, B G Bushnell

Contributor

John Robinson

Date

1852-12-13

Description

Handwritten letter from B G Bushnell Marks to John Robinson, December 13, 1852.

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

959

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

                                                        Laona, Dec. 13^th 1852
       My Dear Friend & Brother: _
                                                          I rece'd your kind favor
in due time, and regret that I have had no suitable
opportunity to answer you satisfactorily. And first
I would say, that my duty to you as a friend, would
constitute a pleasure to answer your favor, saying
nothing of our Spiritual relations.   But really, my
Dear sir,   I have been driven every moment
to an extremity that allowed me no time to hardly
think of your case.      I recollect as you said, that
we parted without our customary farewell, but I at
the same time felt that we should soon meet again if not
until we were permitted to meet in the inner spheres.
I am sure I shall recognize you among those con-
geniel [sic] ones that will make up the blissful abodes
of our eternal paradise; and that what we fail
to perform as duty to each other here, will there be
accomplished. I feel very different about parting
with my friends now from what I did once: I may
however, see you again in R. My business in Cleveland
terminated favorably, but my expenses were so great
that I dare not attempt to go further south until
my means Should be enlarged; So I return where
my expense would be lessened & I earn something.
I have thought seriously, that if I could give a few
public lectures in Rochester now, that would pay - I would
go and occupy our Spiritual Hall a few evenings,
lecturing on Mental & Spiritual Philosophy. If you

(Page 2)

and others of the friends though it would be ^a^ successful
attempt, and would write me to Smith's Mills, Catt_Co
immediately_ I would go down and spend a week
or two in your vicinity and labor.    But my
present condition requires my pay labor, and
Yet to make it profitable to those concerned.
Please inform me of such prospects if you can.
    But now to the subject in question with yourself.
I called, or sought for an opportunity to converse
with a Spirit that would explain to me the meaning
of your "Ordination", I laid my case before one
who called herself "Anna", A "Prophetess", or "Medium"
of communication between the second & third
sphere. She said the phenomena that I said of you
was emblematical of what you would hereafter be.
She said the three Angels I saw administer _ was the three
attendant Spirits that wer [sic] accompanied demonstrations
of a similar character, and that you were among
those who were seeking a duty to forward _ the
accomplishment of Grace on earth, and that
they were now preparing you (though gradually)
for the work that would ere long develope [sic] itself
through you, and that it would more nearly
confer a Spirit of prophecy upon you, than any
other form. She said you would be enabled to write
through Spiritual Agencies, but that you should rather
prophecy in the hearing of the Unbelieving Jews, &
proclaim war with the "Man of Sin."    That this was
furtherest [sic] from your anticipation or desires, and that

(Page 3)

consequently you could "pray to be excused". What I under
Stood by this was - that you should employ such moments
of opportunity to teach in public or high places, as
circumstances might permit; teach the true philosophy
in its purity to men and women "who are dull of
learning", and that in writing such philosophy from
time to time you would be emdued [sic] with a new
Spirit of understanding, and in uttering the same
orally to persons or assemblies, it would be given
you at that same moment & you would prophecy
in the name of the Lord things that would shortly
come to pass, and thus be Mouth for God by the
Spirit of his brightness. Now are you willing to work
in the public field when opportunity presents itself?
If so, you will receive the sure word of prophecy.
It is right you should seek to excel, that you [obliterated]
teach correctly those things which belong to the spi[obliterated]
growth of all Mankind.   She furthermore said that
until you commenced teaching your commission
to [sic] many nations would be suspended, but that
you would frequently feel the impulse - "Go teach all
Nations whatsoever I command you, & lo - I am
with you even unto the end of time". Now the
teaching or dispensing the true philosophy throughout
the world, is what you and I are destined to do,
and we shall be endued [sic] with power from on high.
Many also, Shall be joined unto you in promulgating
truth & restoring the lost tribes of Israel. "And these
Signs Shall follow them that believe" etc.'    Now do

(Page 4)

You understand your duty? And are you ready
and willing to perform it?   Then commence
writing as Judgment may direct, and your
mind will soon be led fruitfully in to all truth.
You have my warmest desires as a spiritual
Co-Worker and the sanction of a freind [sic] in the
mutual bonds of Friendship Love & Truth
                    Sincerely _ _      B. G. Bushnell.

[Text halfway down page on left side, written downward]
Opened by [Mister?]

J Robinson

[Text halfway down page in center, written upward]
                Mr. John Robinson
                                  Rochester
                                      N. Y.
[Put?] in the [Rong?]
Box. J Robinson [NY Ex th?]

[Text at bottom of page, written normal]
           Write me frequently, it will be reciprocated with
            grateful remembrances, and assurance of esteem,
P.S.   By some means I have overlooked your letter,
and have not your middle letter in my mind
Please excuse the error. I think you will not fail to ^receive^ it.

Tags

Personal; Spiritualism

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Marks, B G Bushnell, “Marks, B G Bushnell. Letter to John Robinson.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/3249.

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