Vassar College Digital Library

Warner, Martha S. | to mother, Apr. 1867:

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Date
April 14, 1867
Abstract
VC 1868
Transcript file(s)
Details
Identifier
vassar:25198,,Box 63,VCL_Letters_Warner_Martha-S_1868_073
Extent
1 item
Type
Rights
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: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868073001
Vassar College
April 14, 1867

My darling Mother,
How kind it was for you to write me such a beautiful long letter when you have so much to do and so much upon your mind. I wish I could be with you, and relieve you of some portion of your care - I am rejoiced and depressed and then hopeful again every time I hear from you. It is very hard for you to be obliged to stay there so long, when you don't and do want to. I am very much afraid that your strength will fail, and then you will have to go home sick and I should never forgive them for letting you hurt yourself. In that case however I could test my powers as a nurse. I am glad that you approve of my fondness for Physiology. Next to Latin and Greek

 


: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868073002
I like it better than any thing I ever studied. Louise and I are very anxious to study higher Phisiology next year. I don't know as we shall have time, or whether Miss Avery would be willing to have two classes. Louise has strong inclinations toward the medical profession, and I yesterday nearly threw my two sisters into fits by proposing to study it with her and adorn my Father's front door with a tin plate bearing the inscription "Dr. M. S. Warner." I think I should enjoy theoretical medical practice very much, but in actual practice I fear I should fail signally - I am surprised at my neglect in omitting to tell you the motto of our class, especially as I take great credit to myself for having proposed it - "Spectemen agenda", Let us be judged by our doing. It seems to me very appropriate in our present circumstances, as we will be the first large class of graduates, and people can't help judging us and our Alma Mater by

 


: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868073003
our conduct in life. Having delivered myself of my speech, I think I had best descend to things of more immediate interest. Louise and I went to church today, and, for the first time in the two years that we have been here, found a church, and heard a sermon that we enjoyed. The church was a Methodist one, the minister was Mr. Cookman. He is a young man and last year preached here once, and made a deep impression, but one not at all favorable to him. He conducted the morning service here on the day of prayer for Colleges, and we liked him very much Prof. Knapp likes him, and so we went this morning. His text was "In Christ's stead," and his method of treating it very fine. Sunday It was the first Sunday of the Conference year and he preached about the minister's office. He was not only sound and orthodox in his belief, but he preached from his heart as men very seldom do here. I don't know whether Po'keepsie min-

 


: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868073004
isters are particularly spiritless, or whether my heart is warmer, but I very seldom hear one who seems to care whether or no he does any good. As for Dr. Raymond we gave him up long ago. Mr. Cookman's church is the largest, handsomest, and has the most intelligent looking congregation that I have seen in Po'keepsie. Corneilia Penfield is in great trouble - Her only brother died last week of inflamatory rheumatism. She had a letter Thursday saying that he was better, & Friday, one saying that he was dead - I am very sorry for her, it is so much harder to have such a trouble away from home. Her brother was only nine years old. I didn't suppose that such little people had rheumatism. Here I have taken up all my letter with accounts of myself, and not asked after your health, Uncle Shepherd's or any body else's. I am sorry, but please imagine all the proper things said, for

 


: VCLLettersWarnerMarthaS1868073005
I am too tired, and have too many letters to write to write any more. Give a great deal of love to all the people - Clara must be a splendid girl - It's a great shame to make her work so. The girls send a quantity of love also - I wish you were at home to see Sarah's baby, & to help Carrie - Good bye dear -

Your loving daughter - Mattie -