Letter -- from William M. Way to Jennie Smith

[001]

My address is Lyle's Lancaster [County] Pa

Fulton 12th month 24th 1865

Beloved Niece,

Thy very acceptable letter came duly
to hand, and I take this opportunity after some little
delay to respond to it. I may tell thee in the first place, that
we are all enjoying good health at present. Our children's
names are, Albert M., Anna Mary, Eva E., Walter S.,
Clinton H., and Ida Jane; the last is about 14 months
old. I am still teaching school and probably will con-
tinue to do so, for some time to come, if my life be spared.
I am pretty much the same kind of a man as I used
to be, except as I advance in life, I hope that I make
some progress in the spiritual life. I feel conscious
that I am fast hastening towards that home, from
from which no traveler has ever returned; and am
desirous of having my days work done, as the day of
life passes on, that when the sun of life, is about
to set, that I may (at least) have the comfortable
reflection, that the world is none the worse because
I have lived in it. As a member of Friends Society
I find my labors therin increasing with every
passing year, I have for a year or two past, feel it
to be my duty to speak in our religious meetings,
to call my fellow professors of the Christian name
home to Christ, the power of God revealed in the souls
of men. Thy letter speaks of the condition of the Freedmen
in your midst, as being in a very deplorable condition,
of which I am fully posted. Millions of poor ignorant
creatures, let loose, as it were on the world, at such a
time, and under such circumstance, nothing else
could be expected; business of all kinds being prostrated
by a state of war and the negroes having contracted
false ideas of liberty, trouble might have been
anticipated. But these things are the legitimate fruit
of a state of rebellion, against the national authority.

[002]

They that sow the wind, it is said, reap the whirl-
wind, and our brethren of the South sowed, to rebel-
lion and anarchy, and we can all see the sorrowful
fruits. But be not discouraged, a brighter day
is dawning on the sunny South. Let us
look on the present state of the laboring class
among you, as a transition state, that when
these men come to understand their new position,
and their former owners also, come to appreciate
the change of condition, things will work much
better than they now do. Let us have faith
at least that this will be so, and trust in that from
of Power which is ever extended over his creatures for
good. All good people here sympathize with
you in your deprivation, and will you to see
your sunny land blossom as the rose. May we
be willing to hope, that Slavery, which has been
the apple of discord among us, is now dead for
ever, and that we may become once more a united
people. I have always been opposed to slavery in every
form and shape let who that would, be its victims
but I was opposed to the abolition of slavery by the
war power, believing, that it would not prove
a blessing to the negroe, however much it
might weaken the rebellion. I never advocated
compulsive emancipation, but believed that
it would prove, to be in the interest, both of the slave
an [sic] his master if he were freed; And if masters
had have conferred the hour of freedom on the
slave in time of peace, the result would
have been different. But more of this again
I have lost none of my enter [?] in thee, since times
have separated us. Mayst thou seek the light and
pursue it. Give my love to Amos, and keep a larger share
thyself.

Thine,

[signed] William M. Way