JOHN L. PEAVEY letters to BROTHER HATHAWAY

(in Levi Hathaway�s hand; he copied the letters and sent them to David Millard)

Milan 16th February 1829

Brother Hathaway.
Yours of 15 Jany. Came safe to hand in due season and in some measure gladdened my heart. I think however I should have been somewhat more joyful could I have seen you, but as all things work together for good to those who love God and trusting that you and I both have yet a little love for God I felt patiently to submit.

It has been a very trying time with us in this section for several months, especially in old chronic complaints. As to myself I am now very far reduced. I rest but little either by day or night. I go out but very little and am principally confined. My feet and legs have been continually swollen for more than three weeks and the swelling increases. I have arranged about all my little concerns as far as I well can under the idea of soon quitting these mortal shores. The book of futuring however is in a great measure hid from mortals. It possibly may be that I shall continue on for months, yea for years, and indeed be raised to health; still the prospect for either appears small. Indeed I have but little or no idea of living till the first of April. But God is good. I think I feel a willingness to die. The gloominess of the grave is principally removed from my mind and the strong cords of nature measurably dissolved and overcome by the grace of God in full expectation of immortality and a meeting soon with friends and relations to part no more but to enjoy God eternally. Should my dissolution take place before this reaches you I shall not think it strange. O brother, there is a better world than this, continue faithful and humble while you live and whether I see you on earth again or not (though I much desire to) I hope to meet you soon where the weary will be at rest forever.

In bounds of sincere and never failing friendship I remain as ever yours & farewell �
Levi Hathaway
John L. Peavey.

MilanMarch 28th, 1829

Dear Brother.
I am in a degree thankfull that through the long-sufering of our God I am preserved to once more commence writing a short letter to you. Indeed I am most too feeble to undertake anything of the kind but flattering myself that a letter from me in my own hand writing would be more agreeable than through the medium of an other person I venture the undertaking.

Yours mailed the 23rd came safe to hand yesterday and has been read over and over again with satisfaction and the good council therein contained I trust I shall feel engaged to follow.

My health still continues to decline and though possibly I may yet be measurably restored, it is most probably that I shall soon by the realities of that world of which you and I have said so much, and which we have so warmly recommended to others.____

I have through grace felt a good degree of reconciliation to the mind and will of infinite goodness under the full belief that He doeth all things well. I have felt no great balance of anxiety in my mind either to live or to die. By times I have felt somewhat desirous to live for the sake of my family and the cause of God. At others, I have felt desirous to depart that my sufferings might be ended and that I might be with Christ. I have enjoyed a good degree of peace though not so much animation as some but still full in the faith that if it were best my God would give it to me; and if not it would be all for the best; but be it as it might I firmly believed in the good promises and that the word of God would not in any wise fail.

Of late by times the joys of that better country have very much animated my soul and the prospect of soon joining the singing millions in eternal songs of praise induces me by times to long for the day.

I trust if not on earth we shall there meet and no more part while heaven rings with praise. It is not likely I shall see you again though I wish to very much.___

My best respects with my wife�s also to you and yours. Farewell � Levi Hathaway

John L. Peavey

P.S. Brother Millard the first letter in this sheet which is dated 16th February, is the letter which caused me to write my last to brother peavey ____ and the following one is his last to me ____
There are the only two letters that I have which I think would be interesting to publish in his Journal ___
L H

Rev John Langdon Peavey's Biography