.NTI.MTI2OA

Would you be ashamed to be seen reading a communi=cation from him [underlined] ? or to have it known that you are in the habit of thanking him daily for favors that no Earthly [underlined] friend can bestow? for life, + health, + innumerable enjoyments which only can come from the hand of Infinite Goodness? that you regard his counsel, that you pray [underlined] for his guidance, that you honor all his principles? No; Lador (?); when you realise your dependences upon, + your obligation to your Heavenly Father [underlined] for all the bless=ings you have received or to receive, though you will not [underlined], by any means make a vain show [last six words underlined] of your religion, you will not be ashamed [last three words underlined] if every [underlined] body that knows you, knows that you daily read the Bible [underlined] + daily pray to God. I remember once you was vexed with John Davis because he told some of your pray mates [illegible], that you said your prayers [last four words underlined]. You then felt a false shame about it: you would'nt feel so now [underlined]. Should you meet with any poor, fellow mortal so depraved, + benighted [illegible], as to speak lightly of the bible, + of prayer, + to ridicule you for your attention to them, you m___l_ [illegible] not feel ashamed for yourself [underlined], but for him [underlined]. One so unfortunate would be an object of y___ [illegible], shame [underlined], + pity [underlined], - truly so. Your letter is very gratifying to me, in the whole [underlined], but no particular part os is more so, than your ac-knowledgement that you read the Bible [last three words underlined], say your prayers [last three words underlined]. Do you caution so strictly to let no one see your letter because it shows what is so honorable [underlined] to you, -