A-30-21
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Kendal Stark Co Ohio 12 mo-1st 1819
Thos Grissel
Dear Friend
The enquires thou made of me when
riding on the road together, has seemed to open the way for me
to import a little of my feelings, which may possibly be a tem=
=porary relief, to my mind, and should thou be favoured with
any sight or Judgment the expression of it would be statutory
be it as it may. Many years before I came to this Country my
mind was at times exercised with a concern to visit the prisoners
in their solitary abodes of suffering humanity but the singulari=
=ty of the concern and repugnance I felt to entering the loathsome
enclosures of disease and missary,operated to discourage submitting
thereto. It has at times continued to impress my feelings as an un=
=avoidable requisition to which my feelings have been equally
hostile,until of latter time I have not only felt less opposition
but more reconciled, until measureably given up to it a little
hope has revived to induce a belief that it may not be as for=
biding as I might apprehend. At first it was only one Prison
that appeard., since which and at the present ime the prospect
appears more extended and its limits I do not know. Since the
first I have passed through many [illegible], and I have at times
run upon shoals & quicksands at the hazard of total loss,but
through mercy the Pilot in marvelous condescension hath
been pleased to resume his station with offers to conduct my
little Bark through the Billows, and if Obedience should keep
pace with Knowledge, into the haven of peace & rest, If thou
