Letter from Addison Lyman on fund-raising, wheat, and his brother's debt

Sheffield Bureau Co. Hl. July 25th 1856

My dear brother and sister,

Your last letter mailed March 31st came duly to hand much to our satisfaction. I presume there may be another written it not on the w[?] by this time. I have delayed a little beyond [?] intentions in writing this letter though I [?] really not been able to find time to do it earlier. We are right in the midst of an effort to secure funds for erecting a meeting house and I have the begging to do chiefly, and hence it it quite a [?] upon my time. And I suppose it will prove no small draft upon my means if we should succeed in completing our undertaking. I have subscribed $100 and shall probably find it [?] to double this before the work is done. B[?] perhaps this effort among us will be little on my [?] compared with your own affair in church [?] in Portland.

By the way have you sold your place at Portland? If so did you [?] any advance to the property I mean any thing above your own expenses?

And have you felt obliged to give as much towards the meeting house at Portland as you intimated you might do in one of your letter. I am not afraid of being permanently any poorer for any sacrifices [?] put called upon to make for the town of [?] or the welfare of mankind. The great thing we should [?] is to do good to our fellow man. If we accomplish this God will take care of our worldly prospects and will also bless us richly with spiritual blessings.

I have recently received a letter from brother Josiah in which he copies a line from you under date of M[?] 19th. There you observe that Mary's health is feeble. I would be glad to know what occasion[?] her disability. Is not your climate [?] to [?]? And what effect has the climate upon [?] own health? We are now [?] in comfortable health though we are in the midst of extreme heat. Thermometer to-day was 98 at a little [?] there P.M. Our heat I suppose is more severe than yours. [?] for we have had a very dry season. There were nearly six weeks from May 17th without rain. Many thought the spring Wheat would be ruined, but just as it seemed likely to give the ghost a copious rain changed the whole [?] affairs and it proves a most excellent crop. We are more pinching very badly again.

I have sent, or rather [?] [?] to send, two papers each containing [?] heads of white winter wheat. Lauren asked me to send you some [?] wheat in a letter. I may shell a head and put into this letter. This wheat, if it reach you, will show you what we call a superior article of wheat.

I know not its character for hardiness compared with other kinds of winter wheat, though for quality of [?] it stands first in market.

The amount of wheat rained here this year compared with last is I think at least double in the number of [?] and the quality of the [?] is better as a whole than for many years before. There is scarcely a field of winter or spring wheat that is not plump and [?] [?].

I have not seen a[?] notice of your organizing a church yet [?]. Do you anticipate doing this soon? I now [?]ticipate organizing another church at Buda[?] (may other diminished [?] place. Some miles distant) soon. [?] some dozen or more members.

28th I hoped to send this some day since but I have been very busy soliciting subscriptions for church-building. We have had a refreshing rain to-day which has revived vegetation very much. We have had six [?] of very warm weather. The season as yet [?] tolerably [?].

How do you [?] in [?] in reference to the monstrous [?] [?] [?] Don't you [?] some times laid out [?] which are permitted by the convenience at least of the administration. Since to which the tax on tea was more innocent child's play? I don't doubt you [?] very much as I do in [?] to this subject. I preach occasionally a little influence to the abominations which are done in the land.

The people of the North are more [?] at to action than they were ever before. And it indeed seems very much like the spirit of '76. Our only hope for permanent [?] is in God, the [?] factor of this nation in years that have some by [?] he overrule the dissensions and [?] of this time to the [?] of the gospel and the [?] of the [?].

The prospects for Fremont and Dayton at the present time are some [?] [?]. And still there is danger [?] party that has always had such amazing ability to whip their respecting tools into the [?] will by some means gain the president and then what becomes of freedom and what becomes of this [?] republic? Nay what becomes of the hope of the world [?] and salvation?

I do pity Josiah and [?] thankful you have [?] able to [?] [?] little. I intend to assist him at [?] [?]. And yet his debts are so numerous at [?] I can do will go a very little way to [? [?] him of his present embarrassments. [?] [?] about it. In it he had followed my advice [?] never have been involved to such an extent as he is. If he should really be obliged to sell his place I would very willingly give him a piece of land to live on if he should ever be [?] to move west.

Our love to you all. [?] kiss to all your dear children. I have forgotten their names.

your brother A. Lyman