Much to my surprise, I learn that your family object to our unionEditorial Note: Mary Baker Eddy and Daniel Patterson would marry in June 1853., on grounds new, and strange to me-

You say they have heard "Dark things”

Of what they are I am ignorant- But of the Source I am not ignorant, it - they must have been probing (not a Heavenly-"Angel"-blest-"Bethesda"John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. John 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. John 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? John 5:7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. John 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. John 5:10 ¶The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. John 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. John 5:12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? John 5:13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John 5:15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. the sure Panacea of all the sufferings of Humanity, but) some low Sess-poolCorrected:cesspool of foul Slanderous Suspicion- down which Lu [?] Unclear or illegible cifer plunged his hydra head, and dividing hoof, since which a Poisinous Corrected: Poisonous Malaria has arisen [?] Unclear or illegible from its surface and fastened on all whose shadows it reflects- you my Dear have suffered from its exhalation and all are alike subject to its diletereous Corrected: deleterious effects- even if the Arc Angel should descend from the throne of God, clothed in his matchless purity Slanderous Suspicion would say that he came up from the Vasty Deep, or pit of Perdition, as soon as the Lightning of his countenance had disappeared, how soon did those who fell [?] Unclear or illegible to the ground at sight of him, when he came down to open the Sepulchre door, and say Good morning! to the Son of God- for a paltry gratification tsay that [?] Unclear or illegible he was not a good Angel, but [?] Unclear or illegible a tThief [?] Unclear or illegible who came and stole a dead body- a crime which would lock him up in State Prison, in our time and place, if Proved against him-Matt 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Matt 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Matt 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: Matt 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Matt 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Matt 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matt 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Matt 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Matt 28:9 ¶And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Matt 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Matt 28:11 ¶Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. Matt 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Matt 28:13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. Matt 28:14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. Matt 28:15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Matt 28:16 ¶Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. Matt 28:17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matt 28:19 ¶Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

After mature reflection I think it may be justly due to your friends, if they really suspect my moral character is not good- that I satisfy them on that- and I will in this instance deviate from my long established rule, which was to let envy and slander die of itself- to live it to death; this rule has always proved successful where time has been allowed; but as this case is rather urgent- I will take your Father to all the places where I have made a stand and he may make enquiries, in relation to my conduct, of any reliable persons; I will take him to my native townEditorial Note: Saco, Maine, and Introduce him to Clergymen, and business me-Corrected:businessmen men of character and standing in society, who have long known, and dealt with me some of the members of the Congregational Church who are in no way connected by blood or interes Corrected: interest with me, but who have known me from infancy, I should like to take him up to HillEditorial Note: Hill, New Hampshire & and introduce him to Esq- Sumner, in whose family I have boarded the most of the time spent in that place, he is a prominent member of the congregational Church and a man of property, and standing in society I will also take him to LowellEditorial Note: Lowell, Massachusetts, and introduce him to those well acquainted with me there, and so of all the places, where I have visited, if he will take the trouble to go I will bear his expenses, or I will give him any number of reliable names whome Corrected: whom he may address on the matter, if he prefer- but I should prefer to take him to any or all of them where he will have a wider range for enquiry [?] Unclear or illegible  that he may enquire of whome Corrected: whom he pleasCorrected:please, relative to those whome Corrected: whom I may introduce, and also relative to me- I am best known in my native townEditorial Note: Saco, Maine and should like well to have him visit it, with me - now or at his convenience, and there satisfy himself, of the character, eboth of [?] Unclear or illegible myself and my family - he would find them poor– but respected universally-. I have heretofore paid no attention to establishing my moral Character with you, as you seemed satisfeied with what you knew- but the above allusion has roused me, and I wish you to know, that I do not shrink from an investigation but rather court it- I herewith give you two letters from gentlemen in Lowell, they were given me about the first of my leaving Lowell, and one of the Authors has since left, Mr Gove- but Dr. York a medical practitioner remains, and can be addressed if wished- I should like for you to let your Father read this if you will, and write me his reply-