1019. EBB to Mary Russell Mitford

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 97.

[London]

Oct. 6th [1842] [1]

My ever beloved friend I fear you are in great distress; & the few lines which shall go to you, try only to express my fulness of sympathy. I think of you, feel for you, pray for you. When you can remember those who do so most tenderly remember me.

In the meanwhile it is better to look above us all—& I do indeed like to hear, both for the sake of his strength & yr consolation, that he prays much. Let it be always in Christ’s name—that name is so full of peace! It is so strong & so serene. “Whatsoever you ask in my name it shall be done unto you”. [2] “Whoever comes to me shall in no wise be cast out.” [3] Those are truths if the bible is true—& they touch as closely as we approach the practical truths of our condition here. Encourage him, my beloved friend, to cast himself wholly & unreservedly & selfrenouncingly beyond the frailties of life & the complexeties of creeds into the simple memory of Christ’s sacrifice—leaving the rest to God. He will be serene & safe so .. and if you part from him or keep him longer, you may be serene for him—and oh, be serene my dearest dearest friend, & take comfort from the Divine Fatherhood which is above you perpetually.

But I think that he may rally yet into a far better state– I do not cease to hope—do not fancy so. What you say, moves me much.

May God bless you more tenderly than I love you—who am yet, in all the tenderness of human friendship

your EBB–

Perhaps K. wd write a line if he shd be any worse–

Publication: EBB-MRM, II, 41.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Dated by Dr. Mitford’s serious illness.

2. Cf. John, 16:23.

3. Cf. John, 6:37.

___________________