SD1130. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Septimus Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 367 (in part).
Torquay,
July 14. [1840] [1]
My dearest Sette
The heavy intelligence my letter conveyed to you yesterday, must I know have filled you all with the deepest grief; there is no palliating it, for it is an unmittigated [sic] affliction, but it is the Will of God, and we can assume no other attitude before Him, than one of an entire submission; We may weep, we may feel & express the affliction it has thrown us into, but we dare not murmur. It is enough for us to know that the Lord of all the Earth has ordered it, to draw from us a perfect resignation to His dispensation.
Oh, my dear Boys, these repeated calls upon us, by a mysterious & Aweful [sic] Providence are not to be neglected—set your house in order, prepare, speedily prepare to meet your God, for at a moment & at a time you little dream of, you may be summoned to appear before the judgement seat– Let us seek first the Kingdom of God & His Righteousness, then whether in life or death, all things will be ours–
Our beloved Ba has felt it to the very core, & what may be the result with her I know not, but considering every thing she is wonderful; she knows in whom she has believed, & she feels the truth doubtless of the promise I will never leave or forsake thee. Indeed she has for many years been tried in the fire of affliction both personally & relatively, & the Lord will eventually bring her out as gold, fine gold. Henrietta hardly believed the intelligence until this Morning & poor dear, for many hours after breakfast she was in hysterics, & now she has not recovered her mind, which recurs to the subject that is most distressing to all around; but I trust to-morrow will find her composed– Arabel bears it well, having evidently her mind stayed on God– For myself, for I suppose that you will ask about me, I seek consolation from God, but sometimes I can scarcely credit my loss, still I remember nothing happeneth of chance, neither in earth or heaven; infinite Wisdom & Power orders all things; & Who am I, that should say wherefore hast Thou done this– No I desire to Kiss the Rod; which has chastened me, saying it is the Lord, & therefore let Him do what seemeth Him good–
If George could come down, I wish he would, & should he, let him bring £200 from Andersons for me, for I shall want it here– You my dear Boys, I trust will behave yourselves so, as to evince that you feel judgements have of late been poured out upon us, & let them not be in vain;—but let me beseech you greatly to profit from them, by inclining your hearts to wisdom, & then strive to be christians in deed, as well as in name—for the time is at hand–
Yrs most affectionately
E M Barrett
Dear Treppy & Minny will feel it severely–
No murmur, no murmur pray. God is love, however mysterious may be his ways–
If you dont like, under circumstances to take the Note, & I shall not be surprised if you dont; let George enclose it & send it by the Post, requesting Messrs Andersons to forward the money to me here, & that will do as well–
Poor dear Stormie, what an intelligence to communicate to him to-morrow–
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. Year provided by reference to Bro’s death, which occurred on 11 July 1840.
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