308 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



appreciation of benefit conferred on the nations, indicated 

 in the mode by which these nations testify their favorable 

 regard. If the gratification such tokens naturally give to 

 the recipient, pertains in a large degree to me, yet I cannot 

 but think that the sower of the seed will himself be gratified 

 at the evidence that the seed which was sown did not per 

 ish in the ground. May you yet have many years of health 

 and enjoyment, the glory of your family, and the pride of 

 your State and country. 



With sincere respect and esteem, 



Your friend and old pupil, 



SAMUEL F. B. MORSE. 



The reception of two of his grandchildren into the 

 church, gave him much joy. 



November 1, 1863. Admission to the Communion of the 

 Yale College Church, of Benjamin Silliman, 3d, and his 



sister E (he fourteen and she in her thirteenth year). 



On this day I had the great satisfaction of sitting down at 

 the Holy Communion with the loved grandchildren named 

 above. They are believed on satisfactory grounds to be 

 spiritually qualified for this interesting step. They are of 

 exemplary lives and conduct, and we trust that their hearts 

 are right with God ; and this being the fact, nothing could 

 be more gratifying to myself and my family. * 



Soon after he records the 



Sickness of .E . But our hopes about dear E 



are fluttering in the wind. She had been drooping for 

 nearly a week before November 1st, and having some fever 

 upon her, Dr. Hubbard, her physician, thought it imprudent 

 for her to attend at the chapel on the day when she was 

 admitted to the church ; but her heart was much engaged 

 in the object, and her father took a close carriage, and she 



