316 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



NEW HAVEN, November 21, 1864. 



Monday, A.M. 

 To Miss Whittlesey, 



DEAR FRIEND, Longer time than usual having elapsed 

 since our last call upon you, Mrs. Silliman having been 

 confined to the house mainly for several weeks by a hard 

 cold and cough, and myself by an indisposition for a week 

 past, I am not willing to remain longer silent without con 

 veying a few words of kindness to my good old friend. 



Our last direct information of your state was by our dear 



F , a little before she left us for her northern home. She 



reported favorably of your health and cheerfulness, and it is 

 always pleasing to know that as the sun of life approaches 

 his setting, it is not all dark along the edge of the sky, but 

 that a heavenly radiance cheers the evening twilight of life, 

 and gives intimation of a glorious morning to follow. Life 

 is almost past with us ; my work is mainly done, and we 

 have little more to do than to wait for our call. Our ground 

 of reliance is familiar to you and to me, and I pray God 

 that we may be able to make the happy application. The 

 provision made by our blessed Saviour in his life and death, 

 is sufficient for all our spiritual wants, as I trust we shall 

 experience when we have passed through the dark valley 

 of the shadow of death. I enclose a little consolatory 

 pamphlet, which has given me consolation in affliction. It 

 opens a bright view of heaven, imaginative in the scene, 

 but real in the fulfilment of hope. 



Affectionately, your sincere friends, 



B. and S. I. SILLIMAN. 



The tract sent with this letter was entitled "The 

 Awakening," a translation from the German. On 

 Tuesday he felt stronger, and made several calls in 

 Hillhouse Avenue, in the neighborhood of his house. 

 He was anxious to return as soon as possible the visits 

 which he had received during the week previous. In 



