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Atlanta, Ga.
Sept. 18th 1872

My dear friend,
I had just heard of the triumphant death of your dear sister & had just written a
very long letter of condolence & counsel to Dr. Scott when yours was put into my hand.
I would like it if I could have received it a little sooner both because I could have
informed the doctor that you had punctiliously carried out his request & I might have
used a little more freely the injunction thy [?] dying request of his wife. But as it was I
took it for granted that she made such a request and insisted upon his meeting her in
Heaven. Mr. Marvin writes me that he feels the responsibility of the religious instruction
of his children very much and inquired of him if the Sabbath School was continued
sufficiently long. Mrs. Scott was a remarkably intelligent Christian, which fact two
persons unless well acquainted with her would ever know, singularly unobtrusive, she
seemed always to prefer hearing to speaking. I always felt glad of her approval as to any
measure proposed. Before I left Monticello I was learning to appreciate her more &
more. You do not know the sad pleasure I took in reading all the dying words of your
sainted sister. I do feel for those motherless children. You know with Minnie I used to
call "Minnihaha" and she always answered to it. I was especially interested when her
mother told her on one occasion that I would turn her out of my church because she
claimed the Negro Baptist Church the next time she saw me she begged that I would not
turn her out.
I have often thought of you & the Genl. since we separated. I have been anxious
to know if the Genl. had not come out on the Lord's side. When we went to Memphis
together he was a delegate to the Genl. assembly. You do not know how pained I was to
learn of his feeble health. May God restore him to health of body & soundness of heart.
He needs consolations of that religion which can "glory in tribulations also." This is
higher than any human philosophy which teaches us with highest attainments to submit
with stoic indifference. I do wish I could visit you in this time of affliction, if only to
sympathize. Please present my very kindest regards to the Genl., and tell him "whom the
Lord loveth He afflicteth & scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." If he will only
believe this light will arise in darkness. Being a child of the covenant it is not for him to
accept Jesus but only say he will not reject Him if his will does not there is no man or
Devil that can keep him from the love of God. Mrs. Fraser is not enjoying very good
health all the rest well. Mrs. F. joins me in love to the Genl. & yourself & to the little
ones. May God bless you & keep you [with His Heavenly intentions ?].

Very truly yours in the Gospel of Christ,
D. Fraser


Transcribed by Christopher A. Baker, University of Florida, 2008.