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Davidson College. April. 2. 1876
My dear Mother,
I find three of your letters before me unanswered. From the first I am glad to learn that your domestic arrangements are so satisfactory, from 2nd, that though Mrs. Chitty does leave, you have been fortunate enough to get some one to take her place. About the regalia, I must say that I have not yet made my selection, + wrote to Frank my views & asked for advice which he so freely and forcibly gave. Your third and last was concerning the work that is now going on among us. I am happy to say that is still going on + will continue for several more days. But it does me more good to say that the whole of the services have not been of a sensational character but the minster has simply presented truths, the church-members have held private prayer-meetings, and in all we
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feel that the work is not our own. Some of the students have been deeply impressed, but have set their hearts against their consciences, + now they seem to have lost all interest. But for the church members, it has been a time peculiarly adapted for each one of us to try our hearts and make new resolutions, not in our own strength, but trusting in an all powerful God. Many of us have felt that we were too cold and indifferent, but the minister in one of his addresses said we must not feel, but simply believe, and I have tryed to take his advice, & since I have attempted to increase my faith, & not think so much of my own failings, I feel much better. I am sorry to say that it is only by persuasion that we can get Pat to attend our prayer meetings. I have often heard prayers offered, &have attended prayer meetings, but never before have I seen so much earnestness, prayers are offered for class mates, friends, Professors, citizens, & each night one
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student asked for prayers for an unconverted father. The earnestness is beyond expression, & if we persevere & believe, I am convinced that much good will come from them.
The minister who has been laboring so earnestly in our midst, was Mr. Chichester, from Winnsboro, (or some such place) S.C. He is very earnest + seems to feel what he says. Through Prof. Hepburn, I received an introduction to him, during a short conversation he said that his wife was a Moravian from Bethlehem, and said he knew Bishop Ed. de S. He also said that they had for a long time been anticipating a visit to Salem, as his wife had acquaintances there etc, etc. He seemed to be much interested in the Moravians, & as I had the books like those Frank sent me I shared with him. He left us Saturday, & in his stead, for the services of today we have heard Dr McToom of Charlotte. I am not certain that
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that is his name but it is something like it. He will leave in the morning & some other minister will come, & give us several more sermons, then I suppose the rest will be left to the prayers of the students & their God. I can now see the evil in some of my past pleasures, & as I spoke to you about dancing at Xmas, you will see that at last I have conquered my love for it. Please hand the enclosed note to Soulie &+ in that you will see some of my reasons for abandoning that which I have enjoyed very. I believe this is about all I have today,&+ the church bell has already rung, so I must close.
Much love to all,
Your affec. Son
H.E. Fries
I will send one of Moody & Sankey’s books next week.
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Original
From:
DC0029s, Henry Elias Fries, 1857-1927 (1878) Papers, 1874-1877 (Finding Aid)
Cite as:
Fries, Henry Elias. Letter to Mom. 2 April 1876. DC0029s. Henry Elias Fries, 1857-1927 (1878) Papers, 1874-1877. Davidson College Archives, Davidson College, NC. Available: https://davidsonarchivesandspecialcollections.org/archives/digital-collections/henry-e-fries-letter-2-april-1876-to-mom/.
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