1st August [1866?]
My Dear Miss Hidden,I am very well through God's mercy. Since I left your house, I have spent already the time of a week. But I feel this week very long, because I give up my study entirely, except the Scripture, that I read as my daily duty, and ride round the town almost every day; I say myself, I have pretty good time. First time I thought, Mr. Alpheus Hardy jr. would take me down here, but it was not so. At a little while after I got in Mr. Hardy's office, Capt. H. S. Taylor came in to see me, and took out me from there. He visited his brother in law and his own brother in the city. He bought for me a nice straw hat; two paper collar's boxes and three pair woolen stockings. At 1/2 past 4 P.M. we got in a car, little after 8, we came to Harwich of centre. There I saw Capt.'s father and his nephew. They took us in a horse chaise and carried us to Chatham (about 8 miles from Harwich of centre). Capt.'s father's family are the couple, five sons and four daughters; Four sons and three daughters married already, but last daughter stay home. They all are very pleasant folks. They receive me as their old acquaintance, and I enjoy very much to stay here. Last Sunday I went to Baptised [sic] church with Capt. Taylor his sister, and his nephew, and we stayed in Sabbath school. I had the Sabbath lesson with little children, but our teacher was quite different from the Sabbath teacher of Phillips Academy. Alas! He could not explain meanings very well. But I was astonished in the even prayer meeting. Gentlemen and ladies made prayers, and gave remarks. A sailor gave remark, and burst in many tears for his past sins, now repents, wants come to Jesus; and request to whole society to pray for him. I say, I never had been such interested meeting because they seemed me so Godlike and faithful. The minister's name is Mr. Carr. I like him very much, because he used plain English, and spoke slowly and distinctly. Last Monday I was called to Capt.'s brother J. Taylor's house, and stayed whole day. Last Tuesday, the Captain took me and his brother S. N. Taylor's daughter, and visited his sister, who live in Harwich (10 miles from here) and I had very good time there. Please don't concerned about me. Merciful God! My helper, my refuge, and my rock! He guides me into such good hand, as He guided me unto Mr. Hardy, and you, and Mr. Flint's couple. I say myself, how wonderful is the providence of God has fallen upon the poor and helpless heathen who know not any trade to earn himself. When this thought press my mind, my thankfulness burst in tears, washed my cheeks, and watered my handkerchief. I made vow to Him, who loves me and gives mercy on me; I will deny myself, bear cross daily. By and by I will take march to battle field, where many millions of devils dwell, and I will fight to them for our redeemer Christ's sake. I understood surely Christ is not shield of our body, but our soul. Though devil kill my body, they can destroy my soul by no way. Therefore I may say, how much better to kill body for soul's sake, than to destroy soul for body's sake. I departed from you a week ago, but this space of the time seemed me very long and I remember you, and want see you; if I see you again, I will rejoice for it. Therefore I think now if we meet together in the kingdom of above, after we took our welfare from this world, perhaps, our rejoice could not describe hardly. Therefore I will make haste to go Him, who taketh away our sin from the world, and giveth us Everlasting life and Eternal habitation. I pray for you, and for your aunt, that she may become comfortable, and for your brother, that he may grow strong. I wish unto you heartily that you may rest your mind and body. Let go the little care of the world, seek to rest yourself, that you may prolong your life in this blessed land. Please give my love to Mr. Taylor's folks and your neighbours. Please, tell me where are Mr. Flint's folks, I want write to them. Miss Hidden, please, write little note to me and show me only how are your family and friends; I don't want to hinder your time. If you pray to God, please remember me, and pray for me, that I may grow wiser and better, may do right before God's present, and may take great advance in my study.
Yours Truly
Joseph Nee-Sima