Letter from Ann Bagley Benbow, 18 November 1853
York Hill .
Dear Brother and Sister Woodruff
With a grateful sense of your kindness to my Husband
and children I take my pen to address you and try if Language
can convey my thank to both of you. My daughters Letters are full
of fresh proof of your goodness to them and yet I write to ask for
more favours still. It is a Mothers fears that constrains me to en-
croach on kindness like yours, but the Saints of God are always
ready to assist each other. My Girls are yet but very young and
not used to be left to their own will. I greatly fear for their inexperiance
in the world, that some harm may come on them if some known Friend
like Sister Woodruff does not assist me in this affair.
They both love you better than any one they ever saw before, they
will therefore listen to your advice, and be ready to do what you
think right, under these circumstances I am induced to solicit
your assistance and I hope you will watch what companions they
choose and advise them when they go rong.
They do not seem at home with their Aunt I do not know why they have
not said one word about her, or even mentioned her name, it cannot
be any fault of their Uncle for he would make them happy if he could
I am quite sure of that. I do not want Ann or Marion to go far
from your watchful eyes it is my wish that they make no new
acquaintances however fascinating for you well know that Man
and Woman may have the Tongues of men and Angels and
yet we are informed even weeping they are enemies of the cross of
Christ but by ^Their^ fruits you shall know them.
I need not say any more to you on this subject you will
be a watchful Mothr over them till I come to the city of our God
