1861 January 2 Batesville

[Left hand margin of bottom third of page one torn away]

My Dear Friend & Brother in Christ[General John H. Cocke]

I have Just received
your kind letter Inclosing me a check for your Subscript
-tion & the Supscription [sic] of your son Gen P St George Cocke
to our Church in Batesville my Greatful thanks
to you for hel[p]ing to do this valuable work of
the cause of Ch[r]ist I am progressing very well
with the Church I have had to do most of the
work Since the War began every one have
abandon the work except my self I have
to hire Brick layers & Carpenters take my
own Negroes & Team I have it covered
the Floor laid the windows & door made &
Hung & I think If I live I shall be able to
finish it in the Spring the Spring If God permi=
=ts when we finish it we design to have Dedi-
-cation Sermon Preached when I hop you
will be with us---I had not heard of
the Death of your Son Gen P St G Cocke until
I received your letter truly I most cincerely
simpathise with you & your Loved ones in
this Great Distress & bereavement. I Pray
that our kind & Heavenly Father may give you & his
[ ] ace to endue this great distress
[ ] ction you must console your
[ ] this Blessed promise all things
[ ] for Good to them that Love the
[ ] rovidence of God is often misterious.
[ ]the less we must submit the Lords
[ ]Lord taketh away & Blessed be the

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Lord forever & now may the Lord Bless
& keep you and your Loved & If in his kind
providence we shall meet no more on Ear-
-th I hope I trust I Pray that we may meet in
Heaven with great esteem your F[r]iend in
the Bonds of Christian Love
S O Moon

Please write soon I am always glad to read
a letter from

MSS 640