| Two years before her death, Cornelia wrote a final letter to her children, quoted in full, herewith: |
| The "final" letter Cornelia Sibley Crosby to ALL her children |
| Sangerfield, New York, September 11, 1832 |
| "Dear Children; I take this oppertunity of writing to you to let you know of my health; which is very poor at the present, and I do not think it will ever be any better. I want to see you all but I do not expect to. I send my respects to you all, and wish you well, hoping that you may prosper. I have gone through a great deal of sickness and trouble since I saw you, but the Lord has been my helper through it all. I feel as though my time is short, but I am ready and willing to go, waiting patiently for that time, as I see nothing that I have any anxiety to live for. I feel that if I am happy after death it is through Christ alone, and I feel to put my trust in him. I want you should take the Bible as your council and guide. I want you to read it and see what it teaches, for I feel that it is the best of all books. It is given for man's good, that he may learn what is right, and what the will of the Lord is. I have always learned you to do by others as you would have them do to you; and now I put you in mind of it again, I expect for the last time. Love your neighbor as yourseld, do good unto all men. I selected the text that I mean to have preached from at my funeral, about two years ago. It is Romans 14th Chapter, from 7th to 14th verse, seven verses. My request to you is for each of you to take a copy of this and keep it to remember me by, as I expect it is the last time that I shall have a chance of sending any word to you. Timothy, you wished that I would examine myself and see whether I am right and wether I enjoy the love of God now, as I did when you lived at home. I think that my love to God is great now as it was then and that i have examined myself. Perhaps I have not altered so much as you think, for I had the belief forty-seven years ago that Christ would have all that he died for, and it is my firm belief yet. You wrote me that you had experienced religion, and I was glad to hear it, hoping that you have got the pure and undefiled religion; and that is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and keep yourself unspotted from the world. I hope you will be faithful in religion, for it is a fine thing. Examine the scriptures and remember the commandments, and especially the new one that Christ gave. I believe that Christ died for the whole human family and that he will accomplish it too, and none shall pluck them out if his hands; to make an end to sin and bring in everlasting righteousness. You must not think, my children, that I think you will be saved in your sins, for you will not. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked; they are like the troubled sea which casteth up mire and dirt. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God id eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the God I adore, my faithful, unchangeable friend. His love is as great as his power, it neither knows measure nor end. |
| "Tis Jesus the first and the last That guideth our spirits safe home; We praise him for all that is past, And trust him for all that's to come." |
| And now, my dear children, I send my love to you all, hoping that these few lines will find you in good health and prosperity, in peace with yourselves, your families, and your neighbors; with the love of God in your hearts. God grant you so to end your days as He shell think it best, that I may meet you in the heavens above where I do hope to rest. He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the alord require of thee but to do justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God. This is from your most affectionate mother; and so good bye, Cornelia Eaton" |
| NEXT IS HENRY SIBLEY CROSBY |
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