Permelia Griffing Brooks

Vestal, Broome County, [New York]
April 9, 1882

My dear Sister [Augusta] & Family,

Having recently heard of your severe affliction and Br. James’ sickness. I feel in duty bound to render you what little comfort I possibly can under the circumstances. I have been troubled with nervous derangement for some time and it being hard work to control my own feelings, makes it difficult for me to say anything to comfort others.

I wonder that more of the Ministers are not insane when I hear of them night after night depriving themselves of needed rest so anxious for the souls committed to their care that they become unconscious as to their own physical condition.

I would like to hear more of the particulars with reference to matters. Was you obliged to remove him from home? Did you have any difficulty? Was he so [wild] all the while or only by spells? Is he confined to his bed? How many of the children have you at home? Where is the Asylum situated? What are your circumstances? Will you have to leave Manhattan? I hope when I hear from you, I shall have more favorable news.

We have had several cases of Malaria Fever about here this winter and Mr. Brooks has had to visit among it considerable and contracted the disease in a measure but succeeded in breaking it up. The persons would be taken with lassitude, soreness of the nerves, would lounge around for about a week, and then they would become deranged and die in a few days or it would go to some of the other organs with the same result. Sometimes it would take on the Typhoid symptoms. I thought perhaps that might be the case with James.

We have been here but one year and are expecting to remain. Mr. Brooks is now at Conference. I expect him home the 12th. We do not feel much like itinerating but am obliged to in order to get along and do what is required of us. Dear sister, let us continue to look to Him from whence cometh our help in this deep sorrow. While we are commanded to work, we are also commanded to be temperate in our work as well as our eating and drinking.

With much love to all. I remain your loving sister,
Permelia [Millie] Griffing Brooks