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
