Warwickshire County Council
George Eliot Letter: CR3989/5/7/3 pages 2 and 3
Title
Copy of letter to Samuel Evans of Millhouse (George Eliot's Uncle) from George Eliot
Date
10 Aug 1840
Description
George Eliot sends comfort to her Uncle, Samuel, at the time his wife Elizabeth [model for Dinah, 'Adam Bede'] is not expected to recover from illness. Unsigned.
Transcription
Letter from Miss Evans of Griff to Samuel Evans of Millhouses Aug.10/40 when Mrs. E. ('Dinah') not expected to recover
My dear Uncle, Remembering the Apostles declaration that to be absent from the body is (for redeemed souls) to be present with the Lord I cannot for her own sake regret that my Aunt is so very near the brink of Jordan. I would only pray that her heavenly Father may out of his tender consideration for his creatures who are but dust lighten the weight of bodily suffering as far as may consist with His designs of mercy to her soul. Give my dear Aunt if she should be able to receive it an assurance from me of my affection for her and tell her I humbly resolve in the strength of the Lord to seek his face evermore, that we may sing together a new song before the Same. For you my dear Uncle both My Father and myself truly feel and have endeavoured to pray that you may be powerfully sustained under a trial that will indeed bereave you of one who has been as the Apple of your Eye but is it not to this end that God may be all in all with you and that having no earthly proof you may walk entirely by faith. I doubt not my dear uncle that you will evidence the possession of what belongs only to the Xtian joy in tribulation and that you will thus glorify the Lord God of Israel even in the fires. Truly the commandments of God are not grievous for the Apostle sums them up by 'rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice' and though this may seem a great difficulty when the heart is bowed down and rent in twain by the loss of our earthly good in reality that is the very time that we can best relish the waters that make glad the City of God. Trials 'make the promise sweet' such memories as these (to him that overcometh will I grant to sit on my throne'. The Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them & God Himself shall wipe away all tears from their Eyes.
All Right's Reserved. All images are subject to copyright restrictions. Contact Warwickshire Libraries for further details. Part of Warwickshire Libraries' George Eliot Collection.
Original held at Warwickshire County Record Office.
George Eliot Letter: CR3989/5/7/3 pages 2 and 3
Title
Copy of letter to Samuel Evans of Millhouse (George Eliot's Uncle) from George Eliot
Date
10 Aug 1840
Description
George Eliot sends comfort to her Uncle, Samuel, at the time his wife Elizabeth [model for Dinah, 'Adam Bede'] is not expected to recover from illness. Unsigned.
Transcription
Letter from Miss Evans of Griff to Samuel Evans of Millhouses Aug.10/40 when Mrs. E. ('Dinah') not expected to recover
My dear Uncle, Remembering the Apostles declaration that to be absent from the body is (for redeemed souls) to be present with the Lord I cannot for her own sake regret that my Aunt is so very near the brink of Jordan. I would only pray that her heavenly Father may out of his tender consideration for his creatures who are but dust lighten the weight of bodily suffering as far as may consist with His designs of mercy to her soul. Give my dear Aunt if she should be able to receive it an assurance from me of my affection for her and tell her I humbly resolve in the strength of the Lord to seek his face evermore, that we may sing together a new song before the Same. For you my dear Uncle both My Father and myself truly feel and have endeavoured to pray that you may be powerfully sustained under a trial that will indeed bereave you of one who has been as the Apple of your Eye but is it not to this end that God may be all in all with you and that having no earthly proof you may walk entirely by faith. I doubt not my dear uncle that you will evidence the possession of what belongs only to the Xtian joy in tribulation and that you will thus glorify the Lord God of Israel even in the fires. Truly the commandments of God are not grievous for the Apostle sums them up by 'rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice' and though this may seem a great difficulty when the heart is bowed down and rent in twain by the loss of our earthly good in reality that is the very time that we can best relish the waters that make glad the City of God. Trials 'make the promise sweet' such memories as these (to him that overcometh will I grant to sit on my throne'. The Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them & God Himself shall wipe away all tears from their Eyes.
All Right's Reserved. All images are subject to copyright restrictions. Contact Warwickshire Libraries for further details. Part of Warwickshire Libraries' George Eliot Collection.
Original held at Warwickshire County Record Office.