1864-05-27_Letter-A_Alvord-to-MyDear

Boston May 27^th. 1864.

My Dear

Your letter stating your bad condition came this morning. I am sorry— we seem to have sorrow upon sorrow, my heart gives out, &, with the poor health I too have, it seems almost daily that I must cease struggling— or pass into the condition of a man utterly broken down.

I have suffered greatly here this week. My head now dont en-dure scarce any effort, & while the meetings have been interesting & our society has had a fine Jubilee I have had to remain comparatively quiet, & behind the scenes. An effort has been made to get the 50,000 dollar fund & we are partially succeeding, over $19,000

having been obtained from the platform. I send you a paper of this morning. We — in the society—feel encouraged, But what am I to do? Work I cannot. Shall I resign? How then can we live? and so it seems there is a kind of death either way. I can only ac-cept the office again offered me, & sink into an imbecile & of course constantly censured discharge of its functions—But they want great things done in New York. These can be accomplished by me only as the great grace, & almost miracle of God interposes. We must do what we can, and trust. I will be home soon as I can—perhaps not before the first of the week. Write me by next mail & with love to all

Yours J. W. Alvord