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“My dear mother, I beg you, be of good cheer in the midst of your sadness, and bear with patience and joy this ordeal, sent to you by God, knowing that it is God’s will which no one can resist even if they had the power. Live the rest of your days in the fear of God, remembering me, how I served my God even unto death.

“I charge you always with care of my wife, for as long as you live in this world, and commend my children to you, for they lose their father while they are infants. And I pray the Lord my God, from the bottom of my heart, that He should grant them His Holy Spirit from their infancy, and the fear of Him so they walk with Him throughout their lives. I ask Him for this blessing without ceasing, and that He will be husband to my poor widow and bless her with mercy forever. I am glad to learn that she has gone to Sedan with the children; it gives me some peace and relief. And though she is removed from you and my brothers, I beg you all never to forget her but to take care of her and my poor little ones.

“I pray the Lord my God, that He should fulfill in you His abundant grace and heavenly blessings so that in your old age you increasingly bring Him honor, affirming all good things, until He gathers you with His people. I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among the saints.

“Goodbye, my mother, my dear mother. Goodbye. The Lord comfort you in your affliction.”