MAY 20
I received the surprising news that my brother had found rest to his soul. His bodily strength also returned from that hour. “Who is so great a God as our God?”
Journal, 19th May, 1738
I was much concerned yesterday when I heard you were likely to marry a woman against the consent of your parents. I have never in an observation of fifty years known such a marriage attended with a blessing. I know not how it should be, since it is flatly contrary to the fifth commandment. I told my own mother, when pressing me to marry: “I dare not allow you a positive voice herein; I dare not marry a person because you bid me. But I must allow you a negative voice: I will marry no person if you forbid. I know it would be a great sin against God.”
to Elijah Bush, 1781
