Orange, Orange Co. VA
Jan. 27, 1893

Mary S. Clark,

Farmington, Davis Co. V.

Dear Mother: You welcome favor of the 8 inst is now before me. I will answer it. I could see by the tone of your letter that you were pleased to write, when once you got seated and was far enough along with the letter so that you really felt as though you were going to accomplish what you had so often (perhaps) thought of doing. How well a child can see in its parents those things that he himself finds in himself. I notice things about myself that I can give credit to my parents for cultivating.

Last night I had in reserve some feelings that I felt thankful that I possessed. My companion is not one of those who is free from timidity, but we had the experience of marching right into a railroad town and calling at the door of the fine residences. We distributed tracts till after nine o'clock, trying to find at the same time, a man who had the courage to provide for us during the remainder of the night then coming upon us. There were many kind enough to tell us where the hotel was and were of the opinion that we could find lodging there. Some were sorry they had no room others would express themselves that they did not want us there. There was no use blaming them. There was need of showing them kindness and love even in the very tome of our voice if possible. Our Savior is the savior of all the world and we are his servants. I wondered if we would have to go to one friend five miles away or to another eight miles away; but after we had labored till it was quitting time, it flashed across my mind where we had a friend just out of town less than a mile away. We went. He had not gone to bed; but he and daughter were reading from the Youth's Companion. We were not needing supper; for we ate at a house too small for a spare bed or too large for to afford enough beds. Our dinner was eaten in a fine house on a hill with the county judge. The night previous we were hungry enough, however, to accept supper and dinner in at a house near the depot. But it was not a rich, aristocratic man's house if it were near the depot. Some rich people, however, are more free from vanity than those in moderate means. We have not yet left the house where we stopped last night. We feel quite free in being in the room upstairs and spending a quiet time.

The Gospel is now to go to the cities if we feel qualified by the spirit. Thus far we feel supported. We feel like trying Gordonsville next. Heretofore it has been the counsel to go to the country and leave the railroad towns. It is a pleasure and victory to get to talk with people in the cause in which we are engaged. We notice such a change in their feelings towards us. 

You speak of your social gathering. I can better appreciate the way of the Latter day Saints meeting together in Virginia the people are scattered and their progress in civilization is hindered more than if they lived in town and had something to call them together.