Relations with God; Daughter Amanda wants to visit

Postmark:
Burkes Mill, Va,
Mar 30

Majr Jas T. Gleaves
Wytheville P.O.
Wythe
County
Virginia

March 28th 1861
Dear Nephew and Niece
Your friendly communication bearing date the 24th Inst, was received by me on yesterday evening,--And has been perused & repersued by myself and Amanda and her family,--We unanimously Sympathize with you & and Malvina, In Consequence of the Visitations of an afflicting Providence, Visited upon you both, but I flatter myself with the pleasing hope that both of you are prepared to meet your God, with consciences void of offence Toward God, and, Towards men,
And furthermore,-- Beloved Nephew and Niece-- I will observe to you, that myself, and each of you are hurrying on as fast as time can carry us to the place allotted for the final termination of our Earthly career to those who have done well to Everlasting happiness,and those of a Contrary line of Conduct, to Intermenable Woe
And Dear James and Malvina, I am fully convinced In my own mind, that Salvation must be obtained in this Live,--For their is no repentance, or forgiveness of Sins after Death,-- For we are Assured that as the Tree falleth, so It lieth, -- And my near and Dear relatives It is my Sincere Prayer, and Hearts desire that whensoever It Is the will of the Almighty, to remove us from being Sojourners on this Earthly Tabernacle, (which will not be far Distant) May we be ranked with those who may be deemed Worthy of receiving that pleasing Sentence of, come unto

unto me, Ye blessed of my Father, Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Beginning------
I will now try to communicate to you the Mercies and Blessings bestowed upon me, at my advanced period of Life, I will be Eighty One years old If I live untill the 13th of May,--I was born the 13th of May 1780,-- I will say to you that I am Inaddequate of language to express my Sincere obligations, to the giver of every good, and perfect gift, the Beneficent Creator, who Is All Merciful, Long suffering, slow to anger, and abundant mercy, and goodness, -- Have bestowed on me, I have good Health, am free from pain, can Eat hearty, and sleep sound,-- Consequently, I am Laboring under the Inevitable Accompaniments of Old Age, A feebleness, Physically and Mentally, as are very perceivable in my Writing and Indicting, particularly with those who have Heretofore been, in the habit of a Correspondence with me.-- I feel Thankful, that I have It In my power to Inform you, so far as I am advised of at present my children, Grandchildren, and, Great Grandchildren are in the enjoyment of the greatest Earthly Comfort bestowed on the Human race, (good health)-----------
I have nothing new to Inform you of I presume more then you are familiar with,--(the Present Crisis) Nevertheless we the Inhabitants of the Old Dominion are determined to remain under our Vine and Fig tree and are not to be afraid of Secessionsts, Breckenridgers, Black Repuplicans, or Democrats My Daughter, Amanda Eubank, expresses a most ardent desire to visit you, and your very Worth Old Lady particularly,-- together with each branch of your family

and the family Connection In that Section of Country Collectively and Individually,-- I am of the Opinion James her anxiety has been Excited,-- In the first place from the very favorable opinion she formed of you, from your first acquaintance,-- And 2ndly from hearing myself and Rudolph extolling Malvina for her Domestic Housewifery, and In general terms as she is worthy of,-- Neither Exaggerating or Diminishing her true Character.-- Then lastly my receiving your Epistle of the 24th Inst, stating the Delicate State of both of your Healths, has caused her to request me to let you know that If you, and her, are permitted to be living the ensuing Autumn,-- Providential Interferences Except-- she will endeavor to pay you a Visit,-- Malvina presents her respects to Rudolph for the interesting he promised her-- her request shall be complied with,--I shall reques the favor of you to present my respects to every branch of the Gleaves and Crocket family with whom, I had the honor of forming an Acquaintance,--Amanda and her family present their sincere respects to you and yours
Believe me to without Dissimulation your Aged and Affectionate Uncle------
James Turk Sr.

To Jas. T. Gleaves, Senr
&
Mrs Malvina Gleaves

P S Remember me to the colored families who retain a recollection of me (Saberr__le )
With those who Sentence (Sincerely)
J.T.