1884.09.08 English

C O P E N H A G E N   SEPT 8, 1884

MY DEAR SWEET M O T H E R  .

THE GOOD LORD HAS PROVIDED YOU, MY DEAR BELOVED MOTHER, WITH THE GREATEST GIFT HE CAN GIVE ANYONE ON THIS EARTH, AND THAT IS THE JOY OF BELIEVING IN HIM; BUT THIS, THE GREATEST JOY OF ALL CAN AT TIMES BE PRESSED AND HINDERED IN SPREADING OUT ACROSS OUR LIFE  -  IN PARTICULAR WHEN WE ARE TORMENTED BY MUCH BODILY PAIN, GREAT WEAKNESS AND WEARINESS; - WE ARE THEREFORE PRAYING FOR YOU DAILY, DEAR SWEET MOTHER, THAT HE WHO HAS THE POWER WILL LOOK INTO YOUR WEAK BODY AND HELP YOU ALSO THERE. MAY HE BE WITH YOU DAILY AND BLESS YOU IN YOUR NEW YEAR.

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO YOU AND TO DEAR BROTHER FOR THE CONGRATULATIONS FOR MY BIRTHDAY. WE HAD A LOVELY DAY, FEW VISITORS, ONLY DEAR GRANDMOTHER STEENSTRUP AND BROTHER-IN-LAW AND HIS FIANCEE.

                                               YOUR DEEPLY DEVOTED

                                                               SON

                                                    R. MALLING. HANSEN