Haverhill, May 21, 1849.
Dear Brother and Sister Hoit:
I am about to leave you. I rejoice that I feel within the fullest assurance that I shall enjoy a far more desirable state of existence. I feel as calm to day and my mind as clear as when you last saw me at the school-house, endeavouring to exhort my fellow men to seek an interest in that Savior, that I have found so precious to me, during my soul-trying afflictions. The same gospel that I then preached I find sufficient for me in all my trials, notwithstanding their severity; and I doubt not that the same will sustain me until death shall close the terrific scene through which I am about to pass; yes! that same Jesus will go with and ever near me safely across the valley and shadow of Death. The blessed prospect that is before me smooths the roughness of the way. Bless God, I can say with Paul, “I am ready to be offered. I am glad my sorrows end so soon, then I shall enjoy the presence of Him that died to save us all, and of my dear companion who has gone before me.” I have often wondered how the martyrs could stand in the midst of flames and shout praises to the Most High. It is no longer a wonder. “Christ was with in them, the hope of glory.” And though I must die by the gallows, yet I am confident it will be the passport from this ungodly world, to one of bliss and beauty. Jesus has promised to stand by, if we will put our trust in him, I have found it so thus far, and have no reason to fear that his promises will not all be fulfilled.
A little more than one year since, I was torn from my home to which I had as good a right as any earthly being has to his home, and by false accusation I was shut out of the pale of society, and away from my children, who are as dear to me as ever children were to a father. By the circulation of these false reports the public mind has been prejudiced to so great an extent that I am condemned to die for that which I never did. Many of these reports were so completely false that they could not have been told but to injure me designedly and at that time it stirred bitter feelings within me, but they are all gone now; yes, now I love them, and I pray to God they may prepare to meet their murdered subject at the bar of Him who judgeth righteously. Thank God I am innocent of the crime for which I am condemned to die, and innocent shall I stand before that tribunal where conjecture and circumstance are not heard. But it is not so here, therefore must I leave you, and by your request I leave in your care that little girl. In tears I give her to you in all confidence that I leave her in the hands of those who will be parents to one whose father and mother can no longer guard her youthful years. Teach her to pray daily, and O, may God be with and bless you and her and together save you in heaven.
And now I bid you all—farewell.
Yours, in love,
ENOS G. DUDLEY.
Below is a copy of a note enclosed within the above and addressed to the little girl above mentioned.