Addressed to:
  Mrs. Calista L. Boynton
  McLean
  Tompk. Co.

Summerhill Hall / March 20th 1858

   Dear Wife, I sit down this morning to write, instead of preparing
to come home, which will perhaps be a disappointment to you as well as
to me -
   The meetings have continued to increase in interest from evening to
evening and notwithstanding the darkness and must people have come
three and a half miles to meeting, and last evening, there was a good
assembly, and a good meeting - There is some feeling of anxiety
outside the Church, and backsliders are returning to their fathers
house.  Old Wilkins and the brethren were so anxious that I should
stay until they could get some one else that I have thought it duty to
comply with their request, and forgo the pleasure of coming home and
seeing my family and Edward & Austany and the little one, only,
because I thought "the Lord had need of me" here - I am sorry I shall
not see them again, and nothing but a sense of duty prevents me from
coming.
   I hope you are well and have got along well with the affairs at
home - If they get other help, I shall be at home perhaps on Tuesday,
or, if it is necessary that I should come, write, _or_ send, by
[garbled] Wilkins and I will obey your summonds [sic] - I think I
shall not stay longer than until Friday at most, but do not feel
anxious about me so long as you know not but I am well - I have been
well, preached every evening, and visited some daytimes, and have
enjoyed preaching well, and hope I have not labored in vain -
   This church verily needs a reformation, and I hope they may enjoy
one - Nathaniel's folks are all well, and you need not borrow any
trouble about my want of clothes, as Louisa _would_ wash my shirt and
collars yesterday, because she thought I would stay over Sunday - You
must tell Edward and A. [garbled] it is, and bid them good bye for me
if I do not see them, and tell them to come again soon - I wish you
would drop me a line to Br Wilkins, and tell me how you are getting
along -
   Tell Louisa and Libby they must help ma, take good care of the Cow
and chicks, until I get home.
   It is a fine frosty morning, and it looks like [garbled] better
wearther in picture and I hope I have done right in staying, and that
the Offspring [?] of God will attend my feble [sic] effort with this
church for the salvation of souls, for which I hope I shall have your
prayers -
       Your Husband,
         A. T. Boynton