G. C. Pratt - 1866-07-05

To:  Mr Chs. H. Gauss
care of 
G. C. Pratt Esqr Chief Engineer
Columbia Branch Rail Road
Columbia

Postmark:  St. Charles MO  May 30 '6?

St Charles Mo. May 29 . 1866

My dear son
                In consequence of my absence from home, your letter did not reach me until Thursday evening last.  I was glad to see from it that your are well and appear to be satisfied with your position.  I had had some hope that you would have obtained a better place.  Still I have no doubt but that it all will turn out to be for the best, and that this is but a Stepping Stone for something better.  I suppose that even in your present situation you will have opportunities of Showing that you are fit for a better one, and I know that modesty combined with merit will almost invariably be rewarded with ultimate success.
            Your mother and I have spent some days during last week in St. Louis. I have attended a few sessions of the General Assembly, but I was very much displeased with the Spirit exhibited there. I hope that our Presbytery and Synod will leave the Northern Old School Church, and either declare themselves independent or unite themselves with the Sourthern Assembly.  the former, I think, would at present be the most advisable.  In going south we would certainly be charged with having done so from political motives -- remaining independent, we would have reason to hope that many of the northern Churches who are opposed to the introduction of politics into religion, would join us.  When sectional prejudices have some what more subsided, we all could and probably would unite with the Southern Assembly.
        When I was in St. Louis I got hold of a little book written by Mr. Brooks, somewhat in the manner of Stodges's "way of life".  I am quite pleased with it, and want to send it to you, as soon as I have done with it.  I hope you will like it.
        How do you get along on Sundays about preaching.  Have you any opportunity of attending  divine service.  Let me entreat you my son, to observe the Sabbath strictly. If you cannot attend public worship, I entreat you, that you will commune with our Savior by reading his word and by Secret prayer.  He is a kind and compassionate saviour and will bless you, if you seek his blessing.
        We are just now fully in the strawberry season, -- have more than we can eat, I wish you were here to help us.--
        I hope you will write frequently and fully about everything that concerns you.
        I suppose Tate and some of the rest will write you you soon.

Your affect father
Eugene Gauss