# Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Son. · Page 2 of 2

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My child, heed the instruction of your father, and
forget it not. Prov. 4:1. Refrain your tongue from
backbiting, and beware of lying. Ps. 15:3. For the
mouth that lieth slayeth the soul. Wis. 1:11. For
liars have no part in the New Jerusalem, but their
part is in the fiery lake that shall burn with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death. And the
backbiter causes much contention and strife; he also
raises discord and envy, and separates good friends.
Moses writes: “Let there be no backbiter or slanderer
among you.” Lev. 19:16. Hence, my son,
beware of backbiting; and wherever you live or go
in and out in a house, be reserved, and tell not out
of the house what happens within; and keep silent
about all that ought to be kept secret, and you will
make yourself beloved. And always be faithful to
people, and beware of stealing, for it is a great sin,
for thieves have no part in the kingdom of God:
nor is a thief trusted or loved by any one, but wherever
he comes his hands are watched.

Thus, my dear son, always acquit yourself honestly
in the fear of God, and beware of all sin and
transgression; and it shall be well with you at the
last day, when the Lord shall reward every one according
to his works, such as he has done, whether
it be good or bad. My son, remember that it is
written: Honor thy father and mother; that thou
mayest live long on the earth. Ex. 20:12; Ephesians
6:2,3. For this is the first commandment with
promise in the law. But the greatest honor which
children show their parents, is that they are obedient
to them, in all that is not contrary to the
Lord and his commandment. Hence, my dear son,
though you lose me, be not impudent to your
mother, but obey her the more; for the sole care
will now be upon her. Therefore, my child, grieve
her not in your life, for in Ecclesiasticus it is written:
He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer;
and he that angereth his mother is cursed of God.
Sir. 3:16. Hence love her, and remember how
much pain she suffered for your sake, and how she
bore you, under her heart, and shall have much to
suffer yet, to bring you up, and to earn a livelihood.
Tob. 4:4; 2 Mace. 7:27.

Hence, my dear child, apply yourself from your
youth to labor and industry, and when you are
grown up and can earn something, let your mother
profit by it; and always labor diligently and willingly,
and do not think it irksome to do your best,
to help your mother gain a livelihood, for before
she has done it for you. And beware of being idle
or slothful, for from idleness proceeds much evil;
and slothfulness makes thieves of children, and thus
they finally come to a bad end. Hence, my son,
never desire it, but labor, working with your hands
that which is honest, that you may have to give to
him that needeth. Eph. 4:28.

Herewith I will commend you, my dear son, and
your mother, to the Lord—O bitter parting; yet
for His sake who is able to provide for you, and to
keep you from all evil I hope to leave you. The
Lord grant you his grace, that you may grow up in
the knowledge of God, through the Holy Ghost; so
that you, according to the sentence of the righteous
judgment of God (Rom. 2:5), may be found righteous
for his kingdom, through Jesus Christ our
Lord and Savior, to whom be praise and glory forever
and ever. Amen.

Written by me, your father. Adieu, my dear
son, whom I love more than any silver or gold or
precious stones; but God must be the dearest.
Adieu; love conquers all things; once more adieu,
my dear son; read over often this which your father
has written you out of love; and comfort your
mother, and always be kind to her in all subjection
in the fear of God; the Lord grant grace, that this
be so. Amen.

Raphel van den Velde.



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_982)

[Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855)

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