LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA

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42 EARLY LIFE. " When we came near Cape Cod we were informed by a fisherman that the civil war was ended, and Pres­ident Lincoln assassinated. As we slowly entered the harbor of Boston, and saw the beautiful, busy city, with the gilt dome within a short distance, the captain ordered the crew to let go the anchor. Down it went, and all on board rejoiced that the voyage was ended. " But to me it was more than mere rejoicing, for I found soon afterward that the end of the voyage was going to be my happy destiny. Through the kindness of the captain I was introduced to the owner of the ship and his wife. They became at once my fostering parents, in the land of my adoption, through whose untiring care, wise guidance, and constant prayers, I was permitted to realize some dreams I used to dream at home so often and so vaguely in my younger days." To these "younger days" Neesima often referred in his journals of later years. Of his mother he says:-" She was a very kind-hearted woman, always ready to help her neighbors along, though she found so much to do in her own family .... One day she was sick in bed. I was very anxious for her, and wished to procure some remedy, though she had something from the doctor. So I went to the temple and prayed to the god that he would cure my mother. I bought a little bit of cake, which was a portion of the morn­ing offering, and gave it to her for a remedy, hoping earnestly that it might do some good to her. I knew not, indeed, whether nature cured her, or whether her will or faith in the god made her whole, but she be­came better soon after she received that cake. She truly believed that the god had granted my earnest request for her and restored her health so soon. I

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