[Baggot Street]
Thursday [March 19, 1840]
Sister M. Elizabeth Moore
Limerick
My Dearest Sister M. Elizabeth
No words can describe what I felt – on reading the first line of your letter. Thought the accounts from Carlow were as hopeless – yet I fear much in this case.1 The dear sweet innocent creature – you will indeed have a child in heaven.
God will support you in this great affliction – His Holy Will be done. If He calls her away it will be to shield her from some impending evil – or to exercise your patience – and to try do you love Him as much when he takes – as when He gives. Some grand motive must actuate all His visitations.
I will be in great anxiety to hear – though I will be agitated at the sight of the next letter.
May God bless and preserve you – and grant you all – humble, cheerful submission to the Divine Will.
Your ever affectionate
M. C. McAuley
1 The illness – presumably typhus – of Mary Teresa Vincent Potter in Limerick
