January 6th, 1861.—This morning we went to Mount Zion to hear Mr. Blake preach. It is a treat to listen to his sermons, he uses such beautiful language and he explains the passages of Scripture he reads, so clearly that it really stays in our minds and we remember. All ministers do not do this. Today he spoke so earnestly of the representatives of the people of Florida, now in convention assembled in Tallahassee. He spoke of the heavy responsibility resting on them; of the high compliment paid them by the people of Florida, in trusting them with an issue of such paramount importance. He said we, none of us knew which way was best; we must trust in God and do good. We must remember that our strength cometh from on high and the way to gain that strength is to pray to the Lord, for He has said “knock and it shall be opened unto you. Ask and ye shall receive.” Of course I cannot tell it as he spoke it, but it made every one feel solemn and as if some share of the responsibility rested on each one of us.
Mr. Blake took dinner with us and Eddie came with him. He is just the shyest little boy. When the company were all gone Father told me to ask Lulu to get me ready to go with him to town next morning. He said he was going to show me what a convention was like. I was so happy at the thought of going and my heart fell when Mother said: “Surely, Dr. Bradford, you are not going to take the child away from school?” (Mother does not like us to miss any time) but Father said, “Yes, I am going to take her with me in the morning, this is history in the making, she will learn more than she can get out of books and what she hears in this way she will never forget.” I am so glad. I am so excited I cannot hold my pencil steady but I must write this down.
Susan Bradford is nearly 15 when this entry was made.