17Feb 08
The Power of a Letter
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The power of a letter ought never to be underestimated. People are encouraged, behavior is influenced, and lives are changed through the writing of letters. The secular world recognizes this effect. As a matter of fact, over the next few weeks you will probably notice a rather interesting cancellation stamp on the mail you receive. It reads, Let us dare to read, think, read, and write (John Adams 1765). Former U.S. President John Adams and his wife Abigail took the time to write extensively to each other when apart during the early beginnings of America. This simple discipline provided strength in their relationship and an example that continues to inspire many to this day.
Recently, I had the privilege of reading a compilation of nine letters from John Quincy Adams to one of his sons attending school in Massachusetts. Letters received from a father leave a profound impact on his children and even generations to come. John Quincy was apparently impacted by the letter writing of his father. The book, entitled, The Bible Lessons of John Quincy Adams for his son, shows the love Adams had for his son, the passion he had towards the Scriptures, and the proper balance he had between his time consuming responsibilities and fatherly obligations.
The letters contents are rich with doctrine. Many encouraging thoughts were shared by Adams. At one point he describes the three points of doctrine and how in absence of any one, man will have no conscience. One will reject the Gospel if he rejects anyone of these principles. It would be a wonderful list to remember while witnessing.
He further summed up the essence of Christian morality in six practical ways which will make one superior even to a sense of wrong, or the resentment of injuries. Adams clearly laid out the fallibility of the flesh but left his son with a key for overcoming. 
Each of us desire character in our life, yet find the propensity towards evil to be overwhelming. How can one live a life of moral excellence? Adams gave one simple practical statement that, to the degree it is applied, will produce moral excellence in one.
This book was of great inspiration to me as I know it will be to each one of you. I would be happy to lend our copy or feel free to purchase your own here.
I close now with an excerpt from a poem John Quincy Adams wrote at the age of 74 entitled, The Wants of Man.
I want a kind and tender heart
For others wants to feel,
A soul secure from Fortunes dart,
And bosom armed with steel
To bear diving chastisements rod,
And mingling, in my plan,
Submission to the will of God
With charity to man.
Par. 18 of 25
What an inspiring man! I praise the Lord for the Father that the Lord has placed in our live as well. Letter writting has such an impact.
What an encouragment and inspiration it is to me when I receive a letter from Dad. Without a vision the people perish. Who knows how many times I have reread letters that Dad has given me throughout the years to encourage and redirect my focus! May we all have this kind of impact on those the Lord has placed in our lives.
I echo your words Jennifer! The letters received from Dad over the years are a continual source of inspiration and will only grow in significance with the passing of time. This makes me want to write more. I must say that there is something powerful about receiving a written letter even over emails, faxes, and phone calls.
Wow! Excellent post and Excellent topic! Let us follow them as they followed Christ.
Same here. And if it is so with the letters I have received from my earthly father, how much more the inexaustible and infallible Letter from my Heavenly Father in which ever letter is placed with an ocean’s depth of love and purpose and meaning…