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A “Translation” of Young Lee Dihel’s Letter/Prayer

Oh, God, it—it is a trying scene that I have had to pass through, almost more than flesh could endure. Oh, my God, I am so lonely now, separated here on earth from one so dear to my heart. This world seems to me a lonesome wilderness. When she was here on earth, I enjoyed this life. But—but now my Lord, I ask not long life, I only beg and entrust in the kingdom of God. Now Lord, thou hast taken my earthly helpmate and spiritual helpmate through this life. Now Lord, wouldst thou be pleased to let thy holy spirit dwell with me, and oh, Lord, it is my prayer that thou wouldst keep me faithful until death shall call me home. And oh, my God, wouldst enable me to take care of that little motherless infant of mine. Now Lord, I ask the blessings of God to rest on me and Mindie Onie Dihel. Now I leave our lives in thy care, our souls to thy service.

Keep us faithful until death,

Mindie Onie Dihel

Lee Dihel

Now, oh Lord, enable us

to say, let thy will be

done under all

circumstances

Note: The “-st” endings on verbs are Old English (“hast,” “wouldst”). They give the letter/prayer a Biblical sound, since the King James version of the Bible used these old forms of the words. “Thy” is Old English “your,” and “thou” is the Old English subject form of “you.” (The Old English object form of “you” is “thee.”)