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I received your letter dated July 3, in the absence of Father L., and without him I am responding to you, seeing the immediate need regarding P.T. and V.N.; their disagreement, both for you and for us, is regrettable, which occurs due to the slander of the enemy, and due to their pride: things appear to each of them in a different form, and, blackening in the thoughts of their neighbor, they do not see their shortcomings, or they excuse them, considering them the least, and, based on the enemy’s idea and on their own opinion, they are in confusion and discord; Since you find them both guilty, then I agree with this, and I ask you, for the Lord’s sake, according to the authority given to you from Him, to admonish them and convict them; so that, although they will disperse, there will be no enmity between them. When you find it convenient to place V.N. with N.’s mother, then we agree with this; where she should be more prudent, having learned from experience how to behave, and admonish her so that she remembers and pays attention to her sins, and not to the shortcomings of her neighbors. She writes that she thought she would find simplicity and sincerity here: this is what she thinks is not there - on the contrary, worldly politics: it is clear that her eye is blocked by a large log, and therefore sees knots in her neighbors. How painful it is for us! they impose themselves, ask to be accommodated, and then there is embarrassment. We do not promise them bliss, but offer them sorrow along this path: they agree to everything; but after that they don’t carry anything. May the Lord help you arrange her for the best, she has faith and love for you, and therefore she will fulfill obedience - she will be forced to be patient. Committing myself to your holy prayers and asking for you and your flock the peace and blessing of God, I remain unworthy of your pilgrim, the great sinner I.M. July 9, 1840. You might be interested in: