My Dear Children,

I feel that my strength is failing and my days on earth shall soon be numbered. I have no dread of the future, for I fully trust in my Savior and my God. He has helped me through all my trials and troubles and He will be your refuge too, forsake Him not.

I cannot leave you each a fortune in dollars and cents but my tenderest love reaches out to you in prayerful solicitude for your temporal and eternal welfare. If you love me, and revere my memory, then give heed to the following earnest advice:

1. Love one another. Remember the love that your father and mother had for each of you.

2. Be forgiving, one toward another. Remember you are all human; bear with each other's shortcomings, do not scold one that errs, but rather plead, yes, go to the erring and plead. Do not whet a silent anger. It saps the fountain of life.

3. Be of a liberal mind. When a misunderstanding occurs, be always willing to give way or meet the other more than halfway.

4. Beware of things new and untried. You cannot afford to experiment thus. To try new experiments often brings failure, discouragement and unhappiness. So, as a rule, hold to the tired and proven in business methods, as well as in your friendships. Be as sure as you possibly can be that you are in the right, then steadily and calmly go ahead.

5. Forsake not our dear church. Let your anxious care extend to our spiritual children that are there born into Christ’s Kingdom. Let no mistaken endearments outside or ill felling inside, tempt you to grow cold in visiting the sanctuary of God. Be kind and courteous to outsiders but beware of snares.

6. Evil days will come. Be not discouraged; trust in God and do your duty; although at times you may seem forsaken, all will be well in the end.

7. Make you each a copy of this last advice and read it at least once a year. I recommend that you have a family reunion once a year, say on Thanksgiving Day, and read it there in memory of Your Loving Father,

H.F. Mellenbruch