grateful acknowledgment of thy goodness
Suffer not our ears to become dull to the cry of misery
May no day pass without thy blessing
May our hearts be open to the glad tidings
Keep us from distrustful thoughts
Give us a cheerful and unfailing confidence that Thou art at the heart
of affairs
May our trials be borne with Christian meekness
May our difficulties work out for us some spiritual good
Encourage us in every right endeavor
May the thought that thou seest us check every wrong motive and evil
impulse
Give us calmness and self-control under every disappointment and
provocation
Fill our hearts with thy rich grace
Soften our sorrows
Grant us thy reviving grace
Fill us with thy perfect love
Cheer saddened hearts
In our spirits sweetly move
Sanctify our deep distress
ZEALOUS
Eager Ardent
Zealous of good works.
_Titus_ II., 14
Labor of love.
_I Thess._ I., 3
Rich in good works.
_I Tim._ VI., 18
Fellow helpers to the truth.
_III John_, 8
Doing the will of God from the heart.
_Eph._ VI., 6
That with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
_I Pet._ II., 15
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to
come.
_I Tim._ VI., 19
The laborer is worthy of his hire.
_Luke_ X., 7
A pattern of good works.
_Titus_ II., 7
We are laborers together with God.
_I Cor._ III., 9
I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.
_II Cor._ XII., 15
Let all things be done decently and in order.
_I Cor._ XIV., 40
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet.
_Eccl._ V., 12
Their nobles put not their necks to the work.
_Neh._ III., 5
II
A SAMPLE LETTER SHOWING HOW THIS BOOK MAY BE USED IN PREPARATION OF
SOCIAL LETTERS
HOW TO PREPARE A SOCIAL LETTER
For example, if one desires to write a letter of Condolence, let him
turn to the GUIDE TO PHRASES, p. 279, and to the subheading “FOR
LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE.” Then, guided by the references, select in the
DICTIONARY OF PHRASES, such expressions as are most desirable, weaving
them into a letter as in the following sample:
My dear ————,
[a]I know your heart must be sorely grieved at the loss of your dear
father. [b]His name was never mentioned by us without the most tender
regard. [c]No one ever displayed a sweeter spirit than he. [d]Be
assured of our cordial esteem and fervent prayers.
Very sincerely yours,
[a] This sentence is found under Condolence, p. 147.
[b] This sentence is found under Commendatory (Of Persons), p. 23.
[c] This sentence is found under Commendatory (Of Persons), p. 21.
[d] This sentence is found under Concluding Assurances of Letters of
Condolence, p. 162.
III
GUIDE TO PHRASES
FOR USE IN PREPARING ONE’S OWN LETTERS IF THE SAMPLE LETTERS ARE NOT
SATISFACTORY
GUIDE TO PHRASES
For Letters of Apology
_See_ Samples, p. 312
_See_ Apology, pp. 6, 7, 40, 140, 141, 157
_See_ Condone, pp. 34, 35
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 164-168
For Letters of Congratulation
_See_ Samples, pp. 298-300
_See_ Conventional, pp. 155, 156
_See_ Compliment, pp. 29, 30
_See_ Approbation, p. 8
_See_ Deserving, pp. 62, 63
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 164-168
For Letters of Condolence
_See_ Samples, pp. 285-298
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Condolence, pp. 141-155
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
_See_ Courtesy, p. 41
For Letters of Commendation
_See_ Samples, pp. 298-300
_See_ Approbation, p. 8
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Compliment, pp. 29, 30
_See_ Courtesy, pp. 40-51
_See_ Deserving, pp. 62, 63
_See_ Letters, pp. 155, 156
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
For Letters of Introduction
_See_ Samples, pp. 301, 302
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
For Letters of Invitation
_See_ Samples, pp. 302, 303
_See_ Conventional, p. 157
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
For Letters of Recommendation
_See_ Samples, pp. 304, 305
_See_ Appreciation, pp. 7, 8
_See_ Commendatory (Of Persons), pp. 19-24
_See_ Enthusiasm, p. 80
For Letters of Thanks
_See_ Samples, pp. 306-312
_See_ Complimentary, pp. 29, 30
_See_ Concluding Assurances, pp. 161-168
_See_ Conventional, pp. 46, 50, 51
_See_ Letters, pp. 158, 159
_See_ Thanks, p. 250
IV
SOCIAL LETTERS
Life is not so short but there is always time enough for
courtesy.――Emerson.
LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE
My dear ————,
I received to-day the sad word that ———— had passed away. I know that
your heart is sorely grieved, and I hasten to send to you this little
word of assurance of our love and sympathy. Trusting that you will
write as soon as you have the heart, for I am anxious to hear from you,
I am,
With warmest regards,
My dear ————,
We were exceedingly sorry to learn of your bereavement. There are many
whom we have “loved and lost awhile.” But God will take us into their
goodly company some glad day. We unite in sending our sincere sympathy.
With warm regards,
My dear ————,
We were so grieved to read in the paper of your great loss. Would
that we were not so far away from you, or else we would surely try to
comfort you with our presence.
Mrs. ———— and I send our best love and sympathy.
Faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
We were very sorry to read of your bereavement in the loss of your
————. Our prayer is that you may find great consolation in the thought
that some day, in God’s own good time, you shall see ———— again.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I was saddened to hear of your recent loss. I need not tell you how
often I think of you. With a prayer for every blessing upon you and
your family,
Sincerely your friend,
My dear ————,
I regret exceedingly to hear of your sorrow. Do not try to explain to
yourself so trying an hour, but bring into requisition all the faith
and courage you can muster, and with confidence face the seeming dismal
days.
Lean hard upon your good friends,
One of whom is
My dear ————,
We have heard with deep feelings of regret of the death, of your ————,
and we offer you our most sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
Please accept condolences and sincere sympathy for the loss of my
friend ————.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
Mrs. ———— shares with me the great sorrow which so many feel on account
of the death of your ————.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I am deeply grieved by the news of your bereavement, and beg you to
accept the expression of my profound and heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I am greatly grieved to hear of the death of ———— for whom I had the
utmost regard. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you in your bereavement.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
We send our love and our tenderest sympathy.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
We are greatly afflicted by the melancholy intelligence which has
reached us that ———— is no more with us. He carried the riches of God
within himself, and was a royal-hearted man. He was greatly beloved by
all of us. With a prayer for every blessing on yourself,
Affectionately your friend,
My dear ————,
Permit me to express on behalf of ———— and myself our deepest sympathy.
May you find very great comfort in the thought that there is a time
coming when there shall be no more death, neither sorrow.
Faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
I know not how to express my sorrow at the word which I have just
received. Your ———— was such a sweet uncomplaining spirit. We shall
miss ———— when next we come to ————.
I should be glad if I could suggest anything to lighten the burden, and
make your path a little more smooth and easy.
Sincerely your friend,
My dear ————,
I know that your heart must be sorely grieved at the loss of your
splendid ————. ———— knew the secret of beautiful living. We can console
ourselves with the assurance that we shall some day see our loved ones
in the brighter happier world above.
Sincerely your friend,
My dear Friend,
It is with great regret that we learn of the sad occurrence at your
home. Please accept our united and sincere condolences.
With deepest sympathy,
My dear ————,
Words are inadequate to express my feelings at this hour. Exceeding
great sympathy,
My dear ————,
We were exceedingly sorry to read of the death of your good ————. I
wish I could suggest something to make your paths a little more smooth
and easy. Perhaps the words “He knoweth” will be of comfort.
We unite in sending our affectionate regards to all.
Most sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
Let me send a little word of encouragement and sympathy in this dark
hour of your life. And perhaps the best word is that which says: “For
we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.” Mrs. ———— and I offer you our most sincere sympathy. Let us
have the comfort of hearing from you soon.
Faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
No words can quite express my sympathy in this time of deep sorrow. As
long as I shall remember anything I shall remember ———— virtues and ————
kindnesses.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
I can imagine your heart must be sorely grieved in your recent loss. We
beg you to accept our love and sympathy.
Sincerely your friend,
My dear ————,
May every consolation and blessing be granted to you in your deep
sorrow. Kindly accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
May I share with you the deep sorrow you are called upon to bear at the
loss of your ————. So many beautiful traits made up ———— character. Be
greatly comforted by the assurance which He gives to us that we shall
see our Lord again, for He says: “Because I live, ye shall live also.”
Most sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I hope I need not tell you how anxious I have been since I first heard
of your great loss. You have my earnest prayers that the Almighty may
support you.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
I was grieved to hear of your recent sorrow. Please accept for yourself
my assurance of deep sympathy.
Faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
How I regretted to hear of your late bereavement. Trusting that the
dark cloud of sorrow will also have for you a bright side of hope, I
am,
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
I took a nice little fancy to you in our dealings at ————, and hence,
when I read this morning of the death of your ————, I was truly sorry.
On the day that I talked last with him, I was much impressed with his
vigor both of body and of mind. I would be glad to have had such a
————.
May you be greatly comforted by the affection and esteem in which ————
was held by ———— many friends.
With sincere regards,
My dear ————,
It was with the deepest regret that we learned of your loss. What a
comfort it must be to you that you were able to be with him during his
illness. Please accept my most sincere sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I have just received the sad news of your ———— death. Please accept my
heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement.
Most sincerely,
My dear ————,
I sympathize keenly with you in the loss of your ————. May the Father
of mercies give you the rich consolation of his grace. Do not fear for
he knows what is in your heart.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
Such a sad circumstance has come to you. I would that I might express
my sympathy to you in person. In your hour of trial may God comfort you
greatly.
Yours sincerely,
My dear ————,
We extend our heartfelt sympathy in your hour of trial.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
Yours is indeed a deep sorrow. We were so shocked to learn of it
to-day. We are sometimes called to sow in tears, but the promise is
that we shall reap in joy. May every consolation and blessing be
granted you is our prayer. Please accept our assurance of deep
sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
There are times when one cannot express himself in words. Kindly accept
my sincerest sympathy.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
How can I express my sympathy for you in the loss of your dear mother.
When one loses her mother she feels she has lost her best friend, and
can only wait for time to heal the heartache. With assurance of love,
Very sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
Our hearts sorrow with you. Your ———— was such an excellent ————. ————
had so many admiring friends. All the gentle virtues came into full
bloom in ————.
We send our united and sincere condolences,
Most faithfully yours,
My dear ————,
I am sincerely sorry to hear of your loss. You, who have so often
comforted others, are now to be comforted. And what better word can I
send to you than that which Paul writes in the Second Epistle to the
Corinthians: “Blessed be God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us
in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are
in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of
God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation
also aboundeth by Christ.”
We offer our sincere sympathy in your great sorrow.
Most faithfully yours,
(For Member of an Organization)
Resolved, That ———— records its profound respect for ———— and its sense
of great loss through his death.
He set an example of service and self-sacrifice which is inspiring.
The ———— extend to ———— and to the members of his family their deepest
sympathy and join with them in mourning the loss not only as a splendid
member of our ———— but as a most excellent citizen.
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to his family.
(On Death of Soldier)
My dear ————,
May I express to you my sincere condolence in your hour of sorrow. I
have just learned that your son gave his life, though not in battle,
still in his and our Country’s cause. We are all proud of him, and I
sincerely hope that you will find much comfort in the knowledge of the
affection in which he is held.
With sincerest sympathy,
(When Interment is at Home)
My dear ————,
We have just been informed that your son’s body has been lovingly laid
to rest at home. If ever we were proud of our soldier boys it is now.
Every day their sacrifices are more precious to us as we dwell upon
their likeness to the greatest of all sacrifices which God made for us
through his Son.
May the God of all comfort, comfort you and yours is our prayer.
Sincerely yours,
(Interment of Soldier)
My dear ————,
I am thinking of you to-day in all your sorrow, yet knowing that you
are comforted. Comforted by the assurance that your son died as a
true soldier, giving his all at its best for you and for his country;
comforted by the fact that you have him near you again, where you can
go occasionally in sweet reverence and recall precious memories. Above
all you must be comforted by the Redeemer’s resurrection promise that
you shall see your dear son again.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Your Friend,
REPLY TO CONDOLATORY LETTER
My dear ————,
I am very grateful for your kind expression of sympathy. My heart is
filled with gratitude when I think of my good friends.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
Permit me to thank you in behalf of ———— for your courteous message of
sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I thank you kindly for your consoling letter. Though I have waited some
time to reply, its messages were none the less deeply appreciated.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
Your kind letter was a great solace to me in my recent loss. One does
not realize how much comfort is derived from such beautiful expressions
of sympathy.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
I am grateful to you for your kind expression of sympathy. Surely it
has been an hour of great trial to me, but I have been sustained in it
all by the grace of God, and loving-hearted friends.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
Just this short note to tell you how much your sympathy was
appreciated in our late bereavement.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
I want to thank you very much for your sympathetic letter received in
our great bereavement.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
Your sympathy was so much appreciated in our late bereavement.
Very truly yours,
My dear ————,
I want to thank you for your expression of sympathy in our bereavement.
Sincerely,
LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION
(On Graduation)
My dear ————,
How happy I am to hear that you have so successfully terminated your
High School course. You surely deserve the best the world can offer
for you have earned it by hard conscientious study. Please accept my
congratulations.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
It was with the greatest pleasure I learned that you were to graduate
this year. How much it must mean to you to finally hold in your hand
the diploma for which you have labored so faithfully for four years.
May I extend my hearty congratulations.
Yours sincerely,
My dear ————,
It is a great pleasure to me to know that you have finished your High
School course. I have admired the way you have held to it to the
finish. I hope I shall have opportunity also to write to you at the
time of your graduation from college.
Sincerely yours,
(On Birthday)
My dear ————,
Congratulations on this the anniversary of your birth. I can wish you
no better fortune than that your future years may be as happy and as
useful as your past.
Wishing you continued health and prosperity,
I am, Sincerely yours,
(On Wedding Day Anniversary)
My dear ————,
May all your future be as bright as this your wedding day, with joys
and blessings deep and many, with sorrows light and few.
Ever yours,
(On Birth of Child)
My dear ————,
Congratulations upon the birth of your son. With such intelligent and
religious guidance as his parents will give him, I feel sure that he
will grow up to noble manhood, and be a joy and a great blessing to
all.
Very sincerely yours,
LETTERS OF FRIENDLY APPRECIATION
My dear ————,
I have just heard of your success in ————.
I have always had a great admiration for you and your work, and I am
sending this little note to assure you of my regard, and to wish you
still further successes.
Your Friend,
My dear ————,
It is with much pleasure that I learned to-day of your complete
recovery from your recent illness.
I trust you will soon be able to take active part in the various
societies in which you are interested. We would be glad to greet you
soon again at ————
Sincerely yours,
LETTERS WITH GIFTS
My dear ————,
Please accept the enclosed tickets to ————. The program seems
attractive and I trust you will enjoy it.
Yours sincerely,
My dear ————,
As a token of my high regard I am enclosing a ————. With best wishes
for many happy returns of the day, I am,
Sincerely your friend,
LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION
My dear ————,
The bearer, ————, is a personal friend of mine. He is to spend a
few days in ———— and I am anxious that he shall have some reliable
information. Hence I am sending him to you. Any favors that you may
show to him I will consider as to myself.
Sincerely your friend,
My dear ————,
This will introduce ————, a friend of mine who has just moved to your
city. He has a position with the ————. Perhaps you can assist him with
some information. I will consider it a favor, and I am sure he will be
doubly grateful.
Yours respectfully,
My dear ————,
This letter will introduce ————, who is to spend his vacation in your
neighborhood. If you can give him information concerning some of the
places of interest I shall esteem it a great favor.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
The bearer, ————, is a young acquaintance of mine who has determined to
live in your city. He has good habits. If you will guide him concerning
a place to board, and possibilities of work I will esteem it a great
favor.
Sincerely yours,
LETTERS OF INVITATION
(To Party)
My dear ————,
I have the pleasure of entertaining ————, of ————, on ———— at 8
o’clock.
Trusting to see you and ———— at that time.
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
On Tuesday next I am having a little party, too small almost to come
under that head, and wish particularly to have you come. I will arrange
an escort “to and fro” so if you have any preference let me know.
Cordially yours,
My dear ————,
I am giving a party on ———— evening and this is just a little note to
say that you are invited “in particular.”
Sincerely yours,
My dear ————,
I am giving an informal party on ———— evening at ———— o’clock, to
introduce my ————. Hoping you will be able to come, I am,
Most cordially yours,
My dear ————,
On ———— next I am giving a small party for my ————, ————, of ————, and
should like very much to have you meet her. Hoping to see you then, I
am,
Very sincerely yours,
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Gentlemen,
The bearer, ————, is a young man of my acquaintance whose family I
have known for some time. They are splendid people. This young man is
ambitious and thoroughly trustworthy. I hope you can find a place for
him.
Sincerely yours,
To Whom it may Concern, ————
This is to certify that the bearer, ————, is an acquaintance of mine, a
man whom I esteem to be thoroughly reliable.
Dear Sir:
This is to certify that ———— has been in my employ for ————. He is a
most willing and able worker, honest, steady and faithful. It was with
regret that we were obliged to let him go from our employ. I feel very
safe in highly recommending him to you.
Sincerely yours,
Dear Sir:
This is to recommend to you ————. I have been acquainted with ————
for ———— and have found ———— a true friend, and always worthy of
a trust. ———— is a ———— of good family connections, a splendid
conversationalist and will prove, I am sure, just the person to fill
the position you have open.
Very respectfully,
Dear Sir:
The bearer, ————, is a young man of excellent habits, of fine family,
and is highly respected in our community. I would recommend him.
Very respectfully,
To Whom it may Concern:
The bearer, ————, is an acquaintance of mine for ———— years. He is a
young man of splendid habits. I would recommend him for any position
suitable to his ability.
To Whom it may Concern:
I have known the bearer, ————, for ————. He is of fine family and has
been one of our most respected young men.
I would heartily recommend him.
LETTERS OF RESIGNATION
————, _Secretary_.
My dear ————,
I regret that I shall be compelled to resign my position as ———— on
account of ————. With sincere thanks to all for many kindnesses, and
with best wishes to the ————, I am,
Yours respectfully,
————, _Secretary_.
My dear ————,
Please present herewith, my resignation to become effective ————.
Yours respectfully,
LETTERS OF THANKS
(For a favor)
My dear ————,
Please allow me to send my most thankful acknowledgments for the favor
you have conferred upon me. I trust I may be able some time to do a
service for you.
Sincerely yours,
(For a favor shown to another)
My dear ————,
You have exceedingly obliged me by so kindly entertaining and looking
after my friend, ————, during her stay in your ————. I trust I may be
able to find some way to fully repay you.
Truly yours,
My dear ————,
It was so splendid of you to assist my friend, ————. I would like to
reciprocate, and trust that if you have occasion to need my services at
any time, in behalf of any of your friends, you will not hesitate to
call upon me.
Very sincerely,
(For gifts)
My dear ————,
No words can quite express my gratitude to you for the beautiful gift.
I feel deeply indebted to you, and take this first opportunity to thank
you.
Cordially,
My dear ————,
I am deeply indebted to you for your favor received to-day. It is a
great pleasure to be remembered thus by one’s friends. I thank you
gratefully for it.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
How very good and kind you are to send me such a nice present. I will
not write more but will wait until a better opportunity enables me to
express my thanks.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,
Accept my hearty thanks for your dainty gift. It is greatly
appreciated, and will ever be a reminder of your kindness and
generosity.
Sincerely yours,
REPLIES
(For Another, for a Gift of Flowers)
My dear ————,
I am deeply indebted to you for your remembrance to my ————. She wants
me to write and thank you for the beautiful flowers which you so kindly
sent to her. She is much improved to-day. Please accept our warmest
thanks.
Sincerely,
(For Birthday Gift)
My dear ————,
How fine it was of you to remember me on my birthday. Your gift will be
to me a constant reminder of your kindness.
As ever,
My dear ————,
Please accept my warmest thanks for your kind thought of me on my
birthday. Your gift has proven a source of great pleasure.
Cordially yours,
(For Christmas Gift)
My dear ————,
I will not attempt to express the satisfaction I felt when I received
your splendid gift at Christmas time.
Sincerely,
My dear ————,