Question

Read the passage and write a summary of it in a paragraph. Suggest a suitable title.

November 4, 1851. Dear, Brother John Honston, When I came into Charleston day before yesterday, I learnt that you were anxious to sell the land where you live, and move to Missouri. I have been thinking of this ever since, and cannot but say such an idea is quite foolish. What can you do in Missouri better than here? Is the land any richer? Can you, there, any more than here, raise com and wheat without work? Will anybody there, any more than here, do your work for you? If you intend to go to work, there is no better place than right where you are; if you do not intend to work, you cannot get along anywhere. Crawling about from place to place can do you no good. You have raised no crop this year. What you really want is to sell the land, get the money and spend it. Part with the land you have and my life upon it-never after will you own a spot big enough to bury you. Half of what you will get for the land, you will spend in moving to Missouri, and the other hall you will eat, drink, wear out and no foot of land will be brought. Now I feel it my duty to have no hand in such a piece of foolery. Now do not misunderstand this letter. I do not write it in any unkindness. I write it in order, if possible, to get you to face the truth which truth is, you are poor and needy because you have idled away your time. Your thousand excuses for not getting along better are all nonsense. They deceive nobody but yourself. To go to work is the only cure for your case. Affectionately, Your brother, Abraham Lincoln.

Answer 1

The truth

Abraham Lincoln writes to John Honston to tell him that selling the land on which he lives is a bad idea. Lincoln asks John what he would do in Missouri that is better than what he does now. He also tells him that crawling from place to place will not help him. Lincoln reminds him that he hasn't grown crops anything this year. He says such things because he considers it his duty not to participate in such folly. The letter's main purpose is to make John face the fact that he is poor and in need, and that going to work is the only way to improve his situation.