(Archive): Letter and Student Essays from A Progressive Religious Student living in 1855

Freeland, Pennsylvania, 1855. Unbound. Near Fine. A collection of 14 letters and student compositions written by David Kurtz for his seminary school and to his father in 1855. Most letters are near fine with some tears and age-toning on the edges of the letters. An archive of a single letter and thirteen student compositions written in 1855 by David Kurtz sent to his father during his stay at Freeland Seminary, a Mennonite school in Freeland, Pennsylvania (Now Ursinus College in Collegeville). The essays written in the student compositions are original works by Kurtz though the writing is fundamental. The letter written to his father, livening in Montgomery Country, and are about his journey to the school by way of stagecoach and his new address. In the letter he also writes about the death of his dear German friend, Smith, "A teacher came here this morning and he told me that they found (Smith the name of the German peddler) somewhere near Morristown, had his throat cut and is presumed someone murdered him". Of the thirteen compositions, Kurtz writes about, "Slavery is one of the greatest evils now in existence," and goes on to explain his disdain for their masters. He also writes about his education, farming and agriculture, nature, and the dangers of alcohol, "Thousands are yearly buried to an untimely grave merely caused by ardent spirits". An interesting collection of student essays and one letter from a young religious student in 1855.