A Request for a Letter

The faith and piety of souls remain, no doubt; but this should be made known by the evidence of a letter, so that affection may grow through such courtesy on both sides. For just as a fertile field cannot bring forth abundant fruit if its cultivation has been neglected, and the good qualities of the soil are lost through the laziness of one who rests instead of working, so I think that the love and kind feelings of the mind grow weak unless those who are absent are visited, as if they were present, by means of a letter. [a]