Obadiah Holmes evidently took these words from Psalm 78 to heart as he raised his nine children. Even their names were all taken from biblical characters. And in his last letter to these children he reminded them of the godly character he hoped they would carry on after his death:And now my son, Joseph: Remember that Joseph of Arimathea was a good man and a disciple of Jesus; he was bold and went in boldly and asked for the body of Jesus, and buried it.
My son, John: Remember what a loving and beloved disciple he was.
My daughter, Hope: Consider what a grace of God hope is, and covet after that hope that will never be ashamed but has hope of eternal life and salvation of Jesus Christ.
My son, Obadiah: Consider that Obadiah was a servant of the Lord and tender in spirit, and in a troublesome time hid the prophets by fifty in a cave.
My son, Samuel: Remember Samuel was a chief prophet of the Lord, ready to hear his voice saying, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth."
My daughter, Martha: Remember Martha, although she was encumbered with many things, yet she loved the Lord and was beloved of Him, for He loved Mary and Martha.
My daughter, Mary: Remember Mary who chose the better part that shall not be taken away and did hearken to the Lord's instructions.
My son, Jonathan: Remember how faithful and loving he was to David, that servant of the Lord.
My daughter, Lydia: Remember how Lydia's heart was opened, her care borne, her spirit made to be willing to receive and obey the apostle in what the Lord required, and was baptized, and entertained and refreshed the servants of the Lord.