CORRESPONDENCE. (continued 2)

The following letter was written June 27, 1885. The unusual allusions to her own health are evidently in sympathy with the correspondent, who had written of ill health and heavy burdens to bear.

"I have been most useless since the middle of February; but, weak as I am, I have insisted on staying out of bed, waiting on myself, and keeping my room in order, even to sweeping it, and keeping up my missionary work slowly. I do dislike to be nursed and a care to people. Sometimes it seems impossible for me to get dressed for my breakfast, and it takes me about one hour and a quarter, I am so weak. Last Sunday I could not get to church; but I spent the day in resting,—spiritual rest. I had a service at home,—the responsive service, the three hymns, the Scripture lesson, and read one of J. F. Clarke's sermons, which I sent to another who needed consoling. There is a favorite hymn of mine, which I will write out for you. We often sing it for an opening hymn. [The hymn "Daily Consecration," by Caroline Mason, is here copied in full.] Excuse the mistakes, for I have written it from memory. Work on, dear friend, just where you are, and feel that there you are casting silent deeds of love which no one knows but the good Father above, but that they are none the less earnest work in his service.... Every other Saturday A. M. I go to the church to do up papers for the Workhouse. Was there this morning. Take heart, good friend, and feel that nothing you do is lost, and that sometime your labor will be appreciated. I must not write longer, for I want to attend church to-morrow. They miss me when I am not at my post."

Another letter of this summer reads:—

My dear Friend,—Your letter was duly received, and I wanted to answer it immediately, but have been too weak to write comforting letters.

Am so sorry to hear you are still sick, and wish I could help you. Am still more sorry to hear you are "dreading" the summer; but I do not wonder at it, for on a farm the labor required by the women in the house must be incessant.... I cannot take the burden off your shoulders; but perhaps a word of sympathy from another, and something from her experience, may enable you to face the difficulties.... My experience has been that when anticipating a hard time, if I only accept it, and make up my mind that it has to be my part, half the burden is taken off, if I determine to go through with it all, giving myself up to that work and thinking of nothing beyond in the mean time. Take all the rest I can get, instead of trying to do something else too. Rest will do you more good than company or books, when you are so used up with real hard work. Women all try to attend to too much outside of their households, for the sake of company and variety; do you not think so? Now, just take things as quietly as you can this summer, and feel that in your home duties you have more than you can do, and look forward to the time when summer will be over and you will have less care.

After her death, the lady wrote:—

"I sent my letter to her home by a messenger who reported that he understood at the door, as he handed it to the person who answered the bell, that Miss Ellis was dead. I hoped that he was mistaken, but your letter confirmed it. I knew she was very feeble. She wrote me some two weeks before Christmas, saying she was very weak; but I did not think for one moment that she was in danger, or I would have hurried to see her. I shall miss her greatly, and her dear letters to me, which I prized so highly; and you, who saw more of her than I could possibly, will feel her loss greatly. I believe there are few persons capable of entering so entirely into sympathy with others who needed it as she was, and of giving such consolation; at least, it has not been my good fortune to meet many such. I will be glad to receive the memorial of which you speak. I shall be very glad if your minister would write me on the subject of joining the church, as I was depending on Miss Ellis to guide me in the matter, which she was ready to do one year or more ago."

In 1884 Miss Ellis received the following letter from a young man, Mr. A. J. Beach, who had been one of her discouragements, because, after some correspondence, she had ceased to hear from him. Mr. Beach was usher in the State Penitentiary at Joliet, Ill.

"More than a year ago I wrote to thank you for papers which you had kindly sent me. In answer, you sent me a very kind letter, and named several books which I might read with profit. I procured a number of Rev. James Freeman Clarke's works, which I read carefully, and from which I gathered much of great value. I also subscribed to two of the papers you named, to which I have become so much attached that I could not possibly do without them.... Your letter led me to a course of reading and investigation that has proved a sun-burst to me. I have been in darkness. I am out of it now. I am connected with the State Prison (as usher), not the pleasantest position in the world; but I have tried to show many of the poor convicts the better way of life, and to cheer them by kind words and a showing of real interest in their unfortunate condition, and I believe I have succeeded in making lighter many a poor friendless fellow's load...."

The following extracts are from others of his letters:—

"I have read the sermons, and have handed them to a very intelligent prisoner, who has become greatly interested in Unitarian teachings, and requested him to pass the documents to others, after reading them. He will do so, and will see that they are kept moving. I am glad you are taking so much interest in our prison. There is much need of genuine kindness here, and it cannot be better shown than in a true and apparent desire to raise the unfortunates to a higher plane of thought and action. These men and women are in a sense left to themselves. They are not permitted to talk to each other. They pass long hours in their cells either reading or thinking. Is it not the very time to get them started thinking in the right direction? You say, We shall write to the Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary Conference in Boston, ... and interest them in the Joliet prison. This is good news. The Post Office Mission is truly a grand mission, and is doing more good than you may think of."

The next letter says:—

"The papers and tracts you have been kind enough to send me have been given to prisoners, and they have been passed from hand to hand until literally worn out. There are a great many very intelligent men among the fifteen hundred and fifty convicts now in our prison, and they (or many of them, at least) are very glad to get such papers and tracts as you have sent me; and I am only too glad to place such reading matter in their hands. You asked if old 'Registers' and 'Unities' would do any good. They would be thankfully received by many of the unfortunate men, and would be carefully read by them. Reading is one of the very few privileges granted convicts.... I to-day received from Mrs. Thacher, of Boston, a bill of lading for two barrels of papers and magazines shipped for distribution among prisoners; also a kind and very interesting letter from Mrs. Thacher,—for all of which I am indebted to you. I am glad, indeed, Unitarian people understand that convicts want and appreciate something more in reading matter than chilling tracts. We are constantly receiving for distribution the strongest kind of Orthodoxy, but the prisoners do not seem to take kindly to it.... An old colored man, who was sent here eleven years ago under life sentence, said to me yesterday, 'I tell yo', sah, it seems mighty ha'd to sarve in hell all yo' life in dis place, an' den have to take it for sartin' su'ah in de nex' worl'.' He seemed to think that a sentence to the penitentiary was merely carrying out a part of the divine plan; in other words, he was foreordained to eternal suffering, and has got eleven years on his way.... We found the books and papers to be all that could be desired, and have taken great pleasure in distributing them.... Could you have heard the genuine thankfulness expressed by the unfortunate prisoners as I passed along the galleries distributing the reading matter, you surely would have felt amply repaid for interesting yourself in them.... Many said, 'God bless the ladies who thought of us!' with an earnestness and sincerity which indicated clearly to me that they felt and appreciated the kindness and the motives of the donors. My experience among convicts has convinced me that kindness shown toward them is never wasted. There are in this prison several noted criminals,—men who have the reputation of being brutal desperadoes,—with whom I have frequently talked, and have invariably found to be easily touched by a kind word and act."

Last June Mr. Beach dropped dead in a Chicago depot while on his way home. It seems proper to copy here portions of a letter written to his family by the chaplain of the prison.

June 30, 1885.

... As we roomed together, I was with him more than any one else; and when not otherwise engaged, we read and talked together.... We were very frank with each other, and last Sabbath eve we had a long talk on religion. The reaction from a Calvinistic faith had evidently left him somewhat adrift. We talked of the cramping of creeds on the one hand, and the tendency on the other hand of (so-called) Liberal views to produce loose morals, etc. He dwelt on the fact that the perceptions of the mind were so much in advance of the inclinations of the heart, that men knew better than they did; adding, "Oh, I have often come so near to the wonderful process by which bad men are made good!" I reminded him that Paul said, "It is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart,"—dwelling at length on the whole argument in Romans x. 6 to 13 inclusive. I remarked that my habit of urging these views earnestly for forty-four years might have become obtrusive; but he answered: "No; if these things are worth anything, they are worth everything. If duty here affects destiny there, these are matters of primary and not secondary consideration." Little did I think then that in twelve brief hours he would know their reality better than I possibly could. In saying good-by [the chaplain adds], he said he would write soon, was glad he had ever known me, but feared he would not see me again; then walked off feebly but cheerfully with ——, who carried his satchel, and to whom he was much attached—though a colored convict, yet much of a man. At 7:30 A. M. he went with Mr. L——, our purchasing agent, with whom he talked freely en route to Chicago, who carried his satchel, helped him up the stairs in the depot, and at whose feet he suddenly dropped dead. A physician was called at once, but paralysis of the heart had stopped the wheel of life.... The boys here loved him much. B——, a special friend, gave him a pretty onyx cross for his little niece. I think he put it in his pocket. Some Boston ladies sent him several boxes of pamphlets and books for the library, advising him to keep certain volumes himself, and I hoped he had written his name in them or set them aside; yet C—— (colored) and T. J. D——, who aided him in the library (and mourn him as a brother) think he read the volumes they recommended, but made no further claim on them. Some prison employees, like some physicians, find their sympathies decrease by constant use. He was not so; for there was not a drop of tyranny or despotism in his blood, and any one who used power simply to oppress another was beneath his contempt. He could consistently say to the Recording Angel, "Mark me as one who loves my fellow-men." Oh! had I known all he probably meant when he said so tenderly at parting, "I fear we will not meet again," I would have followed out the impulse of my heart, clasped him in my arms, and then have said (as I did), "Yes, we will meet in heaven!"

The following extracts are from Miss Ellis's letters to Beach:—

December 23, 1884.

Your letter was received last Saturday afternoon, and was quite encouraging to us, for we may do some good work in the prison with one who feels interested with us. Your letter was particularly welcome, as the same morning came a letter from Mrs. J. I. W. Thacher, Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary Conference of Boston, who responded promptly and satisfactorily to my letter, though she was sick in bed. After the hurry of Christmas is over, they will send you two barrels of literature,—"Registers," "Harpers," "Centuries," "Atlantics," and some few other materials. I feel as if this will be "good news" to you. Yes; it is a good time to turn the minds of the men, women, and boys in the right direction. "A little kindness" and good advice may help some of the poor creatures to a better life. Think Orthodoxy takes a wrong starting-point in teaching one that he is "totally depraved," and that he must wait for a sudden conversion in order to become good. I feel as if Unitarianism is the better way, upholding that we are "not totally depraved, but incompletely developed," and that our salvation depends greatly upon individual responsibility. That we have it within ourselves to become what God intended we should be, and what was possible with Jesus is with us,—that we may become "sons of God" as he was. We are not to "shift the responsibility off on to some one else," as M. J. Savage says. These poor creatures must be taught that the sin is greatly on their own shoulders, and they are capable of overcoming if they only will. Mr. Savage's closing sentence is fine,—"Not to do wrong, one must develop in himself the ability of magnificent self-control!" That is the starting-point of many of life's failures,—lack of self-control. Teach these poor creatures that lesson, and some trade by which they can support themselves when they leave the prison. You wrote us word you subscribed to two of our papers. I take it for granted they are the "Register" and "Unity." If so, will call your attention to a review of a book on "Prison Reform," in "Unity," Dec. 16, 1884. I sent you yesterday a tract, "Unitarian Belief in Bible Language," marking several passages which I thought might rouse some of the poor men and women and boys (it is the young we must work on, and see to it that we are making better men and women for the future) to a truer view of what sin is; also, "Wrestling and Blessing," by Rev. William C. Gannett. His first section, on "Inherited Burden," is capital, showing that in spite of it we may come off "conquerors." The whole of the tract is good.... Hoping we may continue to aid you in the prison work, and with the good wishes of the season from the Women's Auxiliary Conference to you and all prison-workers and inmates,

Cordially yours, S. Ellis.

February 5, 1885.

If we can only make men feel their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, which they have of God, and that they are not their own, and that in sinning they disgrace this holy temple, it seems to me that there would be less crime in the world. It is the divine in their own souls they defile. There has been a tract of Unitarian hymns published. I will send you a copy next week, hoping that some of our beautiful hymns may cheer the poor benighted prisoners.... I have had people say to me, "The Unitarian faith does very well to live by daily; but when you are in trouble, or your friends die, if you do not believe in the Trinity, what have you to comfort you?" My reply is, "We have God, from whom Jesus received his strength. We have the faith of Jesus, and not so much faith in Jesus. We can trust God to help us in our hour of need; and if we have sinned we know He is ready and willing to pardon us. We know that to live truly in this life will secure us happiness in the world to come; and that while we are here there is time to repent and do good, and we would not wish to feel that it was necessary for a perfect being to die to spare us from our sins. We had rather suffer on, if we have done the wrong, than see some one else suffer for us."

On receiving the news of Mr. Beach's sudden death in July, 1885, Miss Ellis wrote to his sister:

"... I was much shocked and very sorry to hear the news your letter, which was received this morning, contained, but was much obliged to you for speaking so plainly of your dear brother, for I was much interested in him. Not only I, but all of our little Women's Auxiliary Conference, and also the ladies of the Auxiliary Conference in Boston. He was a noble fellow, and doing much good there in the Joliet prison. I hope to transfer my esteem and respect for him to his family in remembrance of him. How little it ever occurred to me, when I wrote the letter to him on the 20th, that the dear fellow was safe in his heavenly home. I am sure he deserved a high place with the dear ones above, in whatever faith he died. He used to write us such good, interesting letters, both here and to Boston. We were always glad to get them.... I never have known to what church he and his family belong, but have imagined the Presbyterian.... What church do you attend, and how old was Andrew? I am old enough to be his mother, I suspect, and looked upon him and some few other of my correspondents as 'my boys,' as one of my converts styles himself. My hope was that Andrew would study for the ministry some day.... I know what sorrow is, but must say yours is one of the most trying ordeals to pass through,—an only son, and such a noble one, to die among strangers. My heart aches sorely for you, and I do not wonder it seems like a 'dream' to you. We do not know and cannot tell why our dear ones are taken. We can only trust in God's love to lighten the burden for us after a time, and accept our present trial. The spirit of the dear ones will help us to be kinder and more loving to those who are left with us; and gradually a change comes over us, and as days roll on we find our lives are very different from what they were before,—purer and holier, and we have been drawn nearer heaven and been with our dear one all the time. I will copy a beautiful poem of Whittier's, 'The Angel of Patience,' at the close of this letter. 'Our earthly loss is our heavenly gain.' ... Bear as bravely as you can, and the good Father will send peace to your souls as the years roll on. 'We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of heaven.' We shall be glad to send papers to you now. I think in the 'Register' you will find many things to comfort you often; and from time to time I will select something especial for you. Let me know, please, by postal, if you prefer not to have them. Shall be very glad to hear from you any time."

This letter led to a correspondence continued until Miss Ellis's death, and to the sending of much literature to the family. Further extracts from this correspondence follow:—

August 16, 1885.

... I do not wonder you miss the dear brother, and feel grieved that you may not see him again. I do not believe the good Father in heaven is angry if we murmur some. He cannot be so harsh as to have us cultivate family affections and friendships on earth and not have any loving feelings left. No! It is right to mourn, but yet "not without hope." One of the most beautiful sermons I ever heard, and the most comforting, was one from our pastor, Rev. C. W. Wendte, on "The Dark Hours of Life, and what they bring us."

Here she copies the closing passages of the sermon, and also four pages of poems,—"The Heart Prayer," by J. N. Spriggs; "I am so Weak," Jennie E. McCaine, both from "Unity Songs Resung;" "My Dead," by Rev. F. L. Hosmer; and selections from "Scriptures Old and New." So little did she spare the feeble remains of her strength in these last months. Sept. 27, 1885, she wrote:—

"... Not that I have so much to do, but this changeable weather has unfitted me for work, and I have a good deal of extra work lately, that has exercised my brain considerably and required long letters. I was put on a committee of three at the St. Louis Conference last May, for drawing up systematic Post Office Mission methods. Rev. Arthur Judy, of Davenport, Iowa, is the chairman. He has planned a circular letter and a book of records. It has taken much of my time to read the long letters and give my opinion of them.... We have to work very differently in this region.... However, in time we shall have more than one enlightened family in a place. The way to overcome is to lend our papers, tracts, books, etc., that the people may see we are Christians after all. We do not want to convert them so much, but to make more sincere Christians of them, and happier people in this world; and by degrees they throw aside their old dogmas without knowing it. We do have so many comforting books; so many good Sunday-school lessons adapted to grown people even; devotional books, too, with selections which fit each day; and also so many books containing a true account of Unitarianism and of the Bible, that I feel every one ought to read them, and own many; but of course they cannot.... I want to lend you a little daily book I have,—'Day unto Day.' It is in rather a dilapidated state, because I have sent it by mail to a number of persons. I have two copies, but both birthday presents, and I do not like to part with either. The pencil-marks in it are mine, as they have impressed me day by day. You may retain it three or four months if you wish."

The sister wrote in reply:—

October 27,1886.

I wish to thank you especially for the loan of your book, "Day unto Day." It was very kind in you, and I have found it to be a perfect mine of beautiful gems of truth and wisdom, and "day unto day" it can furnish comforting thought for all occasions.

I was very much interested in your statement of your work as a member of the committee you mentioned. Certainly, such an amount of such elevating literature distributed so extensively must result in much good. The literature that I receive from you we endeavor to make the very best use of,—by first "thoroly" reading in our own family, and then lending to those among our neighbors and friends who will be most likely to give their attention to it. On one or two occasions we have invited in, on Sunday afternoons, some of our neighbors, and made them occasions for reading to them an especially good sermon or article, hoping to awaken sufficient interest to perhaps have frequent readings and talks. In our village there are two churches only,—the Disciples and Presbyterian.

The date of Miss Ellis's last letter to this correspondent shows it to have been written less than a month before her death:—

November 30, 1885.

Your letter was very welcome, and I intended replying sooner; but for the last three weeks have been very miserable, though up, out, and at work all the time, accomplishing little, however. We were so glad to hear you were occasionally having Sunday readings and doing the good you can. To-day I have mailed to you "Songs of Faith, Hope, and Charity," and the last Church Door Pulpit "Channing," selected by Mr. Gannett, whose father, Ezra S. Gannett, was Dr. Channing's colleague for many years. It is an admirable compilation, and I wish it were in small book form, for it would make a very beautiful little Christmas gift. Even in this form I shall use it for such a purpose. There are three books I would call your and your friends' attention to as little gifts of value at this season; namely, "Daily Strength for Daily Needs;" "The Thought of God in Hymns and Poems," by Rev. F. L. Hosmer and Rev. William C. Gannett, just published; then there is a pleasant story-book for boys or girls published last year, "The Browns." ... All this may be quite contrary to your feelings this year, and I presume you cannot enter into Thanksgiving and Christmas with the real spirit of former days. But not as you see the "golden lining" to all things can you give way to gloom. There is always something to be grateful for. How much worse might have happened to us. Then, too, we can feel thankful that we had our treasures so long, and that they were such a pleasure to us. Thanksgiving naturally makes us ask, "What have I to be thankful for?" and makes us somewhat sad; but at Christmas we lay aside all thought of self, and think of Him who was all unselfishness; and in this thought we try to forget our sorrows in order to send gladness thrilling through some other human soul, and thus forget our loss for that day at least, though tears may come involuntarily. Hope the Thanksgiving was as pleasant as it could be; that there was a reunion of those of you who are still living, and that the spirit of the dear one only drew you all together in stronger bonds of love. We—father, mother, and myself—were invited to dine with my brother——, there to meet my dear sister's husband and five motherless children. It is the one pleasure to us to pass these anniversaries together, and to feel all our dear ones are with us in spirit, bidding us to be of "good cheer," for they are not dead, but with their love for us would guide us on to better things than they ever knew or could accomplish. All is well with them now, and they look down smilingly upon our feeblest efforts to do the right and be cheery.

The sister wrote, Feb. 7, 1886:—

"... We were very much shocked when we heard of the death of Miss Ellis. We had known that she was an invalid, yet, judging from her letters, we had no idea of the great weakness she must have endured physically in writing to her correspondents up to so recent a date. Her letters to us in our great bereavement were so full of tender sympathy with us, and were so comforting, we feel that we have sustained a great loss, even though we had never seen her.... It will be a pleasure to us to forward to you any letters of Miss Ellis either to my brother or myself that will aid you in the publication of a book ... that will extend and perpetuate the influence of so useful and good a life."

Mrs. J. I. W. Thacher wrote:—

February 17, 1886.

You will be glad to know that we have had very grateful letters from the several stations in Kentucky to which we have sent barrels of magazines and papers. To Eddyville and Greenwood we have sent twice; and Dr. R——(at the latter place) still says, "Send more whenever it is convenient;" so that we feel that the very miscellaneous collections have been really appreciated and enjoyed. In each barrel we sent large numbers of "Registers" and some good tracts, and then filled in with miscellaneous magazines,—chiefly the illustrated ones. This is hardly Post Office Mission work, but I don't doubt it accomplishes much good, and I am always grateful to you and Miss Ellis for suggesting it to us.... Do you continue to be in communication with the Joliet Penitentiary, and is any one keeping on with Mr. Beach's work for the prisoners? It is a constant help and inspiration,—the thought of Miss Ellis's devotion to her work and her faithfulness to the end!

A young Englishman in Frankfort, Ky., wrote Mrs. Hunert, in answer to her card of inquiry:

"I do take the 'Register,' 'Unity,' and 'Unitarian;' I am almost entirely dependent upon what I read here, as I can hear no Liberal preaching, and meet with very few who have sympathy with Liberal religious views. I did get the memorial of Miss Ellis, and will prize it much, as I was better acquainted with her than any one connected with the church at Cincinnati, and looked upon her as one of my best friends, and a very noble lady. The day on which I received your postal, I met the chaplain of the penitentiary here, and he told me how much the Unitarian literature that was sent from the East was liked by him; that it was all distributed, and enjoyed very much by the inmates of the prison. If I had another copy or two of Miss Ellis's memorial, I would give one to the chaplain, and another gentleman,—about the only Unitarian I know here."

The following correspondence is with a workingman in Northern Ohio,—a young Englishman, whose letters tell his story. He once rose at four o'clock to write Miss Ellis before going to his daily work. One of his first letters to her said:—

March 16, 1885.

Now, that you may know in what walk of life I move, I must tell you that I am a laborer. When working by the month, my wages never exceeded twelve dollars a month. From such small wages I have built up a small library of 155 volumes; have also 156 pamphlets. I take unceasing delight in reading, and now that I have others dependent on me, am not able to procure all the books I need. By some I have been encouraged to prepare for the ministry. Such also is my aspiration. It may be years before I shall become a minister, because my preparation is not to be accomplished very quickly. Oh, how I wish that some one from their abundance would forward me some of the books and pamphlets they have cast aside, having no further use for! They would be of great use to me. What are the qualifications necessary for the Unitarian ministry? Will you please tell me? If possible for you to do so, please send me a few more sermons by Rev. G. A. Thayer, and I shall be greatly obliged.

Miss Ellis forwarded this letter to Miss M. O. Rogers, Secretary of the King's Chapel branch of the Women's Auxiliary Conference, Boston, Mass., who had written, offering aid in her work. As a result, the King's Chapel Women's Auxiliary Conference sent this young man many Unitarian books of value, and the "Unitarian Review" regularly, for which his gratitude was great. He loans and distributes all matter sent him, and has procured many tracts from the American Unitarian Association for distribution. A portion of Miss Ellis's reply to the letter given above is as follows:—

March 18,1885.

Your letter was read with much interest, and we are glad to know our "little society has done good work."... Don't be discouraged if you cannot convert the world at once, but wait quietly till your time comes to do more. You are young yet. Think I can spare a few more of Mr. Thayer's sermons. He has only had four sermons on "Reasonable Religion" published.... Will send you the Meadville catalogue next week, and you can see for yourself, and afterwards write to President A. A. Livermore, telling him I sent you the catalogue. He can give you all further information. He was the pastor in Cincinnati from the time I was fourteen to twenty-one, and knows us well.... Hope to hear further from you occasionally. Work on quietly, knowing the discipline will the better fit you for ministerial labors. We can't jump into the highest calling on earth in a moment, and now-a-days a man must be something of more than ordinary ability to enter a Unitarian pulpit. It is not an easy place to fill.

He wrote to her, June 14, 1885:—

"Believe me, I am sorry to hear that you were 'too sick to more than keep up' with your work. I know you must be busy at all times, from the report of your work in the Conference 'Unity' you sent me. That number of 'Unity' is very valuable to me, and will be kept for future reference. The four sermons on 'Reasonable Religion,' by Rev. George A. Thayer, have also been kept. I hope soon to see them in a neat binding. They are worthy of the expense. Of the books received from Boston, four have been read by me. Two of them were mostly read as I walked to my work mornings. In the same manner 'Meditations on the Essence of Christianity' was read. This book is very beautiful, its author, Robert Laird Collier. 'Channing's Works' and 'Genuineness of the Gospels' cannot be carried about as readily, so they are to be read and studied on lost days, when I cannot work. The 'Reviews' received are very valuable; I would not part with them for anything. The 'Register' is received regularly from Philadelphia. The last one is very interesting, containing as it does an account of the Festival. It must have been good to be there. To you, and all who have aided you in your generosity to me, I return my heartfelt thanks."

After Miss Ellis's death, he wrote, Feb. 13, 1886:—

"... With this I send you the whole of her correspondence to me, hoping that you may find something that will be of use to you. I cheerfully send you the letter and postals, knowing that my treasures will be in safe keeping. Since Miss Ellis's death they are doubly precious to me; I prize them very highly, because she who wrote them proved herself to be a very dear friend to me,—a laborer longing for more light. Whilst I live I shall never forget how much I owe to her who labored so much in my behalf. It was the one wish of my heart to have met Miss Ellis, and to have thanked her for all that she had done for me; but it was to be otherwise. When I meet her in the country of 'many mansions,' I shall have the opportunity to do so. I believe I shall meet and know her there. Your offer of help is very kind; my greatest drawback is lack of books by Unitarian writers. I buy when I can, but being out of work—that is, steady work—since last September makes it very hard work to get a book very often. If you can help me in this way I shall be very thankful, and if you cannot, I shall be just the same, because I feel that you would if you could. I have much opposition to overcome, standing alone in my belief in the truth of Unitarianism. I have great need of more books. My preparation for the ministry must necessarily be slow, because I can never attend Meadville Theological College. But I am reminded that your time is precious, and so I will close. Mrs. ——, will you at the next meeting of the Women's Auxiliary Conference thank all the dear friends who have done so much for me? If I ever amount to much in life I shall owe it all to the Cincinnati branch of the Women's Auxiliary Conference. Hoping that you will not forget me when sending out literature, I remain, etc."

In another letter he wrote:—

"My object in fitting myself for the ministry is to be able to carry the message of Unitarianism to my brother-laborers, because I believe it will make better men—and women too—of them.... I began to work when I was but a little more than eleven years old, and since that time I have been my own teacher."

A lady in Ohio sends her "Register" regularly (the arrangement being made through Miss Ellis) to the correspondent who wrote her this letter of thanks:—

"I have long postponed the note of thanks I have meant to send you. But when I tell you that I am a dressmaker, you will pardon me, I am sure. This is my harvest season, and I am extremely busy. Being one of the class of work-women who put themselves into what they do, I am exhausted at night, and forced to make Sunday a day of rest indeed.

"The papers do come regularly, to my great joy. I assure you that the pleasure and spiritual strength I get from them, if you could realize it, would compensate you for the trouble an hundred-fold. My business, showing me so plainly the small foibles and weaknesses of human nature, and necessarily binding one's thoughts in large measure to 'band, gusset, and seam, seam, gusset, and band,' or their equivalents of flounces and gores, tends to a wearisome narrowing of the mind; a half-hour spent after work is done, with the 'Register,' opens a window, as it were, into heaven.

"I live alone. At times my isolation is hard to bear; but having seen better days, as the saying goes, to me my deprivations are but part of the discipline that God saw was needful for me. I am shut off, by reason of serving the public, from the society of my equals in education and breeding, and for that of my equals in station I have no taste. Pardonnez-moi these personal details; I give them that you may know how much good you are doing. Long may you be spared the power and the will to do such kindness to those who need. We may never meet on earth, but I trust we shall in heaven."

To Miss Ellis, Aug. 20, 1885, she wrote:—

"I receive the papers, and not only read and enjoy them, but give and send them to others. I am surprised to find 'unconscious' Unitarians wherever I go. I hope you may be well by this time. Do not tire yourself to write. Others need you more than I."

After Miss Ellis's death, she wrote acknowledging the memorial:—

"Many thanks. I was so glad to receive it, and prize it as one of my treasures; also for the welcome tracts and papers. They are like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land to me, and are given away to others."

A woman in a small Indiana village wrote Miss Ellis:—

"I understand you have Liberal literature that you send gratis to hungry people who are not able to gratify their appetite in that direction. It would be greatly appreciated by me, and after reading I would put it where I thought it would do the most good."

Later, she wrote:—

"I have received a paper and often something else every other week. These I have accepted as a kind of trust; and when there has been a favorable opportunity, given them away to friends and acquaintances. I do not press them on any one, nor talk about it much. I have not the courage of a reformer. When I speak to friends (that are kind every other way) of a broader religious belief, they meet me with coldness and distrust. It chills me, and I am silent. Yet I believe, with Helen Williams, if any one is brought to face a great truth, if they accept it, yet do not speak or act upon it, there is retribution, barrenness, for them,—a plunging in the whale's belly, as Jonah was,—a figure so many have laughed at, yet significant for all that. I wonder now at my struggles in former years; am happier since the tangled skein is partially straightened. Still I am not fully in accord with the Unitarians. Miss —— [another correspondent in the same village] spoke to me some time ago of your desiring us to form a reading circle. I do not know what she said to you. I will give you the situation. I live in a small village of about one hundred inhabitants, and Miss —— lives about two miles away. I cannot call to mind a woman that would take any interest. They would go to sleep over their knitting, or want to use the time for social chat, as they do not meet day after day at the village store, as the men do (I speak of winter). True, there are a few that would enjoy the reading, yet are so severely Orthodox they could not comprehend a new truth outside of their church. That is the dark side. Now I have often thought if we had a place of meeting, where we could seat a small audience (which we have not), and a good reader (ditto), we could call them together Sunday afternoons and read some of the beautiful sermons you have sent.

"Your work is grand,—the elevation of the human race. The ones that will read, will become better, kindlier, more patient with ignorance; and while they yearn to give every soul a chance, will naturally throw out a better influence and teach a broader religion. As to your paper, not now. It is midwinter; husband, carpenter, out of employment. Intend to take one of your publications after a while."

About two weeks after Miss Ellis's death she addressed this letter to her:—

My dear Friend,—I received a "Register" yesterday, directed in a different hand. Are you sick? I hope not. I should grieve indeed if I knew that physical pain had stopped your work. These lines come to my mind:—

Instead, may you continue your work till eventide.

Who can tell, when a mind gives up its beliefs, where it will stop? I seem to believe nothing, unless it is in the Supreme Good, whatever that is,—and my religion, to live the best life I know. The Orthodox preachers say if one strays from the "path," or "back-slides," they are always uneasy and unhappy. How different my experience is! How glad I am to have escaped the little enclosure of dogma, and to stand "far indeed from being wise, but free to learn"!

Hoping this will find you in good health and spirits, I remain

Your friend A—— C——

After hearing of Miss Ellis's death, she wrote:

"Received your postal. Have also received Unitarian papers, and Miss Ellis's memorial, which last I will store among my treasured mementos. How beautiful her life was! Though never having seen her, she will be treasured in my memory as a dear friend. She has sent me almost all the pamphlets, I suppose, that have been written for the purpose of distributing. Having a large family, they have been read and reread, and handed to neighbors and friends. One has no idea how many they will reach, or how much they influence; and yet there is so much prejudice against Unitarians among Orthodox Christians, some would take it as an insult to offer them one of the pamphlets. In our little village the 'United Brethren' have been holding meetings day and night for three weeks, and oh! how they do preach hell, and pray publicly for 'that lady that is leading her daughters down to hell,' simply because she does not believe as they do. I have more tolerance for them than they have for me. I think there are some people they will reach and do good, as I presume the Rev. Sam Jones is doing in Cincinnati."

The following letter to Miss Ellis from a poor old woman to whom she wrote, sent papers and other aid, for several years, is given verbatim, to illustrate the range of her sympathies. This letter was also written after Miss Ellis's death:—

"I wish I could come and see you, but I cannot afford to go up and down on the Trains. I have to send by someone, now Miss Ellis you have been a sending me good Papers to read and now you must not think I mean to beg but you sent me a New years Card it was a Rose now I would not take anything for it I am as Foolish as Littel Children is about Pictures the Rose I have is in my Album and if you got any one by you to part With Will you send it to me for this New year I feel more than thankful for the Papers you have sent me.... Well I will close Write to me soon I am alone day and night So goodbye from a Dear Friend to one I Love."

A young man in a State Normal School in Indiana long corresponded with Miss Ellis. He has been an enthusiastic distributor of our literature, and instrumental in procuring Unitarian preaching in his city. Extracts from his letters are here given.

"The papers received are read by myself and others. There are few here who know anything of what Unitarians believe."

A second letter says:—

"The matter sent to me is read by several persons. I think of one young man now who asked me to send you his name. He said he would like to read literature made by persons who are independent of creeds. I gave him Wendte's 'Statement' and Chadwick's 'Art of Life.'

"I am grateful to you for your kindness, and shall be glad to receive what you may send. I read the sermons by Savage with interest. They were the only ones of his I ever saw. I have given and shall continue to give the matter sent me wider circulation. [Mentioning a rebuff recently received, he continues:] This little experience, while not pleasant, is valuable to me. I see that the spirit of the Middle Ages is not entirely dead yet, and that one better not be too hasty. My convictions are just as strong as before."

Another letter says:—

"I know something of what it costs to break away from old associations. I was brought up in the Baptist Church. All my family were of that faith.... My relatives all look upon me as one lost to all true belief, because I cannot see my way clear to go with them in the traditions of the fathers. Still, I feel that to be true to the light I have is better than to have the sanction of those who are simply following what their creed teaches, asking no questions. I do not care to argue with them, and so follow that life that gives me the greatest comfort and satisfaction."

Feb. 11, 1886, he wrote Mrs. Hunert:—

"Miss Ellis was a very dear friend (although I never saw her), and it was a great shock to learn of her decease. The first intimation I had of her death was the article in the 'Register' headed 'A Candle of the Lord.' Whatever literature you may send me shall be given circulation after I have read it. I now supply some half-dozen persons by mail with the tracts sent me. As I know the personal peculiarities of all these parties, I can adapt the matter to each. You will see, therefore, that I am a sort of branch 'mission.' In addition to this, I occasionally write a short article to a local paper in Wayne County upon subjects of interest."

He encloses one of these articles,—subject, "Future or Everlasting Punishment: Which?"

"... Mrs. Smith wrote to me in regard to Miss Ellis's letters. I am very sorry not to have any of them. During the last three years I have moved so frequently, being sometimes in this State and sometimes in W. Virginia, that they were lost, and I am unable to find them. Some of them I carried for a long time in my pocket until they became so worn as to be scarcely recognizable. The form of them has vanished, but the kindness and sympathy they breathed is with me still. The spirit of that sainted woman cannot wax old. I humbly trust that I may be imbued with something of the calm and trust and purity which her letters always suggested. There was, too, an enthusiasm which was untiring, and withal a modesty that never was absent from her utterances. There was ever the absence of anything like dictation in her advice. It was the gentle monition of a friend, never the pompous dictation of conscious superiority. Rev. J. T. Sunderland, of Chicago, is to preach in our city March 21. I have never heard him, and am looking to his coming with expectation."

A young woman who is working out a Homestead and Timber Claim in Nebraska, and has been for several years supplied with much reading matter by Miss Ellis, which she has circulated so zealously as to have become one of the "branch missions," writes:—

"When I was about seventeen years old I joined the Baptist Church in Newport, Ky. (where at the time I was residing, and teaching in the public school in that city); and I was sincere in what I did, only I had so many doubts about many things that they taught, and hesitated from the beginning of the revival until the close before I could decide. Then my decision was made on this, that there were older persons belonging to the church that said they believed the teachings and doctrine, and I thought when I grew older and had more experience that I would understand, and I had a delicate fear to converse with the older members about my doubts for fear of their opinions of me; so I quietly stayed with them for a number of years, when an old friend, a good woman, now gone from among us, induced me to attend your church, Mr. Wendte then being the pastor. The subject he was to speak about was 'the Christ we know.' I remember my thoughts then were about these,—'Christ they know? I don't believe they know any,' and thought I should like to hear what he would say, any way. I well remember that sermon; not one sentence he uttered jarred me in the least; and, strange to say, they were my own thoughts on the subject; but I dared not, even if I could, have expressed myself. I thought over that sermon the whole week every spare moment I had, and even took some that did not justly belong to me. I shall never forget that week. The next Sunday his text was, 'the God we love.' For all I enjoyed the previous sermon, I still thought, 'They love God? Impossible!' and as my friends invited me to go over with them again, I accepted the invitation. I never had God represented to me before as now,—more like a kind father than an austere judge; yes, kind, compassionate, and loving us all alike, condemning only our evil actions. This suited me exactly; so another week was spent in thought. I would think, 'How can I conscientiously be a Baptist and believe this way?' Yet how I disliked leaving the church where many things were endeared to me. It seemed as if I was in a sea of trouble and doubt, not knowing whether to go on or halt and turn back. The next Sunday the subject was, 'the Bible we revere.' I was more than anxious to hear this one, for it seemed to me that on this I would have to decide. I went, and decided. I broke off gradually from my old associations, and attended the services in the Unitarian church from that time until I came West. I never joined the church, but it suited my views best of all churches, and to-day I cannot go in any of the Orthodox churches and feel at home. Now as regards this mission work that you wish me to engage in, I could devote half an hour each day, and am willing to do all I can for the advancement of the cause. My health became very poor, and I went West thinking it would be beneficial. I must say I succeeded, for I am not compelled to stay now for my health, but business keeps me here.... My homestead is three miles from the town, and I go out quite often and stay over Sunday. My house is a very small dug-out. I raised about ten bushels of potatoes, some beans, and a few squashes; have done work I never thought of doing,—that is, planting vegetables, made my own bedstead, put a floor in the house, and lined it with sacking. Some of my lady friends assisted me when they came to see me, and gave me ideas about my new kind of work. Now last, but not least, in regard to Miss Ellis. I wrote to her directly after coming West, and told her I felt isolated from church attendance, but was pleased to find so many people with whom I could converse on Liberal thought. Since that time she had kindly furnished me with reading matter which I have again sent on its errand of peace and joy. I looked over a bundle of letters and can only find this postal card from her.... This card I send you is one she sent me in reference to Mr. Copeland. I wrote her for his address, which she gave me, and I requested him to come to our town and speak to the people here. He kindly consented to come, and spoke on 'Into the Light.' The majority of the people that heard him were well pleased, and he promised me that whenever he passed our town on his way to or from Denver he would stop over and speak. Would like to have the card returned, as I want it for a remembrance."

In her first letter written after Miss Ellis's death she said:—

"Imagine how I felt when I came to your letter, and read the sad news of Miss Ellis's death. I feared the worst when I did not hear from her, for a friend had written me of her decline; but Miss Ellis herself never referred to her illness but once to me. She certainly must have been a patient and uncomplaining invalid, and I, with many others no doubt, feel as if I had lost a dear friend, and would be pleased to receive one of the memorials as a keepsake.... I can assure you that I do all I can towards building up a religion that all could conscientiously embrace. ... All the reading matter sent to me I distribute to the best of my ability, and hope that as it goes on its mission good seed will be sown. There are numbers of Liberal people here who do not belong to any church; and then I find a number of Liberals belonging to Orthodox churches. I will subscribe for Mr. Savage's sermons, for I like his sermons best of all."

Miss Ellis numbered several physicians among her correspondents. One living in Alabama writes:—

"Your Conference speaks truly when it says, 'Many of Miss Ellis's correspondents had come to regard her as a dear friend, though never having seen her face.' I feel that I too may have the privilege and the honor of being enrolled among the number of her unseen friends. I hope some of the good seed she sowed has fallen in good ground, even at this distance from the kind hand that scattered them, and that their fruit may not

I am a regular subscriber to the 'Christian Register' and the 'Unitarian,' all through the influence of Miss Ellis."

A man on a remote plantation in Georgia, who has been most zealous in spreading the new light around him, writes:—

"Please accept thanks for papers and memorial of Miss Sallie Ellis. She has been a good and a kind friend to me, has supplied me for over two years with the best of literature, something new, so different from what we are used to, something that lifts me above myself and gives me new views of heaven and immortality, makes me a better man to wife, family, neighbors, stock, and fills my heart with that new love, the divine brotherhood of all mankind. I deeply lament her loss. I do wish she could have lived a little while longer, for my sake. I do feel so thankful for the papers, and Channing, from Mrs. ——, God bless her!... Any books or papers sent me will be used to the good of the community. The Post Office Mission is doing a good work."

A young German in Tennessee to whom she sent much reading matter wrote her:—

"I am a German by birth, and received my education at German universities. I devoted many years to the study of the chief philosophical systems, and had in consequence of the results derived from the latter for a long time little or no connection with any church whatever. But during the last four or five years I became more and more convinced that no school of thought possesses so glorious a light as is emanating from the life and lessons of Jesus Christ. So when I became acquainted with Channing's Works, seeing that it is possible to reconcile with every scientific discovery and with every logical conclusion all that is special in Christianity, I knew I had found what I want and wherein to rest. From my own standpoint, and remembering the religious indifferentism which is now general in my native country and in France, I regard Unitarianism as the principle which is to save the Christian Church from ruin, and which will be an indestructible bulwark against Nihilism and materialism. I still believe there is a great future before the Unitarian Church."

From a lady in Alabama to Miss Ellis:—

Dear Friend,—For such you have been to me, and it is to you I am indebted for the papers, tracts, and sermons that I have received and enjoyed so much. I have derived genuine comfort from them, and sincerely thank you for thinking of one so unhappy and so tossed about for a haven of rest. Truly yours is a heavenly mission, answering the needs of many like myself afflicted beyond human aid. The sermons of James Freeman Clarke are peculiarly comforting; and indeed I have read all you sent me with the deepest interest and benefit. How I wish I might in some way recompense your Society as it deserves! And you individually have my deepest gratitude, which is so little for such thoughtfulness as yours.

A second letter says:—

"Your papers, sermons, etc., are regularly received, and I wish I could make you understand the great comfort they are to me, particularly the sermons. Anything pertaining to the future life holds me spell-bound till the last word is read. The Unitarian ideas and beliefs, so far as I know, find echo in my heart; and I always feel comforted and soothed, as it were, with all I have read and understood. I attend the Presbyterian Church here, because I think it is better to attend some church regularly; and I am very fond of this minister socially. There has been for ten days or more an evangelist holding a union meeting in our church, and a night or two ago I went to hear him. The only feeling excited in my heart was one of pity that all persons could not be taught the love of God instead of being frightened into a nervous fear. I assure you, I feel it a privilege to correspond with you, and find myself wishing in my heart that you knew me thoroughly, what I have been, and what I am by nature, education, and social standing. I feel that we women of the South are to be seen at home and known to be understood by our Northern sisters."

The following are some of Miss Ellis's letters to a radical of the radicals, an old gentleman in Boston, one of Theodore Parker's old congregation, who sent much literature out under her direction, and contributed Theodore Parker's "Prayers," and his new volume of sermons, to her loan library.

July 2, 1883.

Your letter was received on Thursday, and, contrary to your expectation, was read with a great deal of interest, for I always admire to have every one speak with perfect freedom, and I am very glad you wrote as you did, and feel honored by having so old a man for a correspondent.... You and I won't quarrel on the Bible question. Rather think I should come up to your expectations on that point.... I do not consider Mr. C—— or Mr. S—— authority any more than I consider the Bible so; I read for myself and settle the question as best I can. Am I not right? I have not read Colenso on the Pentateuch, nor Davidson's "Introduction to the New Testament," but have read "Canon of the Bible," Knappert's "Religion of Israel," Stanley's "Eastern Church," Higginson's "Spirit of the Bible," Dr. Noyes's Translation of Prophets, Psalms, Job, and Canticles, and lastly, "Bible for Learners." I merely mention these to let you see I have been a student of the Bible. Will also add Alger's "Future Life," J. F. Clarke's "Ten Great Religions" and "Thomas Didymus," Savage's "Talks about Jesus," and his sermons this winter on the Bible.... I think of heaven and hell as you do; but having always been fed on Unitarian teachings, am not so "bitter" in my feelings as those who have had the "Assembly's Shorter Catechism" to overcome. In short, if people only live truly from day to day, I will excuse their view of the Bible, and of God, and Christ, as long as they do not wish me to think the same as they do, for I decidedly think they are wrong.... I shall be very much pleased to have a copy of Theodore Parker's "Prayers," and shall gladly accept a copy for my circulating library; for, but with the exception of a few donations, the books loaned have been those I put in it.

After receiving the book, she wrote:—

"First, I must tell you how much I am enjoying Theodore Parker's 'Prayers.' They are suitable in most instances to the present day, and for all ages and times, and one rises from reading them with kindlier, broader thoughts, and renewed in strength. Am very glad to have the book. Shall endeavor to sell copies of it this winter.... I cannot exactly agree with all you said in your letter, for I think it is not necessary yet to give up all theology, though it should not be the main thing in religion. The chief thing is to do right, and people arrive at that by different methods. They will inquire and discuss theology, and therefore it is necessary as yet that ministers should preach it, and I do not believe that Orthodox ministers have arrived at Mr. Savage's or Mr. Chadwick's views exactly, or they would come out and say so. As for myself, I still enjoy the Communion service, partaking of the bread and wine, and cannot agree to casting aside Jesus as a helper to a better life, though I neither worship him nor think that he redeems us in any other way than as by following his example we become one with him and God. He 'died for us' in no other sense than as a soldier dies for his country. Then let theology continue, for the world is fast becoming better and better in spite of it, and the time may come when we shall need it no longer. We are gradually coming to the point. I do not regret the time 'lost' I have spent on theology, for it has fitted me for just the work I am engaged in, and many are the questions I am called upon to answer, either by letter or printed matter; therefore I am glad to know where to send perplexed minds. As a friend wrote me from the South, 'Your papers are a great help to me. You are doing more good than the women did in the days of our Saviour. They clothed the body and you are feeding the souls.' Both acts are needed, but in different directions, and some people can better do the one, and others the other. I am cut off from active benevolence from want of health for it, and am glad to know there are souls needing nourishment. Do you not take this view too?"

December 20, 1883.

Your kind letter awaited my return from the city last evening, when I returned at ten. It grieved me to think that possibly I had wounded your feelings, for your "heresies" have not been "too tough" for me, as you fear. One's religious belief never troubles me as long as they do not force me into the same belief. Should be sorry if I had not "charity" enough to see the good in one, and not look at the outside merely. Your last letter reached me September 28, and I replied by postal October 19, as there did not appear to be anything especial to require a letter; and as my eyes were troubling me much at the time, I was compelled to desist from all but necessary letters. Am still as much interested in the good cause as ever, and we still have new applications constantly. We are gaining ground in the South. One gentleman in Alabama is much interested in Unitarianism, and wrote, asking me for Mr. Savage's address, whereupon he wrote to Mr. Savage himself, who is sending him "Unity Pulpit" present series. I am subscriber to it myself, and never can keep a sermon. I subscribed for the benefit of others. In Independence, Ky., a gentleman lately wrote, asking for Unitarian papers, etc. He is highly satisfied. Has been groping in the dark a long time, and wrote me, "When I read the pamphlet, 'What Do Unitarians Believe?' by C. W. Wendte, I shouted 'Eureka!' Like it so well that I shall not part with it." So it goes on all the time. Some one finds just what they have been in search of for some time.

February 19, 1885.

Am much obliged to you for sending matter to Mr. ——. He is extremely radical, a farmer, with a large family to educate, and cannot get such religious matter as he needs. You might, if you choose, send the Chadwick sermons to him too, or, if you prefer they should go elsewhere, address them to me, and I will send them where they are needed.

Her last postal card to this correspondent, dated about a month before her death, says:

"Thanks for the six 'Unity Pulpits' received. I have been too busy to reply before, and my health still feeble, though not confined to the house or bed at all. I'm not one of that kind until necessary."

Since her death, the farmer referred to above has written:—

"I want to pay my humble tribute to the departed Miss Ellis. I never met her; but she was my friend, because she was the friend to all struggling humanity. She sent me sermons, etc., but above all, kind words. I had pictured her in my mind as a strong, robust person, and hoped at some future time to meet her. I now fear that I may have wounded her refined soul by some things I wrote to her. I am somewhat 'agnostic;' but I love to think of heaven if such as Miss Ellis preside there and give tone to the surroundings."

The old gentleman in Boston wrote:—

"With this please receive eight letters and seventeen full postals from our dear departed friend, Miss Sarah Ellis, of your city, whose face I never saw, but whose correspondence was to me a great pleasure. Her personal friendship must have been a real blessing to you and her immediate friends. She was able to be a very active worker for the cause which lay so near her heart, and was at the same time so perfectly willing to let others believe what they can. I will send all I have of hers and let you select what you desire. There is not even a postal card among them on which there is not some small or large trace of her noble, generous, kindly nature."

A young man in Ohio, writing Miss Ellis about some revival scenes in his town, makes this comment, which is good and true enough to settle the "leaven" idea once for all.

"If you had seen all this as I have, you would hardly think it time for a civilized organization like the Unitarians to cease fighting the great evil and wait for the leaven to work.

"The Unitarians are themselves a portion of the leaven, and unless they work there is so much of the leaven idle."

A Christian minister with whom Miss Ellis has corresponded two years or more, and who expects to enter Harvard Divinity School, in sending her letters writes:—

"... I send such as I can get at, preferring to let you make any suitable selections or extracts they may offer. I shall be pleased to have them returned, as you mention, when you have used them. I may add that my correspondence with Miss Ellis on all matters connected with religion, Unitarianism, etc., was in all respects most pleasant, satisfactory, and profitable to me. The careful skill with which she divined the exact want of a correspondent and sent the appropriate word by tract or letter to supply it, bespoke a wisdom and experience deeper than casual letters may reveal. And continued correspondence served thus to inspire a greater esteem and confidence in the judgment expressed."

The following extracts are from her letters to this minister:—

November 12, 1883.

Your letter was received a week since, and read with interest. What you said of our teachings, of course, was light and just. We do not expect ministers of other denominations to accept our views altogether, for if so they would be Unitarians. Your view concerning studying the Bible agrees with mine. Still, it is well to know the latest view of the Bible, although we cannot accept the teaching at first. In time the way is made clear to us. Have mailed to you to-day two more good tracts and our church programme for this year. After Wednesday will mail to you "Positive Aspects of Religion," by English leaders. We will agree to let you have any book at just what it costs us, you paying postage on it.... Theodore Parker's "Discourses Pertaining to Religion" is a good book for you to read,—usual price, $1.00. But first, "Orthodoxy; Its Truths and Errors," J. F. Clarke; and a new book just out, "Orthodoxy and Heresy." ... "Bible for Learners" is by three German divines, translated by an Englishman, and gives the latest German views concerning the Bible.

December 23, 1883.

... At the time your letter reached me we were holding our annual fair, and since then I have been much occupied with preparing for Christmas. To-day am home-bound by the snow,—it being knee-deep between our front door and the gate, and as I have to walk half a mile to take the street cars to the city, and as it is raining on top of the deep snow, concluded it was really too bad for me to venture. Have read myself out, and being very much occupied during the week, will take advantage of the holy-day to speak on a holy topic. You suggested that we send "papers representing Unitarian ideas rather than tracts;" but papers do not contain our doctrines so explicitly. Since your last letter, have mailed to you two tracts on "Inspiration" and "Incarnation" which I thought well answered the thoughts expressed in your letter.

You will see from them that Unitarians are little troubled about Inspiration and the Divinity, or the Deity of Christ as we prefer to state it. We do believe in his divinity, for we hold that all men are divine, while we deny his being Deity. We lay greater stress on the divinity of human nature, and therefore we do not feel that Jesus is degraded by calling him man, for we exalt man. If we considered man totally depraved, then to call Jesus a mere man might seem to lower him; but when we think of the possibilities of man, and that he has it within himself to reach up to the highest manhood, and to become in a measure a saviour of the world, then to compare him with Jesus—the most glorious of men—is not lessening the divinity of the Christ, it seems to me. Or, if we held Jesus to be God, a being different from man, and so far superior to us that we never could attain to his goodness, then we never could compare the two. Jesus is an example to us because we also are divine as he is; for he prays "that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us." If man had not been of the same nature as himself, would he have thus spoken? I advise you to send to the Western Unitarian Sunday School Society for Rev. William C. Gannett's Sunday School Lesson, "The Christmas Poem and the Christmas Fact," if you wish to understand how Unitarians of the present day understand Christ. Though you may not accept, you will have our idea of the birth legends in our Gospels.

December 24, 1884.

My reply to your letter, by postal, was written before talking with ——. She tells me that Harvard will be decidedly the better place if not too expensive. Meadville has the advantage in that respect,—less expensive; but being near Boston, Cambridge offers better opportunities for students to engage in work by which they can support themselves in the mean time. A correspondent of ours went to Harvard a year ago last September. Had a scholarship promised him. He found a set of books to keep, and studied.... I tell you of this case, as it may help you in your decision. Meadville is very thorough, but think the younger men all give preference to Harvard; I presume as much as anything on account of the opportunities which being near Boston affords them. I have written to Professor C. C. Everett of Harvard to please send you a catalogue and answer your inquiries. We shall be very glad if our little Cincinnati branch of the Women's Auxiliary Conference is the means of securing them another Divinity student. With many good wishes of the season from the Women's Auxiliary Conference,

Very truly yours, S. Ellis.

January 14, 1885.

Have been obliged to change my residence, and, temporarily, am with another brother. Just came here to-day, and, not having my things about me, have not your last letter to refer to, but having received a letter from our Harvard Divinity Student this past week, wish to tell you what he says of his surroundings, and his impression of Professor Everett. He writes as follows: "I enjoy the work of the Divinity School more than I had ever hoped. We have a noble corps of professors eminently fitted for their special departments, and personally most eminent examples of Nature's noblemen. In the light of what I am now learning, I consider my former ignorance phenomenal. Thanks to Professor Everett, my faith in God is clearer and stronger than ever before. He has enabled me to reduce my chaotic philosophy to something of a system, and has helped to furnish a steadfast basis for faith. His lectures are simply invaluable. To my mind he is not only the greatest man in the Divinity School, but the greatest man in Harvard University; and not only the profoundest thinker in the Unitarian Church in our country, but the profoundest thinker to be found in any American church." ... I feel that this will be of interest to you, who are contemplating going to the Divinity School. There is another thing I wish to speak of; that is, we have quite a valuable book, "The Origin of the Doctrine of the Trinity," by Hugh H. Stannus, of England, showing how much greater cause there is for believing in the Unity of God than in the Trinity. You can have the book any time you wish, though I have just mailed it to a lady in this State. By the way, the daughter of James F. Clarke, with others, has planned a course of "Unitarian Studies at Home." The first year's course includes: 1. "The Unitarian Doctrine of Prayer," by J. F. Clarke; 2. "The Origin of the Doctrine of the Trinity," by Stannus; 3. "Jesus and His Biographers," by Dr. W. H. Furness; 4. "Christ the Revealer," by Thom; 5. "Religious Duties," by Frances Power Cobbe. We have first, second, and fourth,—at least, are to have the latter. "Jesus and His Biographers" is out of print; but we are to have that loaned to us for two months, as three ladies here, with myself, are pursuing the course, and I have also induced a lady in this county to join us. We have received quite a number of encouraging letters from our correspondents lately, and have every reason to believe the Post Office Mission work is doing good. I mailed to you this week some arguments against the Trinity. Rev. C. W. Wendte's sermon, "Encouragement for Unitarians," in "Register," January 8, I read with much interest. We have such an interesting young convert, a Methodist, in Canada. His intention is to study for the Unitarian ministry, we having brought him out into the light. I thought with how much interest he would read that sermon of Mr. Wendte's.

April 19, 1885.

Was glad to hear from you again, and find you are in a larger field. [He had gone to a Pennsylvania city.] Perhaps you may draw into your church—take it for granted you have gone there to preach—Universalists and Unitarians.... We shall be glad to loan you books again as soon as you are ready for them. Have had added to the library lately "The Origin of the Doctrine of the Trinity," by Hugh H. Stannus; "Christ the Revealer," by Thom (both English works), "The Power of the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth" and "The Story of the Resurrection," both by Dr. W. H. Furness, of Philadelphia,—the latter just published, and he presented the two to us. Am not quite ready to loan the latter, as I've not read it myself. If you know or meet with any Germans in your vicinity, we are soon to have some Unitarian tracts in the German language.... Hope you read with enthusiasm the earnest appeal for ministers at the East, and also at Meadville, in the "Register" of April 9. We hope to have two of our correspondents go to Meadville in September, and hope you may succeed in your desire to get to Harvard. We had a very pleasant letter from one of our "boys," as he styled himself, a week since. He is still enjoying his privileges there.... Hoping to hear from you again, and wishing you success in your new position, whatever it may be, in which the Women's Auxiliary Conference join,

Yours truly, Sarah Ellis.

A gentleman in Mississippi, superintendent of schools in his county, writes of Miss Ellis as

"... One whose memorial I read with a saddened heart. A single request to her consequent upon an advertisement which I saw in a paper commenced a correspondence which continued uninterruptedly till the time of her death. Though just from the side of a dear sister whom she had left destined to a glorious immortality, she found time to write to us a letter of condolence on the great loss that we had sustained in the death of our son,—a young man just of age,—in which she blended submission to Him 'who doeth all things right,' with such words of comfort as could emanate only from a good, earnest, self-sacrificing instrument of our Heavenly Father. Than in her life of trials and troubles there has never been a greater instance of the victory of mind over matter. I am afraid that I do little good with the sermons, etc., among the people here, who, although they use the beautiful hymn, 'Nearer, my God, to Thee,' at their funerals, still look upon Unitarians as cultured heathens."

A lady in Ohio, who became a regular correspondent and bought many books, wrote Miss Ellis:—

"The lectures and papers you have sent have been, and are, the source of much pleasure to me; and I have given them to some of my friends, who also seemed pleased with them. I had thought for a long time that the Unitarian faith would be my idea of true religion, and now I feel sure of it. I knew nothing about its creed, or whether it had one, but had had a desire for several years to know something of it. All my friends and acquaintances were as ignorant as myself, and the most definite idea I had been able to gain concerning it was through James Freeman Clarke's 'Self-Culture.' When I found your little notice in the newspaper, it was just what I most desired. I have always wished to be religious; but there are things in the Bible which my reason repels, and the Orthodox way of teaching them became at last so abhorrent to me that at one time I just gave it all up and ceased to try to believe any of it; though I am sure I always felt the beauty of Christianity as taught by Christ, and would be glad now to be a Christian, if not compelled to believe him the miraculous Son of God.... We like the 'Register' better and better all the time, and I have no doubt shall subscribe for it regularly. I consider it exceedingly high-toned as a moral and religious teacher, and also in a literary point of view. The sermons and lectures supply for us a long-felt need. I intend sending a list of names of friends and acquaintances to the publishers soon. My sister-in-law has become a convert to the Unitarian faith through the medium of the 'Register' and the tracts you have sent me from time to time. She is quite an enthusiast, and feels that Unitarianism is a great boon and comfort to her now in the midst of her troubles. [The sister had recently lost her husband.] She, like myself, could not conscientiously subscribe to the old Orthodox creeds and requirements, and so remained outside the Church; but now she feels that she may be a Christian without stultifying her sense of reason. When she returns home, she expects to subscribe for the 'Register.'"

After Miss Ellis's death she wrote:—

"I received the memorial of Miss Ellis. I thank you sincerely for sending it. It is very touching and beautiful, and delineates just such a character as I conceived hers to be. I had received the sad intelligence of her death through the 'Christian Register' before the memorial reached me, and it was like the shock of learning of the death of a personal friend. I have great reason to be grateful to her and to cherish her memory; for through her I have been led to embrace and to love the broad and charitable Unitarian belief. My reason had struggled for years against the great—to me—stumbling-blocks of Orthodoxy, and had finally abandoned the conflict and settled down into a kind of unthinking unbelief, feeling that it was no use to try to subscribe to any Orthodox creed, and not knowing where to look for any more hopeful, helpful, or reasonable spiritual aid. About four years ago, I think it was, I saw the notice in the paper which is referred to in the memorial, and Then ensued a very pleasant correspondence ... wrote Miss Ellis asking for Unitarian papers, etc. much like that with a dear familiar friend, and she grew to be like one to me, or rather was that almost from the first. She put so much of her real self into her letters that they were like a living presence. So full she was of true Christian love and feeling, so ever ready to forget her own sorrows and sufferings in her sympathy with the sorrows of others, that thus unconsciously truth and love and self-forgetfulness were stamped upon every line that came from her mind and hand. Truly she was 'A Little Pilgrim,' bearing good tidings to the fainting and weary, and lifting them up with her own heavenly strength. Sacred be her memory! Through her I became a subscriber to the 'Christian Register,' which is to me a standard of excellence in a religious, moral, and intellectual point of view. I do not want to be sectarian, as that is not my ideal of a good Unitarian,—I mean in an 'offensive' light; but it really seems to me that even Unitarian wit and fun have a refinement and exquisite touch of humor which cannot be equalled among Orthodox publications. The 'Register,' however, is the only Unitarian paper that I am well acquainted with. A widowed sister-in-law who is with me also became a Unitarian through Miss Ellis. She is a subscriber to 'The Unitarian.' We also have Channing's Works and the 'Oriental Christ,' which I bought through Miss Ellis, and some of Freeman Clarke's books; so that we have the companionship of much of the best Unitarian thought, although we are denied the privilege of a personal ministry."

From Springfield, Ohio:—

"I have been greatly benefited by the papers, sermons, etc., you have so kindly sent me. Hope to have them continued. Will try to have some Unitarian volumes put in our public library. After reading the papers I loan them out to others. Some sermons thus pass into six or eight homes. They set people to thinking. I thank you, and your good Society, for the broad Christian education you are giving me. Will do all I can as your missionary here."

Rev. Samuel May, Leicester, Mass., having offered to send his "Register" to some one, Miss Ellis arranged that it should go to the writer of the above, who acknowledged it as follows:—

"Your postal received. I am very grateful for this kindness, and, as I read the 'Register' this morning, I resolved to use it for others also.... Can't your Association give the ball a push at this place?"

The following extract is from the first letter of a new correspondent, dated Dec. 8, 1885. To him was begun the last postal card, which she was unable to finish. She was so eager about it, dictating faster than one could write. "Tell him I think he will like us when he knows us better," she said.

"Your postal came all right, also copies of several tracts, and specimens of 'Register' and 'Unity.' They are mainly in lines of thought which I have been working on for some years. I am at one with the authors in main points, but not prepared to accept all of the so-called advanced or radical expressions. My own experience, observation, and reflection seem to show that they have swung too far from Orthodoxy, and the truth lies between; but I am not fit to decide yet. From the pamphlet of selections of Channing's writings, with which I am particularly pleased, I have derived some ideas which inspire me for a greater activity, and I hope a more effective activity, in my work of teaching.... I have a friend who also feels dissatisfied with current Orthodoxy. If you see fit, I wish you to send him some of those tracts. I wish to use my copies here, or I would send them."

The estimation in which Miss Ellis was held by some of her fellow-workers appears in the following extracts from letters and papers.

At the conclusion of a letter, a part of which is given elsewhere, Rev. A. A. Livermore, President of Meadville Theological School, says:—

"But though disinterested and devoted to family interests and helpful to the growing households of her brothers and sisters, the crowning interest that came to absorb and inspire her advanced Christian life was the propagation of her own Unitarian faith, early learned, later disciplined, and mellowed and sanctified by trial and years. What had been a stay and staff to her own mind and heart she was anxious to communicate to others. Hence she sought the instrumentalities of the pen and press, and the Post Office Mission sprang into being,—the invention of a Christian woman's heart, bent on doing good spiritually. The zeal, fidelity, sympathy, and adaptation with which she developed and pursued this work have been told elsewhere. It is another lesson to teach us that ever new means will arise, as time and opportunity serve, for the faithful in heart and life to hasten the coming of the Master's kingdom of righteousness and love. Miss Ellis infused a sweetness and sympathy all her own into her mission. To her it was no task, but a delight, as her letters show,—her meat and drink to help struggling souls to light and Christian faith. Peace to her beautiful and saintly memory!"

(From Rev. S. J. Barrows, editor "Christian Register.")

A CANDLE OF THE LORD.

It was a feeble socket that held it. It was a constant surprise that so small a candle could give forth so much light. But its special mission was not so much to illumine the world with its own light as it was to ignite other minds and hearts from its own flame. "Behold how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!" says the apostle. Nothing is small, it has been said, which is great in its consequences. It does not need a stroke of lightning from heaven to raze Chicago to the ground: a little lamp-flame near a pile of hay is sufficient. We forget sometimes the power of a single humble life to extend and duplicate its influence. We have never learned yet how far the little candle can throw its beams, when its waves of light and heat come in contact with minds and hearts that are prepared for the illumination it may give. The wire and the battery have not entirely superseded the torch-bearer. The lamps in the house may have been filled, the gas may be ready to turn on; what is needed is for some one to go about with match or torch or candle, and tip the burner with its flame.

So, as we have said, it was the mission of this candle of the Lord to ignite other minds and hearts. She had discovered that the vast system of intercommunication established by the post-office might be used for moral as well as for commercial means. In connection with a faithful co-worker, she devoted herself to the dissemination of kindling literature. Set like a luminous panel amid a great wall of advertisements was a brief notice, in some of the large Western dailies, that those who wished Liberal religious literature might have it for the asking, and by sending to the Cincinnati Post Office Mission. In the columns of this paper, from time to time, we have shown what a wide-spread influence these little notices had. They opened avenues of communication to many hungry souls. The confidence of many in doubt and perplexity was secured. The lady who was called to this special work had a keen intuition as to what was needed in each special case. It was not only that she sent the right tracts and the right books, and thus set up guide-posts for groping men and women; not less prized by many of her correspondents was the simple, earnest faith and cordial sympathy which she expressed in her own letters. Many are grateful to her for pointing out the way and giving the right impulse at the right time. Prevented by deafness from taking an active part in social intercourse, she yet found an opportunity to unstop the deaf ears of others and to open their blind eyes. In this Post Office Mission work was a channel for her faithful and consecrated endeavors.

We cannot estimate the radiating influence of such a life. Its quickening flame has gone from heart to heart, and it is destined to go still further. Her devoted example has given an impulse to many other women in the Unitarian body, who are sowing in the same field the seed for an abundant harvest. It is now seen that this diffusion of our literature is one of the mightiest means for propagating our faith. If such a devoted woman, working independently, could accomplish so much, how much more might be effected by thorough organizations and wide co-operation for the same purpose!

Her best monument will be the prosecution and extension of the work to which she gave her life. It was but a pair of lines in the "Deaths" of the last week's "Register" which told that the candle had gone out, but its flame is still propagated in the lives it has served to kindle. The great work of her life was done far beyond the circle of her immediate influence; and there are many who have never seen her in the flesh, who will still feel that the name of Sarah Ellis represents an abiding spiritual reality.