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«•

FROM LIFE'S SCHOOL

THE "FATHER'S HOUSE."

31 bvicf ^Utnoiv axxh gsiUv^

AMELIA, ANNIE, AND THOMAS JOHNSON,

WIFE, DAUGHTEK AND SON

JAMES JOHNSOlSr

COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, CANADA.

COMPII-ED AND EDITED BY

M. R J.

HUNTER, ROSE & COMPANY

1888.

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PREFACE.

HE life of a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus
Christ can never fail to benefit those who
come within its influence.

She whose letters follow the brief sketch
her life, here given, was one who lived a life of
^'^ faith in the Son of God ; who endured as seeiuir
Him who is invisible ; who, while in the world, was " kept
from the eyil."

Mrs. J. Johnson " departed this life in God's faith and
fear," on the 24th of January, 1888>. Her sorrowing
family, in the hope that her example and words may be
made, by God's blessing, a help and stimulus to some, as
well as a comforting memorial to her friends, publish
these simple details of her home life, and last illness.

Farewell friends ! but not Farewell ;

Where I am, ye too shall dwell ;

I an) gone before your face

A moment's worth, a little space.

When ye come where I have stepped,

Ye will wonder that ye wept :

Ye will know by true love taught,

That here is all, and there is naught.

Weep awhile if ye are fain ;

Sunshine still must follow rain ;

Only not at Death, for Death

Now we know, is that first breath

Which the souls draw when we enter

Life, which is of all life centre.

— Akabio Htmn.

FROM LIFE'S SCHOOL
TO THE '' FATHER'S HOUSE."

Ottawa, One., Canada,

March 14th, 1888.
My Dear A.,

You ask for some particulars with regard to the
life and the last days of our dear mother, who passed
away seven weeks ago.

Mother ! How we love to dwell on the word ! How
we love to recall the dear face ; the smile of rare sweet-
ness ; the clear hazel eyes ; the wavy brown hair which
to the last showed scarce a thread of silver.

From our earliest childhood she was an inspiration to
us. By precept and example she incited us to diligence,
teaching us the nobleness of self-denial and the unworthi-
ness of a life lived for self. To educate and improve
every faculty to its utmost capacity, and to use these
faculties so as to benefit others — " to be a blessing " — \vere
the aims in life she held up before us. How many times
has she held the childish, upturned faces between her
hands and said, as she imprinted a kiss upon the brow,
" The Lord bless you and make you a blessing."

While it was always her habit to " look well to the
ways of her household," she was abundant in her labors

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

for tlie suffering and sinful wlierever it was her lot to
dwell. Her tliouglitfulness for (jthers, and lier industry,
knew no bounds. Possessed of a rare de^Mee of ingenuity,
she never failed to discover some means of reaching those
whom she wished to inlluence, from persons cf refinement
and culture down to the lowest outcast.

" You never give anybody up," a friend said to her one
day, on hearing of the reformation in heart and life,
through her efforts, of one who had been far gone in sin.
And this was true: in the face of dissuasion, opposition,
ridicule, she went out after the erring ones and strove to
lead them to a new life.

During hei' married life her lot was cast in several dif-
ferent cities. In each of these, a lasting monument in
the shape of some beneficent work set on foot by lier,
was left, to mark the fact that she had sojourned there.

She never went from a place without leaving it in some
respects better through her influence, while her work for
individuals, carried on so quietly that eternity alone will
bring it to light, was unceasing.

She was wonderfully brave in sorrow, though natur-
ally of an extremely sensitive, nervous temperament. She
had a great deal of elasticity and sound common sense.
Throufjhand in and over all, her firm unwaverinnf faith in
an ever-present God sustained her in the most trying cir-
cumstances, and crushing bereavements. Her children
will never know what she suffered in parting with four
of them at one time, two sons being sent to a college in
New York State, and two daughters to Mt. Holyoke
Seminary in Mass. Whatever seemed to her to be for

'»•

TO IrlE " father's house."

their highest good, must he done at whatever cost to her
own feelings.

On lliree occasions during hor lifetime God called her
to give to Him a loved one from her circle of six, three
boys and three girls. The first to be taken was a lovely
infant of twenty months ; then, many years later, the eld-
est daughter, the pride of the family, just as she had cora-
])leted her twenty-first year : four years elapsed, and then
the eldest son, over whose career she watched with un-
usual solicitude, was called to join the sister whose loss he
had never ceased to mourn with more than ordinary
grief.

The following extract, from a letter written by her
in 1883, will give an insight into the cheerful view she
took of life, and her hope for the world. After alluding
to some calamities which had recently taken place in dif-
ferent parts of the world, she adds : —

How delightful it would be to know that all these things indi-
cate the speedy coming of our Lord ; coming to put things in order,
to bring light out of darkness, order out of confusion ; to make an
end of the works of the devil. It looks to me like expecting a great
deal, to look forward to being taken to Heaven without dying; as
so many do who are looking for the '* coming." Now, though lean
never make up my mind to accept the theories we have on this sub-
ject, noi understand the Bible statements concerning the end, still
I hope oil and ever that it may he soon. Not that I do not enjoy life
as well as ever I did, indeed better I think ; I fear sometimes I love
life and tihe blessings that are heaped upon me, too well, so that I
am almost; always filled with praise and thanksgiving, but there are
so many reasons why we should desire the new departure. The wicked
never will understand the folly of sin ; generation after generation^
it is the old story of blindness and rebellion, and will be till t he
coming of the Lord. This, 1 think, the Bible plainly says. That,

FROM life's school

however, should never discourage those who are working for their
fellows ; their work is with Hiiii who says, '* a cup uf cold water
shall not lose its reward."

But perhaps we are not looking for the reward — well then, from
the same source we have, *' Cast thy bread upon the waters and
thou shall find it after many days." " In due season wo shall reap,
if tve faint not." Was it not strange (and the idea has just struck
me) that when the seventy returned to Jesus and told Him that
the devils were subject to them through His name. He said, " Ile-
joice not that the devils are subject unto you, but rather rejoice
because your names are writtf.. in Heaven." Now is it not the
case that we would be likely to rejoice more over the subjection of
the evil one, than at the fact that our names are written in Heaven ?
We do so want to see the kingdom of Satan overthrown, his awful
power over the children of men broken, his dens of iniquity destroy-
ed, his captives delivered, etc., etc. So we should, and I feel sure
that a God jf love will find means to turn all Satan's plans, all
that he does, and all that he ever did to the furthering of His graci-
ous designs of mercy to the children of men. I cannot help this
conviction.

Once in speaking to a friend of the work God had
given her to do, she said it was mainly in the direction of
" Gospel Temperance." Many through her intrumental-
ity were saved from lives of bondage to the fatal appe-
tite for liquor, while her interest in the great work of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union was intense. Of
this Miss Frances E. Willard, President of the National
W.C.T.U., writes as follows :

We have just received the beautiful, pitiful card and newspa-
per notice of your blessed mother's departure. Surely she was ripe
for Heaven ! But how sorely you will miss her.

Very clearly comes to my memory the good Bishop who called on
me summers ago at the White Mountains, and told me of the saint-
ly woman who had prayed that the white ribbon movement mTght
come to the Dominion capital, and he was so earnest that I agreed

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

t(» go when I had no such plan. Then I went with dear Anna Gor-
don, and was your guest twice. What solicitude your mother show-
ed, how kind your father was, and how i^raciously the ladies ral-
lied. Dear Heart ! She has gone home to her own native climate
and companions. We work on in faith and hope.

From her fainUy, who were privilej^^ed to watch with
her night and day during lier illness from New Year's
morning until the twenty-fourth, the memory of that aa-
creujeason can never pass away. From the first she
knew she was going home, and her one desire was to pre-
pare us for it, her one thought was to comfort those she
was leaving beliind. For lierseif, she longed to go; her
constant prayer was, *' Oh take me," but to those whose
hearts were breaking she had always some sweet word of
comfort. " The Lord will sustain you," she would say ;
or again, " you must think of it as a Victory, and do not
mourn when I am gone." Once when she had said to one
of us, " you do not expect me to recover now, do you ? "
And the answer, through choking sobs, had been, " yes,
darling mother, we all expect you to get well," — she turn-
ed a little wearily and softly prayed, " Lord, teach them
better,"

Dear children," she said one day, " isn't it wonderful
that we should have this experience."

She suffered much from difficulty of breathing and ex-
treme weakness. It always comforted her to listen to
words from Holy Scripture, repeated in her hearing by
her ever attentive pastor, or her sorrowing family. On
Saturday night, the 14th of January, she was wonderfully
restful and filled with a peace and joy, not of earth, and

PROM life's school

lay so quietly ; but whenever the hourly medicine was
administered had some sweet, bright word to say to the-
son and daughter who were sitting up with her. Once
she seized and kissed over and over again the hand of
the 'atter, repeating many times the caressing words,
" precious love, precious love."

At another time as she awoke from a short sleep we
heard her repeating with much fervor, " Blessing, and
honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever."
Again, with her eyes fixed in an earnest gaze upward, she
exclaimed, " Beautiful — heaven — God." These, and sim-
ilar words, she repeated many times, always with her
gaze upturned, and apparently quite unconscious of her
earthly surroundings. Toward morning she began talk-
ing of a beautiful stream ; " Oh the waters are sweet ! "
she said frequently ; and, turning to her daughter with an
earnest longing look, ** Engulf me in the stream — you
can, cannot you ? "

About eight days before the end, she, with her family,
partook of the Holy Communion. Though very weak,
she was conscious of all that passed, repeated portions of the
service aloud, and when at the close she was asked by
the clergyman, "Have you any fear of death?" her re-
ply was, " Oh, no ; for years I have had no fear of
death."

Although at times she would rally in a manner aston-
ishing to her physicians and to those who were watching
for her to breathe her last, the sad truth forced itself up-
on the minds of her daughters, who clung to hope in

"'tt.*'<

TO THE "father's HOUSE. ■*

Spite of the medical verdict, that the end could not be
far off. Nine days before the end we watched without
hope. These days were relieved by the sweet words that
full from her li|)S, sometimes with almost her old playful-
ness and sense of humor, but more often with a
solemnity and tender affection which showed us that in
almost every word she was taking leave of us. Those
were days of desolation when every act perforiied, every
little service rendered, seemed as if done for one who had
already passed beyond the need of our loving care ; when
each familiar object seemed to look at us with a new,
strange expression, as if reiterating to us our loss ; when
God seemed far away, and prayer a difficult, strange
thing, and fierce temptations to doubt assailed us.

On the night of the 22nd, when hearing and speech
had almost failed, the watchers at her bedside thought
they caught from her lips the words, "0 speak — com-
lort."

Strength was given one of her daughters to repeat from
the 14th of St. John, the words : —

" Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in God,
believe also in me.

" In my father's house are many mansions : if it were
not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place
for you.

" And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come
again and receive you unto myself : that where I am
there ye may be also."

There she paused, thinking her mother did not hear.
But a few moments after the stillness was broken, and

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

the sweet, faint voice was hea,rd distinctly to say,
" Whither I go ye know and the way ye know — a full
atonement made."

They v- i-e the last words uttered by her on earth; but
the clear, expressive eye, and a faint gesturo of the hand
told the affection, and expressed the thanks for any little
service rendered, which the lips were unable to utter.

After eighteen hours of unconsciousness, the spirit was
released from the prison-house, and she went upward to
her God.

Beautiful soul ! God help us to live worthy of her, and
give us grace to join her one bright day !
. " He will swallow up death in Victory."

HEAVEN.

Oh, what is this splendor that beams on me row,
This beautiful sunrise that dawns on my soul,

While faint and far-off land and sea lie below,
And under my feet the huj^a golden clouds roll ?

To what mighty king doth this city belong,

With its rich jewelled shrines, and its gardens of flowers ;
With its breaths of sweet incense, its measures of song.

And the light that is gilding its numberless towers 1

See ! forth from the gates, like a bridal array,
Come the princes of heaven, how bravely they shine !

'Tis to welcome the stranger, to show me the way.
And to tell me that all I see round me is mine.

There are millions of saints, in their ranks and degrees,
And each with a beauty and crown of his own ;

And there, far outnumbering the sands of the seas.
The bright rings of angels encircle the throne.

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

And oh if the exiles of earth could but win

One Bight of the beauty of Jesus above,
From that hour they would ceaae to be able to sin,

And earth would be heaven ; for heaven is love.

But words may not tell of the vision of peace,
With its worshipful seeming, its marvellous fires ;

Where the soul is at large, where its sorrows all cease,
And the gift haF> outbidden its boldest desires.

ill Ha * * * 4i *

Because I served Thee, were life's pleasures all lost ?

Was it gloom, pain, or blood, that won heaven for me ?
Oh no ! one enjoyment alone could life boast,

And that, dearest Lord ! was my service of Thee.

Fabbr.

FROM life's school

II.

lii

It was our mother's habit to write to her absent chil-
dren twice a week, and the following letters are selected
from hundreds, of a similar nature, as being an index to
her loving, helpful, energetic character, and as containing
advice too valuable to be limited to the eyes for which
alone it was at first intended. They are arranged
without any regard to chronological order, as the good
counsel they contain is applicable to all times and cir-
cumstances.

Most of these which are here given were written to her
eldest son, shortly after he had commenced his labors as a
clergyman at the age of twenty-three.

She always encouraged her children to write in the
most unrestrained manner to her, and she was the con-
fidante of all their joys and sorrows ; she shared in their
various exercises of mind, and was appealed to for help
in every trouble or perplexity; help which was never
wanting, and which never failed to dispel discouragement
or anxiety :

" Fredericton, 20th May, 1867.

" My very t>ear Son : —

" I have just received and perused with much plea-
sure yours of the 7th inst. It is so gratifying to hear all

TO THE "FATHKR's HOUSE.'

about your circumstances and your feelings. You cannot
be too circumstantial in these things.

" I suppose you will have to suffer with weakness and
timidity to some extent for a long time, yet, as you say,
if you were more completely given up to God perhaps
you would feel less solicitude. Now you must examine
your heart carefully and find out which gives you most
uneasiness, the fear of not being a blessing to the people,
or the fear of appearing to disadvantage yourself Try
to get the matter settled, and expect that our blessed
Saviour will set you free from that ' fear of man which
bringeth a snare.' That you will still be the subject of
'fear and trembling' while engaged in so momentous a
work as that of calling sinners to repentance is not im-
probable; yet be sure of the reason, so that you may
have i,he happiness of knowing you are privileged to
sufter for Christ. But do not condemn yourself without
occasion. We cannot help wishing to avoid reproach or
humiliation, and when we do violence to our feelings and
continue to maintain our determination to work for
Christ, that is suffering in His cause, while at the same
time we may be conscious of a mixture of motive which
we cannot help deploring. ' If thine eye be single thy
whole body shall be full of light.*

" This singleness of purpose God will grant us on our
persevering importunity. Venture upon Christ without
regard to your unworthiness ; and when you feel as if
your prayers were doing you no good, do not let this dis-
hearten you in the least : still triist.

" Sometimes Jesus calls His disciples apart to rest.

FROM UFES SCHOOL

awhile now, as He did in the days of His flesh, and you
need not be at all surprised after the conflicts through
which you have been called to pass, before and on Sun-
day, at this inactive frame. It is indeed necessary to
your continuance in your work. If your mind were con-
stantly on the aic.^ your frame would soon wear out.
But whatever you may feel or not feel, it is always your
privilege to trust. If you are in doubt whether God at-
tends to such prayers as we offer when onr feelings are
dull, just consider whether you do not really desire the
things for which you ask ; whether they are not in
accordance with the will of God, and whether if you
really do desire blessings of God, He will withhold them
because your desire seems so languid from the effect of
previous excitement. Remember you come to a kind and
tender parent who is * touched with the feeling of our
infirmities.' How gracious a word is this.

" Then think again, if you had an opportunity of hav-
ing an interview with the real person of Jesus, whether
you would make the peculiar state of your feelings an
excuse for not availing yourself of His help and blessing ;
or whether or not He would make the granting of your
request dependent upon your feelings. He might in-
deed ask, * Believest thou that J am able to do this V

" At such times as these, when we feel our own un-
worthiness and utter weakness, it honors God to exercise
a childlike faith in Him, and be assured that if we do
so, ere long the spirit of prayer will return to us.

" Sometimes for days together I have had this apathy
to contend with ; but as I never let it hinder me from

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

the performance of known duty, I feel that there is no
cause for discouragement, and, perhaps, for a temj)era-
ment like mine, it is necessary. It is, at any rate, a trial
of one's faith, and a great one ; therefore, we shall not be
the losers if we only act faith.

" I am glad you have been enabled to cast your burdens
partially at least upon God. Just answer all suggestions
to anxiety thus : — * My Heavenly Father tells me to cast
all my care on Him, to take no anxious thought for any
temporal matter, only to seek first the Kingdom of God,
etc.,' and I know He will not fail to fulfil His promise
that * all these things shall be added.'

" As far as my experience and observation go, the most
sure, the most blessed way to promote our temporal in-
terests, is to put them completely into the hands of God ;
and I now see it is your privilege, as a preacher of the
Gospel, to give yourself 'to prayer and ministry of the
Word.' While you attend to God's work He will take
care of your interests, and though you may be disap-
pointed in not being able to do for others just as you
would like, still I have the strongest assurance that this
will turn out for the glory of God. You shall have, if
you only believe, just what your Father sees best for a
trusting, obedient child.

" One thing I have thought of mentioning to you, and

that is, try and get your people to piay for you. Be as

unreserved as is prudent, and do seek to gain their

affection. This you cannot do more effectively than

by asking them to pray for you, and for the success of

the Word. If you could, it would be well to get a few
B

FROM LIFKS SCHOOL

iiii'

of them to meet at stated times to jnay especially for
these objects.

" I will just give you an extract I have met with on
the benefit of suffering : —

" As grass and flowers spring up where the rain falls, so beauti-
ful and sweet experiences spring up whore tears drop. And some
day reveals to us — for moral growths require time — that we are
deeper, more earnest, more tenderly sensitive to a thousand influ-
ences for the snflferings we have endured. We sooner or later
learn that our manhood is larger, and that the framework thereof is
stronger, for the trouble we have endured. No true man ever went
through a great trouble without feeling, when he came out at the
other side of it, ' I am stronger.' "

" You say it would be an awful thing if you should
leave the place where you are without accomplishing any
good ; so it would, but let each day bear * some good
report to heaven.' Live now, and you are sure to live
in the future.

" The only way to secure the satisfaction of knowing
that your labor is not in vain, is to keep close to Christ
by a full surrender.

" When I read what you said about ' uncontrollable
palpitation,' the words of the apostle came to my mind
forcibly ; Hebrews xi. 34, ' Out of weakness were made
strong,' etc. I understand your feeling exactly. For
some months I was engaged in a work which was of such
a nature that a very small circumstance would have
marred the whole thing. The whole responsibility com-
ing upon me, and Satan desiring to overthrow it, when-
ever we were to have a meeting for consultation with
reference to its interests, I was, despite my most stren-

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

uous efforts, completely unable to control my feelings.
The plan I took was to get one or two faithful ones to
pray beforehand with me, and lay the cause completely
before God, that nothing might be permitted to interfere
with His will concerning it, and then I went with feel-
ings, which you have described better than I could ; and
the Lord heard prayer, baffling every effort to oppose
the work, and making His strength perfect in my
weakness.

" May you ever l^e enabled to realize that * greater is He
that is for you, than all that can be against you/

" I lately heard mentioned something concerning Luther,
which I do not recollect to have seen or heard before. It
was his practice to take a peculiar promise suited to his
circumstances, and plead thus : —

" * Lord here is this promise and it belongs to me ; now
if Thou dost not fulfil this promise to me, I will never
believe Thee again,' etc.

"This appears at first sight to be the height of presump-
tion, but it was doubtless the utterance of that strong
faith in the truthfulness of Jehovah which characterized
Luther. Then, again, it was the language of intense
earnestness which shut him up to that desperate mode of
pleading. If this manner of Luther's had been displeas-
ing to God, he would not have received such remarkable
answers to prayer, neither would he have been so highly
honored of God as to be made the means of such an in-
calculable amount of good to his fellow-men.

" I am just now beginning to prepare for my industrial
school ; have taken the lower flat of a house, and intend

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

to get it fairly on foot before sendinf,' out circulars to in-
form the public. Shall go on Miiller's plan entirely ; that
is, I shall ask no one to contribute, and no expedients
will be restored to, to raise money, except such as the
Bible recommends or approves.

"Ever your loving Mother,

"A. B. Johnson.

" P. S. — Do not fail to write anything and everything."

April 26th, 1867.
" My Very Dear Son,

" How much pleased we were to receive your last
letter, dated April . The time seemed very long un-
til W3 should hear whether you had reall}'' undertaken
the important charge which had been proflered to you.

" Doubtless j^on will have very many things unpleasant
to contend with, many things repugnant to your sensitive
mind, but recollect, Jesus requires us to take up our cross
daily and follow Him. Think what an honor it is to be
employed for the Redeemer, and what a yet greater honor
to suffer for Him.

" I have just been reading the 11th of Corinthians,where
St. Paul speaks of what he had pasvsed through for the
testimony of Jesus Christ, and where he appears to think
these things matter of * boasting ' or * glorying.'

" Returning homeward this morning after a walk, I met
J. M. walking up and down the sidewalk. I learned for
the first time that he has an ailment in one foot which
often compels him to walk the floor all night long, which

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

accompanies him to the house of God and obliges him
sometimes to leave before the close of the service ; that
keeps a perpetual irritation and pain while he is writing
or studying or trying to rest. And this affliction is often
years' standing. He says he used to murmur at it, but
now he sees it must have been one of his greatest bless-
ings.

" Had it not been fo- this, he thinks he would now have
been in the * open field of ruin.' Yet it is an awful
' thorn in the flesh.' He has been advised to have his
foot taken off at the ankle to prevent the disease from
going up higher and endangering his life, and he is strong-
ly inclined to submit to the sad alternative. I asked
him if he had received any injury by which he could ac-
count for the ailment. He said no, the pain is in the
bone, and such is the heat of the foot, to which he ap-
plies cold water, that in a few minutes after putting on a
wet towel it will be steaming as if it came out of hot
water.

" Oh, I thought, what would I do if this happened to one
of my sons ! Can you think of anything in your circum-
stances approaching this in painfulness ?

"And yet this is not so bad as to be deprived of
the power of moving about, as many around us are.
There is a person living near us who has lost the
use of her lower limbs entirely ; she said to me one
day, * When I think of the little things which once
tried me, and compare them with this terrible inability
to help myself, I am amazed that I could have been
so stupid.'

FROM life's school

(■■

" She i.s a Christian, but has never entirely risen above
her atfliction ; though she is resigned, yet her sorrows
are great, inasmuch as she is likely to live a long time
without any prospect of relief.

" You, no doubt, meet with many new and strange ex-
periences in your new abode, but if you can do anything
to save the souls of the people you must be thankful.
I do wish we could help you to put on a cheerful courage ;
am glad you find the effort generally successful when you
try to do so. There is a glorious future* for you, whether
you see it or not ; you cannot endure or accomplish any-
thing for Christ but what will tend to augment your
treasure in the skies.

" You cannot realise how greatly we feel interested in
your present circumstances ; you will be continually re-
membered at a throne of grace. Do not fail to get the
habit of drawing largely from God's bounty in secret. Do
not engage in anything without first waiting upon God.
This waiting on Ood signifies more than just offering up
our prayers ; it means that we wait in expectation of an
answer. Oh, this unbelief ! How much we should pray
against it.

" The Lord help you to realise that however unworthy
you may be, still all the Divine resources are at your
command.

*These words seem almost like a prophecy in view of the fact that after
six short years of ministry, the well-beloved son was suddenly called up-
wards ; lifted out of the scenes in which, by reason of his morbidly sensitive
spixit, he was always more prone to sorrow than to joy. The field of labor
was indeed changed several times, but the tender self-accusing conscience
remained.

TO THE "FATHKH's HOUSE."

" I am glafl you feel confidence that all the difliculties
whi^h surrounded you when your letter was written, would
be undertaken hy your Heavenly Father. You are not
* j,'oing a warfare at your own charges.' You are work-
in<r for a ffood and beneKcent Master. Consult with Him
as often as possible ; cast all your care on Hiui. How
glad I am to know 'He careth for you.'

" I received yesterday a letter from your uncle A. D.W.,
dated Glasgow, <Sth .\pril. He is rather sick of the sea
and is going to leave it ; is about to visit the French Ex-
position and then, if he can get * an interpreter ' will visit
Yorkshire and hunt up our sixteenth cousins (your grand-
father was a Yorkshireman), ' and see if they profess the
Buddhist religion or the Mahometan.' He sent a para-
graph from a paper which runs thus : —

" *A gentleman who went as a })assenger on the good
ship Oracle on her last trip to Honolulu, speaks in
terms of the highest possible praise as to the conduct of
Capt. A. D. Wood, commander of the vessel.

" * The crew consisted of representatives of five different
nations, and if knocked down, cursed, tricked, gagged,
tied up, whipped and hazed generally from morning till
night, might have been as bad as it is alleged were those
of the great Republic or White Swallow ; but on the
contrary, not an oath was heard, not a blow struck ;
everything went on like clock-work, and every order of
the Captain and officers was obeyed the moment given.
The Oracle made the quickest trip out this season,
namely, eleven days, two hours — and her passengers, in-
stead of hurrying out as if to escape from a pestilence,

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

left their comfortable quarters on a well-regulated vessel
with a feeling something akin to that experienced on
leaving home.'

" I am so thankful to have a letter from my brother after
being so long in suspense ; and to have such testimony
in his favor as that scrap of paper bore.

"Temperance is progressing favorably here. One saloon
after another is being closed. M — h's sign is down, and
his place is never to be rented fo^- liquor-selling again. Is
not that a special answer to prayer ?

" Your affectionate Mother.

"A. B. J."

■jtiffi-M

;Ii4

" April 5th, 1867.
" My Darling Little Daughter,

"I received yesterday your interesting letter
containing an account of your perplexities, and the re-
quest that I would give you some advice.

" You may think it strange, but I find this a difficult
thing to do. For one reason, the subject is of great im-
portance, and for another, your interests lie so near my
heart that if I should fail to give you the right counsel,
the result being loss to you instead of benefit, I should be
exceedingly sorry.

" You must try to act up to your convictions, but do
not suppose that you must bear about a constant burd^^n
in reference to what is your duty. You ask if the faith-
ful discharge of your ordinary duties is not serving God
Certainly it is, Doing all we have to do ' heartily as un-

$■

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

to the Lord/ This is acceptable in His sight, and where
this faithful discharge of duty is seen to spring from a
principle of love to Christ, there is no computing the
amount of good it may be the means of doing in a place
where you are surrounded with those who, like yourself,
are trying to serve God. I look upon it that you can be
the means, by your words and actions, by the spirit you
manifest, of helping-forward in the way of holiness those
who are trying to walk in the fear of God ; that this is
of as much importance as the work of saving souls, because,
if Christians are stimulated to their duty, God will make
them instruments of saving souls.

" Cast all your care upon God in reference to the work
you are calleu on to perform. Tell the Lord all your fears
and perplexities, and give Him the fullest confidence, as
one who sympathizes in all your feelings, and who
is more ready to supply your wants than you are to
ask.

" Do not be afraid for the future; if you have present
help from the Lord, leave the future entirely to Him,
remembering that He has said, " My grace is sufficient
for you."

" It is necessary that your faith should be tried, but it
is always your privilege to trust. Do not be afraid of
presumption. If you do really consecrate all to God, as I
believe you do, resolutely believe you are accepted, no
matter how you feel. * Reckon yourself dead to sin and
alive to God.'

"You will have trials, but remember what a glorious
thing it is to suffer in, order to augment that ' exceeding

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

weight of glory * which we are to enjoy in the upper and
better world.

"Go to prayer with your mind made up to believe that
what you ask will be given, if in accordance with His
will. He wants you to be " a burning and shining light,'
and I think you are placed in favorable circumstances
for this.

" But when you have asked any special blessing from
God, do not think because the answer does not come just
in the way you look for it, that therefore it is not grant-
ed. It may be delayed, but rest upon God without anx-
iety ; just let Him appoint you your work.

" Hold yourself in readiness to perform your duty, and
even though the way may not seem as clear to you to
make an effort for Him, as you desire, and you may seem
to lose an opportunity of doing your duty, expect that He
will show you more clearly, and remember that He does
forgive past errors. * Like as a father pitieth His chil-
dren, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.'

"Now, my dear, if when you read this letter you find
that you do not come up to the mark, do not fret about it
or be at all uneasy ; you must be content to learn one
lesson at a time. Having committed yourself to the guid-
ance of the great Teacher, remember Ha will guide you
into all truth.

" By whatever means your mind becomes enlightened in
these great truths of the Gospel, it is through the mercy
of God in Christ Josus. And oh ! what wonderful things
God will show you if you are determined to make a con-
stant and full surrender of all to Him. Just think of this

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

promise, * If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
ye shall a.«k what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.'
' And vjh atsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name,
He will give it to you.'

" See what blessings you can call down on your parents,
brothers and sisters ; and we all need your prayers.
Whatever you desire for these you can ask God to bestow,
whether it relate to spiritual or temporal blessings. Ke-
member when you come to God, it is upon some impor-
tant errand you are coming, and attend to it with just as
much belief that your wishes will be fulfilled, if they are
in accordance with His will, as you have that, when you
study your lessons faithfully, you will reap the advantage
and be «=.pproved rather than condemned.

" If these hints will be of any value I shall be glad.

" Your loving Mother,

« A. B. J.

" Nov. 30th, 1866."
" My Very Dear E.,

" My first thoughts on awakening this morning
were directed to Heaven in yours and T.'s behalf, that the
blessing of the Lord might descend upon you * as the dew
upon the tender herb.* That showers might descend
upon your souls, as they were descending upon the earth ;
that your souls might be fruitful in all the graces of the
Spirit, and that you might be all light in the Lord.

*' I wonder if you do not, both of you, feel oftentimes on
your first waking, depression and anxiety, and a fear that
you will get but little assistance and little enjoyment

FROM LTFES SCHOOL

II!

ill

from prayer. Never yield to these feelings for a moment ;
now, before these habits of mind become confirmed, resist
this tendency to discouragement, no matter what your
duties are, however pressing. Still hold on to the belief
that God will help you, and that you will gain the victory.
What if yovi are unworthy ; God is your Father, and if
even an earthly parent takes delight in forgiving a re-
pentant child, how much more that gracious Father in
Heaven, who 'counts the hairs of our head,' and has
graven us upon the palms of His hands.

" How it must grieve the blessed Spirit when we feel
afraid to approach unto God, or when we do so more from
a sense of duty than from a certain expectation of receiv-
ing a blessing. There is nothing ii which we are called
upon to engage, in which we may not confidently expect
the help of our gracious Friend above, if we only ask in
faith.

" What does Christ mean when He says, * Have faith in
God.' That we act as if we believed what God has said.
Ho says to you, ' Fear not, I am with thee ; be not dis-
mayed, I am thy God ; I will help thee,' etc.

" Let us then wait upon God with a childlike confidence,
and He will supply all our need.

" 1 would give worlds, if I possessed them, to have my
two lovely boys little children about me again, with the
experience I now have. But, as I cannot have this, I
avail myself of the only resource left, for which I ought
to be, and am, very thankful. I have been pleading with
the Lord that He would place you and T. where circum-
stances would be favorable to the development of the best

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

traits of character ; I feel as though I could never pray
enough about these things.

" * And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee, He
will be with thee, He will not fail thee neither forsake
thee ; fear not, neither be dismayed.' "

" Can you realize that such a passage is for you ! Do try
and comfort yourselves with these words. Try to feel
that God is close by you always ; what would become of
you if He were not ? If any day passes in which you do
not signally fail, or in which you do not meet with some
trial or humiliation, ascribe it to God alone, do not fail to
give Him the glory. But remember that —

" * Crossea in His sovereign hand
Are blessings in disguise.'"

" Is it not strange that I can contemplate the fact of you
both being away without any regret ? Were it not for
the privilege of praying for you, I could not do so. I know
I am impelled to pray for you more frequently than if
you w^ere at home ; you seem to be more exposed, whether
you are or no, and I have more leisure to pray for you.
My anxieties have always been so great for your advance-
ment in whatever goes to make up excellence of character,
that that is the all-absorbing consideration, now that you
are away.

" May the Lord in His great love bless you both.

" Your loving Mother,
" A. B. J."

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

TO HER DAUGHTERS.

My Dear A. and M.,

25th Nov., 1866.

I so often find myself hurried when I put off
writing until the set day for it, that I have thought I
would vary my plan for once, and sit down now to give
you some portion of the history of this day. This is
Sunday. It is now half-past three o'clock, and I have
just returned from a visit to a sick young woman of
of whom Mr. L. told me last night. She has lately come
from Woodstock ; has been in poor health for four years,
but has only been confined to her bed about three weeks.
She is quite resigned and prepared to die.

But I must begin with the morning. At ten o'clock I
went, as usual, to the jail ; there was not one prisoner ;
the matron told me the last one had been released this

morning.

Having time enough, and having provided myself with
some little books, I walked away up to the head of town
to see a poor family by the name of W. Found them just
at their breakfast. Curiosity (not idle) led me to notice
what they had on the table. Their meal consisted of
buckwheat pancakes cooked on the close stove in the
middle of the room, some kind of tea without milk, and
something on a plate that looked like butter. This is the
family of whom I wrote before, consisting of a drunken
father, a mother, and four children. It was here I had
brought the parcel of patchwork. The woman was very

'"111

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

glad to see me. I asked her, " Do any of your little girls
go to Sunday-school ? "

" No ma 'am, I can 't get any clothes fit for them, but
the eldest one wants to go very much. I've been trying
to get a little work so as to provide better fc them, but
as I can 't leave my children and go out, I can get but
little to do."

"But," said I, "you have enough to do for vour own
family without taking in any work."

" Yes ma 'am, I have all my wood to saw and every-
thing to do for them " (her huvsband is away in the lum-
ber woods now,) " but if I could get work I would be
willing to do a good deal."

I promised to see at once about getting clothes for
them, so this will be work for me to-morrow.

" Friday, 30th.

"To-day I received your and M's letters with the cata-
logue. I also received a short letter from T., dear child ! he
writes very affectionately. I must write him a line, though
J have just finished a long letter to E., and must write to
your Papa, who is away in St. John."

(Here follow some remarks with reference to a little
annoyance about which her daughters had written, and
she adds the following judicious advice) : —

" It is quite natural you should feel a little curious about
it, but do not let it worry you in the least; you will al-
ways be subject to such little trials, and the best way in
the world is to commit them in childlike confidence to
God. Do not allow yourself to endeavor to find out the

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

reasons of such things, as you will be almost sure to come
to wrong conclusions, neither allow any such mysterious
conduct to lessen your regard for an individual ; rather
strive the more carefully to merit the approbation of such
an one, or to avoid everything that would have a tendency
to make you appear unamiable.

" Do not think your teachers unreasonable, and never
for a moment indulge a don't care spirit. My dear children,
you cannot be too jealous over yourselves ; you cannot be
too watchful of your spirits. Seek to have the lowliness
and gentleness, and meekness of Christ ; cultivate love to-
wards all around you, and avoid all fee-lings of resentment
as you would an infectious disease.

" I remain,

" Your loving Mother,

" A. B. J."

" March 8th, 1867.
" My Very Dear Son,

" We were much gratified with the letter received
from you on Wednesday ; so thankful to find you getting
on so nicely.

" Do not yield to that fearf ulness of disposition, but fly
at once to the Strong for strength. Perhaps it is well to
have this abiding fear of ourselves and this sense of weak-
ness, because it ought to lead us constantly to seek that
aid from above without which all our endeavours will be
in vain, so far as the true object of life is concerned.

" Now, as we have no moral strength naturally, and
consequenlly are compelled to look for it from another

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

and higher source, we have after all, nothing to fear or to
produce much uneasiness of mind. As we need not look
for anything good or wise, or strong in ourselves, however
favorable our circumstances, and are obliged to be under
obligation to God for every good thought, word or action,
what have we to vex and disturb us ? Is God unwilling
to bestow His gifts ? Is it for His glory that we should
be ever mourning over our short-comings ? No ; let us
remember that He is willing ; that He is desirous to make
us monuments of His power, and mirrors to display His

image.

" Well might we limit our expectations to partial at-
tainments, to a small degree of the enjoyment of God, if
it depended upon ourselves ; but when we know that we
are privileged to * ask and receive that our joy may be
full,' and that He is ' able to do exceeding abundantly,*
can we not cast all our care on Him ?

" You cannot be too careful in reference to having the
mind pre-occupied with outside matters, instead of having
it so filled with the grand subjects relating to our future
well-being and the glory of God, as to absorb your whole
being, and cause every secondary subject to be seen in its
true light.

" At this time of your life, prejudices are strongest, and
we should be on our guard as to what we receive as truth,
and what we take up as worthy of being advocated and
vindicated.

" Perhaps the Saviour's words to Martha might be ap-
plicable to many : * Thou art careful and troubled about
many things, but one thing is needful.' Let us choose the

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

gi'eat and grand subjects of redemption as the theme of
our conversation more and more. Seek by a more diligent
study of the Bible and private prayer to know the mind
and will of God.

" We shall find in future year.:, after all our vigilance
and distrust of our own abilities, that we did not know a
tithe of our own weakness and insufficiency. In youth,
persons are so apt to be positive^ and this seems almost ine-
vitable from their constitution ; but there is a possibility
of being humble, even in youth, and nothing is more lovely
in a young person than this grace of humility. May God
grant that both you and E. may be all that will secure the
love and respect of your associates, and the favor of the
God of Heaven. Try to help one another in all that is
lovely and of good report.

" Your loving Mother,

"A.B.J."

" 15th March, 1867.
" My Dear Son,

" You do not know what amount of real satisfac-
tion, and what thankfulness, your letter occasioned us.

" If you thought such an interposition on the part of
God was too much for you to expect, so we think as your
parents, that the Lord is indeed good beyond our expec-
tations. And yet this is no more than has been asked of
God, though it has seemed to me that I was asking the
thing'^impossiblej 'hoping against hope.*

I I

TO THE "FATHERS FOUSK.

" Yes, I have asked large blessings for you, and I try
always to remember, in coming to ask, that

" ' God's power and yrace are Ruch
None can ever ask too much.'

" Sometimes I almost tremble at the idea of the respon-
sibility which the answers to these prayers will involve.
Every degree of grace must be tried. If we will have
much committed to us, we must submit to the inevitable
condition. ' Where much is given, much will be required.'
You perhaps will have much to suffer; this is not pleasant
to contemplate.

" Sometimes you will.be crushed to the earth, but there
is need for it. I heard a remark of some one lately to
the effect that * crushed flowers } ield the sweetest per-
fumes.*

" We must learn to ' endure hardness as good soldiers of
Jesus Christ ;' to ' count it all joy when we fall into divers
trials.'

" Whatever suffering and toil you may be called to en-
dure, you will always be comforted by the reflection, this
is for Christ. These words of some author seem to be in
keeping with this train of thought : ' There is enjoyment
true and rational in life, even when it seems, at times, as
if it could not be found. There is a path which no fowl
knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen. He
has found it, who has made it his daily task to relieve
human misery, and who has seen the light of his own eyes
reflected back from the grateful tears of those whom he
has soothed or saved.

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

" ' He know8 it, who, like the exiled pilgri;n, carieful
even amid the cold and hunger of a wilderness, knows
that he has remained faithful to God. St. Paul found it
when he gloried in infirmities. To his lofty spirit the
attitude of self-denial was a bracing air which invigo-
rated his energies and redoubled the life which it seemed
ready to quench. Useful services in the cause of God will
change shadow to noon-day, and make pain and sorrow
the rounds of a Jacob's ladder by which the soul will climb
to heaven.'

" The Lord will bless you, I know. I am glad to find
you speak of loving the people, and that you think so
deeply of their spiritual good.

" I am considerably concerned about you taking such a
fatiguing way of travelling ; why do you trust yourself to
such untutored horseflesh ? Do you not think you are
going contrary to the word, " Do thyself no harm ? " I
am afraid you have had a fit of illness from that indiscreet
ride.

"We have nothing doing here except in the way of
temperance ; that cause is still progressing.

" We shall be very anxious to hear from you soon again.
Do let us know the details of everything. Never let the
fear of grieving us deter you from giving us a full account
of your circumstances and mistakes, infirmities, etc.

" Your loving Mother,

" A. B. J."

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

" Fredericton, Mat, 20th, 1867.
•• My Darling Children,

" We were delighted to receive such satisfactory
letters from you on Saturday. Am so thankful the
Lord is teaching both of you, and I hope these lessong
will never be forgotten — these lessons taught by Him
who taught as never man taught — and that henceforth,
your motto may be * onward and upward.'

" It is well to keep constantly before us the great end of
our existence ; there is no danger of minor matters going
far astray if we only attend to the great subjects of the
soul. Why should we wait any longer to avail ourselves
of those great and glorious blessings which Christ has
purchased as our right, and which He is so desirous we
should have in possession.

" I am so glad dear M. is learning to cast her care on
God, to leave everything in His hands, and to feel that
she can trust at all times. Now, you know, as every
habit is strengthened by exercise, we must continue to
exercise faith, and even if we have more trials than we
expect let us remember we are to be the gainers. Our
faith must be tested, and if we are called to suffer in our
Master's cause, this is a great privilege. No doubt there
is very important work in store for you ; you need not
fear but it will be great enough, but it will be by the way
of the cross. When the sons of Zebedee wished to have
the honor of sitting on either side of Jesus in His king-
dom, Jesus said, * Ye know not what ye ask ; are ye able
to drink of the cup that I drink of ? ' etc. So when we

'<U

FROM life's school

ii;
If

1; '

implore of Christ the honor of working for Hiii), we know
not to what trials and humiliations we shall be subjected,
in order that our prayer may be answered. Still, it is
right we should be ambitious of this honor, and we know
that * if we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him.'
We know, too, that His grace will be sufficient for us;
that He will be with us in six troubles, and in the seventh
He will not forsake us.

" Our Saviour commands us to * let our liorht shine ' and
He never gives a command with which He does not give
the opportunity to comply ; therefore, we need have
no anxiety as to what will be our sphere in the future
only let us use the grace already given. * He that is faith-
ful in little is faithful also in much.' * To him that hath
shall be given and he shall have abundance.* Act well
your present parts, seek to exhibit the Christian ^^races,
to get control over everything that would make your
Christian character appear deformed. Let there be a con-
sistent uniform deportment, and especially cultivate
charity, which is the greatest ot all the graces.

"We received on Saturday such a very nice letter from
T. He seems to take such a correct view of his depen-
dence upon God, and does appear to be growing in exper-
ience very fast. Oh, that he may be sustained and
directed in every future step in life.

" From E. we are expecting a letter daily. I do hope
nothing will interfere with his visit home this vacation ;
still we must leave all this in the hands of the Lord.
How the time is drawing near for your coming, yet
patience will have to hold out a- little longer. What a

TO THE "father's HOUSK."

mercy your health continues good. The poor girl who is
not expected to live — I hope she is a real Christian and
is willing to depart and be with Christ — how many sor-
lows she will escape.

" I have chosen Monday for writing, as my Bible class
meets at four ; so I have been writing since ten o'clock
this morning. My time is up and I must close.

" Your loving Mother,

" A. B. Johnson."

" My Very Dear Son,

" I hope when this reaches you, you will feel that
the Lord is indeed better to you than all your fears.

" O, dear son, I can see how good the Lord is to you,
and how great blessings He has in store for you. Now,
let me remind you that every good gift comes from God,
and believe Him for His works' sake, if vou cannot see
Him as you would like to do.

" I have just been thinking of Fletcher's words, * Sin
gives you your first title to the Friend of sinners^ and a
simple faith the second. Do not, then, puzzle yourself
about contrition, faithfulness, love, joy, power over sin,
and a thousand other things, which Satan will try to per-
suade you you must bring to Christ. He will receive you
gladly, with the great mountain of sin ; and the smallest
grain of faith, at Christ's feet, will remove that mountain.

" ' Do not puzzle yourself about joy or love ; only desire
that this Blessed Man may be your Bridegroom, and that

< I

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

you may tirmly believe that He is so, because He hath
given you His flesh and blood on the cross ; continue be-
lieving this and trusting Him. Your business is with
Jesus, with His free, unmerited love, with His glorious
prouiises.

" ' Strongly expect no good from your own heart ; expect
nothing but unbelief, hardness, unfaithfulness. And
when you find them there, be not sliaken nor discouraged ;
rather rejoice that you are to live by faith on the faith-
ful heart of Christ, and cast not away your confidence,
which hath great recompense of reward.

" * When you are dull and heavy, as will often be the
case, remember to live on Christ and claim the more by
faith. Jesus will teach you all day ^ong. Look unto Him
and be saved, and remember He forgives seventy times
seven.

" This advice is intended for one who had not become
established in grace ; still, I think it is applicable to all
Christians.

"Annie is at home now ; and we find it very pleasant,
although her stay is so brief. Dear girl, she giveis pro-
mise of being all that we could wish ; I see a marked im-
provement in her since she left us last fall.

" This is a confused and peculiar letter, but such as it is
I send it.

" Do not be afraid to express your belief in God's good-
ness.

** Your loving Mother.

. " A. B. J."

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

" Ottawa, March 28th, 1873.

" My Vert Dear Son,

" Another Friday finds us in the same place, and in
fair health, trying to urge on our way to a better state, a
happier clime.

" A blessed immortality is worth taking some trouble
for. I am persuaded that a great good of any kind is
not to be obtained without the sacrifice of much personal
comfort, and why should we complain if the way through
this wilderness is sometimes so difiicult, since we have
the assurance that Jesus is our Captain, and has trod the
way before us, knows every hardship and danger with
which we shall have to meet.

" Life seems to me more precious than ever, affording,
as it does, an opportunity for the perfecting of the Chris-
tian character. For a few days past I have been almost
overwhelmed at the view of the responsibilities of a
human being, and astonished at the fact that we do not
more fully realize the necessity of a more constant appli-
cation to the source of all strength and wisdom, seeing
that without help from a source foreign to ourselves, one
can do nothing well.

" I hope you will never make the mistakes I have made,
many of which I should have avoided had my walk
been closer with God. You can never estimate the value
of a habit of private prayer. This the enemy will strive
above all things to thwart you in, for he knows it is a bad
sign of a Christian when he does not enjoy private prayer
better than any other. Until we get the victory over this

Bi^( ■■

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

enemy to our souls, so that we shall find it a happy exer-
cise to pour out our souls in private prayer, we shall
never have power with God or man.

" Now here is an object worthy of attention. This
power we can have, and in no other way than by wai^'ug
on God in private. Only let us persevere. We must be
emptied of all self before God can take up His abode
in us.

" Let us not yield for a moment to the suggestions that

our prayers are not being answer^,d. According to our

faith it shall be done to us, and faith waits and listens for

His voice. Wait on the Lord by looking into His word

and meditating on His character and the great things He

has done for us.

" Your Loving Mother,

" A. B. J."

To her daughter M., who was away on a visit : —

" My Dear Child.

" Ottawa, April 21st, 1875.

" I think I told you about H. J. calling to tell
me he had signed the pledge. Poor soul, he was trem-
bling with weakness and nervousness the next day,
when he called to get a pair of boots I had promised him ;
but he had washad himself, and in spite of his rags he
looked more hopeful. Indeed, T began to feel more faith
for him. He had remained all night with a friend, had
risen very late and taken breakfast about eleven, and said
that, though he was terribly shaken, he still felt better

TO tHE "B*A.THEll*S HOUSE."

for sound sleep, that he had made up his mind never,
never to taste another drop.

" When 1 told him that if he would call again before
he went away, I would give him some clothes, ' I don't
deserve them,' said he.

" ' T know you do not,' said T ' but the weather is cold,
and you would suffer without them.'

" * I am very thankful to you,' said he.

" Late in the afternoon he came again, looking so woe-
begone that I was willing to take any trouble for the
poor victim. (Of course I had before talked kindly to
him and given him all the encouragement in the world.)
So I went and got him a complete suit of clothes, includ-
ing a hat.

" ' Now,' said I, ' you can go to church to-morrow, and
to the temperance meeting.'

" * Yes,' said he, * that is why I came up this aft .moon.
I wanted to go to them places and had nothing to wear,
but these will look well. I shall never forget your
kindness.'

" I begged him to call upon God for help, and not to
depend upon his own exertions.

" He said, ' Oh, I have been praying, indeed I have.'

" Do you know I have strong faith for the poor man.
1 have seldom realized so much satisfaction in doing an
act like that of supplying him with clothes. You know
how often I have given these things when I was afraid I
was only helping on the rumsellers.'*

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

'k-

ill

ii;

itra

" Fredericton, Jan. 16th, 1863.

" My Dear Friend,

" I feel very grateful for the warm reception my I
poor effusions have met at your hands, though I am
sure you have very much overrated them. But, as it|
is not natural to be exceedingly annoyed with commend-
ation, when it happens to be bestowed on ourselves or on I
our own productions, I do not feel in the humor for scold-
ing you, or even of trying to prove you deficient in judg-
ment. The most I will venture to say is, he must be a
wonderful man who never allows his prejudices to influ-
ence his opinions.

*' Seriously, my dear friend, if you knew what a coward
I am, and how very much dissatisfied I have always been
with my own performances (in the writing line as well
as every other), you would not wonder at my being grati-
fied, and thankful for such a cheering answer to my scrib-
bling, as your dear, kind letter furnished. I do assure
you that such is my sense of my utter insufficiency to do
anything as / should like to do it, that, were it not for
the constraining influence of the Gospel on my heart, and
a degree of crucifixion of nature, which enables me to exer-
cise a willingness to be anything or nothing in the eyes
of others, so that God may be glorified, I should never
commit myself by putting forth an eflfort that would ex-
pose me to criticism.

'• This constitutional timidity has often hindered me,
or I have allowed it to hinder me doing many things
which I might have done for God, and consequently I

TO THE "father's HOUSE.

Ihave suffered loss, inasmuch as, if I had improved my talent
jbetter, I should now have been better fitted for useful-
Iness.

" I have, however, come to this point ; when I am per-
Isuaded of my duty, I dare not yield to any suggestion of
unfitness, because Christ says * My grace is sufficient for
thee.' I feel sure that it is ' not by might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.' The feeblest instrument
may be rendered powerful through the Divine blessing.
This conviction enables me to pursue a course of self-
denial, to bear crosses which I should once have thought
it impossible to carry. To be willing, if need be, to be re-
proached ; to have my judgment called in question (this
is very hard to nature), and to rejoice when I was made
partaker of Christ's sufferings. My dear friend, if you
knew what grace has done for me, you would feel there
is amazing power in it, and it would encourage you to
go and proclaim its riches and glories to your fellow mor-
tals, which may God grant to inspire you with a quench-
lless zeal to do ! .

" You say, * I am deeply indebted to you, etc, and the
Iworstof it is I cannot recompense you.* Oh, my dear
friend, if you have derived any benefit whatever from
anything I have said, is not that a sufficient reward for
the feeble service I have rendered you ? Am I not more
than repaid already in the hope that having * stirred up
your pure mind by way of remembrance ' you may be in-
duced to * give more earnest heed * to those things which
relate to our peace. I feel urged to persuade you to an
acceptance of all the glorious things of the children of

KJI

FROM life's school

God. Why should you be * insignificant ' in the world
of glory ? Why should you not have an abundant en-
trance there ? Why should you not hear, ' Well done,
good and faithful servant/ There is nothing in your cir-
cumstances to prevent it. There is nothixig in the plan
of the Almighty to prevent it. Your past deplored un-
faithfulness will not prevent it.

" It was not the repeated acts of rebellion and the long
course of unfaithfulness of which the children of Israel
had been guilty, that prevented their entering into the
promised land. They had every assurance that not-
withstanding all this that glorious possession was acces-
sible to them, and nothing but their refusing the proffer-
ed gift, when they might have accepted it on complying
with God's conditions, excluded them from the bounteous
inheritance which God had provided for them. Think
what an amount of treasure you may yet accumulate for
heaven. Just "etlect what may be done for Christ in the
course of one, two, three or ten years. See how much
time there is before us, if God spare.

" I remember reading in Boardman's * Higher Life ' an
account of a man who had became a Christian, and had
led a very consistent life for forty years. He then at the
age of sixty, was enabled to consecrate himself * a living
sacrifice ' to God, and although he lived but two years
afterwards, it was stated that he was made the means of |
the conversion of multitudes, and was heard to say of
himself, that he had done by the grace of God, since
his consecration, vastly more for God in the last two years |
pf his life than he had done for forty years of partial con<

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

secration to His service. His death was not only happy
but triumphant."

Your sincere friend,

A. B. J.

FROM LIFES SCHOOL,

One by one the sands are flowing,
One by one the moments fall ;

Some are coming, some are going, —
Do not strive to grasp them all.

One by one thy duties wait thee,
Let thy whole strength go to each ;

Let no future dreams elate thee.

Learn thou first what these can teach.

One by one bright gifts from Heaven,
Joys are sent thee here below ;

Take them readily when given,
Ready, too, to let them go.

Every hour that fleets so slowly
Has its task to do, or bear ;

Luminous the crown, and holy,
If thou set each gem with care.

A. A. Proctob.

TO THK " FATHERS HOUSK.

in.

The letters which follow were written by the daughter
to whom allusion has already been made, chiefly to her
younger sisters, though shared by all the family.

This correspondence with her home circle was a source
of great delight to Annie herself, and doubly so to those
who received the semi-weekly letters. While aware that
no smallest incident of her life could be uninteresting to
her parents, brothers and sisters, and while detailing such
with fidelity, she also aimed at the improvement of the
latter, and could not bear that any opportunities enjoyed
by her, should be unshared by them.

The reader can hardly fail to observe in her letters
evidences of an ardent and enthusiastic temperament,
united with diligence in study, strong affection for family
and home, and the power of communicating to others that
which she acquired.

Of the short, fatal illness which brought this promising
career to a sudden termination, four days after her twenty-
first birthday, on Sept. 11th, 1869, a more detailed ac-
count is given at the close of the letters.

''In small proportions we just beauty see ;
And in short measures life may perfect be."

FROM LIPES SCHOOL

1867-1868.

"February 15 th.
" Dear Mamma,

" Friday, our writing day, brings another dear
letter from you. 1 cannot tell what a delight your
letters are to us ; but what will it be when we see each
otlie r once more !Can I have the courage to leave home
again, for another long year at school ? Of course I can ;
but it seems incomprehensible now.

r-^.,. "How swiftly this year is going; I only fear you will

not see that improvement in us which you have a right
to expect ; but we'll not anticipate.

" We are deeply interested in Gail Hamilton's ' New
Atmosphere.' T. wrote to us to get it at once, without
fail, and read it. I do wish you would get it, mamma.

/ I am not quite sure that you would fully endorse her sen-

timents ; but I'd like very much to know what you would
think of the book. It is written to show what women's
true sphere is. There is such energy and life in the book.
She inveighs loudly against the pernicious practice of
bringing up girls to consider marriage the chief end of
life. There are some cutting remarks about the miserable
wages which women receive for their work, and she
quotes the following article from a Massachusetts paper :
— ' The custom of employing ladies as clerks in the pub-
lic departments at Washington is meeting with increased
favor. It is said that, generally speaking, they write
more correctly than the men ; and as they receive much

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

smaller salaries the gain to the government is con-
siderable.'

" Oh ! how she talks about it ! You would at least
admire her sentiments in regard to women spending so
much time in housekeeping, especially in cooking ; and
also about dress. Her views seem just about right to
me.

" Gail Hamilton's real name is Abigail Dodge ; she
resides near Boston, and graduated at Ipswich, the school
hallowed by memories of Mary Lyon. She is said to be
a very eccentric woman.

" What do you think about women voting ? 1 suppose
you know that the question has come up before the Senate.
I heard that they were debating about allowing the
Negroes of some State to vote, and one of the Senators
said in derision, ' What ! would you let the Negroes vote
and not the angels ! '

" Don't you think it might tend to increase the general
intelligence of women ? I'm sure I don't know what to
think about it, but I wish I did.

"I wish Papa would enlighten us in reference to
politics in the Provinces and elsewhere. We get but
little time for reading, especially now, as we have been
advanced in Latin.

" Mr. Durant came to the Seminary to-day. He is a
great friend of the Institution, and a most devoted Chris-
tian. He is very handsome in appearance and withal
very talented, a lawyer by profession. He is to lead the
mf.eting this evening and I must retain some room for his
address, or a sketch of it.

PROM lice's school

[■'

^ ii
-t't

"Saturday Morning.
" The address from Mr. Durant was solemn and elo-
quent. He will probably remain here for some days, and
we will otten have the privilege of listening to him.

" But I must stop now, dear mamma ; please give
much love to everybody.

" From your affectionate Daughter,

" Annie G. Johnson."

"Feb. 17th, 1867.
" Dear Mamma,

" We had a meeting in the Seminary Hall last night,
and Mr. Durant spoke to the Christians about working for
Christ. I wish you could have heard it ; it was beauti-
ful, but mostly on account of his great earnestness, and his
great, loving heart which shone out in every sentence.
He first related an incident which occurred in Providence,
Rhode Island, within a few weeks, I think, in connection
with the Young Men's Christian Association. Some of
these young men were praying earnestly, and had been
doing so for a long time, for the thousands of young men
in that wicked city who were being led to destruction.
One night, about six of them went to a gay saloon where
crowds of people were collected, engaged in drinking and
gambling. They saw a piano on a platform in the room,
and asked the proprietor if they might sing, he consented
readily, and, to the astonishment of the company, they
sang, * Rock of Ages, cleft for me.' They then asked if
they might hold a prayer meeting right there, but the
proprietor said ha was afraid selling rum and praying

TO THE *• father's HOUSE.'*

would not go very well together, but if they wished they
could come the next evening, and he would not sell any
liquor. Before they went away, they persuaded about
forty young men to go with them to the Christian Asso-
ciation.

" According to engagement, they went back the next
evening, and found a large company awaiting them. As
the meeting went on, others would come in, and, after
gazing around in astonishment at the strange scene, would
go up to the proprietor and ask what it meant, when he
would explain that they were having a prayer meeting.
They prayed most earnestly that the saloon might be
closed up, or dedicated to holier purposes, and that the
proprietor might be converted — all in his hearing. Now,
Mr. Durant says, he attends prayer meetings regularly,
and they have firm faith that he will be converted.

" He related several other incidents where the labors of
those lately converted had been greatly blessed, showing
that, though a young lady's work might be different, her
sphere of usefulness was quite as extensive as that of a
young man. His earnest appeals to the unconverted seem
irresistible. This afternoon he spoke of the love of God,
taking for his text, * God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever belie veth on Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.' This was
addressed particularly to those who said they had no feel-
ing on the subject of religion. His appeal to unconverted
fathers and mothers was almost dreadful in its solemnity

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

■f

" February 22nd, 1867.
" Dear Papa,

*' I read in one of the papers here that Prince
Albert is to be our first Governor- General, when the con-
federation arrangements are completed ; is it so ? And
again I hear that we are not to have confederation after
all, that England does not wish it ; and is it true that the
wisest men in Nova Scotia are opposed to it ? I wish I
knew something about anything !

" We are still studying, eating, and sleeping, day after
day, with but little variation. Our studies are progress-
ing finely.

" Our reading class is almost a course of gymnastics ;
we had quite an amusing time to-day. Miss Ward is our
teacher, and she told us all to rise and stand in a line,
when each one was to draw in a long breath so as to fill
the lungs, and castigate the shoulders of her next neigh-
bour with a rapid percussion movement of the hands ;
the alacrity with which we obeyed, and the unwonted
energy displayed were quite striking, and doubtless satis-
factory to Miss Ward. We then had to * right about
face,' and an opportunity was given us to reciprocate,
which, to judge by the clatter that ensued, did not pass
unimproved. Miss Hazen requested us all to read some-
thing in the papers to tell in sections every Thursday.
I think it a good plan, but it seems as if I had to read
almost every paper before I could get anything suitable.
My item to-day was about the threatened rebellion in

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

India ; it is quite serious, is it not ? T know nothing of
the cause.

" Miss Hazen told us that the trial of Surratt is soon
to commence ; it will probably be deeply interesting. I
hear that there is great suffering in Newfoundland, etc.

TO HER little SISTER.

"April 4th, 1867.
"Darling A.,

** Vacation is a very funny kind of time, but it
is quite pleasant. Last evening we all got into a dull,
listless state, and so we resolutely jumped up and had a
regular dashing game of * blind man's buff!'

"Just think of it A.; eight tall young ladies flying
about the room in such style ; but it had the desired
effect, and I'm sure we all slept better for it. I asked
Mrs. L. this morning if she had heard any unusual noise,
and she said 'yes indeed,' but she did not mind how
much noise we made as long as we did not come through
the floor, for we were frightening away all the rata in the
house. Imagine our pleasure at hearing of such benefi-
cial results from our folly !

" February 28th, 1867.
" Dear Mamma,

"We have had the privilege to-day of seeing
two missionaries, and the Secretary of the American
Board,

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

" Miss Norcross graduated from this school last year,
and she is just going out to India as a missionary ; Miss
Warfield goes also, to Turkey, as a teacher in the Harpoot
Seninary.

" It has been very interesting to see these ladies. Miss
Warfield was here only a few hours, but they all went
away together this afternoon. A company of six left
the Seminary all together, and every teacher was outside
witnessing the departure. Mrs. Stoddard looked up and
saw two heads in every window in front of the building,
and she signified to them that she wanted them to sing,
' Ye Christian Heralds, go proclaim.'

"After this they sang the Missionary hymn; it was a
thrilling sight, mamma, so appropriate. I never felt any-
thing of the interest in missionary labor before, that I do
now ; we hear so much about the work, and these foreign
schools seemed intimately connected with our Seminary,
from the fact that graduates from here always have
charge of them, or almost always.

" In Turkey they have Theological schools for young
men, in which the Bible is the only study ; not because
they think other studies are unnecessary, but the young
men are not prepared for more yet, and with the thorough
knowledge of the scriptures which they obtain, they be-
come very useful as preachers and teachers.

" In Harpoot Seminary, which is on the same plan as
this, there are forty girls, many of them Christians, and
all anxious to learn. There is another Seminary at
Oroomiah, but I don't know so much about that.

TO THE "(FATHER'S HOUSE

" Dr. Clark, the secretary of the American Board, gave
us some very interesting accounts of the Mission work ;
he seoms to be a [very good and talented man. I forgot
to tell you of another young lady who is also going to
Turkey ; she is Miss Seymour, and I must try and tell
how Dr. Clark procured her for the service. He had
gone to a certain town to see a young lady whom he
thought might be willing to go. (They were exceed-
ingly anxious to get a teacher, as there was danger of
the school going down.) At tea time he commenced
talking to this young lady, to see v/hat her sentiments
might be, taking this Seminary and the great need of
more laborers, as his theme ; he was soon disappointed to
find that her health would not permit her to go, though
she was much interested in this subject ; he continued
talking about these things for some time, till another lady
near him suddenly turned and said, ' You're not thinking
of me, are you ? ' He had never seen her before, and
told her so, adding, ' Yes, I'm thinking of you, if you're
willing to go, and have a heart for the great work/

" They had a little more conversation and then they
pp.rted, Dr. Clark having no idea that she would be per-
suaded to go, and in great perplexity of mind about the
school.

" The next evening he attended a meeting in the same
place, and after meeting, the minister said to him, * Now
you want people for your work whom we cannot spare ;
there is one lady here to-night who is the most useful
person in this place. I cannot spare her, but if you can
get her, you may have her.* He then pointed her out,

I !

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

li
I

and to his surprise, Dr. Clark saw that she was the same
young lady he had seen the evening before. He only had
time to say a few words to her before he went away.
After he had reached his home, a letter came to him say-
ing, * Miss Seymour is thinking of going ; ' soon after
another came from another source, to the same effect, and
in a day or two more, another saying, * Miss Seymour is
going.' And so all his anxiety was relieved in this most
unexpected manner. He related it as a wonderful in-
stance of direct answer to prayer. i

" There was an article in the last Independent which
rather surprised me. The subject was 'Amusement.'
The writer expatiated for some time on the natural desire
for amusement which every one possesses, and the
necessity for that desire being satisfied in an innocent
and harmless manner. Then he says that in every city
there should be a house under the care of the Young
Men's Christian Association, furnished with a gymnasium,
billiard tables, bowling alley, chess, backgammon, dom-
inoes, and many other games; with pianoes for the
musical, and a room for meetings and lectures. Accord-
ing to this writer, the only harm connected with these
games is in the associations almost invariably attending
them. This establishment would be for the poorer classes
and the entertainment free of charge.

" I must go to work at my composition now. So good-
night.

" Your loving Daughter,

" Annie G. Johnson."

in;

{ .

TO THE "father's HOUSE.*

"April 31st, 1867.
"Dear Mamma,

" So you are getting up another Ragged School.
I do hope you will succeed, as of course you will.
Perhaps a few suggestions from Mrs. Stowe's ' Sunny
Memories of Foreign Lands ' may be some assistance
to you. She writes about the charitable Schools in
Aberdeen, Scotland, which had been in operation since
1841. Some benevolent persons first hired rooms, and a
teacher, and then gave out notice to the poor children
that they could there be supplied with food, work and in-
struction. The general arrangements were four hours of
lessons, five of work, and three substantial meals. No
child was allowed to partake of the meals who had not
been present at the work or lessons preceding them. In
this way the attendance proved to be more regular than
at ordinary schools.

" The whole produce of the children's work goes to-
wards defraying the expenses of the establishment, thus
inculcating a spirit of independence.

" They did not profess to clothe the children, but as
they often had old clothing sent in, they were enabled to
help the more destitute ones. The scholars assemble at
seven in the summer, eight in the winter. The school is
opened by reading the Scriptures, singing and prayer.
They have lessons in Geography, and the more ordinary
facts of Natural History, from maps hung around the
walls.

" At nine they breakfast on porridge and milk, and
have half an hour ot play. At ten. they again assemble

r I

i| it

FROM life's SOHOOL

and work till two, when they dine, usually on broth and
coarse bread. 'From dinner till three the time is spent in
exercise or recreation, occasionally working in the gar-
den ; from three to fgur, they work in the garden or
work room ; from four till seven they are instructed in
reading, writing and arithmetic. At seven they have sup-|
per of porridge and milk, and after short religious ex-
ercises are dismissed to their homes. They assemble alsol
on Sunday, but return home after dinner to go to churclil
with their parents, returning at five, and then home agakl
after supper.

" Separate schools were established for boys and girls,]
but both on the same principle.

" 'As to commencing schools in new places, the best wavl
of proceeding is for a few persons who are of one mind on
the subject, to unite, advance from their own purses, orl
raise among their friends, the small sum necessaryl
at the commencement, get their teacher and collect al
few scholars ; gradually extend the number, and when
they have made some progress, then tell the public what]
they have been doing, ask them to come and see, and
they approve, to give their money and support.

" * Let them be careful as to the parties whom they a
mit to act along with them ; for unless all the laborers arel
of one mind and heart, division must ensue, and the workj
be marred,*

" These are some few of the directiods Mrs. Stowe quotes!
from an experienced teacher, and I thought they might
possibly be of some use to you, and could at .least do no
harm. The account of the schools given in the book is

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

fcery long, and of course I could give but a very slight
kjmopsis of it. But do you not think one would cost
less to yovb at least got up in that way, and partly
^elf supporting ?

"Mrs. Stoweadds: ' there is nothing in it which may
lot be easily copied in any town or village of our land
rhere it is required.' Sc rr ».ch for Ragged Schools.

'* On Sunday afternoon we had an address from Mr.

^oodworth, who is connected with some Society for re-
lieving the Freedmen, and it was on their behalf that he
iddressed us. He was Chaplain in some company during
the war. He related some facts showing that the colored
3eople in the South are practically almost as much slaves
IS ever.

"A man who gets seventeen dollars a month, must now

3ay fifteen dollars a month for the cabin he formerly

jcupied for nothing ; and multitudes of those too aged,

)o young, or too infirm to work, are perishing with

plunger.

" Speaking of their intense desire for knowledge, he
illustrated it by a case of two old men he saw in a night
school. When they went to the school they did not even
mow their letters, and then, after having attended for
Forty evenings they could read quite fluently.

« May 25th 1867.
I' Dear A.,

" I have only time to write a line or two, just

give you one or two items of intelligence.

"We celebrated the Queen's birthday last night, and saw

pour rattlesnakes and two copperheads ! Not that the two

PROM LIFK S SCHOOL

circumstances were connected in any way, or consequent
upon each other, but it is a fact that they both took place
last evening.

" Our celebration was in the South music room, where
we had music and refreshments, and ended up with * Rule
Britannia' a.nd *God save the Queen.' There were just
five of us ; M. F. from Canada, S. N. from Nova Scotia,
and Miss N. and we two from N. B.

"The rattlesnakes and copperheads were brought to the
Seminary for us to see, by a man who caught them a day
or two ago on Mt. Tom. One rattlesnake was eighteen
years old, as they judged by his rattle, and large enough
to swallow a rabbif. whole. Now, as I expect to go upon
the mountain soon, would you not like me to catch a few
and take them home with me. Good morning.

"Annie."

^.if

The first year of school had passed over ; the summer
vacation been happily spent at home in Fredericton, N.B.,
and Annie had returned to South Hadley. In the mean-
time the family removed to Ottawa, Ontario, where her
father subsequently became Commissioner of Her Ma-
jesty's Customs.

Her letters thereafter were addressed to Ottawa, and
most of them were written to her sisters, one of whom
had spent one year with her at the Seminary ; the other
was the baby of the family and an especial pet with her
eldest sister, who took the greatest interest in the pro-
gress of her studies, and continually endeavored to assist
her by stimulating her ambition to acquire knowledge.

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

" Sept. 30th, 1867.
•' Dearest M.,

" The hour bell before recess meeting has just rung,
and I have some little time to spend with you before I go
off to room B., where our meeting is held.

" You will be interested in hearing that Miss Mary
Hollister is about to go out as a missionary ; she has been
in the Seminary for two or three days, but went away
this morning. She addressed us for a few minutes in
the Sunday evening meeting.

" This morning at breakfast Miss Ward mentioned that
it had been our custom to give presents to those going out
as missionaries, and any who wished could leave articles
for Miss H. in the South Wing Parlor, or in Miss H's
room ; she mentioned a great many small articles which
would be very acceptable, and seemed anxious that we
should all contribute. I came up to my room to see what
could be spared from my household goods. What will
mamma say when she hears that the first thing I decided
upon was that lovely box of assorted tape — her useful
and valued gift. Then I selected a little writing paper
from each kind, and added a little box of pens, and a lead
pencil, and last of all a handkerchief.

" Miss H. was surprised and delighted with the offerings
of the girls ; there were all kinds of things given her,
many perhaps did not give more than a spool of thread'
but it amounted to a good deal in the aggregate.

" It seems to me that the * American board ' must spend
most of its time in conventions; Miss Locke has just re-
turned from Buffalo, where she has been attending the

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

meetings of the ' Board,' and gave us a very interesting

account of them last night."

" Sept. 29th, 1887.

" In reading Shakespeare, M., the better plan will
be for you to find those acts founded on some incident in
Grecian history, or any history with which you are fam-
iliar. You will find it much more interesting and intel-
ligible. If there is any act which you want to read, you
can first look up the history connected with it, and so
make Shakespeare a useful companion.

"The retiring bell has rung, so goodnight, my darling."

" Oct. 18th, 1867.
" Dearest M.

" What will you think when I tell you that I've
heard G. J. Holland (Timothy Titcomb) lecture. I en-
joyed that unexpected pleasure last evening. Now, you'll
want to know just how he looked, how he lectured, what
about, and how I liked him. Well, he is not extraordinary
in appearance, a pleasant face, but not striking; black
hair and small moustache, with no whiskers. His voice is
pleasant, and he speaks very distinctly. He lectured on
' Woman suffrage.' His ideas conflict completely with
Gail Hamilton's; he thinks no woman is in her proper
sphere outside of home and its duties, and that she ought
not to vote. His lecture was very much like his writ-
ings ; in fact it would not be like itself if it was not, for

TO THK " FATHEIVS HOUSE.

lie read it, much to my rejijret. Pcrliaps it was because
my supper had been aecoinpaTiied with a j^lowin^,' euloLjiuni
on his power over an audience, his complete masti'ry ot
laiigua<3'e, and other perfections, that I experienced a feel-
ing of disappointnent, as the lecture progressed; but it
may have been that his subject was not a very int(M'est-
ing one. Don't imagine, though, that he is not a very
tine lecturer; I suspect that if I had not been told just
before hearing him, that he was one of the finest Atnei'ican
speakers, I would have been delighted with him.

The Amherst students were invited over to the lecture,
and about twenty of the seniors came.

Mary and I have just finished reading Dr. Holland's
poem, ' Kathrina.' I wish you and mamma would read
it ; don't like to trust my opinion, so will not give any.
The ' Neiu York Times ' has a most severe critisism on
it, and that is the only comment I have seen on the work
Have you. ever read ' Bitter Sweet,' by the same author ?
Miss Locke is reading ' Kathrina ' to us in sections ; she
seems to admire it."

Nov. 5th, 18G7.

" We have had quite a season of dissipation here ;
out four evenings in one week. The ' School Institute ' for
this county has held its annual session in South Hadley,
and quite broken in upon the regular routine of our life.
Four of its learned members stayed at the Seminary.
Mr. Russel, of elocution memory ; Mr. Niles, of Cam-
bridge ; Prof. Holt, a musician, and the Rev. Mr. Gage.

FROM life's school.

It was Mr. Russel's system of elocution that was taught
at Kent's Hill, and that is generally adopted in the States.
He is such a singular looking man. Tall and thin, with
white hair and whiskers and always wearing a black
handherchief, in the form of a night-cap on his head :
he'd look better with a white one, I should think. The
session lasted from Monday morning till Friday night.
They had seven exercises, or lectures every day. For in-
stance, at 9 o'clock Mr. Russel would have an exercise in
elocution. (All exercises were intended for instruction
in the manner of tdching, for those who were expected
to be teachers. They were conducted just as if the audi-
ence was the class, and we were questioned, and required
to answer in the same way.)

•* At ten Mr. Bowler, a member of Payson, Dunton and
Scribner's copy book, would have an exercise in writing ;
at eleven. Miss Mitchell one on physiology, which would
end the morning. At two in the afternoon, Mr. Russel
would have another exercise, then some one another on
arithmetic, and so on. In the evening we always had a
lecture ; I only heard three of them. Prof. Holt almost
always iinished up the evening with one of his simple,
but beautiful songs. It was so interesting on Friday
evening. Mr. White lectured on ' School Government.'
When he stopped it was n^:.fly ten, but he asked the
audience if they would not like to wait and hear a song
from Prof. Holt ; of course we all would ; so he bright-
ened us up with a little comic song. We thought we
were surely going then, but he reminded us that it was

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

the custom for Mr. Russel to give a declamation before
closing the evening, and there was a not very hearty call
for Mr. Russel. He made his way to the platform, re-
marking, ' People cannot always be short and sweet, but
I can at least be short* He then recited an amusing, but
instructive, piece which quite paid us for waiting; he
does declaim beautifully. They then found that it would
not do at all to wind up without music, so Prof. Holt was
called on for 'Over the River they Beckon to me,' and
last of all we all united in singing a hymn, and then dis-
persed.

" While the meetings continued we had half hour re-
citations, had no singing, gymnastics, or hall ; no * time
on lessons,' and sections at the fifteen bell before supper ;
just think what a change it must have made.

"Do you know Charles Dickens is to read in Boston
this vacation ! What if I should hear him !

" Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, missionaries from Kharpoot,
were here for several days. Mrs. Wheeler is lovely, just
suits my idea of a missionary ; and Mr. Wheeler gave us
some very interesting accounts of the work in Turkey.
He told us that they make the native churches support
themselves, as soon as there is any possibility of their
doing it; holding up as an imperative duty, as well as a
privilege, the giving of a tenth of everything they pos-
sess. He gave us some interesting illustrations of the
great pleasure they find in doing this, and the spiritual
good resulting from it.

•Xi

iif
m

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

::!i ■>-

i- (!)

" Nov. 7.
"Dear M.,

" I suppose it is only a day or two since I wrote
to you, but it seems pretty long, and I must write just a
few lines to-night.

" Yesterday, with some other visitors, came a converted
Burmese youth to visit the Seminary. He addressed us
this morning after devotions, and I think has gone now.
He has been in this country for ten years, fitting himself
for a missionary to his own countrymen, by a study of
medicine and theology ; and he is just about to return to
his native land. He is small in stature, looks to be about
twenty years of age, has long, jet-black hair, delicate
features, and very small hands. When he came into the
hall to speak to us this morning, he wore a large red and
yellow turban, and an immense silk scarf fastened around
his vest, and flowing down to the floor, the other end
thrown gracefully over his shoulder. A white necktie
beside his brown complexion made him look somewhat
clerical. He told us a great deal about the manners and
customs of the Burmese. His manner was very easy and
graceful, and he spoke our language with wonderful faci-
lity. He took off" his turban and put it on again, to show us
how it was done, and explained the various uses to which
the silk scarf is put; it is five yards long and three
breadths in width. He was quite humorous at times.
In describing their god (I forget his name), he said, ' He
was said to be thirty-five feet high ; his ears hung on his
shoulders ; his fingers reached to his knees, and he could

I I

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

touch his nose with his tongue, all of which were con-
sidered evidences of a divine character.* Afterwards,
* When we eat there are two waiters placed before us, one
containing rice and the other various kinds of spices ; we
do not use spoons or knives, but a five-pronged fork like
this,' holding up his hand and spreading out his fingers,
carelessly adding, * which we scour well before using' He
spoke with great aft'ection of Dr. Judson, who lived just
opposite his grandfathers house, though he could not
have been more than a child when Dr. Judson was livinjr."

Loved Ones At Home.

"Jan. IGth, 1808,"

liii

" T have not time to write to each of you individ-
ually, and being unable to decide upon the one to whom
I could address my remarks, have concluded to write to
all at once.

" After papa left me on Tuesday morning, I remained
in the same car till it reached Rouse's Point, where I ex-
changed my comfortable accommodations for others very
inferior, being squeezed into a seat with a strong-minded
old lady, who beguiled the time with most comforting re-
marks about the unsafe nature of the bridge on which we
were crossing LakeChamplain. We reached St. Albans ear-
ly in the morning, and, mindful of the earnest injunctions I
had received at Ogdensburg, jumped out to get my trunk
rechecked, though I had not to change cars. I found the
baggage car, and saw my trunk entirly out of my reach
and being speedily overwhelmed with a mass of fresh bag-

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

gage. After gazing helplessly at it for some time, and
seeing no hope of accomplishing anything, I suddenly
thought of the conductor, whose obliging disposition I had
proved while going over the route before. On hearing
my tale of distress, he readily came to my relief, and suc-
ceeded, after much difficulty, in getting the trunk check-
ed to Northampton ; meanwhile giving vent to his in-
tense indignation at the being who did'nt check it as
far as my ticket took me.

" By this time the position of the various trains in the
station had undergone a puzzling revolution, even the
conductor was unable for some time, to find his own train,
and discovered it so late thab I had to spring on board
after it was in motion.

** The last change of cars was at White River Junction,
some time in the night. In the car which I then en-
tered, there sat a man who had stolen a horse in New
York, and a detective who was escorting him back thith-
er. The two seemed to be on the most friendly terms,
which made me think that the horse stealer must have
possessed a most forgiving disposition.

" Towards morning I asked the conductor if the train
went on to Smith's Ferry ; he said it did, but would not
stop there. I wondered where I would be carried to, and
how I would get back, but waited to see what the next
conductor would say. On enquiring of the next one, he
said I would have to change cars at Northampton, but
came in shorlly after and said that T might go right on,
and they would stop for me ; then taking my check, he

■V'T" ■^"nV'."'-' "■■P'-lf^.

TO THE " FATHER S HOUSE

attended to my trunk and gave me another check. We
reached Smith's Ferry at six o'clock in the morning, of
course it was quite dark. I jumped out at the station,
my trunk was thrown out and the train dashed on, leav-
ing me, a lonely wayfarer, standing in the dark and cold
with the snow drifting in my face, and vainly striving to
answer the question, 'What am I to do next?'

" Going up to the station house door, I cautiously push-
t;J it open, but saw only darkness, though a sense of
warmth led me to conclude that there was a fire there.
Rather than venture to explore the dark recesses of the
room, I preferred to walk about in the snow, and fancy-
ing that I heard voices at some distance, attempted to
wade through the snow on the railway track in the dir-
ection whence came the sounds, but had to give up the
attempt very soon. After pacing the creaking platform
for some time longer, I became convinced that this was
great foolishness, and resolved that if I could not be com-
fortable, I would at least be as comfortable as was pos-
sible under the circuff stances ; so I boldly walked into the
station and proceeded to examine it as thoroughly as the
very imperfect light would permit.

" After satisfying myself that I was the only occupant
of the room. I drew a chair up to the stove, extracted a
couple of apples from my satchel, and proceeded to their
discussion.

" Meantime the dawn was slowly creeping on. By the
way, if any of you are particularly desirous of cultivating
your imaginations, I would advise you to place your-

FROM IJFES SCHOOL

i '

selves in similar circumstances. I found that without
any effort on my part, any sedate and leafless shiub could
be magnified into the rapidly approaching figure of
a man ; if the snow dashed against the window-[)ane, in-
stantly there fell on my ear the music of merrily ringing
sleigh bells ; and indeed if sights and sounds had been of
such unstable character, Smith's Ferry would have been a
lively place, and I could not long have suffered for want
of company.

" But there came an end to all this; for about seven
o'clock a real man made his appearance, but for fear I
might be deceived, an^". he too should vanish into air, I
ran out and accosted him before he htid reached the sta-
tion. He very consolingly informed me that the stage
would be there at half -past eight, so, taking up an ancient
newspaper, I sat down, and tried to be resigned. Well,
half past eight did arrive at last, and with it the stage.
A comfortable drive of about half an hour brought me to
the Seminary, and soon my feet were once more treading
its corridors.

*' I went right down to my room, and saw ' excused
from table ' on the door ; on my opening it, M. looked
up enquiringly, as if to say, Have you brought my break-
fast ? ' But the truth soon dawned upon her, and depend
upon it there was a scene 1 Poor M. had been in bed
since last Friday, and was still so indisposed that Miss B.
said she must go to a warmer room, accordingly M. has
since been oscillating between 144 in the South Wing,
and 78 w hich I occupy with M. T., a very nice kind-

TO THE " father's HOUSE.

heaited girl, and I find the temjiorary arrangement very
pleasant.

"You may imagine that tl ;c unpacking of my trunk wa.s
rather an interesting circumstance. The cake was pro-
nounced * splendid/ and evidence that this was no emp-
ty compliment, may be seen in the fact that there is quite
an alarming gap in one of them. As I was tired out
from travelling and want of sleep, I did not of course get
up to oui half past six breakfast this morning, the conse-
(juence of which was no less than three very delightful
interviews with Miss W., who finally concluded that I
" might be excused under the circumstances ' ! !

Every one seems astonished to see me. They had an im-
pression that I was not coming back till the summer term.
To my surprise I find that the new series does not com-
mence till next week, but if I had waited it would have
been no easier to come away, and it is rather an advan-
tage to be here in such good time. Good night.

*• Yours most lovingly,

•' Annie G. Johnson."

" January 21st, 1868.

" We have had a visitor here for some days past. Mr.
Pardee, a ' Sunday-school man,' has been talking to us
on the subject of teaching in Sunday-schools. The chil-
dren of a Sunday-school in Montreal presented him with
a splendid suit of fur. Yesterday, our recitations were
omitted that we might improve his visit the more. We

FROM LTFE S SCHOOT.

had three sessions of an hour each, durinfr the day, ami
in the evening Mi*. Pardee went away.

" His sunffjestions were most vahaable, and I do wish 1
could make them available in some way. It seems such
a time before I'll be able to put them into practice myself.
1 took notes all the time, and have procured a blank book
which I intend to devote to all the information I can ob-
tain about Sunday-school work. It seems so much more
important to me than ever before ; his words seemed to
invest it with such a dignity. After every lecture I felt
as if I must get a lot of children together, and try to
teach them, before I forget bow.

** He showed us that, while a heart fully consecrated
to Christ is the most important qualification for the work,
yet that alone would never make a good teacher. A sym-
pathy with children and knowledge of child-nature are
indispensable, and he thinks these can only be obtained
by patient study. He recommends such works as * Peep
of Day ' and * Line upon Line.'

" It is the business of a teacher to instruct, please, and
move ; and the aim of a teacher should be to make the
plain, simple teaching of the Bible more clear and inter-
esting.

" Mr. Pardee believes in a great deal of questioning,
though he thinks that question books should not be used
as a rule. He gave us two or three Bible lessons on Sun-
day, in which he gave us practical illustrations of the
best modes of teaching.

" I must try and give you an outline of a * model les-

TO THE " FATHKR's HOUSE."

son,' taught by a young lady near London, for it was really
beautiful.

" A young lady of twenty was requested to give a
111 <lel of her manner of teaching, before a most intelligent
audience of about five hundred persons. The children
were to be picked up off the streets, and she was to meet
them for the first tiuie before tlie audience. The class of
little boys and girls was seated in a gallery, in full view
of the audience. When the young lady came in, she
greeted them with a perfectly calm, cordial manner, and
instead of proceeding at once to religious instruction,
asked the question : —

" * What kind of weather have you had in London lately ?'

" The children simultaneously responded," —

" * Very rainy.'

" ' Well,' said the teacher.* " * What is rain good for ? '

" After a pause, a little boy responded :

" ' Good to wash the streets,' to the evident amusement
of the audience.

" But the wise teacher would not see the bov discou-
raged, and turning to him, said :

" ' That's right my boy. Multitudes of little boys and
girls like you would be suffering now if the rain did not
come to wash the dirty streets of London.'

"After eliciting several other replies to the question, the
young lady said, ' Our lesson for this evening, is the re-
ply of tne Tyrolese woman to her son,' — * God has a plan
for every man.'

" She then made them repeat it in concert, and after-

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

1 1'

wards called on a few individually, till all were perfectlv
familiar with the words. Then turning to one child sin
said,

" * Mary Ryan, where do you live ? ' and by a series
pi' questions obtained the exact location of her home.

" ' Well Mary, what is our lesson for the evening ? '

" * God has a plan for every man.'

" ' What is God's plan for your father ? '

*' ' Nothing ma'am.'

" ' Why, what does he do ? Has'nt he any business ?'

" * No ma'am, he's only a plumber. '

" ' Then Mary, that's God's plan for your father,* said
she, and then went on to show how London would suffer
if there were no plumbers in it. Thus she went round
the class, and coming back to Mary, explained that God
had a plan for boys and girls, as well as for men.

" ' Now Mary,' said she, ' what is God's plan for you ?'

" ' Nothing, ma'am.'

" * Don't you do anything, Mary ? '

" * Yes, ma'am, I knit father's socks.'

" Then she showed her that this was God's plan for
her. She then asked a tiny little girl the same question,
and received the invariable answer,

" 'Nothing, ma'am.'

" * Why Carrie, what do you do when your mother is
washing ? '

*' ' Nothing ma'am.'

" * Are you quite sure you don't do anything ? '

" ' Yes ma'am.'

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

« (

Can't you think of anything you do, Carrie ? '
" ' I don't do anything ma'am, only mind the baby.^
" And then it was explained to the wondering child
that this was the work given her to do. After a good
(leal moi"e questioning, calculated to impress the lesson on
their minds, she related the little story from which the
maxim was taken.

" There was once a little Tyrolese cripple who was al-
ways complaining of his uselessness, and to his oft repeat-
ed complaints, his mother always replied, * God has a
plan for every man, and for every one there is some thing
to do.' One day when the boy was thirteen or fourteen
years of age, he wandered off to a fair, which was held
near his village. He soon wearied of looking at the sports
in which he could not join, and turned his face home-
wards. In climbing a hill, he became weary when about
lialf way up, and lay down under a tree to rest, and soon
fell asleep. When he awoke all was still, and the stars
were shining down upon him. He rose and went up to
the top of the hill. Here he found the signal fire built
and all ready to light, but no sentinel to apply the match
in case of alarm. Looking down into the valley he saw
the sentinels feasting and making merry, forgetful of their
neglected duty. As the boy stood looking over the quiet
landscape, he saw a man rise from a distant hill, and then
another, and another, till a company of French soldiers,
the foes of his country, were in full view. Firndy grasp-
ing the Hint, he quickly lighted the pile, and immediately
from many a distant hill-top rose an answering flame, and
his country was saved.

'■ .11

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

" As the boy went slowly down the mountain, he re-
ceived a ball from a French musket, in the back of his
neck. He lived a few days, and then died, amid the
thanks of a ^natetul nation.

" One of our lessons was the first four verses of the
ei<,dith chapter of Matthew ; 1 was amused at one of his
illustrations on the blackboard. He

"Well M., I had got so far, when I was quietly infornuil
that I had just five minutes in which to arrange my Hit
for the night and place myself 'in a horizontal position be-
tween the sheets.' By the time my lire was tixed, two
minutes were left, and then ensued some little * tiying
round ; ' but I was'nt tardy. I had been w. i'^g steadily
all the evening, without noticing the bells at all.

" ' I'll see now if I can give you that illustration.' Mr.
Pardee says : —

" 'We will represent the le{)er on the blackboard, but not
by much of a figure ; just let this straight mark represent
him in a prostrate condition.
Health lost,

"' This' said he, ' is his condition be-
fore Christ comes.'

Hope- less,
Help less.
Home-less.

" He then drew another mark and rubbed out the last
syllable of each word, making it stand thus :
Health,

Hope,
Help,
Home.

"'This is his condition after Christ comes.'

TO THE "father's HOITSE."

"Jan. 24th, 1868.
"Darling Simer M.,

" I must send you at loast a note to-morrow morn-
int;, if only to keep you in remembrance, and induce you
to favor mo frequently with your precious little letters.
Perhaps I may get one to-night, but I do not expect it.

" I am very much interested in my studies, and do not
find them very difficult. Cons. Text Book is so nice. The
first day that we recited, Miss G. (who is our teacher),
asked me a great many questions about our provincial
form of government, as it was suggested by the lesson.
Most of the (piestions I could answer, but felt very much
afraid that 1 should expose my ignorance. (Oh ! lovely !
I've just got a letter from you, and I must stop to read
it.) There, now ; I've lead it all. You dear child, you
don't know what a feast it has been. From home, you
know.

" I wanted to ask papa if Newfoundland is in the Do-
minion. I am ashamed not to know, but think it is not.
Are the Governors for the Provinces appointed by the Gov-
ernor-General, or by the people, or by the Executive
Council, or what ? And did we have any voice in the
appointment of our Governors before Confederation ^
Papa's wisdom can answer these questions without anj
difficulty.

" Please send me a copy of the paper containing papa's
' statement,' without fail, and at once. Also that little
book describing the Provincial buildings, and everything
else you think 1 might like. (A modest request !)

"I'm glad to hear that you are doing so nicely in

' -TTsgwn^^n^?''^

iii

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

{'■■'':

Italian. Do you experience no inconvenience from study-
ing ? No distress in your dear little head ?

" We commenced our gymnastics to-day ; the class 1
am in is very large, numbering over seventy. They will
hardly excuse any one from practising this series, and have
an * invalid class,' in which the more infirm practice toge-
ther, and take the lighter exercises. A. F. is in that class,
and to-day Miss E. asked all to remain, after the class was
dismissed, who were troubled with their feet in any way.
A. remained, and as Miss E. saw her waiting, she asked
her, ' Do your feet trouble you. Miss F. ? ' A. replied, in a
tone of some anxiety, * Well — not much — they're vei^y
large, Miss E. — they trouble me that way.' It was some
time before Miss E. could recover her equilibrium suffi-
ciently to continue her remarks. You know how she
would say it.

" Do you know, M., that the fortieth Congress is the — ,
or that the present Congress is the fortieth ? They have
a new Congress every two years, whereas in England our
-^ filament lasts seven years. Ask papa if the Legisla-
tive, Judicial and Executive departments of Government
are separated in our arra'^igements, as in the States.

"Wei!, M., I did not intend to write more than one
sheet full when I commenced. This is Friday evening,
and I have no composition subject yet. What will I take ?

" You cannot write too oricn.

"I must say good night, though I do so reluctantly.

" Give leads of love to all, from

"Your most lovingest Sister,

"Annie."

TO THE "FATFIEK'S HOUSE."

" Jan. 29th, 18G8.
" Darling A.,

" I got your nice letter last night with M's, but I
can only send you a few words in reply, for two reasons,
one is want of time, but I am chiefly detained from writ-
ing by the uncomfortable consciousness that I sprained my
right hand thumb slightly this morning, not enough to
distress me except when I want to use it for writing or
some such exercise. You must know, my dear, that
roommate and I own the only sled in the Seminary. I
felt that we did not have half enough out-door exercise,
and thought we must invent some plan to induce us to
stay out longer, so this idea presented itself, and I straight-
way went to Miss W. and asked her if she would have
any objection to our coasting. Of course Miss W. was
willing, and * Prof. B.' consented to make us a sled.
Now behold it ! A fine structure, capable of carrying
three girls, and only cost half a dollar ! is on runners too
At the suggestion of Miss P., I have named it ' Eclipse,'
both because it was made on tlie evening of the eclipse,
and because I intend it to earn that high sounding title.
We have a splendid place to const, and I only wish you
could go flying down the hill with me some day, only I
don't want you to tumble over and sprain your poor
thumb as I did.

" Well, did you all see the lunar eclipse on Wednesday
evening ? It was quite ciOudy here, so that we could not
see nmch through the telescope, but it looked quite plain-
ly eclipsed without.

-;i

f?:

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

" Oil ! A., I've been puzzling my poor brain over the most
distracting loyavlthras for two days ; I have trigonometry
on the brain (and that's worse than influenza), but then T
know it will be a delightful study some time.

" Your letters were lovely darlings. Wish I could write
to M., but time and thumb forbid.

" M. W. sent M. and me a box of * goodies,' all the way
from Pittsburg, Penn,, was'nt she kind ? It had a tin box
of oysters in it ; a frosted fruit cake; lots of crackers and
ginger snaps, and some candy and oranges.

" Well, darling, I must say good-night. Please give
my love to all the dear people, and tell M. school closes on
Friday, April 2nd, only about eight weeks more ! incredi-
ble !

" Your loving sister,

" Annie G. Johnson."

"Jan. 31st, 1868.
" M. Darling.,

" Your long and interesting letter came to cheer
me this evening. How busy you must be ; you will learn
to improve the time as well as mamma does before long.
I am trying to do a little more than usual in the letter-
writing line, but it would not do for my correspondence
to reach the mammoth dimensions that mamma 's has
gradually assumed.

" The days are filled up with an unvarying, unremitting
round of duties. Shall I give you an account of them ?

" After breakfast, I put my room in order and study

-)ipmfa7>waiiAii«fii>il|nV«tlfpi«liWf ' M-'WI. .

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

liLstory till first recitation, which comes at half-past eight ;
recite history and attend devotions till a quarter before
ten; come to my room and study ' Introduction to Study
of the Bible ' till fourth hour ; recite ' Study of the
Bible/ and then go to reading till dinner. After dinner
study Constitutional Text Book till first hour; recite,
then practice, then gymnastics, then sections and hall.

" After hall, walk and study history till supper ; study
same till recess-meeting ; then go to recess-meeting, after
that study my other two lessons till within half-an-hour
before retiring bell ; then go to sleep, and so on till next
morning. It would be pretty hard if Wednesdays and
Saturdays did not come in to vary the programme ; but I
love to be so busy.

" We heard from Miss Hollister to-day ; she had arrived
at her destination, but not without the loss of all her
clothing and everything she valued. Her things were
stolen by a band of mountain robbers, who seized and
emptied the trunks and boxes, taking from them every-
thing of much value. Of course, this is a great loss to her
as she had prepared a supply for years to come, and can-
not easily replace them in that mountain region. I be-
lieve the teachers are getting up a box of things to send
out to her. I think I would have felt like crying.

'The ' Study of the Bible ' is a work by Nicholls, in-
tended to lead to the study of the Scriptures by showing
their divine authority ; the purpose for which they were
given to man ; the manner in which that purpose has
been fulfilled ; by speaking of the interpretation of the

J .5' :

iLi .j|«ii«|,ii|^atil|l>JP

FROM life's school

fi.„.

Bible, and giving a sketch of the Jewish form of govorn-
ment, religion, different sects, etc. In connection with
every lesson, we have to learn a good many texts of
Scripture, and I think it will be very useful. ItislDy no
means an easy study, and the book might have been writ-
ten in a more interesting style.

" Roman History takes a great deal of study, but it is
very interesting. Constitutional Text Book is decidedly
easy, but we have such long lessons that sometimes I
have hardly time to read them through once. I like Miss
G. as a teacher, very well indeed ; she is strict, but seems
to take an interest in the study. I have been astonished
lately at the great influence of exaggeration. I found
that I had been dreading having to recite to Miss G. just
because the girls have always given me such frightful
accounts of their experience with her; and it is just so
with my studies ; I always expect to have a hard tim<^
with them."

"Loads of love to all at home.

" From your most loving Sister,

" Annie."

■■r

,;vi

' " Feb. 10, 1868.
" Darling Sister M.,

" I have just read your letter, and also mamma sand
A.'s. Why, you all seem to think I'm homesick, or some-
thing. What did I say to make such an impression ? Well,
be comforted by the assurance that I'm not homesick by
any means : I have no time for such foolishness, in fact

,-n

TO THE "father's HOJSE."

I'm neglecting a lesson now to write this, but cannot deny
myself the pleasure. Everything seems so inexorable
that if I put off one thing to attend to another, it disar-
ranges everything ; I just tread along, doing one thing at
a time, and seem unable to squeeze anything else in be-
tween my duties, except an occasional letter home.

"I have just been at ' hall ;' Miss E. has been talking to
us a long time about our wastefulness as a family, and
really her statistics were quite alarming. At the lowest
calculation, the sum ©f two thousand dollars is thrown
away in the waste barrel every year. Just think of it.
We use nine barrels of flour a week, at fifteen dollars a
barrel. Three hundred pounds of butter a week at forty
cents a pound, and out of that seven or eight pounds a
day are thrown away. After showing us the evil of it in
the most earnest manner possible, she asked all those who
were willing to pledge themselves to do all in their power
to prevent a continuance of this, to rise. We sprang to
our feet with great alacrity, but, dear me, I wonder how
long the impression will last.

"Poor Mrs. F. has a hard place, and I think she does
wonders, and is remarkably amiable considering her trials.

I've often been shocked at College boys ; the unfeeling,
inconsiderate spirit they frequently manifest, but I don't
believe after all that they are itiuch worse than school
girls. I should think our teachers would lose all patience
with us sometimes, we are so unreasonable.

*' I've lead nothing this term except afew * Conversations
with Goethe' for sheer want of time ; I do not at all regret

' U

'^fr " ■ ^f'"-,'

liifl

FROM life's school

11 !

taking three studies, for I know I would not have had
enough to do with only two. We are through with
Ancient History, and will only be reviewing now till the
end of the term, and that will be very easy. Constitu-
tional Text Book is very easy for me, and so -pleasant to
learn.

" Miss F. has not yet returned, but I suppose she will be
here next week. Her place (in her executive capacity)
is very efficiently filled by Miss E. and Miss W., but we
miss her much, especially at morning devotions.

" Now you must be said good-night to by your sister.

"Annik."

"Feb. loth, 1868.
"A. Darling,

" I must not neglect you altogether to-night, but
cannot devote many minutes to you, for that inexorable
bell will presently toll forth its suiiiinons to all the
daughters of Holyoke to yield themselves to the influence
of ' tired nature's sweet restorer,' and forget the cares
and burdens of the day in ' balmy sloop.'

*•' How do you get on with music and Italian ? Tell mc
all about it, and how you like Italian by this tiuie ; do
you really manage to keep up with M. ?

"A, dear, the third - Emperor of Rome was Caligula.
Oh ! such a man as he was ! He was very wicked, and
some things he did were so silly, that I think he must
have been a little crazy. He had a favorite horse, whoso
name was Incitatus, and he made people [)ay more rover-

wwyjiilMillMiii'iiwii'ffww,' .wr wM.i'.iWi"!"* ('." >'

TO THE " FATHER S HOUSE

>»

ence to that horse than to any human being in the
world. He built him a stable of gold with a manger of
ivory, and frequently invited him to his own royal table.
He was about to confer on him a very high ottice in the
government, when the poor horse died, just in time to
save the members of the ijovernment from the mortifica-
tion of having a horse share their honors and duties.
What do you think of him, A. ?

"Bugby is beside me putting a new knob on our table
drawer. He does talk so. Because we got a little i-ivet
out of our stove, ho says, ' what girls you be to break
your stoves.'

" Give loads of love to all, and write soon to your loving

sister,

"Annie."

"Feb. 15th, 18G8.
"Dearkst Papa,

" 1 must write a note to-night in acknowledgment
of your very welcome letter, containing information and
•suggestions of a most valuable and acceptable character.

" I cpJled to see Miss G. this evening, and in the course
of conversation told her what you said about the Privy
(.ouncil ; she was nmch interested, and said she would
ask me to tell the class some day. Miss G. also spoke of
her desire to obtain information about the English gov-
eniniunt, and the difficulty of obtaining such information.
I liave consulted all the Encyclopedias T could find, with-
out obtaining much satisfaction ; what would you advise
in such a case ?

1 Jm

I ;i

1*111

i i

^■'■m\\

■:i'n

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

" I cannot help admiring Miss G.'s general intelligence.
I think she can surpass even our friend Mrs. M. in her
knowledge of politics.

" I often wonder how you and other gentlemen can
keep up a knowledge of everything that is going on in
the political world, without spending all your time in
reading the papers. When I think of commencing to
inform myself in regard to such things, I am at once
overwhelmed with the idea of the vast amount I would
have to read before I could get such a clear idea of what
has been going on, as to enable me to understand the
events of to-day ; but probably if I should make the ef-
fort it would prove to be much less difficult than it
seems now.

" We are studying about the Roman Emperors now, in
history; have just finished the first six Caesars. What
utterly mhuman beings they were, with one or two ex-
ceptions.

"After Caligula, Claudius and Nero, the reign of Ves-
pasian seems so refreshing ; it seems, for a moment, to
lift the empire from its degradation.

" It is wonderful to trace the fulfilment of prophecy
through all this history. Where we are studying now,
the mighty power of the ' fourth beast,' having ' the
body of the leopard, the feet of the bear, and the mouth
of a lion/ is just beginning to decline. I think that a
thorough knowledge of profane history enhances the in-
terest of the Bible very much. I want very much to
read the writings of Josephun, but dear me, there is so

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

much, oh ! so much to read. Miss H. is reading Shake-
speare to us, in connection with our ancient history ; of
course she cannot read much, but it is very interesting ;
what a mind Shakespeare liad !

" Good-bye now.

" Your loving daughter,

'•Annie G. Johnson."

"Feb. 27,1868.
"Dearest Papa,

" Mr. Greene was regularly installed yesterday as
the pastor of our church. The service in the afternoon
commenced at half past one, and continued till about four
o'clock. There was singing, prayer, ai^.d singing again.

" Then Prof. Tyler, from Amherst, preached a very
long sermon in his peculiar manner, after which there
was prayer again, when another minister gave the charge
to Mr. Greene. The charge was very interesting, and
also the speech made by the one who extended to aim
the ' right hand of fellowship.' Then followed the charge
to the people, by one who was formerly pastor of this
church. He spoke in a plain and practical manner, tell-
ing the people that their pastor was a mctn, and not an
angel ; warning them not to meddle with his domestic
concerns ; not to expect him to visit any in their families
who were sick, unless they first informed him of the fact
that they were sick ; not to complain, when he called to
see them, that it was a long time since they had seen
him, and that he was (juito a stranger, but to welcome

i': i

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

him heartily, and show such pleasure in seeing him, and
so friendly and genial a spirit, that he would be induced
to come oftener. An anthem concluded the service, and
Mr. Greene was our pastor.

" I suppose you are deeply interested in watching the
progress of affairs at Washington. Do you get the news
without much delay ? Of course you know that im-
peachment seems inevitable now. What do you think
of it ? There is quite an excitement in the school about
political affairs ; the reading room looks quite like a bee-
hive during recreation hours.

" And what do you think about Ireland ? Do you agree
with John Bright in his plans for a reformation ? I mean
especially in his wish to have the Romish Church re-
ceive an equal share of support from the English govern-
ment as any other.

" Do you notice that, in speaking of parts of our gov-
ernment which especially delegate power to the people
(the Privy Council for instance), you speak of it as being
Republican ; as if an approximation to that was desir-
able. Now, if a government is better in proportion to its
Republicanism, why not have a complete Republic at
once ? Perhaps I don't understand your meaning at all,
but I was a little puzzled about this, and so mentioned it
for your explanation. Don't you think that the con-
stitution is in fault, in leaving the highest offices open to
all, with no regard to education ? So man}'- of the men
at the head of this nation are almost entirely destitute
of education and refinement also, that I should think it

ro THE "FATHKllS HOUSE.

JL- '■'

would have an injurious intluonce on society in general.

" Was there any exiteuient in Ottawa about the 'Papal
Zouaves' who left Montreal so lately ^ What is the
special danger of the Pope at present, that he should re-
quire so much assistance ? I should like to know what
vou think of the movement.

" I don't understand why, in the estimate of the repre-
sentation in tlie House of Conunons, for the year 1871,
the population of Nova Scotia is supposed to decrease ;
they calculate that Nova Scotia will then have eighteen,
instead of nineteen representatives; Mew Brunswick re-
mains the same, while Ontario alone increases ; and, if
you are not tired out with my (questions ; what, in the
American government corresponds to our executive coun-
cil ? What are the powers of the ex. council ; how is it
appointed, and of whom is it formed ?

" Oil papa dear, how will you ever manage to answer
all my questions, is'nt it a great hother I But I wish you
woukl sometime take this letter and write to me ; I think
you will find that I have suggested topics sutiieient for
{pute a long letter.

"March lull, lbG8.
" Dauling M.,

"This is Wednesday, and we have had oilv fit'.^t
dehate. Metat four o'clock iti the lecture room. The question
was, ' fs a lie ever just-itiahle' ? Affirmative, Miss B.,
with F. S. a,> sceouil ; iiogativi;, M. rr.wi^h V. H Tlie
argument on both sides was very good indeed, arid the

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(716)«72-4S03

4R^

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

whole affair quite a success. I was called on to speak,
but being quite unprepared, declined. Question was de-
cided in the negative by an almost unanimous vote. We
are to have a paper next meeting instead of a debate.
Editresses, A. H., M. B., and A. G. J.

" I wish you would take up the discussion of this ques-
tion about * lying' at the table sometime, and tell me the
result. Define lying, as any attempt whatever to deceive.
The affirmative brought forward this argument, Christ
was one day walking with His Disciples, when He came to
their place of abode, as they stopped ' He made a^ though
He would have gone further.' They argue that this was an
attempt to deceive,as Christ afterwards, on their invitation,
stayed with them all night, and must have known that
He would do so. I'm sure I do not know which side to
take. Where could we draw the line ? Of course an
educated conscience could readily decide in what case it
would be justifiable for itself, but is there no general rule
that would apply ? I voted for the negative, not because
I was convinced, but because that side had the greatest
weight of argument.

" My room-mate and I do get into such discussions. We
have just finished one about miracles, M. taking the stand
that the da}' of miracles had passed away, and 1 the op-
posite. Then we are always getting unintentionally into
arguments about church doctrine, — M. is a grand one to
argue with, and I think it tends to our mutual enlighten-
ment. Table conversation is quite brisk these eventful
times.

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

" M. is reading Cicero on the Immortality of the soul ;
it sounds perfectly ridiculous in parts, * For I think this
to be more miserable, not to be, when you have been."
' Then those who are not born are already miserable be-
cause they are not.'

" You must tell me the result of the * important day in

the Government' when you write. I am so glad you have

become acquainted with and like Lady H. — but I must

stop at once.

" Good-bye,

" Annie."

" March 16th, 186«.
"M. Dear,

"I was very glad to receive your letter last night
and will trv and oret a note written to-night as I have a
little time now before the retiring bell will ring.

"I will, i I the first place, make a suggestion. I have
found it a most convenient plan to take care of my let-
ters by having a pasteboard box for that special purpose,
and whenever I receive a letter I write on the end of the
envelope the date of its reception and put it with the
others inside a rubber band, and then in the box. It is
more convenient to keep each letter in its own envelope.
I mention this because I remember the * times ' we often
have at home to find letters just v\'hen we want them»
and I think if you were to keep a box on your table and
always put them right in that, it would save much time
and trouble.

FROM LIFK.S SCHOOL

"lleally, M.,3 >u wax olociueiit vvlb'n you ^^'t on a thenu'
so near your hcitrt-strinfj-'-f as tlioone dilated upon in your
last letter. You little Radical ! I don't know wha,t to
say to you. You know you always did dash ahead of
me in admiration and praise of our institutions, and in
opposition to those of the United States. Nevertheless,
I do not go as far as T. does, by any means. With you, I
can say, 'I'm a British subject, and am thankful and de-
lighted that I am,' but I think that the best way to
shew our patriotism is to be ourselves an honor to our
country, and to contribute our mite of influence towards
those improvements which will make our country such as
we wish it to be. Wait till we get up that model school,
now existing in the realm of the future.

" I wait for the daj* when dear hearts shall discover,

While dear hands are laid on my head, —
' The child is a woman, the book may close over,

For all the lessons are said.'"

" But I'm in no hurry for this blissful consummation ;
study is delightful, except for the fact that every ray of
light penetrating my cranium, seems only to disclose
darker cavern/^ of ignorance to be filled with the illumin-
ations of science. (Oh ! !)

" Spring has come, and with it the dread intelligence
that travellers from South Hadley must depart via Wil-
lymansett. School closes a week from Tuesday : bills
handed in this week.

"The retiring bell warns me with relentless tone that I
must close the labors and duties of the day, and say a
reluctant good-night to all you darling ones at home.

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

" Did I acknowledge the receipt of the papers Papa sent

. ?

" Why doesn't my pet A. write ?

"Good-night, darling.

"Yo^r

"Annie."

" March 18th, 1868.
"MoN Cher Pere,

" I think I told you that the trustees had ap-
pealed to the Legislature for a grant of $40,000; well, the
claim was refused a hearing, but Mr. Durant made some
new arrangement, and sent for Miss French to come to
Boston and present the claims of the Seminary. So
Misses French and Evans went yesterday, and we hope
they will be successful.

" I hear that there is being founded in England a col-
lege for ladies, on a scale as liberal as Oxford and Cam-
bridge ; giving ladies equal advantages with the students
at those colleges ; isn't that grand ? An example that is
worthy to be followed by every nation.

" I'm so glad that I will have an opportunity of visit-
ing the cabinet at Amherst College ; it is a finer one than
is possessed by any other college in the State. I am
reading over Hitchcock's Geology now, so that I
may profit by seeing the cabinet, more than I otherwise
would.

" Studies are over, but we have before us the dreadful
ordeal of examinations. I am examined in Analysis on

If IS'*

FROM LTFES SCHOOL

Tuesday morninjjj ; Constitution on Wednesday morning ;
Study of the Bible Wed. afternoon, and Ancient History
Thursday morning. I have very little fear about failing
in the examinations, and so feel quite a relief in the fact
that recitations are over.

" For next term, think I will take Botany, and perhaps
Physiology or Geology. Do you know anything about
Mr. Papineau in Canada ? He is evidently very anxious
to bring about that union of the Provinces with the Unit-
ed States, which the Tribune says is the ' glorious des-
tiny ' of all British America. There is a quotation in the
Tribune from a lecture delivered by him, and he seems to
be a prominent man in Canada.

"You will probably find my letters quite short and

uninteresting till examinations are over ; if I fail, I'll say

nothing about them, but if I do well, you will probably

hear about it.

" Your loving daughter,

" Annie G. Johnson,"

" March, 1868.

" We have witli us at ))resent, Mr. Foote, connected with
the ' Howard Mission ' in New York city. He spoke to
us in the sem. on Fridav eveninor, and in the church on
Sunday, giving us an account of the founding of the
mission, its work, and the manner in which it is support-
ed.

" Mr. Van Meter is at the head of the institution ; the
object is to gather together the neglected children of the

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

city, and feed, clothe and instruct them. There arc now
six hundred and fifty in the school, and of these, five hun-
dred and fifty get no meal except the dinner of soup and
bread at the ' home.' Six hours are devoted to instruc-
tion, and then they return to their homes.

" When the parents are willing, they place the children
in Christian homes to be brought up ; and I believe about
a thousand have already been provided for in this way.

" It is hard to believe that such misery exists as has
been described to us by Mr. Foote. Just think of ten
thousand people walking the streets of New York eveiy
night, unable to find a shelter, even in the station
houses. These station houses are filled every night, and
to the station master, the managers of the mission give
tickets for distribution among these poor starving beings,
stating that bread, butter and coffee can be obtained at
the mission rooms on Sunday mornings. Now, about
two hundred assemble at the appointed time, and when
they have fully satisfied their hunger, they are exhorted
by these earnest men to come to Christ. Of course very
few are ever present more than once, but at every meet-
ing the efforts are rewarded by ^he knowledge th^.t some
have then commenced a new life. The cost of a Sunday
morning breakfast is ten dollars. By providing this
they must reach a class of people who would otherwise
be totally neglected.

" Mr. Foote's object in coming here now is to raise funds
for the mission. They expend a hundred dollars a week,
and are supported entirely by voluntary contributions."

FROM life's school

" March 24th, 1868.
" Darling M.,

" A new name for Mt. Hoi. Sem., — christening by
Mr. F., of Howard Mission — ' Dove's Nest,' is quite cast in
the shade by the * Half-way house between heaven and
earth.*

" I waR examined in Analysis this morning ; of course
I didn't fail in that little thing, but the worst are to come
yet. T don'l intend to distress myself about them at all,
foT that would only increase my liability to fail. So far
the examinations have been very creditable, but thev are
no test of scholarship ; some of the best scholars failed
utterly to-day. I expect Mr. G. will be in to-morrow,
and I am told he asks lots of questions."

r I

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

IV.

18(')8.

"Amukkst, March 31st, 1 SOS.

" Darling Minibus,

" I don't believe I have told you the result of
my examinations. Well, I was so fortunate as not to
fail in one; not even the shadow of a failure.

" Thursday afternoon examinations closed, and Mary
and I started out for a walk, intending to go about two
miles to engage a man to take us over to Amherst on
Saturday. The man's house was away up among the
hills, and after accomplishing our business, we started
straight across the hills to find Mr. M's house, in order to
call. Coming to a deep, rapid stream, we wandered up
and down searching for a place narrow enough to cross,
but finding none, we climbed a hill and dragged down
two great rails from a fence and erected a bridge for our-
selves, on which we crossed with great ease. On we wan-
dered, over hills and through fields, climbing fences, and
sinking ankle-deep in swamps, still finding no trace of
Mr. M's.

" Bye and bye, we came to a mill which we determined
to explore ; there were several women in it, making cloth
and flannel, and they kindly explained everything to us.

100

FROM life's school

Warned by the setting sun, we again started on our
search, and at last, ahnost tired out, found the house, after
a tramp of three miles over the hills. It was getting
quite dark and we only remained long enough to say a
few words and get our pockets fi/led with apples, then
took up our weary march for the Sem., two miles distant.
Oh ! how tired we were, but we got there before eight
o'clock and had a comfortable supper. The next day lo-
comotion was attend*»d with serious difficulty, and it was
not till Saturday that we regained our usual grace of
motion.

" Saturday afternoon we had a pleasant drive across
the mountains, and reached Mrs. W's. just at tea-time.

" To-morrow I expect to go and see the College cabi-
nets. I anticipate quite a treat ; then we are going soon
to see the Agricultural College, which has been lately es-
tablished here. On the whole I think we will have a
pleasant vacation."

" Amherist, Mass., April 10th, 1868.

" Mine Own One,

" Do you have such weather as this in Ottawa ?
Old Winter, provoked at the joy with which we hailed
his departure, has returned to us, and bids fair to prolong
his stay.

" Let me tell you M., I have heard Parei)a ! There was
a grand concert last night in Springfield, a^d Mr. W.

TO THE " FATHER S HOUSE.

101

voiy kindly ur<^e<l inc to go over with liirn ; ho we started
at four o'clock ; j^ot to Northampton in time to take the
five o'clock train, and were in Sprini^fieUl before six
o'clock. Wo <jfot supper at a hotel, and went to the Hall
at seven. The concert was in the City Hall, which is said
to be the first in Massachusetts ; seats three thousand
peoi)le. Before eight o'clock the Hall was full. Mr. W.
was unable to secure a reserved seat, but we obtained a
very good one. At eight o'clock it was announced to us
tliat by some ovei sight all the music had been left in Hart-
ford and could not be on hand till the half-past eight
train, however the concert commenced before nine. There
was a choir of sixty singers, and an orchestra of sixteen
instruments. They sang Haydn's Oratorio of the Creation ;
you remember that is what we sing at school vhis year,
and you may be sure I was interested. There are a great
many solos, both soprano, tenor, and bass, in the Oratorio.
Parepa represented Gabriel, and two gentlemen, Uriel and
Raphael. There was one piano, a violin, violincello, and
two bass viols, a flute, French horn, trombone, and
several other instruments of music. And oh ! they did
make music ! Such a musical feast I never enjoyed before.
I was just satisfied with everything. Parepa came on to
the stage, dressed in a light green satin, with diamonds
flashing from her head and neck, and a scrap of elegant
lace suspended by a chain from her finger, to represent a
handkerchief. She could hardly be called prettj^, and yet
she has such a bright, unaflected manner that she seems
like a cunning little girl ; she is about medium height and

102

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

quite stout ; looks lik(5 hor pic^tun^s, only i\u*y ilon't j^iv(^
her expression at all. She siiui; with spirit mid feelinL,^
On upper C, her voiee ran<^ out throui^'h two or thrije
measures witli the most unwavering' cle.nriess, nml at tlie
end of the last chorus she llirew lier sweet voice up to D,
and sustained it for some time. It was the last note I
heard her sing and it seems as if I could hear it now.
How I wished th'«.t you could have l)een there. This is
the first Oratorio 1 liave lieard really smKj, hut T hope it
w^ill not he the last.

"It was after eleven when we came away, hut the even-
ing had heen all too short. Carl Rosa, Parepa's hushan*!,
conducted the concert.

"We went back to the hotel and got our wrappings and
took the train for Nortnampton ; then wehad'along, eold
drive to Andierst, and found ourselves in Mrs. W's j);ul()r
at two o'clock. Everyone was in bed of course, bub they
had left a supper for us, and we sat down and got nice
and warm, and before three I went to my room to sleep
till ten this morning.

" On enquiring for letters, F. produced yours from his
letter box where he had been hoarding it up for me.

" Yes, I read the account of that assassination in the

Springfield liepuhlican some days ago, and conclude

that it has made a great excitement in Ottawa. I shall

want to hear all about it. What a frightful thing it
was. *

"I have been, as yet, only to one of the cabinets and the

* Assassiuatioa of Hon. Thod. D'Arcy McGee.

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

10.*}

(jonservatoiy. Tlie first thing tliat gicotcd wy eyes on
•'oiniT into tlic cabinet was the skeleton of a most nions-
troiiH animal, belonging to a species long since extinct.
Near it was the skeleton of a whale's hca*! ; the interior
of which a gentleman informed me was n very pleasant
place to study, when you wish to be alone. I was accom-
panied by one of the Amherst Seniors, who facetiously
remarked that l.e could truly say he would )je happy to
answer all questions as far as he could, but ..^I'ore he had
L'one far, 1 became convinced that his knowled'^e was
hardly superior to mine ; and so, for lack of 'nformation
1 failed to appreciate every tlung as 1 wished to. 1 saw
the frightful Gorilla with the broken gun in its paws, it
made me shudder.

" Well, I can give you no idea of the extent and variety
of this vast collection, but I intend to see much more
before school commences. The conservatory is very fine,
and will be improved. I have played a great deal to-day,
and as it has been trying Oratorios for Mr. O., I'm pretty
tired, for that is certainly most tiresome music to play, I
have to fix my attention so closely.

" The people in this house do everything they can to
make our vacation pleasant.

" To-morrow I'm going to try and learn to ride on horse-
back, on A's horse ; won't that be splendid.

** The snow is a foot deep on the ground, and this is
April.

" I thought I would send Mamma this white bow for her
neck. I made it after being told how by a lady. Quite
simple, but useful.

104

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

"How does Ottawa get on ? my papers have not been
sent to me from the Seminary, this vacation.

" It waxes late, and I am tired after last nighu's dissi-
pation ; will you excuse me now ?

" Your loving Sister,
" Annie G. Johnson."

" April 15th, 1868.
" M. Darling.

" This last vacation day finds me still at Amherst,
and expecting to stay here for a day or two longer.

" Day after day I have been confidently expecting my
face to be better,* and when I awoke yesterday morning
to find it still growing worse, I felt well-nigh discouraged
and almost overcome by homesickness. I did not get up
till after dinner, and then lay on the sofa most of the
afternoon and evening. The inflammation seems to have
settled in my lips, and they are very sore indeed, though
better to-day than yesterday. I thought it would be
better for me to remain here till Saturday than to go to
the Seminary and be shut up in my room all the time.
Mr. W. is going to borrow some books for me, so that I
can study and not get behind my classes.

" On Tuesday morning Alice put her side saddle on the
horse, and I dressed myself in her riding habit and a
thick veil, and took my first riding lesson. I always
knew I could ride if only I could get on a horse. I rode

* Alluding to a swelling of the face brought on by a drive in a p.now-
storm.

TO THE '* father's HOUSE."

105

about near and around the house ; at first only venturing
on a modest walk, but growing bolder, essayed to make
the horse gallop. Not being much accustomed to a saddle
he would gallop a few steps, making me feel as easy and
secure as if in a rocking-chair, but his gallop would
merge into a trot which pounced me up and down in a
most unedifying manner."

" Friday Afteunoon.

" To-day my face is better, though my looks are not at
all improved, probably will not be for about two weeks.
I have just been fixing my hair, and positively, though
all alone, I had to stop and laugh at my own face; but
alas ! a great trial is, that I cannot laugh without the
greatest discomfort. If you want to see how I look, take
a fish and rub its scales the wrong way.

" This charming day I rebelled against staying in the
house any longer, so I went out and had a most splendid
horseback ride all alone, with two thicknesses of veil
over my physiognomy. I explored the town and its
suburbs, stopping for some time to gaze at the beau-
tiful view from Mt. Pleasant. When I came home just
before dinner, I told Alice that I had had m}^ heart's de-
sire, a real horseback ride. Oh ! you don't know how
charming it is ; and when T go home in the summer we
will get a horse and you shall learn. Every one says I
ride surprisingly well for a beginner. I am talking
about myself all the time, but cannot think of anything

m
m

106

FROM LIKKS SCFIOOT.

else, at least anything so deeply interesting. I must stop
soo)i and prepare to go to the gymnasium and see the
" adents practice ; of course accompanied by my double
veil.

" Have been reading Cicero t! is afternoon and think I
sliall like it much. Mr. 0. has been feeding me on choco-
late candy, and from other sources I get figs and oranges;
this is the first day that I have been able to eat with any
comfort, conse(j[uently my appetite has had an opportunity
of becoming developed.

"On reading over my letter I see a melancholy strain
about home sickness ; now I charge you, heed it not ; I
am ah over such nonsense, and feel like another person
to-day ; all I wanted was fresh air and exercise.

" This must be a lovely town in summer. There are a
great many very handsome rf sidences, as well as public
buildings. I'm waiting anxiously to hear some Ottawa
news ; now mir^d, I must have a letter to-night without
fail. Blessings on the post oftice ! !

" Yours, with a very great amount of love to all my fair

friends, and injunctions never to undervalue their good

looks.

"Annie Johnson."

"After April 15th, 1868.
"A. Pet,

"If you knew how glad I was to receive your let-
ter, and how I enjoyed reading it, I think you would
speedily afford me a similar treat.

TO THE "FATHFK's HOUSE."

107

" [ must tell you about my last horseback ride. It was
on Tuesday mornini;-, and made my third ride in eighteen
years. Alice borrowed a beautiful little horse, spirited
and excitable, fur herself, and I took her larger and
more staid animal ; however, before we had gone very
far, we came to a convenient spot for dismounting, and
exchanged horses ; then, if we didn't race and gallop !
\Vc were going away out to the * Orient ' for May
tiowers ; when we were near tlie Orient House we
stopped to let our horses drink, but when we wanted to
go on my fractious little |)ony could not be induced to go
past the corner to which we had come. All the strata-
gems I could think of only resulted in a disarranged har-
ness, and w^e rode up to the hotel (the only house in that
region), to have this made right. On our explaining our
perplexities, the waiter offered to lead my horse round
the corner, and so we got over that difficulty.

" Before twelve we had our baskets filled with fragrant
May-tiowers, and commenced a rids round the beautiful
hill and valley called the Orient. Our path was narrow
and winding. On one side the steep hillside formed our
w'-Jl, and on the other we looked down into the lovely
valley, with a crystal stream gliding through it. But I
think my horse must have been deficient in the aesthetic
sense (at least I think that big word means a love for the
beautiful), for, instead of being charmed with the beauty
of the scene, he only evinced a foolish terror at his ele-
vated position, and I was obliged to dismount and lead
hiui till his fears were calmed ; but at every little bridge

108

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

or unusual stocpnorfs in the path, the silly little creature
would stop and obstinately refuse to proceed, so that I
had to mount and dismount nearly a dozen times before
we got out to the road again.

" Once on the road, our horses seemed to know that
they were going home and acted in the most exemplary
manner.

"We had just got into the centre of the town, and were
riding quite rapidly, when I felt my saddle turning round
and taking me with it. I attempted to grasp the reins,
which I had been holding quite loosely, but only succeed-
ed in tightening one, which sent my horse spinning
round in a manner most uncomfortable to his rider.
Seeing the state of affairs, a clerk ran out of a store near
by and stopped my horse, while I sprang off and waited
to have my saddle tightened ; then we proceeded home-
wards on a delightful gallop.

" Well, dear, was that story long enough ? I must stop
now, for I have not a minute more time to spare.

" Write very soon again, my darling, to

"Your loving Sister,

"Annie."

"April 24th, 1868.
" My Darling M.,

" Being too tired and sleepy to do anything else, I
concluded to talk with you a little while, instead of re-
•'.iring at eight o'clock.

" Yesterday was moving day, and in this fact you will
easily see a reason for my weariness. I've been trying to

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

109

study Cicero, but concluded not to waste any more time in
holding my book and yawning at it. We are now com-
fortably located in No. 100, just two rooms from old 93
which we first occupied in this building ; second story,
north wing ; outside room. It feels and looks so cosy to-
night, with a bright wood fire, while the cold wind is
howling outside.

" Saturday.

" To-night I am reminded of my duty by the receipt
of letters from you and A. How glad I was to get them !
You pets ; I've been laughing ever since, whenever J
thought of them. I am much interested in your friend J.
What I am losing by being at school all this time.

" How delighted you must be to think that E. is
coming home. I suppose he must be with j^ou now ; if
so, tell him he must write tomeimmediatelv. I want to
know how he likes Ottawa ; how he left T. (though I
have heard from him quite lately), and also how his own
health is.

" We had another snow storm yesterday ; happily it
was neither very long nor very severe. Strange, strange
weather for April ; but Professor Seely predicted it.

" I wish you were studying Botany. This is just the
right time of year to commence, when vegetation is be-
ginning to appear. If you should find any curiosity in a
Jioral way, won't you press it and send it to me to analyse ?
I'm going to try and get through my Botany in one series,
as the text work is very oasy. Oh, it's a charming study,

110

FROM LTI'ES SCHOOL

and when I go home we will all have to analyse, and
perhaps write a flora of the Ottawa councry. A flora,
you must know, is an account of the flowers of any par-
ticular section of country.

" If J think of it, I'll put a photograph of ' uncle T.* in
this letter, to let you see what he looks like. I think he
thinks as much of me, as if he were really my uncle ; he
did everything he could to make my stay in Amherst
pleasant.

" Thanks for the correction of my absurd mistake. I
always mean to thank anybody after this for such correc-
tion, for I earned some commendation in vacation for so
doing. One night I was playing a piece of music, new to
me, for Mr. W. had made a mistake in the time, which I
repeated each time I went over the piece. Mr. O. was in
the room overhead, and soon he appeared in the parlor,
and rather timidly pointed out my mistake, speedily
making his way to the door again, fearing I suppose that
he may have offended me, but I hastened to express my
thanks very cordially for the trouble he had taken. The
iiext day Mrs. W. told me that in talking to her, he
had contrasted the * lady-like manner in which I accepted
his correction,' with the conduct of some young ladies
under the same circumstances. Let this, my dear child,
be a lesson for you through life ; follow my noble ex-
ample, and may you win as precious a reward !

"How I should love to form one of your dear little Bible
class ; tell me what subjects you ae studying, and I

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

Ill

will join you as nearly as five hundred miles distance, and
the post oflfice arrangements will allow.

" Is Mr. M. a Professor of music ? Won't you delight
in taking lessons again ? It would be a nico plan for you
whenever you get a piece of music, to find out all you can
about the composer, and the circumstances under which
the piece was composed. I'm afraid we are rather ignorant
about the theory of music.

" I must leave myself time to write a note to A.
" Good bye, my sweet Sister,

'• Annie G. Johnson."

" May 2nd, 18G8.
" M. Darling,

" Yours of Tuesday was received last evening, and
with amusement I read your profuse apologies for not
writing more frequently. What would many of the girls
here say, who hear from home but once a fortnight, if they
heard you distressing yourself because you don't always
write twice or three times a week.

" The idea of mamma thinking of sending for me to
come home. Why I was hardly ill ; at least, it would have
taken something more than that to make me give up and
go home. I expect now that when I go home in the
summer I will be as well as when I commenced the year.
You know it is part of my daily duty now to study the
' book of Nature,' and my botanical researches must be
conducive to health.

112

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

,11

" What bright anticipations Mr. H. must have of his
contemplated tour. Surely he will go to Italy. My
heart's desire is to visit Greece, Classic Greece 1 To see
the ruins of Athens — think of it : but how much pleas-
anter if we could visit these monuments of past greatness,
undisturbed by the desecrating presence of man, and all
the trifling concerns of ordinary life. I am so glad you
know as much about Italian as you do. Can you read and
translate it pretty easily ?

" I congratulate E. on his grand discovery ; I suppose I
shall not dare to open my mouth when I go home for fear
of some satirical criticism from his Dominical majesty.
However, if he improves you very materially in the
Grammar department, I promise him a professorship in
my Seminary, luhen I have one ! In consequence of the
very contradictory accounts I receive, I shall have to
wait and deci<)c; for myself on the color of his whiskers.

" A professor from Yale is coming to give us a course
of lectures on Zoology ; there are to be about twelve
lectures, and we are required to attend.

" Your loving

" Annie."

" May 8, 18G8.
'"My Beloved Sister,

" Having just completed the analytical examin-
ation of a member of tlie Order Composita3, genus Tar-
axicum, species Deus-leonis, namely, a dandelion, I ' feel
to' write to you. If you have any objection, please tell
me before I go farther. I think I mentioned to you that

TO THK "father's HOUSE."

113

we expected a gentleman to give uy a course of lectures
on Zoology. He, Prof. Ebell, has come, and already given
us four lectures, which have been very interesting. He
shows an almost boyish enthusiasm in his subject. In
order to make the instruction more practical he proposed
excursions, called by the girls * bugging excursions,' to
hunt for specimens of the animal life he explains in his
lectures.

" I wish you could have glanced from my window when
the first party started on such an expedition. There
must have been nearly a hundred girls, almost all in gym-
nastic suits. They went down the walk towards the
brook, two by two, headed by Miss S. and Driver. With
their banners, consisting of white muslin nets erected on
poles waving in the air, and the Professor dashing here
and there along the lines, like a general exercising a care-
ful supervision over his troops, they looked like a merry
little army going gaily out to battle. Only the Seniors
and the Natural History classes went that time, but yes-
terday any one was invited to go who was disengaged
between ten o'clock and dinner-time. Alas, for me ! my
Botany came at ten, and I thought that would make it
impossible for me to go, till I remembered that another
class recited in the afternoon, and speedily got permission
to recite then. How funny I looked in my gymnastic
dress, with my black cloak longer behind than my skirt,
for it was a cold, cloud}?^ morning. Just as we started, a
heavy shower came on ; but cheered on by the Professor
we determined not to be discouraged by such a circum-

' I

^ r

n
m

3 tr

l^i

114

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

lit.

Htanco, and dashed on, over fences and rickety bridges,
till we came to a Hour mill, which we invaded, much to
the astonishment and peri)lexity of the white-robed mill-
men. Here we waited till the rain had abated, when we
again sallied forth, bearing with us many a floury token
of our visit. C. M, was my company — she is a sweet
girl, the best member of the Senior class I believe, and
I should not wonder if she should be 'Class President.'

" We were following the stream in its wanderings
through the meadows, and we came to a spot where it
was bridged by a log about ten yards long. C. and I were
ahead of the others, and were very anxious to try and
walk across, but waited till the others came up, when the
Professor himself made the trial, and then asked if any
would like to try it, saying that he would help any one who
might. We saw no fun in being helped, so refused, but
some others immediately undertook the hazardous jour-
ney. Three had safely crossed, and the Professor was
leading the fourth when, lo ! he lost his balance and be-
came partially submerged .n the water, much to the
amusement of the spectators ; his equanimity apparently
undisturbed, he regained his footing and proceeded on his
perilous way. We had ^one about half a mile further,
when glancing across the stream, we saw that the three
girls who had remained on the other side after crossing
the log, had arrived at the land's end, and could go no
farther on that side. Considerable delay was occasioned
by this, as a part of the stream which was comparatively
narrow had to be reached, and here they were assisted
across.

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

115

" We did have a splendid time altogether. Quite a storm
of hail and rain came on as we .started for home, and to
crown all Miss T. sprained her ankle in climhinfjr a fence ;
but these mishaps only added zest to our enjoyment, and
probably our appetites too, for I'm sure I at least did
ample justice to the repast waiting for us when we got
back. If we do not obtain a great deal of scientific know-
ledge frOiii these rambles, they will at least benefit our
health. Last night we had a lecture in the GymnasiuTu
illustrated by a magic lantern, the white wall over the
l)latform serving for a screen."

" Monday Eve.

" Yesterday brought me your letter, M., and as I read
your * eulogy ' of my letters, my thoughts went back
over the long list of hurried, uninteresting epistles I have
been sending you this year, and I could not but hope that
you would take none of them for a ' model.' I am glad
you made that resolution (to take more pains in your
own writing), for, though your letters are written in a
style far above mediocrity, yet I think you seldom take
time to do yourself justice.

" What & splendid time you must have had listening to
so many celebrities. Did you meet Dr. T., or did he call
to see mamma ? The Crystal Palace Concert, of which
he told you, must have been something overpowering.
I am afraid the day is still far off when, in Canada, we
can hear an Oratorio as well performed, aud before an

116

PROM LIFES SCHOOL

audience as generally a])preciative, as we may almost any
time in plebeian New England.

" I am very busy this term ; more so with only two
studies than last term with three, hut it is a more healthy
kind of business, as I have to be out of doors so much.
Yesterday I analysed my thirty-sixth flower, and pressed
several. " Your Loving-est

" Annie. "

"May nth, 1808.
" A. My Darmng,

" Your long letter certainly deserves a speedy
answer, and I only wish that I could send you one equally
long and interesting.

" We have been eating some delicious oranges to-day,
and I wished I could send you some of them. They
were part of a dozen which Mr. W. sent to us by A., who

called to see us on Friday with Mr. . We had a

very pleasant time. Mr. expressed himself as

very anxious to hear some music, so we went down to
the Sem-Hall, and I played a good while. They went
away during supper. As we were going down the steep

breakneck front stairs to the door, M. and Mr.

were a little ahead of us, about a third of the way down

stairs. Suddenly, to our horror Mr. commenced

a series of gymnastic performances, quite unheard of in
Miss E's vocabulary. A wild leap first to one side, then
to the other, a vague, terrified grasping at invisible ob-
jects for support, and then one grand final evolution,

TO THE "father's HOUSE,"

117

ending in a crash, well calculated to make us tremble for
the floor, had not our sympathies been enlisted on behalf of
the performer, who, however, to our amazement was
found at the foot of the stairway, * riufht side up,' and
unhurt, saving a pretty severe rap on his vanity bump,
from which wo hope he soon recovered. (If you don't
understand all the big words, M. will explain, but you use
such large ones yourself, that I think you will have no
dift^cult3^) Miss E. was just giving out the hymn for de-
votions, when Mr. thumped on to the floor over-
head, and she stopped in amazement, while an audible
smile went round the room. The scene is present to my
mind, whenever gravity seems peculiarly appropriate.

" I'm so glad you are going to have a flower garden ;
mind and have a pretty one ; and remember when you
get your seeds, that each one contains a tiny root, stem,
and almost always a pair of leaves. The first two little
leaves that come up are seed-leaves, or cotyledons, as the
Botany calls them. Watch your flowers and see how
much you can learn about them.

" My dear, is i a favorite letter of yours ? I notice
that you let it creep into e's place very often ; such par-
tiality leads to very undesirable results in spelling.

" You know, I suppose, that'pearls are found in oyster
shells, but do you know how they are^made. They are
at first just little grains of sand, which have got into the
shell, and as they irritate the oyster, it gives them a
coating of some oily material, and then another and
another till they become at last beautiful, round white
pearls.

118

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

" I'm glad you like Algebra. You must study hard,
dear, and see how much you'll know when I come home
in vacation.

" When is Papa going (or coming) away ? He had bet-
ter not try to surprise me if he expects to come, for I
might be off on a botanizing expedition, or something of
the kind, and besides, it's nice to have the anticipation.

" Now, darling, I must say good-bye, for it's almost mail
time. Write aorain soo.i to

" Your loving Sistei-,

" Annie."

" May 21st, 1868.
" My Darling A.,

"Shall I waive ceremony /br once{l) and write to
you before receiving an answer to my last.

" This is a dull, rainy evening, and I have become so
tired studying and sewing that I want to refresh myself
by a chat with ;l j»mebody.

" I have been very busy to-day pressing and analysing
flowers.

" Do you want to know how to press flowers nicely ?
If I were you and M. I think I would explore every ex-
plorahle region of the country round about, and gather
the spring flowers as they come ; then get two square
pieces of board and a large heavy stone. For myself, I
went to the paper mill and bought f.ve pounds of coarse
wrapping paper in which to dry my flowers. What I
got was in very large sheets, and these I folded up in

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

119

several thicknesses of about a foot square, and cut single
pieces of about the same size for putting the flowers in,
preparatory to pressing them. The flowers ought not to
be uncovered for about a week, but the drying papers
should be changed every day. The sheets in which you
first put them should be just like this sheet of paper,
only larger, and the paper must be such as will absorb
moisture readily.

" Let not E. think it beneath his dignity to share your
rambles ; for his benefit I will call them scientific investi-
gations, and trust that you will have an herbarium second
only to mine, when I return home. It is a phenomenon
if the suburbs of Ottawa are entirely destitute of flowers.
Wild flowers are far more interesting to a botanist than
those that are cultivated ; my botany calls some of the
cultivated species monstrosities.

" I want to tell you about a lovely little concert we had
on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Foote, of Howard iMission,
came here with six of his little ' wanderers,' in order, I
suppose, to more thoroughly enlist our sympathies in their
behalf, and in the afternoon brought them into the hall
to sing to us. The eldest was about thirteen ; she had a
remarkable voice, beautifully sweet and clear, and harmo-
nizing well with the rich alto of the little one next to her.
The others sang well for such very wee children, but their
actions interested me more than their singing. The poor
little creatures had never been out of New York city
before, and were just brimming over with delight at the
novelty of everything about them. They were comfort-

120

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

ably dressed, and we could not fully appreciate their
happiness till Mr. Foote told us what homes they came
from. Oc.e cliubby-faced merry little thing had her home
in a single underground room lighted by four small panes
of glass, with a drunken father and mother, six brothers
and sisters, and two hoarders ! Mr. Foote suggested that
if we were dissatisfied with our board here, we might be
accommodated there. Three of the children had never
stepped on green grass before, and the * cars,* * cows,'

* chickens,' and ' green grass ' filled them with unbounded
delight.

" Innocent little Emma exclaimed one day, ' Oh, I'd
like to come to this school a great deal better than to
stay in New York.' When asked why, she answered,

* Because there 's so much grass here ! '

" The little creatures went away to finish their tour
yesterday. Mr. Foote takes them with him, thinking
truly that their childish voices will plead the cause of the
mission more effectively than words of his can do.

"Again does that retiring bell — brazen bell! — sound
forth its grim mandate — No ! Oh, delightful ! I find it is
only the half hour before retiring, so I can talk a little
longer.

" So you ' take an interest' in my room-mate May, do
you ? I told her that, and I think it has awakened a
similar feeling in her, for she particularly desires me to
give you her love.

Mr. H.'s suggestion about visiting Greece was a good
one, and I shall certainly remember it with favor ; mean-

TO THE "FAlTUERS HOUSE.

121

time, if he is in a hurry to get there, he will have a good
opportunity to emulate Job's characteristic. (That's for
M.)

" 'Tis sweet to be remembered," thought I, when M.
made the remarks upon the subject. A. dear, try and
write soon and tell me how E. is ( as I must take second-
hand news about him and his concerns) — how everybody
and everything in Ottawa is progressing, 'imprimis,' the
garden and fountain. I've enjoyed scribbling this very
much, and only wish it were a little more legible, for I
know you do not like to decipher indistinct writing.

" The real retiring bell has rung now, and I must say
good night, and God bless my darling sister.

" Yours most lovingly,

" Annik."

" Wedxksday, May, 18G8.
" M. Dear,

" Such busy times as we do have this term. Prof.
Ebell is here yet and this morning took all the teachers,
en masse, on an exhibition to East Hampton and the lead
mines. They returned this afternoon in a rain storm.

" I must inform you that I am a member of the Eight-
eenth Chapter of the 'Dana Natural Historj^ Society.'
The branch with which I am connected is called the * Mt.
Holyoke Dana Natural History Society.' I think the
whole affair originated with Prof. Ebell, and he has been
forming * Chapters ' in the vaiious places where he has
lectured. It is composed entirely of ladies, though we

122

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

have made the Professor an honorary member, in consid-
eration of his valuable services. The object is not to
make new discoveries, or additions to the field of science,
but to promote a more general and practical knowlfdge
of the Natural World. The regular meetings are to be
annual, in the last week of June, but we can at any time
appoint irregular meetings, and have them as frequently
as we wish. This is by no means an exclusively school
affair, though Miss S. is president and one or two other
ofiices are filled by teachers ; but our connection with it
continues after we leave school, and it is hoped that our
interest will not be diminished. We had a meeting to-
day in which the constitution was read and ratified,
after some interesting debate on the various items.
Prof Ebell is the correspondent for the whole Society, to
keep each Chapter apprised of the welfare and progress
of the others, and sometime there is to be a general con-
vocation of the whole. Like the Christian Association,
this is to be extended into Canada, and in other ways is
to be conducted like that society.

" You must be a member some day, and then we will
overcome our repugnance to all insedians which we indis-
criminatel}'' term hugs, and have a fine collection of our
own. I will have to write to the Corresponding Secre-
tary once every year in order to continue my connection
with the Society.

t«n

Thursday Eve.

" We have got our forty thousand dollars, and are to
have an illumination this evening ! There will be a

111

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

123

stroke of the bell five minutes after recess meeting, when
we are to put lamps in our windows, and go out of doors,
where we may remain till a quarter of nine when we art
simultaneously to * extinguish the illumination.'

" Miss F. read us some letters written to her by mem-
bers of the State Senate, informing us that the bill for
the appropriation had been sent to the Governor for his
signature, which he had already promised, so that we con-
sider ourselves in possession of the vast treasure.

" One hour later. — The affair is all over and I am
quietly settled in my room. Well, M., it was beautiful.
Every window had at least two lamps in it, and when
you consider the size of the building, and the regularity in
the arrangement of the windows, you may have a little
idea of it. Of course the town came out to see the
sight, but it was quite an orderly affair.

" Prof. E. gathered us around him, directly opposite
the main building, and there commenced the musical part
of the entertainment. We sang * Star Spangled Banner,'
' America,' * Home, Sweet Home,' and other familiar airs ;
the Professor then proposed three cheers for the legis-
lature of Mass. Oh ! such screeching as proceeded from
the untutored voices ; but it was, at least, hearty. The
next proposition was to go and serenade Miss French,
who had gone into the house, and round we went to her
window ; here we sang * Music in the Air,' and closed
with the Doxology, as the bell summoned us to our
rooms.

" Dear me, there is the retiring bell, and I will have to
finish this in a hurry to-morrow morning,

124

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

"I have now analysed forty-five flowers; five more
will complete one quarter of the required number.

" Good morning M., I am going off on a zoological ex-
pedition this morning and must get ready very soon. We
have only one more lecture to hear.

" This was a glorious morning, but tlie sunshine has
gone, and there is a prospect of rain.

" Give nmch love to all at home, from

"Yours lovingly,

"Annie."

"May 28th, 18G8.
" Darling M.,

" At the weary close of a busy, excited day, I must
sit down and try and bring my mind into that state of
equilibrium requisite to euable me intelligently to recount
all that has happened.

" At five o'clock this morning I shook the sleep from
my heavy eyelids, and spent the morning till breakfast
time in getting affairs in order for the day. After break-
fast I was coming through the dining-hall, when May,
with the appearance and effect of a small whirlwind,
carae rushing toward me, exclaiming, incoherently, * What
do you suppose has happened ? ' As soon as m.y bewihl-
ered senses had grasped the truth that Papa was really
in the reception room, I sped thither with the speed
which only such a motive could induce. But, oh ! the
amazement and delight when T really saw Papa before
me, I need not attempt to tell you how I felt ; you all, M.

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

especially, can fill up the outline, with its brilliant col-

ouring.

" Of course I must bring Papa to my room, so 1 ap-
prised May of my intention and got permission of Miss W.

" Then Papa went to the stable and engaged a horse
and carriage to take us down to the South Hadley Falls.
It was about nine o'clock when we started, and we had a
delightful drive, and then a very interesting time examin-
ing the paper mills. None of us had ever been in a
paper mill before, and we followed the process of making
the paper from the very beginning in the rag-room to the
last, where the smooth white sheets were prepared for
sale. Some time when I have more time I may tell you
all about it. We got back to the Seminary about an
hour before dinner. Papa persisted in taking his dinner
at the hotel instead of here, and about one o'clock came
back and I got Miss N. to go over the house with us.
We saw everything there was to see, and Papa seemed
much pleased with the arrangements.

" After this we went to the south music room, and I
played for Papa, and after a short time got A. H. to come
in and make Papa's acquaintance.

" The rest of the time we went out on the grounds and
remained till the stage came and took Papa from my
sight. That seemed like a sad awakening to a bright
dream. We did enjoy the day so much, May and I, but
just think that I never got the letter about Papa's coming
till he had gone.

"Of course I feel somewhat lonely now, but then I'm

I; ii

126

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

going home in so short a time, and Papa says he will
make an effort to go back this way at the same time I
do ; won't that be charming !

" Now I must thank you for the present you sent me.
It is 80 nice, and I wanted just such a one very much,
but could not get time to make it.

" I have nearly one hundred flowers analysed, but that
is only half the number required. Miss S. has advised us
to give up botany this series and finish it next year, as
she thinks it would be far better for us to get the au-
tumn flowers, so I have taken her advice, and have Phy-
siology instead. The new series commences to-day.

" Love to all, and thank mamma for her letter. I will
answer it as soon as possible.

"Yours Lovingly,

" Annie."

"June 8th, 1868.
" Own Sister,

" I have a little minute to spare and will devote it
to you, for I think you are a ready and patient listener.
" I meant to say that I have left my botany till next
summer term, instead of fall, so your inference is un-
founded. As to Hamilton, I've left the subject for the
present, as there is no need of immediate decision, but I
hope to be directed about my path ; if I should go there
simply to please myself, I am too enlightened to expect
success or satisfaction. I want a willingness to be guided
entirely by Providence, and I know that you will all

TO THE "father's HOUSE.

127

make it a subject of prayer. Though papa scarcely men-
tioned the subject, yet I think he inclines to the idea that
I had better stay here. What do you think about con-
tinuing your course at school ? A great many have en-
quired lately if you were not coming back here.

" At last Thursday evening meeting we were addressed
by Mr. Harper of Canton, China, a missionary. He gave
us some very interesting intelligence about the moral and
intellectual condition of China, though his manner of
speaking was very monotonous. China proper extends
over a territory equal to that occupied by the United
States, exclusive of the territories. The system of edu-
cation seems very thorough, no one being allowed to hold
any public office who has not taken a degree, while the
education of the women is no less carefully attended to.
Most of the trustees were here on Thursday and had a
grand ' trustee meeting ' in the north wing parlor ; they
were consulting on the best means of disposing of our
forty thousand. Mrs. Durant has promised to give five
thousand dollars' worth of books, if a new building be
erected specially for a library ; so * we ' are going to
secure her generous donation by fulfilling the conditions.

Iii

" Tuesday Morning.

" May and I expect to go to Amherst this evening. It
is * class day * for the college there, and the public exer-
cises will probably be very interesting, so Alice is to bring
a carriage for us this afternoon and we wUl stay till to-
morrow night, if we can get permission.

128

FROM LIFPrS SCHOOL,

Pi
i '

" I suppose you heard about the ceremonies throughout
the State last month, when the graves of the union sol-
diers were strewn with flowers. It was observed here,
and our brass drum and fife paraded before the long
procession, playing * Nellie Gray ' with very rapid move-
ment.

" I must thank mamma for her precious little letter ;
it was delightful, mamma.

" You mentioned in one of your letters having obtained
Tasso's 'Jerusalem Delivered;' are you reading it in
Italian ? I have been reading it lately, but the transla-
tions probably take much from its beauty. I think it
never has been very well translated, but I may be mis-
taken in this.

" Well darlinofs, good night,

" Annie."

ijii

" Room 100, June 13, 1868.
"Sister Mine,

" This lovely summer day, arrayed in a fresh buif
calico, and enjoying the balmy air from my open window,
I would fain share my enjoyment (especially the buff"
calico !) with some whom I long to see ; this being im-
possible, I will hold a little pen and ink conversation
with you. The conviction creeps upon me that we may
yet have a little summer in spite of the discouraging
signs and predictions. This sunny day proves somebody
a false prophet.

" Do you want to hear the Seminary news ? The senior

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

129

class have elected their officers, and they are as follows :
C. M., President ; R. K. and J. B., Vice-Presidents ; M. D.,
Treasurer ; N. E., Secretary ; A. F., M. B., L. C. and A. C,
Prophetesses ; and L. M. and C. P., Poetesses. This ar-
rangement seems to be quite satisfactory to all parties,
and I am sure C. is the best one they could have chosen
for President.

" Item number two — we have had a missionary here.
Strange event ! Mr. Douglass, from India, spoke tc> us
yesterday, instead of the usual hall exercise. He is a tine
looking man, and his account was the most interesting I
have heard for a long time. His mission is to the
lullagoos (at least so pronounced), and he first mentioned
the impression any one would receive on entering one of
the large cities. The streets are broad and neat; the
houses large and handsome, while the mercantile estab-
lishments furnish every article of commerce, and in some
the number of clerks varies from twenty to thirty.
Observing the industrious habits of the people, their fine
personal appearance and general intelligence, as well as
their enquiring minds and power of intellect, * every pros-
pect pleases,' and it is only by obtaining an insiglit into
their false and degrading system of religion, that the dark
side of the picture is seen, and the discovery made that
truly * man is vile.'

" The state of woman in India may be known from the
fact that she is supposed to have no soul. As we know,
the system of caste is the greatest barrier to the progress
of the Gospel, but on this the effect of British rule if

ISO

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

n i

plainly seen. There are now railways traversing the
country in many directions, and * every time the old
engine leaves the station it dashes over the steel network
of caste, which is shutting out the people from all hope
of rise and progress, and crushes it to pieces.' You are
aware that those belonging to one grade or caste con-
sider themselves polluted by even sitting in the same
room with those of another, but, in order to take advan-
tage of the rapid railway travelling, they must do this ;
and here we see how powerful is the love of gain, for,
rather than spend the much greater amount of time and
money required by the old means of travelling they con-
stantly pollute themselves by this means, though they
endeavor to counteract the effect of this by more numer-
ous ablutions. It seems evident that these modern im-
provements must be instrumental, in time, in working a
wonderful revolution.

" Mr. Douglass related to us some conversations he had
had with the Brahmins, assuring us that it was no fancy
sketch, but that he was simply giving us a sample of the
questionings they were constantly called upon to ani^wer.
In their questions they commenced with God's eternal
existence and brought out clearly the fact that the whole
creation as we find it now is the result of a pre-conceived
plan in the Divine mind ; then going back over the train
of argument, step by step, traced back to God the origin
of sin, calling upon Mr. Douglass to acknowledge that
this was the inevitable result of his teaching. He readily
showed them that they had made a fatal mistake by

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

131

basing their argument on the supposition that this Creator
was an unholy being, and so on.

" His object in telling us this was to let us see, what
are some of the obstacles they have to contend with in
the subtle reasoning they are called upon to answer, and
the extensive cultivation of those minds yet in the dark-
ness of heathenism.

"Altogether I got quite a different idea of India firm
Mr. Douglass, than from the numeious other missionaries
who have talked to us about it.

" Do you think that is sufficient for India ?

" I must say a word now to darling mamma.

" Yours, pet,

" Annie."

"June 19th, 18G8.

" On Wednesday morning A. H. and I walked down to
Smith's Ferry and took the cars for Northampton.

" A. had some shopping to do, so we walked up and
down * Shop Row ' till it was time for the train to start —
about half- past ten. We started back for South Hadley,
walking to the ferry again.

" It was a very warm day, but we contemplated a jour-
ney up Mount Tom in the afternoon, so resolved not to
feel tired. Instead of going down to dinner I took a re-
freshing bath, and laid down for a short time, and felt
quite rested when it was time to get ready. The Natural
History Society were going on an excursion, first down
the Connecticut to examine the bird tracks, and then up
Mount Tom.

iifil

132

FROM life's school

"We all wore gymnastic suits, and found them most
comfortable. The party consisted of about thirty, in-
cluding six teachers.

" Miss F. and Miss C. rode almost all the way up the
mountain, while the rest of us walked. How I wished
you were with us to enjoy the ascent. I should like to
go up every week. Miss F. found out that A., H., and I
had walked to and from the ferry in the morning, and
almost insisted on having us ride, but we would not, as
that would have spoiled half the enjoyment ; then Miss
F. said, playfully, she supposed we were preparing to be
excused from exercises for the next few days ; but how
different the result.

" When the day was over we were not as tired as when
it commenced, and I have felt better ever since ; though,
to be sure, my face is several shades darker, and finely
variegated with freckles.

" Oh ! this Connecticut Valley is truly beautiful ! But I
have not time to expatiate. The bell summons me away.

" Good morning pet, and love to all."

(The following letter alludes to plans for visiting her
brother during vacation.)

" June 29th, 1868.
"M. Dearest,

"I am very sorry mamma has changed her plans,
but suppose it must be for the best. It would have been
such a pleasure to T. to see mamma, and of course much
pleasanter for me not to go alone, but I ought to be per-
fectly satisfied if papa allows me to go at all. il

TO THE "father's HOUSE.'

133

" However, M., you must not think of my being * tardy
in returning,' nor must I allow myself to contemplate
such a thing. I must graduate in *70, if nothing but my
own ability is in the way. Just think, I have a double
delight in view ; going to see T., and going home. I
must not stay in New York long, for my vacation will be
80 short. I know you will all pray that my visit to T.
may not be without profit to both of us. I feel quite
anxious lest it should be otherwise.

**Our Natural History Society holds its annual meeting
in the parlors this evening, for the purpose of electing
officers, and having a pleasant time generally.

"Miss S. hinted to me quite plainly that any flowers
peculiar to the Canadian flora, would be gratefully re-
ceived, and I mean to try and enrich the society's herb-
arium a little if I can.

" You ask about our recess meetings ; they are very
interesting; at least as much so as last year, and Miss B.
is anxious that they should be profitable ; but this closing
term has so much in it to dissipate our mindc, that there
is no unusual interest in the school. The monthly con-
certs are interesting as ever. We had lately a beautiful
letter from Mrs. ' Katy Lloyd,' a very long one, which I
would like to copy if I could obtain possession of it, for
I am sure you would be exceedingly interested in it.
You know what a noble woman she is, and how thrill-
ingly she writes of her work in that heathen land.

" Our poor cherry trees are all blighted, and we cannot
regale ourselves on them, as we were wont to do of old.

134

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

" Mr. Foote, of Howard Mission, is intending to visit
Canada in the summer, with some of his little ones, and
probably the B. girls will accompany the party ; if so,
they are pretty confident of visiting Ottawa, which will
be quite pleasant for us ' Holyoke girls,' will it not ?

" Mr. Jenkins, Congregational minister from Amherst
preached to us on Sunday ; in the morning on the sub-
ject of * Graces before Gifts/ as being the Bible order.
His language is simple and his manner unaffected ; yet
there is great beauty and force in his expression of ideas,
and I have seldom listened to anyone with such satisfac-
tio '. He contrasted the spirit of the world, aud especial-
ly of the American nation, in esteeming and assiduously
cultivating talent, shrewdness, and business capacity,
with that of the Bible, w^ ich places far above everything
else, the attainment of charity, includinof all the graces.

"A still more beautiful discourse in the afternoon was
on the office of Christ as our King ; a character in which
He is 30 seldom distinctly represented to us.

" You must read * De Senectute ' when I go home ; it
is very interesting, and some of Mr. Cicero's ideas are
quite charming, but Cato, whom he represents as the
author, is terribly egotistical.

"My letter has quite lengthened out after all, and I've
been such a short time scribbling it, but my fingers are
aching with the unnatural speed at which my pen flies.

" Love to all, pet one, from

" Your Sister, and

" Mamma's Daughter,

"Annie."

TO THE "father's HOUSE/

135

" July 4th, 1868.
"Dear M.,

" On this the morning of our glorious * fourth/ I
snatch a moment from the busy turmoil to give you some
idea of the present state of affair?.

"In the first place, this is a holiday, and the Senior's class
day, and altogether we are having a very exciting time,
so much so that I can hardly guide my pen. Some ide*'.
of the cause of the excitement may be gleaned from the
toast given for the teachers last night at the class
supper ; it was thus : —

" * There is a Destiny that shapes our ends rough ; hew
them as we will.' Please note the new style of punctu-
ation, else you will not see the point. * * j gQ^ ^o
sleep about twelve o'clock, and slept, with the exception
of several waking intervals, till finally wakened by the
dinging of the church bells and booming of cannon, this
morning very early.

" We did not get up till nearly time for the Jive, and
then were called to the front balcony to witness the ex-
hibition of the * Calathumpians' (' Fantastics* or * Hor-
ribles* as they are called here), and with streaming hair,
and most imperfect toilets we hastened out. It was very
comical.

" Last night they had a cake containing a ring and a
thimble ; May got the thimble and F. C. the ring, the
thimble signifying the old maid of the class, and the ring
the class bride. This morning the Seniors are having a
meeting in the lecture room, and so May dressed up in

!,:!

136

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

the most old maidish manner possible, with hair combed
over her face and terminating in a little pug at the top
of her head, all surmounted by a mammoth comb, meekly
folded handkerchief round her neck, huge check apron,
and a pepper box supposed to contain snufF, at her waist,
in company with a pair of scissors, work box and huge
palmleaf fan ; while she squinted her eyes through a pair
of gold bowed spectacles. F. C. was dressed as a bride,
with a white dress and flowing white veil fastened with
flowers. D. N. dressed up to represent the bridegroom,
in knickerbockers and black velvet tunic, with her short
curly hair parted at the side. I never saw her look so
pretty. They were heartily cheered as they entered the
lecture room ; but Miss E. expressed her disapproval.

" The sun shines gloriously on the stars and stripes
gently waving before my eyes, and almost I feel as
if I had an interest in the general rejoicing. Do any but
Holyoke girls get excited over such little things ?

" The weather is pleasantly cool to-day; it was oppres-
sively warm yesterday, ninety-three in the shade, one hun-
dred and six in the sun. May and I were sitting in our
room in the morning, dressed in the lightest manner
possible, when Miss S. passed by our door and looked in
to ask us if we did not wish with somebody — (I forget
who) that we could ' take off our flesh and sit in our
bones.* Miss S. is so humorous and pleasant, everyone
likes her very much.

" We had a dusky-browed Japanese to hear us sing this
afternoon. He is attending college in Monson, near here,

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

137

with three more of his countrymen. He is strange look-
ing, no whiskers and long straight blaok hair, and not a
very animated countenance.

" To-morrow is the last study day before reviews, and
then how rapidly the time will go.
" Love to all the loved ones, from

" Your loving

" Annie."

" July 9th, 1868.

" By the way, I never told you about the paper
mill, did I ? Perhaps I have time now, but then I never
can describe such things respectably.

" We took our umbrellas, for it threatened rain when
we started, but when we drove up to the long brick build-
ing with its innumerable windows, the sun was shining
gloriously, and we walked round first to get a good view
of the Falls which had power to shike our Seminary, and
whose roar occasionally aspired to reach South Hadley
ears. It was a fine sight, but you have a finer in our
beautiful Chaudi^re, on which you can feast undisturbed
by the ceaseless clash of machinery.

" Intimating our desire to watch the process of
paper-making, to a little man in the doorway, we were
conducted to a large room, roughly finished, where some
twenty or thirty girls were busily engaged in sorting the
rags, and cutting them up on a knife resembling half a
sword blade, which was fixed to the stand of each one.
The girls were intelligent looking, as most Yankee girls

138

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

are. They had to wear something over their heads to
protect them from the dust and lint, and it was amusing
to see the variety of tastes displayed in the arrangement
of this head dress. Some of the more sedate had simply
a large handkerchief plainly folded round the forehead,
while others, with more pretensions to beauty, had ar-
ranged theirs in a turban shape, decorated with soiled
rosettes and goose feathers.

" We went from this room to another where some large
boxes of snowy white pulp were standing, and where
were large wooden receptacles, some twelve or fifteen feet
long, of an oval shape, in which masses of pulp and water
were slowly revolving. (You can get an idea of how it
looked by taking a piece of blue paper and masticating
it well.) We could not see the machinery, but saw that
a change was effected which made the mass smoother ;
from this room it was carried to the final process. It
was first passed on to a series of flat receivers, something
like sieves, which allowed the water to ooze slowly
through them, leaving the pulp which grew drier and
drier as it passed over each successive sieve ; these were
all heated to aid in the process, which was all carried on
by quite simple machinery. It gradually became paper
like, and when it is about as firm as wet blotting paper>
it is carried over rollers resting on flannel to prevent it
from tearing. These rollers are heated, and when the
paper arrives at the last one it is in firm white sheets,
about the width of wall paper, and is cut by a machine at
the end.

,^,_^ .,

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

139

" The next room was large, airy and clean, and here
also a great many women and girls were employed, some
in counting and others in folding the clean white paper ;
so clean, that no one would have suspected its close re-
lationship to the uninviting rags we had first beheld.

" Now dear, you probably know almost as much about
the process as you did before I commenced.

" The more I study, the more I see the absurdity of
calling that education, which is simply storing the mind
with facts, or making it the object of study to convert
the mind into a crowded encyclopedia. If this were all
our aim, think how unsatisfactory it would be, after
years of patient study, to compare our mite of knowledge
with the untold amount of which we are yet strangers.

" I am very anxious to read Gibbon's * Decline and Fall '
of the Roman Empire;' Willson, author of our Ancient
History, quotes from him freely, and it was my delight
to commit to memory some of these beautiful passages.
We must have it sometime, or try and find a more in-
teresting history than ' Rollin's Ancient.' Perhaps, how-
ever, we did not give that a fair trial.

" So, like a little witch, you want to make me * stay
out ' again, do you ? You would not surely have me
give up graduating in '70. I could not venture to stay
away the first of the year at any rate ; if I find it possible

rajv in the latter part of it.

" How delightful it was to get four letters from home

W;i

140

FROM life's school

in three days. Well, my enthusiastic little Italian, I must
say good night, and imagine I hear you say, ' it's time.'
" May every blessing rest upon my loved home.

" Yours, darling,

"Annie G.J."

''July 20, 186S.
" MoN Cher Pere,

" Your letter was a real feast. I knew it would
be when you did write ; and I shall be so glad of the Ot-
tawa papers.

" I believe I tried in my last letter to explain to M. the
cause of the President's impeachment, but I wrote in a
hurry, and really do not know how fully I explained it.

" The President's cabinet is composed of the Secretaries
of War , Navy, State, Treasury, Interior and Post-office
Departments. These are all appointed by the President,
hy and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

" Almoot all the Articles of Impeachment (which are
eleven) are based on the President's violation of the Ten-
ure of Office Bill, passed by last Congress. This has been
considered a part of the Constitution, though I believe a
question as to its validity has been raised, and not yet
dedded by the courts. The President in his defence
sometimes claims that it is not valid and that, therefore,
he had a perfect right to remove Stanton (the sole power
of removal being previously vested in the President) ; and
again, he says, he did it to test the validity of the Bill.
He also argues that, as Stanton was not appointed by

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

141

him, but by President Lincoln, the clause in that Bill pro-
viding that secretaries shall hold their offices during the
term of the President by whom they have been appointed,
does not apply to him. The President has no power to
appoint any one to, or remove him from, office during a
session of the Senate, except with its advice and consent.
If he removes an officer and appoints a successor during
a recess of the Senate he must, at its next Session, ap-
prise the Senate of this and give his reasons, and if they
concur the appointment is confirmed ; if not, the one sus-
pended returns to his office. Now you will see that at
the close of the Session, the President could again make
what appointment he chose, as he did when he first re-
moved Stanton, but the Tenure of Office Bill prevents
this by providing that if no appointment is made during
the Session, with its advice and consent, the office re-
mains in abeyance, and the duties are performed by some
other member of the Department.

" If any one accepts any such office to which he has
been thus unconstitutionally appointed, he is liable to a
fine not exceeding $10,000, or imprisonment not exceed-
ing five years, by the same comprehensive Bill. This is
the ground on which General Thomas has been arrested.
I do not know that this will be very intelligible, but I
think it is correct. **♦♦♦*

" My recitations come now at the third and fourth reci-
tation hours in the morning, so chat I have the whole
afternoon for study, but I do not like it much.

" I am apt to spend too much time over my botany, in

142

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

which I delight. My room is perfumed now with the
beautiful wild Azalea. A. H. gives me all the botanical
* specimens' she finds, which is quite an assistance.

" I do want mamma to come to South Hadley and
see all the beauties of nature surrounding it. Both
mamma and you will of course come to see me graduate ;
but that is piercing the future rather too far.

"We Middlers had a 'class meeting' in room G on
Saturday. We mot to make arrangements for trimming
the Sem. Hall, as that duty always devolves on the mid-
dle class. I am one of the committee on ferns and have
to go off hunting for them at the rising bell to-morrow
morning. We are to have a large hanging basket in the
centre of the hall with hemlock wreaths festooned from
the posts. The class motto of '66 is to be put up over
the clock, and the rest of the room is to be ornamented
with brackets and bouquets.

" The house is full of * former graduates ' and it is a
bustling, but withal a pleasant time.

" Yours most lovingly,

" Annie G. Johnson."

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

143

1868-1869,

Another long happy summer vacation passed all
too quickly in the loved home, (ind the dear one re-
turned to commence her senior middle year at the
Seminary.

It was a great trial for the fond parents and sisters
to part with her in this way, year after year, but all
looked forward to the happy period, when, her studies
completed, she should return to be the loved and trusted
companion of her father, mother and brothers, and the
guide of her younger sisters.

Her mother and sister M. accompanied her as far as
Ogdensburg, from which place they returned home, leav-
ing her to continue her journey alone. The ensuing letter
details her experiences until her arrival at the village in
which the brother resided with whom she was to pass a
few days before returning to the Seminary. Allusion has
been made in former letters to this projected visit.

" WiscoT, Sept. 12, 1868.
"Darling Ones,

"• Mamma and M. will remember they left me sit-
ting in the ominbus at the railway station, at Ogdens-
burg. From that point I returned to the Seymour House,

144

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

paid our bill, tnd was carried off to the Rome and Water-
town dep6t.

" The ride to Rome was pleasant, though iu the even-
ing the cars became very much crowded. A gentleman
who shared my seat, kindly obtained all necessary in-
formation about my stay and change of cars at Rome.

" Before eleven I was on my way to Rochester, by the New
York Central route. Being resolved to sleep, if possible,
I got * scrooged up' (thanks to M. for coining so apropos a
term), on a seat, and enjoyed a tolerably comfortable
slumber till wakened by our arrival at Syracuse. My
shawl, though not absolutely necessary as a protection,
did good service as a pillow. An uneventful ride of three
hours more brought me to Rochester. Here I got out,
found my trunks, but waited in vain for the conflicting
calls of 'Clinton Hotel,' 'Osborne House' and many an-
other house. A most unwelcome stillness and order pre-
vailed, and mentally running over E's direction, ' arrived
at Rochester, take cab for Clinton Hotel,' I anxiously
enquired of a lazy looking official where a cab or omnibus
was to be found. Imagine my dismay when told that
there would be none there till seven in the morning, at
the earliest. The station was uninviting. I must go
to the Clinton Hotel to see if T. was there and to
get my breakfast (for I was so hungry), and get to the
Valley dep6t before half -past seven. The situation was
perplexing, but I resolved to make the best of it. It was
just half-past three, and I was almost overcome with
sleepiness, but the awkward division of the seats by iron

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

145

arms precluded the possibility of even reclining. Be-
tween my sleepy nods T noticed a small boy roll head
first off a seat and sprawl on the Hoor, where he continued
to lie, evidently undisturbed by its soiled condition. A
lar«^e table before me was occupied by two slumbering
youths. On the opposite side of the room some benevol-
ent individual had removed an arm, making a comfor-
table lounge where a maiden reclined for some time ; she,
however, took her departure before long, when I speedily
secured her place. After a somewhat disturbed sleep, I
awoke and found it near six o'clock. After a hasty
ablution and arrangement of my hair, I went out to
watch for a cab, but evidently Rochester was not an early
riser. On enquiry I learned it was but fifteen minutes
walk to the Clinton Hotel, and resolved to find it for
myself ; this I did without much diflficulty, but found that
T. had not been there. I had my name registered and
enquired for breakfast, which was provided for me in a
little private dining-room. On the advice of the man at
the Clinton House, I went back to the same dep6t instead
of the one to which E. directed me, and took the seven-
twenty train to Portage, changed cars at Batavia and
Attica, but the travelling was slow, and after we left
Attica the engine broke down completely, and we were
detained for an hour oj' so. We dragged along and reach-
ed Portage station at last, where the stage was ready to
start for the village. At a quarter past twelve I greeted
the fat landlord in Portage ; still no sign of T. The stage
for Wiscoy not having come, I sat down to wait. Time

1 ;

146

FKOM life's school

passed, but no stage did I see, though receiving frequent
assurance that 'it would be here directly/ After aweary
two hours a giil informed me that the ' gentleman' who
drove the stage was just eating his dinner, and would
start at its conclusion. As time passed my inward com-
ments upon the * gentleman's' appetite grew less and less
flattering, but I have reason to believe that his inner
man was satisfied at last, for the stage made its appear-
ance at the door before three o'clock. On the way the
driver coolly informed me that he could take me within
a mile of Mrs. D's., ^)ut no farther. I laughingly enquired
what he supposed I was going to do then ; well, he thought
I'd 'have to take my chance for a team.' Hoping for
the best, we drove on till we came to my driver's des-
tination. Standing by the ' store* was a small one-seated
wagon with no vestige of a place for a trunk ; hence, I
was somewhat unbelieving when the driver ejaculated
* there's your chance.' However, seeing my trunk thrust
into the shabby little vehicle, 1 prepared to follow, trust-
ing to find a spot for my feet outside^ if not in the wagon.
Where my driver was to sit was an unexplained mystery,
and my perplexity was no way diminished when T saw a
huge bag poised on top of my trunk ; but I soon found how
greatly I had underrated his power of adaptation to circum-
stances, for directly he was nicely balanced on the edge
of the seat with his feet gracefully dangling over the wheel.
A mail-bag was next attached to the end of a rein for
safe keeping, but I thought the climax was reached when
among the promiscuous assemblage was thrust a twelve-

TO THE "father's HOUSK"

147

foot bundle of walnut trimmings. Though trembling for
the living freight on board, I hoped we were ready to
start, when from behind us came the anxious enquiry,
* where are you going to put me?' I turned round to
see the puzzled face of an old man who had come in
the same stage with me. After seeing him accommo-
dated I should scarcely have been surprised to hear them
offering the horse a seat amonsf us. Somewhat to the
surprise of the driver, I here indulged in a hearty laugh at
the novelty of my situation. The old man, whom I have
learned is an Austrian, was inclined to be socfable, and
he soon discovered that I was a Canadian, and * the liiin-
ister's* sister." * *

" Monday Morning.

" T. and I are just starting off for a drive, and this
letter must go to the office, but I will continue it this
evening and tell the rest.

" Of course I found T., met him at the post office, but
he had not received either of our letters.

"Yours lovingly,

" Annie."

" September 22nd, 1868.
"Darling M.,

" Our first Tuesday evening ! How I would love
to be home !

" I have waited and waited for a chance to tell you

148

FROM life's school

about what I saw at Portage, and now feel rather too
hurried, but will try and tell you something.

" The road from Wiscoy to Portage is very beautiful,
as I remarked, greatly to the surprise of the ' natives.'
The Genesee flows through a pleasant valley, while on
either side of it stretch away beautiful richly wooded
hills. I was constantly surprised with scraps of the most
exquisite scenery ; a shallow stream, with a pebbly, sunlit
beach on one side, and a green bank, willow-fringed,
throwing its shadow on the other, while above and around
were the fresh green hills, and the calm blue sky.

" At the village of Portage the canal crosses the river
on a high bridge, supported by some massive stone-work.
Pretty little waterfalls are now trickling through and
falling musically into the rocky bed of the stream beneath.
After crossing the bridge the canal winds round the hill-
side at a considerable height above the river, and here
there is little appearance of art to mar its beauty. Just
here, also, the famous bridge adds interest to the scene.

" After leaving this spot there was little variety in the
road till we swept round a curve and found ourselves at
the beautiful ivy-covered gate which forms the entrance
to * Glen Iris.'

" Leaving our horse outside we went up the neat gravel
walk, admiring as we went the tasteful arrangement of a
creeping convolvolus, or a tiny bed of brilliant flowers.
At some distance from the gate stood the house ; a rather
plain structure, but transformed and beautified by a pro-
fusion of the most luxuriant vines.

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

149

" Turning to the right we found a miniature lake with
a fountain in the centre, and at the foot of a tiny stone
pier a little rowboat.

" All around the trees presented a lovely combination
of colours, and close to the water's edge the vines crept
and twined themselves with a most bewitching grace.

" The retiring bell ! And I've not yet come to the rustic
seat where one might sit for days and gaze on the wealth
of beauty lavished on all around. The foaming, snowy
waterfall, dashing gaily over the great immovable rock,
on which, in dark, cool shade, bits of moss creep out, and
to whose rough sides dripping vines cling tenderly ;
while down the great ravine dances the bright little
stream, all unawed by the frowning rocks which tower
majestically above it.

" Yes, M. dear, I must bid you a reluctant good night,
hoping to resume this fascinating theme when I can get
more time. If 1 only could tell you how beautiful that
spot is — but it is only spoiling it for me to attempt to
give you any description.

" Thanks to pet A. for her letter ; will answer it soon.

Love to E. and all.

" Yours, darling,

" Annie."

" Oct. 13, 1868.
" Darling Sister M.,

♦' Your dear little letter containing my brooch
came this evening ; how acceptable it was, you yourself
can judge.

150

PROM life's school

" I do enjoy my philosophy very much indeed. It is
delightful, and though twenty-five pages is no short les-
son, I find it easier than my history. Miss S. is our
teacher.

" Our reading lessons are very interesting, and if we
follow them up by faithful and persevering practice, will
prove a great benefit I have no doubt. In speaking of
pronunciation Prof. Churchill told us that English people
had a right to demand that Americans should pronounce
the English language as it is pronounced in the best Lon-
don circles ; just as a Frenchman would wish us to follow
the Parisian standard in speaking French. He spoke of
the fact that English ladies are distinguished by the ele-
gance and correctness of their language, and their clear
enunciation. The Queen has paid great attention to this,
and in her parliamentary speeches not a syllable of what
she says is lost, though she preserves an ordinary tone of
voice. What must decide the pronunciation of words is
* the general usage in the best London circles,' and this is
the guide followed by Worcester and Webster, as well as
other dictionary writers.

" The Professor advises us to study the dictionary, re-
commending for our use * Webster's new, unabridged."

" Our pronunciation of wound is correct, as also many
other words which disagree with the prevailing pronuncia-
tion here."

" Wednesday evening.

" A dull day, varied only by a lecture. After lecture,
which was at four o'clock, F. and I went out for a walk ;

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

151

we met K. P., a pretty little foreigner, and she accompan-
ied us ; afterwards M. R. and her room-mate came up
with us, and we all started to go round Prospect Hill
• the square ' you know. We raced and tumbled along
in a most undignified manner, considering that there was
a senior and a senior middler in the party.

" Miss B. is still my section teacher. She is very sweet?
and has our recess meetings in her own room ; they are
dear little meetings. I have been trying to overcome my
exclusive habits and see more of the girls, but it is hard
work.

" With love to all, and wishing you every good bless-
ing,

" I am, your own loving sister,

" Annie."

" P. S. Come home next vacation ? Nay ! Don't ex-
pect it."

" Nov. 1st, 1868.
" Darling Sister M.

" Having given your letter a second perusal, I sit
down with a most satisfactory impression to commence
a letter in return.

" I've been quite remiss in my correspondence this term
I fear, but my studies demand my time so imperatively
that I have had to give myself up to them almost en-
tirely.

" Let me see : in my last letter I told you about Col.
Baylor's visit — in this one I hope to report the^ sayings

162

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

and doings of Gen. Howard, who is expected to spend
Sunday with us— to-morrow. He is a member of the
Freedman's Bureau, and a very active, devoted Christian.

" Prof. Churchill has returned, and into the midst of
our multitudinous duties is crowded a daily lecture ; but
then they are enjoyable, and I think very instructive, if
only we don't forget them as soon as he goes.

" ' I think if you don't go to C. M's that you'll come
home.' A calm little sentence but full of a quiet cer-
tainty ; a suggestive sentence ; the grave doubts that
hung about my fate for the vacation are being dispelled .
but by what course of consultation and argument I am
not told. A self-willed little sentence ; however cherished
and pleasant the plans 1 may have formed, they are not
to stand for a moment against that determined * you'll
come home.'

" Well, little diplomat, I stand ready to accept the
mandate, whatever it may be, and you know as well as I,
whither my most eager inclinations turn.

" No, M., I'm not very lonely without a room-mate. It
was with a feeling of almost desparing homesickness that
I came to my deserted room after F. w 3nt away, but the
comfort I take in my solitude now, is a striking illustra-
tion of our wonderful power of adaptation to circum-
stances.

" Many thanks for the papers. They contained a great
many items of interest to me. I can gather more Eng-
lish news from our papers, than from those we have here.
My increasing knowledge of the past history of Europe,
makes its present history much more interesting to me."

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

153

" Sunday morning.

" The elements are waging fierce warfare this morning.
The rain pours down in torrents, and the weeping willow
opposite my window wildly flings its arms about in an
agony of supplication to the merciless wind. We are all
excused from attendance at church, but then I must go to
hear Gen. Howard. Mr. Smith, a minister from New
York, led devotions, and gave us a very earnest and rather
beautiful address.

" This will be a busy day, for our Bible lesson requires
Ijng study. We are commencing the first book of Kings,
and glancing at our topics I see that they require a
knowledge of Profane as well as Sacred History. We
cannot get time to do our Bible lessons justice, for our
topics are never given us till Sunday morning.

" Later. — Instead of having service in the church, the
town's people came into the Seminary, so that we all
had the privilege of attending without facing the un-
comfortable storm.

" Mr. Green opened the service, and made a few re-
marks in which he spoke of the mistake so many make,
in thinking that diligence in business is incompatible with
an earnest, faithful service of Christ ; giving, as an ex-
ample of the contrary, the busy, toilsome life of Gen.
Howard, and his constant devotion to the work of God.

" Mr. Smith, who is the field agent of the American
Missionary Society, then rose and talked to us about the
work among the Freedmen. He first described the field
of labor, showing how ready the negroes are to receive

154

FROM life's school

the truth and yield themselves to the influences of the
Gospel. Unlike the foreign missionary, the laborer here
has but little opposition to contend with: no deeply
rooted prejudices, and none of the unnatural, acquired re-
serve which characterizes the youth of the north. A rich
harvest awaits every willing laborer. On the other hand,
the work demands a great sacrifice of any one who en-
gages in it. There is an almost complete isolation from
society, and as the northern teacher is looked upon with
contempt by all the whites of any standing, he, or she,
has to endure a species of social ostracism. One young
lady, after teaching in a certain town for ten years, said,
that in all that time she had not spoken to a single white
person save the clerk of the post-office who delivered her
letters. How galling it must be to endure scorn and con-
tempt from inferiors in everything but wealth or social
standing. Mr. Smith continued to speak in a most in-
teresting manner for about half an hour, and then Gen.
Howard, ' the hero of a hundred battles,' rose, the empty
sleeve by his side adding to the interest with which we
looked upon him. He is rather fine looking, heavily
built, with iron-gray hair, and dark whiskers. His voice
is powerful, though not sweet, and he has a slightly
English accent, reminding me occasionaUy of Lord C,
though his pronunciation is not the same.

" He spoke of the curse slavery had been to the land ;
a constant reproach to them as a people boasting of free
institutions. Also of the predictions and fears that a
sudden, complete emancipation would be followed by

TO THE "FATttER*S HOUSE."

155

great distress and anarchy. That these predictions may
not be fulfilled it is necessary for the people of the North to
undertake the work of Christianizing and civilising these
ignorant millions with earnestness and determination.
Then followed an earnest appeal to all of us, to consecrate
ourselves, not to this or any particular work now, but to
be ready fc: any work to which the Master may call us.
An unconverted woman, said he, is not fit for any posi-
tion in life. He closed his address with a persuasive in-
vitation to the unconverted ones, to come to Jesus.

" Perhaps, dear, you are almost weary of this talk ; but
we are apt to write about what interests us most at the
time, and I have indulged my inclination.

" I am half afraid to go home for fear something may
happen to make me tardy in returning. I feel that that
must not occur again, if it is possible to avoid it. My
natural love of approbation makes me shrink from the
danger of earning a character for want of promptness and
punctuality — though I think that hitherto my delin-
quency has been unavoidable.

" Love to all at home, dear.

" Your

" A. G. J."

" November 3rd, 1868.
"M. Darling,

" Grant or Seymour ! Which is it ?
" This is the burden of our song. To-morrow we shall
know the result of to-day's momentous elections. Defeat

156

FROM life's school

or victory ! Twice have I had the pleasure of giving in
my vote for Grant without having to undergo the tedious
process of naturalization.

" Miss F, sent two girls round yesterday to take a vote
of the school, and out of two hundred and seventy votes
recorded, two hundred and sixty-two were for Grant and
eight for Seymour. We are emphatically a Republican
school.

" Perhaps you think it absurd for me to manifest such
a lively interest in what is not supposed to concern me at
all, but who could read the papers we have before us and
remain neutral ?

"If the result is what we almost all wish, we shall
probably have an illumination to-morrow evening.

" By the way, dear papa, can you send me a few papers
containing English news? I do not quite understand,
and cannot ascertain here, the exact position of the Eng-
lish government at present, or the change that has taken
place on account of the recent Reform BilV I should be
so glad to see any English papers you have. Do you
never have the London Times ? Miss F. said she was
very anxious to have it in our reading room.

Nov. 9, 1868.

" Well, M., Grant is elected ! (new and startling in-
telligence to you doubtless). We had our illumination ;
sang America, Star-spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle, and
other patriotic airs. The Springfield Republican, and
Boston Journal make honorable mention of our enthus-

TO THE "father's HOUSE.

157

iastic demonstration, not even forgetting the cheering
(which I think it's well for Mr. Grant's peace of mind
that he did not hear). But that impertinent little * Am-
herst Student ' ungallantly remarks, ' Each young lady put
her lamp in the window, and then went out to look
at it and cheer it.'

" Gen. Howard is an intimate friend of Gen. Grant, and
was constantly brought into contact with him during the
war. In conversation here, he described Mr. Grant as a
man who has a very strong trust in Providence ; he is
quite incapable of the least profanity, and seems to have
a profound reverence for God. At one time he was asked
why he did not seek a certain promotion which it was
likely he might obtain — his answer was, * I should be
afraid to do it, lest I might be flying in the face of Provi-
dence.'

" This is encouraging for the nation."

" Nov. 16th, 1868.
"MiNJSiE Darling,

"School closes just one week from to-morrow
night, on the twenty-fourth of this month, a fact of which
I have thought so little that it greatly astonished me
this evening. Four or five other girls are going to board
at Mrs. W's in Amherst, so I will not want for company.
" Prof. Churchill has gone at last. On Friday evening
he gave us a reading in the Sem. Hall ; some of the * town'
came in, and we had some good music. The professor
read two selections from Jean Ingelow, one, the old

158

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

sailor's prayer in ' Brothers, and a Sermon,' the other,

' High tide on the Coast of Lincolnshire ' ; you remember

it:—

*' Sweeter woman ne'er drew breath,

Than my son's wife, Elizabeth," etc.

" It was such a satisfaction to hear these my favorite
poems, read so beautifully.

" Oh, that you could have heard and seen him read
Shakspeare. He read a scene from Hamlet ; the conver-
sation of the two grave-diggers and Hamlet, ending with
Hamlet's apostrophe to the skull of ' poor Yorick' ; you
can get your book now and read it, but you will not see
it all, as he made us see it. I became so excited over it
that it gave me an idea of how fascinated I would be with
the theatre.

" This was followed by some selections from Dickens ;
an irresistibly comical dialogue from Pickwick Papers,
and that affecting scene in Oliver Twist where the
pompous ' parochial beadle,' Mr. Bumble, and the matron
of the parochial poor-house, Mrs. Corney, conclude to join
hearts and house-keeping.

" Last selection was a piece describing the taking of a
subscription in a Roman Catholic church, by a priest,
* Father Phil's Collection.' It almo«t threw us into con-
vulsions, and yet there were such real merit and beauty
in it, that it induced smiles and tears by turns.

" Such a performance was worth a dozen elocution
lessons.

" Don't forget to send me the ' Farmer's Mass' in B
flat, M. ; we commence singing it to-morrow evening."

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

159

" Tuesday Evening.

" Behold the uncertainty of all a school-girl's plans !
Yesterday I wrote to A. W., accepting her invitation, to-
day I am again a waif, as far as vacation is concerned.
Just after putting my letter in the letter-box this morn-
ing, I heard a rumour that no girls were to be allowed to
board in Amherst. Later in the morning Miss F. came
up to see if my room was warm, and I mentioned this
rumour to her, at the same time stating that I had made
my plans for vacation. Miss F. confirmed the report, and
went on to explain why she did not think it best for us
to go to Amherst. Of course the chief objection is the
fact of the college being there, and though this cannot
apply to me personally, yet there certainly are some who
cannot be trusted to conduct themselves properly in the
vicinity of such a bugbear. I cannot reasonably expect
her to make an exception in my favor, and submit with
the best grace possible. However, she did not really for-
bid my going, but only advised me kindly. On my tel-
ling her that I expected to go as a guest, she said she
would advise me to go and pay a visit of a day or too,
but not longer.

" My cheerful acquiescence in this overturning of my
plans, instead of expressing indignation at the infringe-
ment of my rights as a young lady of discretion, must be
attributed to mamma. That little talk of hers on the
subject of ' love of approbation,' set me thinking, and the
result of my thinking was the conviction that I have been
altogether too independent of the opinion of others, and,

160

FROM LTFES SCHOOL

too positive of my own ability to judge for myself of the
propriety of anything I wished to undertake.

" We sang for the first time this evening. Oh ! that
Mass is beautiful ! I noticed in the Times some weeks
ago, a suggestion about forming a society for the practice
of some of the standard music, and I inwardly hoped the
affair would be put into practice. Ottawa is so far
behind Amoi ican cities in this respect.

" One week from to-night I'll feel free, and pretty
haf»py, it I am still in the Seminary. Perhaps 1 will go
to Northampton, Granby, or Monson, and then for a day
or two at the last to Amherst.

" Yours lovingly,

" Annie G. Johnson."

" Nov. 19th, 1868.
"Dearest Papa,

" Vour account of the affairs in England was very
interesting, though not ail new to me. The papers here
give such a very meagre outline of what is going on that
they are quite unsatisfactory, and I thought perhaps some
of our papers would have speeches in them, or something
to give us a better idea of the character of the men at the
head of the Government. Miss P. is always appealing to
me in the History Class to enlighten them on subjects my
ignorance of which I barely manage to conceal. When
Miss P. asked who was the Prime Minister of England,
not a voice, save my own was raised to reply, and on

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

161

going out of class one girl asked me with a mystified air
' what a Prime Minister was ? '

" School is almost over for this term, and I have almost
concluded to stay in the Seminary except a day or two
which I shall spend in Amherst. We will have a large
Thanksgiving party on Thursday, as many of the teach-
ers will not go away till after that. If I can persuade
Fannie to stay we will have a very pleasant time.

" My lessons demand my attention now, and hoping
soon to have time for a longer chat,

" I am your loving Daughter,

" Annie G. Johnson. "

very
here
that

[s my
^hen

[land,
d on

" Nov. 24, 1868.
" Darltno Ones at Home,

** Vacation has come at last, or will be here to-
morrow. These last days have been so very busy that I
have hardly had a moment for writing. I believe I told
you that I expect to stay in the Seminary, all, except a
day or two, of vacation. There will be about twenty-five
here, not including Miss S., Miss H. and Miss T, teachers
who expect to remain ; so we will probably have a very
pleasant time.

" The new series commenced to-day. My studies are
Chemistry and Astronomy, and I have to attend two
courses of lectures ; one in Natural Philosophy and the
other in Chemistry, by Professors Snell and Porter, re-
spectively. Chemistry will probably be very hard — we
use Stockhardt's. H. D., of Marsowan, Turkey, and Ada F.,

162

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

13 '

of Tennessee, daughter of the Secretary of State, are my
room-mates ; we are all to be congregated in the South
Wing, instead of being scattered in the four corners of
this wilderness house.

" We have been preparing for Thanksgiving to-day, as
that comes to-morrow. After working hard all the morn-
ing, I went on an excursion with Miss B. (my dear section
teacher), and did not get back till supper time ; conse-
quently I am rather tired this evening.

" We are to have some kind of an entertainment to-
morrow evening, at which I have to play of course.

" It is veiy pleasant to think of this two weeks' rest
from study. You can hardly imagine how we delight in
our release from rules. Hattie and I have just been pro-
posing to find our way to the village prayer meeeting, if
we can get permission to go out in the evening. The
rules to which we have yet to submit are — Absence from,
or tardiness at table ; taking food from the basement ;
going out in the evening ; riding without permission, and
going out of town.

*' Well, good-night darlings, write soon to your forlorn

"Annie."

" Dec. 10th, 1868.
" Dkau Papa,

" According to agreement I went over to Amherst
on Monday, intending to return on Wednesday morning.
The Agricultural Convention held its annual session in
Amherst at the same time, so there were several distin-
guished persons present. Mr. R. came from New York,

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

163

bringing Prof. G. from London, England, to stay at Mrs.
W's. Prof. G. is a tall, handsome Englishman, and ex-
pects to obtain a seat in Parliament soon.

But, papa, I've heard Prof. Agassiz ; the renowned
Agassiz. As he was to lecture on Wednesday evening,
my friends urged me to stay, but fearing I would be
* tardy in returning' on Thursday morning. I reluctantly
but positively refused ; however, Mr. H., the father of one
of my school-mates, sent word that if I would stay he
would bring me to the Sem. with his daughter in good
time on Thursday morning. Of course I stayed then.
The subject of the lecture was the formation of the soil, or
the changes produced on the earth by the action of gla-
ciers. It was deep and ilry, but interesting because it
came from Prof. Agassiz's lips. He is a rather short man,
with a face of German roundness, and has a very broad
German accent. He very seldom lectures, and it is not
probable that I will ever have another chance to hear him,
so that I do not at all regret staying, especially as we got
back to the Sem. in good time this morning.

" My two room-mates are here, and I feel glad to be in
school again. After my early sleigh -ride this morning I
feel very tired and cannot answer now M's letter, which
came this evening. I have heard no rumor of the death
of the French Emperor, but the fact of his unpopularity
makes it seem not improbable.

" Yours lovingly,

" Annie."

164

FROM LIFES SCHOOL.

" Dec. 23rd, 18G8.
" Darling M.,

" Only two days before Christmas ! How can I
keep from being homesick. My two room-mates have
been sadly afflicted with this complaint for some days, and
perhaps the necessity for one comforter in the room, was
the reason of my escape. We will probably have a half
holiday, but no more.

" My studies are very delightful. Chemistry is com-
paratively easy now, but we are to have lectures every
day after Christmas, and then the trouble will be to find
time for all our work. But oh ! Astronomy is delight-
ful. It requires hard and patient study, with much
thought, but how richly we are rewarded for it.

" It is hard to divest our minds of the incorrect ideas
about the universe, which we have unconsciously cher-
ished, but as on study and reflection the wonderful system
is comprehended, it is impossible not to be impressed and
awed by the evidences of some mighty Power ruling su-
preme in the * celestial vault.'

" Then astronomers afford such bright examples of what
steady perseverance and unwearied application can accom-
plish.

" Thegreat Kepler searched incessantly eight long years
for his * First Law/ now comprised in two lines of our
Astronomy. The third was revealed to him as the re-
ward of seventeen years, patient toil.

" Well, dear, is this enough of Astronomy ? We must
trace constellations together when I go home.

TO THE "father's HOUSE.'*

165

" Thank you for sending me Farmer's Mass ; it came in
time. You ought to hear its grand harmonies ; I had no
idea such a treasure was lying silent and neglected among
our music.

" Well, darling sister, I must close this short letter. I
think of you all, all the time.

" Love to all the darling ones, and a merry, merry

Christmas, from

"Your most loving

" Annie."

" Dec 29th, 1868.
" Darling Ones at Home,

"Christmas has come and gone, and at last I find
a moment in which to give you some idea of the day as
spcxit in the Seminary.

" Mamma's and M's letters came to me on Christmas
eve, and oh ! how delighted I was to get them. The
money was such a welcome gift ; so many thanks for it.

" Christmas day was a whole holiday. Observe, M., the
stride in civilisation since you were here. We all had a
sleigh drive ; then in the afternoon our class practised
gymnastics for the benefit of the school and visitors ; we
did ourselves credit, I assure you. From five o'clock till
supper (at half-past seven) we remained in the gaily decor-
ated Seminar}'^ hall, amusing ourselves with games and
music. Mr. Greene was there, and tvitered into our games
as heartily as a school boy. After supper we retuined
and remained till nine. Deacon Kimball, whom you pro-
bably remember well, sent a** quantity of little books,

-{^i 1 -^JTr

166

FROM life's school

nicely bound in brown and written by himself, to be
given to ns. Beside this, I found in my boot a candy dog,
horse and man, though from my slight acquaintance with
natural history I failed at first to distinguish between
them. F's share in the munificent gift may be seen from
an item in her account book, reading — ' One man of
sweetness — one cent.'

"Of course the section teachers received presents as
usual. We gave Miss B. the ' Life of Michael Angelo ' in
two handsome volumes, with which she was sincerely
delighted. We, the gymnastic classes, also gave Miss M.
who is to be married verv soon, a handsome silver fruit
dish, breakfast castor, and a silver spoon.

" I'm waiting for a pen and ink description of your
Christmas. Can it be a year since I spent that day in
Ottawa ; as I look back on 1868 it seems shorter than
any year I ever spent.

" There is to be an eclipse of the moon in January,
and of the sun next August, that will be in my summer
vacation.

" Will you have union meetings after New Year's ? M.
dear, you must feel some affection for the Seminary after
spending a year here, and as the day comes for special
prayer for colleges, will you not remember us especially ?

" It is so pleasant to have two nice room-mates, more so
than I thought it could be.

" Good night, darling ones

"Yours lovingly,

" Annie G. J,"

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

167

" February 25, 1869.
" Darling Sister A.,

You cannot think how glad I was to get your
letter just the day after M.'s. You are improving in your
handwriting, and I noticed a good many more commas
than you usually put in your letters ; see if you cannot
employ some semi-colons also, in your next letter. M. will
tell you where they ought to be used.

" I wish you could be here these beautiful days. I
never saw a winter scene so beautiful as met the gazers
from our cupola yesterday morning. As the sun rose over
Prospect Hill his splendor was flashed back by myriads of
crystal objects. Every tree seemed laden with gems, and
everywhere the pure white crust was studded with spark-
ling diamonds. It was such a scene as is seldom wit-
nessed, and I shall not soon forget it. There was some
nice skating yesterday also, and we improved it to the

best of our ability.

" Your own Sister,

" Annie."

"March 16,1809.
" Darling Sister A.,

" To-day I got a letter from a precious little girl,
directed all by herself. You can guess, can you not, who
prepared such a pleasure for me ? You were a darling to
write me another letter so soon, and I assure you T was
delighted to notice the nice writing and the improved
punctuation. Persevere, darling, and you will soon know
all about how to write a letter.

168

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

" Yes, pet, it does seem too good to be true. One week
from to-morrow, on Tli^irsday evening, I expect to start ;
and then how soon I will be driving up to our door, per-
haps with you and M. beside me, and mamma's brown
eyes in the doorway. Oh ! you darlings, just think of it.

"March, 1869.
" A., Pbecious,

" My heart was made glad on Saturday night, by
the receipt of two letters from you and one from M.

" A dear little robin is building a nest in a tree outside
of our window. Don't you wish you could watch him as
he works ?

" Is papa going to raise some tomatoes this summer.
I am longing for some to eat. How much maple sugar
is there in Canada ? Not that I desire an exact estimate
of the quantity ; I merely enquire whether it is more or
less plentiful than usual.

" Maple sugar reminds me that we had supper this
evening, and from that I am led to the reflection that we
heard some funny stories told. Our conversation hap-
pened to turn upon the subject of amusing and embarrass-
ing accidents m church, and Miss B. related a little story
about her grandfather, as an illustration. It seems that
he was a farmer, and became so wearied with the duties
of the work, that he frequently fell asleep in church.
On one occacion he was thus calmly reposing, when the
minister, growing more vehement in his expressions, made

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

169

use of some sudden exclamation. The venerable sleeper
was deluded with the thought that he was in his farm
wagon, and that this exclamation was a call from one of
his men. Accordingly, in his anxiety to listen, he burst
forth in stentorian tones, * Whoa ! Gee ! ! Whoa ! ! ! '
and thereafter was never caught napping.

" A's gi'eat grandfather was now called up for ouramuse-
ment. He was a good, earnest Christian, but timid, and
could never be induced to * speak in meeting,* though
convinced that this was his duty. Many were his mental
conflicts, and severe his self-accusations ; but one night
in a certain meeting, after inwardly debating for some
time, he resolved that he would try, no matter what it
might cost him. It happened that a lady was speaking,
but in so faint a tone that he did not hear her ; accord-
ingly, when the decision was made in his own mind, he
rose to his feet and ejaculated with decision, * Down
Satan ! I will speak ! ! ' to the great discomfiture of the
lady who immediately obeyed the command, and sank
into her seat.

" Many other stories were told, but these will serve as
examples. Miss B. fears that we at her table are getting
too sober, and tries once in a while to induce a hearty
laugh, as an aid to digestion.

" Wednesday morning.

" At a time denoted by the cessation of the rising bell,
I sit down to finish my letter.

170

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

" This is a lovely morning, and we will probably have
a very warm day.

*' So you have quite decided that I shall stay homo for
the next year, have you ? Well, child, I'll see.

" I have concluded not to study Theology this summer,
but to have an easy time with only two familiar studies,
and then we will all enjoy studying Natural Theology to-
gether at home. It is very easy and delightful.

** Have you found many flowers yet ? You will press
every new kind you find, will you not ? especially if you
find yellow violets, press a nice specimen.

"Well darling, I have written quite as long as I ought

to. You will write very soon, won't you ? With loads

of love, I am,

" Your own Sister,

" Annie."

" April 19th, 1869.
" A., My Pet,

" I was delighted to find your letter and Ms wait-
ing for me as I came in this evening. I wish I had time
to send you a long letter, but the evenings are so short
that I can do very little.

" We too, darling, have lovely, charming weather ; for
the past few days it has been so warm that we felt like
putting on muslins. ' Snow,' indeed ! Why the grass is
green, and in many places the flowers are in bloom.
There is a darling little patch of pink blossoms down in
the court.

" In obedience to the imperative call of ' duty,' I pro-

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

171

ceed to report on my state of health. With all truthful-
ness^ I can say that it has very much improved ; my cold
is disappearing rapidly, and I am thoroughly delighted
with summer prospects.

" We have just commenced the study of Hebrews. It
is very interesting indeed. For this morning our lesson
consisted in finding proofs of its * Pauline origin,' as Miss
S. terms it. The sunlight in our room worked wonders
for F. She is quite well now, and has commenced at-
tendinof her recitations."

" Six O'clock, Wednesday Morning.

" Last night Messrs. Stocking and Ford delivered a lec-
ture, or rather gave us an entertainment in the Seminary
hall. Mr. S is a Senior and Mr. F. a Freshman in Wil-
liams' College. They are sons of missionaries, and pre-
paring for the same work themselves. They have not
been in this country very long, and are thoroughly ac-
quainted with the lands of whose customs they tell us.

" Mr. S., from Persia, addressed us first. His manner
was very good, showing no signs of the verdancy we ex-
pected to see in so young a lectui'er. His lecture consist-
ed of a narration of incidents in a journey to his home, all
intended to give us an idea of the people and customs of
the country. He described the Nestorians who are among
the lower classes of the people, and gave the call to
prayer in that language. His description of the wedding
ceremony was quite amusing ; an important part of it

172

FROM life's school

consisting in the greeting of the loving bridegroom, who
goes up on the housetop, when the bridal party comes in
sight, armed with six large apples, which he hurls one by
one at the head of his veiled bride. If he succeeds in hit-
ting her several times, it is a good omen, if he fails alto-
gether he has reason to expect domestic trials.

" Mr. Stocking's speech was quite short, and when he
closed, he introduced to us Mr. Ford, only two years from
Palestine. Mr. Ford, more boyish looking than his com-
panion, had an entirely different way of speaking. He
spoke rapidly, and yet so clearly as to keep one's atten-
tion fixed. His endeavor was to show us life in the vil-
lage in Palestine where his home was.

" The houses are all built up on the sloping hillside in
such a way that the roof of one forms a large platform
before the front door of the one above it. They consist
of one room, one wall of which is simply the rocky hill
against which it is built. The roof is of mud, straw,
thorny brush and clay. After the clay is hardened by
the sunlight, it cracks, and then leaves convenient places
for the entrance of the rain ; also, as the roofs are used
as promenades by men and quadrupeds, the material of
which the roof is formed sifts down continually, forming
a pleasant admixture with the food and rendering con-
stant diligence in the use of the comb necessary.

" The children are a great annoyance to the Americans
as they follow them in the streets, hooting and jabbering
after them. An Englishman was much incensed by this
treatment, and took a novel way of ridding himself of

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

173

such annoyance. As the children crietl after him, ho
manifested great delight, exclaiming, * I like that ; do
it again, won't you ? Do go on, I enjoy it so much ! Won't
you say that every time I come out ? I would'nt have you
stop for anything, I'll tell you what I will do, if you'll
promise to continue it, I'll give each of you two cents every
time you do it ! ' The avaricious beings were [of course
delighted, and shouted at him with renewed energy ; and
so it continued for a few days, when the Englishman call-
ed them tc him and said he could'nt aftbrd to pay them
any longei, in fact ' he would not pay them.' The ur-
chins demurred very much at this ; declared that it was
quite too much trouble to screech at him for nothing, and
they would not do it unless he paid them. He remained
steadfast and they troubled him no more.

" Mr. Ford told us a great many very amusing stories in
a very, amusing way, but I have not now time to recount
them. He gave us all much valuable information ; ex-
plained many prophetical allusions, and the customs
with which it was necessary to be acquainted in order to
understand all the parables.

" As he concluded his speech, Mr. Stocking appeared on
the platform, arrayed in the common dress of the Peisians.
His black, conical-shaped cap rose a foot and more over
his head. His coat seemed to be made of some green
material like cotton ; it was long, and fastened at the
waist with a voluminous sash. The sleeves, at first sight,
appeared to be in a very ragged condition, but we found
that they were made so purposely, in accordance with

174

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

* the latest fashion.' The trousers were large bags
drawn closely round the ankles. He kept the dress on
during the remainder of the evening, and looked like
some poverty-stricken piece of misery. Mr. Ford went
out, and shortly we heard a great stamping which pre-
luded the appearance of an Arab on stilts. Here was our
youthful lecturer transformed into a fierce looking Arab
with a most becoming black moustache clinging to his
upper lip. This dress was much more elegant than the
other, and the wearer explained it in a very amusing
manner. Taking up a white cap worn inside of a
black one, he said, ' This is worn for the sake of cleanli-
ness ; is frequently washed ; in fact some have been known
to wash it once a year. With the help of his colleague,
he enveloped himself in a sheet to show us how the
women always look on the street. Then he sang for us a
lugubrious song with which the girls beguile the time
when they are guiding the plough. But oh ! could you
have heard the melodious strains which he drew from a
liute such as the shepherd boys use, you might, as an ac-
companiment to E's melancholy resignation of the fiddle,
hang your harp upon the willows. Both young men had
very pleasing voices and sang two pieces together, one in
Syriac and the other in Arabic. They were truly beauti-
ful.

" A small table, half a foot high, was set out in the
middle of the platform, and at this they soon sat down.
The table was furnished with a little tin teapot contain-
ing cold water ; two or three thin, tiat cakes of bread, and

TO THEj" FATHERS HOUSE.

175

a bowl of 1 ice. The repast seemed not to be very tempt-
ing, as it was very sparingly patronized. The youths
went through the oriental salutations, consisting of var-
ious bowiiigs and scrapings, and finished by a kiss on each
cheek."

" Wednesday Evening.

" You see, darling, that this is still unfinished, though I
fear 3'our patience is quite exhausted now. We were de-
lighted with the evening's entertainment, and so glad that
we could do anything to assist such worthy young men.

" Your very loving Sister,

" Annie."

1 ^

Nearly nineteen years have passed away since she who
wrote the foregoing letters, was called to relinquish the
studies in which she took such delight, to pursue a higher
course in the " Father's House, above."

Her life, from her earliest childhood, was characterized
by unselfishness, and helpfulness to others. These char-
acteristics were strengthened by her life at Mt. Holyoke
seminary, where "not for ourselves" is the noble life-
motto held up before its pupils.

It was constantly a source of thankfulness to Annie's
mother, ever solicitous for the highest welfare of her
children, that her eldest daughter had learned what it
was to "redeem the time;" that, at an age, when so
many young ladies are engaging with such zest, and with

176

FROM life's school,

such injury to themselves, in a life of gaiety and fashion,
her loved one's bright youth was devoted to the cultiva-
tion of her talents for future usefulness ; that she had
learned, though so young, that life and youth and health,
and powers of mind, were all so many sacred trusts to be
improved for God.

Her life gave promise of being one of great usfulness,
as, added to her industry, studiousness and religious
principle, was an unfailing fund of good spirits and energy.
Her health was almost always good, and she did not
suffer from the nervousness and depression which is so
common with young persons of an apparently less
vigorous constitution. But all unaware to herself, as well
as to her friends, she overtaxed her strength during the
last year at school. Her parents, fearing lest she might
have done this, persuaded her to consent to a year's rest
from such constant study, and she came home for her
summer vacation in 1869 with the prospect, delightful to
herself and family, of having a long, happy year with her
loved ones, after which (for she never failed to keep this
in view) she would return to the Seminary for the fourth
and last year, to graduate.

But a better vocation was in store for our darling ; a
longer rest than any of us anticipated ; a brighter home
was to be hers, while for us, the light of life was to be-
come suddenly strangely darkened ; earthly things were
to crumble as we grasped them, and heaven become the
spot where our best affections were centred.

Six or seven short weeks of happy life with the family,
united save for the absence of one son, elapsed, and then

> i

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

177

she was seized with a sudden, resistless fever. Fragments
of Latin, or troublesome mathematical problems repeated
by her in her delirium, shewed the condition of the
overwrought brain, and after an illness of less than one
week she passed away.

Over that sorrow let us draw a veil. Even after the
lapse of so many years, the mind does not dare to dwell
upon the awfulness of tliat blow as seen from its earthly
side. He, who " liealeth the broken in heart" was
wonderfully present to comfort, and the dear mother,
whose physical strength was completely prostrated by
the shock, was yet the comfort and stay of the whole
famil3^ She was enabled almost to pierce the veil which
intervened between the two worlds, and to rejoice in the
new and fuller and perfect life upon which her loved one
had entered. Through all, the bereaved parents were
enabled to look up and to recognize the voice which said
to them : —

"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT 1 AM GOB."

The following letters written by her mother not long
after this bereavement, contain details as to Annie's life
during the few weeks after her return from school, and
of the circumstances attendinif her death :-t-

"Ottawa, Oct. JJth, 18G9.
" My deak Miss W.,

" You will doubtless, ere this, have heard of the
death of our dear Annie, ncvcrcheless I feel it riglit to
L

178

FROM LIBF/S SCHOOL

communicate with you on the subject, and have been on-
ly waiting to gain sufficient strength to write yon.

" My darling had hardly passed the period of her va-
cation, when she was suddenly snatched away from our
sight. I, her mother, had not even the privilege of
watching her in her last hours On a visit at Toronto, I
did not get word of her danger till it was too late.

" She was taken (as it was thought) slightly ill on Sun-
day, the 5th September, and fell asleep in Jesus on the
Saturday following. No one apprehended any danger
until Thursday, when she became delirious. There is no
doubt that her constant application to her studies, in ad-
dition to many other engagements into which she volun-
tarily entered, laid the foundation of the disease which
took her from us.

" Dear child — to us she was everything we could wish ;
the most affectionate and dutiful of daughters, the most
unselfish and loving sister, and a warm friend to her com-
panions at school. Dare I for a moment consider this
event as human nature would picture it to me, I should
be overwhelmed with grief. But I have been shown that
hers is a glorious destiny, that she has been called to a
state where she can prosecute her studies without any
hindrance such as she met with here; where she can
engage in acts of benevolence, and be a ministering spirit
to those she loves ; where her soul expands with raptures,
at the prospect which stretches out before her of illimit-
able progress and ever new delights. Oh I have been
so comforted, and so fUled with delight and thankful-
ness to God that I had such a treasure to present to Him.

TO THE "FATHERS HOUSE.

179

*It was on account of the religious character of the
school that we were induced to send our daughter thith-
er, and we never felt any regret that we had chosen that
place ; on the contrary, I feel more and more grateful to
God for the advantages which that school afforded, and
for the variety of interests which are included in its rou-
tine.

" Ottawa, Oct. 24th, 18G9.
" My Dear Sister,

" I received your kind sympathising letter, and
will now attempt to give you a more detailed account of
our darling's sickness and death.

" Precious one ! She was so delighted with the pros-
pect of remaining home a year, and we were all rejoicing
in the same prospect. She came home on the 18th of
July, apparently in her usual good health, though T could
not but perceive she was a little thinner, a very little
thinner, and there was a worn look about her eyes. But
she told us how very much hurried she had been in her
last term at school, and she, as well as we, thought that a
rest of a few weeks was all she required. She complained
of nothing, and was as ready as ever to enter into every
scheme that was set on foot, either to promote the inter-
ests of the family or the community.

" My reasons for resolving to have her home this year
were, first, that she might have more leisure to engage in
work for those objects in which we are interested, in
company with us — and secondly, that there might be no

I'-i I

180

FJ^OM LIFE S SCHOOL

danger to her health for want of rest from study. I had
sent her word sometime previous to her return, to bring
all her things home, as I was resolved she must not go
back this year. She readily assented, and had the ap-
proval of her teachers, who had advised several of the
senior middlers to remain out a year ; though Annie was
thought quite strong enough to go straight through the
course. "

" She came home in the best of spirits, and filled with
thankfulness, which she often expressed, that she had
'such a lovely home.' Dear one ! It was lovely while she
was with us, and it was so before because of the love
which we all felt for her, and each other. How .^he felt
for those girls in the school who would as soon spend their
vacations away from home, as with their own parents —
she could not understand it. Often had some of her
schoolmates said to her, ' I envy you your happy home.'

" About a fortnight after she arrived home, I went with
her, T. and M., to spend a few days at Chelsea, to enjoy
the mountain air, and to ramble among the rocks and be-
side the lakes. That was a pleasure which I shall never
forget, as it was the last trip or excursion we can ever
have with her on earth. I never shall forget her quiet
happiness Avheu she would find beautiful ferns and rare
plants, for the collecting of which she had, before we
went, procured a tin botanical box.

" Shortly after our return home, most of us took severe
colds ; dear Annie's cough was very bad, but she kept
herself busy, always employed about others, regardless of

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

181

herself. Often 1 begged licr to lay aside what she was
doing, and she would promise to do so, as soon as she had
finished, etc., etc. Her cold gradually appeared to leave
her, and about seven weeks after our loved one came
home, M. and I went to Toronto. I had no fear on the
ground of sickness at home, having left directions that
we should hear every day, and be telegra[)hed for, if all
were not well. I arrived at my friend's in Toronto on
l^aturday morning — the following Saturday I reached
home again, eight hours after my precious one had fallen
asleep in Jesus.

" Wliat do vou think I felt ? AVhat did M. feel ? We
were all bound up in that dear one, and there she lay !

" IMy dear sister, it seems to me one of the greatest
wonders in the world, that event — nothing will ever seem
so strange to me. What would an earthcpiake be, or an
armed force ? I do not know, but all th in* ^s are champed
witli us, so that what was once a source of apprehension,
is nothing now.

" You will ask, how did it happen that you did not
know of her illness in time to <xet home ? I will tell vou.
M. and I had left home on Friday. On the following
Sunday Annie was poorly and did not go out all day, bub
lav on the sofa. In the eveninf]f her fathei called in a
physician, though he did not think her seriously ill. The
doctor was in attendance every day, during her brief ill-
ness. On Monday my husband wrote me a letter, which
I did not receive till Wednesday, in wliich he said not a
word about her illness, and told me I had better ])rolong

182

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

my visit. How was this ? Dearest one, she and all, the
doctor included, thought she would be well in a few days,
and feared that it would interfere with our comfort, and
curtail our visit, if we should hear of her slight indispo-
sition.

*' It was not until Wednesday night that the}'^ became
alarmed about her, and then it was too late to send a tele

gram.

" She began to be delirious, as fever developed. As
early as possible in the morning a despatch was sent to
me, but it did not reach the house in which I was stay-
ing till about ten minutes after I had started on the train
for Suspension Bridge. (How it appeared as if the Lord
determined to keep me away from that scene.) It was
not until our arrival at the Bridge that we received the
telegram. It was then five o'clock in the afternoon, and
we learned, to our dismay, that there was no train back
till the morning. So we had to endure the suspense of
remaining there all night, going back to Toronto the next
day, and then home on Saturday.

" The telegram contained the words : ' Return immed-
iately, wanted at home, Annie sick.'

" It was wonderful how I was enabled to give up that
precious treasure on that very night, yet I hoped I should
not be put to the test. I wondered at myself that I
could with all my heart give her up to the will of her
loving Saviour.

" We were from Thursday night until Saturday after-
noon iij ignorance about her state. I was ill myself with

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

183

a kind of fever tliat lasted for a fortnight after I came
home. When we arrived at the station in Ottawa, in-
stead of T. or his father meeting us, an acquaintance
called a cab for us, and handed us in.

" I did not dare to ask a question, but a friend who
had joined us on our journey from Prescott, and who was
behind us, asked the friend who hud taken us in charge,
' Do you know how Miss Johnson is ? '

" She was very ill, last night," was the reply.

" I felt inwardly impatient at the evavsive answer, and
yet hoped that he would say no more. Presently a lady
friend appeared, and began talking to me, asked how I
was, etc.

" [ said I was not at all well, had heard bad news from
home. * Did you not hear ' said I ' that my daughter is
very ill ? '

" ' O yes,' said she. ;

*' * How is she now 1 ' I ventured at last to ask.

'* * She was very ill last night.'

" * But oh ! tell me — how is she now ? '

" ' She is well now!

"Poor M., she did not hear this, but she knew from my
appearance all about it.

" We iiad a silent, strange drive home ; found Papa, T.
and A. just as might have been expected ; worn out with
watching, desolate and amazed.

" The most wonderiul part remains to be told, and that
is the miraculous way in which I was sustained, and the
strong conviction that came to my mind that every cir-

184

FROM LIFKS SCHOOL

cumstance was ordered by Infinite Wisdom, so that I
could not regret finytliing. For sonic days I was in a
state of joy, more complete tlian I had ever known. If
my dear one had been restored to me just as she was
wlien I left her standin^j at the front door the morning I
left home — Avhen I looked upon her for the last time — 1
could not have felt more joyful. 1 had such a view of
the wisdom and love of God in taking her to Himself;
such a firm persuasion that she was taken away in order
to prosecute the work she so ardently wished to accom-
plish ; such a vivid view of the fact that she was in every
way capable of doing for us what her loving, affectionate
disposition inclined her to desire, as I never can describe.
I would not have called her back to earth for the world.

" I witnessed all the preparations for her funeral, saw
the people coming to the house, heard (but not distinctly,
for 1 kept my room) the jjrayers, saw from my window
the coffin placed in the hearse, the long line or coaches
that followed those precious remains, and never grieved
any more than I should have done had I seen her going
to church, accompanied by cheerful friends, expecting her
back in an hour.

" T cannot explain this, but have realized what I feel
to be the greatest miracle, and it has given me a greater
idea of the power of God than I ever had before.

" It is now five weeks and two days since our loved one
went to Heaven. We had spoken several times about
moving from the house we then occupied during the few
weeks of her sojourn with us, and she was well pleased

TO THE " FATHETl's HOUSE

185

with the idea of the change. Wc (li«l not, howcvor, decide
fully about moving until after she fell asleep — 1 cannot
say died. It is just a week to-day since wc left the ])lace
where we resided ever since coming to Ottawa. There
was one thinjr I thouirht I should recfret, and that was
not beinfj able to fro into the room where the dear one
had breathed her life away, but that is made up to me
by the fact which I was astonished to learn, that we can
see her grave from our windows. You may think this a
strange source of comfort, but I am so thankful that I
can look out every morning from my bedroom window
and see the grave * of my Ijright, sweet, loving Annie,
the most affectionate and dutiful of daughters.

" Do not think that life has lost its sweetness to us.
Oh no ! We want to live to do the work assigned to us,
so as to meet again with joy our darling, who is now% I
believe, permitted to be near us in this life of })robation.

" I could write much more and tell you how thankful I
am for the way in which part of every day w.as spent by
us after our darlinix came home, and how her relioious
character had developed, how lovely her whole deport-
ment was, how unselfish, how assiduous in her attention
to us all. Thank our blessed Lord, she is forever happy

and blest.

" Your loving: Sister,

A. B. Johnson.

The body was afterwards removed to Beechwood Cemetery.

IMAGE EVALUATION
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Scisices

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23 WEST MAIN STREfT

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(716)t73-<i$03

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186

FROM LIFE S SCHOOL

" He leadeth me bepide the still waters."

Twenty summers passed and ended,

Like a fleeting April ray —
Part with us and part in Heaven,

Resting till the Judgment Day.

Here, the tall trees casting shadows ;

Here, the sunset gilded wave ;
Here, her form we loved so dearly ;

Here her quiet Christian grave.

There, the placid streams of comfort,

Watering many a verdant lea ;
There, the spirit that has left us,

Waiting till the end shall be.

Here, the great unrest of ages ;

Here, the trouble, toil, and strife ;
There, the peaceful, quiet waters

Of the crystal stream of life.

Here, the sighing of the branches ;

Here, the wave-beat on the shore ;
There, the ceaseless strain of angels

Chanting praises evermore.

Here, the rocks, and shoals, and quicksands ;

Here, the white cross on the sod ;
There, the heaven where she would be,

In the bosom of her God.

— B. CoURTENAY GiDLEY.

TO THE 'FATHERS HOUSE.

187

VI.

It is fitting that the foregoing letters should be followed
by some account of the eldest son, who surveyed his
sister scarcely four years.

At the time of 'his death a short obetuary was written
by the late Canon Johnston, and this is here re-produced,
with the introduction, in which the parents of the young
clergyman presented the memorial to his parishioners.

INTRODUC riON.

The following memorial, kindly furnished by the
mostintimate friend and father in the ministry of their
dear son — in connection with the singularly appropriate
sermon, the'manuscript rf which he had evidently been
study ingas^he travelled in the discharge of hisduty to
his Divine Master, when so suddenly called to " exchange
mortality for life," and which was found beside his body,
slightly stained w'th his blood — is presented to his
parishoners and friends by his bereaved parents, with
the prayer and in the earnest hope, that the lessons
taught so clearly, and Providentially inculcated by the
painful circumstances, may be the means, under the
Divine blessing, of leading many to thoughtfulness and
prayer.

Ottawa City,

27th August, 1873.

188

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

OBTTUAHY

" What I say unto you I say unto all — Watcu."

TiiKSE words of our blessed Lord are presented with
peculiar force to our minds in connection with the solemn
warning we all have received in the sudden and most
unexpected death of our dear departed brother, the Rev
Thomas Johnson, Minister of the Church of England in
Bristol, on the Ottawa. He had exchanged services for
the day (the 17.th of August) with a neighboring clergy-
man, and in the fulfilment of his duty he had to perform
Divine Service in two townships, Leslie and Thorne.
While proceeding from the former to the latter place to
hold his second service, his horse ran away, throwing
him out of the little spring cart in which he was driving,
and, falling with fearful violence upon a projecting stone
in the road, his skull was fractured, and his death was
instantaneous. At the moment of his death, he was
reading the last page of the sermon which he was on the
eve of preaching to the congregation in Thorne. It was
on the subject of d^^ath, and the importance of being
prepared for that solemn event ; and from the concluding
words of his manuscript it is evident that he purposed
closinsr the discourse with a solemn exhortation to his

TO TH*; "FATHERS HOUSE.

189

hearers to seek and secure Divine Grace, to tit tliem for
death and j udgment.

The deceased, whose career of usefulness has tlius so
early and suddenly closed on earth, was a man of far
more than ordinary intellectual i)Ower.

Gentle and retiring in his manners, humble and diffi-
dent as to his own capabilities, those only who knew
him well, or who hji[)pened to be with him when circum-
stances required him to throw off his usual diffidence,
became aware of the varied information, the logical
power, the quickness of conception, with which he would
illustrate the subject in hand, and this in language al-
ways chaste and forcib.i.

From the time of his ordination to the sacred office of
the ministry, and more especially for tlie last few months
of his earthly career, Mr. Johnson was deeply, and even
painfully, impressed with a sense of the awful responsi-
bility of his sacred office. The portion of the mission
tield in which he laboured required at his hands many
sacrifices, and much hard work, and when the writer of
these few memorial lines reminded him that the Bishop
spoke of appointing him to a more inviting field, and
when he was urged to address the Bishop on the subject,
the answer he gave was to the effect that he did not
wish to write or mention the subject at all to his Bishop,
that he felt the responsibility of his work so keenly that
he shrunk from doing or saying anything to influence
the mind ol the Bisho[) in favor of his removal. That
he wished to go wherever he was sent, and labour wher-

190

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

ever he was appointed, and that he could thus more
clearly recognize the directing hand of God's Providence
in his work. That if his work was harder, and his dis-
couragements greater than they were, he was quite pre-
pared to labour on so long as he was appointed to that
sphere of labour. He said, moreover, that the welfare of
the souls of those among whom his work was being done,
was daily becoming more and more his desire.

The last time he visited the writer of these few lines
of affectionate remembrance, the subject of conversation
turned upon death and the^nature and condition of the
spirit of man when separated from its'earthly tabernacle ;
its probable surpise in realizing the perfection of its own
identity; its complete ;| possession oi its faculties of
memory, will, judgment, affections, powers of perception,
and holding intercourse with] other intelligert beings
around it ; its remembrances of friends on earth, as well
as its recognition of those in paradise.

Little did the writer think that in a few days the dear
friend with whom he was then conversing ^^on those de-
lightful topics would know so well J^from actual ex-
perience how far our conclusions were in accordance with
the facts.

Now he is gone — the young, the wise, and the useful
minister of Christ. ^ May his unexpected^departure speak
to us the importance of '* working while it is day," re-
membering that " the night cometh when no man can
, work."

TO THE "father's HOUSE."

191

His funeral was a solemn sight. Six clergymen in
white surplices were the pall bearers, and six more also
in their white robes preceded the coffin from his father's
residence on Daly street to St. Alban's Church. There
the solemn and beautiful burial sei vice of the Church
was offered. Twelve clergymen in their altar robes occu-
pied their places in the Chancel, and united with the
choir and congregation in the appropriate chants and
hymns. Among the latter was the favorite hymn of
the deceased:

** Oh Paradise, O Paradise
Who doth not crave for rest ?
Who would not seek the happy land
Where they that loved are blest ?
Where loyal hearts and true
Stand ever in the light,
All rapture through and through,
In God's most holy sight.

t I

Paradise, O Paradise,
'Tis ;e^eary waiting here ;

1 long to be whete Jesus is,
To feel, to see him near ;
Where loyal hearts and true
Stand ever in the light,

All rapture through and through,
In God's most holy sight.

Paradise, O Paradise,

1 greatly long to see

The special place my dearest Lord
In love prepares for me ;

192

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

Where loyal hearts and true
StanJ ever in the light,
All rapture throuj^h and through.
In God s moat huly sight.

Lord Jesus, King of Paradise ;
O keep mo in thy love,
And guide me to that happy land
Of perfect rest above ;
Where loy^ I hearts and true
Stand over in the lij^ht, <

All rapture through and through,
r In God 'a moat holy sight."

To his sorrowing family, and indeed to all his friends,
it is a source of great comfort to know that he met his
death in the discharge of his sacred duty to his Divine
Lord and Master.

Happy is it that his dear parents, whom he loved so
much, and whose hearts chmg to him with such intense
all'ection, and looked forward to his future usefulmess
with such fond hope, know so well to whom they can go
for comfort. Thank God they are enabled in this dark
hour of trial, to say in the spirit of true resignation and
Christian faith, " The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken
away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

O may we all be found at our post of duty, working,
watching, looking for the Lord when the summons comes
to us. May it be our happy lot to join our dear departed
friend at last in the kingdom of our Lord, where death
can never come, and sorrow and sighing flee away forever.

TO THE *' father's HOUSE."

103

Where in the enjoyment of the Divine presence, in the
apsociations of the blessed inhabitants of heaven, and in
the eternal advancement in knowledge and happiness, we
shall learn to prize more, and be more and more grateful
for the infinite love of God, who in His mercy rescued us
from the ruins of sin, and bestowed upon us this eternal
felicity through the atonement of His own dear Son.

John Johnston,

Minister St. James' Church, Hull,

194

FROM life's school

se:riwIoii,

I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the Intent ye

may believe. — John xi- 15.

To most men death is a theme of sadness, if not of
terror. We shrink from it, and yet how constantly and
vividly is it kept in our view. Every day we are re-
minded that we are mortal, " All flesh is grass, and all
the goodness of it as the flower of grass. The grass with-
ereth, the flower fadeth." even so must everything earth-
ly. All that is brightest and fairest must wither and
fade and die. We walk through the valley of the shad-
ow of death ; that dark figure stands at the head of the
way before us, and we walk ever in the gloomy shadow
which it casts. It is natural that the thought of death
should be one of gloom and even fear. We know that its
coming is certain, but the day or the hour of its coming
no man can tell. It sets at nought all human calculations
estimates and probabilities. It is indiscriminate in its
ravages ; it takes the young as well as the old, the good
as well as the bad ; it spares not for human terror and
sorrow, but tears away the stay of the feeble, the hope
of nations, the good, the brave, the promising. And then
jt is a mystery ; the grave is clothed with darkness ; it
is a change so sudden, so great, so incomprehensible.

TO THE " FATHERS HOUSE.

No wonder that those who live by sight and not faith,
should shrink from the contemplation of such a theme.
The narative from which our text is taken, presents
the subject of deatli before us, but not as associated with
gloom. Its brighter aspects are shown ; we are pointed to
the lights in the picture as well as the shades , dtath is
shorn of its terrors, and light gleams through the dark-
ness of the tomb. It is a most affecting story, one that
comes home to our own hearts. It is the oft-toM story
of human love and grief, of loss and desolation, and of
Divine tenderness and care. It is full of instruction. Let
us attempt to gather some of it.s lessons for our comfort
and help, and the increase of our faith.

The first words of our Siwiour in the text are remark-
able. " I am glad." At this tim3 Mary and Martha,
dear friends of Jesus, were crushed with grief, and yet
concerning the cause of their sorrow He said, " I am glad."
This utterance must have sounded very strange to the
disciples, for as yet they only knew Christ after the flesh,
at least they had but a dim comprehension of the spirit-
ual truths upon which His action was based. His char-
acter was still something of a riddle to their minds. Hence
his expression was to them a mystery. We are learners in
the school of life — we know the systen of truth revealed
in God's word — we believe in Christ — we feel ourselves to
be under the rule and care of God — we recognize the
Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, but there is
much in the Providence of God that is dark to us ; sin has
weakened our spiritual eyesight, and our perceptions are
clouded and dim.

lOG

FiJOM life's school

The Christian, as he atlvances in his religious life, feels
more and more his own inherent feebleness aud ignor-
ance, the imperfection and meagreness of his views, and
feels more and more the absolute need of Divine enli<rht-
enment and counsel. The disciples could not understand
the motives of Clirist in allowing, when He might have
prevented, the death of His friend, wath all its conse-
quences of sorrow to those who wei-e left behind. This
case is not a singular one. There are few in whose ex-
perience it has not been repeated. " God's ways are not
as our ways." Many of His dealings with us are beyond
human understanding. There are times when to the
unaided human mind, it must seem as if God had with-
drawn Himself from His creatures, and left them to suffer
unheeded and uncared for — that He was deaf to the cry
of human agony. Why does God thus hide Himself, as it
were,rtind allow His creatures to suffer ? If, with the
disciples, we have thus questioned within our hearts, we
shall find in the text the solution of the problem. In it
are unfolded the purposes of God, and the principles of
His government of men.

And 1st. Our Lord was glad for the sake of His
disciples.

To have saved the life of Lazarus would have been
more consistent with the views and wishes of His disciples.
It would have been apparently more consistent with His
regard for His friends. It would have saved them present
pain. But His desire for His followers extended beyond
their present happiness. His views and His actions had

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

107

reference to their hi;;heat welfare. He had regard to
their spiritual improvement — to their eternal well being.
There was a lesson in this calamity which they must
learn, even at the expenwe of pain to those who were so
dearly beloved. The wliole life of our blessed Saviour
was a carrying out of this principle. All that He did
and suffered was for the sake of His Church. Did He
leave the Throne of Majesty in heaven — did He empty
Himself of glory, and take upon Himself the deepest
humiliation and abasement ? " For our sakes He became
poor." Did He here endure sorrows and pain, more deep,
more intense than the human mind can conceive ? " He
bore our griefs and carried our sorrows." Did He take
upon Himself the burden of a world's sin, and sanctify
Himself for the work of a Mediator ? For our sakes He
did it, and that we might be sanctified by the truth. A
voice from heaven comforted Him, and He said, "' This
voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. After
having suffered He left the world, because " it was ex-
pedient for us that the Comforter might come to us."
And He now sitteth at the i ight hand of the Majesty on
high, that we may have "an Advocate with trie Father.''
Upon the same law proceed His dealings with us, His
children. It is the law of love, which regards not so
much the present happiness as the future blessedness of
its object. Whatever befalls us then, whatever sorrows
reach us, however dark may seem the ways of God with
us, we know that it is for our sake, for our own good, tliat
it is from Him who loves us with an infinite love, who

198

FROM LIFES SCHOOL

for our sake spared not Himself, but freely gave Himself
for us all.

Again. Our Lord was glad that He was not there —
that is, to heal the sick. To have brought deliverance to
that sorrowing family would have been a blessing — to
withhold it was a greater blessing. By His presence,
what comfort and joy would He have given to those
hearts, now well nigh breaking with their agony of
suspense and dread. They had sent to him, "Lord he
whom thou lovest is sick." He knew how they longed
for Him ; His heart was with them. He saw the trouble
that was falling upon them. He saw the dread shadow
of death as it grew deeper and blacker, as it settled down
upon them, throwing its gloom upon all their pleasant
things, until it shut out all light and joy from their
home, and yet He stayed away. Did they wonder at His
absence, at His seeming indifference ? Did they think
that He had forsaken them ? They were to learn that in
this was a higher exercise of His love towards them than
if He had responded to their prayer. In this, infinite love
and wisdom were united to secure for them a blessing
beyond what they could conceive. Doubtless many of us
have known the bitterness of bereavement.

Unexpectedly in the midst of the business and enjoy-
ment of life, sorrow has come upon us. As in southern
lands, a cloudless sky is suddenly overcast, and the tem-
pest comes down in might and terror ; in our serenest
hour the clouds have gathered, and the sudden storm has
broken, crushing us with its overwhelming power and

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

199

iem-

nest

has

and

leaving us shattered and desolate. We shrank and cried
out for succor as we saw the blow coming upon us ; we
refused to believe that relief would not come, and when
the worst came we thought our giief greater than we
could bear. Perhaps we murmured, feeling that God
had dealt too heavily with us. Or we have seen the
strange mysterious dealings of God with our neighbors.
But far be it from us to judge the dispensations of God.
We must wait. When the great plan of the Almighty ia
worked out — when His mighty purposes are accomplished,
we shall see the end towards which these things are
working. " God is unsearchable ; His ways past finding
out," but of one thing we may be sure, that all His plans
are laid in wisdom and carried out in love — that if He
cause sorrow, it is that we may partake more abundantly
of His mercy. His wisdom is infinite. He cannot err ;
His love is infinite, He cannot be unkind.

" I am glad for your sake that I was not there, to the
intent ye may believe."

Here the Lord explains the purpose for which He had
allowed this affliction to befall His friends at Bethany. It
was for the increase of the disciples' faith. This was the
benefit that was to flow out of and counterbalance all that
sorrow. Now the disciples had already believed, but
their faith was "weak. Christ designed its increase. They
were but beginners in the knowledge of God — they were
slow to learn — they needed " line upon line, precept upon
precept." Christ was leading them along, step by step,
to a higher knowledge, to clearer views of truth, to higher

200

FROM life's school

conceptions of Himself, to deeper acquaintance with the
things of God, to higher and purer experience. He was
training them for t^ , mighty work which they had to do,
and to this end it was necessary that their faith should
be confirmed and strengthened; for upon their faHh de-
pended their spiritual life, their power, their usefulness.
And this is God's purpose in His dealing with us — " to the
intent ye may believe." Faith is the foundation, the
beginning and the end of Christian life. By faith we are
justified — by faith we are sanctified — by faith we are
furnished unto good works. Faith then is the supreme
good. To believe is to achieve the chief end of existence.
To increase in faith is to advance towards the accomplish-
ment of the greater purpose of our life. Upon this de-
pend eternal issues. In this pursuit are bound up all our
hopes and ^ appiness ; therefore the increase of our faith
is the most precious thing in the esteem of our Lord. In
His dealings with us it is His ai-n to keep this in our
remembrance. We are slow to learn — we are prone to
forget the aim of our creation — apt to lose sight of our
tru3 pursuits, and to identify ourselves with earth until
we become earthly altogether. We live by Bight, and not
by faith ; therefore it is in compassion that God lays His
hand upon us; His chastisements are marks of love ; the
sorrows He sends us are blessings ; His judgments are
mercies; He deals with us as with sons. We cli«g to
earth until we are in danger of forgetting heaven,
and it is necessary to our eternal safety that
we should learn how vain and unsatisfying

TO THE "father's HOUSK."

201

are earthly things. If we will not learn it other-
v/ise, we must learn it through disappointment, loss,
sorrow. Many a man has been first awakened to the un-
certainty of earthly things by the overthrow of some
cherished hope ]or ambition ; many a man has got his
first glimpse of heaven through the grave of some loved
one. And if we have .siirayed or arc in danger of stray-
ing from the path of holiness, is anything too hard, if
only we may be brought back again ? No, let us weep,
for we cannot help it when losses come upon us ; but if
they awaken us to our need of God, if they bring us to a
truer and more abiding consciousness of eternity, if they
bring us into nearer communion with Christ, then we
have cause to rejoice even in our pain, and our rejoicing
will be eternal. Christ taught His disciples through the
sorrow of Mary and Martha. He speaks to us in the afflic-
tions of others. They are admonitions to us — they call us
to a recognition of our own frailty and His omnipotence.
We know not what a day or an hour may bring forth —
we know not what sorrow lies before us ; let us heed the
voice of God — remember this is not our rest, and seek by
greater earnestness in our religious life to do and to bear
whatever may be God's will towards us.

Life is the time of probation and discipline ; here we
are at school — our true life is hereafter. God would
draw our thoughts towards that higher and better life.
He would have us live in consciojsness oi' eternal realities.
Anything that renders us more susceptible of the influ-
ences of the Holy Spirit — anything that impels us to-

202

FROM LIFKS SCHOOL

wards Christ, that stirs up a truer ard more practical
recognition of our obligations and destiny, is a blessing.
Any pain, any sorrow is worth enduring that shall arouse
us from indifference or worldliness, that shall brinor us in-
to a state of humble and devout trust in God our Father.
Finally, we learn from the text that God does not wil-
lingly afflict, and that when trouble has accomp'ished its
purpose relief comes. Jesus said, " Nevertheless let us
go unto him." Jesus had seen all the conflict and sorrow
in that home. His heart had been there, and now as soon
as He could, consistently with the fulfilment of His high
purpose. He went to them to bring comfort and relief. So
it is still ; our Saviour knows just how far it is necessary
for us to be tried, and beyond that He will not try us.
He is watching in tender love and compassion when His
children suffer, and He is at hand to bind up their wounds,
to still the storm of grief, and to pour consolation into
the stricken hearts. He may not take away the cause of
sorrow as in the case before us, but the succor He brings is
none the less perfect. It only needs that we call upon
Him. " Come unto me and I will give you rest," is the
only source of relief. We may offer our sympathy to those
who mourn — we may weep with those who weep, but
how powerless are we to lessen the load of grief. How
helpless we are in the presence of sorrow ; we can do noth-
ing, but Christ can do all. There is no sorrow that He
cannot heal ; His help is practical and efficient ; " cast thy
burden upon the Lord and He will sustain thee." He will
speak words of comfort ; He will impart strength ; He

TO THE " father's HOUSE."

20S

will point the crushed and despairing soul to the better
land where the loved and lost are waiting until those who
are left behind for a season shall meet them again ; the
home of the soul where there is no more death ; " where
the inhabitants never say they are sick ; where God shall
wipe away all tears from off all faces." Christ can work
for us a far more blessed deliverance than the removal of
the present trouble. " This light affliction which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory." The troubles of life are light
compared with the blessedness that God has prepared for
them that love Him. If the wounded heart turns to
Christ as its stay and refuge, and clings to Him with in-
tenser love and firmer faith, then will it prove the bless-
edness of adversity. It shall dwell on high ; it shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty. God calls us to a
higher life, a truer existence, a closer communication with
Himself. " Eye hath not seen nor ear heard what God
hath prepared for them that love Him," He would lift
our souls to a higher plane, where they shall breathe a
purer atmosphere, where in the sunlight of His counte-
nance they shall become strong and pure. This is possible
for us ; it is possible to live so near to God that nothing
shall have power to disturb our peace, but amidst all the
waves of this troublesome world we shall be unmoved.
And this is what we have to do ; this is all that is worth
living for. To know God, to fear Him, to serve Him, to
dwell with Him ; here is the great end and aim of life.
Then brethren recall the dealings of God with your souls.

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FROM LIFES SCHOOL

meditate upon His judgments with humble though tfulness,
and with repentance for unfaithfulness, with fervent
prayer for enlightenment and guidance in the way of truth.
And may He who alone sees the end from the beginning,
and who doeth all thin^'' well, give us wisdom and grace
to acknowledge His hand in all things, and inspire us to
that **** *♦♦♦

[Here the MS. ends The conclusion was evidently in-
tended to be extempore.]

THE END.

,''-lr»»K i

♦ .Vi^'tj.' »..