In mine it is indeed “first the blade,” and they will, no doubt, have their trials and temptations.  But it seems to me I must leave them in God’s hands and let Him lead them as He will.  It was very sweet to have the elements passed to me by their young hands.  Offer one earnest prayer for them at least, that they may prove true soldiers and servants of Jesus Christ.  No doubt your two little sainted ones looked on and loved the children of their mother’s friend.

The following testimony of one of President Garfield’s classmates and intimate friends may fitly be added here: 

“For him there was but one Mark Hopkins in all the world; but for Professor Albert Hopkins also, or ‘Prof.  Al.,’ as he was called in those days, the General—­not only while at college, but all through life—­ entertained the highest regard, both as a man and a scholar.  His intellectual attainments were thought by Gen. G. to be of an unusually fine order, rivalling those of his brother, and often eliciting the admiration not only of himself, but of all the other students.  In speaking of his Williamstown life, Gen. Garfield always referred to Prof.  Hopkins in the most affectionate manner; and, both from his own statements and my personal observation, I know that their mutual college relations were of the pleasantest nature possible.”

On the subject of perfection, you say I am looking for angelic perfection.  I see no difference in kind.  Perfection is perfection to my mind, and I have always thought it a dangerous thing for a soul to fancy it had attained it.  Yet, in her last letters to me, Miss ——­ virtually professes to have become free from sin.  She says self and sin are the same thing, and that she is entirely dead to self.  What is this but complete sanctification?  What can an angel say more?  I feel painfully bewildered amid conflicting testimonies, and sometimes long to flee away from everybody.  Miss ——­’s last letter saddened me, I will own.  You say, “I am in danger of becoming morbid, or stupid, or wild, or something I ought not.”  Why in danger?  According to your own doctrine you are safe; being “entirely sanctified from moment to moment.”  At any rate I can say nothing “to quicken” you, for I am morbid and stupid, though just now not wild.  Those sharp temptations have ceased, though perhaps only for a season; but I have been physically weakened by them, and have got to take care of myself, go to bed early, and vegetate all I can—­and this when I ought to be hard at work ministering to other souls.  The fact is, I don’t know anything and don’t do anything, but just get through the day somehow, wondering what all this strange, unfamiliar state of things will end in.  Poor M——­ has gone crazy on “Holiness through Faith,” and will probably have to go to an asylum....  Our little home looks and is very pleasant.  I take some comfort in it, and try to realise the goodness that gives me such a luxury.  But a soul that has known what it is to live to Christ can be happy only in Him.  May He be all in all to you, and consciously so to me in His own good time.