is, we are all alike in being poor and needy, and it is a good thing to get together and confess this to our Father, in each other’s hearing.  I can unite cordially with anyone, man, woman or child, who really prays.  A very illiterate person could win my heart if I knew he truly loved the Lord Jesus, no matter how clumsily he expressed that love; and his prayers would edify me.  Perhaps you can not look at this matter exactly as I do.  I know I suffered for years, whenever I prayed with others, old or young; but I persevered in what I believed to be a duty, until, not so very long ago, the duty became a pleasure, all fear of man being taken away.  I never think anything about what sort of a prayer I make; in fact I make no prayer; we have to speak as the Spirit gives us utterance.

To Mrs. Condict, Kauinfels, [11] Aug. 16, 1874.

Yesterday Miss H. came down and asked me if I would start a Bible-reading at her house.  I told her I would with pleasure.  This morning I decided to open with the Sermon on the Mount, and have been studying the first promise.  Do take your Bible and study that verse by reading the references.  I am delighted that our dear Lord has at last pointed out my mission to this village.  I have long prayed that He would open a way of access to hearts here.  Pray next Wednesday afternoon that I may be a witness for Him.  There are a number of families boarding in town, who will join the reading.  Miss H. wanted to give notice from the pulpit, but I could not consent to that....  You say your mother asks about my book.  It is a queer one, and I am not satisfied with it; but my husband is, and thinks it will do good.  God grant it may.  I entitle it Paths of Peace; or, Christian Friends in Council. [12] After the most earnest prayer for light, I can not preach sinless perfection.  I think God has provided a way to perfection, and that that is, “looking unto Jesus.”  If the “higher life” means utter sinlessness then I shall have to own that I have never had any experience of it.  Mr. P. has given me a world of anxiety.  He will go round everywhere, even on jolting straw-rides; his wound is nearly healed, however.  He is looking the picture of health, but feels uncomfortable and sleeps restlessly.  I went up to the tavern lately as a great piece of self-denial to call on a lady boarding there, and found I had thus stumbled on to fine gold; the gold you and I love.  She is the wife of the Rev. Mr. R., of Flushing.

Soon after returning to town she began to take lessons in oil painting.  Her teacher was Mrs. Julia H. Beers—­now Mrs. Kempson—­a lady gifted with much of the artistic power belonging to her distinguished brothers, William and James M. Hart.  In this new pursuit Mrs. Prentiss passed many very busy and happy hours.  The following letter to her husband gives Mrs. Kempson’s recollections of them: 

FIRTREE COTTAGE, METUCHEN, Jan. 27, 1880.