in answer to the promise, “If any man will do the will of God he shall know of the doctrine.”  She wished the service to be entirely informal, and that each one present should do her part to aid in the study.  This brought out diverse views and different standards of opinion.  Here her keen intellect, her warm heart, the rich stores of her experience and her “sanctified common sense” all found play, and many of the words that fell from her lips dwell in the memory as little less than inspired.  The last winter of this service showed some marked differences from previous years.  As eager as ever to have questions asked and answered by others, yet from the moment she commenced to speak she scarcely paused till the hour was finished, her eyes sparkling and her whole manner intensely earnest.  Often those words of the Psalmist passed through my mind, The zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up. Her love for her work and zeal in doing it were visibly consuming her.  At the last meeting I asked her if she should commence the Bible-reading at Dorset immediately.  She said no, she must rest a little; she would wait till her garden was made.  When next I heard from her flowers and her Bible-study she had made the “bound into home immortal.”  And all who loved her must rejoice with her; else have we failed to learn one of the clearest lessons of her life:  For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

To Mrs. Condict, Feb. 14, 1878.

Is it possible I had portiere on the brain when I wrote you last?  I thought I had just caught the disease.  I am very fond of needle-work, but for years have nearly abandoned it, because I could not thread my needle.  But the portiere is made with a large worsted needle and will give me pleasant work for the evening.  I am getting my hand in on a contumacious closet door that won’t stay open in my bedroom....

Imitation Macaroni,

By the author of Pemaquid: 

Boil hominy overnight.  Next day’s dinner prepare like macaroni, with a little milk and grated cheese and bake.  Good for a change and cheaper.

March 9th.—­What an improvement on the old fashion of reading the Bible is the present search of the Word!  It is, as you say, fascinating work.  I have just given M. an admirable book called “Emphatic Diaglott,” being the Greek Testament with a literal translation; still even that can be misunderstood by one who has a false theory to sustain.  The spiritual conflicts I have passed through have been a blessing, as I am beginning to see; I can understand better how such conflicts may prepare one for work.  This afternoon I have, as usual, been getting ready for the Wednesday reading, and as I was requested to speak of the Holy Spirit, have been poring over the Bible and am astonished at the frequency and variety of passages in which He is spoken of.  But I feel painfully unfit to guide even this little circle of women, and would be so glad to sit as a learner.