* * * Canst thou feel any sympathy or compassion for one who pleads guilty to the folly of a flurried mind, “wasting its strength in strenuous idleness,” and that, too, with open eyes, seeing its own weakness and despising it?  One of the worst things such a folly includes is that it allows no leisure to the mind; whereas, I believe well-ordered minds, however much care may be placed upon them, can throw this aside, when not necessarily engaged, and repose in the true dignity of self-command.  This is, I believe, some people’s natural gift; but it surely ought, by supernatural means, to be within every one’s reach if only the government were on the shoulders of the “Prince of Peace.”  Oh, how much that means!  What “delectable mountains!” What “green pastures!” What “still waters!” What “gardens enclosed!” What “south lands,” and “springs of water,” are pictured in that beau-ideal “on earth as it is in heaven”!  Well my second page has spoken of a land very far off from the haunted region described in the first; but to “turn over a new leaf” is easier in a letter than in a life.  Thy idea of the next ten years altering us less than the last will perhaps prove true; but, oh, the painful doubts that force themselves on me, whether the present channel is such that we can peacefully anticipate it only as deepening, and not as having an utter change of direction!  How much harder to live in the world and not be of it than to forsake it altogether!  So lazy self says; and, in turning from present duty, tries to justify itself by the excuse that it would willingly leave this world for another.

2d Mo. 4th.  First-day evening.  Little as I have felt inclined to put pen to paper of late, I thought this evening that some small memento might be left, as it were, at this point of the valley, just to say, Here were the footsteps of a weary halting pilgrim at such a time—­one that brought no store of food or raiment, no supply of wisdom or subtlety, no provision for the way, nothing but wounds and weaknesses, household images, secret sins; but by favor of unspeakable long-suffering, continuing unto this day—­and, as she would fain hope, not deserted.  A. troop of thoughts doth grievously overcome her, and faint is her hope that she shall overcome at the last; yet does she desire to set up the Ebenezer, if not of rejoicing, which as yet cannot be, yet of humble hope, in a cloudy and dark day, that He who has said, “Light and gladness are sown for the upright in:  heart,” will yet verify His promise in the day-spring of the light of His countenance, if any measure of integrity remain within.  Oh, that He may keep, as the apple of His eye, that which a troop of robbers are watching to spoil, and may provide it with a hiding-place in His pavilion of love!  And for one thing is my earnest wish directed to Him, that, unable as I am to direct my own steps aright, He would provide a leader for me, and a willing heart within me, and grant me enough of His guidance to keep me in the way, and enough of a willingness to walk therein and not stumble.

  3d Mo. 7th, Letter to M.B.