“The thought just occurs to me that if such a life seems desirable to you, how easily you could obtain it.  What is it that costs so much labor of mind and body?  Is it not that which we consume on and in our bodies?  Then, if we reduce the consumption there will be less need of production.  Most of our labor is labor for the body.  We are treasuring up corruption for the day of death; is this not so?  As we rise in spirit above the body we shall bring all its appetites into subjection to the moral law. . . .

“This is what I should like you to do for me.  All the food that I brought with me is gone, and as I would like to have my razor sent on, and as the articles you can give me would be better than any I can get here, you will be so kind as to send with it the following list, if you think best:  1.  Put in some hard bread. 2.  A few unleavened wheat biscuits, such as I used to make. 3.  Some unleavened Graham biscuits. 4.  A five-cent or ten-cent loaf of bread, if you think it will keep good until it gets here. 5.  Get me a linen summer frock-coat such as are worn—­those loose ones.  Dunster has my measure and he can cut it for you.  Let it be made.  I have only a summer jacket with me, and that is John’s. 6.  Do not forget the razor.  You can put in any other simple, solid food, if you wish to send any.  Do I ask too much from you?  If so, you must be kind enough to tell me.  Your labor is already too great, and I am burdening you with more. . . .

“How much my heart loves you all!  How unkindly I have spoken to you at times!  You will forgive me and love me none the less, will you not?  May we live together more and more in the unity of love.”

“May, 1844.—. . .  My studies are pursued with the same spirit in which they were commenced, and there seems to me no reason to fear but that they will be continued in the same for some time to come.  However, I would affirm what has been affirmed by me for these two years back, the only consistency that I can promise is submission to the Spirit that is guiding me, whatever may be the external appearance or superficial consequences to others. . . .

“How our astonishment should be excited to perceive that we have been in such a long sleep, and that even now we see but dimly.  Let us each ask ourselves in whose business we are employed.  Is it our Father’s, or is it not?  If not, let us immediately turn to the business of our Father, the only object of our life.  Let us submit wholly to the guidance of Love.”

“TO MRS. CATHERINE J. HECKER.  Concord, May 31, 1844.—­You speak of my situation as pleasant, and so it is to me.  Though the house is situated on the street of a village, the street is beautifully arched with trees for some distance, and my room is very pleasant.  One window is wholly shaded by sweet honeysuckle, which is now in blossom, filling the room with its mild fragrance.  The little humming-birds visit its flowers frequently without being disturbed by my presence.”