least departing from their principles or testimonies. In what better, holier, or nobler work can they engage? Some efforts have been made in times past which have been blessed, and I cannot persuade myself that this people will turn a deaf ear to the cry of oppression. And however much we may feel discouraged at the course taken by those of whom better things should have been expected, let us hope for the dawning of a brighter day. Let every one do his part in the great reform for which we hope, and not turn away from the field of labor. 'Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.'

"In the language of a modern writer, I would say, 'With every endeavor to introduce a more active spirit of virtue amongst us, I deeply sympathize. I hold that all the physical and intellectual powers we possess should be dedicated to the furtherance of good, and the very possession of them is an obligation upon us to exercise them-that our understandings are amongst the noblest gifts of our Divine Father, and that we are bound to employ them at all hours and at all times, in his service. It is a false and has been a most pernicious notion, that because the carnal mind is enmity against God '-i.e. the carnal state of the mind -therefore our minds, in their natural capacities, are unfit to serve him. The maxim of 'not running in our own will to do good,' has done infinite harm. If we run with a desire to do good, we shall run well; for the very desire of good, springs

from the source of good. My opinion, therefore, is, that, 'to be instant in season and out of season,' is the law and the obligation of the Christian; and our daily experience shows that obedience to that law is largely blessed. I say, therefore, that I deeply sympathize with all endeavors to introduce a greater tendency to virtuous action in our Society. I would have none leave it-I would have none lopped off who hold with us the few real essentials of real association; but would have us all stand together in the spirit of an enlarged love, for the cause of religion and of man.'

"Isaac T. Hopper."

CHAPTER IX.

1842-1849.

LOSS OF CHILDREN.

FROM LYDIA MARIA CHILD TO MRS. GIBBONS.

"November 6, 1842.

"Dear Abby,

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Accept this little transparency from one who would gladly show her gratitude and affection for you by giving you a golden palace, if she had the power. You will say this would be a useless gift, even if I had it to offer; but to you, it would not be; for you would take down your walls, piece by piece, and feed the hungry and clothe the naked; and leave yourself no roof, but 'the blue sky that bends o'er all.'

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Therefore, I would give you a golden palace if I had it.

"Dear Abby, believe me, your goodness lies recorded deep in my heart. It is not lost upon me, either as daily refreshment or a stimulating example. I thank you for your manifold, superabounding goodness to me; for your unremitting and sisterly love for John; for you filial tenderness to your good old father; for the self-sacrificing affection that encircles all your family; for

the gushing benevolence that pities and blesses all.

"Whatever be my destiny, you will ever be to me as a dearly cherished sister. Be of good cheer under this temporary affliction; a little more patience will carry you through. I wish I could take part of your suffering for you. God strengthen you, bodily and spiritually, and long preserve you to be a blessing like the sunshine, to all around you.

"Most affectionately yours,

"I wish you and yours a happy New Year, and a great many of them. Though I don't know whether it may not be wicked to wish you many, as it may imply infidelity to the grand doctrine of the World's Ending. I'm sure there are wicked enough, if that's all-only I think it must take more than one year to burn them all up. I should think there was fuel plenty for a century. As to the righteous-there won't be many of them, to be sure; then what fun they will have! Only think of being seated at your ease up in the air, and seeing millions of the ungodly roasting, and the Devil turning them every now and then with his pitchfork! Why, an auto da fé was a fool to it. The righteous may well give up plays and shows and balls, when they have in reserve such a

spectacle as this. All the bullfights and gladiatorial shows that have ever been held, are not worthy to hold a candle to it. I hope you'll try to be a good woman, so as to deserve to be treated to a good place.

"This, however, by the way. It was the second coming of your good father to Boston that moved me to draw my glittering steel (pen) and attack you just now. You can't think how glad we were to see the dear old man again. He spent a night with me to my great contentment and that of my wife, and to the no small edification of my little boy to whom breeches and buckles were phenomena of as great curiosity as novelty. My Irish gardener looked at them with reverence, having probably seen nothing so aristocratic since he left the old country. I love those relics of past time. The Quakers were not so much out when they censured their members for turning' sans culottes.' Think of Isaac T. Hopper in a pair of pantaloons strapped under his feet! There is 'flat burglary,' if not damnable heresy in the idea. I tell my father that the College has been going down hill ever since the President left off wearing breeches on Commencement Day.

"I heartily thank you for your kind letter of which he was the bearer, and also for the pack of cards which you (or James) sent to me.* I think it will astonish some of my fashionable acquaintances to find them reposing in the silver salver in their Halls in Beacon St.

* With the picture of a kneeling slave.