Chapter II: Preface

It would scarcely be fitting that this Volume should go forth to the Public without a few words of Preface from one of A. L. O. E.’s own family.

Only my beloved Mother--the ‘Laura’ of these pages--could have penned the words which should adequately tell all that my dear Aunt was to those who knew her best and loved her most fondly. And _she_, little as she had expected it, was the first of the two to be called Home.

It has, however, been a great satisfaction to me to intrust the preparation of the _Life_ to Miss Giberne; and I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my hearty appreciation of the literary skill, the sympathy, and the fidelity to truth with which she has accomplished her task.

Averse as my Aunt ever was to any fuss being made about her, nothing would have reconciled her to the publication of a Biography, save the hope that its story might be used of God to stimulate others to consecrate their lives to the Service of Christ, whether in the Foreign or Home Mission Field. It is in such hope that it is now sent forth, with the earnest prayer that HIS blessing may rest upon it.

W. F. TUCKER HAMILTON.

CHRIST CHURCH, WOKING.

NOTE.--Any profits derived by A. L. O. E.’s relatives from the publication of this volume will be apportioned among those Missionary Societies in which she was especially interested.

CONTENTS

PAGE
PART I

LIFE IN ENGLAND

CHAPTER I

THE STORY OF HER FATHER 3

CHAPTER II

CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD 13

CHAPTER III

EARLY WRITINGS 27

CHAPTER IV

A ‘FARCE’ OF GIRLISH DAYS 39

CHAPTER V

HOME LIFE 62

CHAPTER VI

GRAVITY AND FUN 71

CHAPTER VII

THE FIRST GREAT SORROW, AND THE FIRST BOOK 83

CHAPTER VIII

CRIMEA, AND THE INDIAN MUTINY 100

CHAPTER IX

LIFE’S EARLY AFTERNOON 112

CHAPTER X

A HEAVY SHADOW 126

CHAPTER XI

GIVING COMFORT TO OTHERS 137

CHAPTER XII

THE OLD HOME BROKEN UP 146

CHAPTER XIII

VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS 159

CHAPTER XIV

AN UNEXPECTED RESOLVE 173

CHAPTER XV

BESIDE NIAGARA 184

PART II

LIFE IN INDIA

CHAPTER I

FIRST ARRIVAL IN INDIA 197

CHAPTER II

A HOME IN AMRITSAR 209

CHAPTER III

CURIOUS WAYS 224

CHAPTER IV

A PALACE FOR A HOME 239

CHAPTER V

DISAPPOINTMENTS AND DELAYS 253

CHAPTER VI

A BROWN AND WHITE ‘HAPPY FAMILY’ 267

CHAPTER VII

PERSECUTIONS 282

CHAPTER VIII

EARLY CHRISTIAN DAYS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 299

CHAPTER IX

THE CHURCH AT BATALA 318

CHAPTER X

LOYAL AND TRUE 331

CHAPTER XI

CLOUDS AFTER SUNSHINE 344

CHAPTER XII

THE FIRST STONE OF BATALA CHURCH 359

CHAPTER XIII

SOME OF A. L. O. E.’s POSSESSIONS 374

CHAPTER XIV

ON THE RIVER’S BRINK 395

CHAPTER XV

IN HARNESS ONCE MORE 410

CHAPTER XVI

A VISIT FROM BISHOP FRENCH 427

CHAPTER XVII

THE DAILY ROUND 445

CHAPTER XVIII

IN OLD AGE 461

CHAPTER XIX

LIGHT AT EVENTIDE 475

CHAPTER XX

THE LAST GREAT SORROW 491

CHAPTER XXI

THE HOME-GOING 503

LIST OF PRINCIPAL BOOKS BY A. L. O. E. 515

LIST OF SOME SMALL BOOKLETS BY A. L. O. E. 519