Chapter IV: Part 4

I feel for you greatly in your isolation; but comfort yourself in
the thought that the generality of Unitarian ministers are cut off
from all companionship with ministers of other denominations where
they are settled, and are seldom permitted to enter into charities,
where they are, with other ministers. It has been the case ever
since the days of Jesus, that those who really hold his views are
separated from others in the community. But as you say, and many
more say, "if we have God alone, that is enough." I cannot consider
myself a "theist" entirely, but might call myself a "Christian
theist." I have come to know God as manifested through Jesus, but
have as much respect for those who do as Jesus did, and who have as
firm a trust in the Father as Jesus had. Think that is what Jesus
taught, and labored to have no man worship him. "There is none good
but One," he said; "why callest thou me good?" Though I value
Jesus, I do not worship him, or feel that he is my support in life.
I only look to him in difficulties and trials to show me the way to
the Father. I ask to worship and to live in his spirit and so gain
strength from the Father wherewith to do. You and others look more
to men of later date, who have learned from others nearer to them;
but if we trace it all back to the beginning, we will find it is
Jesus' spirit working through them. So one and all, whoever they
are, wherever found, who have the spirit of Christ, are the sons of
God, whether they call themselves merely theists, or Christian
theists, it seems to me. George Eliot was truly religious, though
perhaps not a Christian in the common acceptation.

* * * * *

DECEMBER 27, 1884.

I do not know as I "have ever realized the depths of absolute
negations," but I have realized the depths of absolute solitude,
and can sympathize with you in your loneliness, and "think it a
good thing to keep the Eternal and Infinite always in view, and so
love quiet, solitude, and meditation. They strengthen me to do my
work in life." Do not despair, then, if you are despondent at
times. Every one is, and it is good for us to some extent to be
disgusted with ourselves; it makes us know ourselves. "The dark
hours of life bring us nearer to our fellow-men, help us to know
ourselves and bring us nearer to God." God has put these
questionings into you for some wise purpose. Be true to your
highest and best self, and work them out by degrees. But remember
you are young yet, and there is time for you to solve all these
mysteries in. Do not try to solve all the great questions of life
at once. Be patient, and do not brood too much. Meditation and
solitude are good, but try to mingle somewhat with those around
you. See God in the world about you, as well as in the stars. I
would like to dwell longer upon your letter, but perhaps I shall
bring you out of doubt by giving you something to do. [She then
proposes a bit of work for him to undertake.] ... Our doubts and
mysteries are solved sometimes by setting to work on things we are
pondering over.

He wrote Miss Ellis, Aug. 24, 1885:--

"A shadow has come across my way of late,--a great disappointment.
I think I mentioned it to you before. A doctor, an acquaintance of
mine, has often told me that I studied and read too much.... It is
hard for me to realize this, but he insists on a year's rest from
study. This will postpone my entrance to Meadville for two years, I
fear. I confess to great disappointment over this. I will be past
twenty-five when I get to Meadville; and yet there is another side.
I have often questioned my fitness for this great work. I wish to
be cautious. I do believe that I have a noble gospel to preach. 'To
preach,'--but first to live it. And, in shame I confess it, I have
not lived it. It will therefore be a good thing if in these two
years I give myself to growth in manhood. But enough of this. These
matters must be dealt with in the closet,--the soul's closet....
After my taste of Montreal fellowship I am sick with loneliness
here. It is fearful, at times, this longing for one friend even,
and finding none. But it must be borne without grumbling. And now I
must stop. The doctor would object to even this light piece of
writing. Thank you kindly for sending me the 'Register' and
'Unity.' It is very good of you to look after me so much. Be
assured that your kindness is giving great encouragement to a
lonely one who, amid much opposition and misunderstanding from his
dearest ones, is making at least a _little_ honest effort to be
true to himself and God. I would that I were fully faithful; but it
is not so. Still I think your seed will yet bear fruit, and spring
up in a life devoted to the uplifting of mankind. My deepest
prayer is for this. I trust your health will improve. Still more do
I trust that you may continue to grow nearer God, and help others
to do so, as you have helped me."

Miss Ellis replied, Aug. 30, 1885:--

"... I have neglected you of late, thinking you were soon to go to
Meadville, and that you were busy. We are sorry to hear of your
great disappointment. It is a disappointment to us as well,
particularly to me. However, we need the reverses and crosses of
life as much as the air we breathe, to strengthen our characters.
You have pushed yourself so hard with business and studies the past
two years, that you have not taken time to view the life around you
in the right light. Let the next two years be given principally to
building up your character individually and socially, and to
improving your health, as one of the first requisites of a minister
is a sound mind and a healthy body. Be social; take life
cheerfully; make those about you better for your company; and
mingle freely with your family and best friends, showing them you
are practising Unitarianism. Yes; make these two coming years tell
as a preparation for college in another way, and let them prove a
blessing to you, though a disappointment at first. Did you read
Rev. E. E. Hale's 'Methods,' in 'Register' a few weeks since? This
week's 'Register' contains an excellent sermon by Rev. John
Clifford on 'Spiritual Building.' Have a home worship of your own
sometimes. During the vacation, every Sunday I have had a regular
worship. For instance, to-day I read for sermon, 'Spiritual
Building;' opening hymn, 'Come, Thou Almighty, help us to praise;'
'Scriptures Old and New' (a compilation by Mr. Forbush and Mr.
Hosmer, from all religions, and an excellent thing to have), Lesson
27,--'The Kingdom within us;' prayer, followed by Scripture lesson,
Galatians iii., from which is taken text; then Wesley's hymn, 'The
whole armor of God;' sermon; closing hymn, Doddridge's 'Awake, my
soul, stretch every nerve,' etc. Have been interested during the
vacation in looking over Gannett's 'Childhood of Jesus' and
Carpenter's 'Palestine when Jesus lived.' Also bought 'Selections
from the Apocrypha,' compiled by Mrs. Tileston, who compiled 'Daily
Strength.' Readings from the Apocrypha are so common in Unitarian
pulpits now, that it is well to be familiar with the best portions.
Am not able to do much reading now. Am physically too weak. Never
was able to use my brain to its full extent,--feeble and nervous
all my life, but active otherwise."

Miss Ellis's last letter to him was written but little more than a month before her death, when in the utmost weakness herself; but to this she makes no allusion. It was a letter of consolation in bereavement, from which this is an extract:--

NOVEMBER 18, 1885.

... The only way to reconcile ourselves to our sorrows is to think
of those who are worse off than ourselves. It makes us less
inclined to murmur in our own sadness. It is good for us to bear
the cross. If things were always as we would have them, many
virtues would never be developed. There are so many comforting
pieces in "Sunshine in the Soul." Some I marked for a former
correspondent. Mr. Thayer read for his Scripture lesson last
Sunday, Job. iv. 5; and v. 6-11; 17 to end. I have no doubt your
sister knows many comforting passages; but the real comfort is
found in keeping ourselves busy for others, while at the same time
we lean and trust in God to give us peace of soul. We find it in
time as we go on patiently doing the duty just before us, and
loving the blessings which remain to us.

One of Miss Ellis's last thoughts was for this correspondent. When hardly able to speak, she requested a special "Register" sent to him. It was sent, and a postal card informing him of her condition. He replied:--

DECEMBER 25, 1885.

Your card came to me this morning. I am shocked at its sad message.
I was not in the least prepared for it. It seems to hold out no
hope. Though I have never seen Miss Ellis, she has been to me for
over three years a close friend. And now I must lose her
friendship, and her kind encouraging letters! But I am not
intending to complain of loss, but rather to be thankful for the
help I have received from her. I shall now have another motive to
work on, to be more faithful in life. That motive shall be the
memory of Miss Ellis's self-sacrificing life. I have a large
package of her letters which will be more valued now than ever
before. I do trust her work will go on; it ought to certainly. If I
can help I will gladly do so.

Later, he wrote in reply to a letter announcing her death:--

JANUARY 1, 1886.

I was very glad to hear a little of our dear friend who spends this
happy New Year's Day freed from all ills of the body. I can hardly
realize that she is gone. She never gave me a hint that she was
seriously ill, but always spoke cheerfully. It is such a short time
ago that I wrote to her as usual, not having the remotest thought
that she would never answer my letter. Her last letters to me are
dated Nov. 6 and 18, and, singularly enough, are almost entirely
taken up with remarks upon death and affliction. Not a word of
herself, however....

Miss Ellis wrote me two letters full of kindness and sympathy, and
sending cheering words to my sister; for she wrote, "Though I don't
know her, I feel deeply for her." It really is hardly possible to
estimate the influence, both direct and indirect, which Miss Ellis
has had upon my life. It is a very long story, this of my inquiries
in religious matters. I have always looked forward to the day when
I should see our friend and speak to her of it, and make some
expression of my gratitude to her. But it is not to be,--not in
this life, at least. Hereafter her letters shall be a source of
constant encouragement to me. I have them all, and glad I am of it,
for through them she will yet speak to me. I often wished to have a
photograph of her, and I am very sorry now that I too long
hesitated to take the first step in making a mutual exchange. Often
when weary through the day's work I have been cheered by her kind
letters. But this is only one limited instance of her influence.
For years I went to my daily work sad and heavy of heart because
life was aimless, almost dead. By the printed page Miss Ellis
showed me God,--God living, working, right here now, daily
surrounding me and all men. And lo! life has an aim, is full of
beauty and goodness and joy.... All this I owe to her.

In response to a request for letters, he wrote:

FEBRUARY 14, 1886.

In your card you speak of a book. I hope the pamphlet will grow
into a book. I was delighted to hear that it will contain a
portrait, for that will be just what I wish for. The letters I
sent, I had to just pick out hurriedly, as I had very little time.
If I had had more time, I might have made a better selection. I
will vouch for their quality, however. I have post cards
innumerable from her. Then again, once, when I was having a sore
mental struggle over the philosophy of prayer, in answer to my
inquiries Miss Ellis wrote out for me the greater part of Mr.
Chadwick's sermon on "Prayer," in his "Faith of Reason." This I
mention as one out of many instances of such work. She never tired
of trying to aid me. I sent you the last letter I received from
her, never having a thought, at the time I received it, of its
being the _last_ one. Perhaps Miss Ellis is aware of all this
afterglow, as you so well call it. I hope so. I believe so. How it
must gratify her to know what she accomplished!

In looking over these letters I am very forcibly reminded of the
last few years.... As you may suppose, Miss Ellis is much in my
thoughts. I looked forward to meeting her some day, and making
grateful acknowledgment of her influence for good on me. I would
not hide from you that I often regret that it is not to be so. But
every other thought is swallowed up in gratitude for her life and
for our meeting together.

The following is Miss Ellis's first letter from a farmer's wife a dozen miles out of Cincinnati, who has this winter become a member of the Women's Auxiliary Conference, and wishes, with her daughter, to join the church:--

"I have frequently seen the item in the Sunday's paper offering
Unitarian reading to those who wish it, and have as often
determined to avail myself of the opportunity, but have so far
neglected it. I will say that I have been for a long time somewhat
of a Unitarian, without being sufficiently informed in the belief
openly to declare myself one. I would ask you to teach me from the
beginning the doctrines, so that I can understand and feel a safety
in embracing them. I have a daughter who will avail herself with me
of your kind offer. You are to be our teacher in the matter of
selecting the reading, and I will gladly pay postage on all books
sent."

As such teacher Miss Ellis acted ever after. She wrote in reply, Jan. 1, 1884:--

Was very glad to receive your letter to-day, and hope I may prove a
successful "teacher." Have always been a Unitarian, as my father
was among the first subscribers to the church, when it was
established in 1830.... Have sent you by this same mail three
tracts pertaining to our doctrines. Shall be glad to give you and
your daughter a weekly Sunday-school lesson for several weeks.
Began with statements of doctrine and Channing's famous Discourse.
On the list sent have numbered other tracts in the order in which I
shall send them,--leading you from Channing to Brigham and J. F.
Clarke, showing an advance in thought up to Mr. Wendte's tract,
"What Do Unitarians Believe?" which represents Unitarianism as held
by the _young_ men of the present time; and after you read these
tracts, if you wish more doctrine, will mention some books we can
loan you by mail. With the tracts will also send the "Christian
Register," where you will see our principles carried out. It is a
very interesting, able paper. Perhaps after you have examined a
few copies you may like to become a subscriber to it. I usually
spend Mondays mailing papers to our correspondents, though they do
not all get off till about Wednesday. They will be in time for a
Sunday lesson, however, and I hope you may find some neighbors to
join you in your study. Hoping this is a beginning of another good
work for us, and to hear from you further,

Respectfully yours, SARAH ELLIS.

* * * * *

JANUARY 26, 1884.

This leads me to your question, "What do you do with the Immaculate
Conception? Why was that way employed to compel people to accept
the divinity of Christ?" Ask as many questions as you please, and I
will answer them in letter, or send some sermon or tract to throw
light on the subject to you. Monday, will mail to you "The
Incarnation," by Rev. J. W. Chadwick, wherein you will see that
many of the doctrines of the early times were invented by the men
of the day to suit some purpose of their own. Will shortly send you
a lesson paper by Rev. William C. Gannett, of St. Paul, Minn., on
"The Christmas Story and the Christmas Fact." These stories or
"legends" concerning Jesus were written some time after his death.
"Bible for Learners" says--[Here is copied a long extract.] I have
said enough to let you know that we do not accept these "legends"
as literal truth; and you will understand, from "The Incarnation,"
that Jesus was not miraculously born any more than we all are.
Jesus never claimed it for himself, as you will find as you read
what I send you from time to time. It was a doctrine created by the
Church to suit later days. I was glad to have you speak freely of
yourself, and hope that we may make religion, the Bible, and Jesus,
natural, simple, true, and beautiful to you and your
daughter,--something that you can take hold of and live out in your
daily lives, and be thankful that you _live_. Hoping that you may
have further questions to ask, and wish to borrow books on subjects
of interest to you,

Very truly your friend, S. ELLIS.

There is a book that will throw much light on your question
concerning the early view of Christ, "Orthodoxy and Heresy," by
Rev. E. H. Hall. We have it to loan.

* * * * *

MARCH 13, 1884.

It is with pleasure I sit down to reply to your last letter, and it
has only been from total inability that you have had to wait so
long. I wanted to sit down immediately to send you a few
sympathetic words, for your life must have been very similar to my
own. The best comfort for us is, to say to ourselves, Are not many,
_many_ others carrying the same burdens, disappointments, and toils
as we? How do they bear them, and where do they get their patience
and strength from? Only from studying the words and lives of those
who have had similar trials to bear; and no one bore the cross
better than He to whom the whole world has looked as a guide.
Therefore though you fall and fail often, be not in despair. All
you need is some one to speak with you who sympathizes with you;
and though they may not lighten your burden or change your
circumstances, they will lighten your heart and make the whole
world seem different to you, and full of work to be done, that will
take your thoughts out from beyond your own home, and yet at the
same time only make that all the more precious to you and just the
place you ought to be in. Am not fond of the country myself. Have
always lived in the city, and prefer to be surrounded by people and
life rather than trees and quiet of the country; still, I love to
visit in the country for a short time.... You ask how you can best
prepare yourself to become a member of our church. I sent you the
church programme, and Mr. Thayer says there, "Those who present
themselves in an earnest spirit,"--an earnest spirit to do all the
good you can, in every way, at home and to the world. It is
_character_, and _not_ belief, which makes the true Christian. And
if our conscience is right before God, let man say what he will; if
we are only sure ourselves we are doing our best according to our
circumstances and our health; if our motives are pure and our
conscience clear,--we shall feel a pleasure in joining in a
Communion service, though one can be a member of our church if not
a communicant. There are several books I wish to recommend to you.
The first is a great help to inward strength, and is a gem of a
book, "Day unto Day," which consists of a passage or two from the
Scriptures, a selection from poetry, and one from writers, for
every day in the year.... The whole book is full of selections
which fit the needs of every day. I have two copies, and will loan
you one copy with passages I have marked as read, and which has
benefited several of my correspondents.... Another great help to a
good life is Merriam's "Way of Life." "Theodore Parker's Prayers" I
can loan you too. Since I wrote you, have had presented to our
library Sunderland's "What is the Bible?" shorter than "Bible for
Learners," and on the whole better to read first. I subscribed for
the Sunday-school lessons on "The Life of Jesus," so any time you
are welcome to it. You will understand from what I have written,
that to strengthen the inner man is a good preparation for anything
and anywhere; and you will find a great deal among our books, and
in our papers, and in our religion, to help you and make life a
blessing, though under unfavorable circumstances, and enable you to
have the spirit and faith _of_ Jesus, if not so much _in_ Jesus,
which the Orthodox make most emphatic.

The following letter was written June 27, 1885. The unusual allusions to her own health are evidently in sympathy with the correspondent, who had written of ill health and heavy burdens to bear.

"I have been most useless since the middle of February; but, weak
as I am, I have insisted on staying out of bed, waiting on myself,
and keeping my room in order, even to sweeping it, and keeping up
my missionary work slowly. I do dislike to be nursed and a care to
people. Sometimes it seems impossible for me to get dressed for my
breakfast, and it takes me about one hour and a quarter, I am so
weak. Last Sunday I could not get to church; but I spent the day in
resting,--spiritual rest. I had a service at home,--the responsive
service, the three hymns, the Scripture lesson, and read one of J.
F. Clarke's sermons, which I sent to another who needed consoling.
There is a favorite hymn of mine, which I will write out for you.
We often sing it for an opening hymn. [The hymn "Daily
Consecration," by Caroline Mason, is here copied in full.] Excuse
the mistakes, for I have written it from memory. Work on, dear
friend, just where you are, and feel that there you are casting
silent deeds of love which no one knows but the good Father above,
but that they are none the less earnest work in his service....
Every other Saturday A. M. I go to the church to do up papers for
the Workhouse. Was there _this_ morning. Take heart, good friend,
and feel that nothing you do is lost, and that sometime your labor
will be appreciated. I must not write longer, for I want to attend
church to-morrow. They miss me when I am not at my post."

Another letter of this summer reads:--

MY DEAR FRIEND,--Your letter was duly received, and I wanted to
answer it immediately, but have been too weak to write _comforting_
letters.

Am so sorry to hear you are still sick, and wish I could help you.
Am still more sorry to hear you are "dreading" the summer; but I do
not wonder at it, for on a farm the labor required by the women in
the house must be incessant.... I cannot take the burden off your
shoulders; but perhaps a word of sympathy from another, and
something from her experience, may enable you to face the
difficulties.... My experience has been that when anticipating a
hard time, if I only accept it, and make up my mind that it _has_ to
be my part, half the burden is taken off, if I determine to go
through with it all, giving myself up to that work and thinking of
nothing beyond in the mean time. Take all the rest I can get,
instead of trying to do something else too. Rest will do you more
good than company or books, when you are so used up with real hard
work. Women all try to attend to too much outside of their
households, for the sake of company and variety; do you not think
so? Now, just take things as quietly as you can this summer, and
feel that in your home duties you have more than you can do, and
look forward to the time when summer will be over and you will have
less care.

After her death, the lady wrote:--

"I sent my letter to her home by a messenger who reported that he
understood at the door, as he handed it to the person who answered
the bell, that Miss Ellis was dead. I hoped that he was mistaken,
but your letter confirmed it. I knew she was very feeble. She
wrote me some two weeks before Christmas, saying she was very weak;
but I did not think for one moment that she was in danger, or I
would have hurried to see her. I shall miss her greatly, and her
dear letters to me, which I prized so highly; and you, who saw more
of her than I could possibly, will feel her loss greatly. I believe
there are few persons capable of entering so entirely into sympathy
with others who needed it as she was, and of giving such
consolation; at least, it has not been my good fortune to meet many
such. I will be glad to receive the memorial of which you speak. I
shall be very glad if your minister would write me on the subject
of joining the church, as I was depending on Miss Ellis to guide me
in the matter, which she was ready to do one year or more ago."

In 1884 Miss Ellis received the following letter from a young man, Mr. A. J. Beach, who had been one of her discouragements, because, after some correspondence, she had ceased to hear from him. Mr. Beach was usher in the State Penitentiary at Joliet, Ill.

"More than a year ago I wrote to thank you for papers which you had
kindly sent me. In answer, you sent me a very kind letter, and
named several books which I might read with profit. I procured a
number of Rev. James Freeman Clarke's works, which I read
carefully, and from which I gathered much of great value. I also
subscribed to two of the papers you named, to which I have become
so much attached that I could not possibly do without them.... Your
letter led me to a course of reading and investigation that has
proved a sun-burst to me. I have been in darkness. I am out of it
now. I am connected with the State Prison (as usher), not the
pleasantest position in the world; but I have tried to show many of
the poor convicts the better way of life, and to cheer them by kind
words and a showing of real interest in their unfortunate
condition, and I believe I have succeeded in making lighter many a
poor friendless fellow's load...."

The following extracts are from others of his letters:--

"I have read the sermons, and have handed them to a very
intelligent prisoner, who has become greatly interested in
Unitarian teachings, and requested him to pass the documents to
others, after reading them. He will do so, and will see that they
are kept moving. I am glad you are taking so much interest in our
prison. There is much need of genuine kindness here, and it cannot
be better shown than in a true and apparent desire to raise the
unfortunates to a higher plane of thought and action. These men and
women are in a sense left to themselves. They are not permitted to
talk to each other. They pass long hours in their cells either
reading or thinking. Is it not the very time to get them started
thinking in the right direction? You say, We shall write to the
Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary Conference in Boston, ... and
interest them in the Joliet prison. This is good news. The Post
Office Mission is truly a grand mission, and is doing more good
than you may think of."

The next letter says:--

"The papers and tracts you have been kind enough to send me have
been given to prisoners, and they have been passed from hand to
hand until literally worn out. There are a great many very
intelligent men among the fifteen hundred and fifty convicts now in
our prison, and they (or many of them, at least) are very glad to
get such papers and tracts as you have sent me; and I am only too
glad to place such reading matter in their hands. You asked if old
'Registers' and 'Unities' would do any good. They would be
thankfully received by many of the unfortunate men, and would be
carefully read by them. Reading is one of the very few privileges
granted convicts.... I to-day received from Mrs. Thacher, of
Boston, a bill of lading for two barrels of papers and magazines
shipped for distribution among prisoners; also a kind and very
interesting letter from Mrs. Thacher,--for all of which I am
indebted to you. I am glad, indeed, Unitarian people understand
that convicts want and appreciate something more in reading matter
than chilling tracts. We are constantly receiving for distribution
the strongest kind of Orthodoxy, but the prisoners do not seem to
take kindly to it.... An old colored man, who was sent here eleven
years ago under life sentence, said to me yesterday, 'I tell yo',
sah, it seems mighty ha'd to sarve in hell all yo' life in dis
place, an' den have to take it for sartin' su'ah in de nex' worl'.'
He seemed to think that a sentence to the penitentiary was merely
carrying out a part of the divine plan; in other words, he was
foreordained to eternal suffering, and has got eleven years on his
way.... We found the books and papers to be all that could be
desired, and have taken great pleasure in distributing them....
Could you have heard the genuine thankfulness expressed by the
unfortunate prisoners as I passed along the galleries distributing
the reading matter, you surely would have felt amply repaid for
interesting yourself in them.... Many said, 'God bless the ladies
who thought of us!' with an earnestness and sincerity which
indicated clearly to me that they felt and appreciated the kindness
and the motives of the donors. My experience among convicts has
convinced me that kindness shown toward them is never wasted. There
are in this prison several noted criminals,--men who have the
reputation of being brutal desperadoes,--with whom I have
frequently talked, and have invariably found to be easily touched
by a kind word and act."

Last June Mr. Beach dropped dead in a Chicago depot while on his way home. It seems proper to copy here portions of a letter written to his family by the chaplain of the prison.

JUNE 30, 1885.

... As we roomed together, I was with him more than any one else;
and when not otherwise engaged, we read and talked together.... We
were very frank with each other, and last Sabbath eve we had a long
talk on religion. The reaction from a Calvinistic faith had
evidently left him somewhat adrift. We talked of the cramping of
creeds on the one hand, and the tendency on the other hand of
(so-called) Liberal views to produce loose morals, etc. He dwelt on
the fact that the perceptions of the mind were so much in advance
of the inclinations of the heart, that men knew better than they
did; adding, "Oh, I have often come so near to the wonderful
process by which bad men are made good!" I reminded him that Paul
said, "It is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy
heart,"--dwelling at length on the whole argument in Romans x. 6 to
13 inclusive. I remarked that my habit of urging these views
earnestly for forty-four years might have become obtrusive; but he
answered: "No; if these things are worth anything, they are worth
everything. If duty here affects destiny there, these are matters
of primary and not secondary consideration." Little did I think
then that in twelve brief hours he would know their reality better
than I possibly could. In saying good-by [the chaplain adds], he
said he would write soon, was glad he had ever known me, but feared
he _would not see me again_; then walked off feebly but cheerfully
with ----, who carried his satchel, and to whom he was much
attached--though a colored convict, yet much of a man. At 7:30 A.
M. he went with Mr. L----, our purchasing agent, with whom he
talked freely _en route_ to Chicago, who carried his satchel,
helped him up the stairs in the depot, and at whose feet he
suddenly dropped dead. A physician was called at once, but
paralysis of the heart had stopped the wheel of life.... The boys
here loved him _much_. B----, a special friend, gave him a pretty
onyx cross for his little niece. I think he put it in his pocket.
Some Boston ladies sent him several boxes of pamphlets and books
for the library, advising him to keep certain volumes himself, and
I hoped he had written his name in them or set them aside; yet
C---- (colored) and T. J. D----, who aided him in the library (and
mourn him as a brother) think he read the volumes they recommended,
but made no further claim on them. Some prison employees, like some
physicians, find their sympathies decrease by constant use. _He_
was not so; for there was not a drop of tyranny or despotism in his
blood, and any one who used power simply to oppress another was
beneath his contempt. He could consistently say to the Recording
Angel, "Mark me as one who loves my fellow-men." Oh! had I known
all he probably meant when he said so tenderly at parting, "I fear
we will not meet again," I would have followed out the impulse of
my heart, clasped him in my arms, and then have said (as I did),
"Yes, we will meet in heaven!"

The following extracts are from Miss Ellis's letters to Beach:--

DECEMBER 23, 1884.

Your letter was received last Saturday afternoon, and was quite
encouraging to us, for we may do some good work in the prison with
one who feels interested with us. Your letter was particularly
welcome, as the same morning came a letter from Mrs. J. I. W.
Thacher, Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary Conference of Boston,
who responded promptly and satisfactorily to my letter, though she
was sick in bed. After the hurry of Christmas is over, they will
send you two barrels of literature,--"Registers," "Harpers,"
"Centuries," "Atlantics," and some few other materials. I feel as
if this will be "good news" to you. Yes; it is a good time to turn
the minds of the men, women, and boys in the right direction. "A
little kindness" and good advice may help some of the poor
creatures to a better life. Think Orthodoxy takes a wrong
starting-point in teaching one that he is "totally depraved," and
that he must wait for a sudden conversion in order to become good.
I feel as if Unitarianism is the better way, upholding that we are
"not totally depraved, but incompletely developed," and that our
salvation depends greatly upon individual responsibility. That we
have it within ourselves to become what God intended we should be,
and what was possible with Jesus is with us,--that we may become
"sons of God" as he was. We are not to "shift the responsibility
off on to some one else," as M. J. Savage says. These poor
creatures must be taught that the sin is greatly on their own
shoulders, and they are capable of overcoming if they only will.
Mr. Savage's closing sentence is fine,--"Not to do wrong, one must
develop in himself the ability of magnificent self-control!" That
is the starting-point of many of life's failures,--lack of
self-control. Teach these poor creatures that lesson, and some
trade by which they can support themselves when they leave the
prison. You wrote us word you subscribed to two of our papers. I
take it for granted they are the "Register" and "Unity." If so,
will call your attention to a review of a book on "Prison Reform,"
in "Unity," Dec. 16, 1884. I sent you yesterday a tract, "Unitarian
Belief in Bible Language," marking several passages which I thought
might rouse some of the poor men and women and _boys_ (it is the
_young_ we must work on, and see to it that we are making better
men and women for the future) to a truer view of what sin is; also,
"Wrestling and Blessing," by Rev. William C. Gannett. His first
section, on "Inherited Burden," is capital, showing that in spite
of it we may come off "conquerors." The whole of the tract is
good.... Hoping we may continue to aid you in the prison work, and
with the good wishes of the season from the Women's Auxiliary
Conference to you and all prison-workers and inmates,

Cordially yours, S. ELLIS.

* * * * *

FEBRUARY 5, 1885.

If we can only make men feel their bodies are temples of the Holy
Spirit, which they have of God, and that they are not their own,
and that in sinning they disgrace this holy temple, it seems to me
that there would be less crime in the world. It is the divine in
their own souls they defile. There has been a tract of Unitarian
hymns published. I will send you a copy next week, hoping that some
of our beautiful hymns may cheer the poor benighted prisoners.... I
have had people say to me, "The Unitarian faith does very well to
live by daily; but when you are in trouble, or your friends die, if
you do not believe in the Trinity, what have you to comfort you?"
My reply is, "We have God, from whom Jesus received _his_ strength.
We have the faith _of_ Jesus, and not so much faith _in_ Jesus. We
can trust _God_ to help us in our hour of need; and if we have
sinned we know _He_ is ready and willing to pardon us. We know that
to live truly in this life will secure us happiness in the world to
come; and that while we are here there is time to repent and do
good, and we would not wish to feel that it was necessary for a
perfect being to die to spare us from our sins. We had rather
suffer on, if we have done the wrong, than see some one else suffer
for us."

On receiving the news of Mr. Beach's sudden death in July, 1885, Miss Ellis wrote to his sister:

"... I was much shocked and very sorry to hear the news your
letter, which was received this morning, contained, but was much
obliged to you for speaking so plainly of your dear brother, for I
was much interested in him. Not only I, but _all_ of our little
Women's Auxiliary Conference, and also the ladies of the Auxiliary
Conference in Boston. He was a noble fellow, and doing much good
there in the Joliet prison. I hope to transfer my esteem and
respect for him to his family in remembrance of him. How little it
ever occurred to me, when I wrote the letter to him on the 20th,
that the dear fellow was safe in his heavenly home. I am sure he
deserved a high place with the dear ones above, in whatever faith
he died. He used to write us such good, interesting letters, both
here and to Boston. We were always glad to get them.... I never
have known to what church he and his family belong, but have
imagined the Presbyterian.... What church do you attend, and how
old was Andrew? I am old enough to be his mother, I suspect, and
looked upon him and some few other of my correspondents as 'my
boys,' as one of my converts styles himself. My hope was that
Andrew would study for the ministry some day.... I know what sorrow
is, but must say yours is one of the most trying ordeals to pass
through,--an only son, and such a noble one, to die among
strangers. My heart aches sorely for you, and I do not wonder it
seems like a 'dream' to you. We do not know and cannot tell why our
dear ones are taken. We can only trust in God's love to lighten the
burden for us after a time, and accept our present trial. The
spirit of the dear ones will help us to be kinder and more loving
to those who are left with us; and gradually a change comes over
us, and as days roll on we find our lives are very different from
what they were before,--purer and holier, and we have been drawn
nearer heaven and been with our dear one all the time. I will copy
a beautiful poem of Whittier's, 'The Angel of Patience,' at the
close of this letter. 'Our earthly loss is our heavenly gain.' ...
Bear as bravely as you can, and the good Father will send peace to
your souls as the years roll on. 'We must through much tribulation
enter the kingdom of heaven.' We shall be glad to send papers to
_you_ now. I think in the 'Register' you will find many things to
comfort you often; and from time to time I will select something
especial for you. Let me know, please, by postal, if you prefer not
to have them. Shall be very glad to hear from you any time."

This letter led to a correspondence continued until Miss Ellis's death, and to the sending of much literature to the family. Further extracts from this correspondence follow:--

AUGUST 16, 1885.

... I do not wonder you miss the dear brother, and feel grieved that
you may not see him again. I do not believe the good Father in
heaven is angry if we murmur some. He cannot be so harsh as to have
us cultivate family affections and friendships on earth and not have
any loving feelings left. No! It is right to mourn, but yet "not
without hope." One of the most beautiful sermons I ever heard, and
the most comforting, was one from our pastor, Rev. C. W. Wendte, on
"The Dark Hours of Life, and what they bring us."

Here she copies the closing passages of the sermon, and also four pages of poems,--"The Heart Prayer," by J. N. Spriggs; "I am so Weak," Jennie E. McCaine, both from "Unity Songs Resung;" "My Dead," by Rev. F. L. Hosmer; and selections from "Scriptures Old and New." So little did she spare the feeble remains of her strength in these last months. Sept. 27, 1885, she wrote:--

"... Not that I have so much to do, but this changeable weather has
unfitted me for work, and I have a good deal of extra work lately,
that has exercised my brain considerably and required _long_
letters. I was put on a committee of three at the St. Louis
Conference last May, for drawing up systematic Post Office Mission
methods. Rev. Arthur Judy, of Davenport, Iowa, is the chairman. He
has planned a circular letter and a book of records. It has taken
much of my time to read the long letters and give my opinion of
them.... We have to work very differently in this region....
However, in time we shall have more than one enlightened family in
a place. The way to overcome is to lend our papers, tracts, books,
etc., that the people may see we are Christians after all. We do
not want to convert them so much, but to make more sincere
Christians of them, and happier people in this world; and by
degrees they throw aside their old dogmas without knowing it. We do
have so many comforting books; so many good Sunday-school lessons
adapted to grown people even; devotional books, too, with
selections which fit each day; and also so many books containing a
true account of Unitarianism and of the Bible, that I feel every
one ought to read them, and own many; but of course they cannot....
I want to lend you a little daily book I have,--'Day unto Day.' It
is in rather a dilapidated state, because I have sent it by mail to
a number of persons. I have two copies, but both birthday presents,
and I do not like to part with either. The pencil-marks in it are
mine, as they have impressed me day by day. You may retain it three
or four months if you wish."

The sister wrote in reply:--

OCTOBER 27,1886.

I wish to thank you especially for the loan of your book, "Day unto
Day." It was very kind in you, and I have found it to be a perfect
mine of beautiful gems of truth and wisdom, and "day unto day" it
can furnish comforting thought for all occasions.

I was very much interested in your statement of your work as a
member of the committee you mentioned. Certainly, such an amount of
such elevating literature distributed so extensively must result in
much good. The literature that I receive from you we endeavor to
make the very best use of,--by first "thoroly" reading in our own
family, and then lending to those among our neighbors and friends
who will be most likely to give their attention to it. On one or
two occasions we have invited in, on Sunday afternoons, some of our
neighbors, and made them occasions for reading to them an especially
good sermon or article, hoping to awaken sufficient interest to
perhaps have frequent readings and talks. In our village there are
two churches only,--the Disciples and Presbyterian.

The date of Miss Ellis's last letter to this correspondent shows it to have been written less than a month before her death:--

November 30, 1885.

Your letter was very welcome, and I intended replying sooner; but
for the last three weeks have been very miserable, though up, out,
and at work all the time, accomplishing little, however. We were so
glad to hear you were occasionally having Sunday readings and doing
the good you can. To-day I have mailed to you "Songs of Faith, Hope,
and Charity," and the last Church Door Pulpit "Channing," selected
by Mr. Gannett, whose father, Ezra S. Gannett, was Dr. Channing's
colleague for many years. It is an admirable compilation, and I wish
it were in small book form, for it would make a very beautiful
little Christmas gift. Even in this form I shall use it for such a
purpose. There are three books I would call your and your friends'
attention to as little gifts of value at this season; namely, "Daily
Strength for Daily Needs;" "The Thought of God in Hymns and Poems,"
by Rev. F. L. Hosmer and Rev. William C. Gannett, just published;
then there is a pleasant story-book for boys or girls published last
year, "The Browns." ... All this may be quite contrary to your
feelings this year, and I presume you cannot enter into Thanksgiving
and Christmas with the real spirit of former days. But not as you
see the "golden lining" to all things can you give way to gloom.
There is always _something_ to be grateful for. How much worse
_might_ have happened to us. Then, too, we can feel thankful that we
had our treasures so long, and that they were such a pleasure to us.
Thanksgiving naturally makes us ask, "What have I to be thankful
for?" and makes us somewhat sad; but at Christmas we lay aside all
thought of self, and think of Him who was all unselfishness; and in
this thought we try to forget our sorrows in order to send gladness
thrilling through some other human soul, and thus forget our loss
for that day at least, though tears may come involuntarily. Hope the
Thanksgiving was as pleasant as it could be; that there was a
reunion of those of you who are still living, and that the spirit of
the dear one only drew you all together in stronger bonds of love.
We--father, mother, and myself--were invited to dine with my
brother----, there to meet my dear sister's husband and five
motherless children. It is the one pleasure to us to pass these
anniversaries together, and to feel all our dear ones are with us in
spirit, bidding us to be of "good cheer," for they are not dead, but
with their love for us would guide us on to better things than
_they_ ever knew or could accomplish. All is well with them now, and
they look down smilingly upon our feeblest efforts to do the right
and be cheery.

The sister wrote, Feb. 7, 1886:--

"... We were very much shocked when we heard of the death of Miss
Ellis. We had known that she was an invalid, yet, judging from her
letters, we had no idea of the great weakness she must have endured
physically in writing to her correspondents up to so recent a date.
Her letters to us in our great bereavement were so full of tender
sympathy with us, and were so comforting, we feel that we have
sustained a great loss, even though we had never seen her.... It
will be a pleasure to us to forward to you any letters of Miss
Ellis either to my brother or myself that will aid you in the
publication of a book ... that will extend and perpetuate the
influence of so useful and good a life."

Mrs. J. I. W. Thacher wrote:--

FEBRUARY 17, 1886.

You will be glad to know that we have had very grateful letters from
the several stations in Kentucky to which we have sent barrels of
magazines and papers. To Eddyville and Greenwood we have sent twice;
and Dr. R----(at the latter place) still says, "Send more whenever
it is convenient;" so that we feel that the very miscellaneous
collections have been really appreciated and enjoyed. In each barrel
we sent large numbers of "Registers" and some good tracts, and then
filled in with miscellaneous magazines,--chiefly the illustrated
ones. This is hardly Post Office Mission work, but I don't doubt it
accomplishes much good, and I am always grateful to you and Miss
Ellis for suggesting it to us.... Do you continue to be in
communication with the Joliet Penitentiary, and is any one keeping
on with Mr. Beach's work for the prisoners? It is a constant help
and inspiration,--the thought of Miss Ellis's devotion to her work
and her faithfulness to the end!

A young Englishman in Frankfort, Ky., wrote Mrs. Hunert, in answer to her card of inquiry:

"I do take the 'Register,' 'Unity,' and 'Unitarian;' I am almost
entirely dependent upon what I read here, as I can hear no Liberal
preaching, and meet with very few who have sympathy with Liberal
religious views. I did get the memorial of Miss Ellis, and will
prize it much, as I was better acquainted with her than any one
connected with the church at Cincinnati, and looked upon her as one
of my best friends, and a very noble lady. The day on which I
received your postal, I met the chaplain of the penitentiary here,
and he told me how much the Unitarian literature that was sent from
the East was liked by him; that it was all distributed, and enjoyed
very much by the inmates of the prison. If I had another copy or
two of Miss Ellis's memorial, I would give one to the chaplain, and
another gentleman,--about the only Unitarian I know here."

The following correspondence is with a workingman in Northern Ohio,--a young Englishman, whose letters tell his story. He once rose at four o'clock to write Miss Ellis before going to his daily work. One of his first letters to her said:--

MARCH 16, 1885.