the Psalmist
passed through my mind, _The zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up._ Her
love for her work and zeal in doing it were visibly consuming her. At
the last meeting I asked her if she should commence the Bible-reading at
Dorset immediately. She said no, she must rest a little; she would wait
till her garden was made. When next I heard from her flowers and her
Bible-study she had made the "bound into home immortal." And all who
loved her must rejoice with her; else have we failed to learn one of the
clearest lessons of her life: _For me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain._

_To Mrs. Condict, Feb. 14, 1878._

Is it possible I had portiere on the brain when I wrote you last? I
thought I had just caught the disease. I am very fond of needle-work,
but for years have nearly abandoned it, because I could not thread my
needle. But the portiere is made with a large worsted needle and will
give me pleasant work for the evening. I am getting my hand in on a
contumacious closet door that won't stay open in my bedroom....

Imitation Macaroni,

By the author of Pemaquid:

Boil hominy overnight. Next day's dinner prepare like macaroni, with a
little milk and grated cheese and bake. Good for a change and cheaper.

_March 9th._--What an improvement on the old fashion of _reading_
the Bible is the present _search_ of the Word! It is, as you say,
fascinating work. I have just given M. an admirable book called
"Emphatic Diaglott," being the Greek Testament with a literal
translation; still even that can be misunderstood by one who has a false
theory to sustain. The spiritual conflicts I have passed through have
been a blessing, as I am beginning to see; I can understand better _how_
such conflicts may prepare one for work. This afternoon I have, as
usual, been getting ready for the Wednesday reading, and as I was
requested to speak of the Holy Spirit, have been poring over the Bible
and am astonished at the frequency and variety of passages in which
He is spoken of. But I feel painfully unfit to guide even this little
circle of women, and would be so glad to sit as a learner.

Some of the children were going, last Friday night, to see the Aquarium,
and some educated horses and dogs there, and they persuaded me to go.
The performance was wonderful, but I could not help thinking of all
these poor animals had gone through in learning all these incredible
feats; each horse responding to his own name, each dog barking in
respo