was the
absorbing interest of her life--almost a passion, it might be called, so
fervent and rapturous was her devotion to Him, so great her longing for
communion with Him and for a more complete conformity to His perfect
will.

As I have said, all her emotions were intense and her religious
affections had the same warmth and glow. Believing in Christ was to her
not so much a duty as the deepest joy of her life, heightening all other
joys, and she was not satisfied until her friends shared with her in
this experience. She believed it to be attainable by all, founded on a
complete submitting of the human to the Divine will in all things, great
and small.

Truly of her it might be said, if of any human being, "_she hath loved
much_."

_To Mrs. Smith, New York, Nov. 16, 1869._

Your arrangements at Heidelberg seem to me to be as delightful as
anything can be in a world where nothing is ideal. Be sure to let A.
bear her full share of the expense, and be a mother to her if you can.
The gayest outside life has an undertone of sadness, and I do not doubt
she will have hours of unrest which she will hardly know how to account
for. I am afraid Heidelberg will be rather narrow bounds for your
husband, and hope he may decide to go to Egypt in case his ear gets
quite well. How fortunate that he is near a really good aurist. I am
always nervous about ear-troubles. Fancy your having to shout your love
to him! In a letter written about two weeks ago, Miss Lyman says, "How
am I? Longing for a corner in which to stop trying to live, and lie down
and die," and adds that she is now too feeble to travel. I suppose she
is liable to break down at any moment, but I do hope she won't be left
to go abroad. I judge from what you say of Mr. H. that he is slipping
off. I always look at people who are going to heaven with a sort of
curiosity and envy; it is next best to seeing one who has just come
thence. Get all the good out of him you can; there is none too much
saintliness on earth. I wonder how you spend your time? Do, some time,
write the history of one day; what you said to that funny cook, and what
she said to you; what you thought and what you did; and what you didn't
think and didn't did.

_Friday, 19th._--Thanksgiving has come and gone beautifully. It was a
perfect day as to weather. Our congregation joined Dr. Murray's, and he
gave us an excellent sermon. The four Stearnses came in to dinner and
seemed to enjoy it. I suppose you