_. She was very cordial and affectionate in her greetings with
each one, as we assembled, and then a holy awe, a solemn hush, came over
her spirit and she seemed like one who saw the Lord! O how we all miss
her! There is never a meeting but we keep her in remembrance and talk
together lovingly about her.

_To a Friend, Oct. 21, 1871._

Mr. Prentiss sent in his resignation last evening, and the church
refused unanimously to let him go. "Praise God from whom all blessings
flow" penetrated the walls of the parsonage, as they sang it when the
decision was made, and so we knew our fate before a whole parlorful
rushed in to shake hands, kiss, and congratulate. You would have been
delighted had you been here. Prof. Smith, who took strong ground in
favor of his going, takes just as strong ground in favor of his staying.
I feel that all this is the result of prayer. I never got any light on
the Chicago question when I prayed about it; never could _see_ that it
was our duty to go; but I yielded my judgment and my will, because my
husband thought that he must go. I think our very reluctance to it made
us shrink from evading it; we were so afraid of opposing God's will. Now
the matter is taken out of our hands and we have only to resume our work
here. God grant that this baptism of fire may purge and purify us
and prepare us to be a great blessing to the church. It is a most
awe-inspiring providence, God's burning us out of Chicago, and we feel
like putting our shoes from off our feet and adoring Him in silence....
Pray that the lessons we have been learning through so many trying
months may help us to be helping hands to those who may pass through
similar straits. One of my brothers was burnt out, and his own and his
wife's letters drew tears even down to the kitchen. For two days and
a night they lost their baby, five months old, in addition to all the
other horrors. But they found refuge with a dear cousin, who has filled
his house to overflowing. I may have spoken of this cousin to you: he
has a foundling home on Mueller's trust system.

Before taking leave of the call to Chicago a word should be added
to what she says concerning it in her letters. The prospect of her
husband's accepting the call rendered the summer a very trying one;
but it was far from being all gloom. She had a marvellous power of
extracting amusement out of the most untoward situation. In 1843 she
wrote from Richmond, referring to Mr. Persico's troubles: