could not help asking myself when my heart was
swelling so with pain, whether love _paid_. Love is sweet when all goes
well, but oh how fearfully exacting it is when separation comes! How
many tithes it takes of all we have and are!

A worthy young woman in our church has been driven into hysterics by
reading "Holiness through Faith." I went to see her as soon as I got
home from W. yesterday, but she was asleep under the influence of an
opiate. There is no doubt that too much self-scrutiny is pernicious,
especially to weak-minded, ignorant young people. It was said of Prof.
Hopkins that he would have been a mystic but for his love to souls, and
I am afraid these new doctrines tend too much to the seeking for peace
and joy, too little to seeking the salvation of the careless and
worldly. But I hesitate to criticise any class of good people, feeling
that those who live in most habitual communion with God receive light
directly and constantly from on high; and of that communion we can not
seek too much. [10]

* * * * *

IV.

Christian Parents to expect Piety in their Children. Perfection. "People
make too much Parade of their Troubles." "Higher Life" Doctrines. Letter
to Mrs. Washburn. Last Visit to Williamstown.

Early in June she went to Dorset. The summer, like that of 1871, was
shadowed by anxiety and inward conflict; but her care-worn thoughts were
greatly soothed by her rural occupations, by visits from young friends,
and by the ever-fresh charms of nature around her.

_To a Christian Friend, Dorset, June 9, 1872._

I was obliged to give up my much-desired visit to you. We went on to the
funeral of Prof. Hopkins, and that took three days out of the busy time
just before coming here. I particularly wanted you to know _at the time_
that my three younger children united with the church on Sunday last,
but had not a moment in which to write you. It was a touching sight to
our people. Mr. P. looked down on his children so lovingly, and kissed
them when the covenant had been read. He said ---'s face was so full of
soul that he could not help it, and his heart yearned over them all.
Someone said there was not a dry eye in the house. I felt not elated,
not cast down, but at peace. I think it plain that Christian parents are
to _expect_ piety in their children, and expect it early. In mine it is
indeed "first the blade," and they will, no doubt, have their trials and
temptations. But