wo very different natures. Did you ever hear the
story of the dog, who by an accident was cut in two, and was joined
together by a wonderful healing salve? Unfortunately, the pieces were
not put together properly, so two of his legs stood up in the air. At
first his master thought it a great misfortune, but he found that the
dog, when a little accustomed to his strange new form, would run until
tired on two legs, and then by turning himself over he would have a
fresh unused pair to start with, and so he did double duty! I am like
that dog. When I am tired of running on one nature, I can turn over and
run on the other, and it rests me." [4]

I want to spend a few minutes of this my birthday in talking with you in
reply to your letter.

_To a Christian Friend, New York, Oct. 26, 1873._

I want to tell you how I love you, because you "learn your lessons" so
easily, and how thankful I am that in your great trials and afflictions
you have been enabled to glorify God. How small trouble is when set over
against that! Is not Christ enough for a human soul? Does it really need
anything else for its happiness? You will remember that when Madame
Guyon was not only homeless, but deprived of her liberty, she was
perfectly happy. "A little bird am I." [5] It seems to me that when God
takes away our earthly joys and props, He gives Himself most generously;
and is there any joy on earth to be compared for a moment with such a
gift?... My husband has just come in and described the scene at Mrs. De
Witt's funeral, [6] when her husband said, _Good-bye, dear wife, you
have been my greatest blessing next to Christ_; and he added, "and that
I can say of you." This was very sweet to me, for _I_ have faults of
manner that often annoy him--I am so vehement, so positive, and lay down
the law so! But I believe the grace of God can cure faults of all sorts,
be they deep-seated or external. And I ought to be one of the best women
in the world, if I am good in proportion to the gifts with which I am
overwhelmed. I count it not the least of your and my mercies, that we
have been permitted to add four little children to the happy company
above. No wonder you miss your darling boy, but I am sure you would not
call him back. Have you any choice religious verses not in any book,
that you would like to put into one I am going to get up?

_To the Same, Nov. 12th._

I want you and your mother to know what I am now busy about, hoping it
may set you to p