er."

"Saturday, July 21.--Yesterday, after supper, a conversation took
place between Mr. Alcott, Mr. Lane, and myself; the subject was my
position with regard to my family, my duty, and my position here. Mr.
Alcott asked for my first impressions as regards the hindrances I have
noted since coming here. I told him candidly they were: 1st, his want
of frankness; 2d, his disposition to separateness rather than win
co-operators with the aims in his own mind; 3d, his family, who
prevent his immediate plans of reformation; 4th, the fact that this
place has very little fruit on it, while it was and is their desire
that fruit should be the principal part of their diet; 5th, my fear
that they have too decided a tendency toward literature and writing
for the prosperity and success of their enterprise.

"My relations with my family are very critical at this period--more
so than they have ever been. It is the crisis of the state we have
been in for this past year. If God gives me strength to be true to
the spirit, it is very doubtful how far those at home will be willing
to second it. I have written them a letter asking for their own aims
and views of life, and I am anxious for their answer. The question of
returning is not a wilful one with me, for it is the spirit which
guides me. If it can live there, I go back. If not, I am governed and
must follow where it leads, wherever that may be."

The letter referred to in this entry of the diary is too long, and
covers too much ground already traversed, to be quoted in full, but
it contains some striking passages. It was written at Fruitlands,
July 17, '43. After inquiring with his customary directness what are
their aims in life and what they are doing to attain them, he goes on
to say:

"Although the idea or aim which each one aspires toward and tries to
realize will be colored by his own peculiar tendencies, still, in
substance, in practice, they will agree if they are inspired by the
self-same spirit."

Here we have the practical good sense which reined in and directed
Isaac Hecker throughout his life, making it finally impossible for
him not to see and recognize the visible Church, notwithstanding his
mystical tendency, his want of thorough education, and his birthright
of heresy.

Again he writes:

"There are all the natural ties why we should not be separated, and
no reasons why we should, unless there exists such a wide difference
in the aims we seek to realize that i