dea occurred to her that, although members of different
sects and churches, they could unite in fireside worship and study of
the Bible, _as Christians_. Many of them were within suitable distances
for occasional or frequent meetings, according to their circumstances;
while some of the grandchildren were of an age to understand, and
possibly profit by, the exercises. In response to the motherly
communication which follows, these family gatherings were arranged, and
succeeded beyond the original expectations of she who suggested them.
They continued, under the title of "philanthropic evenings," to cement
the family circle, after Mrs. Fry had passed away. The tone of the
letter inviting their co-operation is that of a philanthropist, a
mother, and a Christian. It shows plainly that with all her engagements,
worries and trials, she had not absorbed or lost the spirit of the
docile Mary in that of the careful Martha.

MY DEAREST CHILDREN:

Many of you know that for some time I have felt and expressed the
want of our social intercourse at times, leading to religious union
and communion among us. It has pleased the Almighty to permit that
by far the larger number of you no longer walk with me in my
religious course. Except very occasionally, we do not meet together
for the solemn purpose of worship, and upon some other points we do
not see eye to eye; and whilst I feel deeply sensible that,
notwithstanding this diversity among us, we are truly united in our
Holy Head, there are times when, in my declining years, I seriously
feel the loss of not having more of the spiritual help and
encouragement of those I have brought up, and truly sought to
nurture in the Lord. This has led me to many serious considerations
how the case may, under present circumstances, be in any way met.

My conclusion is that, believing as we do in the Lord as our
Saviour, one Holy Spirit as our Sanctifier, and one God and Father
of us all, our points of union are surely strong; and if we are
members of one living Church, and expect to be such for ever, we
may profitably unite in some religious engagements here below.

The world, and the things of it, occupy us much, and they are
rapidly passing away; it will be well if we occasionally set apart
a time for _unitedly_ attending to the things of Eternity. I
therefore propose that we try the