edge."

After writing another page, in which he gives all "the news," he
says: "'Grandma' says, 'tell Lizzie I do miss her so much!' She says
the birds are fine and healthy, and are well taken care of. So are the
pigeons, for several of the neighboring boys have erected more
comfortable winter quarters for them, than they had in your boxes, and
they have nearly all left us and gone to the neighbors, much to the
distress of John, who cannot be reconciled to such ingratitude, not
even in pigeons. For he says, 'I feeds them every morning, and as soon
as they get the corn they fly away.' So you will find the world, my
dear girl; when they get nothing more from us either in a pecuniary or
other point of view, they cease to care for, or to be interested in us.
We are therefore warned to seek happiness at home. And the well
cultivated, and well balanced mind will always find it there, where no
one can deprive us of it. Will you not seek that happiness? It is to
be found with the blessed Saviour. He alone can impart it; but He
promises that all who seek shall find, and that none shall be turned
away without it, if they will seek Him in the appointed way." This
letter was written on thanksgiving day. Further on, he continues: "And
have we not great reason to render thanks to our heavenly Father, when
we see how great are his mercies to us, that we have such an abundant
harvest while nearly all Europe is in a starving condition? I really
think that we have, for these mercies are most undeserved and
unmerited; for we have not sought the Lord as we should have done, but
have widely departed from him, as a people, and followed the guidance
of our own wicked hearts. But let us fear and humble ourselves and
repent; and seek the pardon of our sins, and determine that let others
do as they will, as for us we will seek and serve the Lord our God!
Oh, I pray that the Blessed Spirit may incline the heart of my dear
child to consecrate her heart and soul to the service of her Saviour,
and her Redeemer."

His concern for the conversion of his child was not always seen
in his letters to her. I have just read one embracing seven pages of
large letter paper, in which he tells much of interest about every
thing and every body, in a lively jocose strain, but says not a word on
the subject of religion. Among other things he says, "But I have never
told you about our dog, Nimrod. Why, he has improved wonderfully in
size, beauty, man