* * * * *
'Heaven's discipline has been invariable to me. The seemingly
most pure and noble hopes have been blighted; the seemingly
most promising connections broken. The lesson has been
endlessly repeated: "Be humble, patient, self-sustaining; hope
only for occasional aids; love others, but not engrossingly,
for by being much alone your appointed task can best be done!"
What a weary work is before me, ere that lesson shall be fully
learned! Who shall wonder at the stiff-necked, and rebellious
folly of young Israel, bowing down to a brute image, though
the prophet was bringing messages from the holy mountain,
while one's own youth is so obstinately idolatrous! Yet will
I try to keep the heart with diligence, nor ever fear that the
sun is gone out because I shiver in the cold and dark!'
Such was the tone of resignation in which Margaret wrote from Groton,
Massachusetts, whither, much to her regret, her father removed in the
spring of 1833. Extracts from letters and journals will show how stern
was her schooling there, and yet how constant was her faith, that
"God keeps a niche
In heaven to hold our idols! And albeit
He breaks them to our faces, and denies
That our close kisses should impair their white,
I know we shall behold them raised, complete,
The dust shook from their beauty,--glorified,
New Memnons singing in the great God-light."