"Yes, it is a _great_ source of comfort to have started the 'good
seed,' and now to see so many stronger people taking up the work
and doing so much better than I. A great deal is due to dear Mr.
Charles Noyes. He won me by his kind heart while here, and was so
kind in lending me his manuscripts always, and books, that he kept
me along with the religion of the day. Then Mr. Weudte furthered
the matter by putting me on the Missionary Committee, and finally
started me out with the 'Pamphlet Mission.' You know the rest."
In her diary was a copy of a letter written Mr. Noyes on his departure
from Cincinnati, dated June 23, 1875, a portion of which is here given.
"I cannot say 'so be it' to your departure without returning thanks
for the many pleasant hours you have afforded me through your
manuscripts, the books and papers you have so kindly lent me from
time to time. You have given me something to think about for a long
time, so I can do without any sermons for a while. I do not expect
to find so kind a pastor very soon.
"From your first text, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Take
heed, therefore, how ye hear,' I accepted you as a teacher learning
more from God than from man. I have followed you from beginning to
the end, and I have worked _with_ you and _for_ you to the best of
my ability, my strength, and my means. Would I had been a more
efficient worker! I have taken heed as to how I have heard. You
have not changed my views so much as brought out more clearly what
was already in my own mind. The best lesson I have learned from you
is a firmer trust in God. You have brought me to the 'Source of all
Truth, whence Jesus drew his life.' Here you leave me. An essential
point to have reached, in my view; a firm rock on which to rest,
and one that can never be taken from me. Some people are not
satisfied with a faith so simple. They need more to rest on; as if
there could be a stronger, better support than the 'voice in the
soul.' From loss of hearing, the 'voice within' has spoken more
clearly to me perhaps.... It is a very great disappointment to me
to part with you and your family, for I have become very much
attached to you all; for even little G---- has learned to look upon
me as a friend. It is not every one who wins me; and when one does,
it is all the harder to separate from him. Still, we are often
compelled to give up our preferences, as I have learned before
now.... The benediction I ask is the one you have so often asked
for us (Mary----ears to me, and a reliable authority): 'May the
Heavenly Father bless, preserve, and guide you all. May he give you
wisdom to know and strength to do his holy will forevermore.'"