* * * * *
The letters of Miss Ellis's correspondents here given are selected from
an immense number of like purport and interest. She had kept all the
significant letters neatly filed in bundles, each correspondent by
himself. It has been a disappointment to receive so few, comparatively,
of her own letters. Our busy age is not given to saving its letters. It
is therefore all the more touching to know that so many of her
correspondents have treasured even every postal card from her hand. Her
letters given here, however, well illustrate her spirit and ideas on
many topics, also her method of work, and reveal something of the secret
of her success.
Literary style and fine effects were the last things aimed at in her
letters. Their characteristics are plainness, directness, intense
earnestness to convince and impress, and a warm sympathy with people of
all kinds and degrees. Strongly conservative in her own theology, she
yet did not set up her views as a fixed standard for others, or assume
to hold all truth. Some of her warmest friends were among our younger,
more radical ministers, whose purity and sincerity of life and faith
quite offset in her eyes their theological vagaries.
The letters first given are to fellow-workers who had asked about her
methods, materials, etc. In an article which Mr. Gannett had asked her
to write, and which appeared in "Unity," March 1, 1884, she wrote:--
"We keep a standing weekly advertisement in two of our chief daily
papers,--those which have the widest circulation, one Saturday
morning, and the other Sunday, under the head of 'Religious
Notices.' One of these papers advertises free for us.[4]
[Footnote 4: The advertisement read thus: "Unitarian papers,
tracts, etc., sent free to any one addressing Miss Sallie Ellis,
Auburn Ave."]
"On receiving an application we respond, being guided somewhat by
the style and character of the application, by sending one or two
tracts, with a copy of the 'Christian Register' or 'Unity.' [Many
people of the church, after reading their religious papers, handed
them to Miss Ellis for distribution.] After sending the papers and
various tracts for several weeks, we write a postal of inquiry as
to whether Unitarian literature is satisfactory; and if the person
cares to subscribe to either of the papers, _which_ he or she
prefers; which tracts have given the most satisfaction; and whether
they care to borrow any books by mail, paying the postage on them.
Frequently we receive no reply [in which case the name was
dropped], but mostly the answer is gratifying. If the person cannot
subscribe for the papers, but enjoys them, we continue to send
them.... In sending tracts, we begin with 'Unitarian Principles and
Doctrines,' by Rev. C. A. Brigham, the 'New Hampshire Statement of
Belief,' and 'What Do Unitarians Believe?' by Rev. C. W.
Wendte,--because we wish to show what our faith has grown from, and
what it is now. These we think fairly represent the denomination;
and we have found that they all give general satisfaction. Next,
'Why Am I a Unitarian?' by James F. Clarke, D.D., which is also
well liked, and 'Discourse on Distinguishing Opinions of
Unitarians,' by William E. Channing, D.D., as creating a thirst for
his 'Works.' Then we branch off from this into whatever we think
best.... _Promptness_ in replying and _regularity_ in sending
papers, etc., will do more towards showing our deep interest in the
work, and bring the individual seeking into vital connection with
the church sending the literature. A _little_ at a time frequently,
to insure _careful_ and _thorough_ reading. Recommend books
extensively.... We believe in loaning the books of the early
ministers of our denomination as a good stepping-stone to the
Unitarianism now taught in our pulpits."
In a letter to Miss F. L. Roberts, of Chicago, then Secretary of Western
Women's Unitarian Conference, March 14, 1884, she wrote:--
"I agree with you that no _one_ tract or sermon will satisfy the
questions of inquirers. They have to 'grow into the light,' as we
all have done and still are doing. Did any one thing settle our
doubts or questionings? I think not.
"'What is our _aim_ in the Post Office Mission Work?' It occurs to
me it should be to give inquirers the fairest statement of our
teachings, from Channing up to the present time. Not the thought of
any one man or woman, but that of the greatest number of our best
minds in the several eras of our denomination. In many cases ...
people have not the _slightest_ idea what Unitarianism is, farther
than that we do not believe Christ was God. They not only do not
know what we believe, but think us a kind of 'outcasts.' It almost
seems like being in the Dark Ages of the world to hear of such
ignorance as we _know_ exists with regard to our doctrines.
Therefore we are talking, as it were, to children. Let us then
begin at first principles, and send fair, clear statements."
After alluding to several of her correspondents who were thinking of
entering the Unitarian ministry, she adds:--
"It seems to me the A. U. A. tracts, and the books, papers, etc.,
sent with them, have produced good results; have made deep,
earnest thinkers. It is through these very things our own ministers
have been made to think, and they have gone beyond these same
things; and so will our correspondents in time. But at present few
of them have access to books, or come in contact with people who
can converse on all these points with them; therefore it is well to
intersperse with our tracts on doctrines, good _practical_ sermons,
and the newer tracts occasionally, leading them up gradually to
Unitarian ideas, and showing them especially that while we _have_
doctrines in our church, character is the most important to us.
There is no one book that has done more effective work than Rev. J.
F. Clarke's 'Orthodoxy,' etc., which proves that we need good,
_clear_, strong doctrine. [The Post Office Mission, she adds] is
only a larger church, and we want to bring these people into vital
connection with us,--making not Unitarians of them, or merely
intellectual men and women, but practical Christians working with
us and for humanity. Rev. ---- is the prophet of his age. We shall
all _grow_ up to his ideal some day, and bring our Post Office
Mission members with us. Hope he will be willing to wait. 'It is
good that a man should both hope and quietly wait' (Lam. iii. 26)."
A bit from another letter to Miss Roberts is interesting as showing the
untiring industry which enabled Miss Ellis to accomplish so much:--
... "Next week we hold our fair, and I shall be very busy all the
week. Have had so many orders for mittens, that I am a perfect
knitting machine. I can knit and read, however, and therefore have
looked over many sermons for distribution in the mean time. Am
tired, and thankful for the blessed Saturday night followed by the
quiet of Sunday."
In answer to a letter of inquiry from Miss F. Le Baron when that lady
first entered on her work as Secretary of the Western Women's Unitarian
Conference at Chicago, Dec. 2, 1884, Miss Ellis wrote:--
"'How much time do you give to all this work?' Doing it at home, I
cannot calculate exactly, for there are many moments thrown in that
I cannot well count; but this much I _can_ say. I begin about 9 A.M.
Monday to collect my materials about me, and usually by
dinner-time (1 P. M.) I have put away all papers, etc., and have
ready my week's papers, etc., for the postman to take. Nearly every
evening I write an hour or more, excepting Sunday, when I won't
write business letters. This is all the work I can _calculate_; but
there are many moments spent reading my letters, assorting papers,
tying up books, setting down items, making purchases, etc., besides
the time spent Sunday and on Wednesday at the church, over the
library, etc. However, I am very systematic in everything, and
accomplish more in that way.... Of course, new applicants I reply
to at once; but every new applicant is then added to my Monday
list. Being at an office, you have more interruptions; and then
deafness has its reward, and one can pursue her work in peace many
times, whereas another would be disturbed."
In answer to another letter from Miss Le Baron, full of warm
congratulations on her success, she writes, Dec. 11, 1884:--
"I am very much obliged for your high opinion of me. I read it to a
dear friend, who always sends me to the Conference at Chicago, and
she said, 'It's all true, but I hope you won't get so far above me
in the next world.' I never have stopped to 'understand' what I am
doing, or the 'name' I am making. To do the good comes from my
heart, and I leave the results to the Good Father, and know if I
merit a reward it will be given me. It is a pleasure in _this_
world, to feel I am giving satisfaction to so many in the
denomination. I am a thorough Unitarian, and have read our
denominational works more than anything else, which has prepared me
for this very work. I am an ignoramus in literature outside of
Unitarianism, only that you cannot be a Unitarian and not come,
more or less, in contact with general literature.... By the way, I
always read tracts, and M. J. Savage's and Chadwick's and Clarke's
weekly sermons, going to and from the city [Miss Ellis was living
at this time in Avondale, three miles from the city], and carry
_big_ packages of papers home on Sunday. Think the conductors must
know I am a missionary."
Rev. Joseph May, Rev. Charles Allen, and Rev. F. L. Hosmer sent Miss
Ellis many of their printed sermons for distribution, which did good
service. Rev. William C. Gannett early saw the possibilities of this
work, and has done much to systematize and further it in many ways. He
christened it the "Post Office Mission," and, seeing the need of more
fresh material for distribution, devised and edited the "Church Door
Pulpit" series of sermons, and has also been the chief promoter of the
"Unity Mission" series of tracts. The following extracts are from Miss
Ellis's letters to him.