In your card you speak of a book. I hope the pamphlet will grow
into a book. I was delighted to hear that it will contain a
portrait, for that will be just what I wish for. The letters I
sent, I had to just pick out hurriedly, as I had very little time.
If I had had more time, I might have made a better selection. I
will vouch for their quality, however. I have post cards
innumerable from her. Then again, once, when I was having a sore
mental struggle over the philosophy of prayer, in answer to my
inquiries Miss Ellis wrote out for me the greater part of Mr.
Chadwick's sermon on "Prayer," in his "Faith of Reason." This I
mention as one out of many instances of such work. She never tired
of trying to aid me. I sent you the last letter I received from
her, never having a thought, at the time I received it, of its
being the _last_ one. Perhaps Miss Ellis is aware of all this
afterglow, as you so well call it. I hope so. I believe so. How it
must gratify her to know what she accomplished!
In looking over these letters I am very forcibly reminded of the
last few years.... As you may suppose, Miss Ellis is much in my
thoughts. I looked forward to meeting her some day, and making
grateful acknowledgment of her influence for good on me. I would
not hide from you that I often regret that it is not to be so. But
every other thought is swallowed up in gratitude for her life and
for our meeting together.
The following is Miss Ellis's first letter from a farmer's wife a dozen
miles out of Cincinnati, who has this winter become a member of the
Women's Auxiliary Conference, and wishes, with her daughter, to join the
church:--
"I have frequently seen the item in the Sunday's paper offering
Unitarian reading to those who wish it, and have as often
determined to avail myself of the opportunity, but have so far
neglected it. I will say that I have been for a long time somewhat
of a Unitarian, without being sufficiently informed in the belief
openly to declare myself one. I would ask you to teach me from the
beginning the doctrines, so that I can understand and feel a safety
in embracing them. I have a daughter who will avail herself with me
of your kind offer. You are to be our teacher in the matter of
selecting the reading, and I will gladly pay postage on all books
sent."
As such teacher Miss Ellis acted ever after. She wrote in reply, Jan. 1,
1884:--
Was very glad to receive your letter to-day, and hope I may prove a
successful "teacher." Have always been a Unitarian, as my father
was among the first subscribers to the church, when it was
established in 1830.... Have sent you by this same mail three
tracts pertaining to our doctrines. Shall be glad to give you and
your daughter a weekly Sunday-school lesson for several weeks.
Began with statements of doctrine and Channing's famous Discourse.
On the list sent have numbered other tracts in the order in which I
shall send them,--leading you from Channing to Brigham and J. F.
Clarke, showing an advance in thought up to Mr. Wendte's tract,
"What Do Unitarians Believe?" which represents Unitarianism as held
by the _young_ men of the present time; and after you read these
tracts, if you wish more doctrine, will mention some books we can
loan you by mail. With the tracts will also send the "Christian
Register," where you will see our principles carried out. It is a
very interesting, able paper. Perhaps after you have examined a
few copies you may like to become a subscriber to it. I usually
spend Mondays mailing papers to our correspondents, though they do
not all get off till about Wednesday. They will be in time for a
Sunday lesson, however, and I hope you may find some neighbors to
join you in your study. Hoping this is a beginning of another good
work for us, and to hear from you further,
Respectfully yours, SARAH ELLIS.
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