Now, that you may know in what walk of life I move, I must tell you
that I am a laborer. When working by the month, my wages never
exceeded twelve dollars a month. From such small wages I have built
up a small library of 155 volumes; have also 156 pamphlets. I take
unceasing delight in reading, and now that I have others dependent
on me, am not able to procure all the books I need. By some I have
been encouraged to prepare for the ministry. Such also is my
aspiration. It may be years before I shall become a minister,
because my preparation is not to be accomplished very quickly. Oh,
how I wish that some one from their abundance would forward me some
of the books and pamphlets they have cast aside, having no further
use for! They would be of great use to me. What are the
qualifications necessary for the Unitarian ministry? Will you please
tell me? If possible for you to do so, please send me a few more
sermons by Rev. G. A. Thayer, and I shall be greatly obliged.
Miss Ellis forwarded this letter to Miss M. O. Rogers, Secretary of the
King's Chapel branch of the Women's Auxiliary Conference, Boston,
Mass., who had written, offering aid in her work. As a result, the
King's Chapel Women's Auxiliary Conference sent this young man many
Unitarian books of value, and the "Unitarian Review" regularly, for
which his gratitude was great. He loans and distributes all matter sent
him, and has procured many tracts from the American Unitarian
Association for distribution. A portion of Miss Ellis's reply to the
letter given above is as follows:--