In the spring of 1859 began an acquaintance with one who was ever
after one of Miss Swain's dearest friends. Miss Martha McFarland
of Albany accepted the position of teacher in the intermediate
department of the school in which Miss Swain was teaching and they
at once became friends. As Miss Swain's aunt was soon to leave
Canandaigua, the two friends secured a pleasant boarding-place,
and for three years they walked to school together in the morning
and home again in the afternoon. Bothe were nature-lovers and many
a delightful hour they spent on their holidays and Saturday
afternoons and whenever they could find leisure for one of their
picnic outings. They were both members of the Methodist Church and
were constant in their attendance at the Sunday services and at
Sunday school as well as at the midweek prayer and class-meetings,
and were ever ready to help in all forms of church work.
Through her years of teaching Miss Swain showed the same
conscientious spirit that was evidenced in her child and school
life. "Have I done all I ought? Have I been as helpful to my
pupils as I might be?" she often asked herself. For a time she
taught a class in Sunday school, and her boys were impressed by
her consistent life. Later, one of them said, "We noticed that you
always went to prayer meeting so we thought we would go and see
what was in it." This class was a joy to her and her pleasure was
great when one and another gave himself to the Lord for service.
"Miss Swain was ready _in season and out of season_," said one of
her friends. "One Sunday evening when a company of us were
together having a sing, she turned to a young man near her and
bluntly asked, 'Why are you not a Christian?' Taken by surprise,
the young man had no answer ready and they both went on singing."
The Rev. Mr. Hibbard was pastor of the Methodist Church in
Canandaigua and Miss Swain and her friend very much enjoyed an
occasional visit to the parsonage, where they were always warmly
welcomed.