Reminiscences and letters

Preface

The afflicted sister, whose writings occupy the pages of this book, is well known by name to many of those who will read it. I will here tell them how we came to publish it. In a letter to Sister Bessie, written about a year ago, she asked her to take charge of her letters and other writings, and publish them after her departure, which she then felt would be soon. In a subsequent letter she said : " Dear Bessie — Since I opened my mind to you about my letters I feel so relieved. I do not want you to grant my request against your own wishes ; but I do hope you will consider it, and that the dear Lord may direct you, and control your decision. I feel as though it is according to His will that I have been directed to you."

In reply, Sister Bessie told her that if we published the book at all we desired to do so while she is yet here, so that whatever might be received for it above the cost of publication could be applied for her comfort. We wished that the dear friends who desired to render her assistance, as many have already so lovingly done, might do so in the pleasant way of purchasing the book, which we knew would be heartily acknowledged as full "value received." In response to this our dear, self-depreciating sister wrote : " Sister Bessie, I feel to humbly beg your pardon for one thing I said about favorable letters I have received concerning my published letters. I only meant to explain why I thought they might pass through the press after I had gone. My dear sister, I could not consent for you to undertake the task you proposed for my sake. No ! no ! Besides, I feel it would be an imposition upon the dear household of faith, many of whom, out of charity, might feel called upon to purchase the book ; .and I feel that they have already favored me far, oh, very far, beyond what I deserve. If

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you could not promise to look after my writings provided I should be taken away lirst, and a way should be opened for another publication, do, I implore you, try to forget that I ever made an allusion to the subject. One thing that makes me fear that some one might undertake another publication for his own benefit is this : several persons ordered several dozens of my book in order to reap the profit themselves."

The first thought was to republish many of the letters contained in the " Collection of Gems " published by our kind sister, Alma F. McNaughten. But as we have enough other material to fill a volume, of the size we design to make, mostly written since the publication of that, we have taken but a few of those, selecting those we deem of most general interest, and which cover ground not otherwise covered. In reply to the question as to what letters she would suggest to be taken from that book, Sister Mary said : " I am powerless to answer, for I have no copy of the book, and, though it may seem incredible, I never read it. I merely glanced through it enough to see my defects in thought stamped upon all. Very many have expressed themselves comforted by the letter written from the words, ' But the sorrow of the world worketh death ; ' also, ' Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.' I feel perfectly willing to trust your judgment, and that of Brother Durand and Sister Clarice."

My visit to our dear sister in May, 1890, is mentioned elsewhere. As I meditated one day upon her condition, her bodily sufferings and her spiritual peace, the favor of the Lord to her in thus displaying the riches of His grace, and the peculiar power of her writings to comfort the afflicted and poor people of God, I wished she might write something now concerning her past life. It seemed to me almost impossible that she should be able to do so, when I remembered that she can neither stand nor lie down, can occupy but one position, and that not a restful one, and that often pain renders her unconscious, or partly so, for hours and even days together. I wrote her as follows, dated April 3, 1891 :

" Dear Sister:

"As I sit here thinking of you and of the book we contemplate publishing, a thought occurs to me which I will suggest

Preface 5

to you. I wish you to write a little in the form of reminiscences. Begin some day when you are feeling well enough, and trace up your life, outwardly and inwardly, from your earliest remembrance. Do not write long at a time. If any scripture is on your mind with power at any time as you write, mention it ; write your feelings about it, then go back again and bring up the story. Tell from your present remembrance the feelings when disease was binding you, and the way in which the Lord has at times brought into your soul, sweet and humble submission under His mighty hand, and tender resignation to His will. You can be engaged upon this as strength will permit for the next two months. Do not spend any time or anxiety in planning the article, or in thinking what it will be. Just write a little every day, when able, if only ten lines. Do not pass over anything that comes back in your memory, because you may have spoken of it in some letter. Let your private correspondence be very much lessened, for you are not able for so much. Indeed, it is a great wonder that you have done what you have. When you have written a dozen pages or so, send it to me, and we will make what suggestions we can, and will do anything to lessen any other work or correspondence you may have. As you trace along the history of the past it is not necessary that all connecting circumstances should be given. When you remember any particularly dark period, place yourself there for a little while, and give expression to the sorrow and dark forebodings ; and the same when your heart was resting in sweet content, or filled with songs of praise and thanksgiving."

I was truly gratified and not a little surprised at the result of this suggestion, as I am sure the dear friends who read it will be. Seldom have I ever read anything more deeply interesting and touching than these reminiscences. We offer this book with the assurance that it will be of abiding interest and value to the spiritual reader.

Silas H. Durand.

Southampton, Pa., June 30, 1891.