Letters of Lydia Maria Child, with a biographical introduction by John G. Whittier and an appendix by Wendell Phillips.

LETTERS. 199
the state was, I would not go back to it if I could. I
have stumbled over much in cold and darkness since
then, but I know that also is one of the appointed
means of growth. We do not choose our states, they
come upon us. The best we can do is to reverently
follow all the truth it is given us to see at any time.
My faith in theological doctrines of any kind has
diminished almost to vanishing, but my faith in eternal principles has grown ever stronger and stronger,
and more and more humble and reverent is my desire
to embody them in my life....
I still think that Fourier was a great prophet of
the future. I am convinced that this troublesome
knot of employers and employed can never be disentangled except by some process of association which
shall apportion some manual labor to all, and some
culture and recreation to all.... The peace of God
be with you all!
TO MRS. S. B. SaiAW.
WAYLAND, 1869.
The music-box arrived safely, and I thank you from
my inmost heart for thinking of your old friend, and
wishing to give her pleasure. The old music-box is
very dear to me. Its powers are limited, but what it
does say it says very sweetly; and the memories it
sings to me are the dearest of all....
We had quite a glorification here over Grant's
election. We had a really handsome procession of
five hundred men bearing flags and gay-colored lanterns, and attended by a band of music from Boston.
I had no idea they would come up so far as our house;
but as we had subscribed, as they thought, liberally,
they concluded to pay us that compliment. When