A man on a remote plantation in Georgia, who has been most zealous in spreading the new light around him, writes:—
"Please accept thanks for papers and memorial of Miss Sallie Ellis. She has been a good and a kind friend to me, has supplied me for over two years with the best of literature, something new, so different from what we are used to, something that lifts me above myself and gives me new views of heaven and immortality, makes me a better man to wife, family, neighbors, stock, and fills my heart with that new love, the divine brotherhood of all mankind. I deeply lament her loss. I do wish she could have lived a little while longer, for my sake. I do feel so thankful for the papers, and Channing, from Mrs. ——, God bless her!... Any books or papers sent me will be used to the good of the community. The Post Office Mission is doing a good work."
A young German in Tennessee to whom she sent much reading matter wrote her:—
"I am a German by birth, and received my education at German universities. I devoted many years to the study of the chief philosophical systems, and had in consequence of the results derived from the latter for a long time little or no connection with any church whatever. But during the last four or five years I became more and more convinced that no school of thought possesses so glorious a light as is emanating from the life and lessons of Jesus Christ. So when I became acquainted with Channing's Works, seeing that it is possible to reconcile with every scientific discovery and with every logical conclusion all that is special in Christianity, I knew I had found what I want and wherein to rest. From my own standpoint, and remembering the religious indifferentism which is now general in my native country and in France, I regard Unitarianism as the principle which is to save the Christian Church from ruin, and which will be an indestructible bulwark against Nihilism and materialism. I still believe there is a great future before the Unitarian Church."
From a lady in Alabama to Miss Ellis:—
Dear Friend,—For such you have been to me, and it is to you I am indebted for the papers, tracts, and sermons that I have received and enjoyed so much. I have derived genuine comfort from them, and sincerely thank you for thinking of one so unhappy and so tossed about for a haven of rest. Truly yours is a heavenly mission, answering the needs of many like myself afflicted beyond human aid. The sermons of James Freeman Clarke are peculiarly comforting; and indeed I have read all you sent me with the deepest interest and benefit. How I wish I might in some way recompense your Society as it deserves! And you individually have my deepest gratitude, which is so little for such thoughtfulness as yours.
A second letter says:—
"Your papers, sermons, etc., are regularly received, and I wish I could make you understand the great comfort they are to me, particularly the sermons. Anything pertaining to the future life holds me spell-bound till the last word is read. The Unitarian ideas and beliefs, so far as I know, find echo in my heart; and I always feel comforted and soothed, as it were, with all I have read and understood. I attend the Presbyterian Church here, because I think it is better to attend some church regularly; and I am very fond of this minister socially. There has been for ten days or more an evangelist holding a union meeting in our church, and a night or two ago I went to hear him. The only feeling excited in my heart was one of pity that all persons could not be taught the love of God instead of being frightened into a nervous fear. I assure you, I feel it a privilege to correspond with you, and find myself wishing in my heart that you knew me thoroughly, what I have been, and what I am by nature, education, and social standing. I feel that we women of the South are to be seen at home and known to be understood by our Northern sisters."
The following are some of Miss Ellis's letters to a radical of the radicals, an old gentleman in Boston, one of Theodore Parker's old congregation, who sent much literature out under her direction, and contributed Theodore Parker's "Prayers," and his new volume of sermons, to her loan library.