Believe me, I would have written to each and all of you had it been possible. Conscience does not reproach me for having wilfully neglected you; but I have had a good many heartaches on your account.
Who does not know the trial of looking and waiting in vain for a friend’s letter?
I cannot now address you singly; but an open evening will again bring us more into touch with each other, as a former one did a few months ago.
It is alike delightful and wonderful to note the results of that night’s talk, during which we had glimpses of each other’s thoughts, needs, and longings. Subsequent letters have shown me how the words of one girl-writer have stirred the hearts of many to prayer on her behalf, and in some cases they have asked, “How can I be of real use to another member of our gathering?”
Some have been brought into closer relationship with each other as correspondents, and I trust the result will be beneficial to all of them.
Several of my correspondents have asked that evenings should be devoted to subjects of special interest to themselves and many others, but which do not come within the scope of our object in meeting. Let me remind you, dear friends, who, from the most worthy motives, have suggested the consideration of such subjects, how varied are the classes, ages, nationalities, and even the religious views of those who meet with me in the twilight. It will be obvious to you that the usefulness of our meetings would be imperilled, were we to introduce any subject likely to arouse an antagonistic feeling even in the minds of a few.
Several of our recent talks have been devoted to smoothing away the difficulties which many dear girls meet with in their first efforts at self-dedication. They are answers to inquiries and requests for help which have come from many quarters. I do earnestly hope and pray that, by God’s blessing, they will be found useful and helpful to many others besides my dear correspondents.
I think that many amongst you who ask questions would do well to refer back to some of our earlier talks, which all who now meet with me may not have read. They began in September, 1896, and have been continued monthly ever since.
It is delightful to find how many of my girls do refer back to the old talks for help and comfort; and, to you all, it must be very cheering to know that God has blessed the words of some to the good of others. Here is an instance. One dear correspondent had been telling me a great deal about the many worries and anxieties of daily life, and of the relief it was to open her heart to someone who was, she felt sure, “interested in us girls.”
With a mother ill in bed, and who must not be told anything about the worries incidental to the large family, the servants, and home which needed constant oversight, my young correspondent was feeling overweighted, and wrote—