ood-will, and that I cared nothing about "excoriations." Why
should he, then, forsake his calling and take delight in
disseminating personal abuse?

And why do you not write me about things that I really care for in
the good old country--the budding trees, the pleasant weather, news
of old friends, gossip of good people--cheerful things? I pray you,
don't be concerned about what any poor whining soul may write about
me. I don't care for myself: I care only for him; for the writer of
personal abuse always suffers from it--never the man abused.

I haven't read what my kindly clerical correspondent calls an
"excoriation" for ten years, and I never shall read one if I know
what it is beforehand. Why should I or anybody read such stuff? I
can't find time to do half the positive things that I should like
to do for the broadening of my own character and for the
encouragement of others. Why should I waste a single minute in such
a negative and cheerless way as reading anybody's personal abuse of
anybody else--least of all myself?

These silly outbursts never reach me and they never can; and they,
therefore, utterly fail, and always will fail, of their aim; yet,
my dear friend, there is nevertheless a serious side to such folly.
For it shows the need of education, education, education. The
religious editor and the preacher who took joy in his abuse of me
have such a starved view of life that they cannot themselves,
perhaps, ever be educated into kindliness and dignity of thought.
But their children may be--must be. Think of beautiful children
growing up in a home where "excoriating" people who differ with you
is regarded as a manly Christian exercise! It is pitiful beyond
words. There is no way to lift up life that is on so low a level
except by the free education of all the people. Let us work for
that and, when the growlers are done growling and forgotten, better
men will remember us with gratitude.

I felt greatly complimented and pleased to receive an invitation
the other day to attend the North Carolina Teachers' Assembly in
June. I have many things to do in June, but I am going--going with
great pleasure. I hope to see you there. I know of no other company
of people that I should be so glad to meet. They are doing noble
work--the most devoted