n them," Susanna said, "I wonder that more of
them do not find their way here. The peace and goodness and helpfulness
of the life sink straight into my heart. The Brothers and Sisters are so
friendly and cheery with one another; there is neither gossip nor hard
words; there is pleasant work, and your thoughts seem to be all so
concentrated upon right living that it is like heaven below, only I feel
that the cross is there, bravely as you all bear it."

"There are roses on my cross most beautiful to see,
As I turn from all the dross from which it sets me free,"

quoted Eldress Abby, devoutly.

"It is easy enough for me," continued Susanna, "for it was no cross
for me to give up my husband at the time; but oh, if a woman had a
considerate, loving man to live with, one who would strengthen her and
help her to be good, one who would protect and cherish her, one who
would be an example to his children and bring them up in the fear of the
Lord--that would be heaven below, too; and how could she bear to give
it all up when it seems so good, so true, so right? Might n't two people
walk together to God if both chose the same path?"

"It's my belief that one can find the road better alone than when
somebody else is going alongside to distract them. Not that the Lord
is going to turn anybody away, not even when they bring Him a lot of
burned-out trash for a gift," said Eldress Abby, bluntly. "But don't you
believe He sees the difference between a person that comes to Him when
there is nowhere else to turn--a person that's tried all and found it
wanting--and one that gives up freely pleasure, and gain, and husband,
and home, to follow the Christ life?"

"Yes, He must, He must," Susanna answered faintly. "But the children,
Eldress Abby! If you had n't any, you could perhaps keep yourself from
wanting them; but if you had, how could you give them up? Jesus was the
great Saviour of mankind, but next to Him it seems as if the children
had been the little saviours, from the time the first one was born until
this very day!"

"Yee, I've no doubt they keep the worst of the world's people, those
that are living in carnal marriage without a thought of godliness, I've
no doubt children keep that sort from going to the lowest perdition,"
allowed Eldress Abby; "and those we bring up in the Community make the
best converts; but to a Shaker, the greater the sacrifice, the greater
the glory. I wish you was gathered in, Susanna, for your ha