passionate, overwhelming power that is stronger
than death itself!

How warmly she sympathised with mothers, especially with young mothers,
in their peculiar experiences and how great she thought their privilege
to be, her writings testify. The same trait is brought out still more
fully in her letters. "Only a mother," she wrote, "knows the varied
discipline of hopes and fears and joys and sorrows through which a
mother passes to glory--for this is the mother's pathway, and she rarely
walks on a higher road or one that may so lead to perfection." Some of
her letters addressed to bereaved mothers have already been given. But
if her heart was always touched with grief by the death of an infant, it
seemed to leap for joy whenever she heard that in the home of a friend a
child was coming or had just arrived. Here are samples of her letters on
such occasions.

_To Mrs. ----, Jan 10, 1874._

You little know into what a new world you are going to be introduced!
I wouldn't be a bit frightened, if I were you; it is ever so much more
likely that you'll get through safely, than that you will not; and then
what joy! You will be a very loving, devoted mother, and I hope this
little one will only be the beginning of a houseful. I spoke for ten,
but only had six; and our dear Lord had to take two of them back.... I
have just run over your letter again, and want to reiterate my charge
to you to feel no fear about your future. If you live and have a child,
your joy will be wonderful, but if you do not live (here) it will be
because you are going to dwell with Christ, which is better than having
a thousand children. So I see nothing but bright sides for you.

_To the Same, April 18 10, 1874._

By this time you ought to be able to receive letters; at any rate I am
going to write one and you can do as you please about reading it. Well,
isn't a baby an institution? I am sure you had no idea what a delightful
thing it is to be a mother, and that you have had a most bewildering
experience of both suffering and joy. I shall want to hear all about
the young gentleman when you get strong enough to write an enthusiastic
letter about him; nor have I any objection to hear how his mother is
behaving under these new circumstances.

What does your husband think of the upsetting of all home customs and
the introduction of this young hero therein? Thank him for sending me
the news in good season. I should not have liked it from a stranger. And
by