NOYES TO L. G. MEAD
Brooklyn, N. Y., April 4, 1852.
DEAR Mr. Mead:
In the Semi Weekly Eagle I notice with some little protest a repetition
of the old charge that I "absconded" from Putney; and as you were a witness
of all that I did, I have an inclination to note down for your recollection
the facts that will sometime come before the court of public opinion.
I. I did not leave Putney on account of the arrest and bonds, hut remained there a month after the law had taken possession of my case.
2. I was induced to go to Brattlehoro finally not by fear of the law but by report from you and others that mob violence was impending.
3. I had no thought of leaving the State when I went to Brattleboro, hut carried with me a written proposal to surrender myself to the custody of the law (without bail) on condition of peace for the rest of our Society.
4. You and Mr. Bradley disapproved of my proposal, and advised me to withdraw. I yielded to your advice as most likely to give peace.
5. Mr. Cragin and others "absconded" in like manner by my advice, or rather my explicit direction sent from Brattle-
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boro with the approval of you and Mr. Bradley, and as in my case for the sake of peace.
The main point is, that we left not to escape the law but to prevent an outbreak of lynch law among the barbarians of Putney
It is worth rememl)ering, that the report from Brattleboro which set me in motion was that Dr. John Campbell had said "If there is no law that will hreak them up, the people of Putney will iual(c law for the occasion " This same Dr. Campbell had sometime previously committed an assault on Mr. Miller. \Vho then were the law ahiders, and who the law breakers? 1 was content to abide the issue and settle with the law as best I could. But Dr. John Campbell could not wait on the law, and he may thank his own turbulence that I escaped its clutches aml saved him and his confederates from committing acts of disgraceful violence and perhaps murder.
Yours truly,
JOHN H. NOYES.
At this crisis Noyes might easily have suffered martyrdom at the hands of a mob, as did Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader, three years before. In choosing the unheroic role of a runaway he believed that he was following the injunction of Christ, who said to his disciples, "When they persecute you in one city, flee ye to another," and the example of Paul, who was many times in circumstances favorable to martyrdom, hut took pains to escape, accounting it the part of a Christian to avoid death wherever honorably possible, and show courage and patriotism by manfully meeting life.
REMINISCENCES
George Cragin: On the 26th of November 1847 Messrs Noyes and Miller were requested by our lawyer friends, Larkin G. Mead and William C. Bradley, to come at once to Brattleboro. On their arrival they learned that warrants were in the hands of the Sheriff for the arrest of Mrs. Cragin and myself.
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After a long discussion Mr. Mead recommended that all the believers assembled at Putney who were not residents of the place should leave at once. It was decided that Mr. Noyes should not return to Putney but start that evening for Boston.
John R. Miller: After the arrangements were all made, Mr. Noyes danced across the room, and snapping his fingers and laughing heartily said : "We shall beat the Devil at this game. Jt tried Mr. Mead exceedingly to see him feel so well in such awful circumstances.
George Cragin: Mr. Miller acted as captain in arranging the retreat. The Goulds were to start in the morning for their home in Central New York, Louisa Tuttle for her home in Connecticut, and the Bumbams for their home in Northern Vermont. The next day Knowles and John Leonard were to go. At about midnight we had our supper. At two o'clock in the morning William Hinds, our store boy, then fourteen years old, brought up old Bob and the carriage, and Mrs. Cragin and I with Victor got in. There was some trepidation while leaving the streets of Putney, for we had heard that the officers were intent upon our arrest. When we were within a mile of Brattleboro we saw a man coming toward us. Mrs. Cragin was much frightened. The man did stop our horse, but it was only to inquire the way to Dummerston. We passed through Brattleboro, and thanked God that no officer appeared. We had learned from Mr. Miller that Mr. Noycs left Brattleboro the evening before on foot, intending to take the early stage for Boston. When we arrived at the first hotel where the stage stopped, I went in and inquired whether a stranger had left there for Boston. None had done so. Mr. Noyes had left no word where we should go except into Connecticut. He himself instead of going directly to Boston decided to go to Leverett. The next day about one o'clock we crossed Mill River, and as I always have a care to see that horses are watered and fed I asked
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William to stop and let the horse drink. Upon a little eminence near by was a small hotel, and whom should we see standing in the door but Mr. Noyes! He had no idea of seeing us, for he supposed we had gone down on the west side of the river, and we had no more expectation of seeing him than of seeing the angel Gabriel.
William A. Hinds: One thing that has always made that meeting with Mr Noyes seem more miraculous to me was the fact that old Bob had been watered only a mile back on the road, and all but Mr. Cragin thought there was no need of watering him again. If we had gone by without stopping we should not have seen him.
JOHN R. MILLER TO NOYES
Putney, November 27, 1847.
Dear Brother Noyes:
After my return last evening I made a statement of your proposals, which
met the entire approbation of the Community. . .
I was sorry that Mrs. Hall was not thought of yesterday. That is an important case, and one in which we wish to know your opinion. Shall she remain where she is, or shall we have her husband take her away? Mr. Mead came up this morning according to agreement, and is now in town. His advice is to have her leave immediately. Her health was bad last night, and she may die on our hands. If she leaves, our folks who have seen her think she will surely die. We shall not make any move till we hear from you, unless we see our way very clear. . .
I told the body last night that the proceedings of yesterday had greatly increased my confidence in you. I must say that I never saw even yourself act with such perfect coolness and deliberation and at the same time so wisely and promptly in matters of such great importance.
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I am perfectly convinced that this move instead of separating us will only draw us nearer together in heart. I am confident that we shall get a glorious and speedy victory over all our foes in this town, and that soon we can proclaim the truth on any subject from the housetops and not a man dare oppose.
Otis Miller just came into the store to inquire about the stories in circulation. I gave him to understand what our principles were, and then asked him what he thought. He said he saw no objections, believed we were right, and finally declared that you were the only man who had ever preached the truth in this place. He thinks the people will call you back.
Mr. Mead has talked with R. W. Keyes, D. Crawford and John Kimball, who all promise to do the right thing. Mr. Metcalf and quite a number of others seem to be very busy and I should judge quite excited, but I have no fears. We are all happy and rejoicing in God.
Yours affectionately,
J. R. MILLER.
JOHN R. MILLER TO NOYES
Putney, November 27, 1847.
Dear Brother Noyes: .
There is no mistake but what the move we have made was absolutely necessary.
There was a great deal more excitement than I expected. Mr. Mead has talked
with Dr. Campbell and the others together. They say they will do all they
can for us if they can be satisfied that the practices will be stopped.
They say they do not want "any of the seed left," and that "if the paper
is not managed very wisely the press will go to hell." I hope for the best.
Yours truly,
J. R. MILLER.
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GEORGE CRAGIN TO MRS. HARRIET A. NOYES
Leverett, Massachusetts, November 27, 1847.
Dear Harriet:
Here we are in Brother Morgan's house, happy and comfortable. Tomorrow
we shall probably receive from the Lord some light relative to the next
move. Brother Morgan and wife were delighted to see us. They say they have
looked for me every day for three weeks, and last night they gave up looking
for me any more. How long we shall tarry here is uncertain; probably not
long.
In reflecting upon this move it looks more and more like one of God's sagacious military maneuvers, which will blind and deceive the enemy more effectually than any move yet. Well, this is just what we might expect from our God. I feel that every attempt the Devil makes to oppress and injure us is completely over-ruled to improve us and glorify God.
G. CRAGIN.
NOTES TO JOHN R. MILLER
Leverett, Massachusetts, November 27, 1847.
Dear Brother Miller:
William will tell you how I came here. I thought I might as well spend
the sabbath with Mr. and Mrs. Cragin and Morgan, as there is no need of
my hurrying to Boston. We have not settled our plans, and I know nothing
against my con-tinning my journey on Monday by the Springfield road to
Boston. But you need not write me at Boston till I inform you that I am
there. The change in my journey need not be known beyond our own safe circle,
as I shall direct William to speak of it to you first, and you can take
such measures about it as you think fit. The only reason I see for reserve
is that our enemies might be irritated by finding that the union between
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me and the Cragins is renewed so soon. "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
I will say a few things by way of advice:
First, I think you should not "forsake the assembling of yourselves together," especially on the sabbath, and I hope George will have grace and ambition to take my place as speaker.
Second, I wish George to go on with the paper in its usual tone. He may stave off such correspondents as Seymour by notifying them that I am absent and they must wait.
Third, I advise you to be very kind to Harriet Hall, and to exhort her to lean on God. But let her friends know that we take no further responsibility for her health. Experience has shown that she needs an atmosphere of faith. As her friends have precluded her from such an atmosphere first by taking her partly out of our hands and then by driving me away and breaking up our assembly of spirits, they ought to bear the blame if she sinks. They may have a case on their hands as bad for them as Mary Knight's was for us. I hope Drs. Campbell and Allen will do the best they can for Harriet after turning us out of the office of physician to her.
Sunday morning.-We are all very happy. The baby stood his journey of forty miles like a soldier, and laughed in my face this morning.
I will note down some considerations in favor of our late movement:
First, it does not break up the Association, for all business temporal and spiritual will go on as usual. It does not even exile all the foreign members, for Woolworth, Stephen Leonard, William and others remain.
Second, it takes away the offensive portion of the Association, and leaves the popular portion to maintain the standard of truth which has been raised by our late war.
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Third, it secures the confidence and hearty help of our outside friends, such as Mead and Bradley.
Fourth, it will probably allay the tempest that has been upon us.
Fifth, it will relieve the Association of some burdensome spirits (whom I need not specify), and so promote the general health.
Sixth, it sends the men of war east, west, north and south to the places where they are needed.
I could say much more, but William is waiting.
Yours again and again,
J. H. NOYES.
JOHN R. MILLER TO NOYES
Putney, November 28, 1847.
Dear Brother Noyes:
Yesterday was decidedly the hardest day we have had. The whole wrath
of the town seemed to be let loose on finding that we were apparently retreating.
But Mr. Mead came just in season to quiet them some. He felt quite used
up, I should think, after talking with the folks here, but said he was
confident that there was no danger of further difficulty unless we gave
occasion by either preaching or practising offensive principles. The advice
which I give to our folks is to keep perfectly quiet till the storm subsides
a little; not retract anything, but say nothing about our doctrines; if
our enemies come to inquire into our principles, tell them that we don't
wish to talk upon a subject that will offend the public; at the same time
be free to follow the leadings of the spirit of God in talking wisely and
cautiously with those who are honest inquirers after truth.
Dr. Campbell sent for Emma and Helen to come and have a talk with him last evening. He treated them pleasantly, and I hope will he dispoSed to do the right thing. My last article in
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the paper caused considerable excitement. It was read to Mr. Mead and commented on yesterday at the meeting in Mr. Kim-ball's office.
We had a very good meeting at the Chapel today. There were but three present besides our own folks. George took the lead.
1 see plainly that we cannot take the first step on Bible ground without treading on somebody's toes. All we can do is to beg pardon respectfully of those we are obliged to hurt, and pledge ourselves to step as lightly as possible.
Mr. Hall called to see his wife today. She told him that she would stand with us, let the consequences be what they may. He went away in great wrath. J don't know what the effect will be, but I will not give place to fear for a moment. We are in the hands of God. He alone is our shield and defense.
Yours affectionately,
J. R. MILLER.
Postscript [by Harriet H. Skinner]: Dear John: We must laugh at you a little for getting out of scrapes, but you have apostolic example I opened the Testament last evening to this verse : "And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea; but Silas and Timotheus abode there still."
H. H. S.
Henry W. Buruham, in flight with his wife Abby for Northern Vermont, wrote to Putney as follows:
Windsor, November 29th.-You will see that we are not far from the great prison house of the State, a place which we have thought of more or less of late. But thank God we are none of us there as yet.
Cambridge, Decelul)er 6th.~Met at Albert Kinsley's my father's family, C. Higeins and wife, Sophia Dunn and others.
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Found them full of interest with regard to John's arrest and our position. I preached the "offense of the cross." All were prepared for the truth and expressed their full determination to abide by us in the struggle through which our course lies.
December 7th.-My headquarters for the winter will probably be at Albert Kinsley's. I am much pleased with him; think he is nearer us than any other one in this vicinity.
Abby wishes me to say that she feels strong and ready to meet her relatives. . .
December 8th.-Everything is rapidly ripening for the whole truth of this dispensation. . . . The very spirit of the public is in a foam because of Perfectionism, and yet no one can tell why, for the news of our peculiar position has not reached here, as I can learn. . . . My consciousness of spiritual realities is so certain, that I can say without the least doubt, I know we are right. I have passed the Rubicon, and am eternally committed to act as a subordinate pioneer in the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. .
We cannot tell how we love you all, neither will we try.
Three days later Bumbam wrote that Albert Kinsley's two daughters, Sarah and Jane, had confessed the faith.
MRS. POLLY NOYES'S RECOLLECTIONS
In the summer of 1847, when the social theory was steadily making progress toward explosion on the public, I was mercifully permitted to retire from the scene of action and go with John and his wife to Connecticut. I expected to return with them after the Central New York conventions, but they were obliged to return another way, and I remained at the Dickermans' in Hamden, Connecticut, as a boarder until early in December. Though they wrote me all the particulars of John's indictment and arrest, Mr. Miller's two thousand dollar bonds,
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the frightful threatenings of mob violence, and all the tremendons influences heavenly and diabolical, yet until the flight I was comparatively shielded from the fury of the storm, especially as the faith that was given them seemed to me equal to passing the Red Sea with the Fgyptiaus behind them and inaccessible motintains on either side.
The first news of the flight from Putney was brought to Ham-den by Louisa Tuttle, who was a member of the Putney Cornmunity and at the dispersion came direct to her father's home, arriving there on November 28, 1847.
MRS. POLLY NOYES TO NOYES
Hamden, Connecticut, November 28.1847.
Dear John:
You may judge of my surprise to see Louisa Tuttle this morning at Mrs.
Dickerman's, and you can better conceive the nature of her communications
than I can write at present. . .
I do not know as I can add much to what I have written. You will see that I am doing pretty well. Though I am yet trembling from all she tells me, I am not at all at the mercy of reports and persecutions.
Mrs. Dickerman and the family are not prepared for this. If they choose to hear, I shall tell all in a candid, willing spirit. They do not seem just as they did when I first disclosed the secret, but I shall keep no such.
Mr. Mead's letter was so harassing that I did not like to have it about me, and after a hasty reading just put it in the fire.
P. N.
HARRIET H. SKINNER TO NOYES
Putney, November 29, 1847.
Dear John:
I have been somewhat seasick and dizzy in this storm, but I will not by doubting the successful event grieve the Holy
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Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed unto redemption. My trouble has been this dashing of our expectations, this submitting to the dictation of the people, and considerable personal sorrow at the separation Still I am thankful for it all, and await the future with hope. We shall have every motive in the world now for seeking the triumph of our principles. All our love and all our revengeful instincts are engaged. I do not mean any more by the last than I ought. "The public will not be satisfied" is used now by the enemy to push their advantage as far as possible. Wisdom will be given to stop at the right place, or we shall have to go to keeping the sabbath and what not again.
Your good luck attends you. All your plans for the fugitives succeeded through not a little peril. All your plans will succeed.
Mrs. Campbell has helped us wash today, and is in a most heavenly frame of mind. She and George and Woolworth are in the best of fellowship, and hope is springing up in all their hearts about the girls. Mr. Miller and George do first-rate, I should think. Charlotte is strong. And so good-night.
HARRIET.
JOHN R. MILLER TO NOYES
Putney, November 29, 1847.
Dear Brother Noyes:
There has been a perfect whirlwind of wrath and excitement since you left. But like the poor Indian "we see God in the storm, and hear him in the wind."
Mrs. Hall's case was disposed of before I got your letter. Finding that the public would not be satisfied I saw Mr. Hall yesterday and asked him what he chose to have done. He said he wished to have her leave I told him that we should not take the responsibility. She is to leave this week. . .
The people here are determined to do all in their power to
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break up the Corporation. They mean to push us till we divide all our property and live as the world live. I do not know but they would require bond that we should serve the Devil half of the time at least. I think we have retreated all we shall he obliged to, and can now stand on our ''reserved rights.''
My hope and faith rise as difficulties increase. I know we shall come off conquerors and more than conquerors. Our enemies may rejoice, but their joy will be turned into sorrow. The future never looked more prosperous than now.
Love to all,
J. R. MILLER.
HARRIET A. NOYES TO NOYES
Putney, November 29, 1847.
Dear John:
I think all things are going right. I don't believe God will permit the people to drive us back to our original position, as they seem desirous to do. But if he does, they will not accomplish their object, for nothing can separate us from the love of God; they cannot tear the truth out of our hearts.
I was commissioned to talk with Harriet Hall about leaving the Lower House. I found her in a delightful state of mind, full of love and praise to God for his kindness to her and ready to do whatever she knew to be his will. She is happy in Mr. Hall's plan of having her live with Ellen and Philena. He has not yet learned better than to put three together to strengthen each other. . .
Mr. Samuel Lord and wife are here this evening, so I will bid you adieu for the present. Yours in the determined faith that I am with you and that you love me,
HARRIET.
P.S.: What I had reference to in the beginning of my letter was that Israel Keyes insisted upon Lemuel Bradley and his wife
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leaving, for fear they would come upon the town for Support; and Mr. Baker and Mr. Hall wished James to leave, because otherwise he would lose his two hundred dollars. Covetousness and infidelity are ripening and coming to the light If we did not keep our minds turned towards the invisible, we should sink; but we will, and God will keep us.
HARRIET.
MRS. POLLY NOYES TO HARRIET H. SKINNER
Hamden, Connecticut, December 1, 1847.
Dear Harriet:
If you have seen my letter to Mary, you will have seen that I had got
over the worst of disclosing the "great secret" to Mrs. Dickerman and Caroline,
though Mr. Dickerman remained ignorant. A short time afterward Mrs. Dickerman
and Caroline went to New Haven. When they returned in the evening, the
first thing was to point to me an artide in the New Haven daily paper,
which Mrs. Sacket in great anxiety had pointed to them. They made no answer
to her, but brought it to me without hesitation. Jt was a garbled description
of the process going on in Putney taken from a New York paper and that
from a Boston correspondent, ridiculous and taunting in the extreme. I
of course passed a sleepless night, disturbed and thoughtful but not shaken
in the least. The first thing in the morning Mary's letter was handed me.
They thought it prudent to reserve it as likely to be too much at once.
And indeed the two were terrible shots from the field of battle. I was
dreadfully distressed, until I could recollect myself, at the apparent
contradiction in your statements I soon perceived that Mary's own confession
fully sustained all you had said, that her retraction was an afterthought,
and that she had indeed got the truth she sought according to her faith,
the letter of the Bible, and boldly defended it. I told Mrs. Dickerman
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that, instead of being in the least shaken by Mary's conclusion, it was to me one of the greatest occasions of thankfulness that I ever had-the honest, uncompromising manner in which she pronounced John in the wrong for having left the Bible, and gave him up and with him everything that could keep her from "the truth~" Oh it was grand! How could she ever in any other way have been brought to such a decision? .
For myself, it altogether took me down, and I scarcely slept at all for several nights; but just when it seemed as if heart and flesh would fail me, my faith would receive some new accession of strength, and before 1 received your last letter I had become quite fearless and equipped for any emergency. .
I am ready to ask sometimes, Do I dream, or is this all a reality? If John thinks to maintain his position and carry out his principles in the face of a world in arms, it will be the greatest miracle the world ever saw. . .
Your Mother,
P. NOYES.
MARY E. CRAGIN TO HARRIET A. NOYES
Hamden, Connecticut, December 5, 1847.
Dear Harriet:
I address my letter to you, but feel as though your name in this instance
embraces each member of the household. We find ourselves frequently saying
to each other: "I wonder how they get along at home," and as often expressing
a desire to see you. We expected a letter at Amherst, but did not find
one, consequently have heard nothing from you. But we are inclined to believe
that you are doing well.
As to us, we have prospered. True, we have bad some privations and discomforts to submit to, but God's loving-kindness and tender mercies have more than kept pace. I had a pleasant
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time at Mr. Morgan's Wednesday morning we left for Amherst, and traveled by stage and railway to Wallingford, where we arrived about dark. From thence we went in a private carriage to Mr. Dickerman's Victor did credit to his name and behaved like a gentleman. We met with rather a chilling reception at Mr. Dickerman's. The air grew colder and colder until we were frozen out yesterday and came over here to Mr. Tuttle's, where we received a hearty welcome. I walked over here, a mile and a half, and as I expected it did me good.
John is with us. He is now gone over to Dickerman's to invite his mother to spend the day with us. Tomorrow he and George leave for New York. Mrs. Dickerman is in a state of great tribulation, not so much with regard to our doctrines on sexual morality as on the ground of confidence in John's divine commission. He gave her a pretty sharp discourse just as he left, which will probably either kill or cure.
I don't know yet what my fate is. I shall stay here, where they are very kind to me, until future arrangements are made. Considering the great unpopularity of our doctrines I am thankful for a place to "lay my head" anywhere, and the language of my heart is, "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
Mrs. Noyes was all the friend I had at Dickerman's. She received Victor and me into her heart.
Your affectionate sister,
MARY.
NOYES TO HARRIET A. NOYES
Confidential or public, as you think best.
At Mr. Tuttle's, December 6, 1847.
Dear Harriet:
"Though absent in body, yet am I present in the spirit, joymg and behol(ling
your order and the steadfastness of your faith." One of the good things
which our God means to bring
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upon us by our late separation is the spiritualization of our Association, the development of its independence of personal communication~ We are now in the way to know that our unity is not local and visible, but out of the world's reach and sight, deep in the heavens where Christ went after his resurrection. The world imagines that our Association is dissolved, but we know that our enterprise moves steadily on. And it is a satisfaction to think that even our apparent breaking up has been effected not as in the case of all other Associations by internal mismanagement and corruption, but by external violence. We know that our sacrifice was accepted, and that we have been scattered by the spirit of Cain. We have deserved success. We have (lone the will of God; now we wait for his promise. Though the vision tarry, it will surely come. Though our enemies rejoice against us,
"Yet not the less is justice throned above,
And her good time comes rushing on in storms."
I went to Boston Monday, found my trunk had not come, sent back word by White's express to Mead that he might keep it till further orders, returned to Springfield Tuesday, came here Wednesday. Mother will tell you about our sojourn here.
Leaving Mrs. Cragin here, Mr. Cragin and I expect to go to New York and establish ourselves in some way, if the Lord pleases. You know it is an old plan of ours to plant ourselves in that city. Perhaps the driving of us out of Putney will be like the driving of Paul to Rome. The Kingdom of God first assaulted the religious dynasties at New Haven, and was soon driven out. It took refuge in Putney, and has there assaulted the civil powers. Again it is apparently driven out. Perhaps its final resting-place will be at the center of both religious and civil power. Putney is not up with the times in religion
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and revolutionary progress. New York after hearing Fanny Wright, Fourier, Bush and Davis may listen to me with more moderation than can be expected in our Nazareth In New York I was crucified. Perhaps I shall be called to deliver my great final testimony there. Such are my thoughts at present, but God will dispose all things. At all events New York will be my headquarters for the present.
As I have paid $22.50 for Mother's board, I wish Mr. Miller to send me as soon as he can conveniently twenty dollars or more. I wish also to be informed by him whether he will need my presence in Boston on the first of January. Cannot stock be transferred by attorney? I hope Mr. Miller will give me full and constant accounts of affairs at home. We have only seen Harriet's letter to Mother, and know nothing of your state beyond the date of that, which was Tuesday of last week.
We think that Mother will prove a valuable re-inforcement to you. Mr. Mead's attempts to turn her aside made no impression. She is a fast friend to our hated truth She received the outcasts, little Victor included, in a beautiful spirit. Love and cherish her for our sake.
I think of you as the mother and representative of our Association in my absence. You had a beautiful season of cooperation with me in our journey to the West. Now you have an Opportunity of trying your faith and wisdom by yourself. I hope you will keep in free communication with George and Mr. Miller. Don't let public opinion scare the three families apart, nor keep you from any communion which God manifestly directs and approves.
Let us bear from you often. Be of good courage. Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice.
Your true lover,
JOHN H. NOYES.
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MARY E. CRAGIN TO CHARLOTTE A. MILLER
Hamden, Connecticut, December 8, 1847
Dear Charlotte:
I have formed the purpose of writing a sort of daily journal as one
of the ways by which I can divert my thoughts from temptations to lonesomeness.
It occurred to me last night while thinking of you, that I would send you
the sheet when I have filled it, not doubting that you will all be somewhat
interested in knowing what befalls me for good or ill in the days of my
captivity.
To begin with a description of my situation: I have a pleasant chamber, prett~y furnished, with a little coal stove which makes it very comfortable. Louisa is my room-mate and always ready to render me any service in her power. The whole family seem anxious to do me good, and I believe I am getting to be quite a favorite among them. I remarked to Mrs. Tuttle, that perhaps God will bless her household for harboring me as he did that of Obed-edom for sheltering the ark. She responded warmly to the idea, and assured me that she believed my stay with them would prove a blessing.
Laura Tuttle has been the slave of disease; she is little else than a walking skeleton. John put her under my care, and God has inclined her to love and confide in me, and enabled me to be faithful to her. She has already begun to change her testimony, and says she will no longer talk on the side of unbelief. This morning she came into my room with a cheerful air saying that when she awoke she felt as though she could not get up but would lie still and die But this exhortation came to her mind with great power: "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee" This gave us great joy, as you may well suppose, and we take it as an omen for good.
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Yesterday two women, our nearest neighbors, came and spent the afternoon. We had some intimations that they were intending to gratify their curiosity by having a look at me, and they did. They stared most unscrupulously and, I doubt not, to their heart's content. They questioned me about the children I had left, and my feelings in leaving them, and instituted comparisons between Victor and a baby six weeks old, which they brought with them, much his superior in flesh. Poor Vic did not find much favor in their eyes, and indeed he did not appear at all to advantage. However I passed the ordeal tolerably well, commanded my feelings to be quiet, and behaved as agreeably as I could. They gave me the credit, I afterwards learned, of not being "stiff and stuck-up" but easy to get acquainted with, and left me an invitation to call on them. I am glad they came, for it seems by all I can learn that they are the village gossips, and their impressions of me will give tone to the neighborhood.
John left me four things to do: to write letters home and to the City, take care of Laura, write for the Magazine, and above all cultivate Commutlion with God and the Primitive Church. He told me to find out God's purpose concerning me, and talk with him about everything This to be interspersed with playing chess (by the way I have no board), tending baby and making merry. Tell your mother I remember her suggestion about singing, and find it enlivens me to sing in the solitude of my chamber. If God gives me grace to fulfill all these bebests, I shall be not only happy but delighted. And God does watch over me for good. I have constant occasion to say, "How great is thy faithfulness !"
December 9.-A rather unexpected event has taken place. Louisa's brother, who has been living in New Haven, is coming home to remain. I am occupying his room, and how he will feel about my being here I do not know. If it is God's purpose
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that I shall stay here, he will give me favor in the eyes of the household.
I like my situation very much. I have plenty of time for reflection and reading, and think that I am in a position to do good as well as get good, and My moralizing is broken in upon by the arrival of the gentleman in question, of whom I will tell you more by and by.
December 10.-I have seen and become acquainted with the gentleman. He is very civil to me, and I am equally so to him. He is a beautiful performer on the violin, and this morning played several tunes which I used to hear at Putney. He plays more like George than any one I ever heard, so light and soft and quick. I was delighted, I assure you. Louisa and I play chess, and we mean to teach him. He has made us a board and shown some interest in it.
Laura is beginning to improve. She has begun to talk right, and that, Fanny will say, is half the battle. Yesterday she made a hearty confession of Christ as her savior from disease, and today there is a manifest change for the better.
December 12.-Louisa, Laura and I have been singing some of the songs of Zion, which we were in the habit of singing at Putney, and thought and talked of you when we had done. I trust you are all sustained in faith and hope, and it is with you as with me, that the temptations to cheerfulness and quiet confidence triumph over those to repining. God "doeth all things well," and this separation is for our benefit and for the furtherance of the gospel, as we shall surely see. I don't know how long I shall stay here. There are some inquiries afloat about the reason of my being here. 1 can gather up my duds and move off at a very short notice.
Last evening Louisa called on Caroline Dickerman. She was very friendly, and begged her to call again, but Mrs. Dickerman did not come into the room. Caroline sent me a large apple
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as a token of remembrance, but is not allowed to visit me. However perhaps the tide will turn before long.
December 13.-Louisa and I have just returned from a pleasant walk together. We compared our dreams of the night before, and found that we both visited you. I dreamed of seeing Mr. Eastman pumping up muddy water, and she dreamed that Mr. Miller and you were in some trouble about Harriet Hall Once not long since I dreamed of great commotion there on her account.
Laura says I may say she is getting better. Her appearance confirms it. Louisa sends much love to you all. Tell Catherine I think of her more, 1 believe, than I did when there. Love to all the household and to Mrs. Campbell. Tell the boys I dream about them often.
Truly yours,
M. E. C.
Noyes's flight from Putney was on Friday, November 26, 1847. The Cragins left before daylight on the 27th, and their unexpected meeting with Noyes at Morgan's took place the same evening. On Monday the 29th Noyes went to Boston, came back the next day to Springfield, Massachusetts, and on December 1st made his way to Hamden, Connecticut, where his mother was still boarding with the Dickermans The Cragins left Morgan's two days after Noyes, went by stage to Wallingford, Connecticut, and appeared at Hamden on December 2nd. Thus without any special prearrangement there was another rendezvous of Noyes and the Cragins Mrs. Cragin with her baby spent two days at the Dicker-mans'; but conscious of ebbing welcome found a refuge in the home of Louisa's father a mile and a half distant. On the 6th of December Noyes and Cragin started for New York City. Before their departure they called at the Dickermans' and arranged for Mrs. Polly Noyes's return home. This relieved the Dickermans of all responsibility. Noyes thought too that his mother's triumphant faith would hearten the little band at Putney
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