Part 11
"I am a German by birth, and received my education at German universities. I devoted many years to the study of the chief philosophical systems, and had in consequence of the results derived from the latter for a long time little or no connection with any church whatever. But during the last four or five years I became more and more convinced that no school of thought possesses so glorious a light as is emanating from the life and lessons of Jesus Christ. So when I became acquainted with Channing's Works, seeing that it is possible to reconcile with every scientific discovery and with every logical conclusion all that is special in Christianity, I knew I had found what I want and wherein to rest. From my own standpoint, and remembering the religious indifferentism which is now general in my native country and in France, I regard Unitarianism as the principle which is to save the Christian Church from ruin, and which will be an indestructible bulwark against Nihilism and materialism. I still believe there is a great future before the Unitarian Church."
From a lady in Alabama to Miss Ellis:--
DEAR FRIEND,--For such you have been to me, and it is to you I am indebted for the papers, tracts, and sermons that I have received and enjoyed so much. I have derived genuine comfort from them, and sincerely thank you for thinking of one so unhappy and so tossed about for a haven of rest. Truly yours is a heavenly mission, answering the needs of many like myself afflicted beyond human aid. The sermons of James Freeman Clarke are peculiarly comforting; and indeed I have read all you sent me with the deepest interest and benefit. How I wish I might in some way recompense your Society as it deserves! And you individually have my deepest gratitude, which is so little for such thoughtfulness as yours.
A second letter says:--
"Your papers, sermons, etc., are regularly received, and I wish I could make you understand the great comfort they are to me, particularly the sermons. Anything pertaining to the future life holds me spell-bound till the last word is read. The Unitarian ideas and beliefs, so far as I know, find echo in my heart; and I always feel comforted and soothed, as it were, with all I have read and understood. I attend the Presbyterian Church here, because I think it is better to attend some church regularly; and I am very fond of this minister socially. There has been for ten days or more an evangelist holding a union meeting in our church, and a night or two ago I went to hear him. The only feeling excited in my heart was one of pity that all persons could not be taught the love of God instead of being frightened into a nervous fear. I assure you, I feel it a privilege to correspond with you, and find myself wishing in my heart that you knew me thoroughly, what I have been, and what I am by nature, education, and social standing. I feel that we women of the South are to be seen at home and known to be understood by our Northern sisters."
The following are some of Miss Ellis's letters to a radical of the radicals, an old gentleman in Boston, one of Theodore Parker's old congregation, who sent much literature out under her direction, and contributed Theodore Parker's "Prayers," and his new volume of sermons, to her loan library.
JULY 2, 1883.
Your letter was received on Thursday, and, contrary to your expectation, was read with a great deal of interest, for I always admire to have every one speak with perfect freedom, and I am very glad you wrote as you did, and feel honored by having so old a man for a correspondent.... You and I won't quarrel on the Bible question. Rather think I should come up to your expectations on _that_ point.... I do not consider Mr. C---- or Mr. S---- authority any more than I consider the Bible so; I read for myself and settle the question as best I can. Am I not right? I have not read Colenso on the Pentateuch, nor Davidson's "Introduction to the New Testament," but _have_ read "Canon of the Bible," Knappert's "Religion of Israel," Stanley's "Eastern Church," Higginson's "Spirit of the Bible," Dr. Noyes's Translation of Prophets, Psalms, Job, and Canticles, and lastly, "Bible for Learners." I merely mention these to let you see I have been a student of the Bible. Will also add Alger's "Future Life," J. F. Clarke's "Ten Great Religions" and "Thomas Didymus," Savage's "Talks about Jesus," and his sermons this winter on the Bible.... I think of heaven and hell as you do; but having always been fed on Unitarian teachings, am not so "bitter" in my feelings as those who have had the "Assembly's Shorter Catechism" to overcome. In short, if people only _live_ truly from day to day, I will excuse their view of the Bible, and of God, and Christ, as long as they do not wish me to think the same as they do, for I decidedly think they are wrong.... I shall be very much pleased to have a copy of Theodore Parker's "Prayers," and shall gladly accept a copy for my circulating library; for, but with the exception of a few donations, the books loaned have been those I put in it.
After receiving the book, she wrote:--
"First, I must tell you how much I am enjoying Theodore Parker's 'Prayers.' They are suitable in most instances to the present day, and for all ages and times, and one rises from reading them with kindlier, broader thoughts, and renewed in strength. Am very glad to have the book. Shall endeavor to sell copies of it this winter.... I cannot _exactly_ agree with all you said in your letter, for I think it is not necessary yet to give up all theology, though it should not be the main thing in religion. The chief thing is to _do_ right, and people arrive at that by different methods. They will inquire and discuss theology, and therefore it is necessary as yet that ministers should preach it, and I do not believe that Orthodox ministers have arrived at Mr. Savage's or Mr. Chadwick's views exactly, or they would come out and say so. As for myself, I still enjoy the Communion service, partaking of the bread and wine, and cannot agree to casting aside Jesus as a helper to a better life, though I neither worship him nor think that he redeems us in any other way than as by following his example we become one with him and God. He 'died for us' in no other sense than as a soldier dies for his country. Then let theology continue, for the world is fast becoming better and better in spite of it, and the time _may_ come when we shall need it no longer. We are gradually coming to the point. I do not regret the time 'lost' I have spent on theology, for it has fitted me for just the work I am engaged in, and many are the questions I am called upon to answer, either by letter or printed matter; therefore I am glad to know where to send perplexed minds. As a friend wrote me from the South, 'Your papers are a great help to me. You are doing more good than the women did in the days of our Saviour. They clothed the body and you are feeding the souls.' Both acts are needed, but in different directions, and some people can better do the one, and others the other. I am cut off from active benevolence from want of health for it, and am glad to know there are souls needing nourishment. Do you not take this view too?"
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DECEMBER 20, 1883.
Your kind letter awaited my return from the city last evening, when I returned at ten. It grieved me to think that possibly I had wounded your feelings, for your "heresies" have not been "too tough" for me, as you fear. One's religious belief never troubles me as long as they do not force me into the same belief. Should be sorry if I had not "charity" enough to see the good in one, and not look at the outside merely. Your last letter reached me September 28, and I replied by postal October 19, as there did not appear to be anything especial to require a letter; and as my eyes were troubling me much at the time, I was compelled to desist from all but necessary letters. Am still as much interested in the good cause as ever, and we still have new applications constantly. We are gaining ground in the South. One gentleman in Alabama is much interested in Unitarianism, and wrote, asking me for Mr. Savage's address, whereupon he wrote to Mr. Savage himself, who is sending him "Unity Pulpit" present series. I am subscriber to it myself, and never can keep a sermon. I subscribed for the benefit of others. In Independence, Ky., a gentleman lately wrote, asking for Unitarian papers, etc. He is highly satisfied. Has been groping in the dark a long time, and wrote me, "When I read the pamphlet, 'What Do Unitarians Believe?' by C. W. Wendte, I shouted 'Eureka!' Like it so well that I shall not part with it." So it goes on all the time. Some one finds just what they have been in search of for some time.
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FEBRUARY 19, 1885.
Am much obliged to you for sending matter to Mr. ----. He is extremely radical, a farmer, with a large family to educate, and cannot get such religious matter as he needs. You might, if you choose, send the Chadwick sermons to him too, or, if you prefer they should go elsewhere, address them to me, and I will send them where they are needed.
Her last postal card to this correspondent, dated about a month before her death, says:
"Thanks for the six 'Unity Pulpits' received. I have been too busy to reply before, and my health still feeble, though not confined to the house or bed at all. I'm not one of that kind until necessary."
Since her death, the farmer referred to above has written:--
"I want to pay my humble tribute to the departed Miss Ellis. I never met her; but she was my friend, because she was the friend to all struggling humanity. She sent me sermons, etc., but above all, _kind words_. I had pictured her in my mind as a strong, robust person, and hoped at some future time to meet her. I now fear that I may have wounded her refined soul by some things I wrote to her. I am somewhat 'agnostic;' but I love to think of heaven if such as Miss Ellis preside there and give tone to the surroundings."
The old gentleman in Boston wrote:--
"With this please receive eight letters and seventeen full postals from our dear departed friend, Miss Sarah Ellis, of your city, whose face I never saw, but whose correspondence was to me a great pleasure. Her personal friendship must have been a real blessing to you and her immediate friends. She was able to be a very active worker for the cause which lay so near her heart, and was at the same time so perfectly willing to let others believe what they can. I will send all I have of hers and let you select what you desire. There is not even a postal card among them on which there is not some small or large trace of her noble, generous, kindly nature."
A young man in Ohio, writing Miss Ellis about some revival scenes in his town, makes this comment, which is good and true enough to settle the "leaven" idea once for all.
"If you had seen all this as I have, you would hardly think it time for a civilized organization like the Unitarians to cease fighting the great evil and wait for the leaven to work.
"_The Unitarians are themselves a portion of the leaven, and unless they work there is so much of the leaven idle._"
A Christian minister with whom Miss Ellis has corresponded two years or more, and who expects to enter Harvard Divinity School, in sending her letters writes:--
"... I send such as I can get at, preferring to let you make any suitable selections or extracts they may offer. I shall be pleased to have them returned, as you mention, when you have used them. I may add that my correspondence with Miss Ellis on all matters connected with religion, Unitarianism, etc., was in all respects most pleasant, satisfactory, and profitable to me. The careful skill with which she divined the exact want of a correspondent and sent the appropriate word by tract or letter to supply it, bespoke a wisdom and experience deeper than casual letters may reveal. And continued correspondence served thus to inspire a greater esteem and confidence in the judgment expressed."
The following extracts are from her letters to this minister:--
NOVEMBER 12, 1883.
Your letter was received a week since, and read with interest. What you said of our teachings, of course, was light and just. We do not expect ministers of other denominations to accept our views altogether, for if so they would _be_ Unitarians. Your view concerning studying the Bible agrees with mine. Still, it is well to know the latest view of the Bible, although we cannot accept the teaching at first. In time the way is made clear to us. Have mailed to you to-day two more good tracts and our church programme for this year. After Wednesday will mail to you "Positive Aspects of Religion," by English leaders. We will agree to let you have any book at just what it costs us, you paying postage on it.... Theodore Parker's "Discourses Pertaining to Religion" is a good book for you to read,--usual price, $1.00. But first, "Orthodoxy; Its Truths and Errors," J. F. Clarke; and a new book just out, "Orthodoxy and Heresy." ... "Bible for Learners" is by three German divines, translated by an Englishman, and gives the latest German views concerning the Bible.
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DECEMBER 23, 1883.
... At the time your letter reached me we were holding our annual fair, and since then I have been much occupied with preparing for Christmas. To-day am home-bound by the snow,--it being knee-deep between our front door and the gate, and as I have to walk half a mile to take the street cars to the city, and as it is raining on top of the deep snow, concluded it was really too bad for me to venture. Have read myself out, and being very much occupied during the week, will take advantage of the holy-day to speak on a holy topic. You suggested that we send "papers representing Unitarian ideas rather than tracts;" but papers do not contain our doctrines so explicitly. Since your last letter, have mailed to you two tracts on "Inspiration" and "Incarnation" which I thought well answered the thoughts expressed in your letter.
You will see from them that Unitarians are little troubled about Inspiration and the Divinity, or the Deity of Christ as we prefer to state it. We do believe in his divinity, for we hold that all men are divine, while we deny his being Deity. We lay greater stress on the divinity of human nature, and therefore we do not feel that Jesus is degraded by calling him man, for we exalt man. If we considered man totally depraved, then to call Jesus a mere man might seem to lower him; but when we think of the possibilities of man, and that he has it within himself to reach up to the highest manhood, and to become in a measure a saviour of the world, then to compare him with Jesus--the most glorious of men--is not lessening the divinity of the Christ, it seems to me. Or, if we held Jesus to be God, a being different from man, and so far superior to us that we never could attain to his goodness, then we never could compare the two. Jesus is an example to us because we also are divine as he is; for he prays "that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us." If man had not been of the same nature as himself, would he have thus spoken? I advise you to send to the Western Unitarian Sunday School Society for Rev. William C. Gannett's Sunday School Lesson, "The Christmas Poem and the Christmas Fact," if you wish to understand how Unitarians of the present day understand Christ. Though you may not accept, you will have our idea of the birth legends in our Gospels.
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DECEMBER 24, 1884.
My reply to your letter, by postal, was written before talking with ----. She tells me that Harvard will be decidedly the better place if not too expensive. Meadville has the advantage in that respect,--less expensive; but being near Boston, Cambridge offers better opportunities for students to engage in work by which they can support themselves in the mean time. A correspondent of ours went to Harvard a year ago last September. Had a scholarship promised him. He found a set of books to keep, and studied.... I tell you of this case, as it may help you in your decision. Meadville is very thorough, but think the younger men all give preference to Harvard; I presume as much as anything on account of the opportunities which being near Boston affords them. I have written to Professor C. C. Everett of Harvard to please send you a catalogue and answer your inquiries. We shall be very glad if our little Cincinnati branch of the Women's Auxiliary Conference is the means of securing them another Divinity student. With many good wishes of the season from the Women's Auxiliary Conference,
Very truly yours, S. ELLIS.
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JANUARY 14, 1885.
Have been obliged to change my residence, and, temporarily, am with another brother. Just came here to-day, and, not having my things about me, have not your last letter to refer to, but having received a letter from our Harvard Divinity Student this past week, wish to tell you what he says of his surroundings, and his impression of Professor Everett. He writes as follows: "I enjoy the work of the Divinity School more than I had ever hoped. We have a noble corps of professors eminently fitted for their special departments, and personally most eminent examples of Nature's noblemen. In the light of what I am now learning, I consider my former ignorance phenomenal. Thanks to Professor Everett, my faith in God is clearer and stronger than ever before. He has enabled me to reduce my chaotic philosophy to something of a system, and has helped to furnish a steadfast basis for faith. His lectures are simply invaluable. To my mind he is not only the greatest man in the Divinity School, but the greatest man in Harvard University; and not only the profoundest thinker in the Unitarian Church in our country, but the profoundest thinker to be found in any American church." ... I feel that this will be of interest to you, who are contemplating going to the Divinity School. There is another thing I wish to speak of; that is, we have quite a valuable book, "The Origin of the Doctrine of the Trinity," by Hugh H. Stannus, of England, showing how much greater cause there is for believing in the Unity of God than in the Trinity. You can have the book any time you wish, though I have just mailed it to a lady in this State. By the way, the daughter of James F. Clarke, with others, has planned a course of "Unitarian Studies at Home." The first year's course includes: 1. "The Unitarian Doctrine of Prayer," by J. F. Clarke; 2. "The Origin of the Doctrine of the Trinity," by Stannus; 3. "Jesus and His Biographers," by Dr. W. H. Furness; 4. "Christ the Revealer," by Thom; 5. "Religious Duties," by Frances Power Cobbe. We have first, second, and fourth,--at least, are to have the latter. "Jesus and His Biographers" is out of print; but we are to have that loaned to us for two months, as three ladies here, with myself, are pursuing the course, and I have also induced a lady in this county to join us. We have received quite a number of encouraging letters from our correspondents lately, and have every reason to believe the Post Office Mission work is doing good. I mailed to you this week some arguments against the Trinity. Rev. C. W. Wendte's sermon, "Encouragement for Unitarians," in "Register," January 8, I read with much interest. We have such an interesting young convert, a Methodist, in Canada. His intention is to study for the Unitarian ministry, we having brought him out into the light. I thought with how much interest he would read that sermon of Mr. Wendte's.
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APRIL 19, 1885.
Was glad to hear from you again, and find you are in a larger field. [He had gone to a Pennsylvania city.] Perhaps you may draw into your church--take it for granted you have gone there to preach--Universalists and Unitarians.... We shall be glad to loan you books again as soon as you are ready for them. Have had added to the library lately "The Origin of the Doctrine of the Trinity," by Hugh H. Stannus; "Christ the Revealer," by Thom (both English works), "The Power of the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth" and "The Story of the Resurrection," both by Dr. W. H. Furness, of Philadelphia,--the latter just published, and he presented the two to us. Am not quite ready to loan the latter, as I've not read it myself. If you know or meet with any Germans in your vicinity, we are soon to have some Unitarian tracts in the German language.... Hope you read with enthusiasm the earnest appeal for ministers at the East, and also at Meadville, in the "Register" of April 9. We hope to have two of our correspondents go to Meadville in September, and hope you may succeed in your desire to get to Harvard. We had a very pleasant letter from one of our "boys," as he styled himself, a week since. He is still enjoying his privileges there.... Hoping to hear from you again, and wishing you success in your new position, whatever it may be, in which the Women's Auxiliary Conference join,
Yours truly, SARAH ELLIS.
A gentleman in Mississippi, superintendent of schools in his county, writes of Miss Ellis as
"... One whose memorial I read with a saddened heart. A single request to her consequent upon an advertisement which I saw in a paper commenced a correspondence which continued uninterruptedly till the time of her death. Though just from the side of a dear sister whom she had left destined to a glorious immortality, she found time to write to us a letter of condolence on the great loss that we had sustained in the death of our son,--a young man just of age,--in which she blended submission to Him 'who doeth all things right,' with such words of comfort as could emanate only from a good, earnest, self-sacrificing instrument of our Heavenly Father. Than in her life of trials and troubles there has never been a greater instance of the victory of mind over matter. I am afraid that I do little good with the sermons, etc., among the people here, who, although they use the beautiful hymn, 'Nearer, my God, to Thee,' at their funerals, still look upon Unitarians as cultured heathens."