A pure earnest aim is not enough. Intellectual as well as moral armor must be bright for I know I shall have to sustain a warfare. I feel that if I do justice to my own powers (i.e., if I do my duty) I cannot remain in the background. . . . Preaching alone I should love, but I feel inwardly that something more will be sought of me—An aesthetic life —how beautiful—but the life of a Reformer, a People's Guide “battling for the right” —glorious, but, Oh how hard!In these moments of doubt his ever solicitous mother exhorted him to fresh courage and perseverance. Through these years of study in Cambridge, Wentworth made frequent visits to Brattleboro, kept the family supplied with books, and suggested lists for the village book club. He was constantly adding to his own collections of books, and wrote, ‘My library is now becoming rather imposing.’ His principal companion in the school seems to have been Mr. Samuel Longfellow, brother of the poet, who was one year in advance of Wentworth.
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take a proctorship.
Just what I wanted. . . . At 20 before 6 A. M. the bell ding-dongs for prayers.
I shall probably go to bed early and get up ditto.’
As the young man looked forward to the duties of the ministry, a feeling of despondency sometimes came over him.
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