Chapter 9: in the house of labor 1896-1897; aet. 77-78
On the fly-leaf of the Journal for 1896 is written:--
That it may please Thee, to have mercy upon all men, we beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord.“January 1. I ask for this year, or for so much of it as God may grant me, that I may do some service in [215] the war of civilization against barbarism, in my own country and elsewhere.” “January 18. ... Re-wrote and finished my Easter poem, for which gratias Deo! I have had so much small business that I almost despaired of accomplishing this poem, of which the conception is good, but the execution very faulty. I took it all to pieces to-day, kept the thoughts and altered the arrangement.” “January 23. Dinner of Sorosis at the Waldorf, at 7 o'clock.” “Reached New York at 3 P. M. Elizabeth [Mrs. John Jay Chapman] had sent maid and carriage for me, which was most kind. Had a good rest and a short walk and went to Sorosis dinner, which was very brilliant and fine. I was asked to speak and took for my topic, The day of small things; the beginning of Sorosis and the New England Woman's Club, considered so trifling a matter, yet very important because it had behind it a very important principle; the fact that the time had come in which women were bound to study, assist, and stand by each other. I quoted Christ's saying about the mustard seed. Miss Barton's mission to Armenia I called a mustard seed, and one which would have very important results.” “January 27. ... Wrote a few lines to Mrs. Charles A. Babcock, Oil City, Pennsylvania, for a woman's issue of a paper called the ‘Derrick.’ She wishes me to say what I thought would be the result of the ‘women's edition’ fad. I said that one result would be to drive to desperation those who receive letters, asking contributions to these issues.” [216] “February 9. Another inspired sermon from C. G. Ames. Miss Page asked, ‘Why is he so earnest? What does it mean?’ I replied, ‘He is in one of those waves of inspiration which come sometimes. The angel has certainly troubled the pool and we can go to it for healing.’ Returning home, I wrote some lines about my sister Annie's picture. I had in church a momentary glimpse of the meaning of Christ's saying, ‘I am the vine and ye are the branches.’ I felt how the source of our spiritual love is in the heavenly fatherhood, and how departing from our sense of this we become empty and barren. It was a moment of great comfort ....” “February 10. .. Gulesian last evening said that the Armenians want me to go to England, as a leader in advocacy of their cause. The thought brought me a new feeling of energy and enthusiasm. I think I must first help the cause in Washington, D. C.” “February 26. Hearing at State House on Suffrage. Worked at it [her address] somewhat in the early morning. Was tolerably successful in making my points. Was rather disappointed because no one applauded me. Considered that this was a lesson that we must learn, to do without praise. It comforted me to take it in this way. Soon the interest of what the others said put my own matters quite out of my mind. The hearing was a good one, all except a dreadful woman, calling herself a Socialist, full of insufferable conceit and affectation of knowledge. An English labor man spoke well.” “March 22. ... As I left church, Mrs. James Freeman [217] Clarke stopped me, took both of my hands in hers and said she was sure that the world was better for my having been in it. This from so undemonstrative a person moved me a good deal and consoled me somewhat for my poor deserts and performances in the past — a burden which often weighs heavily upon me....” “April 2. Conservatory of Music, 3 p. M. I went in fear and trembling with a violent bronchial cold and cough, in a miserable storm. I prayed all the way there that I might be pleasant in my demeanor, and I think that I was, for my trouble at having to run such a risk soon went out of my mind, and I enjoyed the occasion very much; especially meeting pupils from so many distant States, and one or two from Canada.” “April 8. .... I asked in my prayer this morning, feeling miserably dull and weak, that some deed of help and love might be given me to accomplish to-day. At noon came three gentlemen, Hagop Bogigian, Mr. Blanchard, and Mr. Breed, of Lynn, praying me to make an appeal to the women of America for their Armenian sisters, who are destroying themselves in many instances to avoid Turkish outrage. The funds subscribed for relief are exhausted and some new stimulus to rouse the public is much needed .... I felt that I had had an answer to my prayer....”
“April 20. F. J. Garrison called and made me an offer, on the part of Houghton, Mifflin & Company, that they should publish my ‘Reminiscences.’ ... I [219] accepted, but named a year as the shortest time possible for me to get such a book ready. ..” As a matter of fact, it took three years for her to complete the “Reminiscences.” During these years, while she made it her principal literary work, it still had to take its chance with the rest, to be laid down at the call of the hour and taken up again when the insistence of “screed” or poem was removed: this while in Boston or Newport. During the Roman winter, soon to be described, she wrote steadily day by day; but here she must still work at disadvantage, having no access to journals or papers, depending on memory alone. “May 7. Question: Cannot we follow up the Parliament of Religions by a Pan-Christian Association? I will try to write about this.” “May 19. Had sought much for light, or a leading thought about what I ought to do for Armenia.... Wrote fully to Senator Hoar, asking his opinion about my going abroad and whether I could have any official support.” “May 28. Moral Education Association, 10 A. M., Tremont Temple.” “I wish to record this thought which came to me on my birthday: As for individuals, no bettering of fortunes compares in importance with the bettering of character; so among nations, no extension of territory or aggregation of wealth equals in importance the fact of moral growth. So no national loss is to [220] be deplored in comparison with loss of moral earnestness.” “Oak Glen, June 30. ...Finished this afternoon my perusal of the ‘Memoir’ of Mr. John Pickering. Felt myself really uplifted by it into an atmosphere of culture and scholarship, rarely attained even by the intelligent people whom we all know ...” “July 12. .... I pray this morning for courage to undertake and fervor to accomplish something in behalf of Christian civilization against the tide of barbarism, which threatens to over-sweep it. This may be a magazine article; something, at any rate, which I shall try to write.” “ 1 P. M. Have made a pretty good beginning in this task, having writ nine pages of a screed under the heading: ‘Shall the frontier of Christendom be maintained and its domain extended?’ ”
“August 15. To-day is mercifully cool. I have about finished my A. A.W. screed, D. G. The great heats have affected me very much; my brain has been full of fever fancies and of nonsense. I prayed earnestly this morning that I might not survive my wits. I have great hope that I shall not. ...” “August 17. Have read in Minot J. Savage's Four great questions, and in the long biography of my uncle, Rev. B. C. Cutler. His piety and faithfulness appear to me most edifying. His theology at the present time seems impossible. I am sorry that I saw so very little of him after my marriage, but he was disposed to consider me as one of the lost, and I could not have met him on any religious ground. I could do this better now, having learned something of the value which very erroneous opinions may have, when they serve, as in his case, to stimulate right effort and true feeling.” [223]
“September 15. In the cars, reading the Duke of Argyll's fine opuscule, ‘Our [England's] Responsibilities for Turkey,’ my heart was lifted up in agonized prayer. I said, ‘O God! give me a handwriting on the wall, that I may truly know what I can do for these people.’ And I resolved not to go back from the purpose which prompted this prayer.” “Arrived at St. John [New Brunswick] and was made very welcome. Reception in the evening by the [224] ladies of the Council. Speeches: Rev. Mr. De Wars, Anglican minister, spoke of our taking A. A.W. to England. I wondered if this was my handwriting on the wall.” “October 10. Wheaton Seminary Club, Vendome. Reminiscences of Longfellow and Emerson.... As I was leaving one lady said to me, ‘Mrs. Howe, you have shocked me very much, and I think that when you go to the other world, you will be sorry that you did not stay as you were,’ i.e., Orthodox instead of Unitarian. Miss Emerson apologized to me for this rather uncivil greeting. I feel sure that the lady misunderstood something in my lecture. What, I could not tell.” “November 1. The Communion service was very delightful. I prayed quite earnestly this morning that the dimness of sight, which has lately troubled me, might disappear. My eyes are really better to-day. I seemed at one moment during the service to see myself as a little child in the Heavenly Father's Nursery, having played my naughty pranks (alas!) and left my tasks unperformed, but coming, as bedtime draws near, to kiss and be forgiven.”
The year 1897 brought new activities. The Lodge Immigration Bill roused her to indignation and protest; there were “screeds” and letters to the powers that were. In the early spring came another crisis in the East, Greece and Crete bearing this time the brunt of Turkish violence. Thirty years had passed since Crete made her first stand for independence; years of dumb suffering and misery. Now her people rose again in revolt against their brutal masters, and this time Greece felt strong enough to stand openly by her Cretan brothers. Our mother was deeply moved by this new need, which recalled so many precious memories. The record of the spring of 1897 is much concerned with it. Written on the fly-leaf of the Journal: “The good God make me grateful for this new year, of which I am allowed to see the beginning. Thy kingdom come! I have many wishes, but this prayer will carry them all. January 1, 1897.” “Oh, dear!” [226] “January 4.... Went in the evening to see the Smith College girls, Class of ‘95, play ‘Midsummer Night's Dream.’ A most lovely and ideal performance. Their representation of the Athenian clowns was incredibly good, especially of Nick Bottom.” “January 5. ... Was grieved and shocked to learn early this morning that my brilliant neighbor, General Francis A. Walker, had died during the night. He always greeted me with chivalrous courtesy, and has more than once given me his arm to help me homeward, when he has found me battling with the high winds in or near Beacon Street....”
“April 2. Evening; celebration of twenty-fifth year of Saturday Morning Club. Have writ draft of an open letter regarding Greek matters; also finished a very short screed for this evening....” “April 18.... I determined to work more for the [227] Greeks and to try and write something about the craze prevailing just now for the Eastern religions, which are rather systems of speculation than of practical religion.”
“April 26. Received permission to use Faneuil Hall for a Woman's Meeting of Aid and Sympathy for Greece....” “May 3. Working at sending out notices of the Faneuil Hall meeting.” “May 4. The day was auspicious for our meeting. Although very tired with the preparations, I wrote my little screed, dressed, and went betimes to the Hall, where I was expected to preside. I found it prettily arranged, though at very small expense. I wore as a badge a tiny Greek flag made of blue and white ribbon, and brought badges of these colors for the young ladies who were to take up the collection. Many whom I had requested to come were present. Sarah Whitman, Lizzie Agassiz, Mrs. Cornelius Felton, Mrs. Fields, Mrs. Whitney, besides our Committee and Mrs. Barrows. M. Anagnos gave us the band of the Institution, [229] which was a great help. They played several times. I introduced C. G. Ames, who made a prayer. My opening address followed. Mmes. Livermore and Woolson, and Anagnos made the most important addresses. As the band played ‘America,’ a young Greek came in, bearing the Greek flag, which had quite a dramatic effect. The meeting was enthusiastic and the contribution unusual for such a meeting, three hundred and ninety-seven dollars and odd cents. Thank God for this success.” “May 13. .. . Head desperately bad in the morning. .. Have done no good work to-day, brain being unserviceable. Did, however, begin a short screed for my speech at Unitarian Festival.” “The Round Table was most interesting. Rev. S. J. Barrows read a carefully studied monograph of the Greek struggle for liberty. Mr. Robinson, of the Art Museum, spoke mostly of the present desperate need. I think I was called next. I characterized the Turks as almost “ferae naturae.” Spoke of the low level of European diplomacy. Said that we must fall back upon the ethical people, but hope for a general world movement making necessary the adoption of a higher level of international relation — look to the religious world to uphold the principle that no religion can henceforth be allowed to propagate itself by bloodshed.” “May 18. A lecture at Westerly, Rhode Island .... My lameness made the ascent of steps and stairs very painful....” “May 22. Heard a delightful French Conference [230] and reading from M. Louis. Had a fit of timidity about the stairs, which were high and many; finally got down. Had a worse one at home, where could not get up the staircase on my feet, and had to execute some curious gymnastics to get up at all.” “May 25. My knee was very painful in the night, and almost intolerable in the morning, so sent for Wesselhloeft, who examined it and found the trouble to proceed from an irritation of a muscle, probably rheumatic in character. He prescribed entire rest and threatened to use a splint if it should not soon be better. I must give up some of my many engagements, and cannot profit by the doings of this week, alas!” “May 27. I am to speak at the Unitarian Festival; dinner at 5 P. M.” “This is my seventy-eighth birthday. If the good God sees fit to grant me another year, may He help me to fill it with good work. I am still very lame, but perhaps a little better for yesterday's massage. Gifts of flowers from many friends began early to arrive, and continued till late in the evening. The house was resplendent and fragrant with them. I worried somewhat about the evening's programme and what I should say, but everything went well. Kind Dr. Baker Flynt helped me, cushion and all, into Music Hall, and several gentlemen assisted me to the platform, where I was seated between the Chairman of the Festival Committee and Robert Collyer. ... I desired much to have the word for the occasion, but I am not sure whether I had.” “June 2. My first day of ‘ solitary confinement.’ ...” [231]
“June 6.... Have writ a note to little John Jeffries, aet. six years, who sent me a note in his own writing, with a dollar saved out of five cents per week, for the ‘poor Armenians.’ He writes: ‘I don't like the Turks one bit. I think they are horrid.’ Have sent note and dollar to A. S. B. for the Armenian orphans.” “June 27, Oak Glen. My first writing in this dear place. Carrie Hall yesterday moved me down into dear Chev's bedroom on the first floor, Wesselhoeft having forbidden me to go up and down stairs. I rebelled inwardly against this, but am compelled to acknowledge that it is best so. Carrie showed great energy in moving down all the small objects to which she supposed me to be attached. I have now had an exquisite [234] sitting in my green parlor, reading a sermon of dear James Freeman Clarke's.” “June 28. Wrote my stint of ‘Reminiscences’ in the morning.... At bedtime had very sober thoughts of the limitation of life. It seemed to me that the end might be near. My lameness and the painful condition of my feet appear like warnings of a decline of physical power, which could only lead one way. My great anxiety is to see Maud before I depart.” “July 10. I dreamed last night, or rather this morning, that I was walking as of old, lightly and without pain. I cried in my joy: ‘Oh, some one has been mindcuring me. My lameness has disappeared.’ Have writ a pretty good screed about John Brown.” “July 22.... Dearest Maud and Jack arrived in the evening. So welcome I I had not seen Jack in two years. I had begun to fear that I was never to see Maud again.” “July 26. Had a little time of quiet thought this morning, in which I seemed to see how the intensity of individual desire would make chaos in the world of men and women if there were not a conquering and reconciling principle of harmony above them all. This to my mind can be no other than the infinite wisdom and infinite love which we call God.” “August 18. I prayed this morning for some direct and definite service which I might render. At noon a reporter from the New York Journal arrived, beseeching me to write something to help the young Cuban girl, who is in danger of being sent to the Spanish Penal Colony [Ceuta] in Africa. I wrote an appeal in her behalf and suggested a cable to the Pope. [235] This I have already written. The Hearsts will send it. This was an answer to my prayer. Our dear H. M. H. arrived at 3 P. M....” “August 29. Had a little service for my own people, Flossy and her four children. Spoke of the importance of religious culture. Read the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. Flossy thought the wise ones unkind not to be willing to share with the foolish. I suggested that the oil pictured something which could not be given in a minute. Cited Beecher's saying, which I have so long remembered, that we cannot get religion as we order a suit of clothes. If we live without it, when some overwhelming distress or temptation meets us, we shall not find either the consolation or the strength which true faith gives.” “September 23.. Have just learned by cable from Rome that my dearest sister Louisa died yesterday morning. Let me rather hope that she awoke from painful weakness and infirmity into a new glory of spiritual life. Her life here has been most blameless, as well as most beautiful. Transplanted to Rome in her early youth and beauty, she became there a centre of disinterested hospitality, of love and of charity. She was as rare a person in her way as my sweet sister Annie. Alas! I, of less desert than either, am left, the last of my dear father's and mother's children. God grant that my remaining may be for good! And God help me to use faithfully my little remnant of life in setting my house in order, and in giving such completeness as I can to my life-work, or rather, to its poor efforts.” “September 25. Was sad as death at waking, pondering [236] my many difficulties. The day is most lovely. I have read two of Dr. Hedge's sermons and feel much better. One is called ‘The Comforter,’ and was probably written in view of the loss of friends by death. It speaks of the spirit of a true life, which does not pass away when the life is ended, but becomes more and more dear and precious to loving survivors. The text, from John XVI, 7: ‘It is expedient for you that I go away.’ Have writ a good screed about the Rome of 1843-44.”
In November, 1897, she sailed for Italy with the Elliotts.
