Regular presentation of the truth, doctrinal and practical, Bible study in classes, studies on missions, and missionary meetings, all went on as before; personal effort was not remitted, but above all the teachers gave themselves to prayer. Sometimes the answer came more speedily, and greater numbers were led to Christ than at other times; but as formerly, special blessings, were given every year. At one time a teacher wrote: "We see again that while God works by means he does not depend on them. Whatever may be said about means and measures to promote revivals, I am more and more convinced that the most important means is prayer, and the most effective measure is prayer." 

When Miss Lyon was in Boston at the time Miss Fiske left for Persia, she met at the house of Deacon Safford, his pastor, Dr. Kirk, who thenceforward took 

PAGE 202  

a warm interest in the seminary. His first visit was in 1844 when he made the anniversary address. He came next with Deacon and Mrs. Safford near the end of the summer term in 1855. The evening of their arrival he took charge of the weekly meeting. At the opening of the service, though uncertain in regard to the result, he invited any present who were seeking the Saviour and would like counsel, to come to him as to an elder brother. His discourse upon the parable of the prodigal son stirred many hearts. Christians retired to pray. More than twenty availed themselves of the opportunity for personal conversation, and at least one found peace in believing. 

He spoke again in the morning, and by request of the school held a service the next evening. Many sought his personal counsels, and the work grew on his hands while he stayed. In two weeks he came again for a few days, and then for a few more at the end of the term. The Spirit accompanied his words with power. Perhaps none were made more impressive than these: 

In all the future, let your religious duties be supreme. 

I must meet the Bible, I must meet the cross, I must meet Christ,' should be the language of every heart every day." In those few weeks there were about thirteen cases of hopeful conversion, but the work was mainly in stimulating Christians to a holier life. Before this no one had been called in for evangelistic labors, but Dr. Kirk regarded these results an answer to the question which he and Miss Lyon had often discussed-whether he could profitably labor with the school in times of religious interest. From this time he visited it at least once a year, frequently choosing the day of prayer for colleges. Teachers and pupils welcomed him as a friend and counselor. In 1856 he was elected trustee in the place made vacant by the death of Deacon Safford. From 1858 to the close of his life in 1874, he was president of the board. 

"Yesterday, February 2, 1859," wrote a graduate of that year, "Mrs. Stoddard and her daughter Sarah 

PAGE 203 

from Persia, were visiting the seminary. As we were gathering about the tables for dinner, a lady whom we had never seen entered the hall with Miss Chapin. As soon as little Sarah caught sight of her she left her place and eagerly ran to greet her. Then we knew Miss Fiske had come. It is sixteen years this month since she left the seminary and Miss Chapin is the only one of our family whom she has seen before." 

Miss Fiske's impressions of the seminary on her return are given in the following letter, dated February 8, 1859:- 

MY DEAR MISSIONARY SISTERS: Your journalist gives me space for a few lines, and I am glad thus to write to you all from our loved Holyoke home. I find it home here still and the spirit of 1843 unchanged. The whole teacher band and the pupils too have made me feel that I am not a stranger. It has done me good to hear these dear sisters pray for you. You may be greatly encouraged by this to labor in your blessed work; when weary, and when you lie down for the night's rest, you may be assured that the lamp still burns here. I find that sixteen years have greatly changed Holyoke, but I can rejoice in the changes, for they make our home a better one, and I love to think that dear Miss Lyon rejoices in them. Her spirit lingers here and her prayers are answered in the Lord's providing for every department. Miss Lyon's last charge to me was, 'Remember your duty to the seminary,' and I seem still to hear her saying so to all her missionary daughters. I trust that you are and will be more faithful than I have been to our Alma Mater. Write often, thus showing your undiminished interest in our old home, and more, tell your friends of your work, of your trials in it, that thus they may know how to carry you to their Father. Our work is one, whether at home or abroad, and it is deeply affecting to me to find so many here who love to make my cares and labors their own, and to give me their warmest sympathies and earnest prayers. There is far more of this than I ever dreamed of finding, and 

PAGE 204  

it makes me long to be once more in my Persian home, trying to serve my dear Saviour better than I have done." 

At a later date she wrote: "To-day finds the seminary carrying out the principles on which it was established, as prosperously as when Miss Lyon left it, and with a larger number of pupils. It is no longer looked upon as an experiment and with suspicion; but it has a name and an important place among the educational institutions of our land." 

Letters received from Miss Fiske and others who had gone from the seminary had contributed much to the interest of missionary meetings, and their frequent visits when in this country were more than welcome. Miss Fiske's return gave new impulse to this interest, and the months she spent at the seminary in the five subsequent years were perhaps no less useful than her sixteen years in Persia. 

It was a happy thought that led Miss Chapin in 1859 to propose a reunion at the seminary of those Holyoke missionaries who were then in the country, inviting them to bring their husbands and children. It resulted in a representative gathering June 30th from many stations of the American Board, which was itself represented by Rev. Dr. Anderson. Of the fifteen ladies, five had been teachers here. Besides the forty-two from mission families, Mrs. Banister, Mrs. Cowles, and other friends made an assembly of more than one hundred guests. It seemed like a meeting of the Board in miniature. Short addresses were given in the seminary hall both morning and afternoon, interspersed with singing by the young ladies. The welcome was extended by Dr. Hitchcock, as one of the trustees. Dr. Anderson expressed his view of the importance of the seminary to missionary work by saying that to no college in the United States did he turn with so much interest while feeling the pulse of missions, as to this institution. He stated that sixty graduates had been missionaries of the Board and that twenty-eight were then in the field. 

PAGE 205 

In the afternoon the missionaries occupied the platform, and were separately introduced to the audience by Dr. Anderson. As those from each station were named they rose to be recognized. Brief addresses from each gentleman followed, the tone of remark indicating the privilege felt in sacrifice for Christ's sake. One said, "It is worth all the suffering we experience to be drawn by it to Christ." It was ascertained that those present had performed an aggregate of three hundred and ninety-eight years of missionary service, besides Dr. Anderson's thirty-seven years as secretary. 

The missionary interest that year was deepened by a visit of Miss Fiske in search of one to assist Miss Rice, whom she had left in her school with only native help. Several responded to her appeal and Miss Aura J. Beach of the senior class was the one appointed. Much of her outfit was prepared by the young ladies. Shortly before her embarkation in February, 1860, a party of forty went from the seminary to Amherst to attend the ordination of Rev. A. L. Thompson. That service was followed by a briefer one, in which Miss Esther E. Munsell, of Amherst - another Holyoke pupil - became Mrs. Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were also to join the Nestorian mission, and to sail in the same vessel with Miss Beach. 

Of some years not marked by special spiritual interest, facts like the following are given. In three weeks from the beginning of a year a section teacher writes: "One of the twenty in my care, and two others of the new scholars, have, we trust, accepted Christ. The change of rooms is to be made next week and many have already expressed a desire to have Christian roommates." One Sabbath five students agreed that each would pray specially for some one out of Christ. In two weeks they met again, bringing with them the objects of their prayers, all rejoicing in their Saviour; but instead of ten there were thirteen, for one of the number had a special interest for five persons 

PAGE 206  

and could not select one and leave the rest, and for four of them prayer had been heard. In two of those cases, as in others, the prayers of home friends had been unceasing. The mother of one wrote that the ladies of the church were praying for her and that her father felt that he could not continue preaching if his own children refused Christ. One wrote home at that time:- 

"Lessons are learned and recited as usual, work is done and walks are taken; you may see two walking more slowly than usual and perhaps farther, that they may have more time to talk. From their tone and manner you may guess the nature of their theme; you might think it very still during prayers, but a stranger might stay for days in the family and never know how much feeling exists. Last Sabbath was a solemn day. Mr. Swift's morning sermon was on responsibility for the salvation of others, from the text, 'The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.' Many were impressed with the truth enforced, that responsibility is not self-assumed and therefore cannot be laid aside at will. In the afternoon, the words, 'Come thou and all thy house into the ark,' were used to show the obligation resting on the impenitent. A few, we trust, are disposed to acknowledge this truth. Pray for them and for us all." 

At another time there was unusual interest in the village church, which had set apart a day for prayer, and the pastor - Mr. Mead - proposed that instead of a forenoon meeting there should be a concert of prayer from closets all over the parish between the hours of nine and ten. "That morning," says another home letter, "Miss Hopkins found a note on her desk asking, 'May we not all be "with one accord in one place" at the same time?' In compliance, recitations were postponed for fifteen minutes that all who wished might assemble in the lecture room. The faith of those who thought only a few would attend was soon rebuked, for every seat was filled and extra chairs were placed 

PAGE 207 

in the aisles till there was no room for more. Afterward I heard one ask another, 'How did it seem to, you?' 'As if Christ was there in person,' was the reply, and we all felt the same." 

In July, 1860, the trustees expressed their appreciation of Miss Fiske's labors during the year and desired her to spend as much time in the seminary as was consistent with her other plans. She complied with the request and gave much of her time to the religious instruction of the school. Her apt and simple methods of explaining and applying Biblical truth interested and profited all who heard her.  

The following account of the year 1862-3 is from the private journal of a teacher:- 

The year was one of chastening. Of the three hundred pupils scarcely one had not a near friend in the army, and the silence that fell on the household at every allusion to the war showed the depth of feeling. Said Miss Fiske, who spent much of that year with us: "I can never speak of our country here without bringing tears to many eyes. It is heart work as well as work of the hands to which we are called." Tidings of sorrow came to many. In the first seven weeks five were called home by the illness or death of friends, and two heard of the death of soldier brothers. In the second term eighteen similar messages came within fourteen weeks; and during one week in July six were summoned to the bedside of friends not connected with the army. 

One day a senior, scanning the papers for war news, came upon the list of killed at Port Hudson, and read in it the name of her own brother. She had no lesson the next morning. The father of another in the class and the brother of a third were wounded in the same engagement. A fourth had two brothers at Port Hudson and the home of a fifth was in danger front the invading army. Others were in suspense because no word came from father or brother. What wonder if that Butler lesson was hard to recite! 

Throughout the year the daily or weekly prayer meeting for soldiers was well attended. In private interviews perhaps teachers prayed with pupils and pupils with each other oftener than had been their wont, but in other respects there was nothing marked. Out of one hundred not Christians when they came, twelve expressed hope in Christ during the first term, and on Sabbath evenings met in Miss Chapin's room for prayer. In the second term each week added to their number, but there was no general interest till the day of prayer for colleges. To that we had looked forward with unusual solicitude. On the Saturday preceding, a missionary address by Rev. Mr. Bushnell, of the Gaboon

Mission, closed with an earnest personal appeal. At morning devotions on fast-day, Miss Hopkins read a note from him referring to the large company he had addressed on Saturday whose spiritual interests continued to weigh upon his heart. His message was as moving as his appeal had been, and his assurances of remembering us on that day reminded us of the multitudes who would also be praying for us. In appointing prayer meetings for the day, provision was made for notes of request. Perhaps a hundred were presented; one read like this, "Pray for me that I may be a better Christian." Others were as follows: "Please pray that one of your number who has long professed to be a Christian may lead a more holy life." "Pray for one in this family who has been following Jesus afar off." "Please pray earnestly for me that I may become a Christian to-day." Will you not pray for my roommate, that she may find her Saviour this very day." The meetings increased in size till the room could hold no more, and another was opened for the overflow. We thought of those who were praying for us and wished they could know that while they were yet speaking, God had heard. At the church service in the afternoon, the sermon by Dr. Eddy, of Northampton, was about the Syrophenician woman. It was listened to in almost breathless silence. In the evening each section teacher met the Christians under her charge. Miss H- and Miss E- met the others in the usual Thursday evening divisions, while the remaining teachers gathered to pray for all. 

The next evening eighteen responded to an invitation given to those who bad recently found Christ. The preaching of Mr. Mead, always so well adapted to our need, was peculiarly so on the Sabbath following, and in the evening the number in Miss Chapin's room was thirty. New voices were heard in recess meetings, some of them tremulous with confessions of returning wanderers. In one room the early part of fast-day found the occupants reading novels; in the evening they were praying that they might help each other live for Christ. In conversation with one young lady a teacher repeated the remark she had heard made about her, "Why! is -- a Christian? I never thought she was." Her distress that her light had been so dim led others to ask, "Can the same be said of me?" 

March 9 -Interest in missions was deepened last October, when school was suspended for two days that all might attend the annual meeting of the American Board in Springfield. That we may become more intelligent in matters pertaining to the progress of the kingdom of Christ, a plan has recently been adopted for each section to appoint some of its members to collect geographical and historical facts about a given mission station, to report once or twice a week, once at the missionary recess meeting. Just now circumstances increase the previous interest. Last Saturday our hearts were moved for the needy children of New York City by an address from the superintendent of the Howard Mission. Yesterday a sermon by Rev. Dr. Hooker on Home Missions reminded us that the Howard Mission is not the only one in New York City, and that New York is not the only place where 

laborers are needed. To-day we feel not only that our country is in need but that the field is the world. At devotions this morning Miss Hopkins read a letter from Secretary Treat of the American Board asking for three teachers, one for the Gaboon Mission, one for Bulgarians at Eski Zagra, and one for Armenians at Marsovan. Some have been praying, "Show us an open door." Doors are open, near, and far away. In the course of the day, six went to talk with Miss Chapin or Miss Hopkins, others to other teachers, and more than half the senior class met for prayer in the evening in connection with the call. 

March 16. - Six new ones attended the meeting, for young Christians last evening. These met by themselves again to pray for those f still without hope. Of that number seventeen went to-night to Miss Chapin's room, thus signifying their unwillingness to let this season pass by and leave them unsaved. This meeting was appointed with hesitation, for we are busy with our spring examinations; but it was thought that two or three might be benefited by it. Though the evening was full of extra engagements, when the bell rang, these seventeen did not forget their purpose. Miss Chapin says she never before knew it on this wise during examinations. 

April 2. State Fast. - Prof. E. A. Park spoke at devotions on the fifty-first Psalm ; at church on Galatians ii. 20. "I am crucified with Christ." The different prayer meetings were even more fully attended than on the last day of prayer, and overflow meetings went on at the same time. In one, three minutes were spent in silent prayer for those present without hope, a silence broken only by sobs. Of the requests presented, those for home churches and pastors were reserved till evening, when we assembled in the seminary hall. Some spoke of revivals already in progress; others were notes of thanks for answers to prayers previously asked. Before closing, Miss Hopkins called for one more prayer for those among us who do not pray for themselves. All Christian hearts were moved, and many had no voice to sing the hymn that followed, "Thou wouldst be saved - why not to-night?" We trust our prayers are already answered for one at least. 

Friday, April 13 - Miss Chapin returned from Boston Saturday and at teachers' meeting Sabbath morning told its that she went away to confer with Mr. Treat, Miss Fiske, and others about the missionary teachers. Of those who responded to the call a few days ago, it is probable that two will go, Miss Fritcher and Miss Ballantine. To some of us this was entirely unexpected. The burden of the broken petitions that followed was that a spirit of entire consecration ]night be given to all of us. At our monthly concert in the evening Miss Hopkins read letters from China and India, and at the close alluded to the call she had recently read to us, and said: "The one to go to Africa was needed very soon and before a response was received from. us another bad offered and been accepted; so that honor was not for us." But she added, Our Father gives us the privilege of sending two of our teachers." 

The breathless silence before their names were given, was followed by the sound of unrepressed emotion from Miss Fritcher's section, though, to prevent too sudden a surprise, she had told them of her plans before the meeting. 

On Wednesday, April 8th, word came that the teachers must be ready to sail the last of May, too soon for Miss Ballantine to hear from her parents in India, and it is necessary to find one who can go without delay. 

Summer term, May 7. - At breakfast Miss Chapin stated the position of the contending forces in Virginia. Our weekly meeting to-night was given to prayer for our army and country. The news of Hooker's retreat across the Rappahannock fills us with anxiety. We have many brothers there. 

May 9. - Miss Hopkins read to us from the 11 Missionary Offering," and proposed that our annual contribution be taken up before Miss Fritcher comes to take leave of us and that so much of it as is needed be applied for her outfit. 

May 21 - On Tuesday Miss Fiske gave some account of the Armenians to whom Miss Fritcher is going and of the nature of her work among them. She also told us of her own departure twenty years ago; of the willing hands that made ready her outfit in one short week and of her renewed courage years after, on taking up a spool of thread or a paper of pins and seeing "Mt. Hol. Sem." by the side of her own name. Then she named various articles needed by Miss Fritcher which any might contribute. Every suggestion was eagerly caught and Miss Fiske's room was soon crowded. Through the evening, packages kept coming till almost every useful article to be thought of, from work box and writing desk with furnishing complete, to hammer and screw driver, - had been brought. And still the question came, "What can I give?" That none should be deprived, Miss Fiske gave another list on Wednesday, including saddle, riding suit, rubber suit, and other articles which could be procured by joint gifts. One thought of chintz for curtains and lounge covers. Another was sure there would be flowers to gather and brought a pair of vases. Anna B. said it seemed like the time in India two years ago when there was such a spirit of giving in the native churches. 

Wednesday, May 27. - Miss Reynolds, of Springfield, who goes to Eski Zagra instead of Miss Ballantine, has made us a brief visit. For two weeks we have given all our spare time to Miss Fritcher’s sewing, but to-night the lecture room is in order again, for the sewing is done, and the boxes are packed. 

Thursday. - The work finished, we met in the hall last evening for a farewell service. In a few words Miss Fritcher expressed her thanks for the privilege of going, for the blessings with which she was sent forth, but most of all for the many assurances of continued prayer. Miss Hopkins repeated this assurance in behalf of us all, and once more we committed her and her work to Him who permits us to make this

offering. Though there has been no formal laying on of hands we regard her as belonging henceforth to the daughters of Turkey. 

From the hall tile young ladies went to the parlors to say good-by. She left at five this morning. Most of the teachers rode with her to the railway station, but before taking our seats in the coach we went to number 111 for one more prayer in the place where we had so often met. Early as it was, a large number were waiting as we passed out of the gate and rode away. At Springfield she meets Miss Reynolds. Miss Hopkins and Miss Pond will be with them till they sail from New York, Saturday noon. 

June 30 - This is Miss Chapin's birthday. We had planned a surprise for the evening, by assembling the school in tile seminary hall arranged as a drawing room and then sending for her, after which strawberries and cream were to be served. Mr. Chapin was enlisted in the plan, the berries procured, and arrangements made in detail, including preparations for singing. But the news from the army and the prevailing anxiety took away all heart for festivity and the plan was abandoned. Miss Chapin and the school enjoyed the strawberries at supper quite ignorant of the purpose for which they were procured. 

Saturday, July 4. - We celebrated the day by inviting the children of the Sabbath-school to spend the afternoon. The young ladies entertained them in the seminary hall, which was decorated as it was not oil Tuesday evening. Though many older hearts were with the army at Gettysburg, to the children the world was all brightness. They sang songs, played in the yard, in the court, and in the ball. It was a pleasant sight at supper to see those fifty faces scattered about among us, some of them peering just above the table, others, though smaller, yet higher than they, because some big book made a common chair as good as the "high chair " at home. 

July 16. - Rev. Daniel Bliss, of Syria, preached last Sabbath and spoke in the seminary hall in the evening. We have had visits also from Mr. and Mrs. Hazen, soon to return to Bombay, and from Dr. Gulick, who told us much about Micronesia. In response to an opportunity for asking questions nearly one hundred were written, embracing a great variety of subjects. 

End of the term - Within a few days two, we trust, have given themselves to the service of Christ. Nearly twenty are still undecided. It was sad to see so many go away without the love of Christ in their hearts. What a work it is to watch for souls! Tile sad and the joyful are strangely mingled in our thoughts, whether of school work or of our country. The news of Vicksburg's surrender and of successes in Virginia will always be associated with tidings of bereavement. In proposing a concert of prayer through vacation Miss Fiske reminded us that we must probably share still further in sacrifices for our country, and that though some have now no father, and not another brother to give, every one of us can and should give her country one faithful woman.

School opened September, 1863, with a family of three hundred and forty besides teachers, nearly two-thirds being old scholars, and the number without hope in Christ was even larger than the year before. Other cares so filled the time and thoughts of the teachers, as to take precedence of religious work. But Miss Fiske reminded them that they must not think too much of their own labors; if they were faithful in doing the work which God gave them, he would care for souls, They felt the rebuke when eighteen were found to have just begun to trust in Christ. By Thanksgiving that number was twenty-five. Early in February the teachers made special efforts to reach Christians personally, It was soon evident that the Spirit was deepening a sense of Christian responsibility in many hearts. February 4th, the teacher who conducted the weekly meeting with those out of Christ left it, overwhelmed with a sense of the powerlessness of mere human effort, and begged her friends to renew their prayers for divine power. 

The following Sabbath evening, after meeting thirty of those not Christians, Miss Fiske said: "There was quiet solemnity in the meeting, but I sat with them in tears, for I found not one in earnest for eternal life. Many of them even refused to be spoken with." 

On Tuesday evening, February 9th, after a sermon by Dr. Kirk on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, fifteen remained for personal conversation, all but two professing Christians. Thursday morning his text was, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate." During recreation before supper the lecture room was crowded with those who met to pray; the hush at table was very marked. On leaving to meet an appointment in Albany, Dr. Kirk said, "It seems to me you are about to see a glorious work here. I wish I could stay and help you," - and arranged to return Friday night. He was in doubt what to preach that evening and said before going to the hall that he felt as never before that he was only a messenger, and  

PAGE 213 

asked the teachers to pray for him, - not knowing that they had spent the preceding half hour in that way. He spoke from the words, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve," - setting forth the claims of God and pressing this point: "If you do not choose to serve God, you choose not to serve him-sitting here in these seats." He invited those who desired personal conversation to remain and asked Christians to retire and pray for them. The benediction was pronounced-but no one stirred, till a sign from Miss Chapin reminded Christians of his request. Teachers and pupils went out to give themselves to prayer, alone, or in groups. About forty remained in their seats in different parts of the hall. After speaking with each, Dr. Kirk asked those who wished to unite in a prayer of consecration to stand while he offered it, cautioning them not to rise unless ready to devote themselves to God. Some rose at once, others as the prayer proceeded. On one settee were three seniors; at first one stood alone, then the second rose, while the one between, who had for some time seemed to be almost persuaded, kept her seat to the end. 

An hour after leaving the hall, the teachers were drawn one by one to Miss Chapin's parlor to learn about this after-meeting. Dr. Kirk could not speak of it without tears. As they told him of various perplexing cases he remarked that for forty years he had been studying to learn how to pray, and how to lead a soul to Christ, and found both more unfathomable every year. At breakfast Saturday, Miss Chapin found a note by her plate asking if the day might not be given to prayer. She replied by asking those who wished this each to write her a note to that effect. Within an hour, one hundred and forty notes came. School exercises were shortened and prayer meetings appointed as on fast-days. Whenever two or three found leisure moments, the time was given to intercession, and for a few days there were literally prayer meetings all the time. Miss Fiske said those days were like "the 

PAGE 214  

breakings down in the first years of the seminary, when the strong tide swept all before it." 

On the Sabbath, Rev. Dr. Reed, of New Jersey, preached, and God used him to carry on his work. On Monday evening, February 15th, Miss Fiske appointed a meeting in the lecture room for those who had become Christians since the school year began. She wanted to see them in the same room where she met that company of one hundred and fourteen the first Sabbath of the year. She had a list of their names and asked those present to rise as she read their names. One rose - another - and another - then a name and no response. It was a solemn roll-call. Of the seventy-four 'present, thirty-seven had chosen the service of the Lord since the preceding Friday. So rapid had been the work that intimate friends recognized each other there with mutual surprise. Of the forty names to which there was no response, ten were at their homes and eighteen were at that hour in the north wing parlor as inquirers. Before the term closed, the seventy-four had become nearly ninety, and the number in the family bearing the name of Christ - about three hundred and twenty - was greater than ever before. 

The joyful word was sent Miss Fritcher that all her section were in that number, and that those were praying for her who had never prayed with her. 

The day of prayer for colleges found the teachers giving thanks for blessings received, and pleading for help in rightly guiding the young converts, whose future character would be largely determined by the first few months of their Christian life. One prayer meeting that day was devoted to the schools in Oxford, Painesville, and Oroomiah. The last was too far away to be heard from so soon, but before the term closed, from each of those in Ohio came news of revivals which began or received impetus on that day. In Oxford forty-one out of fifty-seven were rejoicing in Christ. 

Just after that memorable Friday, allusion was made at devotions to the many letters written every 

PAGE 215 

recreation day, and to the influence that they might have when sent from such a place at such a time. Before the end of the term many interesting facts were reported in connection with the answers to those written after that suggestion. Pages might be filled with the answers to prayer. In March an opportunity was given for those who had presented requests, to write notes if they had reason to believe that prayer had been answered. The notes in response were more than could be read in half an hour. The experience of those weeks was to many like a fresh revelation from heaven that God hears prayer. 

Almost every large ingathering of souls had been connected with a call for sacrifice. It was so now. In March Dr. Anderson came with the request for another teacher for Turkey. Though only one was called for, it was a matter, as Miss Chapin said, in which every one had a new call to entire consecration. 

The close of the term is thus described by Miss Fiske, who seemed to have a special anointing for those last months of service. 

"May 25, 1864. - I have been in my room much of the time the last weeks, but with care and rest have been able to attend meetings and point souls to Christ. Sometimes I have spoken to the whole school. Last Monday night I met the dear young disciples. They pledged to remember each other at the hour of sunset. Last night, even in the midst of carrying out the baggage, we had a prayer meeting of more than two hundred. It was one of the most delightful in which I ever had a part. A great company left about five this morning, but not till they had held a prayer meeting. When the second company of seventy were ready to leave we went to the library and had three prayers before we separated. They were all ready to go, and so we continued praying till the 'long bell' told us the carriages were at the door. It seemed so much like other years; just like that eastern home." 

PAGE 216  

The summer term witnessed generous gifts and busy scenes like those of the year before, for Miss Pond, another teacher, was to follow Miss Fritcher to Turkey -making the fifth representative of the, class of '57, in that field. Though she was to sail in the long vacation and final preparations could not be completed at the seminary, yet it was counted a privilege to aid in every way possible. But at this time Miss Fiske was not present. May 12th she wrote from her Shelburne home: "I cannot now make any effort without suffering, so I am very good in obeying medical advisers, and am really doing nothing. Those scenes of last winter were too much for me, but I shall love to go to heaven from them." 

A shadow rested upon us which increased as the weeks went on and frequent tidings told us how she suffered. On Wednesday of anniversary week Dr. Kirk read to us at devotions her last message:- 

To the Teachers and Pupils of Mount Holyoke Seminary:-  

   I cannot allow you to separate without blessing you once more, in the name of tile Lord. I want to thank you for those precious notes from you which have come flocking to my room for the past few days. I should love to write to you individually, but I cannot do it, nor even collectively except by the hand of another. Your notes have been an exceeding comfort to me, and your repeated assurances of remembrance in prayer have been more to me than any earthly good; let me thank you for it all, and assure you that Jesus will not forget it. I have loved you all tenderly and have loved to labor with you, and could I be with you this morning to give you one parting word it would not be a now one, but it is one which I would you should ever hold in remembrance-live for Christ. In so living we shall all be blessed in time and eternity. 

   Ever yours in the Lord, 

FIDELIA FISKE. 

A week later her sufferings were over. In the record book of the trustees, we find these words:- 

Whereas, It has pleased the Great I-lead of the Church to remove from her earthly labors Miss Fidelia Fiske, once a pupil and teacher in this institution, 

Resolved, That this board hereby express their appreciation of her eminent Christian character, her valuable services as a missionary, and

especially her labors in this seminary after her return from the missionary field. 

Resolved, That we regard the return of Miss Fiske to the seminary, her example, her religious instructions, and her entire personal influence in the seminary as the gracious reward to Miss Lyon for the sacrifice she made in yielding her to the missionary cause when her services seemed to be of great importance to the institution.

The following minute was recorded by the trustees, July 20, 1864:- 

Resolved, That, while in the death of Rev. Dr. Edward Hitchcock, the church of Christ has lost one of its most useful members, the. ministry one of its ablest preachers, science one of its brightest lights, and education one of its most intelligent and influential leaders, Mount Holyoke Seminary mourns the loss of one of its fathers and founders, one with whom Mary Lyon took counsel in the earliest inception of her great plan, and to whom she and her successors in the government and instruction of the seminary have ever since looked lip as a wise and faithful counselor. We are painfully conscious of the deep chasm thus opened in this board, which cannot be filled. At the same time we thank God that we have been so long permitted to enjoy his presence and to feel his influence; and we pray that a double portion of His Spirit may rest on us and all who shall come after us as the guardians of this sacred trust. 

Miss Chapin, in need of change, was voted leave of absence for the year 1864-5, and the care of the school 

PAGE 218  

devolved on Miss Hopkins, who had then been associate principal four years. Whenever Miss Fiske had been absent Miss Hopkins had conducted the religious services. These she continued in addition to the work laid down by Miss Chapin. Possessing rare qualifications she was further fitted for her position by ten years of experience in teaching. In the, course of the fall and winter she had the joy of seeing forty out of sixty enter upon the service of Christ, and had looked forward eagerly to the last Thursday of February. With that day in mind, her subject at devotions on the preceding Tuesday was the unjust judge and the importunate widow. It was the last time she met the school. Inflammatory rheumatism from which she had suffered the preceding spring was returning. When Dr. Kirk bade her good-by Monday morning she was too helpless to give him either hand. Notwithstanding her sufferings she had continued during his stay to plan for meetings and arrange for those who wished to see, him. In a few days the disease assumed a typhoid form and, as in the same month sixteen years before, delirium was followed by a sleep from which there was a glorious waking. 

"Ye are not your own," was the motto she had given the senior class. "Freely ye have received, freely give," was the one Miss Lyon had given the class of 1849. 

By the arrival of Miss Chapin and Mrs. Stoddard the teachers were not left alone in their time of need. But after having had the care of the seminary nearly fifteen years, Miss Chapin had previously decided to renew her resignation, which had not been accepted in July. At a meeting of the trustees March 29th, they passed the following resolutions:- 

Resolved, That we fully appreciate the reasons assigned by Miss Chapin for relinquishing the position she has occupied so long, and the duties of which she has so ably discharged; and in accepting her resignation, we would express our high personal regard, our grateful appreciation of her valuable services, and cordial wishes for her usefulness and happiness in her new sphere of life. 

Whereas, It has seemed good to God in his wise providence to remove from us March 10, 1865, Miss Catharine Hopkins, late associate principal: 

Resolved, That as the board of trustees we hereby place on record our painful sense of the loss we have sustained in being deprived of her invaluable services at just this time when she was in the height of her usefulness as acting principal of the seminary, and when she was, looked upon by all as peculiarly fitted to occupy the position of principal made vacant by the resignation of Miss Chapin. 

Resolved, That we appreciate most heartily the prudence, skill, executive efficiency, and the conscientious faithfulness of Miss Hopkins during all her career as a teacher, more particularly since she has had the entire care of the seminary; but we would express our special estimation of her single-hearted devotion to the spiritual welfare of her pupils, and of her able, clear, and impressive religious instructions. 

Near the close of that time, Henry F. Durant, Esq., made the first of his many visits to the seminary. From 1863 the proportion of those who were Christians on entering steadily increased and the scenes of former years could not be looked for. But Mr. Durant's efforts to quicken conscience and waken a sense of responsibility were attended with the power of the Spirit. 

May 17, 1865, a party of twelve teachers drove to Somers, Connecticut, and were witnesses of the  

PAGE 220  

ceremony that made Miss Chapin the wife of Claudius B. Pease, Esq. 

In February, 1866, the young ladies rendered efficient aid in the outfit of another teacher for Turkey; this time a graduate of the preceding year, Miss Roseltha Norcross, of Templeton, the birthplace of Rev. Dr. Goodell. Her preparations were completed within three weeks from the time that she left her pupils in Templeton to go to Eski Zagra. She was to sail from New York the last Saturday of February with Miss Warfield, of Franklin, and Miss Seymour, of Rochester, N. Y., - both under appointment for Harpoot. On the Thursday preceding the embarkation Dr. N. G. Clark brought Miss Warfield to the seminary to join Miss Norcross, and that she might meet the young ladies and gain an interest in their sympathy and prayers. 

As the party took seats in the coach on leaving for New York they heard from the crowded balconies the hymn, 

Ye Christian heralds, go proclaim Salvation in Immanuel’s name. 

[END OF CHAPTER XIII]