Vassar College, May ,1869? ,
Dear John,
This morning we had such an interesting Bible lesson, I
must tell you about it. We have been studying about Luther and the Refor-
mation, all winter, and are now trying to get at the practical lessons. I
was particularly interested this morning because Pro!. Farrer spoke some-
what of Independence and as X had thought of that as a subject for my essay
I was on the alert to hear what he would have to say about it. He said he
would give the distinction between Independence, Obedience, Liberty.
Where Obedience becomes unnecessary, because our will is with the will
of God, there Liberty begins. Liberty grows on the tree Love, Love on the
tree Obedience, Obedience on the Tree Fear whose root is a law in the
heart of the father. Independence is Satanld, is low; the beasts of the field
are independents man must depend, lean, on a Higher One. It may not have
been meant so, but we can certainly draw a good figure from the fact that
bread, one of the main articles of man«s food grows on^ slender grasses,
of which there must be many, together, in order to stand firms and wine,
another article of diet on a vine which must have a support. A man without
faith is a vine on the ground. Independence is the essential sins Liberty, the
highest virtue, what Paul calls the "perfect law of liberty."
The text of all this or rather the point of departure was the fourteenth
chapter of Romans. I wish you could hear Prof. Farrer talk; he is the most
inspiring man I know of. I want you to meet him when you come on. I studied
May |1869? , - 2
Chemistry under fefcn the first half of the year, and he is now giving us a
course of lectures, one a week, on the History of Chemistry. They are
exceedingly interesting. He seems to enter so into the spirit of every
period about which he studies, and to live as the intimate friend of every
historicaltphart cter in which he becomes interested. But you must be tired
of this. In two weeks our vacation begins. I shall have two studies that will
continue the remainder of the year; I suppose it will be optional whether I
remain in them or not. I have completed my essay and handed It in, but
have heard nothing from Prof. Backus about it yet. I have not yet written
the Valedictory Address, but mean to be about it, soon.
I trust you are well and prospering, my brother. I think of you much
and often, and pray the Father to give you j^y and peace in His Love. I grow
impatient as the time draws near when X am to see you. I shall be very,
very much disappointed if you can not come. But I shall not think of that,
but believe you will come, until I hear otherwise. Write to me soon, and
believe me,
Your loving
Sister.
(Annie (Glidden) Houts, '69,
p.S. Are you a Free Trader? I am and have been much interested in theFree
Trade League Meetings, in N.Y. You know I am studying Political Economy now.
Free Trade, or at least a very low tariff on few articles.