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Date
February 19, 1869
Abstract
VC 1870
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vassar:24704,Box 71,VCL_Letters_Mineah_Mary-A_1870_001
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1 item
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: VCLLettersMineahMaryA1870001001
Friday afternoon Feb 19- 69 [1869]
Dear Mother,
I'm improving the bit of rest, as Monday is Washington's Birth-day we have recreation time now. Last night Miss Mitchel gave her maiden lecture before Chapter Delta. I was invited, & enjoyed it so much. She was rather timid & would not allow any of the Faculty to be invited, but it was charming to hear her talk of the people she met when in Europe—& she need not have feared; her manner was very simple & correct, without any pretensions. She stipulated that she should sit by the table & she did, giving us sometimes her notes made at the time & sometimes looking up, speaking her thoughts. We all came away more proud of her than before if that was possible.
She spoke of Caroline Herschel who aided her brother so much in his discoveries—and of Mrs. Somerville whom she had the pleasure of visiting when about 80 years old—& who came "tripping into the room" to meet her—also of Harriet Hosmer. She urged us to do our work well & faithfully, said living a little apart as she did she could see our advantages better than we could.
Saturday. Prof Silliman of Yale gave us a lecture on Calafornia & the Yosemite Valley last night - he visited it last August and is very enthusiastic over the country. He did not tell me anything new as I have heard Colfaxs unrivalled description & read other accounts but it was pleasant to hear it again & see the fine pictures with which he illustrated the lecture. The light did not work very well & so some of the best views were spoiled - some were fine indeed you could see the beautiful falls & grand rocks & huge trees as clearly as though looking thro a glass upon them in the distance. It is a glorious country -- He says the Pacific R.R. is a very easy road to build, that when we go thru we shall scarcely be aware that we have been near mts. that there are no such cuts as we have in our Mass roads or on the Hudson - the ascent to the table land
Dear Mother,
I'm improving the bit of rest, as Monday is Washington's Birth-day we have recreation time now. Last night Miss Mitchel gave her maiden lecture before Chapter Delta. I was invited, & enjoyed it so much. She was rather timid & would not allow any of the Faculty to be invited, but it was charming to hear her talk of the people she met when in Europe—& she need not have feared; her manner was very simple & correct, without any pretensions. She stipulated that she should sit by the table & she did, giving us sometimes her notes made at the time & sometimes looking up, speaking her thoughts. We all came away more proud of her than before if that was possible.
She spoke of Caroline Herschel who aided her brother so much in his discoveries—and of Mrs. Somerville whom she had the pleasure of visiting when about 80 years old—& who came "tripping into the room" to meet her—also of Harriet Hosmer. She urged us to do our work well & faithfully, said living a little apart as she did she could see our advantages better than we could.
Saturday. Prof Silliman of Yale gave us a lecture on Calafornia & the Yosemite Valley last night - he visited it last August and is very enthusiastic over the country. He did not tell me anything new as I have heard Colfaxs unrivalled description & read other accounts but it was pleasant to hear it again & see the fine pictures with which he illustrated the lecture. The light did not work very well & so some of the best views were spoiled - some were fine indeed you could see the beautiful falls & grand rocks & huge trees as clearly as though looking thro a glass upon them in the distance. It is a glorious country -- He says the Pacific R.R. is a very easy road to build, that when we go thru we shall scarcely be aware that we have been near mts. that there are no such cuts as we have in our Mass roads or on the Hudson - the ascent to the table land
: VCLLettersMineahMaryA1870001002
is so gradual & the table land itself is so even you will not mistrust that you are near the Rocky Mts. -
He says people seem to have the idea that the people who are making the road are not doing it well. But he says it is one of the best built roads in the country.
Prof. Silliman is stout, sandy hair, pleasant, good natured face, takes life easy & enjoys his duties. He visited the Gymnasium during our practise period & I watched him closely, but I'd give more for Prof. Farrar after all.
Sunday Morning. I hope you are able to go to Ch. today. It's another perfect day here. I can't find words to express it. I've been out a while did not think it best to go to the city as it is very muddy & the road is one of the worst possible. The Students Asso. invited the Pres. to read us Hamlet tomorrow night. He said he would if they would get somebody to preach probably not thinking they would do it. Miss Carter of Worcester & one other went to the city & engaged a minister. We think its quite cute.
Afternoon. Rev J. L. Fletcher (I think those are the initials) the renowned traveller, author of Brazil & the Brazillians &c &c spoke to us from Rom. 15—27 & 28 "Whensoever I take my journey into Spain &c" Any place or name found in the Bible had an especial interest. Spain was a country consecrated of old. Politicians were astonished at this sudden revolution but Christians saw God's working. In 1861 a young man of great culture & wealth who was an infidel to his ch. as any intelligent man who sees the priests & their works must be, visited Gibralter.
Passing a ch. the bell seemed to invite him to enter. After some hesitation he did so & was astonished to see no altar or pictures & to see seats. He sat down & listened to a plain gospel sermon from the Scotch Presbyterian preacher—tho there was no mention of his ch. yet he felt that this doctrine was opposed to its doctrine & he rebelled, went out sought & found a Bible for he had heard the priests say the ch was founded on that read it & found nothing about the Romish Ch whatever. Was awakened & truly converted by perusing on his return to Malaga a tract from the Am. Society—"Happy voices" I think. He began teaching his friends
He says people seem to have the idea that the people who are making the road are not doing it well. But he says it is one of the best built roads in the country.
Prof. Silliman is stout, sandy hair, pleasant, good natured face, takes life easy & enjoys his duties. He visited the Gymnasium during our practise period & I watched him closely, but I'd give more for Prof. Farrar after all.
Sunday Morning. I hope you are able to go to Ch. today. It's another perfect day here. I can't find words to express it. I've been out a while did not think it best to go to the city as it is very muddy & the road is one of the worst possible. The Students Asso. invited the Pres. to read us Hamlet tomorrow night. He said he would if they would get somebody to preach probably not thinking they would do it. Miss Carter of Worcester & one other went to the city & engaged a minister. We think its quite cute.
Afternoon. Rev J. L. Fletcher (I think those are the initials) the renowned traveller, author of Brazil & the Brazillians &c &c spoke to us from Rom. 15—27 & 28 "Whensoever I take my journey into Spain &c" Any place or name found in the Bible had an especial interest. Spain was a country consecrated of old. Politicians were astonished at this sudden revolution but Christians saw God's working. In 1861 a young man of great culture & wealth who was an infidel to his ch. as any intelligent man who sees the priests & their works must be, visited Gibralter.
Passing a ch. the bell seemed to invite him to enter. After some hesitation he did so & was astonished to see no altar or pictures & to see seats. He sat down & listened to a plain gospel sermon from the Scotch Presbyterian preacher—tho there was no mention of his ch. yet he felt that this doctrine was opposed to its doctrine & he rebelled, went out sought & found a Bible for he had heard the priests say the ch was founded on that read it & found nothing about the Romish Ch whatever. Was awakened & truly converted by perusing on his return to Malaga a tract from the Am. Society—"Happy voices" I think. He began teaching his friends
: VCLLettersMineahMaryA1870001003
and soon had a little circle of Christian men & women. They were seized by the royal authority & put in dungeons. By the great pressure of foreign powers they were liberated & in 1863 Mr. Fletcher saw this Matamoras a noble young man of 26 & the circle of 40 or 50 Spanish refugees at Bordeux I think, had the privlledge of attending a prayer meeting held by them & said as Matamoras read the 8th of Romans & prayed he had hope of Spain. 3 weeks ago today toleration was declared by Gen Prim.
Mr. Fletcher gave us a great many facts in a rather rambling way as if he was just talking on the inspiration of the moment. But he is a live Christian & his closing appeal was to those who were Christians to pray for Spain, those who were not sympathize with her & pray for themselves. Tho we were not called to suffer as her daughter yet did we stand up badly for Him who died for us & face the sneer? - He spoke of the happy Christianity of these refugees & said Dr Todd asked him a few days ago if he found it so in all lands. Yes, they seemed to do all to the Lord & their love & joy pervaded their homes & made them beautiful more than the more favored ones in our land.
Prof Farrar spoke to us of Luther's early struggles this morning & of the dominant Idea of the age that God or devil could be bought off. Luther said there was a picture in the Convent which just expressed the idea of the times the ship of the Ch going to Heaven, the Pope & Bishops & priests were in it but not a layman & the priests had to row the boat. Kings & laymen were all around in the water struggling drowning & now & then a Bishop would cast out a rope & some would cling to it & be dragged along. That was the only way to Heaven & there must be a bargain before the line would be thrown. So when Luther was frightened by the thunder bolt which killed his companion by his side into making a vow to live a religious life he dared not do otherwise tho he was sorry. Old Staupitz came to him when he was almost dead from his (?) & said look to Jesus & when you love Him you will feel sorry to do what greives Him
Mr. Fletcher gave us a great many facts in a rather rambling way as if he was just talking on the inspiration of the moment. But he is a live Christian & his closing appeal was to those who were Christians to pray for Spain, those who were not sympathize with her & pray for themselves. Tho we were not called to suffer as her daughter yet did we stand up badly for Him who died for us & face the sneer? - He spoke of the happy Christianity of these refugees & said Dr Todd asked him a few days ago if he found it so in all lands. Yes, they seemed to do all to the Lord & their love & joy pervaded their homes & made them beautiful more than the more favored ones in our land.
Prof Farrar spoke to us of Luther's early struggles this morning & of the dominant Idea of the age that God or devil could be bought off. Luther said there was a picture in the Convent which just expressed the idea of the times the ship of the Ch going to Heaven, the Pope & Bishops & priests were in it but not a layman & the priests had to row the boat. Kings & laymen were all around in the water struggling drowning & now & then a Bishop would cast out a rope & some would cling to it & be dragged along. That was the only way to Heaven & there must be a bargain before the line would be thrown. So when Luther was frightened by the thunder bolt which killed his companion by his side into making a vow to live a religious life he dared not do otherwise tho he was sorry. Old Staupitz came to him when he was almost dead from his (?) & said look to Jesus & when you love Him you will feel sorry to do what greives Him
: VCLLettersMineahMaryA1870001004
& Prof Farrar said that's what we ought to teach now. Love Jesus & we'll be careful not to wound Him & that we see that this doctrine is not wholly new even if People who try to teach so are called too liberal.
In [crossed out: my] reading Prof Stowes extracts & summing up of the apocraphyal books of the New Testament wh have furnished such a handle for the German Philosopher to try to roll out of the way the whole new Testament, any one must be struck with the difference. A child would see it. They breathe not the spirit of Christ. Speaking of the 4 Gospels he says Math, presents Jesus in His human & subordinate nature (as the genealogy Sec) Mark—His official character. Luke (who by the Fathers is called Peters interpreter) gives His personal history. John presents Him spiritual & divine. Origen says no one can rightly understand John except by reclining, like him, on the bosom of Jesus.
Monday, dull & drizzly out, but I'm feeling well & am studying shall saveabout 3 hours for reading. Annie writes in good spirits considering. Emily has had a hard time, they had to apply ether to keep her any way in a bearable condition the inflamation settled about her eye & she had it bandaged for days but could open it when Annie wrote. Lucy was poorly her throat very bad, Mrs. Thayer was with her, Louis had taken cold in his foot. 3 of Franks children were sick but comfortable. Aunt Francis had Rheumatic Fever - so there's trouble all over the world. I have only one letter since your last a nice long one from Milli Osgood or did I have it week before I've forgotten. No special news. She intends to write you.
Evening - Pres. read "Hamlet" to us tonight. He reads with much effect I enjoyed it much think it better than seeing it played on the stage.
Tuesday- yours with its precious burden of fragrance came this noon It was very acceptable I assure you. it is quite bright & is opening in almost perfect shape. I can't thank you enough. I sympathize in all your trials. A loving Father rules all & will make all things right in the end- only trust. I hope better times will come. Hope Father will be prospered. I should think the plants were doing finely they don't mourn as long as I feared- I had an interview with the Pres today he was very pleasant & helped me plan out my work for these months- I have my hands full but can do it. [Letter incomplete]
[Mary A. Mineah, VC 1870]
In [crossed out: my] reading Prof Stowes extracts & summing up of the apocraphyal books of the New Testament wh have furnished such a handle for the German Philosopher to try to roll out of the way the whole new Testament, any one must be struck with the difference. A child would see it. They breathe not the spirit of Christ. Speaking of the 4 Gospels he says Math, presents Jesus in His human & subordinate nature (as the genealogy Sec) Mark—His official character. Luke (who by the Fathers is called Peters interpreter) gives His personal history. John presents Him spiritual & divine. Origen says no one can rightly understand John except by reclining, like him, on the bosom of Jesus.
Monday, dull & drizzly out, but I'm feeling well & am studying shall saveabout 3 hours for reading. Annie writes in good spirits considering. Emily has had a hard time, they had to apply ether to keep her any way in a bearable condition the inflamation settled about her eye & she had it bandaged for days but could open it when Annie wrote. Lucy was poorly her throat very bad, Mrs. Thayer was with her, Louis had taken cold in his foot. 3 of Franks children were sick but comfortable. Aunt Francis had Rheumatic Fever - so there's trouble all over the world. I have only one letter since your last a nice long one from Milli Osgood or did I have it week before I've forgotten. No special news. She intends to write you.
Evening - Pres. read "Hamlet" to us tonight. He reads with much effect I enjoyed it much think it better than seeing it played on the stage.
Tuesday- yours with its precious burden of fragrance came this noon It was very acceptable I assure you. it is quite bright & is opening in almost perfect shape. I can't thank you enough. I sympathize in all your trials. A loving Father rules all & will make all things right in the end- only trust. I hope better times will come. Hope Father will be prospered. I should think the plants were doing finely they don't mourn as long as I feared- I had an interview with the Pres today he was very pleasant & helped me plan out my work for these months- I have my hands full but can do it. [Letter incomplete]
[Mary A. Mineah, VC 1870]
