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and dear to his heart-the saving of souls-and all eyes would moisten and hearts were touched in many, many instances.

I believe the Lord crowned with His blessing all these words. Mr. Bliss' pleasant, genial manner made him a favorite wherever he went, especially among the young; so every word spoken by him before the convention was treasured and believed. So he has been doing evangelical work for a good many years.

I have copied only such parts of Mr. Bliss' letters as might be of some use to you, knowing you will have no time to waste in reading anything else. I cannot let them go without expressing my thanks to you for this generous work you are doing. I, with hundreds of others, will be so glad to have such a memoir. I cannot cease regretting that so many letters which might have been so useful now are destroyed. Our peculiar circumstances of giving up friends and home in pursuit of health called forth many letters, beautiful letters of loving sympathy, ever turning our thoughts to the Great Healer, and always telling of his own great joy and perfect happiness in working for the Master. It was his real, natural life. His father was just such an humble earnest Christian before him.

I have been pained by mistakes made by the press, especially in one case where he was said to have been a Christian for the last six years, and another saying his wife taught him his first lessons of Divine love. She was a loving, faithful wife, but her rich Christian experience was developed under his influence, instead of as the press stated.

N. E. M.

The following are the letters from Mr. Bliss to which Mrs. M. so feelingly alludes:

OUR DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER:

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, October the last, 1874.

Surely no name is too sacred to represent the relationship, though the many, many miles stretching between us seem to make us very distant relatives. How much you are both in my thoughts and prayers. It is sad to say "good-bye."

Your penciled note gave us great pleasure, although a portion ("for me") had been omitted. Surely our past acquaintance warrants the supposition that anything, everything, we may write, will be perfectly understood and gladly received by each other. Never destroy, copy, or restrain anything suggested in regard to any member of the Bliss family.

While this is being written you are being whirled rapidly away, westward, chatting gayly of the aunt-elopes or Buffalo (Bills), plowing snow banks, eating venison, or, it may be, sending back a thought or word to "664," "Gospel Songs," "Paul" and his" corner," etc., etc., while here, in the study of Rev. Arthur Tappan Pierson, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church-a mighty man, a perfect scholar and such a genial affinity-these lines are penned to

you, though the hour is taken from the noon prayer-meeting. Four meetings a day leave little time for anything else. So this may be regarded as home missionary work!

You will not expect much in this letter concerning Chicago: a very tender feeling is awakened by the name; a gentle "redness of eyes" is induced by thoughts of wife and Paul and George. Yet the mighty question of my dear Master's business engages with a profound interest my whole soul. While the souls of men are dying, and the good news of the glorious Gospel will be so eagerly listened to, it is no time to hesitate.

Dear Lou is trying hard to say, Go, and God speed thee," and her true woman's nature is being so ennobled and consecrated that, with no less love for me but so much more for the blessed Jesus and His sweet service, her heart has heaven's own rest of peace.

Morning prayer meeting at eight o'clock, attendance from 100 to 250, led by Whittle, Bliss or some other preacher. Requests by the dozen are read, one at a time, and prayer, silent or audible, offered for each one.

Five persons arose for prayer this morning; groups of six or more remained to talk or pray together. Noon meeting daily at Young Men's Hall. Whittle leads to-day. Bible reading every P. M., and to-day a children's meeting at 3; Gospel meeting at 7.30 (prayer meeting at 7); and oh, how you would enjoy seeing and helping on such a work. Incidents? Details? Where to begin, is the only question. Last evening two girls came up to me to" talk religion,” just in fun! "Twas a painful sight; my heart was grieved-the Holy Spirit, oh, how much more! This morning one of them came to prayer meeting and spoke of it with grief and penitence. One of the first families have a “hightoned" girl who hasn't spoken to her father for three years! She is asking prayer; but we told her this morning, How can you ask prayer? how can you pray with such a heart? Scores are being converted-hopefully, joyfully, scripturally converted. Praise ye the Lord.

Two weeks more here; then we go to Pittsburgh. Pray for us there. December or January will probably bring us to Boston, Massachusetts.

Anywhere with Jesus.

You will now be released, as the time for children's meeting is near. Let us live near the Lord, be happy, trustful, bold, earnest, real Christians. Serve Him who saves us, because we are saved and not to be saved.

Your names are in my prayers.

Very sincerely, your brother,

P. P.

MILWAUKEE, December 30, 1875.

Our meetings here are good. All the churches united, crowds attending, and many professing to be saved by believing the Gospel, the gift of God. How I do love to offer it as a free gift and hear the delightful reply, “Why, if

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my debt is paid, and God says it is, I must believe it or make Him a liar." "I accept Jesus as my Savior." Is that the way to be saved?" "I'll live for No joy in this world like this service.

Him who died for me," etc. etc.

Mrs. M. introduces another letter with the following prefatory note, and tells us the origin of "When Jesus Comes: "

The following is from our last letter from Mr. Bliss, written a few days before his death. You will probably remember the ride to which he alludes, about the bluffs and cemetery of Peoria. A few years ago while visiting us at Peoria, we took the same places in, in an afternoon drive. It was on a lovely October day; the air was hazy and dreamy, and all nature was clothed in her brilliant fall colors, making the cemetery a most charming picture. We drove slowly, winding about from path to path, now on the hillside, now in the valley, all keeping perfect silence. We all seemed to feel the same quieting influence. As we left the carriage to go into the house, Mrs. Bliss burst into tears. We went into the parlor together, Mr. Bliss going directly to his own While in the parlor, Mrs. Bliss told me what beautiful thoughts she had been having of her babe in heaven, (it was the fall after the birth of her first child,) and said she had never enjoyed a ride so much. All the surrounding circumstances had seemed to make her feel an unusual peaceful resignation to the loss of that child. Before long, Mr. B. came down with a slip of paper in his hand, saying, "Girls, I want to read to you what I have here. See my child that was born of that ride. I have never had more peaceful, enjoyable thoughts than this afternoon." Turning to me, he said, "Nett, I shall never forget that ride." Then he read to us, "When Jesus Comes." I have the same slip of paper now, and I need not say, I prize it.

room.

ROME, PENNSYLVANIA, December 20, 1876.

We are home for a week or so; expect to leave the family all here Saturday. Probably return to Chicago December 30.

On my table lie the proof-sheets of "Gospel Hymns No 2," a proposition for a Canadian copyright, and an invitation for Whittle and Bliss to come to London, England, all of which engage my consideration and prayerful thought. I think we may go to England about May 1st. Don't ask me if I shall leave my wife and boys. Pray for us in song prayer with thanksgiving.

The meetings at Peoria were very satisfactory. All the churches united, and many professed to accept the "gift of God."

May the Lord give you great peace and rest. May all our lamps be trimmed and burning "When Jesus comes." Oh, how we missed you at Peoria, on our ride round the bluffs, cemetery, etc. I wanted to see " Wib," but failed.

May the new year bring you abundant blessings.

P. P. BLISS.

CHAPTER XXII.

LETTERS TO A CHRISTIAN LADY-HIS RELIGIOUS LIFE AND EXPERIENCELETTERS TO HIS NEPHEW-WORDS OF WISDOM-LETTERS TO HIS COLABORER.

THE

following letters, and extracts from letters, are kindly furnished by a Christian lady, years ago a teacher of Mr. Bliss, his first instructor in music, and for whom he always entertained sentiments of the highest esteem, gratitude and affection, and whom he was led to correspond with in a peculiarly confidential manner concerning his spiritual life and plans of work for Christ, seeking her counsel and sympathy. This lady thus writes:

Away back in 1857 I first met Mr. Bliss when he entered the Collegiate Institute at Towanda, in which school I then had charge of the department of music. His complete attention and excellence in the singing class brought him especially to my attention and esteem, and my every remembrance of him at that time is laden with some grace or goodness of character. Always in the true place at the right time, noble, modest and courteous, and of wealth of heart and soul he possessed a princely store. A pure, fresh, sweet life consecrated thus early to the Lord, unostentatious but sincerely glad to be heard in supplication or praise and ofttimes in the midst of professors and pupils, I have heard him in such humble, reverent prayer that I knew he had learned of Him who alone giveth such understanding. I do not know that any of his private letters are to have a place or part in the book which you are helping to prepare, but if I may modestly and unknown to the public help you in the least particular to catch any new or more beautiful picture of our lamented friends, I shall be satisfied. Perhaps in lifting the veil from a life so loyal and devoted to Christ, so faithfully tender to wife, children, home, and friends, you may find in these extracts a few gems which you may like to put upon the golden thread which is to hold the picture of a man so royal and grand, so loving and sweet. After long years of separation, after he had gained new friends, new dignities and new honors, as well as superior mental and spiritual attainments, he came back to find me, with the gratitude and simplicity of a child, thanking me for what I had done for him and begging still to call me "teacher," which name I find in the last letter he wrote to me. In his wonderful friendship and

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fidelity, I have found strength, peace and comfort. Always in my greatest need his letters came, and if in my invalid days I was ready to weep or faint or mourn, I had remembered some word or hymn or benediction of his and found courage and peace.

The following are quotations from Mr. Bliss' letters:

KOT OF KONTENTMENT, October 6, 1871.

Had I received your kind invitation sooner, and had the health of Mrs. B. been sufficient, you would have seen us on the recent trip East. We spent a Sunday in Owego, and are now safe at home again; but my wife is not well. She has been down the valley and almost across the narrow stream. No; I don't like such figures. The blessed Lord has led us up the hill, and by the gift of suffering made this poor life more glorious and heaven even dearer. How glad I am at your saying "Jesus the best of all." May you continue to rest in Him; whether living or dying, be "to" Him; whether here or yonder, be with Him. If you have received the "Charm " I sent you, let the “Light in the Valley" cheer you, “Over Yonder" win you, and “Jesus Loves even Me" entertain you. The Sunday School and choir and convention work to which I have been called seems to prosper. Conventions every week somewhere; Sunday School, 709 last Sunday. Pray for your pupil, that his life may be to many what yours is and has been to him.

[The winter after the great fire, 1872.]

Forgive me, but I had a real good cry over the pleasant memories of your last letter, and since then have been laughing at your mistake in supposing me to be anything else than the overgrown, awkward boy you used to be kind to. Please don't talk about our being on ahead of you and beg for us to wait for you. The best thing in your letter, the best thing about any of us is the reflection of the dear Savior's love. Oh, isn't it the name above every name— precious Jesus! yes, indeed, we have hugged the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom close, and if I could tell you, but I never can here, how His loving arms here encircle me and mine.

Our little "Kot of Kontentment" is on the West Side, nearly a mile from the burnt district. The music books, instruments, sheet music, etc.-the earthly substance in which my plans centered-all gone with the Opera House. Of course we lost all-insurance in "home companies"-but I can't say we've suffered anything by the fire. Good health and plenty to do; lots of friends, voice and faith; what need I more? Now I'll let you rest. Only pray to-night for me, that God may use me more and more for His kingdom. Good-bye. Wait. Won't we have a good song when we all get home?"