Mt. Holyoke Sem. So. Hadley. Dec. 3.My dear Fanny,
I was glad to get your letter and to be assured that the good seed was not choked with thorns, and that you did sometimes strive after "those things which are above where Christ sittith,["] spite of the temptations that surround you.
And your assurances of affection were a great comfort to me for I was feeling as I often do just in the mood to be glad if somebody did really love me, and long to see me. Effie must not try to make you jealous for I trust my heart is large enough for all who really care for a place in it, and I have never been in the habit of turning out old friends to make room for new.
I gave your message to Ada and she said she had just written to you. She rooms with Ella Boynton. I wonder if she has written you about going to Thomas' concert in Holyoke two weeks since.
Miss Smiley was with us more than two weeks and the girls seemed to enjoy her talks about the Bible and the Christian life very much. We are looking anxiously to see if they bear fruit, in greater love of the Bible and prayer and greater faithfulness in Christian living. The life tells the whole story, Fanny my dear. If we Christians were only true to Christ every day and every where there is no question about the results. I am glad you are doing so much for selfimprovement. Perhaps you will feel like coming back next year.
We expect Miss Blanchard in a week or so and hope that the sea and winds may be calm while "she soils over the main."
Your roommate Miss C. Clark seemed much pleased by your message and desired love to you.
I looked for your chair and thought I would take it and keep it for you but not remembering the color &c. I did not find it. Minnie Roy was not to return till Christmas. I cannot find the address of Libbie Mann for you. She has gone South not to be married till Spring, Gertie Hayden says. Miss Parsons is at home this year she came over to call a few weeks since.
I gave Miss Hooker your messages and she enjoyed them very much.
Prof. Thompson is here now and the girls have Chem. lectures at the rate of two a day. [Charles O. Thompson of Worcester Free Institute was a guest lecturer in the 1877-1878 school year.]
We had a very nice time Thanksgiving having only the two days. I never saw the girls seem to enjoy themselves so much as all that day & evening. I wish you had been here to help in the good time.
Now my dear may the dear Lord keep you from those things your own conscience disapproves and bring you daily into a more complete sympathy with himself, that you may live in constant and close friendship with the best Friend the "one above all others." Do you remember the last verse of that Hymn with sincere love as ever your friend,
Mrs. Dutton is too busy to ask her for the recipe just now & I will tell you how I make brown bread. I stir a teacup or less of yeast into a little flower and water enough to make a stiff batter at night and let it rise till morning then I stir in half a cup of molasses, some butter, half a teaspoon or less of soda, and brown flour enough to make a good loaf if the batter does not [rise] moisten it so it is quite soft & moist. I use a little warm water and let it get very light before baking. The soda of course is disolved [sic] in a little warm water.