Quoting an extract from Miss Sedgwick's diary on the unmarried life, which ends, "Though not _first_ to any, I am, like Themistocles, _second_ to a great many: my sisters are all kind and affectionate to me, my brothers generous and invariably kind; their children all love me," Miss Ellis adds: "These _very words_ I can repeat as my experience.... If I can only add a few _drops_ of happiness to his life [a brother's], I shall be too happy." 1875. Mr. Noyes called Monday to bring me his sermon, and it made me very resigned. The text was from 2 Cor. xii. 10,--"When I am weak, then am I strong." Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was the topic of the discourse, and several pages of extracts are copied in the journal. It is one of the trials of my life not to assist in the church as I desire to. I presume it must be because I neglect other duties, and see but one thing before me, and that is, to give up the _idol_ of my life, and do the duty that is nearest to me; but it is a sore trial to me.... This has been an eventful week to me, for last Sunday Mr. Noyes closed his ministry with us.... Now they have really gone, it makes me feel rather despondent, though I know they have left many blessings to me behind them. I am beginning some fancy work, in hopes of brightening my life somewhat. I am not reconciled to the hardships of life.... Am anxious to learn wood-carving.... I try to have the faith _of_ Jesus more than that about him. ... Went to see about trumpets yesterday, and came home greatly disheartened, and shall have to submit with a good grace to the cross.... Mr. Wendte lectures on the New Testament this evening. I should be glad to hear him, but believe all is best as it is. 1877. We had a beautiful sermon to-day, which I took especially to myself, on "The Lonely Hours of Life." ... Am feeling better to-day, and the sermon (on "Be Strong, and of a Good Courage") roused my better nature, ready to go on courageously.... Lecture this evening on "Funeral Customs." I did not attend, for the sermon to-day (on "Prayer") so exalted me that I didn't feel like listening to things of the world.... Wakened feeling disconsolate this morning, but resolved to bear the cross of life as trustfully and cheerfully as possible, and lay up treasures during the summer ready to "give out" when all return in the winter. Impressed two little pieces on my mind,--one by Spitta, in "Day unto Day,"-- "Glad with thy light and glowing with thy love, So let me ever think and speak and move." The other by Whittier,-- "Lord, help me strive 'gainst each besetting sin." Went to Madame Wendte's. Brought home, "Ten Great Religions," "Reason in Religion," and "Evolution in Religion."