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Show 50 I pray fervently that we may be patient and charitable-praise and emulate the virtues, and forget the errors. When I came down stairs Milford had his hat on to go out. He took the letter from his pocket and offered it to me. I told him I did not wish to read it. He said it contained but little at most, there was no occasion of so much trouble concerning it. These occurences [sic] worry and discourage him. His desires are so great for love, peace and union to exist in his home that any digression from the standard he has set up, makes him sad and despondent. For his sake, as well as for the good of others I pray that discord may never enter our home and that the calm peaceful influence of the spirit of God may richly dwell in each of our hearts, that our thoughts may soar beyond the trials and perplexities of this life unto the brightness and glory of an eternal world-That blissful home that is being prepared for the faithful of earth.'2 To the modern mind, a journal or diary is one of the few purely personal possessions, the privacy of which should be inviolate. Yet Maggie now takes Ellis's and writes in it, much as a friend might do in an autograph book at school, as has been customary in the recent past. Milford also is represented there later in counsel which he writes after reading portions of her record. From this we may surmise that the book was kept in an accessible place and that it was not thought to be a breach of ethics to read the feelings of another's heart and to provide comment in the same volume. Maggie writes: Tuesday July 25/71 Ellis-there is a desire to write a few words in your journal. 'Tis not for the cruel, unsympathizing eye to read, no-for I shall place sentiments from the heart. Which is stronger, principle or love? 0 we could not exist destitute of love. Give us love founded on principle and genuine worth. This only will be permanent. Ellis there are few people who know each other as we do-Our situation and circumstances have been peculiarly adapted to the searching out and becoming almost perfectly acquainted with each other. Trivial affairs have occured [sic] to excite |
