This sweet message came on Christmas morning. “Another year has passed and we have still been meeting in spirit; and, in the enjoyment of our ‘Twilight Talks,’ I am sure we must all feel very thankful that we have been permitted to see another year. I am certain most of us, if not all, have derived still further good from the loving, spiritual instruction. E—— is, I am pleased to say, quite a different girl, and, with God’s help, is continuing to overcome her besetting sins. She still enjoys the talks, and the first thing each month is to look what subject has been chosen, so interested is she.” You will all rejoice with me in knowing that this dear girl’s life has been marvellously influenced for good by our meetings, and her mother adds, “I, as one amongst many, thank you for the benefit that has been wrought in our home. I too have learned many useful things on the duty of a mother to her children. The work is influencing the older as well as the younger classes, so there is no limit to the good effected, under God’s blessing.” I have only touched my pile of letters, and there are such delightful ones unquoted from—piles of them. What can I do but just add how truly they are appreciated, and thank all the writers for them, and God for having stirred them to open their hearts so fully so me?
Who, after reading what I have quoted here and there, will say that religious teaching is deemed superfluous by, or is other than welcome to, the dear girls and friends of all ages who meet with me in the twilight?
I hope to take “Sunday” and “Rest” at one of our meetings, in compliance with many requests.
To all dear correspondents I send loving thanks, sympathy, and the assurance that I long to be of use to them. Also the prayer, “May God bless and help each and all according to their needs.”
BY ELSA D’ESTERRE-KEELING, Author of “Old Maids and Young.”
“To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm than all the gloss of art.”—_Goldsmith._
The last girl of the girl-who-goes-in-for-art type that I have known is one Norma.
She is owner of a studio having few pictures in it, and those few indicating that she holds what was Balzac’s view of _le beau_ (_c’est le laid_). It used to be a point of courtesy to term ugly persons clever; it has become a point of courtesy to term ugly pictures so. They offend this girl direfully who do not so term her ugly pictures.