It is rather remarkable to find a girl of twenty-three scribbling over several pages about the analogy existing between the natural and the spiritual world, or discussing with herself the question:  “Are seasons of darkness always occasioned by sin?” or giving a long list of reasons why she differs from commentators upon certain texts of scriptures.  She enjoyed this kind of thinking and writing, and seems to have been unwearying in her search after authorities to sustain her views.  The maxims, too, which she was fond of jotting down here and there, and which furnished the texts for long dissertations, show the serious drift of her thoughts, and their clearness and beauty.

From this time it is interesting to follow her spiritual progress, so like and yet so unlike Sarah’s.  She, also, early in her religious life, was impressed with the feeling that she would be called to some great work.  In the winter of 1828, she writes:—­

“It does appear to me, and it has appeared so ever since I had a hope, that there was a work before me to which all my other duties and trials were only preparatory.  I have no idea what it is, and I may be mistaken, but it does seem that if I am obedient to the ’still small voice’ in my heart, that it will lead me and cause me to glorify my Master in a more honorable work than any in which I have been yet engaged.”

Knowing Sarah’s convictions at this time, it is easy to imagine the long, confidential talks she must have had with Angelina, and the loving persuasion used to bring this dear sister into the same communion with herself, and it is no marvel that she succeeded.  Angelina’s nature was an earnest one, and she ever sought the truth, and the best in every doctrine, and this remained with her after the rest was rejected.  The Presbyterian Church satisfied her better than the Episcopal, but if Sarah or anyone else could show her a brighter light to guide her, a better path leading to the same goal, she would have thought it a heinous offence against God and her own true nature to reject it.  That no desire for novelty impelled her in her then contemplated change, and that she foresaw all she would have to contend with, and the sacrifices she would have to make, is evident from several passages like the following:—­

“Yesterday I was thrown into great exercise of mind.  The Lord more clearly than ever unfolded his design of appointing me another field of labor, and at the same time I felt released from the cross of conducting family worship.  I feel that very soon all the burdens will drop from my hands, and all the cords by which I have been bound to many Christian friends will be broken asunder.  Soon I shall be a stranger among those with whom I took sweet counsel, and shall have to tread the wine press alone and be forsaken of all.”

A day or two after she says:—­

“This morning I felt no condemnation when I went into family prayers, and did not lead as usual in the duties.  I felt that my Master had stripped me of the priest’s garments, and put them on my mother.  May He be pleased to anoint her for these sacred duties.”