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[Transcriber's Note: Footnotes have been numbered and relocated to theend of the chapter in which they occur. They are marked by [1], [2],etc.]

THE LIFE AND LETTERS

OF

ELIZABETH PRENTISS

AUTHOR OF STEPPING HEAVENWARD

BY GEORGE L. PRENTISS

This memoir was undertaken at the request of many of Mrs. Prentiss' oldand most trusted friends, who felt that the story of her life should begiven to the public. Much of it is in the nature of an autobiography.Her letters, which with extracts from her journals form the largerportion of its contents, begin when she was in her twentieth year, andcontinue almost to her last hour. They are full of details respectingherself, her home, her friends, and the books she wrote. A simplenarrative, interspersed with personal reminiscences, and varied by asketch of her father, and passing notices of others, who exerted amoulding influence upon her character, completes the story. A picture isthus presented of the life she lived and its changing scenes, both onthe natural and the spiritual side. While the work may fail to interestsome readers, the hope is cherished that, like STEPPING HEAVENWARD,it will be welcomed into Christian homes and prove a blessing to manyhearts; thus realising the desire expressed in one of her last letters:Much of my experience of life has cost me a great price and I wish touse it for strengthening and comforting other souls.

G. L. P.

KAUINFELS, September 11, 1882.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE CHILD AND THE GIRL.

1818-1839.

I.

Birth-place and Ancestry. The Payson Family. Seth Payson. Edward Payson.
His Mother. A Sketch of his Life and Character. The Fervor of his Piety.
Despondent Moods, and their Causes. His bright, natural Traits. How he
prayed and preached. Conversational Gift. Love to Christ. Triumphant
Death.

II.

Birth and Childhood of Elizabeth Payson. Early Traits. Devotion to her
Father. His Influence upon her. Letters to her Sister. Removal to New
York. Reminiscences of the Payson Family.

III.

Recollections of Elizabeth's Girlhood by an early Friend and Schoolmate.
Her own Picture of herself before her Father's Death. Favorite Resorts.
Why God permits so much Suffering. Literary Tastes. Letters. "What are
Little Babies For?" Opens a School. Religious Interest.

IV.

The dominant Type of Religious Life and Thought in New England in the
First Half of this Century. Literary Influences. Letter of Cyrus Hamlin.
A strange Coincidence.

CHAPTER II.

THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST.

1840-1841.

I.

A memorable Experience. Letters to her Cousin. Goes to Richmond as a
Teacher. Mr. Persico's School. Letters.

II.

Her Character as a Teacher. Letters. Incidents of School Life. Religious
Struggles, Aims, and Hope. Oppressive Heat and Weariness.

III.

Extracts from her Richmond Journal.

...