The Journals of Martha E. McMillan

came home alone - and Mr. Mc. drove back to town to attend the meeting and to bring Clara home. Uncle Joe went back to town with Jim ?. Peter here with Albert and Robert - Paul here with me. Mag. H. Here and helped out this afternoon. Uncle Dan called today. Leon and Vesta came home with father and Fannie [I think she meant Clara?]. 14 March. Wed. [...] I did not forget that this was Harlan’s birthday - Each birthday marks the closing of a large book of our life - the book of a year. 18 March. Sabbath. [...] Mr. Morton’s text “Take up the stumbling blocks.” Mr. Mc. at church - he was not in long until a message came for him to come home that the tenant house was burning down - but when he reached here it was burned to the ground and the Curl family were turned out of their house and home. Harry took our carriage and took them to his friends in Selma - his goods stored in the wagon in the barn until tomorrow. [...] This afternoon Jason and Paul made the fire in the school house and were there for Sabbath School. Only five scholars. I tried to make the most of the hour. Jason helped in the singing. [...] 22 March. [...] At three o’clock I went to town - and stopped at Aunt Mary, Bessie Clain - and Walker and Miss Robb there - also Clayton and Jason and Miss Graff - I called at Mr. Morton’s. Aund Belle - and Mrs. J.S. Williamson. I payed my missionary money for the year. This Eve Aunt Mary and Clayton and Jason and I at the young folks meeting - at the close of it we all remained for Rev. Benson’s sermon. Mr. Mc., Clara there. [...] Clayton came home with me tonight. 23 March. Friday. A bright day. This morning I went down to Aunt Mary’s when Clayton went to College - She is not well. I went to take charge of the work… After the work was finished up Clayton took me up to the two o’clock meeting at our church. [...] A good reason for not doing a thing is because you do not have a reason for doing it. A man has not half learned the lesson of life who has not learned the value of time. Young men aim high and always aim - We honor God by being faithful and if we follow Jesus we grow into his likeness. May each one of us go forth feeling the power and love and joy and blessedness of the indwelling Christ. After preaching I called at Aunt Mary’s. She was not able to be out today. [...] Clara took a donation for the Curl family who were reported to be in a starving condition and then she and Daisy Gray and Belle Winston went over to Clifton to the play of Cedarville College at the Clifton Opera House. [...] 24 March. Sat. [...] Let us look away from ourselves to Jesus and say to the blessed master I am not willing but I am willing to be made willing and to give to thee the right away. 25 March. Sabbath. [...] One thing I noticed [about the sermon] especially - The testimony of God is wonderful in its aptness to guide. If you do not know where to go, go to the Bible and the 172