circumstances. I thought I had assured you that a bright prospect would
not allure me, nor a dark one affright me, if only we are _one in
heart_.

My only reason for wishing to defer the engagement was that _you_
might feel satisfied in your mind that the step is right.... If you are
convinced on this point, let circumstances go, and let us be one, come
what may.'

This is exactly what they did, and after meeting, and together
consecrating their lives to God, they solemnly pledged themselves to each
other.

And now began a three-years' engagement, in which, though often for long
months at a time they never met, they remained true to each other and to
God, in thought and word and deed.

Many of the beautiful letters that our Army Mother wrote to The General
at this time, I am glad to tell you, have been kept, and we will look
together at some of the ways in which she tried to help and cheer him.

In the first letter after their engagement she ends with these words:--

'The more you lead me up to Christ in all things, the more highly shall I
esteem you; and if it be possible to love you more than I do now, the
more shall I love you. You are always present in my thoughts.'

Now you must not think that, even in these early days, our General had a
very easy life. He was often much perplexed and troubled, longing above
all to do God's Will for the Salvation of the people, and yet not quite