[ 44 ] JENNY LAWRENCE of truth, if no other. She was a singular woman, passionate & high tempered, but she bore every trial & calamity that came from God with perfect submission & patience.42 Additional income came from pew rent, which, if paid at all, was often paid in kind. In October 1848, Miriam said that "I shall be glad when we get money enough to pay for it [a desk]. We don't get any lately excepting when William goes a dunning [collecting payment] & succeeds in drumming up a few dollars—his attempts are not always successful.... William took yesterday a lot of post office stamps from the P. M. to go for pew rent. They are a good deal better than nothing!'43 A week later, Miriam punned "we have a barrel of miserable, half rotten apples, that we took for pew rent. I am using them as fast as possible before they all spoil!'44 William was a serious fellow and, from Miriam's letters, it is evident that he was dedicated to his job and good at it. In July 1847, Miriam wrote home that Mrs. Luce's "girl',' a woman called Mrs. Beers, had defected from the Methodists to the Episcopalians. The account was reminiscent of the Widow Bedott, but Miriam nevertheless considered it a compliment to William. High functionary Beers was married week before last, to our great surprise. She has been a very zealous methodist. About three weeks ago she contracted an engagement with a very worthy widower, a member of our church. The affair was very sudden—& Mrs Luce knew nothing of it until the day before the marriage. The Sunday after the engagement, Mrs Luce was much surprised at Mrs Beers expressing her intention of going to the Episcopal Church—& still more so, when on her return she remarked, 'Well, if I could always hear such good gospel sermons I'd be willin' to go to the Episcopal Church stiddy!' In the same letter Miriam said that they made interdenominational calls, particularly among the Presbyterians, but added that "the baptists & methodists regard us as heathen!'45 William began his work in Elmira with sermons on church history, which was apparently an innovation in the parish. 42M. Whitcher to sister, February 3,1848. 43 M. «j|it.cher to sister, October 12,1848. 44 M. Whitcher to sister, October 29,1848. 45 M. Whitcher to sister, July 15,1847.