Handwritten letter from Rev. W. H. Benade in Alleghany City (Allegheny), PA to Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn.

Contents: -Gertrude’s favor of June 11th received; Benade happy to answer questions -almost glad that Gertrude imagines herself without decided talent; leaves her free to be good woman & good wife -discussion of Kindergarten / Fröbel’s teaching theory; complimentary to New Church education; benefit of natural objects & creative materials (slates, pencils, paper, blackboards, potter’s clay) & “amusement that instructs” -Gertrude should write Miss Peabody of Boston, possibly New Church woman, for more details -excellent Kindergarten in Boston run by New Church people; many New Church ladies engaged in work -if Gertrude starts Kindergarten with own family, why not invite some neighbors’ children? -regarding Conjugial Love #475: concubinage interrupts conjugial love more or less depending on state and goals of the man & woman; conjugial love may grow out of concubinical relationship -concubinage allowable because it elevates true marriage; makes it meeting of minds instead of external union; wife becomes object of respect, esteem, & love, not object of desire -Benade hoped to meet with group in Philadelphia, but will be too busy; however, hopes to see “a walking interrogative point” (i.e. Gertrude); loves young ladies who ask sensible questions, particularly Gertrude -greetings to Father, Mother, & Mrs. Pendleton

Names mentioned: Froebel (Friedrich Fröbel), Miss Peabody (Elizabeth Palmer Peabody?), Mrs. (Mary Lawson Young) Pendleton Places mentioned: the Rooms at 2 Hamilton Place, Boston, Phila. (Philadelphia)