Pioneer work for women / by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.

  • Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910.
Date:
[1914]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Pioneer work for women / by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    46/260 (page 26)
    am beginning to hold true communion. It cannot be my fancy, Jesus Christ must be a living Spirit, and have the power of communicating with us, for cne thought towards Him dispels all evil, and earnest, continued thought produces peace unspeakable. May 20.—Harry brought me home last evening a letter from Dr. Cox ; my hand trembled as I took it. It was kind, giving the necessary information, but perfectly non-committal as to advice. I carried the letter over this morning to the lady friend who had promised to help me pecuniarily. I made up my mind fully to undertake the study if she fulfilled her promise, and already I felt separated from the rest of womankind; I trembled and hoped together. But alas for promises and plans ; she offered to lend me ioo dollars—when I am told that I shall want 3000 dollars! I did not express my disappointment, but asked who would be likely to assist further. She did not know, but thought the plan I had suggested of teaching, and laying up money for a few years, decidedly the best. Thrown thus entirely on my own resources, I finally resolved to accept a teacher’s position in a school in North Carolina, where, whilst accumulating money for future use, I could also commence a trial of medical study, for the Rev. John Dickson, who was principal of the school, had previously been a doctor. My old diary of those years, still existent, vividly portrays the anxiety and painful effort with which I left the family circle and ordinary social life, and took the first step in my future medical career. I felt that I was severing the usual ties of life, and preparing to act against my strongest natural inclinations. But a force stronger than myself then and afterwards seemed to lead me on ; a purpose was before me which I must inevitably seek to accomplish. My own family showed the warmest sympathy with my plans. It was before the time of railways ; the roads through Kentucky were little travelled , several rivers had to be forded, and thiee lines of mountains to