From the Diary of Elizabeth Peabody, Frequent Host of Margaret's Conversations

March 22nd, 1841

This evening, we held yet another Conversation led by Margaret. It being a meeting specifically for women; Miss Anna Shaw, Miss Caroline Sturgis, Mrs. Lidian Emerson, Mrs. Almira Barlow, Mrs. Ellen Hooper, Miss Fuller, and myself gathered in my parlor in order to discuss the topics of Philosophy, Politics, and Society.

Prior to the discussion, Margaret made it clear - as she always does - that she did not intend to dominate the discussion; but rather wished for the rest of us to better understand our own opinions by presenting them out-loud. She proposed, as an opening to the new series of Conversations, that we consider following:

‘What were we born to do: and how shall we do it?’ And: ‘how we may make best use of our means of building up the life of thought upon the life of action’.

At this first meeting, we discussed, in particular, the topic of Life: what is it?

Caroline started us out, saying that life is ‘to laugh, or cry, according to our organization.’

Then, I ventured that ‘life is division from one’s principle of life in order to a conscious reorganization. We are cut up by time and circumstance, in order to feel our reproduction of the eternal law.’

Next, Mrs. Emerson spoke: ‘We live by the will of God, and the object of life is to submit.’

From there, naturally, we moved into the subjects of Fate and Freedom.

Before the Conversation was over, we insisted that Margaret share what she thought Life to be. Although I cannot give a full and satisfactory account of all she said; here is something I remember:

She began with God as Spirit, Life, so full as to create and love eternally, yet capable of pause. Love and creativeness are dynamic forces, out of which we, individually, as creatures, go forth bearing his image, that is, having within our being the same dynamic forces, by which we also add constantly to the total sum of existence, and shaking off ignorance, and its effects, and by becoming more ourselves, i.e., divine; - by destroying sin in its principle, we attain to absolute freedom, we return to God, conscious like himself, and, as his friends, giving, as well as receiving, felicity forevermore.