Mr.Ramsey went with me into the furnace of persecution, and he bore his sufferings with manly fortitude.
The _Freethinker_ steadily progressed in circulation, and in January, 1882, I was able to secure the services of my old friend, Joseph Mazzini Wheeler, as sub-editor.

He had for long years contributed gratuitously to my literary ventures, and those who ever turn over a file of the _Secularist_ or the _Liberal_ will see with what activity he wielded his trenchant pen.

When he became my paid sub-editor, our relations remained unchanged.

We worked as loyal colleagues for a cause we both loved, and treated as a mere accident the fact of my being his principal.

The same feeling animates us still, nor do I think it can ever suffer alteration.
The new year's number, dated January 1, 1882, referred to Mr.Wheeler's accession, and to that of Dr.Edward Aveling, who then became a member of the regular staff.