Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-08-09 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.117Context
[Hamden Junction, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Iberia, Ohio, “Morrow Co.,” on stationery from Hamden House Hotel]
Hamden Junction, O., Aug. 9, 1896
Miss Bertha Lambert,
Iberia, Ohio.
Darling Bertha: It is 12 noon, dinner is over with and I am seated in my room thinking of my “Loved One.” I wish I might just sit close to you and tell you all there is in my heart this P.M.
Your last letter was so good it made me feel like the time had been long since I had seen you. I wrote so briefly from McArthur as I had to write at the office. I worked that afternoon until 5:30 and sold 10 Studies. I then took train and came here and went to see Rev. Chapman U.B. He received me so kindly and gave so much encouragement it really seemed like home. I sold 8 Studies yesterday and arranged for two more later. I visited Dr. Smith, pastor of Pres. church who is very old and was pastor in Col. for 11 yrs.
He inquired very carefully about my plans and seemed very much affected when I told him of the missionary plan. He then gave me more information and real encouragement than I ever before received from a minister. I heard him preach this A.M. and his sermon was very affecting and helpful. I was at U.B.S.S. and will attend services there tonight.
I shall leave here some time tomorrow and may stop at Wellston next. It takes hard driving to be able to do much, but I feel able for the task. I have felt so lonesome on this trip, but am getting accustomed to it now. My trunk is at Athens.
Yes Alice is gone and I feel that being with her as I was has placed something in my life that was never there before. Ollie was so nearly worn out and her grief so intense that she fainted away at the church and seemed to be in quite a critical condition for a little while.
She is at home and I hope you may write to her as she would appreciate it so much.
I think you will probably do as well in the end just to go home Aug. 20 and make ready for your school work as you will to canvass that time, however I am not dictating, but I would feel much better satisfied to have you do the former as it [is] so hot it is unsafe for you to be exposed to the sun as you would have to be. You did well to sell as many as you did in Galion.
I suppose had I been at Galion they would have had me sing too?
I cannot help thinking this P.M. of how much more pleasant it would be to be in a little home of our own but I presume it is useless to become impatient so I simply wait and strive on. I feel more determined than ever to hold on to God and wait for Him to reveal himself to me. I hope we may be together soon and then we can talk of all these things. The Bible I spoke of ordering for you come some time ago, but thought I would wait until we meet. I shall go to Portsmouth and then toward Col. I didn't go to bed last night until 1:30 and got up as the S.S. bell was ringing so I did not take breakfast. The piano in the parlor below roused me and it seems to me I never heard any nicer piano music as they were playing and singing “How firm a foundation.” I hope you are having a pleasant afternoon and that you take delight in the thought that you still have one who loves you and trusts and confides in you and may we both be kept by Power Divine and learn to forsake all for Jesus.
I still love you,
J. H. Harris
Athens, Ohio.
