Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-01-13 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.15Context
[Ada, OH to Miss Bertha Lambert, Bartlett, Ohio, “Wash. Co.”]
[Enclosure: Program for The Moody Intercollegiate Male Quartet]
Box 479, Ada, Ohio. Jan. 13, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Bartlett, O.
Dear Bertha: Once more the pen is brought to play as a medium for expressing the thoughts and sentiments that have been bounding and seeking expression since our last [interview]. This has been a busy and very pleasant wk. to me. I trust it has been so to you, although I have thought much of hard your daily tasks have been, considering that it was the first wk. after vacation.
How much I would enjoy spending this evening with you. Words, especially of this pen, can not describe, it can only be realized by those whose wishes, desires, thoughts and affections of life entity flow in the same channel. How lonely, should you allow your mind to yield to it, you must become at times? especially when not actively engaged in your work. At times me thinks I see you wending your way across the fields crossing the little rivulets whose sparkling waters are hastening to join the great sea, beholding the beauty of nature in her varied forms as exhibited in hills, rocks, crags, rills, shrubbery and all that attracts the attention of a lover of nature; the great expanse of the heavens cause you to quote the Psalmist and to drink deep from the fountain of inspiration. Now you fall over a fence? for lack of a strong and willing arm to assist you.
And your thoughts, does not a second spirit entity share them? Aye, yes it greets it intermingles they revel in memories of platonic bliss of days gone by and soon they enter into the pleasures, joys and sorrows of each other and look forward with increasing interest into the great unknown, except as revealed by Divine Inspiration. What a glorious privilege! To some, such a mental picture might seem unreal, but really is it? Thank God that, although hills, valleys and plains separate us, yet the spirit bounds o'er them all and unites in one common thought, but already you are wearied with so many words. I certainly sympathized with you in your loneliness as I confess myself to have been in much the same plight although here 'mid so much enthusiasm.
Your letter came to hand Tues. evening. It was an inspiration to me and was read with eagerness. I was sorry you did not get to finish saying what you wished to say but that is all right. I realize you have not the best of P.O. privileges. I was somewhat surprised to hear of congratulations already as they extended none to me here. I presume you have thought of looking over your prospective farm in the Hermon neighborhood? Everything in general seems to be moving on quite harmoniously except the Literary Societies.
I went to the office yesterday and got my grades in order to arrange for future work. They will not compare with some of course, but since you may be some interested in them I will give them as recorded. Training 95. H. Arith 97. Gram. 94. Anal. 98. Phys. Geog. 83. Physiology 94. El. Alg. 99. H Alg. B. 87 H. Alg. A. 90. Physics 97 and 76. Chem. 75 and 90. Rhet. 90 Civ. Gov. 92 Geom. 97. Latin Int. 91 and 95. Caesar 96 and 95 Cicero 98. I failed in Organic Chem. receiving only 62% that is five wks work. One grade they have failed to record which I know to be all right. We are having a regular blizzard here now it has snowed almost incessantly since Friday night. All day yesterday the thermometer registered from 5 to 8 below 0. There is something like 14 in. of snow. Sleigh bells are jingling but as I generally walk except when a rig is furnished the bells nor belles bother me much. If you have such a snow there, I trust you will not attempt to tramp through it much in going to and fro in your school work. Especially when there are so many gallant young men eager to try their new sleighs.
We listened to the Moody Male Quartet last evening. I heard it last spring at Detroit. It surpasses anything else I ever heard in that line, two of the boys from Princeton College one from Williams one from Oberlin. Such melody words cannot describe. How I thought of how much you would enjoy it as you could appreciate it much more than could I.
In fact it made me feel somewhat sad to know that I was thus privileged and you were not; however I tried to drink enough inspiration for both of us but found that one soul could not contain it all.
I shall continue to use this hr. with you and can not think of expressing my thoughts less often than once a wk. and much more do I feel the pleasure and necessity of hearing your tender voice at least that often. And now my dear girl I believe you will not censure me (if so it will be a gentle rebuke) in saying that you and you alone are the center of all my affections, my hopes, my life. It seems scarcely enough to say that I love you with all the ardor of a pure spiritual love. Surely nothing save the command of the Master shall ever be able to tear my heart from its idol.
I realize the import of these last few lines. They pass in black and white to the hand of another not only that but they are recorded in the divinity of the ages. Believe me dear Bertha since I believe you know my life and you have taken such a great step, let angels stand as witnesses to my devotion and sincerity that you may rest and repose in my affections safe and secure. May you not be timid in expressing yourself on any thought or subject that you may desire.
May the Holy Spirit cement our lives in one common bond for the advancement of Christ's kingdom.
Shall we not begin at once to fashion and mold each other's lives to what will be conducive to future happiness? in a word I desire that my faults may be weeded out that my ways and life may be trained to be conducive to your happiness, as I feel that whatever adds to your happiness shall be my highest delight and pleasure.
I trust such a long letter may not weary you, but I usually have to say about so much.
“I will love thee gentle Bertha, far away as well as near; and my heart will share thy sorrow, Tho' my hand wipes not its tear.”
May God bless you, guide you and lead us both in duty's path is the wish of one who loves you, J. H. Harris.
