Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-01-20 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.16Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Bartlett, Ohio, “Wash. Co.”]
Box 479, Ada, O. Jan. 20, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Bartlett, Ohio.
Dear Bertha:
Please accept these few lines as a token of a few of the many thoughts that come to mind for expression. It makes me almost impatient sometimes to have to talk by means of the pen when there is so much to say, yet how very thankful I am for the medium of the pen, for were it not for this Ada would scarcely hold me. Your letter came to hand last Thursday. How often it has been read and reread every word and sentence of it I can not say, but must say it was the most profound, the most radiant and sweetest letter I ever received. As I read those sentences and realized that they came from a heart so pure, so noble, so loving and true I stopped and thanked God from the very depths of my soul that I could look into such a bright future, so very different from one yr. or even one month ago. Poets might be able in some measure to set such inspiration to rhyme and decorate it with a halo of elysian rapture, but my crude imagination fails in the attempt.
I certainly sympathize with you as to the wandering of the mind, although the time seems to go so swiftly here, yet my mind at every opportunity seems to seek its counterpart 'mid the lonely and rock surrounded dales of Athens, Co. I don't mean to say that this means neglect of lessons or idle dreaming, but on the contrary I can go to my studies with renewed zeal and determination and I have no doubt you feel the same. Tell S. V. to write to the P.M. at that P.O. if he wishes to find out who it is. What suppose you did those people who congratulated thought you had done with the other part of the program? Well such is life, and I guess you will have to be subjected to teasing so long as you stay there. It always made some difference though about whom I was teased whether it was enjoyable or not.
How much I would enjoy spending at least one hr. with you this evening. It seems rather sad to think that just when we are prepared to enjoy each other's company so much, we are thus deprived, but perhaps it is better. I shall try to look at it in this light at any rate. I can scarcely bear the idea though of being separated from you all next yr. I wish we might talk over our educational plans now, but this is such a slow way especially when time is limited, however if any difference at all my determinations are stronger now than ever before for thorough training wherever it nay be secured, whether in College or Seminary, or both. This part so far as I am concerned, may be governed by the thought of which I wish now to speak.
Now Bertha, your idea of this may be different from mine if so let us hear it and compare. I hardly know just what to say, but think you will not misunderstand my meaning even if it be expressed in uncouth form.
I feel that whatever plan may be most conducive to make our lives happy in each other, should be revered and should overrule other plans (of course you know how I consider the Master's work, but I now speak of education and temporal affairs) speaking in this sense our pure love is the highest boon and that when and only then should those plans be consummated, regardless of education or any other temporal affair, but on the other hand so long as both are content and satisfied to remain as we are it matters not whether the time be two yrs five or eight yrs, so long as the spiritual and not the carnal nature shall rule. I do not mean to even so much as give a hint of impatience in that respect, but you realize that to obtain a thorough education means a long time to me being so far behind, and the question comes for consideration if not both a College and Seminary training can be secured (on account of what I stated above) which will be the more profitable a College or Seminary training? Is it not your understanding that it requires four yrs at Dayton after completing at Westerville? To finish at Westerville I presume means four yrs for me, saying nothing as to making my way. However I do not feel at all discouraged, but feel sad to realize that it took me so long to become awakened from so many false conceptions and ideas, but as you may know I am not wide awake yet, but think another yr. or two like the past yr. will bring me to my senses, although so late in life. Perhaps I need not have spoken of these plans now, but they govern decisions which must soon be made, and as they may affect our common future, your sweet counsel is called to play. If you differ from the above, please state wherein you think me wrong.
I have come to no permanent conclusion about staying here next yr. Everything seems to be moving along quite nicely. I enjoy Greek so far very much, but find it requires a great deal of time. We organized a Personal work class of ten members last wk. Our snow is melting and freezing alternately which makes an abundance of ice. About 100 Philos took a sleigh-ride last night. O yes I joined the Chandeliers with my eloquence? Friday night and the people clapped their hands: they were so glad when I got through. What time of the wk. do you usually get your mail? I have gotten no letters from that neighborhood this term yours excepted. I have written three to that neighborhood so surely I am enjoying our correspondence better than theirs.
I am enjoying myself the finest kind. Leonard and I had one of our long chats today concerning life and its responsibilities. We have been considering the propriety of boarding ourselves if we continue in school together. I think we could boil water without scorching anyhow. The Y.M.C.A. is doing nicely now. We have fifty new names now. The nominating committee for new officers were appointed today.
I have been rather beside myself today with a dull headache, so will you please excuse scratches and bad pen also poor writer?
I dislike to leave you without our usual token of affection, but will ask you to accept the will for the deed. You seem so very near, yes I believe you are here in mind. May angels guard you in your peaceful slumbers, soothe you in your weary tasks, unite our spirits, cement our love in one blissful bond and lead us gently to higher bliss.
So with a tender “te amo” I bid you good-night.
Joe H. Harris.
P.S. I wrote to Ira this afternoon but did not tell him of this letter. {J.H.H.}
