Name/Title
AU Lambert, Bertha Elizabeth - 1896-02-02 letter to Joseph Hastings HarrisEntry/Object ID
1990.1.280Context
[Westerville, OH, to Mr. J. H. Harris, Ada, Ohio, Lock Box 28]
Westerville O., Feb. 2, '96.
Mr. J. H. Harris,
Ada O.
My Dear Joe: — I have been longing all day for a talk with you and now we will have it. I am at my work as usual, but still “bark” some. I have been out five nights in the past week, so you know I am not very sick. I am very thankful to be about my work again.
All the literary societies except ours had open session this week, so there was no meeting Thur. & Fri. nights, but there was church again last night. And I really believe we are now getting ready for work. How can God be so good to people who are so indifferent as to his work. It is on my mind and I believe I must tell you about the meeting last night. There were not very many at church and they seemed very indifferent and unconcerned, until during the testimony service an old Methodist who was filled with the Holy Spirit got up and gave just such a talk as we needed. Just as the minister was about to close the service one of the students (who is laughed at by some) arose and said in substance, “I think we all need to get nearer to Christ, can't we just get down at that altar once for closer consecration.” The minister called for a song and said that Mr. Montgomery (the student) could kneel at the altar and others if they desired. Almost immediately the altar was filled with Christians seeking a closer consecration. I thought I would be one of the first ones at the altar but Satan kept me away until all the places were filled except by a gentleman who has been walking with me a few times, and would you believe that I let that little thing keep me from the most needful thing in the world, — a full consecration to God, but I did.
For some time the thought has been with me almost constantly as to how I should spend my life, but I tried to think if I assisted in some work, it did not matter much what, that it would be all right. I found that would not do, and I came to the place where I had to say, “Lord I will do any thing, in any place, and in any way if thou wilt only make that work plain.” Then the blessing came and the Lord seemed to say “Just now do the work that is all around you.”
Joe, I still love you as truly as ever. I do not know exactly what God wants me to do, but do feel that he has some special work for me to do, and if he calls you to one work and me to another, we must follow that call even though it separate us continents apart for life. God's work is more important than ours I would not cast any reflections on the past, but I do think we have made the mistake in settling other questions, and especially that if companionship through life, before we settled this question with God. And must we not let it come first yet. I think we can not do otherwise. May we not just put ourselves in God's hands trusting that he will lead us.
Now I have told you all, pardon me if I have said any thing that I ought not to have said, but I have simply done what I felt was my duty and believing God required it of me.
I felt such a sense of shame and condemnation that words could not express my feelings. I came home, and as I went to my room for secret prayer I felt that that consecration must be made before I closed my eyes in sleep. Thank the Lord I was able to make it, and such a blessing came to me and has filled my heart all day. I promised God that I would do whatever he would like to have me do regardless of the cost.
We received a letter from Ida last evening. She seemed to appreciate Howard's visit so much. Jud was away but coming home soon. We are having plenty of mud in Westerville. School is passing about as usual. I fear I have tired you with my much talking but I felt that I must just tell you all.
Trusting that God will lead us daily just where he wants us to go and that we may be willing to follow wherever that may be, I am as ever.
Your Bertha.
