Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-02-10 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.19Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Bartlett, Ohio, “Wash. Co.”]
[Enclosure: a printed card with a poem inside titled “Think of me”]
Ada, O. Feb. 10, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Bartlett, Ohio.
Dear Bertha E.: — This evening finds me again at my pleasant task of penning (transcribing) a few thoughts to you.\ I thought this morning I should have to write two letters before receiving yours, but was very agreeably foiled in so doing by receiving your welcome missive as I went to S.S. this morning. I could scarcely wait until S.S. was over to read it, but did succeed in waiting until we came to the room.
I thought I could guess the cause of the delay and did not think of censuring you in the least, however I did feel rather forlorn and lost when nothing came Thursday evening. Were it not that your letters are always gushing with something that is too warm for the zeros attacks I might have concluded that it had frozen and still was on the way, but I realize that you are at a very great disadvantage in many respects. You can not divide your time always to suit your own convenience; therefore cause yourself no uneasiness about anything of that kind, for I know you are anxious to write as I am to hear from you. We are having plenty of cold weather as the thermometer has registered as low as 13° below zero. It is nice weather for study only it keeps one busy much of the time in putting wood into the stove. I studied Greek nothing but Greek all day long yesterday from early morn till 4 P.M. and then felt loathe to give it up.
Well Bertha you mentioned the Y.M.C.A. work and I promised in the last issue to give you some more definite idea of plans in view.
Our election was held this afternoon and the universal voice seemed to be that I should devote my energies this yr. to conducting the affairs of our beloved Association.
You realize how great a debate has been going on in my mind for some time past concerning school plans. At one time my decision was most made to leave here this yr, for all I knew the Y.M.C.A. work awaited my hand by staying, but I have tried to weigh matters and to take a broad view of the situation as it may affect future plans in education, in a life work and of our mutual interests. I realized that there are advantages in going to another school at once, but there are also advantages in staying here. You realize that my highest purpose is to honor God and to use the opportunities that are best calculated to fit me for future usefulness in some line however humble it may be. This work of course ties me one yr. It seems, from a financial standpoint, like taking a step in the dark, as we have such a short vacation, but I trustingly take the step, realizing that there is no time for faltering.
What others have done may be done again, and my determination is to lose as few school hrs as possible even if some other things have to be sacrificed.
And now last but not in any sense least was the thought of our continued separation. We have been together so little that I think it would be a great advantage, saying nothing of the infinite pleasure, if we could be together this yr., although there are many advantages in correspondence.
The thought came that you did not seem decided positively about staying in school yr. after next, and in that event we would be separated two yrs. save for short visits, but you see the decision; what the result may be, the future shall decide.
And now my dear, while you are all in all to me so far as earthly affairs are concerned, yet my rule of action and plan of work in temporal affairs shall be guided and controlled in the way that may seem to our judgement most conducive to our happiness when the long looked for time shall come that we shall walk through life united in soul.
This explains my position, and although you may have thought of other plans that would have pleased you more than this, yet I know that you bid me God speed in the work. I feel so unworthy and incompetent for the work, yet I shall always feel you near in your prayers and kind wishes, and shall do my best to be the means of helping some of the 1700 to 2000 young men with whom we shall mingle this yr.
I expect to go to the State Convention at Newark one wk. from next Thursday. We get the round trip by way of Col. for one fare which is about $3.60. Now if you were at Westerville do you know what I'd do? Why I should just miss the train at Col. and get on the wrong road for one day. We have nice sleighing now, but people fear the weather.
I was glad to hear of some interest in the meetings at least. Did they dun you for my quarterage? I failed to pay any this yr.
Ira favored me with a letter in which he spoke of mother's? intended visit. So doubtless you are visiting with her while my pen goes scratch scratch over the paper, unconscious that you are listening to another, however my turn is coming.
If I had a cent I might buy you a valentine, but you will please accept the will for the deed.
This letter is all about myself and like myself is very dry. Doubtless you wonder what will be the next subject in these letters. I too sometimes wonder, but so long as I have two cents, you may look for something. So give me a kiss yes two if you please, we breathe a short prayer God only can hear, we part to meet our wk's toil. Good night. Love, J. H. Harris.
