Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-07-28 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.48Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Iberia, Ohio, “Morrow Co.”]
Lock Box 28, Ada, O.
July 28, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Iberia, Ohio.
My Loving Bertha: Your inspiring message came to hand yesterday morning while I was trying to unravel some of the mysteries of book-keeping. It took me only a short time to find entrance to the letter and thence was absorbed until everything was read twice. I even read the scrap of newspaper which made me wonder why it was there.
You sent so much sunshine and - yes - love, that if possible I love you more than ever.
You said you would not send any love this time, but—ha! ha! you couldn't help it could you? I will forgive you this time hoping you will do so again. It made me smile to think of you writing a letter to me without getting some love mixed in somewhere in or between the lines. I don't believe you could get that loving hand to write anything else. Perhaps it has been trained that way.
I was sorry to hear of your illness and I trust that this may find you in perfect health. I think you are doing first rate to have your name in three newspapers. This item was clipped from the Churchman. Where would I get that paper? The people here have no knowledge of my stopping at Crestline except Mr. Seager, and he never suspicioned that you were the cause as he knew you lived at Westerville. Even Dille does not know it. I can blind him to suit my own pleasure and not half try. Many of the people here are aware that W. attracts me, but it is difficult for them to follow all my maneuvers and plans. I think Miss Dickinson has given up all hope? I am glad that “Dame fortune” has smiled upon me to such a wonderful degree?
I think it too bad that John imposes on you so much, staying in the study when you prefer having some one else, but never mind it won't take 16 yrs long to roll round and then you can have your wish. I know you look perfectly lovely with you hair curled. I wish I might be with you this afternoon. Alva & Marvin have gone for a walk, but if I can't walk with you I am going to be contrary and not walk at all.
What a treat it would be to be with you at least once a wk., to talk of our plans, exchange ideas, and commune soul with soul as persons in our relations only can. Writing is better than no way at all, but nothing can compare with coming in contact personally with the one whom your affections crave.
The tone, accent, expressions and manner tell more in a moment than written pages in many letters, but the written words give us a nucleus from which we may imagine the expression, tone etc. of the writer.
Perhaps I should not have spoken of becoming a Pres. in the way I did. No, Bertha, I was not in earnest, indeed that does not concern me at all. I could not state today the essential difference between the Pres. & U.B. Church. I may be radical, but as God gives me light on this {ie} as I see it, the extent to which many ministers carry this sectarianism is an abomination in the sight of God.
I have had peculiar training perhaps in some of these things, but I think I can see now for myself. Doubtless I shall be a U.B. until God calls me to be something else. I realize that the tendency of the young ministry is to drift to the larger and more prosperous Denominations. I have no objections, as that must be settled between the individual and God. Some young men advance the salary business. Very well I have no use nor sympathy for the man who does not strive with zeal and energy to provide bountifully for his loved ones, but I do verily believe that the God who formed and knows more about me than all others is able to place a man, yes me just where I belong and honor me with just what I deserve. I would rather be a Joseph or a Daniel than to be the greatest astrologer that thronged the Egyptian or Chaldaean thrones.
I would like to talk with you on those things and others of like nature. Perhaps we view them somewhat differently. You seemed delighted to meet Mrs. Oaks, well I would have enjoyed those demonstrations myself.
O yes you are at liberty to enjoy those demonstrations with your lady friends, your bros., sisters, father and mother — yes and Mr. Bushnell —, but I am very jealous about the rest and think there are no more to spare even if they do accumulate in my absence.
I have had no “trade last's” since I left you. Well Bertha I scarcely know how to express my thoughts, but somehow this coming year looms up before me in an unexplainable manner.
Destiny depends upon many of the decisions that shall be made. I think this yr. must decide my future work. I face a different future today from one year ago at West Liberty, W. Va. and you, my Love, are responsible in many respects. The thought comes how can I best spend the time in order to be fitted for God's work and for making your coming years happy and blessed ones despite the clouds that may rise. I sometimes allow myself to become somewhat discouraged in my work {ie} perhaps dissatisfied thinking and realizing that I am working with a dull and broken scythe in the race, yet by perseverance something may be accomplished. I want to be guided by the Holy Spirit for God has placed in my hand a work which is far more significant, as regards outreaching influence, than any circuit in Scioto Conference. Would to God that I might feel this responsibility as I should. I am up and ahead of our work in book— and have reviewed one term of Algebra, written several letters and done some outside work.
I thought of having some Photos taken this wk., but decided not to do so. I think when we have the opportunity we should get our photos taken together and also arrange our contract? as spoken of. I am in practice now at late hours as I work some nights until 12, but shall not make a practice of it. I have felt almost like a new person since the Northfield and Iberia excursions, wouldn't mind taking the latter or to W. every two wks. this year.
Alva thinks of giving up his Plants. school as he may secure a position of which I can tell you something definite perhaps next week.
Be a good little? girl, go whenever you can and have a good time during vacation. I was glad to know of you going to the picnic, for when you get into school again of course you will be deprived of many such privileges.
May the Spirit of God direct your every thought.
Your devoted Lover,
J. Hastings Harris.
N.B. The class list in the Herald states that Elliot is a Methodist.
