Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1894-11-25 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.9Scope and Content
Letter from Joseph Hastings Harris (Ada, Ohio) to Bertha Elizabeth Lambert (Plantsville, Ohio), 25 November 1894Context
[Stationery engraved with picture of Ohio Normal University]
Box 479, Ada, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1894.
Miss Lambert,
Plantsville, Ohio.
Dear Bertha;
Once more located and with somewhat different surroundings than usual, I take great pleasure in this opportunity of writing to you. After the short? and pleasant visit with you losing my overshoes once or twice I succeeded in getting home only to be called out at 4:30 to breakfast and was sometime afterward on my way to Amesville where I took the train 9:54 having about 1 1/2 hrs to wait at Palos the company has arranged so you can purchase your ticket to your destination, check baggage and then go to Glouster free of cost on South Bound K. & M. for dinner where you take the proper train 11:59 arriving at Columbus 2:55. There is no change as that train goes to Toledo via Columbus, Kenton and Dunkirk.
I had a very pleasant trip and arrived here 7:30 and was in Philo Hall within 15 minutes after leaving the train. At 8:A.M. Sat. I was studying Cicero went to the Hall in the afternoon Y.M.C.A. in the evening. Attended services this morning and listened to a soul-stirring address to the associations this after-noon by Rev. Wallace of M.E. Church. His subj. was “Is thine heart right? if so give me thine hand.”
Bertha I leave you to imagine what this introduction to Ada has been to me, I cannot explain my feelings. The hardest task at first was to reconcile my mind to the idea that I should not see the boys of Senior Class of '94. I notices this more in the Association than elsewhere as we used to take a friendly shake of the hand all round.
Somehow I feel a much greater weight of responsibility resting upon me than ever before as the workers of last yr. are gone. However I shall soon become acquainted and get to work in earnest. I shall devote most of my time to Latin. I met Prof. Smith at his home last evening and he told me he would make arrangements with me in the morning after chapel.
I am making a good start as I called on a lady yesterday morning "Miss Dickinson, my Latin teacher" and had a very friendly chat. She invited me to join their mission band which I think I shall do.
Have heard more music since coming here than all while away from here. I could not help thinking how you would enjoy such a treat.
Mr. Rogers (Ira's room-mate last yr) received a letter from Ira today in which he stated that he was sick but thought he would be at work in a few days, but of course you have heard from him ere this time. I met some of the ladies that attended the Y.W.C.A. convention at Westerville. They spoke of Ira and expressed their gratitude toward him for the kindly reception tendered them much through his influence.
The Y.M.C.A. boys fourteen in number are attending the convention at Piqua O.
This is a very full term and quite a stir of course among so many. I wish you might be enjoying your regular course of studies, but we ought to spread the inspiration we receive to others and that seems to be your mission this winter. May God help you to continue to be successful.
I can not say of course what this winter will prove to me, but Bertha I feel that God has something here for me to do. There is a burden resting on me heavier than ever I realized it before. It may be a very humble work, but will you continue to bring my cause daily to God in earnest prayer.
This is rather a varied letter and doubtless is uninteresting so I close by asking the guidance and protection of the Divine Father to accompany us both through the (as I trust) short time that we shall be separated.
As ever your sincere friend,
J. H. Harris
