Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-07-04 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.112Context
[Plantsville, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Iberia, Ohio, “Morrow Co.”]
Plantsville, Ohio.
July 4, 1896.
Miss Lambert,
Iberia, Ohio.
Darling Bertha: I was up last night from midnight on and it seems to me every moment my thoughts have been turned to you all day long. I would rather see you and spend the evening with you than to meet any other person on earth. I feel like I would so much enjoy just freely pouring my thoughts to you and I believe you would listen very attentively. It seems too bad that we must be thus separated, but we have taken the plans which under the leading of God seemed best.
I wonder what you are doing today, busy of course and spreading sunshine all the time. I was so hurried yesterday that I did not get to mention nearly all I wished to speak of.
Of course people will talk but I presume Mr & Mrs Frankum would prefer their own judgement to any other. It might be a mistake for them to wait another yr. Aunt Mary Embree was with us yesterday afternoon and Wats took special pains at supper to inform her that I was trying to be related to her. She said she would be proud to acknowledge me as such.
Your father stopped here a moment this morning but I was not in then and did not get to see him.
I conducted the Union last Sab. evening. The class at Bartlett have invited me to talk to them some time this Summer and I think I shall respond a little later on missions. I am glad you sent those cards. I too am satisfied and feel now that we are more closely allied to each other than ever before. We have taken upon ourselves self denial and all for Christ but we have the sure promise of God to bear us out.
Does it seem possible now that our every energy shall be directed toward preparing to leave our own native land and to say farewell to all our friends and to give up the pleasures connected with home life in this country to go we know not whither? But today I took the Bible and run over the promises given in Rev., reading them to Alice, and I think we can well afford to sacrifice any and everything because “he that overcometh shall inherit all things.” Sometimes though I allow myself to become a little discouraged, but Ps. 37 and 91 always cheer me.
I have thought so much of how it would lighten our hearts if when darkness seems to come we could only talk together an hr. because your presence always dispels anything related to darkness and I feel that even separated as we are you are my sunshine and it seems to me I could hardly think of continuing the battle of life without you at my side.
As stated before already I am sorry I have wasted so much time as not to be ready to claim you as a nearer companion, but I have faith to believe that all will end well.
I am trying to get Leonard to decide to go to school but I don't know what the result will be. I hope you may succeed well in your canvassing. I use the introduction cards quite a good deal. I usually see the ministers first and get the card filled out or have them write a testimonial. From the pastors it is quite easy to get S.S. Supt., Pres. Y.P.S.C.E., etc. and thus get a list at once of those who are likely to be interested in Bible Study. In showing the Study I vary the plan considerable but always try to get the person to see the salient features as we advance in showing 1. A complete index, 2. Interwoven gospels, 3. Harmony of the gospels, 4. System of notes, 5. Maps with reference lines, 6. Key to the fourfold Gospel, 7. Schedule of distances, 8. Harmony of genealogies.
I find it a valuable “hit” to show how nicely we can run from the maps by tracing the reference line from the white dots in the journey line, thus showing the Map No. and the book and chap in which any event is found.
I expect you can show the Study better now than I.
I told the Co. to inform you about the Old T. Study. You can get Bibles like the one you are canvassing with for $265 or with complete helps including fine plates for $285 or you can get silk lined @ $235 without helps and $245 with helps. You can sell them at your own price but I would not bother with them for less than $1 per book.
When you get the fifty sold you can order direct from the Co. and if you can make use of 50 more and order them in one order you can get them at 25¢. The O.T. Study is the same rate at present so you see it gives 70¢ profit on the sale.
I don't want you to send any money at all, the girl that has the courage to go out as you have deserves commendation.
I expect to take enough kisses to make up for that even if you give them at the rate of 10 for 1¢.
Take good care of yourself “Dear” and I will try to do the same.
In case you get a chance to establish an agent, I think it will pay you to do so as all the Studies you dispose of in that way {ie} wholesale, you get @ 20¢ per copy.
It is now Sunday afternoon. I am still at Uncle's. Instead of going to church this morning I slept. I shall not attend the Union this evening neither. Alice seems quite restless this evening but if she has no strangling spells she may last several days yet. Leora is getting better and think she will get well.
The people don't bother me in the way of teasing except what I have mentioned, perhaps I enjoy it too well. [Venie or Verne] is working at father's so I went over and took dinner with her Friday. They feed me on raspberries, apples, blackberries & peaches in all manner of styles.
For the last nineteen days I have eaten four meals daily except two days. Do you think you will be able to cook four meals per day. I don't get much time to write. I think I shall go to Athens tomorrow. The mails here are very inconvenient as no mail goes farther than Sharpsburg or Chesterhill in a day.
Mail put in the office at Plantsville at 5 P.M. Sat. does not leave Sharpsburg until Tuesday morning. I hope you may have a nice time during your stay at Iberia. It is almost a yr now since we had such an excellent visit there.
This is Mon. morning and Alice seems weaker. Leonard, Miss Foward, Jennie Armstrong and I sat up last night. I rather wished you might have been here instead of Jennie. Please pardon for being so long in writing but it will go just as soon.
I expect you are lonesome so the effort in deciphering this letter may help you to pass the time. Now I will say good bye again. I suppose you have gotten the Studies and letter by this time.
Trusting that this may find my Sweetheart enjoying herself well I must close for this time. You may address me at Athens again this time please.
Your devoted Lover
J. H. Harris,
Box 219
Athens Ohio
