Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-06-29 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.41Context
[East Northfield, MA, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Iberia, Ohio]
Marquand Hall
East Northfield, Mass.
June 29, 1895.
2:30 P.M.
Miss Lambert
Iberia, Ohio.
My Loving Bertha: Here I am at Northfield. Came in yesterday morning and of course was pretty weary. I see that you had not gotten my letter (written June 26) when you wrote. I left Ada 4 P.M. Wed. thought of you as we passed through Crestline, got into Pittsburgh 1"15 Thurs. Morning, changed cars and started on at 3. I can not begin to tell of the many pleasurable sights and thoughts that came up, rocks, hills, mts., groves, gulches, streams, curves etc. I imagined the Johnstown flood as we passed through. There was a feeling of reverence passed over me as we passed through Philadelphia, Germantown, Trenton, etc. We arrived at New York about 3 P.M. were there only 1 1/2 hours but got to see, Brooklyn bridge, Statue of Liberty, Castle garden, forts, hell gate, hundreds of ships etc.
We took passage on a beautiful steamer. It was cloudy and foggy. I stayed on deck as long as I could see. The wind was rough and the lashing of the waves was grand indeed. I went to my bunk at 8 and despite all the confusion and tossing of the steamer I was sound asleep in a few moments and did not waken until 3 the next morning. They said there was quite a severe storm during the night. Some of the boys said they could not sleep on account of the plunging of the vessel, but that make no change in my business.
We took train at New London Conn. at 5:25 Fri. morning having been on the vessel 12 hrs. Now we come to New England scenery. How shall I describe it. I could not help thinking of Co. Hist. We passed through Norwich, Williamantic, Stafford, Amherst etc, hills, plains, valleys, boulders, stone fences. Scene of the pequot soil and everything to make it an inspiring trip. It would have been ever so much more pleasant if you could have been with me.
It seems that I do all the going, but I trust it will not always be so.
This is a grand place indeed, beautiful scenery, hills, valleys, trees, beautiful buildings and everything to make a pleasant stay.
The sessions began last night, so I can not tell you much, only that among such men as Moody, Mott, Dr. Cayler and a host of others there certainly is power.
I don't know why, but yesterday evening while sitting at Marquand Hall with a great many other fellows I fought one of the hardest spiritual fights I have experienced for a long time. I cannot conceive why or what it was, but the victory came and I got up, went in and found your letter, which was a very welcome guest indeed. This is a great gathering and the spiritual force is wonderful.
I can tell you more about it later. All the Ohio boys put up at Hillside cottage a beautiful place. I have a waitership and of course have to carry grub. We get $1 per day which will surely help our declining purses considerably. The Association gave me $25 so I will get a pretty cheap trip after all. If the Herald gets a joke on me this wk. I will explain to you.
I see you are in deep trouble perhaps my presence would make things worse especially if I should come your meeting times.
I don't blame you for wanting a “point” but I suppose you will have to be careful how you drop him lest you wound his feelings.
It gives me pleasure to learn of your success in your work. It certainly will be a great help to you. I would like first rate to be one of your voice pupils, you surely would be such a loving teacher I know I would like you.
I suppose I will hear from you soon in regard to the contents of my last letter viz: Our visit on my return home. You need not fix up any only comb your hair little girl fashion, as I expect to be tired, black, and clothes soiled considerably, but perhaps you will bear with that. If it is satisfactory to you so far as I can see now I will send word later as to what time I will be likely to be along.
We are busy all the time. I take two courses of study, missions and Personal Work, beside the conferences, platform and round top meetings. I will let you hear further as the work develops.
Will you continue just to ask God to show me definite plans for my life work before leaving this conference? May God bless you Bertha and make you useful in His cause is the plea of your devoted lover,
J. H. Harris.
Sunday Afternoon,
As mail does not go until morning I will again that all is well.
Powerful meetings. The addresses are heart searching. I think I never heard such a searching talk as Mott gave last evening on choosing a life work. It came right home. I expect to know better what my work shall be ere leaving this place.
May God bless us both while so many miles separate us.
Joe.
