Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1894-11-01 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.7Scope and Content
Letter from Joseph Hastings Harris (Belpre, Ohio) to Bertha Elizabeth Lambert (Plantsville, Ohio), 1 November 1894Context
[Belpre, OH to Miss Bertha Lambert, Plantsville, Ohio, "Morgan Co.," stationery engraved with roses and the word "Prohibition"]
Box 62, Belpre, O.
Nov. 1, 1894.
Miss Bertha Lambert,
Plantsville, O.
Kind Friend:
As the events of another day have past [sic] and darkness again appears giving time for reflection and rest, I take this opportunity of spending a few moments with you.
While of course distance makes our conversation rather limited and robs much of that pleasure and inspiration that comes by coming in personal contact, yet what a grand privilege to use the pen as the medium for communicating the thoughts that so permeate our lives and cling to us as though a very part of our being.
The world is using me well and am having quite a pleasant stay here. We are getting along first rate with our work, but as we have no more help we will be here longer than was expected.
This has been such a beautiful day and the river reflecting the sun's rays gave the appearance more of glass and brilliants [sic] than of water. Wonderful indeed are the works of God as found in nature. I took a hammer a few days since and broke quite a number of the many pebbles that abound here examining them with a glass, one is astonished and asks himself the questions Whence the origin? How formed? Why?
Yet wonderful as nature seems it sinks into insignificance when compared with the “Great plan of human redemption and revelation by Jesus Christ.”
As you spoke of old time memories and reviewing the past the thought came very forcibly, is it not true that in reviewing the past the mind gleans treasures from the bright spots and leaves most of the dreary and dark pages unremembered. I often think that this principle makes the past seem like so many oases in the journey of life.
I am trying to improve all the spare moments allotted to me realizing that it is best to wear the yoke of self sacrifice during the period of preparation for life work. I am striving by earnest prayer to ask the Dear Master to make clear the path He would have me travel.
Yes you are daily remembered at a throne of grace both in secret prayer and in thought. What the future may bring of course we know not, yet I cannot refrain thinking that it is in accord with God's will that the plan of life as partially divulged to you may be successful and that the result may be to honor the name of Christ.
The Master may call us to a different work if so—Luke 14:33; Rom. 15:3; II Cor. 5:15; I Cor. 10:33; etc.
God helps those who help themselves. I believe He wants us to have strong and determined wills, but that they shall be subject to His will.
Thanks for the references and this opportunity. “May angels of light guide your thought” is the sincere wish of your friend,
J. H. Harris
