Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-06-14 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.107Context
[Marietta, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.,” Return to Box 219 Athens Ohio]
Marietta, Ohio.
June 14, 1896.
Miss Bertha Lambert
Westerville, Ohio.
My Darling Bertha: Perhaps you may think me bad, but I just came from the P.O. where I rec'd your letter written yesterday. It is now 4:45 P.M. I listened to a strong Baccalaureate sermon this morning.
The remaining time I have been in my room all alone. I wonder if you are alone. I wish we might be together these hrs. This has been rather the most lonesome Sab. I have witnessed for nearly two yrs. I read the book of Daniel this P.M. I have not seen you in my dreams but I have wished many times that I might see you face to face, “I might get pretty close too.” You can only imagine how much good your sweet message does me, coming as it does from one so loving and devoted.
I have no doubt you feel very lonesome now and will hardly know how to entertain yourself for a while. I wish I might get to see you again before you go away and it may be that we can meet but you know vacation is so short and so much depends on what can be done that I feel a little slow to make any promises.
You have my letter written Friday, by this time. As I said in that Galion is open to you, so also is Westerville. I cannot say as to Plain City, but will find out at once. As to the Bibles, I sent for one May 30, and they said the stock was exhausted but that others had been ordered so I have been anxiously waiting for it. It may be here tomorrow. So I will send the Bible and some Studies as soon as possible. I am sorry to delay in this way but I think you had better rest a whole wk now at any rate, because you will get very tired of canvassing. The Studies on the Old Testament will be out now in a few days so I think you can have both of them to start with. I am getting along nicely here and do not know just how long I shall stay. As the schools are out now I may do some canvassing here before proceeding farther. I will watch for opportunities and may be I can come to W. and fit you out with territory, Bible, Studies and teach you your little speech for showing the study and arrange so you can start others who would like to work for the Studies. I feel very hopeful for the Summer and believe God will prosper us if we are obedient to Him. Let us draw very close to Him and lay all our plans before Him and then trust for the results. You are such a help and stay to me I don't see how fellows get along without a Sweetheart to cheer every step and wherever you may be placed this yr. always cherish the thought that whatever heartaches or sorrows you may have you have one who will always have a ready ear to listen and a tender heart to sympathize with you.
I cannot think of life being otherwise than sweet with your presence promised and it seems to me my highest delight and joy will be to make your life happy whatever sacrifice we may make.
Monday morning: Attended Y.P.C.U. and Y.M.C.A. address last evening. I believe you may address me here until Thurs. I will send a certificate for you to sign when I send the Bible etc. Let me hear from you if you want to work all three of the places mentioned. I trust the Bible may come in today. Hoping this may find my Sweetheart happy, I remain as usual
Your devoted Lover
J. H. Harris.(over)
I enclose a Certificate and if you want to work soon you might fill the blank at the bottom with your name and address. You might state also the date about when you would like to go to work. This simply holds the territory for you, I will state the matter concerning Plain Cy. and if it is taken the Co will notify us. If there are any other towns you would like to canvass or think you would, you might write them on the certificate with lead pencil. Do just as you like about signing this now. I send it in case you are anxious to commence work. [J. H. H.]
