Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-05-03 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.96Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Ada O.
May 3, 1896.
Miss Bertha,
Westerville, Ohio.
Dear Sweet-heart: Your message at hand finds me enjoying life in a high degree. This is such a pleasant morning that I don't see how any one could help being happy. All I need is your presence, and the thought comes this morning that it will not be more than three wks at the most when I shall see my Love. I had thought perhaps I might leave here at contest but since working with those studies this wk., at odd hrs, I have decided to stay until I can work the town.
But be assured I will come to you as soon as possible. I wish we might be together this summer. I feel so lost all the time and in a true sense do not enjoy the company of ladies here and it would seem that you too do not enjoy the company of the young men there in a true sense. Yes I hope I may be able to accompany you in your little journeys next yr. I feel that I have missed so much this yr. in that sense and I trust that it may be different next yr, but while we have not been permitted to be together let me say that there has been ever present an abiding devotion and capture of thought that is akin to bliss itself and I know that it will be many fold more when we can meet each other every day.
I think you will have to give Ira a little reminder of the importance(?) of these messages and that they will not keep very long. I think he believes our devotion is all right and let me say as a word of prophecy that it will not surprise me if he beats us yet. I have been thinking of what a wonderful field we have before us considering preparation and all and somehow I am inclined to be rather grasping into the future to know what is coming, but the thought comes it is God's work. We are His. He has the silver and gold and all things needed and if we do our part surely He is more interested in His work than we, so why can we not trust Him to bring all this about and to work His good pleasure in us. I want to spend more time with God and learn what dependence and trust mean. I think you must have had a nice program at your Y.W. Anniversary. The girls hold their election today for the officers of next yr.
Military is the howl here now. The Seniors are beginning to make a little stir now. In one sense I would like to go out with the class this yr., but do not think it advisable to do so as it seems to me now that the expense connected with it could be better applied on next yrs school. As I look back on my work and associations here there is something rather strange about it taking into consideration the length of time here etc. but while my name will not be on the list of the graduates and will soon be forgotten yet I shall be more than satisfied if I can know that I have left Jesus Christ inscribed in the hearts of a few young men. But we can talk of these questions later.
I look forward to a busy and pleasant summer, busy, because I will work at something however lowly it may be, pleasant because the effort shall be consecrated.
We spoke some time ago about getting new Bibles. I can handle a nice line of Bibles with these studies so that if any of you think of getting Bibles I know we can get them at first cost. I don't mean by this that I want to solicit your patronage for the Co. does not handle them only as a side issue, as frequently they can make a sale of the study if they have a Bible for those who do not have them. I want to ask you which you prefer, a Bible with the helps ({ie} concordance and teacher's helper) or without helps? Some do not like to have the helps in the Bible as they make the book more bulky while others want the helps in the Bible. Have you two copies of the Northfield Echoes? There were four and I have two of them and I had forgotten whether I gave you the other two or not. I don't want them at all if you have them. All I cared for was that they might be in our possession so we might have them bound at some time. Surely you must be enjoying you work. I fear you enjoy it so well that when I call for you, you will be loathe to give up your school; what think you “Dear?”
Yes you have in me not only a friend but the truest of “lovers.” The greatest aim and joy of my life shall be our union in working with God. I surely want to help make life sweet to you and I could ask no greater boon than such a privilege.
I can imagine how bright and cheery you are this morning and I know you would seem even more so in a little home of our own. I think you have been a very patient little girl and think you must be rewarded for such patience. You will not have many more letters to write to Ada. I will extend the time for your Herald until commencement and then see where we will be located. I still claim you as my sunshine and may the Master be pleased to keep us both very near to Him.
Hoping this may find you in good health both soul and body I remain as truly as ever, yours with “Love”
J. H. Harris.
