Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-03-11 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.87Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.;” Enclosure: Invitation to Philo Hyacinth Reception, 11 Mar 1896.]
Ada, O. Mar. 11, 1896.
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
My Darling Bertha: Your letter just received finds me starting in another term's work. I did rather look down my nose when I found no letter Tues., but contented myself with the thought that Mr. Fisher had preceded me at the office and gotten it, but on coming in at noon no letter was found and I concluded that you were detained in some way and that I would enjoy the feast today which resulted in a broad smile today. I have been studying some and canvassed some for these little Colportage books. I wished many times for our visit but, as you were busy perhaps two wks from next Friday will be better in that respect. I have thought of making arrangements to take the afternoon train Thurs. and get to Col. about 8 surprising you again about 9(?) o'clock. I presume I will be pretty selfish as usual. I rec'd a card from Howard with your letter. He is now at Sloan, Iowa and says he is well, but pretty weary. He did not state as to when he would come East. I just finished a card to him and handed your invitation on. I have not decided all my work, but will take Elements of Crit. and Greek. I would like very much to take the Latin, but there are some other branches I would like to get out of the way as they are in every prep. course, such as history, so I may be silly enough to miss Latin this term. I will have no Mathematics. I don't believe the school is as large as usual, but this being the term for teachers to come in, many will come in yet. I have been somewhat undecided about the work of this term as it makes some difference about entrance elsewhere. I think O.U. needs some missionary work done in her borders, so perhaps I had better come there, but we will talk about that a whole day after awhile. Seth is getting along nicely and seems to think they have quite a school at Berea.
Societies are quarreling over the little bones (mossbacks) as usual. I have not attended a train. I suppose I must howl on Philo Staye this next Friday night.
I still have considerable Y.M.C.A. work in helping the boys get started. Where did you find such nice writing paper. I think it is very nice. I don't wonder that the lady thought you looked happy. You always seemed to me the happiest and sweetest creature I ever met.
The measles are still raging here. Mr. Fisher is well now and recommends me as a nurse.
Rev. Campbell is trying to make a Pres. of me. He said he has some work for me to do this term, but did not say what it was. Perhaps I had better keep clear of him.
You spoke of the time of our writing. I don't know as I can tell just what hr. I will not be busy, but quite likely after church service in the evening will be congenial, however I may have to take some other hr. so I wish you might use the hr. best suited to you and I feel like following your suggestion viz: much in prayer and depending on God. Yes I realize that it is asking a great deal to do this, yet I do not consider that this in any way binds us. We simply survey the field in calm moments and take the evidences and then when we have our visit we can be better able to discuss the field and the work.
We are not afraid to risk the result with God. I do not know yet what I shall say, and the letter may not be satisfactory to you {ie}, you may think I am no nearer a decision than previously, but I trust it will be otherwise. It certainly will be quite a relief when do come to a final and firm decision. I presume not many lovers have the difficulty we have in this particular, but you very aptly struck the key note when you spoke of wanting to be in the plan of God and that you could not be happy otherwise. I think I have never doubted but that our plans are all right and that you would be the sunshine of a little home of our own. I may be selfish, but I see it now in no other light. You have been such a great help to me in many ways and it just seems to me that I could not live half my true self without you, but I trust that you may be very plain in stating your wishes and feelings and also to state (if you wish) what occupation or calling you would prefer your husband to follow {ie} the calling that would be suited to yours etc. You see in this there is no chance to influence oneanother in what we write as we both write at the same time. May God bless my Loved One and direct the thought and pen as we shall write.
Your Devoted Lover,
J. H. Harris.
