Marshfield, Wis. April 22^nd 1903.                                                                                           Index

Miss Florence Minch,
Naperville Ill.

My dear friend:
        I thought this time I would wait a long time before I would write, but I am just a little out of whack, and not able to work so I thought I would write just for the sake of having something to do. I have not been feeling very well for a few days, but today am feeling much better, so I think I will be able to go to work again tomorrow. I went out in the woods a few days ago to look for flowers, and found a few strange plants, and following the principle taught me by our botany professor of course I tasted beans and roots, and now I suppose I am reaping my reward. I am afraid this principle will soon prove fatal to one who expects to spend his time among the strange plants of Africa, especially if he persists in following it out. So perhaps I have been taught a lesson which will be well for me to consider somewhat. Strange plants are very abundant here and this would make an excellent ground for botany classes to explore.

        Yesterday I received a letter from Mr. J. Davis Adams the Secretary of the mission, and he urged me to come on to Philadelphia as soon as possible. He says the work is so very pressing and they are in great need of more helpers. The letter almost made me sigh. The time here seems so very long, and sometimes it is very hard for me to be patient. Were I not sure that God would have me remain here yet for a while I would drop my work at once and go, no matter what the consequences might be. Perhaps I never told you why I thought I ought to stay here. It is for this reason. Last December I received a letter from Mr. Adams in which he suggested that in earnest prayer I should ask God whether it would not be best for me to come to Philadelphia immediately, and then if it be his will go out with the party which is just now about to sail. Of course it was an important matter for me, but I must confess that I was utterly perplexed as to what I should do, and it seemed I could in no way determine what was best. On the last Sunday morning, before Christmas, I was out in the barn milking and began thinking the matter over, as I had done again and again before. I then looked up to Jesus (and oh! how often it seems I fail to do that) and I said to him “Oh! Master I know not what to do. Show me what thou wilt have me to do.” It was raining outside and also snowing some. The road was very muddy, and it was just about as disagreeable as it could be. The rest of the people did not care to go to church so I started out all alone on foot, and strange to say I went to the Presbyterian Church for the first time, and there I met a man whom to me is the brightest, smartest, most Christ like man I have ever met. He is yet a young man, has been a student at North Western University, and is a thoroughly up to date Christian man. His name is Frank Young. Before that Sunday I had never seen him nor had he ever seen me and yet listen to what a peculiar sermon he preached. He took as his subject the years of Christ’s life between his appearance at the temple in Jerusalem, and the beginning of his public ministry. He described very beautifully the young man, who was greatest of all men, and yet who had patience enough to spend eighteen years, being nothing but a common carpenter. Then he spoke of the restlessness of the times, and just about the time I was beginning to condemn myself because I was so anxious and restless, and not even willing to spend a short time as a common laborer, he paused in his sermon, and began again with these words. “It may be there is some young man here who has his heart set on Africa. Are you willing to wait until the Father is ready to send you?” I was almost overcome by the statement. I thought how could it be possible that he should make such a statement knowing nothing at all about me. Why could he not as well have said China, or India, or some other place. When I thought of my prayer back in the old cow barn, I was satisfied that Jesus had heard and answered and I decided to remain alone in the woods, until he said “It is enough” I must admit that although I may not appear polished or bright when the year is over, yet this has been one of the most excellent years of training that I have ever passed through. I have been simply surprised to find that some things exist in my character of which I had never dreamed. For instance I had even gone so far as to pride myself on being patient no matter how trying the circumstance might be, and yet three times during the year, while at work I threw my tool aside, and in a fit of anger said “I will not stand this any longer”. Oh how bitterly did I repent of such actions, only to repeat again. Did not God see that of which I knew nothing, and now see how he has shown his wisdom. Henry Hillman is a very nice man, and well liked by all his neighbors. He is however very particular that everything should be done as he wishes, and his management is so very poor, even ridiculous sometimes and tends awfully to aggravate one. Just exactly the place for one to try his patience who had boasted to himself. Is it not possible that God will place me where patience will be required that will try the mettle of the best men? Although as I have said three times my patience gave way, yet I am steadily coming nearer to that point where I can do cheerfully the most disagreeable of tasks. We sometimes get the idea that in college is the place for training, but Oh! how much more excellent is the college of Jesus. There are other things which I have been obliged to fight against, some more severe, and although I am ashamed to confess it, I would not speak the truth if I did not, yet I have failed again and again, but I am glad that God has given me grace to face the battle even after conquered, and that by his help I am coming to the point where I can say “I am coming off more than conqueror”. I don’t know how it may be with the Christian lives of others. I have heard some boast that with them it is all pleasure, there are no trials. Satan has left entirely with his temptations, but as far as I am concerned I know without the least doubt, that Christ is with me, in me, and about me, and yet I must struggle, and do you know the smartest moments of my life are the times when temptations come upon me so severely, that it takes the utmost intensity of all the powers I possess, to overcome them when, I must fall upon my knees in agony, and beg for mercy and aid, and then comes the calmness, the serenity. When the temptation is over I can look up into the face of my Master, and see him smile upon me. Oh! the sweetness of that moment cannot be compared to the joy which those claim to have who never know a struggle. After all it is the moments of agony, the struggles, the suffering, that cause us to dig down deep in the experience of life. Life is short. I do not care to be happy and gay all the time. For then life passes away and I have but touched the surface. I never knew how to sympathize with the suffering. My scope of life is narrow, and ‘twas hardly worth living.

        You spoke of keeping those pamphlets awhile longer. I did not intend that you should return them again, for they cost me nothing, and I can get as many more as I please.

        In closing I would say remember Africa. The need there is tremendous. May God lead many men and women to be willing to cast aside the gaiety and frivolities of the world, and plunge into the dark continent to shine as bright lights, and glorify God. Oh the joy there will be when that grand company of martyrs and saints from the dark continent, shall join those of other dark lands, and sweep through the gates of the New Jerusalem!

        John