Philadelphia Pa. June 11^th 1903                                                                                              Index

Miss Florence Minch
Naperville, Ill.

My dear friend
        I write to you now because I have forgotten when school closes and I want you to get the letter at Naperville. Now Florence I hope you will not call me harsh or rude when I say I am glad you are meeting disappointments, that I am glad you are impatient, and in an unsettled condition. It only reminds me of some of the days I spent while at Marshfield and Oh the glory that has come from those trying times. I know you are honest in telling me what you think is true as before God and perhaps you were a little bit afraid you would disappoint me but Florence I would a hundred times rather you would be true and tell me things as they are than try as so many do to smooth things over and then when it is too late meet that fittest of all disappointments going through life dissatisfied. I have not gotten so far away from the true meaning of life as to think that days will come and days will go without their ups and downs. Although I do speak the truth when I say that just now God gives me grace to be perfectly quiet so that my heart is filled with an unbroken peace. I know that it is simply because if it were anything less I would not be able to bear (He will place nothing upon us which we cannot bear) and I am sure the days will come when I shall be obliged to get down and double up my fists and say “Dear Lord I will trust in thee” even though thou slay me. So rest assured that all will be well. There is one thought that gives me a great deal of comfort and that is that Jesus has covered me over with His righteousness so that I appear righteous before the Father even as He is righteous and Jesus is so kind and true that even when I do disappoint Him He always overlooks it and presents me to the Father as a righteous man. Florence we cannot be as God wants us only as we hide under the blood of our dearest friend Jesus. Of one thing we can be sure that the hope of eternal life which we have in us can never be taken away. Jesus has taken our judgement upon himself and even though when he comes he shall reward us according to our deeds yet one thing he will not take away from us no matter what our feelings may be Jesus will give us eternal life. This assurance ought to give us a constant peace yet it seems so natural for us to be worldly that the least little thing that comes in our way is apt to disturb our peace. I believe we shall grow however in His grace til no matter what comes we shall be happy in Him. At the present however lets meet disappointments and bear them looking to Him. It will certainly be an excellent training for us and some day we shall praise Him for His perfect ways. I am already praising Him for some things which were a great disappointment to me. Surely his ways are perfect.

        And now Florence I was so glad to see that you are hesitating to answer that question. I have many reasons to believe that were you to suit our own desires you would have answered long before this time. I hope you will hold the matter firmly before Him until He shows you what is right. I have not the least doubt that you will be able to reach me if it is His will but I have serious doubts if you ever will reach Africa against His will. Be sure you are right and then trust in Him.

        It would have pleased me very much if I could have spoken to the men here concerning the matter before I left but I feel very confident that God will do what is best so I think we had better postpone the matter until some other time. And now believe me Florence, from my own experience, God has a purpose in holding you in suspense as he does. The time is coming when that purpose will have been fulfilled and when God will act quickly. You know of the sudden changes that came in my life. I can see now why they were. Before each change I place myself without a single reserve into His hands and it is only at such times that He can act. His actions then often do not please us but as we are faithful He will do what is best. So do not think He is holding you there because He wants you to finish the college course or anything of the kind. He simply holds you to fulfill a purpose of His own and when that purpose is fulfilled He will act perhaps more quickly than you will wish. If God shows you that you aught to put yourself under charge of the Africa Inland Mission don’t be afraid. The men here do not look as to what ones abilities may be. They only care that it be God’s will and if He should be ready to send you out next month I have not the least bit of doubt that they would send you. So wait with as much patience as you can for His time. It may be soon but it will surely come.

        I was just thinking that perhaps God has already chosen companions for you to go to the field. I have met two young ladies here who will go some time in the future. One of them is to become the wife of Mr. Johnson already on the field and the other will become the wife of Mr. Rhoad my companion on this trip and how happy it would be if God should permit you to come with them to be my life partner. God works in a gracious way and is very kind to His children. Oh if we would but trust Him more. And now let me urge one thing upon you do not think you must overburden yourself to please God. Do not think you must finish the college course. In fact I should feel sorry to think that you were so far ahead of me. But simply rest quietly before the Lord. Seek the best health, and the most quiet condition in Him. If you think it would be well not to attend school at all for one year I simply would not do it. If ever you reach Africa you will need all the strength you possibly can get. I believe if you would spend one year on the farm and dig potatoes and hoe corn and get so sun-burned that people wouldn’t know whether you were white or black I believe at the end of that year you would agree with me that it could not have been better spent. I remember when I was at school sometimes I was in such suspense that I even became nervous and excited thinking I would not be able to finish ths or to do that and if I could have dropped the whole matter it would have been a great relief. Now do you think God wants us to be in such a condition. Why not put the matter in His hands and be quiet. I know there always comes up this thing what will others say. Many have blamed me for staying at Marshfield but what should we care about what others say. And now Florence the reason why I write this is this. Mr. J. D. Adams Secretary of the Mission took me out last Sunday Afternoon and he said that is the only thing he would urge upon me. He said they want their missionaries to be able to be quiet before the Lord. He said they want people who will not do too much no matter how pressing. People who will go on quietly without any anxiety doing patiently what the Lord requires but being temperate as well at working as at eating and drinking I am sure Florence if you knew how broad-minded these men are you would not overburden yourself thinking that some day it will be an advantage. But I have written four times as much as I thought I would so I will close. I will only say don’t be anxious about what you should answer me. Don’t be anxious about anything but be just as quiet and as happy as you possibly can. The Lord requires it of you. I should be glad to hear from you once more before I leave. The Lord is causing your letters to be very dear to me and I take it as a proof that we are moving in the right direction. Rest assured he will not cause us to love one another unless it is His will.

        Faithfully yours, John.

        Address me 926 North Broad Street any time before June 25^th. Tell me what your address will be after you leave school.