July 8th,
1903
Index
Miss Florence Minch.
Hooppole Ill.
My dear friend:
I know you will want a
long letter so I will begin to write now and thus save time
for sight seeing in Hamburg. What a grand trip we have had.
Bright sunshine every day and neither George nor I have the
least sign of sea-sickness. Glory be to God for his great
kindness and mercies. We left New York as expected at 7
o’clock Sat. morning June 27th. That was a morning
I shall never forget. There are about 1000 people on our ship
and of course that means there was thousands of friends to see
them off. There were quite a number of people there from Phila
and some very dear friends of mine. After a whole lot of
crying and laughing and hugging and kissing the ship started
slowly off. It was sad to see the hundreds of tear-stained
faces many getting a last look at dear friends. Thousands of
hankercheifs fluttered in the air and a genuine old German
Band was playing at its best. It did seem so much as if we
were letting go of dear old Uncle Sam, but the ship would not
stop. We were off and across the Atlantic we must go. We felt
however that Jesus was very near and our hearts were filled
with joy. I must tell you something about my chum George. He
seemed to be very happy as he took good byes from his friends.
Among them was his only sister, one of his brothers, some
other friends and a young lady whom he expected to take along
as his wife. The Phila. Missionary Council thought it would be
best however if he should go alone for a while one or two
years at least. As I said he seemed to be happy but as the
ship went out and we took a last look with our field glass he
almost frightened me. He groaned as if in terrible agony. His
knees shook and I thought he would faint away. Suddenly his
face brightened up and he put his arms around me and we walked
around the deck and went down to our cabin. He was then as
happy as could be all day long. The next morning he asked me
if I noticed him as he looked through his glass. I had to
admit that I did and he told me that he had almost given way
but sudden as a flash there came to his mind the words Lo I am
with you always. That was what caused him to brighten up so
suddenly. I tell you Florence when one sees such things he
begins to realize that the presence of Christ is very real.
How sweet these days have been after leaving all friends to
feel that Christ indeed is with us on board this ship.
The first evening we were out we saw two
large whales. They followed us several miles and it was very
interesting. Besides this we saw nothing but water, water,
water. Imagine then the excitement when yesterday morning some
one cried Land Land. Sure enough away off over the water we
could see rocks and then began one of the most pleasant days I
ever spent in my life. The sun was shining in all his glory.
Slowly there appeared the rocky shores of England. Sea gulls
were flying about by the thousands. Sail boats sparkled
everywhere. All day long we followed quite close the shores.
About 6 o’clock we sailed into the harbor of Plymouth. What an
excitement. It seemed we had gotten out of the world and now
we saw thousands of people again. There was however simply an
exchange of passengers and on we went again and now there was
two hours of the finest scenery I ever saw. The sun was near
the horizon the water was as gold surrounded by a deep blue
while the rocks were black. Millions of sea gulls gave life to
the view. The passengers were almost breathless as the sun
sunk behind the rocks. It looked like a large dome of fire.
When it began to get dark the ship struck off across the
channel for Cherburgh France. This morning at 4 o’clock the
whistle blew and we all hustled up on deck. The sun was just
up and sunny France in all its glory was before us. How funny
things looked. The buildings are so odd. Long lines of
fortifications stretched out in all directions and the hills
far in the distance were covered with beautiful trees. But now
I am getting my descriptions mixed. I guess I will stop. But I
began to feel proud to think of merry England already behind,
Sunny France in sight, and [German word] Germany before. This
afternoon we will see the chalk cliff of Dover and then strike
off along the coast of Germany reaching Hamburg tomorrow.
You will excuse me for saying that many
times I wished you were along. What a grand journey it would
have been, and yet I am glad you are not here. I am glad you
have not answered my question definitely yet. Florence I hear
so much of Africa these days and sometimes it seems to me as
if it would almost be a crime to ask you to follow me. Don’t
let these words disappoint you however. God only knows how my
heart is longing to have you come but do not let it be unless
clearly without the shadow of a doubt it is his will. I do not
want you to decide definitely until I spend some time in
Africa and find out exactly what the conditions are. I mean to
be very honest with you and tell you exactly what you may
expect. If Africa is unfit for a woman I mean to tell you and
then after you know what the conditions are if God shows you
that he wants you to come, come on regardless of results. A
life wasted in his service is not lost. “He that loseth his
life for my sake shall find it”. Matt 10:39. Lets spend much
time in prayer to him who cannot err, and he will surely make
clear his most perfect ways. “Acknowledge me in all thy ways
and I shall direct thy paths”. Prov. 3:6. I know Florence it
must be very hard for you to be living in suspense knowing
nothing definite for the future. I cannot forget the days I
spent in the same way but now how sweet and comforting it is
for me to say, I know! If I reach Africa and am stricken down
even at the point of death I can glory in the fact that I
know. Wait until you are very certain concerning his will and
then whatever comes you will be able to say I know. Now I want
you to write to me as soon as you get this letter and tell me
all about yourself. I am praying much for you these days, so I
hope you will tell me all. Florence even if God should not
lead us together (however I believe He will) but even if he
should not can we not be ready as though we were one. Can you
not open your heart and tell me all about your sorrows and
troubles. Also about your joys. I will then be in a position
to hold you up before the Father knowing definitely for what I
ought to pray. Do not be afraid I shall be disappointed if you
tell me the truth. I shall be disappointed if you do not.
Address me Kangundo, British East Africa via Mombasa and
Machakos in care of Africa Inland Mission. Get as light paper
as possible to save postage. Now depend upon it my letters
shall be as before God giving the conditions as honestly as I
possibly can. If they appear brighter than you expected feel
safe in coming as far as you yourself are concerned. If they
appear darker, then consider whether it would not perhaps be
more pleasing to Him to go to some other country but whatever
you do Let only His will be done. Even if it should be certain
death to come to Africa if it be his will come on without a
fear. But it is almost dinner time so I will finish this at
Hamburg.
July 10th. Well we have finally
arrived at Hamburg. This morning we separated with all the
kind friends we found on board the Graf Waldersee. Dont you
know it does almost make me a little lonesome to be separating
from friends all the time. I am almost tempted to ask you to
pray definitely to our Master to permit you to come on soon
that there may be at least one who will go wherever I go. It
is a fact that sometimes I see what I call a vision. I see a
cozy little hut on some pleasant hillside in Central Africa. I
see one working one or two years to prepare that hut and then
I see him going with a bright and cheerful look down to the
coast to meet one who alone can make that hut happy. May God
grant that it may be so. I am praying and trusting that God
may yet cause all to turn out well. I hope He will soon show
you definitely what He wants you to do and then I hope he will
quickly bring it to pass. Whenever He makes it clear do not
fail to let me know at once either for weal or woe only that
it be His will. I shall be anxiously waiting. In the meantime
Florence live very close to Him. It is not as easy as one
might think to sail as a missionary. My voyage has been very
pleasant yet at times there comes that pang which cannot be
driven away but by looking to Him. I have a very fine
companion and we are having many jolly good times especially
here in Germany talking Dutch. This of course adds very much
to the pleasure of the journey. We will sail again on the 15th.
Our arrangements are already all completed. We make stops at
Rotterdam, Marseilles, Naples, Port Said, Aden, and Mombasa. I
shall drop you a few postals from some of these places. And
now trusting that the Lord will teach you day by day his
lessons and keep you safely in all His ways, I shall ever
remain as your
Fellow in earnest prayer for His perfect
ways
John W. Stauffacher.
I know you are holding me up before the
master in constant prayer.
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