Dear Dolores:
Now that my day's work is completed I can feel at ease to spend a few moments with you. I wish I could literally do that, but since so many miles separate us writing seems to be second best. No foolin', I wish is weren't so far to Dayton. In spite of the distance I am going to be tempted to make frequent visits there. Of course on the condition that you will allow me to come. I must admit that I feel very welcome.
No doubt you are wondering what kind of a day I have had here on my first Sunday. I'm glad to say that I have had a grand time. This morning I found it easy to preach, and I certainly did have a splendid time. This evening I experienced some difficulty, but the Lord wonderfully assisted his weak servant. I will not attempt to repeat the message in writing, even though you have wanted me to preach to you, but I could give you the gist of them. In the morning service I used for a text Phil. 3:13, “This one thing I do.” My objective was to show that the biggest thing to every Christians should be living and maintaining a vital Christian experience. This can be done only by keeping one's eyes fixed intently upon the same goal that Paul had - “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (vs. 14) Notice that there are two qualifications in 13; (1) “Forgetting those things which are behind, (2) and reaching forth to those things which are before. I endeavored to point out that as individuals and as a church, if we are to make spiritual progress, we must look forward and not backward. You may make the necessary applications and you will have the whole sermon in a “nutshell.” But please don't think I am trying to preach to you. That isn't my purpose at all.
In the evening service I dealt with the subject of the “Christian's call to service,” using II Tim. 1:9 for a basis of the discussion.
Not only have I enjoyed the services here today, but I also enjoyed a very fine birthday dinner. I suppose you had a birthday dinner for your mother today. There is a lady in my church whose birthday was today and her brother has a birthday Wednesday. I beg your pardon! I mean anniversary. At any rate you will know what I mean. They had chicken and two birthday cakes along with a number of other things so you can well imagine no one suffered for the want of food.
Perhaps you are wondering whether or not I am moved and settled and if the Densmores have moved yet. They haven't moved but they vacated a couple rooms so I could get established, so I am really quite comfortably situated. If plans work out as I hope they will Densmores will move next Friday, however they are not staying here now. I believe they are visiting in the home of a daughter near Detroit.
Yesterday I got my bedroom settled and also my living room. The living room includes my study. My new living room suit fits in very nicely – and am I proud of it! How I wish you could drop in and see what kind of a place I have when I get established. I'm not trying to do anything with the kitchen until Densmores are completely moved. Right now I am boarding with one of my parishioners who live only a short distance from here. That is very convenient for me. Of course my home – and I already feel that it is home – is far from complete in more ways than one, but it takes more than furnishings to make a home. One feature is very sadly lacking and you know what that is. It isn't pleasant being alone in a large house and it certainly isn't my idea of a home life. In spite of this handicap I have found myself not too lonesome as yet, but I fully expect I shall experience lonely moments. At such times I will want to do as you suggested – write you a letter. I believe I will be able to overcome loneliness to some extent by keeping busy, and there is a lot to be done.
Incidentally, let me say I received your letter yesterday. How I did enjoy it! Really Dolores, I would be delighted to hear from you every day. I know that would be expecting too much, but I still would like it very much. You may be sure that I will write as often as I can. I recognize that I am a very poor correspondent and my letters may seem uninteresting, but the intent is for the good to be accomplished.
May I remind you again that I am looking forward to receiving the picture you promised me. When I first awoke this morning that was my first thought – to look for your picture. Of course there was none to be seen. Really, it would be a great source of comfort and encouragement to me I am sure. You won't forget it will you?
There is an item I hesitate to mention, but I feel sure you will be interested so here it is. Do you remember the friend of Gordon and Ann Clark's from Philadelphia who I was to meet at camp meeting? You will also recall that she didn't come to Hastings as had been planned. Well, I had a letter from her last Friday. I had written her in response to a note that she wrote explaining why she couldn't come to Michigan. May I consult you as to what I should do about it? Of course the only courteous thing to do is to recognize her letter. Of course you will immediately say I can do as I like about it which is true, but with your consent I would like to write and let her know I have other interests. May I do that? Since meeting you I haven't the slightest desire to become acquanted with her, and the reason is obvious. It is just you.
Now I must say good-night even though it is hard. Write soon.
Love,
Ted B.
Prov. 31:29
Now that my day's work is completed I can feel at ease to spend a few moments with you. I wish I could literally do that, but since so many miles separate us writing seems to be second best. No foolin', I wish is weren't so far to Dayton. In spite of the distance I am going to be tempted to make frequent visits there. Of course on the condition that you will allow me to come. I must admit that I feel very welcome.
No doubt you are wondering what kind of a day I have had here on my first Sunday. I'm glad to say that I have had a grand time. This morning I found it easy to preach, and I certainly did have a splendid time. This evening I experienced some difficulty, but the Lord wonderfully assisted his weak servant. I will not attempt to repeat the message in writing, even though you have wanted me to preach to you, but I could give you the gist of them. In the morning service I used for a text Phil. 3:13, “This one thing I do.” My objective was to show that the biggest thing to every Christians should be living and maintaining a vital Christian experience. This can be done only by keeping one's eyes fixed intently upon the same goal that Paul had - “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (vs. 14) Notice that there are two qualifications in 13; (1) “Forgetting those things which are behind, (2) and reaching forth to those things which are before. I endeavored to point out that as individuals and as a church, if we are to make spiritual progress, we must look forward and not backward. You may make the necessary applications and you will have the whole sermon in a “nutshell.” But please don't think I am trying to preach to you. That isn't my purpose at all.
In the evening service I dealt with the subject of the “Christian's call to service,” using II Tim. 1:9 for a basis of the discussion.
Not only have I enjoyed the services here today, but I also enjoyed a very fine birthday dinner. I suppose you had a birthday dinner for your mother today. There is a lady in my church whose birthday was today and her brother has a birthday Wednesday. I beg your pardon! I mean anniversary. At any rate you will know what I mean. They had chicken and two birthday cakes along with a number of other things so you can well imagine no one suffered for the want of food.
Perhaps you are wondering whether or not I am moved and settled and if the Densmores have moved yet. They haven't moved but they vacated a couple rooms so I could get established, so I am really quite comfortably situated. If plans work out as I hope they will Densmores will move next Friday, however they are not staying here now. I believe they are visiting in the home of a daughter near Detroit.
Yesterday I got my bedroom settled and also my living room. The living room includes my study. My new living room suit fits in very nicely – and am I proud of it! How I wish you could drop in and see what kind of a place I have when I get established. I'm not trying to do anything with the kitchen until Densmores are completely moved. Right now I am boarding with one of my parishioners who live only a short distance from here. That is very convenient for me. Of course my home – and I already feel that it is home – is far from complete in more ways than one, but it takes more than furnishings to make a home. One feature is very sadly lacking and you know what that is. It isn't pleasant being alone in a large house and it certainly isn't my idea of a home life. In spite of this handicap I have found myself not too lonesome as yet, but I fully expect I shall experience lonely moments. At such times I will want to do as you suggested – write you a letter. I believe I will be able to overcome loneliness to some extent by keeping busy, and there is a lot to be done.
Incidentally, let me say I received your letter yesterday. How I did enjoy it! Really Dolores, I would be delighted to hear from you every day. I know that would be expecting too much, but I still would like it very much. You may be sure that I will write as often as I can. I recognize that I am a very poor correspondent and my letters may seem uninteresting, but the intent is for the good to be accomplished.
May I remind you again that I am looking forward to receiving the picture you promised me. When I first awoke this morning that was my first thought – to look for your picture. Of course there was none to be seen. Really, it would be a great source of comfort and encouragement to me I am sure. You won't forget it will you?
There is an item I hesitate to mention, but I feel sure you will be interested so here it is. Do you remember the friend of Gordon and Ann Clark's from Philadelphia who I was to meet at camp meeting? You will also recall that she didn't come to Hastings as had been planned. Well, I had a letter from her last Friday. I had written her in response to a note that she wrote explaining why she couldn't come to Michigan. May I consult you as to what I should do about it? Of course the only courteous thing to do is to recognize her letter. Of course you will immediately say I can do as I like about it which is true, but with your consent I would like to write and let her know I have other interests. May I do that? Since meeting you I haven't the slightest desire to become acquanted with her, and the reason is obvious. It is just you.
Now I must say good-night even though it is hard. Write soon.
Love,
Ted B.
Prov. 31:29
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