Thursday, May 24, 1917:Still rough, but better than yesterday. Many places are vacant in the dining room. Paul Hoerr still looks ghastly and eats very little.
Got up about noon, ate good dinner and then went up on upper deck, climbed into a life boat out of the wind and there, with Tish and another fellow, spent the afternoon reading Service and Dorothy’s letters. I read her last steamer letter today in which she quoted from Thomas à Kempis that famous passage on resignation: “I am the way, the truth and the light,” etc. A very beautiful passage. Gosh, but it hurts to have to be content with reading these things from her when I was just getting so used to being with her and hearing her say them. If I hadn’t made preparations for going to France and had my mind set on it before I arrived in Ambler, I’m sure I never could have gotten away. I pray to God that all goes well with her while I am away.
This morning at 4:00 A.M. the engines stopped and a man who died of T.B. yesterday on board was fed to the sharks. I did not see the operation. The story goes that he was trying to get home to his family before he died.
We have passed many ships they say, but I never get up early enough in the morning to see them. I surely needed sleep. Never felt better in my life than I do between rocks of the boat. But when it heaves way up, twists and comes down with a crash of foaming water, then I would give my kingdom for even a bucket full of earth.
At 4 o’clock we congregated in Mr. Symons’ cabin and Miss Mullin served coffee. It was surely good and she’s a peach. Later Miss Lynch, Mr. Symons played Gregory and myself in bridge and beat us. After dinner Miss Lynch and I played Mr. Symons and Gregory and beat them all to pieces. Miss Lynch surely can play. At 11 o’clock we parted and went to bed.
Here is Dorothy's steamer letter No. 6:
No. VI—Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Deacon-Husband-to-be!
The ride over to N.Y. and you has been lovely for the train went so fast; and besides the country was so beautiful. I’ve seen little winding streams, woods and wild flowers, and loved them all! In 45 min. I’ll be with you! I wonder if you’ll kiss me, I hope you will, but I’ll make a wager you didn’t! Won’t it be fun to see which one wins?
You will be reading this Thursday way, way out upon the ocean while I’m at school preserving law & order in the school-buildings until 4.00 P.M. Then I shall wend my way houseward—on the trolley if it’s fine weather & train if it’s not! I hope you aren’t sea-sick—for it’s a horrible feeling. The trip will do you good, even if you are, for it will give you time to rest. And rest is the best preparation for the work you’ll find ahead of you. I’ve heard from Agnes and the American Ambulance Hospital is terribly rushed. In about 2 wks. she says (writing May 5th) they’ve brought into Paris over 5,000 wounded & dying to be cared for. Nurses and ambulance-drivers are in great demand, so you see, dear, you are greatly needed; and will be doing a noble service to suffering humanity. I am glad and happy in your work; for I feel that in letting you go willingly, I am helping a bit. I only wish I could be over there with you, doing more. And if it all lasts—who knows but what I may!
Today’s letter really contains Sunday’s sermon. I found a great deal of comfort in these words of Thomas à Kempis, and so will pass them or to you;-
“I will have thee learn perfect resignation of thy self to my will, without contradiction or complaint. Follow thou me: ‘I am the way, the truth & the life.’ Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living…I am the straightest way, the highest truth, the true life, the blessed life, the life uncreated. If thou remain in any way thou shalt know the truth, & the truth shall make thee free, & thou shalt lay hold on eternal life…Verily the life of a Christian is, a cross, yet it is also a guide to paradise. I have begun I may not go back, neither is it fitting to leave that which I have undertaken. Courage, then, brethren, let us go forward together! Jesus will be with us. For the sake of Jesus we have undertaken this cross, for the sake of Jesus let us persevere in the cross. He will be our helper, who is also our guide and forerunner. Behold, our king entereth in before us, & he will fight for us. Let us follow manfully, let no man fear any terrors; let us be prepared to die valiantly in battle, nor bring shame on our glory by flying from the cross.”
I am ashamed because I have tried to “fly from the cross”, but I know that although at times our burdens seem too heavy, with God’s help anything is possible. Nothing I can add is adequate after such a quotation—so, heart of mine, I am going to end this letter with simply—God bless & keep you and sometime bring you back to me—I feel wonderfully peaceful & happy now and hope you do too.
Ever your Dorothy
No. VI—Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Deacon-Husband-to-be!
The ride over to N.Y. and you has been lovely for the train went so fast; and besides the country was so beautiful. I’ve seen little winding streams, woods and wild flowers, and loved them all! In 45 min. I’ll be with you! I wonder if you’ll kiss me, I hope you will, but I’ll make a wager you didn’t! Won’t it be fun to see which one wins?
You will be reading this Thursday way, way out upon the ocean while I’m at school preserving law & order in the school-buildings until 4.00 P.M. Then I shall wend my way houseward—on the trolley if it’s fine weather & train if it’s not! I hope you aren’t sea-sick—for it’s a horrible feeling. The trip will do you good, even if you are, for it will give you time to rest. And rest is the best preparation for the work you’ll find ahead of you. I’ve heard from Agnes and the American Ambulance Hospital is terribly rushed. In about 2 wks. she says (writing May 5th) they’ve brought into Paris over 5,000 wounded & dying to be cared for. Nurses and ambulance-drivers are in great demand, so you see, dear, you are greatly needed; and will be doing a noble service to suffering humanity. I am glad and happy in your work; for I feel that in letting you go willingly, I am helping a bit. I only wish I could be over there with you, doing more. And if it all lasts—who knows but what I may!
Today’s letter really contains Sunday’s sermon. I found a great deal of comfort in these words of Thomas à Kempis, and so will pass them or to you;-
“I will have thee learn perfect resignation of thy self to my will, without contradiction or complaint. Follow thou me: ‘I am the way, the truth & the life.’ Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living…I am the straightest way, the highest truth, the true life, the blessed life, the life uncreated. If thou remain in any way thou shalt know the truth, & the truth shall make thee free, & thou shalt lay hold on eternal life…Verily the life of a Christian is, a cross, yet it is also a guide to paradise. I have begun I may not go back, neither is it fitting to leave that which I have undertaken. Courage, then, brethren, let us go forward together! Jesus will be with us. For the sake of Jesus we have undertaken this cross, for the sake of Jesus let us persevere in the cross. He will be our helper, who is also our guide and forerunner. Behold, our king entereth in before us, & he will fight for us. Let us follow manfully, let no man fear any terrors; let us be prepared to die valiantly in battle, nor bring shame on our glory by flying from the cross.”
I am ashamed because I have tried to “fly from the cross”, but I know that although at times our burdens seem too heavy, with God’s help anything is possible. Nothing I can add is adequate after such a quotation—so, heart of mine, I am going to end this letter with simply—God bless & keep you and sometime bring you back to me—I feel wonderfully peaceful & happy now and hope you do too.
Ever your Dorothy
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