Letters 11 Part 2
The rest of 1944 from Johns Hopkins
September 11, 1944
During the few remaining days of vacation I've elected to redecorate the dining room and kitchen of our frat house. I'm kemtoning the ceilings cream and the walls a soft light blue. I've painted so steadily all I can think of at this writing is "O my aching back!"
Tissie and I were playing records in the music room of the public library one night when we were called out to meet "two gentlemen" seeking us. Guess who? My roommate Bob with George Miller in tow! George had been driving tanks on the west coast and had been put up for Marine officers' candidate school at a base only a couple of hours from here. [Quantico, Va where son Tim trained] He had many tales to tell about our numerous friends. Gene, in Navy boot camp at San Diego, sent me the fatherly advice to kick my pants if I should ever feel inclined to complain of overwork. He says he's the only one in the family who knows anything about work! I'm sure he's the only one of us with a saving sense of humor in a tough situation. He can laugh at himself which is more than I can do. I just get fighting mad and work like a demon till a situation eases.
October 8, 1944
I am fully aware of the importance of making a right decision about marriage. There is not a night I do not earnestly ask for guidance. If I am shown I must go alone, without Tissie, I know and she knows I am ready to obey.
With the optimism of youth I'm sure everything will turn out for the best. I have given Tissie every chance to change her mind and to wait for me for three years will be a rigid test. I have told her I have nothing to offer her but hardship and poverty. Nothing of Far-East glamor.
She has an offer to work in a broadcasting studio and it appeals to her because of her training in speech, drama and radio at college. If, after all these enticing opportunities to advance, she still prefers to become the wife of a poor missionary, she may have what it takes. I know this: if it is God's will for us to marry He will let nothing block us. If not, He has better things ahead...and to do His will is my choice.
You will remember my telling you my Hopkins' tuition scholarship had to be renewed every year. The university only grants them to students whose work will reflect credit on the institution. I got a bill for tuition quite a while ago, and although I had applied for renewal, the money only came five days before the deadline. That it came at all is the only evidence I have had all year about the quality of my work.
October 13, 1944
Dad, it's been a long time since I wrote a letter just to you. It's been so good getting all your letters and clippings, I feel you right here beside me with no sense of distance between us. Even your last year's letters seem fresh every time I read them. I follow you so well because I used to go with you on your trips sometimes and remember so vividly the things you write about.
So many times I wish I could be out there with you now biking along the roads, and sleeping nights on the veranda of some small hut where you preach by lantern light to a huddled group of men and women. I must have done my share of complaining about the inconveniences but you probably made allowances.
I am so thankful you have always been so firm in what you believed about Jesus and missions, and that you never wavered even when criticized. I am thankful you kept on having family worship with four restless boys who couldn't appreciate what it meant. In my short life I have seen how shallow is the thing we call glamor. I want to find the simplest way to live. And the purest and noblest.
How simple it seemed when you told us "to make Christ first". I wish I had known earlier that that is all there is to know. It's not only the best way to live a Christian life, but it is the only way.
Two other things I have come to believe: to maintain a daily devotional period is the only way to secure the power without which we are nothing and can do nothing. And the second is: I must serve Christ to my utmost. God help me to give Him my best, my all.
It doesn’t make any difference any more what my friends think of me. I must live my life alone as God guides me; alone, if need be, as you have often been. It is you, Dad, who have been my solid rock. How shall I ever be able to thank you and my gracious mother for the heritage you have given me! I am sorry at this stage to be such an unworthy son, but for Jesus' sake, and yours, long after you have gone to be with Him, I shall live by the light of your faith and fight with your courage.
November 21, 1944
I am spending the Thanksgiving holidays with Uncle Lee again, Tissie had business in New York so I brought her along to meet the folks.
Before term ended, Major Lakshman, recent director of Public Health for Bengel, visited Hopkins to get ideas for setting up a thoroughly up-to-date health institution in Bengal. I had supper with him one night, and a long talk about the future of medicine in India. The present problems of famine relief were uppermost in his mind too.
He is of the opinion they will want technical advice from the lest for a long time yet. I think a degree in Public Health would stand me in very good stead. But I have to complete my medical work first. We shall have four or five courses in PH before we are through, and I hear they are very good.
December 10, 1944
This evening I heard Sir Hale Puckle speak at the Protestant Cathedral, He is advisor on Indian Affairs at the British Embassy in Washington. From 23 years' residence (INDIA) in that country he spoke with inside knowledge on "The Christian Church and the British Empire in India". He paid a glowing tribute to our Baptist work in South India. I thought his analysis of the present situation was very fair.
The other evening I was invited to a lovely home in North Town. It was the home of one of the old Hopkins' professors now heading the State's health program for children. He wanted me to met his cousin, the Miss Mary Allis who is the secretary of the Pennsylvania Medical Missionary Society. This gracious white-haired lady wonted to know first-hand how I was getting along. Did I have enough money? She pressed me for an honest answer, so I replied I could use another $200 to advantage. She granted it at once as though it were nothing.
Tissie has taken a new job at Cumberland, Maryland, as Programs Director for a broadcasting station. She didn't like to leave Baltimore for obvious reasons but we can't have everything we want!
Take good care of yourselves. I want to see you as beautiful an ever when you come to America, and strong enough to sit up in the front pew when this least of your sons presents you with a new daughter-in-love.