1938 (3) Eunice leaves the USA

On board ship….

Dollar Steamship Lines

  New York. California. Orient. Round the World

                                                                                              

Fri.  P.M.

Dear Loved-Ones all,

At 7 O’clock P.M. your time we will be setting sail from American Shores.   We were to sail at 3 P.M. but they are not thru loading; so are not sailing until 5 P.M. pacific time.

The boat is just swarming with people now.   It has been so quiet the days in port because there were only a few on Board.  It will be quite different now.  There are a lot of people on now who are just going through the boat to look it over.

I went through the whole thing the other day.  Even went up into the Pilots cabin and sat in the Captain’s chair.   I’m going to try to tell you all these things in detail when we get going and send it back from Honolulu.

No more mail after this until we dock there and it will likely take ten days or 2 wks to return from there.  Am sending or I guess I did send you the Itinery.

I sent M.J.  (Her sister Marjorie?) a box with some picture cards etc.  They give you a new wash cloth when you start out and I thought Marj or Ede or Dot would like to keep it as a Souvenir.  Don’t let them fight over it Mother – maybe you better keep it and just give them the package.  The other one can have the bar of soap. 

  

I thought Ede or Marg might like to keep a Scrap book of things I send back.  These penny cards are cheaper than Kodak pictures so I’ll try to send some along the way.   They could paste them all in a Scrapbook along with the descriptive letter and you’ll have an entire account of the trip.

Am enclosing a sample menu.  I guess there’s no chance of my losing weight.   I feel fine!  Had the cholera shots.  This sea-air is envigorating.

Wanted to send you a wire just as we set sail, but thought I’d better save the pennies for postage farther on.  Just about $100.00 in so far on further fare.  Maybe more mail before Boat sails!  We are trusting the Lord to supply balance.  He can take care of us there as well as here.

In spite of the sadness of leaving you all – there is a deep joy in knowing the Lord has said, Go and to know I’m obeying Him. Am trusting you each and every one to His tender care.   I know He careth for you and will keep you every day.

My farewell message to you all ( the dearest and best in all the world to me) is in Philippians 1:2-12.

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. ¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 

 ’ll be reading it often as I think of you in the next few days and always.

And now Deut. 6:24 – 26  is my prayer for you all.

²⁴ The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. ²⁵ And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”

Tho far away remember I’ll think of you many many times in every day.  Somehow you do not seem so far away when hour by hour I can commit you to Him and know He’s watching over you there, too.

The song in my heart is Psalm 107  

They were glad when it grew calm,  and he guided them to their desired haven.  (and the desired Haven in verse 30  is India.)

And here is a kiss all around   XXXXXXXXX  (one for Roger boy)  and bushels of love till we see one another or all see Him at home up there.

Till then let us “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!”

Love in His dear name,

Eunice

         

1938 (2) Eunice on a ship from LA to San Franscisco

1938   (2) Eunice on the Ship from LA to San Franscisco

 

After taking the bus from Chicago to Memphis, meeting Daddy there; Mummy took the train to Los Angeles with a friend, Jean, boarded a ship there and went 24 hours to San Francisco on her way to India by herself.

Mummy had had a vision when she was at Moody, "John, Jews, India".  John did not propose, so Mummy, a small town, farm girl from Wisconsin followed her Lord to India to work with the Jews...

( you can understand why meeting up with John  (C.J.B./ Cecil John Buffam/Daddy)  or receiving a wire from him was so important to her before she left the USA!

Shari

Dollar Steamship Lines

New York . California. Orient. Round the World

Dear Folks,

We just pulled in through the Golden Gate; docked about 11 am.   I’m going ashore and want to mail this out right away.

Yesterday and today have been full of new and thrilling experiences and you can be sure I’m enjoying every minute.  Just can’t tell you how grand it is.  My only regret is that I can’t take you all along.

How I missed you yesterday when the Boat pulled out of L.A.   Everybody throwing streamers out to friends and loved ones, but I’m afraid my streamers didn’t reach you.   I threw some to you just the same and my heart was more in Wisconsin than it was there.   It is a beautiful sight – Band playing and all!

Am writing a long letter of details later so will just make this a note so I can get it right out.

How are you all.  Did you get my message via Ruby?  Am hoping to hear from you here.  Will be here till Fri so you can get letters to me.  Had a wire from Mildred just as we got on the Boat in L.A. and one from C.J.B. just as the boat docked in S.F. this A.M. Precious Messages

We are trusting the Lord will supply full fare before we leave here.  I believe He will.  Dr. Reid wired us not to sail unless full fare is in.  God is able!  Sat, $15.00 came in and we got $36.00 at the boat yesterday.   We now have $69.00 of the $200.00 needed from Hong Kong on.   Pray and claim God’s promises!

I’m feeling fine but Jean had a bad fall Sat. eve and sprained her ankle.  Dr. put it in a cast Sun A.M. and they took her on board in a wheel chair.   Has to be on for two weeks.  She won’t be able to get around here much.  I felt so sorry for her when all her friends were at the Dock yesterday to see her off.  She couldn’t even go out on deck to see them and I could go out but my folks were far away.  It just didn’t seem right. But we are rejoicing in spite of these little things.

How is my Baby dear? (Roger Mortimer)  Give him plenty of kisses from Aunty Eunice and tell him all about the Big Ship.   I can just see what a big thrill Per would get out of this, the rest of you would too.

Jean sends her love, more details very soon.

Love you all,

Eunice

This is a poem that was very dear to Mummy through the years.  George Wilson found it on her dresser and made a copy.

OBEDIENCE

I said, "Let me walk in the fields,"  He said, "No walk in the town."
I said, "There are no flowers there."  He said, "No flowers, but a crown."

I said, "But the skies are black, there is nothing but noise and din."
And He wept as He sent me back, "There is more" He said, "There is sin."

I said, "But the air is thick, and fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick, and souls in the dark undone."

I said, "I shall miss the light, and friends will miss me, they say."
He answered, "Choose tonight, If I am to miss you or they."

I pleaded for time to be given.  He said, "Is it hard to decide?"
It will not seem hard in heaven to have followed the steps of your Guide."

I cast one look at the fields, then set my face to the town;
He said, "My child, do you yield?  Will you leave the flowers for the crown?

Then into His hand went mine, and into my heart came He;
And I walk in a light divine the path I had feared to see.

                                                           George  MacDonald, 1824 - 1905

 

1938 (1) Eunice leaving Wisconsin for India

1938  Eunice, leaving Wisconsin for India

 

This is the first letter I have of Mummy's written to her mother as she is leaving for India by herself.  She is writing it on the train as she is going to Los Angeles to catch the boat to India There is no month listed, but the next one from the ship is Sept.  I think there is more to this letter, but I do not have it. It is fun to read about how she almost missed seeing Daddy before she left.

Thank God for the Mrs. S's in life !!!

Shari

Dear Folks,

Pictured above, Front Row:  Warner Scott; Rosella McClaren Scott
Back row:  Eunice, Dorothy, Pershing, Edith, Marjorie

We are now on the highest point that the train goes to in the Coastal Range.  From now on we will be going downhill to Los Angeles.  But I guess I’d better start back where I left you last as you won’t get the connection very good.

Did I tell you about the service at Jonesville last Wed. evening.  It seems like a month ago and its really only a week, yesterday.   Had such a good time at Katys.  Lots of folks there are interested.  They gave me $70.00.  Also got my pen fixed.  Ruby told me to ask the Kintz’ about it as the Parker Pen co is in Jonesville. I spoke to Mrs. Kintz and she said the man who grinds the pen points of the Parker Co is a member of our church so he took it home with him and to the factory the next morning and Mr. Kintz sent it sp delivery to Memphis.  It works fine now.  You can’t tell by the writing, but this old train is doing this.

I left Jonesville on the 9:30 train and got into Chicago about noon.  Went up to School in PM late.  Saw Edie and Dottie and got your telegram and a couple hrs later got Mrs. Smith’s telegram saying to come to Memphis  “ Fri. Leaving Monday.”   Yours had said to wait and hers said go, so I tell you I hardly knew what to do, but decided the one from Memphis was latest plan, so went Thurs Eve.   Edie probably told you how I  chased them down town and tried to catch the morning train, but missed it!  Was OK because Mrs. S. didn’t expect me till morning.  Got into Memphis Sat am and Mrs Houston met me at train.  We went in and had breakfast at the Depot and she talked to me about all that had happened since I was there before.  She took me up to Ramers again and I had a good bath and got dressed just in time to go back with Mrs. Houston to get my bags.

Mrs. Tate came and took Jean and I out to Whitners for lunch.  Mother Whitner gave me something to take to Dottie.  We went on back on  a street car where the whites sit in front and blacks in back – I almost went all the way back – I don’t like it – The trains since leaving Memphis have all been like that.  It doesn't seem right!

That evening we went to buy tickets west.  I had heard nothing from C.J.B. and couldn't get to see Mrs. S.  Couldn't talk about it over the telephone from Ramers so didn't know what to do.  Finally decided I better wire him.   I was leaving Mon morning and perhaps he would make special effort to come Sun.   I sent wire from Depot while they were buying tickets by way of Kansas City.  You see, poor Mrs. Smith was between two fires.  She felt it was of the Lord that I come back to Memphis for this reason but didn't want to let the secret out and the rest couldn't understand.

Finally the Board decided that there was no need of my coming back and told Mrs S. to write directions as were in the letter that came there.  She said when she wrote it she prayed I wouldn't get it and you see how the Lord kept me from getting it.  (Sounds like the letter went to Mummy’s mother’s home)  She felt it was not the Lord’s way but being Sect. she must write letters as directed but He over ruled.

Finally she felt led to tell a few members of the Board why it was important for me to come South again.   Immediately they said,  “ Yes, wire her to come and Jean can stay and they can both leave here Mon.”   So she wired.   Well I got to Memphis but no John.   I had written him before I got Mrs. S’s wire that I would be in Memphis Sat/ Sun and Monday and maybe longer.  So you see I had to wire Sat. night that I was leaving Mon.

Well, when I got back to room I looked up his address and found I had used the wrong address and so felt sure he wouldn’t get it, but there was no chance to send another.  Blunder of Blunders but it was of the Lord that time.

Sunday morning, Mrs S. called and said I had a sp delivery.  There was no way to get it as she lives way out so she read it to me over the telephone.   Bless her Heart!  She was so concerned on Sat that she prayed all pm just about this matter!  She is a jewel, if ever there was one.  Well in the sp delivery, he said he was tied up with 2 preaching engagements on Sun and his only chance would be to leave Sunday night after service.

I couldn’t talk from my end much so we decided to let it rest until I came out to her house in pm.  She had invited Jean and I for dinner and prayed the Lord would somehow take Jean away, so  she and I could be alone and He did.  We hadn’t even gotton there when Jean said she felt she must go to see a lady that evening so after they all cleared out we got down to business as to what to do.  We prayed and both felt I should call him by long distance, but I said, what on earth will I tell him?  The tickets are bought… there seemed nothing to do.  Mrs. S. said well you know the Lord has promised to give you a mouth and wisdom.  After praying she took a promise (from the promise box) asking the Lord to guide us and the promise He gave was  “Behold I will give you a mouth and wisdom.   Mrs S. almost shouted and said I guess you’d better call.   I called and could only find his roommate so told him to tell John to call me when he  got home at 11pm.  Then there was rest.  We had a blessed time the rest of pm and evening.  I wouldn’t take anything for that time with Mrs. Smith.

Nearly mid-night he called and said he had gotton my telegram last night and decided it was all up because it is a 12 hour trip on train from Dallas to Memphis and I’d be gone before he could possibly make it.

Well, I said there’s a possibility of a change in Route.  He said he’d meet me Mon Eve. And to plan to stay as long as I could.  I know it was ok with Mrs S. but had to explain to Ramer and Jean.  They didn’t understand at all but when I told them Mrs. S and I had prayed it through they believed.

Next morning we took Jean to Depot.  At one side I told Mrs. S what he said and all and she explained to Jean that this affair had started long before she came into the picture and it was of the Lord.  She said she understood better then. 

The Lord wonderfully worked in getting the agent to release full fair including Sleeper.

(looks like there should be some more to the letter, but I can’t find it!)