RH 6pm Sunday
Dear Dorothy,I met Ivor at Bow Church on Thursday (and got the BOOK — I am captured) and we spent a happy time together till 9.30pm when I saw him well on the way to King’s Cross, and then strolled home myself.He shewed me your letter (when I asked to see it). It was a pretty stiff one, dear, and I am pleased to think I had the sense to laugh at it and comfort him a bit that way as he really was stiff and formal with me when we first met. Poor boy, he didn’t know how I was going to receive him. I sensed that everything through with a father’s love and got him at last a bit easy and natural and then we adjourned to Lyon’s and had a bit of lunch and a game of chess and a chat.Then, by the time the chess and the talk was over, we were peckish again (for lunch was very modest), and so we had another lunch to back it up.It didn’t come to much and we shared it as neither of us was very flush. then we had a stroll in the Strand, the Embankment and the Gardens and so on and some more talk and I think it broke the ice that was left and we were quite easy with each other.Then it was tea-time and so Lyon’s again and another jolly quiet hour went.Now for the Book! Thank you, indeed. It has made a lot of difference in my outlook on life and I am undergoing the preliminary training to test myself and give myself up to Jesus Christ. I have always been religious, even when a great, great sinner; but I never till now had the right guidance that “For Sinners Only” has given me.Of course, I have not finished the book, as I have had my week-end work to do and strangely enough it has been the best week-end I have had for ever so long.Now one thing. We must win Ivor, that is your job to start with and you must do it with every loving kindness.He is a boy who I now see can’t be driven, but kindness — love — of the right gentle sort would lure him into the fold in time. There is no hurry, do it bit by bit without his knowing it and take a year or any time but get him.I wish now we had put our arms around him and gently chided him instead of scolding him — he is very sensitive and you know that now you and I must not find fault with anyone much less with Ivor.Of course, I didn’t know when I met him what the Book had to teach me; if I had the day spent with him would have had some “guidance” and I would have tackled him differently from the very start, for he sensed of course that I was a bit annoyed when we met and there was my letter to you and your letter to him which made the poor boy unhappy.On Sundays the bar closes at 7pm sharp for hot water to make tea and as it is nearing that hour and I don’t want to miss my supper (or have it without the cup that cheers) I must now close, but I feel full of things I would like to say to you. Tell me early how you stand with regard to Christ. I do feel you have also made up your mind.
Love, write very soon Dad.
