Charlottetown,
Sunday, March 16, 1915
Dear Mamma,
Should have written sooner but have been awfully busy and somehow could not get around to it. Slept too late for boys' meeting this morning so did not go to church either.Well, my fate is sealed for next summer now. I gave in my name yesterday for a field so I suppose it is up to me now to make it go, whether I like or not. Didn't know at first whether to take one or not but there were so many men wanted I felt that I ought to go. Mr. Taylor advised it very strongly and thought I could make it go. Saw Mr. Stirling down at the station just as the train was leaving Monday and he said he thought it would be a good thing. I'm not afraid of the work except the preaching on Sunday. That looks mighty hard but suppose I could do it if I make up my mind to it. I can at least do better than some that are going. Would feel a little more comfortable in undertaking it if I were a year or two older. With one exception I am the youngest of the fellows that are going. Nelson McEwen is younger, only about 17. There are ten names and my guess is there won't be anymore. That's a pretty good showing for P.W.C. 5 of them are third years and 5 of us second; altogether about one-third of the Presbyterian boys are in second and third year. They are Sid Bonnell, Miller Campbell, Leith Webster, Herb Stewart and Alec Murray in third year. In second year Angus Gillis, Angus Martin, Nelson McEwen and me. You will recognize some of the names. Some of them you won't This is a record for Prince of Wales I think for it is the most that ever were out all at one time before. One year Neil Atlee, Col. McNevin, Murdoch McKinnon, and George MacLeod were out at one time. I think it shows good spirit when so many of the fellows are willing to put themselves into this thing. Some of them had other plans for the summer and at least two of them had decided to go to the front. It will be by no means an easy summer for most of us but if one has any success I suppose there is nothing one could put his time in at that would be more profitable. It will certainly be a great experience, and the best training one could get. Say, don't you imagine me preaching. I think I can see myself the first Sunday perhaps in a fairly large church where the people are well read but too few families to support a regular preacher. I can imagine them sitting back in their seats picking holes in my English. Or perhaps I will be in a log school house or some such place in a poor settlement with people who never heard of electricity or anything like that and who can't understand the simplest explanation. I would prefer this however to the first. Or possibly I might get into an unorganized district where no one had been before and have to preach in a bar room or anything I can get. Wherever they send me I'll do the best I can. No one can do better. Perhaps I would not have given in my name but for an illustration Miller Campbell gave us at Boys Meeting last Sunday. The subject was stick-to-it and he was making a comparison between the hero and the coward. Supposing
two men were walking along a road and they saw ahead of them something that looked very formidable, something that seemed to block the whole road. But the coward would turn back and he would say it was no use trying but the hero would keep right on, he would say he was going to pass the obstacle if it were possible and when he came up to it he would find that it was but a log that could easily be stepped over. The illustration seemed to fit my case and I made up my mind that I would put in my name and if I got a field that I would make it a success. Of course there is the possibility that some of us won't get a field. They are looking for many in Dal and Pine Hill too and if there are more
names than fields we are the ones that will be left. So you had better not say anything about my putting my name in until I know if I get one for if we should not get them people wouldn't known why and would take us as quitters. I think the committee to allot the fields meet this week and we will know at least by Easter where we are going. Clara was into the seed fair and we've been out Friday afternoon also saw her at the station. She called at the house Thursday but I was out. Walter and James were also in to the Alliance, also Alf and Alton.
Monday morning - Was in Sunday school also in church last night. I intended to finish this after I got home but was hunting up material for sermon and it was too late when I got through. Mr. Taylor advised us to be looking up something ahead. Convocation is on Friday and a week from the following Sunday we will have to be on our fields so we don't have much time and should get up something before the rush for exams. He told us to take anything we could make use out of his sermons. He took as his subject last night The Penitent Thief. If struck me as easy subject to work up so I jotted down all I could remember of his sermon after I came home. Well I guess I must stop now and get to work again.
Could you send me a little money. Have got to get a new pair of rubbers and am getting short. Don't want much. A dollar or so will keep me going for now. Am enclosing snaps. They turned out better than I expected for the dark day. Must stop now. Will write again soon.
Lots of love, Harold
