1929 - 1931 ORIGINAL ARCHIVE OF ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARIES [4] HANDWRITTEN BY A DOUBT FILLED SEMINARIAN AND HIS DEVOTED WITHOUT-A-DOUBT FUTURE WIFE

On offer is an original grouping of four [4] manuscript diaries dated 1929 through 1931 handwritten by Reverend John C Stuff and Isabelle Gish [later Stuff] written during a period when John was in seminary and Isabelle was working in Chambersburg PA. Historians and researchers interested in the development and growth of a young man seeking a life in Christian outreach with all the passions, doubts and difficulties that occur with youth and young love will find a unique treasure trove having a pair of diaries from both sides of the relationship. With great charm we initially read a card at the front of one diary: "Each time you record life's happenings here, will you think of someone else who is recording her events? Let us strive to make each day better. Your devoted fiancee, Isabelle". John has written that they were engaged on April 6, 1928, formally announced the engagement at Thanksgiving, and spent their first Christmas together in spirit and truth as an engaged couple. While the diaries are interesting on a number of levels, the story of their increasing love and subsequent marriage are really the stars here. John writes: "I took Isabelle to the Chb'g train this PM. It is hard to watch the train pull out but thro the lingering last smile and the sparkle of the eye is the hope that cannot be lost, but lives til the train brings her again to me. I resolve to read more and take Sem. life more conscientiously. I resolve to stand on my own feet, self confident and courage equal to all others. To try to be more helpful and make my dearest happier." John's diary is fascinating reading, as he considers his religious training in light of the real world around him, and expresses his interest in some of the new religious developments, such as the writings of Rutherford and Russel (Jehovah's Witnesses) and "this interesting age and life of Industrialism and Science." John's diaries, unlike many more mundane diaries of clerical types are a study of real humanity as he struggles with the balance between his calling, and his culture, and the difficulties of life in modern times. Here is a snippet: "Mother, William and I left for State College this AM at 7:00. Car wasn't working. Arrived 11:00 AM Will was registered and boarding at Criterion Club. I'm sure he will like it, and get much from it. We came back thru Dry Run, stopped at Esther's for 6:30 dinner. I was hungry and tired. Home about 10 pm. Esther and Jacob seem to be very happy. Probably a good thing that she was tired of teaching before marriage. That valley surely has its moral problems." "Tried to sleep this AM but couldn't. Got an interesting reaction from Isabelle. Today I don't see why she read the meaning into it that she did. We are both too sensitive and too easily upset by things which don't apply to us. Saw "Hallelujah" this pm I was a bit disappointed with the picture of negro life. Worked tonight again. Good radioing, but getting very cold." "Left at 8:30 for Sem again. Arrived here. Went to 11:00 am class. Many boys not back yet. Several sick. Hill not back yet. I wish M Tozer were here this year. I think he would be a good companion. Miller and I saw "Gold Diggers" tonight. Very good show. Thank the Lord Isabelle isn't a gold digger; for ministers don't have - gold." "Rev Honch asked me to assist him in communion service this AM. I read scripture. Mk 10:12-26 and administered sacrament of wine. Little nervous at first but very good experience." "Cold coming up from Hotel. Slept from 10-1 pm today. Dinner with waiters. Slept this PM. Worked at hotel tonight. didn't eat till about 10 pm. Read NT and Listing to Dr Smith of Illinois. Preacher. My dear called from Ardmore tonight. I am so glad she called for it made me feel so much better in every way. Put new life into my work and thinking. Perfect understanding is a much desired thing." "Letter from Sem today. I'm ready to go back and wasn't to room alone. Began fixing the bed springs. Helped JN to refill silo this pm. Hard work and hot. Went to Mill. Has been reading Judge Rutherford - Russelism -he thinks more than the average man." [Judge Rutherford was a leader of the Jehovah's Witness movement, and Russelism was an early name for the tenets of the Watchtower Society.] "Read H Spirit book went downtown and bought 3 bottles of ginger ale. The idea of bringing them up to Sem. was amusing." "Tonight we played cards til 8:30 then I read HS book and went to bed at 10:30 pm. Just a week ago I was relaxing with ease and comfort in Isabelles room and we were having a splendid visit. I wish I were there this weekend for I surely enjoy going down to see her and be with her, if only the cost wasn't so great." "Wrote Isabelle, felt like quitting and going down to her. Heartache for her. Studied Greek felt better after Chapel, worked late." Here are snippets from Isabelle's diaries: Jan 1: "My first diary. Had the last vacation date with John tonight. It seems hard to part but time will pass and soon we will be together always. Dad sick in bed with the flu. Came back to Ardmore. What a thrill after such a nice vacation. John took me to Chambersburg for the train. 4:22 was almost starred and nothing in the apartment to eat. Chatted a while and went to bed. First day teaching. Taught three music classes for Miss Metzger. Unpacked fruit that came from home. Guess I'll do no more tonight. Too much talking. How glad I am its Friday. Made out some final tests today and wrote 3 letters. Sort of have the blues, reaction setting in from vacation. Must iron some hankies, then retire for a much needed sleep.Got weighed, lost 3 lbs, weigh 137. Henrietta gained 1 lb. Taught 2 B Art for Miss Rodgers. Held one of the pupils on my lap coming in on the bus route. Mrs Arterburn looked at me and said they had bugs. Makes me feel itchy. Mr Goos told Henrietta to take Ep. Salts for cold. Washed my hair. Taught two art classes today again. Was put on hall duty today. Another new job. Adeline Crouse invited me to a bridge party Feb 8th. Have a boil on my face. Kelly called Helen again. Gave Frank Cappella a taste of the ruler. Another boil on my face. Went up to Metzgers to see Henrietta's sister and Ismine. Insurance agent came. Helen met her at the door, Judge jumped behind screen and I leaped to the bedroom. No time for such folks. Ma said we should take our paper downstairs everyday. She is afraid of fire. Judge shed some tears. Washed and ironed as usual. Carrie Miller was out in the afternoon. Rest went to Chambersburg. John and I practiced some music, then went to see Will Rogers in "Lightning" Good light comedy. Had a long epistle from Henrietta. Made out marks. Had a letter from John. He made an appointment for vocal on Friday night. Someone took his hat on Sunday night. Went up to have Pauline Hege give me some q's on vocal, but she wasn't home." Here is a specific breakdown of each book: Diary 1 is a Wanamaker diary for 1929, red binding used by Isabelle. The pages are firmly attached but the front cover and spine are starting to separate from the binding. However, the book is in very good condition for its age, and is solid. The diary is very full of writing, and extra things are glued in on some pages. Diary 2 is a small National diary for 1929 used by John. It is very full and the writing is very easy to read. Diary 3 is a personalized Day by Day diary used by John, with a lock on the strap that holds the diary closed. It is very full and is in excellent condition. John's name is embossed on the cover. Diary 4 is a Wanamaker diary for 1931 used by Isabelle. It is not as full as the other diaries. It was used almost daily until mid May, after which it is blank. Overall they are G+.; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; KEYWORDS: CHRISTIAN OUTREACH, CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, REVEREND, EDUCATION, BACKSLIDING, STUFF, GISH, DEPRESSION, DEPRESSION ERA, RUSSELLISM, JEHOVAHS WITNESS, CULTS, RUTHERFORD AND RUSSELL, POST SUFFRAGE, WOME'S STUDIES, GENDER STUDIES, SOCIOLOGY, SOCIAL STUDIES, SEMINARY LIFE, SEMINARIANS, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, DIARIES, JOURNALS, LOGS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, antiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier Antike, Brief, Pergament, Dokument, Manuskript, Papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina, documento, manoscritto, carta antigüedad, hecho, vitela, documento, manuscrito, Papel,