| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 7 |
Page 11 |
If possible every routine letter that left the office carried with it some kindly, helpful word. Contributors to Forward and the other periodicals learned to look for these letters, and they preserved them even when other business letters were destroyed.
One who began to write for the periodicals in 1901 has said:
“He never failed to make any business letter which he had an occasion to write the opportunity for saying a kindly personal word. Once he said, ‘I think of you in your work day by day, and want always to keep near you in personal thought and interest, so that if ever you need me I can know at once.’”
The receipt of articles from beginners was usually followed by the dispatch of a letter of counsel and encouragement. A number of those who became valued contributors have declared that they owed their success in large part to his cheering, inspiring words.
One instance of this kind may be told at some length. In 1905 the pastor of a home mission church was compelled to resign his charge because of throat trouble. His prospects were dark. Then he began to write, and sent some of his first articles to Dr. Miller. He said nothing of his needs and his hopes, but the sympathetic editor soon learned the facts. He was not content to permit one whose letters were frequently on his desk to remain a mere name. So he wrote:
“Tell me a little about yourself sometime when you are writing, for I should like to know as much as possible about our writers.”
The information asked for was given, and the two were at once on a friendly footing.
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