Helen‘s words to her “Papa”:

“The way that I like to think of you on your birthday, my dear Papa, is standing out among the flowers utterly lost in thought, but with such a warm and appreciative smile on your face that the buds start out and every plant blossoms just because it is so sure of your sympathy.”

I have chosen to do my extensive research project for American Church History on Helen Barrett Montgomery, a prolific 19th century author and the first female president of the Northern Baptist Convention (later became the American Baptists of which i am a member). I’m reading some autobiographical stuff published posthumously and came across this in a letter that she had written home in 1880 during her freshman year at Wellesley College:

“…perhaps this ambition to be thought smart and to lead the class is not a good ambition after all. It’s hard though to be willing to take an average place when one longs to be first…Dear people, don’t please put all sorts of wonderful qualities to me which exist only in your dear fond hearts. I hate to disappoint you all but i know my own limitations. I can never be more than one of the average. Not that I would change it if I could for I know that there must be a beautiful dear thought in the Father’s heart for me and that He needs just me and no one else to fill some chink in His great building. I feel content if I can only so conquer myself as to be able to do some good to others ” (italics added).

With that kind of humility so young…no wonder God could do SO much good through her!