Correspondence (incoming): Murch, Chauncy, 1902-1904

Luxor, Egypt, 17th April,1902

Dear Mrs. Stanford; I have finally shipped the box containing the goods you ordered. I am very sorry that I made no better speed in getting the things ready. Your enquiry concerning your order came to hand after the tourists' season had opened, and in spite of all I could do the man would drop his work on your things to attend to the calls of the people on the ground. So far as I was able to judge the work was all properly done. I did not notice until after the goods had been packed that the paper which you sent me specifies that the "6 large pieces" were to have the name put in English at the bottom. I fear this was not done, and I do not remember that the man had any memorandum of this. If you desire we can probably still arrange this in some way. I do not know though just how it can be managed. If, however, you still desire it, I will see what can be done. I have forwarded the box through Messrs. Cook & Son, addressing it "Stanford University, c/o Alfred Putnam, Esp., 125-127 Front St., New York. I have written quite fully to Mr. Putman in regard to forwarding getting it through without paying duty etc.etc. Fearing you may be away from home when this arrives I have also written a note to Dr. Jordan on the subject, so that the matter may be attended to without delay. Should you or the University people think it advisable you might sent any directions you may wish to give to Mr. Putman on receipt of this. We were grieved to learn of the death of Mrs.Miller. How her daughter will miss her! Should you be writing to Miss Miller, or should you see her, and think of it, we would be glad to have you tell her of our sympathy for her in her bereavement.

-2To us all also the memories of your visit to Luxor are very precious How delighted we would be should you make a second visit to the Nile Valley: I am sure a second visit to our old Egypt might give you much more of satisfaction and enjoyment than your first one brought you. Some things that marred your happiness might be eliminated and with these set aside you would be much better prepared to assimilate the joys that would flow to you out of the wonders that remain of Eygpt's former greatness. Now, Dear Mrs. Stanford, if you ever do make up your mind to visit Eygpt again be sure and understand that I shall only consider it a great favor if you will allow me to be of any service to you that is possibe. Certain things might be done before your journey up the river is begun to prevent the reccurance of incidents that marred the pleasure and detracted from further benefit you might have derived from your stay on the Nile. If you could use me in any way in making such arrangements I should be so glad to be at your service. Your visit to Luxor brought us a most unexpected surprise and blessing. A thing so unique that you will not wonder that it furnishes me an inspiration of which I love to dwell and I write about it in a manner I am not accustomed to write. Of course I had often heard of Senator Stanford; especially when he and you founded the University as a memorial of your dear son my attention was called to you in a way different from all I had ever known of you before. When you came to Luxor had the part that fell to you in the accumulation of that colossal fortune put you into a social atmosphere that could not have been approached by any such as are found in Luxor just what I would have presupposed would have been realized. How different we found it! There you were just one of those real American Queens of which we all know so many. A loving and true wife and companion, a devoted and faithful mother! All a women can be!

-3In these more than godess was ever pictured to be! The circumstances that might have made you so different had failed to influence you except along the lines which had made you a very personification of devotedness to the memory of your departed loved ones just along the lines of which such faithfulness of life and purpose characterize so many thousands of our American wives and mothers. You differed from many that I had known largely only in the fact thtat you have been shouldered with a responsiblity so heavy that it makes one almost tremble to think of it. Still with a purpose that no influence, however, strong, could turn aside, like the widow with the two mites you cast your all at the Saviour's feet and plead with him to use it for the ennoblement of the youths of generations yet to come by instilling into their hearts and lives those principles and doctrines of his which have already done so much to make the world better and which still redeem it from its desert state into a very garden of beauty and loveliness. On the morning of that day we visitied the Tombs of the Kings when I went up to your dahabieh and found that I could go further. However, before I got home, I was wandering where I might overtake your party did I get a donkey and set out on the journey. When I got home, in reply to my proposition to go, Mrs. Murch said, don't think of it Chauncey, you have done all you prudently can in going to the dahabieh, what will Mrs.Stanford think of you etc. I told her I was going, and now we all know how much your party needed me that day. Then our day at Kena! how I was delighted to hear more of your sainted departed! I shall never forget that delightful day! How well I remember when you, Mrs.Miller, her daughter, Miss Berner and I joined our voices in singing those beautiful hymns. Let us trust that all of us and all ours may one day join in singing the music of Heaven.

-4And then that Memorial Chapel. I have so often thought of it. I presume it was duly completed. Somehow I had an impression that you were to remain in Europe till this coming Fall and then return home to be present at its dedication. Perhaps I was mistaken in that. I trust you have had the pleasure, to which I know you looked forward with longing anxiety, of praising God with the multitude of your students in the courts of that house. Our hot weather is again approaching. Mrs.Murch and Jimmie have already gone to Ramleh, where Jimmie is now in school for a few months. They went on the 7th instant. I remain for some five of six weeks longer. Our Girl's Boarding School was opened last September under most promising circumstances. It goes on so far giving much promise for important work in lifting up what will soon be the women and mothers of the future of this sad land. Had I not already written at such length I might go more fully into the story of the school's work and its promise; but I had better leave that now for another time. I would be very glad to know if you got any of the books on Egyptology, such as you saw in my Library, and concerning which you wrote me from Syria. I have often reproached myself that I did not instead of answering that letter as I did make application to the British Museum for the grant of certain of those books for the University Library. If you did not get the books, I shall be very glad, I am quite confident, to grant that books in recognition of certain obligations to which they consider themselves under for assistance I have given them at various times in the acquisition of purchases thay have made in Egypt. Mrs. Murch and Jimmie would join me in kindest regards if they

-5were here. Please remember us also to Miss Berner. How nice it is that you have her faithful and competent service. She is another of those products that come to perfection better on American soil than elsewhere. Though we may not be able to claim her wholly, we will urge that she got her finishing touches there. And now I will again say Adieu. I trust that God has still richer blessings in store for you. May he keep you faithful to the end! Wish very kindest regards, I remain Most sincerely yours (Singed) Chauncey Murch.