Letter 107 Amsterdam, 27 August 1877
Dear Theo,
It will soon be Mother’s birthday, therefore I am enclosing a money order for 1.25 guilders; I should like it if you and I could give her something together. It is not much, but it is all I have; if you contribute the same amount we can buy a good photograph. You must choose one yourself; “Christ Walking on the Sea�by Jalabert is more expensive, otherwise I should have liked that; and “The Men of Emmaus�by Rembrandt is considerably more expensive. Well, you know what to get as well as I do and will make a good choice, but just write a postcard with the title of what you have chosen. Thanks for your letter, which made me happy,
as did a cheerful letter from home I received yesterday.
Yesterday was a rainy morning, so I had to put on my overcoat to go to early service in the North Church.
The Reverend Mr. Posthumus Meyes, Jr., preached there on Acts 4:11, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.�p style="line-height:25px;text-indent:32px"> His son came here yesterday and spent some time in my little study; he came to invite me to spend this evening with them, which I readily accepted. Last week I visited the old clergyman, his father. Yesterday morning I was also in the Island Church, where Uncle Stricker preached on Luke 11:28. The afternoon and part of the evening I spent at Uncle Stricker’s, so I had a pleasant Sunday; I often thought of what you would be doing.
Will you be going on a business trip this autumn, and will you come to Amsterdam then? I certainly hope so; write as soon as you know anything about it. And we must arrange things so that you come and stay here; there is room enough at the house, and it will cost us only one word to Uncle. We must make the most of our chance to be together. I still have a great deal of work to do today, are you very busy at the office?
Last week a ship was launched in the yard (a monitor The Dragon); it was an interesting sight and a joyous occasion for the workmen. Bicker’s Island also has many shipyards, but for smaller vessels. When I go there, I look at them carefully; he who must learn to work must watch the workers, especially if he has a little study right among the workshops; for just as large and small ships are under construction in a shipyard, gradually finished and then launched, so in a study, large and small works are planned, carried on by “patient continuance in well doing,�and finished with God’s help.
I am longing so much to see you again, boy; come soon and try to arrange for us to spend some time together. Would it be possible for you to stay here over a Sunday? I should like so much to show you the Oudezijds Chapel and have you hear someone preach there, Uncle Stricker, for instance. Do try to arrange it.
I do not know the book by Daudet you mentioned. Well, I must write my Greek exercises; my regards to the Rooses and to Mauve and Jet when you go there. À Dieu, brother dear, a warm handshake in thought, I wish I could have sent you more for Mother’s birthday, but it is impossible. Have a good time, believe me always,
Your loving brother, Vincent
Uncle Jan intends to go to Helvoirt on the first of September for a week; I hope to take advantage of it by staying up late in the sitting room to write. I can do it now, but Uncle’s bedroom is quite near, so I have to be careful; I can sit in my bedroom, but there the temptation to go to bed when it is getting late is too strong, and there is no gas in my little study.