Two ALSsS of a 21 year old John R. Mott. Already evident is his religious passion, fervor, faith and conviction. ALS, Postville, Iowa, Aug. 16, 1886. To Dear Bro. Taylor. Mott explains at great length his reasons for not going on the Mission Band to colleges around the country. His parents and the pastor and elders of his former church advised him to return to the University where "The Cornell boys who have the spiritual interests of the University most at heart insist on my return in view of the position I occupied there... But this must not throw the least damper on you fellows who can go. God is in that movement and it will triumph! ... My prayer shall go up to God at the noon-day during the year with all fervency that you may be kept & used by God - and believe me when I say that no one shall watch your progress from college to college with keener interest than myself. God bless you Taylor!" ALS, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., Nov. 1 1886. As President of the Cornell YMCA to Wm P. Taylor in New Haven, Connecticut. He requests a report of the Yale Christian Association to publish in the Cornell monthly bulletin, where he is introducing "...a new feature in the form of short reports from the Associations of some of the leading colleges in the East ... Please note the present membership, the progress of the work this fall, and any new features in your association; also give mention of that fine building you have been blessed with." Mott also comments on his Association's work: "Our work this fall has been prosperous beyond precedent in our history. We have taken in over 125 members, started new training classes, opened up a new mission field, and are pressing the claims of Christ on every line." Also an ANS postcard dated Feb. 12, 1883, on Yale College stationery from J.B.Dexter probably to Bro. Taylor regarding a recommendation for class monitors.
