p179 [F Rowan] [To the same.] " Ἵνα * is used thirty-six times in John, without any telic sense, though much oftener with its usual meaning. There is a difference. It is not used for a past or existing fact as ὅτι. There is something to be, in the thought. But a person must be very sagacious to make it telic, though they say it never entirely loses this force. Thus John 18:39, what is telic here? So John 2:25; 4:34, and others. Perhaps in some cases we may see the transition from one to another, as in John 5:7. But practically it is quite lost in many, as John 6:39-40. A concordance will shew you the texts - these suffice as examples. The telic use is quite common, and it is needless to quote examples - I mean in John.
{*"Is there any rule for distinguishing the occasions of its use for ὅτι?"}

I do not think the two words are used indiscriminately; ἵνα would not be used for 'he heard that he was'; for 'a custom that he should,' we have seen it is. The day or the state of things was a reason, a motive, that something should be. It is so that it should, not the fact that it was. You can examine the passages, but in the practical use of the word in these cases you cannot make it telic. Such changes in the degeneration of a language are common, and the Holy Ghost used the vessel as it was, though to His own purposes, and this is every way a great mercy.

Alford I have not here, but to all intents and purposes, John 4:34 has the force of ὅτι or nothing at all. I mean it is equivalent to τὸ ποιεῖν, but your comparison of John 3:19, and John 17:3, is a proof that you may metaphysically or historically trace the passage from one to the other, but that the use of ἵνα in John is often equivalent to ὅτι. There is a similar use of quod in low Latin - I am not sure I have the right word, but I remember the fact - it may be some word for quod. Purpose in John 18:39 seems to me somewhat forced: John 5:7, may be taken as partly telic. John 2:25 may explain perhaps the passage from one to the other.

I have had good opportunities here, and the door open as it had not been. The truth has made progress in a good many; faith to act on it and take up the cross is another thing. We hope for it with some at any rate. They can hardly remain where they are, though the way people drag on, knowing all is wrong, from want of faith, is astonishing. However, the Lord will shew His own work, and there may be first last and last first. But I feel the Lord has led me here, and I am in pretty full intercourse with those exercised, among whom are more than one official minister. I wait on the Lord for the result. I found the door open in Boston, and east too.

Affectionately yours in the Lord.

St. Louis.

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