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Description
Henry Lee reassures Philander Chase that his successor as Bishop of Illinois will be well-suited for the job.
Date
8-12-1851
Keywords
Philander Chase, Henry Lee, Dr. Whitehouse, Bishop, Presbyter, succession, Diocese of Illinois, Illinois
Recommended Citation
Lee, Henry, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1851). Philander Chase Letters. 1390.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1390
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Transcript
Rochester, Aug. 12, 1851.
Rt. Rev. and dear Sir,
I have recently had most satisfactory intercourse with your son Dudley, who made me a visit both on his way East, and on his return. His account of Illinois, with reference to the proposed effort to elect an Assistant Bishop, interested me deeply; and I pray God that your wishes, as to the result, may be fully gratified. The full meaning of your recent letter to me about Galena was not apparent to me till I had the benefit of his interpretation; and I can not most sincerely assure you that the present most prominent candidate is a far more suitable person for the office in question than the one to whom your thoughts have been somewhat turned. Dr. Whitehouse, you know, was long in this paris, and he accomplished a word which no man of ordinary ability could have effected. He has his peculiarities, as every man has; but take him all in all, few are better fitted for the office of Bishop. Had I been called upon to name a suitable Presbyter for the place for which he is now a candidate, I think he would have been the one selected.
Whatever, my venerable friend, may be the result, I pray God that the light of His countenance may be lifted upon you in your declining days; and that the issue of the present moment may be such as to enable you to exclaim, “Nunc dimittis,” with a joyful heart. I sometimes think of you in connection with those words of the Psalmist, “O God thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also, when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” I have had my fears that your closing days might be saddened by the dark prospects of your Diocese, knowing the efforts that were in progress with reference to a Maryland candidate; but my heart is cheered for you now; and may we soon hear that the crisis has been safely passed, and that Bishop Chase will have a peaceful evening to the long day of his useful life.
I am, Rt. Rev. & dear Sir,
Very Respectfully & affectionately,
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Henry W. Lee
Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D.D.