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Potter and need for clergy--laymen as presiders better than no Presider at all. McCarty's election to Christ Church working exams 2 weeks early so that Seniors ordained have time for quiet reflection.

Date

4-28-1863

Keywords

letter, McIlvaine, Bedell, church, Kenyon College

Transcript

Cinc April 28 1863

May 2

My dear Bishop,

When I reached home, I found a letter from Potter, which leaves I think no ground of hope in regard to his acceptance. He says he c[?]ed his letter to Mr. Bancroft [?] and expected it to be so understood that since then he has been making arrangements in that conclusion which it would be difficult to change and that he should re-open the question with great reluctance. He offers to meet me in N.Y.--but it is evidently a mere matter of respect--and without the slightest idea that his mind will be changed. I have not the least expectation that it will. I can say nothing that I have not already written him and what he had rec’d before he wrote me. I am very desponding about this matter. How strange it is that our Church raises up so few men for such places. I agree with you that a clergyman is better than a layman for our Presidency. But where is the clergyman? And if we can get a competent layman had we not better have him rather than go without a Pres.? Our Trustees and others who have not the duty of looking for an incumbent, have no idea of the difficulty. Anticipating Potter’s decision, I wrote to Mr. Brooks of Phila. About Short of when Mr. Powers wrote. Short is in his parish. He writes much in his favor--I enclose his letter. What can we do? I know so few of our clergy that I am a poor hand to find a Pres. I wrote Bp. Burgess for suggestions--but rec’d none of any use. Dr. Dyer for administration would suit, but I suppose he would not come and ought not.

You have heard probably of dear Mrs. K[?]’s sudden death--precious chamber lady. She had her bonnet on and carriage ready to come out to our house--feeling unusually sprightly and well--was [?] with paralysis and died in 12 hours--incapable of communication from the p[?] though apparently not [?] all the while. In her pocket was found checks for various donations accounting to $1000--one of 500 to the Ch. of St. [?] Cinc.--and I believe one for you in answer to some application of yours. I got home on Friday Ev. The [?] was that morning. I suppose you know that Sturgis has resigned Gallipolis. They starved him out--took no care of things the vestry had not met for a year [?]. I met a sensible man of the vestry in the [?] to Wheeling who had been absent from the place a great deal, but acknowledged the great [?]--spoke highly of Sturgis and said they deserved to lose him. What he will do I see not. He is a good, faithful working, judicious Minister--who never complains and minds not high things. I wish we could place him in a compatible parish. Probably Wallace has notified you of his resignation. They have S[?] before them.

McCarty’s election to Christ Ch. is working its fruits--Mr. And Mrs. Anderson have gone to St. Johns. Mr. Sh[?] would have also but he thinks he had better stay and fight. But things got worse.

Ashfield’s papers have gone to the Stand. Committees.

That is a foolish desire of Maxwell. You can do as you please about it. I have requested the [?] Faculty to have the examinations of the Senior Class two weeks before the end of the term--in order to give those who are to be ordained here, a suitable time of quiet consideration before that day. I have always felt it to be painful to have to hurry their matters so much as is necessary when their examinations are put off to the end. I will hold at the same time the examinations for orders. By dividing with you the ordination services I hope I may be able to preach the sermon.

What an account you gave of the state of things at Chicago. Our White House beats that at was [?] in some respects.

Yours affectionately,

C.P.M.

Letter to Bedell

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