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Thomas Holme laments his failure to keep up correspondences. He is grateful that the U.S.A. and Great Britain are once again at peace and hopes it will mean continued donations for Jubilee College and the payment of the tuition of James George.
Date
2-2-1847
Keywords
Thomas Holme, Philander Chase, James George, Mrs. George, Tractarianism, Romanism, Evangelical Alliance, Protestant Church, Episcopal Church, England, war, peace, donations, funds, money, tuition, famine
Recommended Citation
Holme, Thomas, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1847). Philander Chase Letters. 1286.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1286
Rights Statement
Transcript
East Cowton
Catterick
Yorkshire
Feb. 2. 1847
Right Reverend and Dear Sir
It is too commonly the case with mankind to neglect the privileges, which they enjoy, till they are reminded of their value by the loss of them. A feeling of this kind has, I fear, had too much influence over myself, otherwise I should, with greater frequency, avail myself of the opportunity which you so kindly hold out to me, and even press upon me, of keeping up a correspondence with a Bishop in a far distance diocese, whose praise is in all the churches. Though I will not plead guilty to the charge of despising your valuable correspondence, I am afraid I can account for my silence upon no other ground, than that of my numerous engagements, an excuse, which can hardly be allowed by one, who, amidst engagements infinitely more varied & onerous, can make time to write long & powerful appeals in behalf of the restitute and afflicted. In writing to you upon the present occasion I wish I could give you as cheering accounts of my success in writing with funds for the support of our young protegee at Jubilee as has been the case heretofore. I am sorry to say that all that I can calculate upon at present is about £16 -- Nor in the present state of our suffering country, where objects of more immediate and pressing interest claim all that can be spared from the most liberal charity, have I any prospect of success for appeals in behalf of one, whose claims are weaker & whose wants are less urgent. There are however still a few kind friends, who, I trust, will continue their subscriptions for some time longer, and occasional assistance may be obtained.
I regret however to be obliged to express my fears that I cannot raise funds, which will any longer defray the whole cost of our young charge at Jubilee. If you will continue to send me the acc’ts, I will do what I can to meet them, and I will hope, that friends in America will supply the rest. By this time you will be enabled to form an idea as the probably success of your benevolent exertions in favour of James George and it will give me great pleasure to communicate to those, who have taken an interest in him, the gratifying intelligence that their benevolence has been well bestowed. Our good Bishop especially would rejoice to hear that our young friend was likely to become a faithful soldier & servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Of Mrs George I have heard nothing for a long time-- I [purpose] writing to her by the first mail.
Since my last letter to you, what a delightful change has taken place with respect to the position of our respective beloved countries toward each other. Long may that friendship continuum which much [tend] so much to the advantage of both-- Awful would have been our situation, at the present moment, if, in addition to the judgments, which are now impending over us, we had been waging a [heinous] war with that country, from the superabundant provisions of which the starving population in one part of our empire are chiefly supported. O that the Lord in judgment would remember mercy & overrule the present sufferings of his people to his own glory and to their spiritual good. The [leaver] of Tractarianism, which appeared to be pervading our beloved church, has, I hope, received a check-- and though there are still many whose opinions lean, if not to Rome, to exclusive High Churchmanship I trust that the trust as it is in Jesus is preached in many a congregation, & that our Church is striking its roots deeper and more extensively in the affections of the people-- When you write to me, which I hope you will yet do, will you favour me with your opinion as to the Union which is now being attempted amongst Christians of various denominations, under the name of the Evangelical Alliance[?] Though I have not joined the body, its professed object has my hearty goodwill.
With my sincere prayer that you may [long] be spared to feel the sheep over whom you are appointed to [watch] I am Right Rev’d & dear Sir Yours faithfully T. Holme