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The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Bp. Chase thanks Bp. Skinner for his recent note expressing sympathy for Chase's troubles and for his donation of several books.
Date
6-8-1824
City
England
Keywords
England voyage, Scotland, Brother of New York, Church of England, Apostolic Ch of Nt, Bp. Skinner
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Bishop Skinner" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 368.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/368
Rights Statement
Transcript
K.Ch.240608c
Right Rev. & dear Sir
I can not express, in suitable term, how deeply your letter of the 20th of May, affected me; and tho’ I thought of concealing from you the emotion it excited, I find, if I attempt this my letter will be constrained; & such an one would be worse than none
I had supposed that in Scotland as in England a great prejudice had been raised against me especially in the minds of the Bishops and dignitaries of the Church. I had prepared myself to bear much before things could be rightly understood; and to win by inches the good will which it was my [Cot] to [Cose] thro’ the misunderstanding and precipitate publications of my Brother of New York. In this situation of mind & feelings, which I had from necessity assumed in all my approaches to the Prelates of the Ch of Engd your good letter found me. It spoke, without any travail through the mire of “objections”—it spoke the language of kindness and sympathy. It confides me as a true member of the Apostolic Ch of Nt. (and God forbid I should ever be any thing else) struggling with difficulties, to obtain by lawful means a great and good object. It tenders me a present the most valuable of its kind, books for the instruction of one Seminary: and above all it assures me of your fervent prayers for my success.
In short before I had gotten halfway thro’ the letter the subject matter of it, affected me too deeply to permit me to continue reading. Dear Bishop Skinner I am acquainted with you, your Father, Your grand Father and Brother, thro the books which tho’ I owned not till you so liberally presented them, I, had, to some considerable degree, previously read. You may not be surprized then that your good opinion of my plan and sympathy in my suffering should affect me.
I have refrained from all words of recrimination in this country; and in so doing hoped I had won the heart of my dear Brother of N. York to think more calmly and cooly in this subject. But nothing sufficiently sounded a retreat thro’ the phalanx he had raised against me the battle still continues. Battle did I call it? Can it be such when on one part there is not resistance?
I most sincerely thank you for the books you sent me. Goodness to me & bless God that I have your prayers. I entrust a continuance of them especially that I may not sink under this conflict more painful than any one before experienced.