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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 misses Sophia and worries for her health. Chase tells her all he has recently accomplished though he expresses that he would rather be home as a "simple American Bishop."
Date
6-14-1824
City
Oxford, England
Keywords
Oxford, homesick, George Chase, Mr. Butterworth, Lord and Lady Teignmouth, Lord Bexley, Lord Kenyon, British Critic, Mr. Latrobe, G W Marriott, Stoke Newington, Bishop of Limerick, Dr. MacBride
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Sophia Chase" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 376.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/376
Rights Statement
Transcript
K.Ch.240614a
Oxford June 14 1824
My dearest Wife
I was almost heart broken to be obliged to leave London without having received any letters from you or indeed any of my friends in America. The letter which you wrote me immediately after George left Kingston and in which you recited his difficulties is the last that has come to hand. I fear your health has not continued as usual and that [?] bowed down with the sufferings of our frail state. Dear, Dear, Sophia! How I long to be with you. Were I not convinced by ten thousand [pious] too strong to be [united] that my absence from you was imposed of God as a duty, the very thought that, at the present juncture of affairs I am in Europe and you in America cout set me crazy. But it is God’s hill and as such may we always submit with resignation to add the dispensations of providence. I have nothing for you and can do nothing to help you, but to pray hastily that God for Christ’s sake, will keep save and bless you. O! May the angel of his mercy in the [home] of danger watch over my dear, dear, wife for good.
I do not remember when I wrote you last, but I think it was since that malignant article of Mr [?], appeared in the British Critic. This has done the Ohio cause much harm, and for the present things are somewhat paralyzed. It is to be hoped however that after the appearance and circulation of a “Letter addressed to Lord Kenyon” shall have taken [?] matters will wear a more favourable aspect. This letter is written by a friend who has had the principal agency in my affairs of course understand. [The] best of any others from the beginning.
I aimed with Lord Bexley on the instant the day before I left London. There were present several of the nobility and gentry. Lord and Lady Teignmouth were particularly civil to me and take a deep interest in my affairs. I saw there also Mr Latrobe the Head man among the [?]. So unworthy do I feel of the manifold and great civilities and honours which the first men in England are now beginning to manifest, that were it not for the hope of being of [some] use thro’ these means, to the cause of religion in my dear country, I would shrink from them and prefer vastly prefer my humble condition a simple American Bishop. I never was born to make my way among the great nor to take my pleasure among the opulent. More satisfaction would it give me to visit the poor and carry the [means] of religion among the destitute and if this latter were not in view the former would be undesired. And yet I do not wish to insinuate by any such remarks as the above that the rich and noble in England are deficient in piety or humility. Far from it. Their birth and riches seem to give way to the duties of holiness to an extent far beyond what is generally believed in America. Many noble characters both male and female would lay all their honours at the “foot” of the cross that God might clothe them with the robes of Christ’s righteousness.
Now I seem to remember that the last letter I wrote to you was from Great Horkesley near Maryland. If so, I think I can give you in part the connexion of events. On Monday left the neighborhood of Maryland with Lord Kenyon and Mr G. W. Marriott came to Stoke Newington and dined with Dr Gaskin--took tea same day at Mr [Freshfield]’s an opulent parishioner of the Dr.--spacious walks over many acres even within 4 miles of London. Tuesday dined Mr Butterworth member of Parliament. Bishop of Limerick was [?]. Wednesday at Mr Gibbs--Thursday attended the meeting of the charity [children] at St Pails. Mr Hewitt above Regents Park--Mr [Crawley] accompanied me and Mr [?]ick, Editor of the [Christian Observer] came in and spent the evening. Friday with Lord Bexley as above. On Saturday morning before I set off Mr S Mrs G. W. Marriott and Mr Pratt came to my lodgings before breakfast to see one and help me get off for Oxford. How kind was this in [them] I have not words to tell. I am to dine today with Dr Macbride one of the heads of the Colleges with a great many. God give me grace to do that which is right in his eyes and make me to know myself. Without thee, O Almighty Blessed Savior I am nothing. I am quite well tho’ it is quite cold and a fire is comfortable. God bless you and the dear dear Children.
P.Chase