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Description
Chase writes of his plans in Ohio and discusses the question of where the Theological Seminary will be founded
Date
10-9-1824
Keywords
Mr. More, Steubenville, Mr. Armstrong, Rev. Doddridge, Theological Seminary of Ohio, Ohio Convention, Bishop Hobart, Lord Kenyon, Worthington, Chillicothe, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Olivia Sparrow, Lord Gambier, Henry Clay
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Charles Hammond" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 433.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/433
Rights Statement
Transcript
Copy to Charles Hammond Esq. Lanesville, Oct. 9, 1824
Cincinnati
Very dear Sir,
With my family in number I arrived here yesterday. Mr. More I did not see as I passed through Steubenville. Mr. Armstrong was expected by Wells’ family but did not come; I had however the great pleasure of seeing the Rev. Dr. Doddridge who preached in Steubenville in the afternoon of Sunday last; he told me that he intended to attend the Convention on the 3rd of Nov. in Chillicothe.
I am now on my way to Worthington with a view to spend the winter there in my former residence. No other provision being made & being quite out of cash I thank the good God for the necessaries of life which the farm there during the last two seasons has produced. I have been induced to this measure not only by necessity, but also by a motive of prudence. The question where the Theological Seminary of Ohio is to be placed is of too much importance to be determined hastily. The united counsel of the whole diocese & patient investigation of the reasons for and against every place must precede the last and final determination to fix this, perhaps the most important institution of religion and learning West of the mountains. In the meantime I must live and subsist my family somewhere, & the school likewise must commence somewhere, and where should they be but the place already given to the institution & where the second institution must be in the event of there being no other place & property of equal value given?
But this is [possibly] far from my intention when I command this letter. The main thing which I wished to say is that I wish to see you more than any man breathing; & I have reasons for this desire of which I cannot now tell you the force. Everything depends on my next address to the Ohio Convention, & the manner in which that address is by them received and answered in subsequent resolutions. Before writing this address I must see all that has been written by you and others on the subject. Much of the [Reflectory] has not as yet met my eye. I have also some late, very late, publications of Bishop Hobart in England which I think you have not seen. Also a most interesting series of letters from Lord Kenyon and others touching the promises & of which I wish your opinion before commencing my address. If you ask why this address is of such vast importance to the future success of the Ohio Seminary? Let me tell you that it is anticipated in England with more interest perhaps than anything in our day. The donations to the Seminary are but commencing if all be conducted right & that they may be conducted so I have great reliance on you; & for that purpose I devoutly pray God to direct your heart and talents in the way most conducive to his glory. I have been but an instrument & a poor one the world knows. Let God receive all the praise for our success great under circumstances almost to a miracle.
I shall if God permit go to Worthington on Monday or Sunday next & shall be there about Thursday night. The settlement of my affairs with Mr. Douglas my tenant (who is to quit this month) will take up about one week: then I shall go to Chillicothe. Perhaps this settlement will take me longer: but I think it will not. By this it will appear if my arithmetic be right that I shall be in Chillicothe about 21 of this month. The Sunday following the 24 Oct. I shall also spend in Chillicothe. The week before the [?] of the Convention I hope to see Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Sparrow. Now dear sir tell me if you cannot come up before all others & let me see your face & talk all matters over? My letter from Lord Gambier to Mr. Clay I shall send from this. My heart is full of most affectionate regards to Mrs. Hammond and Nancy, tho’ my head has been full of the matters contained in this letter. Pray tell them so. P. Chase