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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. Ward is confused and upset as to why Chase has resigned from the College. He expresses his continual support for Chase and implies that it is a mistake for the College to drive him out, because it will fail without his leadership.
Date
10-28-1831
Keywords
Bishop Chase, Philander Chase, resignation, Carlton Gardens, Mary Ward
Recommended Citation
Ward, Bishop W., "Letter to Philander Chase" (1831). Philander Chase Letters. 913.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/913
Rights Statement
Transcript
My ever dear Brother
What is the meaning of the enclosed which I have just received? Is it possible that a faithful old soldier of Christ should faint in the field of battle; or lay down his [Arms] under the banner of the Cross? I know the battle you had to fight with beasts of Ephesus. I Know how deeply you have been stung by the poisoned speer & arrow of a wretch, who has displayed all that was bad in Judas, Diotrophes, & Alexander the [Coper] Smith; he betrayed & crucified his master, he loved to have the preeminence, & to you he did much evil. But what then? Was this any reason, tho’ he stirred up all that is corrupt in our nature in many against you; and what, I know, was the Severest of all your trials, tho’ he poisoned the the [sic] minds of some of your best friends, both [?] for a time against you, and yet all this, tho heavy to be bore, is no more than what the followers of their crucified master are to expect. Tribulation you were promised, & tribulation you are to expect. The enemies of God & Man will bring rough of that upon you, so long as you are engaged in the work of God, and this is good for you. It will humble you, & preserve you from the danger of being exalted above measure. It is a time of your faith, & is a proof of God’s love towards you. He has the same end in trying you that he had in leading his people through the great wilderness, where no water was where the fiery scorpions stung them; & which was to prove them, to humble & to prove them, that he might do them good at their latter end. All these dealings with his people of old were types of God’s dealings with his people now, even to prove them, to know what was in their hearts. This was his end for deserting Job; to shew what strong patience & unconquered faith was in him.
Do not suppose that I am preaching without feeling for you. I feel deeply for you, & I have felt for you from the beginning of your troubles. And now I say you shall not fall -- you cannot fall, for the Lord will sustain you. I have said & I will say it again, & I will cry aloud, that those who wronged by unfounded surmises [crossed out] have no other way to [crossed out] atone to you, but by moving Heaven & Earth in your favour.
[crossed out]
[?] ever occurred to me so strange [as] [?] sensible & so good beings should have bee so blind [crossed out] on the delicate subject -- I have expressed myself strongly, & lest any body should [?] I am obliged to blot out. Oh! how I laboured to convince [crossed out], as also did good Kenyon. God knows how I felt for you from the beginning. My conscience however condemns me for not having written to you more frequently. But I will not make you all the amends in my power by rousing your old friends & raising new ones, if you will only let me know the state of your affairs and what this strange report means.
If they have driven you out of your College let them keep their empty walls. They shall never have another Sixpence from old England, & I wish to assure them that they are solely indebted to the love & veneration which we felt for Bishop Chase for the thousands they have had from us. If they drive you out, they will strangle the Infant Hercules in the cradle, and Kenyon College which they will convert into a tower of Babel, will remain a monument of their folly & flagrant ingratitude.
Write me fully an explanation of this great mystery. My fear is that the multitudinous religious sects will form a phalanx, besiege your College, siege your endowments, & lay claim to the government of the Seminary, & make it any thing but an episcopal seminary of religion & learning.
Enclose to the Vico[?] [Goderiet], Carlton Gardens, London, who knows all my movements & migrations. I shall be here but a few weeks longer, but in England till next April.
My dear Mary writes in great distress in consequence of the enclosed note. She says “I think the [writer] has much to answer for, for his unkind suspicion of that holy man. I will write when I can possibly to the Bishop & to the Lady that wrote to me from Ohio.” May he who took [after] and of the womb and has been thy hope, & thy God, since thou wast upon thy mother’s breasts, continue to be thy help & thy shields, thy refuge & strength; a very present help in trouble.
Write fully & freely to your affectionate Brother in Christ Jesus.
W. Sodor & Mann
Gt. Horkesley Oct. 26 1831