Files
Download Full Text (3.9 MB)
Content Warning
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
Smith discusses the upcoming General Convention and wonders about what may happen at the College now that Chase has resigned and Bp. McIlvaine will be in power.
Date
2-28-1832
Keywords
Standing Committee, Br. Page, McIlvaine, Bishop McIlvaine, General Convention, G.M. West, Philander Chase, Bishop Chase, Mr. Sparrow
Recommended Citation
Smith, B.B., "Letter to C.W. Fitch" (1832). Philander Chase Letters. 921.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/921
Rights Statement
Transcript
B.B. Smith
Lexington Feby. 28th, 1832
Very Dear Brother,
Since the deep agitation of your affairs in Agst. and September, I have hardly heard a word from any of you in Ohio. I suppose however, that I may blame myself for it, inasmuch as your note when you were on the wing for the East has never been answered. We too had passed through our agitations, which were becoming much more tranquil, where yours were wrought into worse commotion. Before it was ascertained that a majority of the standing Committees would reject the election in this Diocese, with score of unintentional informality, I had retired from the conflict - preferring to incur a year’s delay to continuing a vexed and doubtful question before the Church. Of course our affairs remain just there, until the passing [movement]. Should the lives of our few clergy be spared we forsee no difficulty in removing every technical objective; and even Br. Page assures us that the election will be unanimous. Were it possible for you to spare one or two Presbyters from Ohio, to make our case score and to grace the election with a somewhat more respectable array of [members], I suppose that we should escape a joke or two. But to all these lighter missils [sic], as you know, I have long been proof. It matters little to me where or how I am permitted to work for the good cause; what men may please to think or say, is of too little consequence to be thought of.
The probability of your movements finding their present level [securred] to me, the [?] [move]ment I heard of them. Still it neither did, nor does now strike me, that any evil could come of your haste. Prudence, indeed, would rather have advised a year’s delay, on so grave and important a question. But many advantages result from prompt and vigorous action. What would have been mere conjectures of opinion on the great question involved in your case, are now ascertained and avowed opinions. In other words, before your next Convention and before the meeting of General Convention you will now know much more accurately what to do, than if your election had been postponed. In that case, by some informality or inaccuracy you might have been defeated: - in the present it will be comparatively easy to steer clear of [?]. From all that I can learn there is little doubt [?] what dear Br. McIlvaine will feel it his duty to devote himself to the Lord’s service amongst you, so soon as preliminary difficulties are recovered. It has from the first appeared to me probable that you would be obliged to wait the legislation of General Convention, before the circumstances & conditions under which a Bishop in a case like yours, can be consecrated. But I have never entertained a doubt, but that the cause would be determined in your favour, and in a way so open and honorable that it could be no hindrance in the way of Mr. McIlvaine’s acceptance. You have but to affirm his election, and provide your delegates with the proper papers and instructions, to have the case brought before General Con: with all but absolute certainty of success.
I have been at some pains to give you my impressions upon this subject; fearing that some of our “croaking” brethren at the East may have been bothering you with sinister predictions. Opposition to any evangelical man, as such, can account to nothing. There is, and can be no concert in opposers. All is & must be done openly and in the face of heaven, or sooner or later will be dragged forth there to the shame of the schemer. And the splits of the one party and the [reunion] of the other, would render us safe, even if reason and right were not on our side; and in the end sure to take effect.
I would thank you, in reply to my poor opinions, which are hardly worth having, to give me your facts. Have a majority of the Standing Committees refused to act? If so which? And which have done so decorously & which not? What opinions have you obtained privately from Bishops and others? What is the [git] of your difficulty? Have you yet settled your live of conduct? If so what is it? [Do] you think Br. M.’I. will accept? What stand is B[p.] [Chase] taking and what will he do in the business? Where is your quondam Bp; in what wood; & how employed? Above all tell me how Kenyon fares, and is like to do?
You have seen no doubt the strange account of Bp (perhaps by this time Arch Bp or Cardinal) West in a late New York Observer. What a [commentary] his prematture [sic] ordination on the fatal [?] effects of departure from our wise & salutary laws! How humble and patient it should make us under delays, rather than force any thing against a good rule!
Remember me affectionately to Br. Sparrow, & accept both from myself and Mrs. S. the assurances of undiminished affection. Yours ever
B.B. Smith
You will be pleased to hear that I [observed] a Theological Class some two or twelve weeks since which [remember] 8 members 6 of them having the ministry of our church more or less [remotely] in view.