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The Charles P. McIlvaine 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
KC: Lorin Andrews' health, new Rector, Mr. Chipman, McPenger?, Nicholson
ISBN
KMcI 551102
Date
11-2-1855
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, Kenyon College
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to Unknown Reverend" (1855). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 2.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/2
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Transcript
[?] Nov. 2. 1855
Rev. + dear Sir -
Yours of Oct. 29 came yesterday. I enclose the texts. I am very much concerned about Pres. Andrew’s health. May the Lord [?] so great a treat as his being long ?. I cannot say that there is a prospect of a Rector. I am hoping, + am waiting an answer from Mr. [Chipman] of [Austria?]. The more I hear of the number of students + especially of those who are communicants the more I am weighed down with the difficulty of getting a Rector. Much may be done by the clergy there, if they will [?] in promoting a spiritual state of things. They should not wait for a Rector. They should not think whether they are under any [?], other than that of clergymen + to do all they can. I think it must seem very strange to the people + students that there can [?] clergymen at Gambier, + no meeting during the week for [pr?] in which they partake + which they [sustain].
I am sure if they would come together about it, it could be profitably [done]. And can [?] you, as the oldest in the meeting, set something going. There ought the [?] rest at Gambier, among the clergy that there is a lecture or prayer meeting, besides that which the students [sustain], + me [?] which the clergy will [?] attend, + [in] which they will partake. I feel as if I hardly derived any more students [? ?] is done for the religious state of the [people] [attempt at an &] students. I know that three of the clergy [???] with the [?] or College, but my remarks have rep[?] to clergymen as such, connected or not.
I lay blame on no body -- but do earnestly bring [??] of more religious effort there.
Mr. [Meperger] probably supposes he is a candidate for [?] This [?] were [made] out best [??] before he graduated. But I remembered that [?] he had a degree they would be of no use without an examination + therefore witheheld them. They are [?] lost. Ple[a]se [?] him + have [?] get new [?] + send them to Mr. [?]. I will take his [?] from [??]
Yours affty,
C. P. Mc--
Side note on front page:
I do not know why Mr. [?] declare? in the [? ?] I fear thaey have too little [?] The arrangement with Mr. [?] seems the best under the circumstances.