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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
Stone had feared that McIlvaine would recall him with "painful feelings," and had honestly thought his theological opinions identical to Ridley, Crammer, Jewell and Houker - not with Oxford school of his own day. Stone expresses gratitude for McIlvaine's sympathy on death of his wife, and explains that he turned down a call at Trinity, Cleveland because he feels "it would not be prudent" for him to "undertake the charge of a parish" at this moment.
Date
4-26-1869
Keywords
letter, Stone, McIlvaine, church
Recommended Citation
Stone, James Kent, "Letter from James Kent Stone to Charles P. McIlvaine" (1869). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 231.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/231
Rights Statement
Transcript
Hobart College, Geneva, N.Y.
April 26 1869
Right Rev. + dear Sir,
I am anxious to express my sincere thanks for your letter of the 9th. It has relieved my mind of a burden which I feared might be a heavy one hereafter,-- the thought, namely, that you perhaps remembered me only with painful feelings. But now you have assured me of your kind & affectionate regard. I trust you will always believe that, in my correspondence of a year ago, I honestly thought my theological opinions to be identical with those of Ridley + Grammer, of Jewel + of Hooker, not with those of the Oxford School of our own day.
Thank you for your kind expression of sympathy for the loss of my wife. It has been indeed a heavy stroke. I am thankful that I can believe that it was sent with a gracious design, + humbly pray that I may not, through blindness or hardness of heart, fail to apprehend its meaning. In one sense, my treasure is now laid up, where neither sickness nor decay shall corrupt; -- + where my treasure is, there my heart will be also.
I have lately received + declined an informal call to Trinity Church, Cleveland. I mention this because I head the fact might become known in Ohio, that a wrong interpretation might be put upon my non-acceptance. I declined because I do not think it prudent at present for me to undertake the charge of a parish. After the close of the present academic year, I shall probably spend a [?] while in travel or in quiet study.
This brief note, of course, requires no answer.
Believe me most sincerely,
Your obedient servant,
James Kent Stone.
The Rt. Rev.
C. P. M Ilvaine, D.D., D.O.L.