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Description
About Mr. Boyle
Date
7-7-1862
Keywords
letter, Bedell, McIlvaine, Boyle
Recommended Citation
Bedell, Bishop, "Letter to C.P McIlvaine" (1862). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 252.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/252
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Transcript
Shatford (Conn) July 11 1862
My dear Bishop,
Enclosed is Bp Hopkins letter. Mr. Boyle was supported by Mr. Edward [Cowe]: through the whole of this past year at my earnest request. They were not satisfied; and became more and more dissatisfied. After a free comparison of views--Smith Mc[?] Clement and my own--Mr. [Cowe] dropped him at their last meeting.
The reasons were not any doubts as to his capacity. He is a fine student and has made good progress. The reasons were.
Doubts as to his genuine piety. I had conversations with him. After as much probing as possible, I was forced to tell him that I doubted whether he had ever been converted. I have strong doubts: so much so that I should not accept him as a candidate were it a new question.
It follows upon this, that Mr. [Cowe]: had reason to think he was depending upon them to get an education, not with any ardent desire to preach Christ crucified and save souls.
Several [?] confirmed these views. He did not attend religious meetings until [?] with, and then, as we feared, surely because he supposed it would be agreeable to us.
He never asked for employment as S.S. [?] until he learned that we were doubting in his case. He told me that during the 7 years of his being a [?] Christian he had never done anything to benefit anyone spiritually. This was supposed to indicate the character of his religion--or rather want of it.
In my opinion, he has not the spiritual gratification for the Ministry. I see no sign of a decisive call.
In Mr. Hodgkinson’s case, I will forward the letters to you as soon as I can reach my trunk, next week.
We reached Stratford by way of Cumberland, Washington and [?] yesterday evening. We left Gambier on July 3rd. Will write more at length hereafter.
After in [?]
G. J. Bedell
On back: Bp. Bedell about [J.] Boyle, July 11, 1862