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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
Various confidential information
ISBN
KMcI 590730
Date
7-30-1859
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, Bedell
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to Bishop Bedell" (1859). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 28.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/28
Rights Statement
Transcript
Cinc. July 30. 1859
Rev. + dear Sir.
I am very much indebted for the kindness of your letter of the 21st, particularly for your kind request that I will lay aside all cares which can be committed to you, after your consecration. I am now abstaining from work + care as entirely as is possible, + feel the benefit of it, + am enc[?] to hope that, in due time, under God’s blessing. I shall be able to share with you, by + by, a good deel [sic] of work. You would not suppose me an invalid, to look at me. I have very much my accustomed appearance, + my muscular [?] is not more diminished than might naturally be the case at my age, without disease. It is only when I put my head to work that I feel that something is [wrong]. A very little occupation of mind, beyond a letter, causes the upper-house, “the keep” of the castle, to show signals of distress. I may [antherpede] becoming, by suitable abstinence from care + labor, so far retired ? to be able, with an ap[?], to do a good deel of work, while without me, my mind would not be content not to do more than a brain nice affected could sustain.
In regard to the [?] Since April last, I have visited all the parishes on the Ohio River from [?] to [Hemberville], excluding the latter, though I expect to take that in my way to the Gen [??] also may of the [?] in the castle of the State, + with me exception, all in the Northwest from Cleveland to the Western border. The [visitations longest] behind, are in the North Eastern quarter of the Diocese, with some in teh middle sections, enhancing some of the [excellent], + most feeble [?] + the greater number of the vacant. They are all too far East for Bp. Lee to reach conveniently -- Between Nov. 1 + the 20th we have usually in Ohio, + in the [?] part, as well as the [?], a very delightful season. I have observed for many years that the beginning of broken weather, verging towards [?] is from the 18th to the 20th Nov. After that, it is more or less cold, as with you. [?? Mr.] before that, all the visitations of the parishes in the N. East as far South as Messi[llive] could be made. And after that, it would be easy for you to take the rest not visited this year, belonging to the middle part, at your leisure. I trust you know so well what dioceses are made of, as to be propered to see parishes smell. [??] often very feeble + struggling, sometimes without a minister or a church demanding of the Bp. all kinds of patience, help + hope. I have found me of my most prop[?] + anxious cares in the needs + [fluctuations] of such [?] especially when, as in the state, population changes so much. It is “a work of faith” requiring the “patience of hope” + “the labor of love” -- I think it would be best for you (as I suppose you [?] living at Gambier, where you will have a great opportunity of quiet, unxacting useful help,) to make that your first stopping place. There a house must be built for you. For there we have no funds, To raise them now would be difficult. Dr. [Nacherlin], I think, told me that he + Dr. Clark [?] mentioned to you the way Mr. Wharton’s house had been built, he [advancing] Mc[?] on certain conditions, + that you seemed pleased with it, in reference to have for yourself. I [?] some good people in N.Y. would take it into thier heads to present you with a house that is the cast of [?] My advice is that the sooner you could select a site for a house to suit you, + get a p;lace fixed in + get the building going, the better. I would suggest [Author eddie] I suppose your friends should take it [with] their heads to build you a house, + that you should not build on college property -- which would make the house college-property ^ unlaw ^ but in a lot purchased from the college (the cost would be small) then it would all be yours in fee simple + could be sold or willed at your pleasure. I towuld be easy for you to [return] to N.Y. for a few weeks after the 20th Dec. Very likely shall be able then to do a part of the visitation, if any be [pressing]. I think it can be so arranged that you can come straight to Gambier, after the G. C[?] spend time enough there to select a lot [&c,] then come to Cincinnati, as your chief city, + thence go on a visitation to the N.E. + thence to N. York again. Of the details we can write or converse more particularly hereafter.
We are exceedingly [desirous] of supplying the place of Rector at Gambier, a most important [man] as you may easily [?] requiring much good sense, earnest piety + zeel, special [?] in young men, social [?]
It is a very difficult place to fill, because we need a [?] man + earnest give more than from $1000 to 1200 salary (crossed out). I will be obliged to you to look + think where is a good man to be got. We have been told of Mr/. Dalton of Maine. Do you know [him] Can you ascertain his [futures] + whether there would be any chance of getting him[?] We have come pretty much to the conclusion that my Diocesean paper tho Western Episcopalian, must die. [?] has about 2000 suber[?] … Mr. Badger the Editor + [?]
has no means at all + my efforts to [sustain] him are e[?] It seems almost impossible to sustain such papers with few exceptions by [?] they pay so badly - I shall feel the loss very deeply
It has been well edited [un]decidedly evangelical grounds. It has been identified with the Diocese from the [?] of the diocesean history -- + I fear the [?]. Ch. party [?] the [?] would at [?], either here, or at Louisville, or Indianapolis, set up a substitute.
Please remember me affectionately to Mr. Bedell & your mother. The gracious Lord bless the cooperation in which we [some hope there to] his glory + the providence of His blessed gospel.
Yours very affectionately
C.P. McIlvaine