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Cracroft case settled in Cracroft's favor. About men in the ministry and lay readers: 1) More stated opportunity for us to preach in Rosse Chapel 2) Administration of Holy Communion. Rector's place is paramount unless Bishop has official work to do.

Date

1-3-1865

Keywords

letter, McIlvaine, Bedell, Cracoroft, church

Transcript

Cincinnati Jan. 3 1865

My dear Bishop

Happy New Year to you + Mr. Bedell. Maybe it will [?] with me of us into the happiness of the “house not made with hands, extend in the heavens.”

I sat down to answer your budget dispatched Dec. 28. If we measure the distance from Gambier to Cinc. by the [time] token for letters to come, it is as far as from here to Portland + further. I have delivered your request about Lord G. to Nain + she will see to it. As to [Cracroft], the thing is settled as to mode of proceeding by my having notified Bp. W. that the case would be placed before the S. Comm. I do not [pg2] think it would be right to leave [Cracroft] to the vengeance of Bp. W. + such [trying] as he would have charges of the most trifling kind such for example as preaching in a B[?] Ch. + without [?], would be made mountains.

As to Leithhead, I am sorry about his throat. Will the time ever come when Ministers will [?] throats? But the idea of a clerkship is a poor prospect. Such places are full of applicants. At the very best, he would probably have to wait several months for an appointment. Then if he has a family, the office he would get, being of course one of the least salary, would be insignificant in the prodigious expense of living in [Wash.] It is exceedingly difficult for Clerks in the best salaries to support themselves, if they have families. Again, since Mr Chase left, I have no influence with any of the heads of Dept. beyond what any body of stature + character has, except Gov. [Demon], with whom you have more intimate acquaintance than I have. The utmost [Lettered] could expect, would be some temporary office which may happen to be made for an emergency, because he would go to a novice + does not expect to remain long enough to grow into much competency. STill I will do what I can for hm. with you, before the bar of [Demon’s] kindness. I should not feel free to write any thing but a general letter to any body else.

As to [Kirkport], I know nothing on which to form an opinion. I would advise a letter of enquiry from you to Jewett - before Leithhead takes any step.

[pg 3]

the points to be hit are not big things standing out prominently, but rather matters incidently coming to be touched somewhat indirectly + especialy to be so touched that they + their Author are not placed in a position of undue importance, whereby they might the more influence by being made the objects of a sort of [?] official. Episcopal contradictions.

It is precisely that sort of pre [ingress] into the pulpit of Rosse Chapel which common propriety would afford you, to preach just which you like, + what you like, that is the only thing. Did you ever see an [abbater] before a fort? What does it remind you of?

2. The administration of the Common. I don’t know that I quite understand your idea. But the selection of a Bishop of the Diocese, [pg3/2] (you or I) ^ to the REctor in Rosse Chapel) is just this, or far as pr[?] goes. When he is in the Church for no Episcopal office, he is there precisely as he would be should he go into Trinity Ch. Cleavland [sic] on a Sunday, having got there the day before. Hearing on Monday, a [cornhopper]

The Rector’s place then is paramount. The fact that the Ch. belongs to the Trustees of the Bp. has charge of the spiritual interests of the College &c., gives him no more right to take any Rectored office not of his hand than my Selection as President Bp. to every parish & Rector would authorize me to do the same in any parish of the Diocese.

When the Bp. had an official work (Episcopal) to do, then he has a right to Rosse Chapel for that purpose. But what prerogative cannot dam-

[pg. 4 / left]

good taste, not to speak of other things might to [give]. Would something of that sort is brought about, I would, in your place, abstain from offering to assist. The fact that you are ready + [?] to preach + [?] can get abroad + work [?] way - Especially I would not have you offer to assist + them be made to follow the Rector, in the administration… I sometimes when asked by a Rector to take his place [consecrate] feel a pleasure in saying no, do it yourself. I will only assist - but then I take the bread. But if I supposed the R. to be very [?] about his rights, + that only he must administer to his people, except as his assistant - there I stand off, + prefer not to put myself in the way of either a declinations on his part or a refund on my part, _ I am the most comfortable in the place of a member of the congregation. What about Norwalk? Have you any prospect of getting supplied + M[?]

[pg 1 / left]

[Dynond]

I have no right to give him a Lay Readers license to be used in N.Y. + as to Missy work which of course would be lay, I do not know enough about him to [give] him a letter to Bp. Potter recommmending such an appointment. He was a very short time a candidate before he led to give up study. What be attained or [?] if I do not know. My idea is that if he be competent to pursue his studies, which can be ascertained, he should be advised to return to Gambier, + informed that under present conditions we cannot place reliance on [the] attainments he is able to make.

As to Mr. Lobdill, I see nothing in the essential work of the Ch. Commission [inconsistent] with his being a candi-

[pg. 4 / right]

date for order. It is not necessarily a clergyman’s work. Nine tenths of it involves nothing inconsistent with the layman’s position. Should be preach in any found[?] sense - going beyond much exhortations as a Supreme [attendant] of a S. S Church or the leader of a P. Meeting, being a layman, [nought] will do, be would go worry. But he can have a large spirited field + amid such things. Of course he would not administer the Sacraments. I consider that work a good school for a Minister

Now about two matters in your former letter.

  1. Some stated opportunity for us to preach in Rosse Chapel. If I understand your news - it seems to me, it would be too p[?] with reference to the Rector, too [sic] preach for usefulness + especially would [into the air] be cause

M[?] What can be done - Yours affly C. P. M.

Letter to Bishop Bedell

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