Files
Download
Download Full Text (5.8 MB)
Content Warning
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
McIlvaine's illness; Kenyon College prosperous; ashamed of the church's actions at the 1865 General Convention; McIlvaine's article on rationalism
Date
12-19-1865
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, bishop, Kenyon College, church
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to a Bishop" (1865). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 328.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/328
Rights Statement
Transcript
Cinc. Dec. 19/65
Dear Bp.
After two weeks confinement so as to be unable to sit up & write, I am now by the Lord’s favour, nearly well. What I should have exceedingly dreaded, had it been foreseen, such as carbuncle, which Physicians usually treat by ex[cision], has been [caused] gradually to p[ass] away & the wound healed by nothing more than the process of nature. I rec’d yours of the 11th when I could not answer it [with’t] pain. [Webb] had written me briefly about his news. I could not go there as expected. I have never seen him not having [?] to [?]borough since he went & he did not meet in at [?]. So that I know nothing about him but from his letters & therefore cannot give an opinion in answer to your question.
I did not mean any thing, by not mentioning [Mr.] Short when I wrote about Gambier. I heard nothing unfavourable then. Dr. Mc[Elhenny] took an opportunity to explain what he had written me of him, so as to ease it off. The College seems prosperous. Short writes that there has been a disturbance at Milnor Hall & discipline following. Pro[?] Ma[?] has lost his wife. What you suggest about Mo[?]’s going on an [inspection] [visit] to [?], is well. The [Stand Comm.] have declined [recommending] for want of [?]. I suppose you will be present at Randell’s [Consecration]. He wanted me but of course did not suppose I could go. [?] writes a kind letter asking me to his. But it will be so in the middle of winter that I have [no] expectation of it. As the arrangements are made of course [with’t] me, my not going will cause no inconvenience. I am so ashamed of my Church for the action in the Gen. Vonven. That I feel no disposition to appear in any of its great doings, where no duty calls. You may not have the affect, but I shall not. We are the praise of all the disloyal & have become a by-word of the loyal. Partly for that reason I the more take part with works of benevolence [?] [?] to our Ch. having Freedom [?] [?] [?] that if by any means I may do something to redeem the characters of our [communion].
I never knew how [Potters Resolution] came about as to the [two] Pastoral Letters, till recently, in answer to the question from me, how far I was to understand that my article on Rationalism under the [Resolution] to be in the name of the [?] [of] [?] he [detailed] the process. So far as that particular part is concerned. I like the [form] of a special address to Clergy [?] then the others. I wrote to [?], Potter & Whittingham got their news as above mentioned. Whittingham answered more strongly than all as to the understanding that the [?] was to be the voice of the [House], not mine. He goes as far in that direction as possible. I shall make a [Title page] which will accord with the news of all the four, while by retaining the [?] form of the paper as [read], “We the Bishops, [bc] its representative [Churches] will be given. It is now being printed. My illness has delayed it.
I am sorry you are [?] in Boston harbour, Boston [?] is Boston. Napoleon said the Empire means Peace. All that’s good is Boston. All that isn’t ain’t.
I have an opportunity, just now to send this to the P.O. & must stop—
Yours affly
C.P.M.