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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.
ISBN
KMcI 600202
Date
2-2-1860
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, Bedell
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to Bishop Bedell" (1860). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 52.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/52
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Transcript
Cinc. Feb. 2. 1860
Dear Bishop—
Two letters from you to be answered. Let us give Paul a fair + charitable treat. I hope he will do well. Keep him in hand as to [hasty??] organizations. Tell him not to organize a parish till he has first advised with you or me. As to [?] I fear he is not the man for [?]. He has no force nor weight at all, no discretion, no common sense, + I think no settled theological [news] in matters of [discrimination]. He always deprecates the institutions at Gambier, because he got into trouble there by his tongue, + I admonished him by letter - a [discipline] which he visits on Gambier, because he thinks I deserved my [impression] from “exercises” of his there. I do not think we are under any obligation to find him a parish. The I have been written to by the [?] at Piqua to recommend a Minister + have written to day advising the call of George Strong of Washington Del. I was thinking of Dillon? for Circleville, but as you think not favorably enough of Marmaduke!! (Phabus[?]) I will refrain.
I am glad you are so full at work at G. Don’t leave again the Rhetorical Exercises till they are through. Charley wrote that he was sorry he did not have your [?], as he says the other Professors do not [? of the same word] enough. I look to you, + if Charley grows in fault, wo to you. Be watchful of the teaching, in that confused place, to a feeble use of [?], + an un[?] manner, + a reading service as of reading to the people, a want of that devout [instruction?] which without seeing them or hearing a word, one would know thy [voice? were? verse?] praying.
Dudley [Chase] is good - how far energetic I do not know. I fear he is tame or he would not be so moving [about]. Perhaps he would be good at Circleville. He is discreet, [prim], amiable & sensible.
As to the Lists of Confirmations (persons) I have all the lists but one or two & when I can get them I will send them. Bosworth is at Alexa Morrow is not a candidate here. You may do what your conscience dictates to writing to Prof. Johnson - He is a silly fellow. As to Passover week, I have usually taken advantage of it to be somewhere with Parishers, + forcibly I shall spend the coming at Cleveland + vicinity. You might be here ^ or ^ at Columbus or both at the same time. One thing we must be careful of [?] to keep the Visitations for Confirmations in their order of [routine], not breaking the order because clergymen want us to come to their parishes, out of [?], except the reason be very special. If we [?] to such wishes, we encourage a very troublesome [?], expectation, complaint, jealousy. I have scarcely ever allowed the routine to be broken, that is, I have avoided [?] to a parish, till its section came to its [?].
As to Lee, I shall not consent to ordain till his year is out. I spent last Sunday there + find he is much valued as very laborious + [adepted?] I spend tomorrow (Springfield) Sunday) at Springfield - but do not go to confirm. I have not heard whether [Grammar] has come. You seem to have had a good Convocation at Mansfield. McCarty is great with his Rector of Newark + REctor of Mt. Vernon, &c. He will have [one] Presb. Rector on him for his assumption of [?] jurisdiction. I tis not advisable language. His report I think too minute. It is best to publish a more general statement, not minutes of a [J?] You have not said any thing about Strong or Clements since you were here.
The Warden of East Plymouth writes that Mr. Hall has [?] I enclose his letter. I do not know how to supply the —. Perhaps you can think. [Valladigham] would do at Hillsborough or Pom?? but where to get [?] money is the question. The Committee is now some two hundred behind on the last quarter. We can make no additional appropriations. That of the Gen. Committee to [?] 200. I have moved to [Meltby] because that place was vacant & we were [?] if it was [?] there. Meltby’s 200 from our Committee, can be transferred to [?] when they get a minister. He is engaged till Easter on [?] from Goddard. He is trying how they will be kept. I am fearing every week that Mann. will send for 50[0]. I have only obtained 200 of it, + it is the last promise of that sort I will make.
When you see the Pres. tell him I will set to work about the Prayer- soon.
Yours very affectionately,
Chas. P. McIlvaine.