11 July 1874

Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Holman

A letter of condolence over the death of Holman's child. Blaine share's the story of losing his first-born child. He writes that such a loss taxes one's faith, but expresses a belief that "Time's cloud has its radiant silver lining in Eternity." Stamp on p. 1 "Madlener."

GLC05508.038

14 December 1974

Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Christopher Allen

President of the National Council of Churches Blake writes to a young boy at the request of his father. Blake expresses hope that when the boy gets older he too will have a life-long interest in Christian unity and service to the world.

GLC05508.039

10 February 1846

Blanchard, Jonathan, 1811-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Homer H. Stuart

Blanchard discusses living the Christian life. He focuses on how worldly suffering brings you closer to salvation, because it is partaking in Christ's suffering. Last page of a longer letter.

GLC05508.040

circa 1975

Boles, Tiffany, fl. 1975

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Boles writes: "I cannot sign the enclosed pin-up of me because it is not me anymore. I have become a Christian and do not enjoy that image of me carried on." Written in blue felt tip pen.

GLC05508.041

circa 1970

Bolinger, Truman, fl. 1970

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to Mrs. Howard

Bolinger, a sculptor, argues that people on welfare do not appreciate what they receive because they have not exchanged anything for it. He then offers his own interpretation of the phrase (from the Sermon on the Mount) "Ask and ye shall receive...," arguing that it properly applies to seeking Truth. Bolinger also writes that society needs a "workable moral code." Brown felt tip pen, with a printed "watermark" of a cowboy riding a bucking bronco.

GLC05508.042

circa 1920

Booth, Evangeline, fl. 1920

Typed document signed

Title: [There is abundant evidence...]

Commander of the Salvation Army Booth argues that "class consciousness" is giving way to "service consciousness." She comments on the Church's strengthening appeal and its readiness for service. The speech began a fund-raising effort within the church for a million dollars.

GLC05508.044

circa April 3, 1887

Booth, Maud Ballington, 1865-1948

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Harrison

Booth thanks Harrison for her donation to the Salvation Army.

GLC05508.045

26 December 1795

Bradford, William, 1729-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia Bradford

Bradford gives condolence to his daughter, Lydia, for young men who died at sea, and expresses the sentiment that while this may be unfortunate "to us as men, it must be right as relative to Deity." He also mentions visiting a Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia on Christmas day. There is also some discussion of legal business before Congress; Bradford was a senator from Rhode Island.

GLC05508.047

27 July 1972

Bradley, Omar, 1893-1981

Typed letter signed

Title: Sermon on the Mount

Bradley's sentiment is about spiritual guidance being found in the Sermon on the Mount, especially at the end of the Lord's prayer.

GLC05508.048

4 March 1862

Bridgman, Laura Dewey, 1829-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Williams

Bridgeman, a deaf-blind mute who learned to read via embossed letters, writes of a deeply religious life. She fulfills his request for a letter, and offers Williams a prayer.

GLC05508.049

9 October 1920

Brough, Charles, 1876-1935

Typed letter signed

Title: to Elmer T. Clark

Governor of Arkansas Brough gives his approval of the Methodist Episcopal Church's efforts to improve Christian Education. He displays confidence and pride in the selection of Dr. John Hugh Reynolds (president of Hendrix College in Arkansas) to the position of director-general of the Educational Campaign Commission.

GLC05508.050

December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Broadside

Title: Address of John Brown to the Virginia Court, when about to receive the sentence of death, for his heroic attempt at Harper's Ferry...

Small broadside with lithograph signature of Brown produced by the Liberator, reprinting his address to the Virginia Court before sentencing. Brown denies wanting to murder or cause an uprising. He argues that his raid on Harper's Ferry was just and aligned with the teachings of the Bible.

GLC05508.051

circa May 1, 1850

Burnet, David G., fl. 1830-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mattie

Burnet writes to a young girl who is feeling swings in emotion, and ascribes the problem to excessive indulgence in "fashionable amusements." He advises putting "a philosophical curb on our enjoyments and restrain[ing] them from exciting us too much," and preserving "our minds from too great depression by contemplating the transitory nature of all earthly things." The rest of the letter continues with family news and concludes with general marriage advice.

GLC05508.056

18 July 1836

Butler, Josiah, fl. 1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rev. N. Wells

Butler talks of his desire to be baptized and join the Congregational Church, but suspects he is not wanted and rescinds his desire. The circumstances that prevented Congressman Butler from joining the church are unknown.

GLC05508.057

circa 1843

Carlyle, Thomas, 1795-1881

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Excerpt from Thomas Carlyle's 'Past and Present'].

From chapter 8 "Unworking Aristocracy," on p. 172-74 of Carlyle's 1843 book, "Past and Present." A note on the top identifies the content: "A scrap of T. Carlyle's manuscript of 'Past and Present.' RW. Emerson," although, it is probably not in Emerson's hand. The manuscript attacks the aristocracy for doing nothing in the face of others' suffering.

GLC05508.060

April 1842

Caroline, Amelia, fl. 1842

Autograph quotation signed

Title: to Mrs. Fry

Writing as the Queen of Denmark, Caroline quotes Proverbs 19:17: "He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given will He pay him again."

GLC05508.061

2 March 1869

Cartwright, Peter, fl. 1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rev. W.H.H. Moore

Cartwright discusses personal and church matters, particularly over the past winter. Cartwright's writing is shaky due to Parkinson's disease, making parts of the letter illegible. Felt-tip marker obliterates something on verso.

GLC05508.062

1 June 1940

Cheatham, Kitty, fl. 1940

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Webster defines "Success"...]

This is a speech dedicating the Drake Memorial Mausoleum Shrine to the world's first oil well, drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania by Edwin C. Drake in 1859. Cheatham's speech discusses the meaning of success. She refers to Jesus Christ as the world's greatest success, and discusses how his teachings inspire her to produce art reflecting her love and reverence for children.

GLC05508.066

28 August 1957

Jai-Shek, Chiang, 1897-2003

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mrs. C. L. McDaniel

She was glad to learn her article "The Power of Prayer," published in Reader's Digest, inspired McDaniel and the members of her church. The article is a condensation of her book "The Sure Victory." She mentions that Dr. Norman Vincent Peale recently spoke at her church.

GLC05508.067

1862-1920s

Photograph

Title: Photographs of circus performers, including Tom Thumb, circus set-up, etc.

Three carte de visites, two of Tom Thumb and wife. Twelve cabinet cards featuring various circus performers, most wearing street clothes. Three 20th Century 8x10 prints ca. 1919. One shows setting up of the midway, another is of Ruth Cohen and her horse Romo and the third is of a woman sitting on a white horse with a dozen birds perched on both the woman and the horse. Separate inventory exists.

GLC05508.068

17 June 1953

Clement, Frank, 1920-1969

Typed letter signed

Title: to John A. Blogren

Governor of Tennessee Clement responds to a request for his favorite Bible verse. He reply's Micah 6:8. Clement values this verse because it reminds him always to be humble and to trust God. Written on executive office stationery.

GLC05508.069

29 November 1912

Cleveland, Frances Folsom, 1864-1947

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Neal

Frances Cleveland offers her nephew condolence on the loss of his child. She urges him to trust in God's plan. She empathizes with his loss by mentioning her thoughts about the age her deceased daughter Ruth would be.

GLC05508.070

January 11, 1881

Colquitt, Alfred Holt, 1829-1894

Typed letter signed

Title: to Dr. & Mrs. Talmage

Apparently written upon the death of Talmage's daughter-in-law. Colquitt offers his condolence and urges the Talmages and their son to find comfort in tears and faith.

GLC05508.071

circa 1975

Colson, Charles, 1931-?

Typed document signed

Title: [I have done a number of things...]

A sentiment in which Colson writes that giving his heart to Jesus was the most important thing he has ever done. Refers to Galatians 2: 20 (but does not quote). Colson was a Nixon advisor convicted in the Watergate scandal who experienced a conversion while in prison. He popularized the term "Born Again Christian."

GLC05508.072

circa 1870

Cornell, Ezra, fl. 1870

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [While down the stream of life I sail...]

This poem defines Christ, grace, hope and the Bible as tools necessary for life, just as a ship, the wind, an anchor and a compass are necessary for sailing.

GLC05508.075