27 August 1974

Albert, Carl, 1908-2000

Typed letter

Title: to Earl G. Hunt

Responding to Methodist Bishop Hunt's request for his favorite quotation, Albert cites the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). He learned a slightly different version from the text given in the King James Bible. He also remarks that it has subconsciously influenced his decisions.

GLC05508.017

2 April 1836

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Henry

Buchanan writes to his sister because he is concerned for her health. He writes: "let me strongly urge you to resist the gloomy feelings & apprehensions which I fear you indulge." He asks her to submit to the will of God, but also acknowledges he is not a model Christian. Buchanan assures Harriet that should he survive her, he will comply with any requests she makes of him.

GLC05508.054

circa 1977-1989

Byrd, Robert C., 1917-2010

Typed quotation signed

Title: [Except the Lord build the house...]

Quotation from Psalm 127 typed on stationery of the Senate Majority Leader: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that built it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." Originally in the Earl Hunt Collection. Watermarked 1978.

GLC05508.058

circa 1875-1885

Cable, George Washington, 1844-1925

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [I believe in beauty and in joy...]

Cable quotes Charlotte Oliver, in part: "As to the resurrection, punishment and reward, I can't see what my noblest choice has to do with them; they seem to be God's part of the matter; mine is to love perfect beauty and perfect joy...."

GLC05508.059

30 May 1924

Carver, George Washington, 1864-1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Hardwick

Discusses at great length Hardwick's emerging spirituality. Carver mentions that he created a medicine from peanuts to alleviate respiratory problems after hearing a sermon about an African girl who converted to Christianity and then died, probably from tuberculosis.

GLC05508.063

26 November 1924

Carver, George Washington, 1864-1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles White

Carver answers five questions posed by White. He writes that he is comforted by reading the Bible; that God supplies strength for living (quoting Philippians 4:19); that he always asks for God's direction whenever he begins a task or journey; and that living according to the Golden Rule would bring an end to war.

GLC05508.064

9 April 1925

Coolidge, Grace Goodhue, 1879-1957

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Strong

Answers Strong's question, which asks what has given Mrs. Coolidge the most comfort. Coolidge states that passages from the Bible about faith and Whittier's "The Eternal Goodness" have provided much comfort but she finds that James Martinean's Commendatory Prayer, published as a memorial to her husband, has given her the most comfort. On White House Stationary.

GLC05508.073

19 August 1940

Davis, James, fl. 1940

Typed letter signed

Title: to G. F. Robinson

Davis believes Willkie will be the next President. He discusses the passing of his wife, the life they had together and the one she now has in heaven. Briefly mentions aid to Britain. Written on Stationery of the Senate Committee on Finance.

GLC05508.082

1699-1980 ca.

Header Record

Title: [Collection of documents relating to religion and spirituality. See decimalized entries.]

GLC05508

14 September 1699

Cotton, John, 1640-1699

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Lord

Cotton writes from Charleston, South Carolina, where he had been called in 1698, to Joseph Lord, a minister at Dorchester, South Carolina. Lord had sailed to South Carolina with Cotton in November 1698. Speaks of mutual acquaintances in Charleston and touches on various issues, most significantly the proper procedure of the church when members, baptized as infants, renounce their baptism. Mentions the funeral of a Rev. Marshall, and the pending baptism of a slave owned by Madam Blake. Cotton died of yellow fever on 18 September 1699, four days after this letter was written. Contains…

GLC05508.002

30 December 1770

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Mecom

Written to his sister concerning various matters, including stories of the threatened loss of his position as colonial postmaster, the difficulties he faces for expressing his political opinions, and sending some books Jane had asked for. Franklin comments that the books resemble the opinions of a Mrs. Ilive, whose "Solemn Discourse" attempted "to prove, that this World is the true Hell or Place of Punishment for the Spirits who had transgress'd in a better State, and were sent here to suffer for their sins in Animals of all Sorts."

GLC05508.003

31 August 1842

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary P. Payson

Jackson sends Miss Payson a sentiment: "Seek true wisdom[:] it is the pearl of 'great price' which cheers us thro' life, and ends in happy mortality." One black and white bust engraving of Jackson included.

GLC05508.005

3 January 1855

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his uncle

A heartfelt letter noting the spiritual guidance that Jackson's uncle gave to Jackson's now deceased wife, Ellie. Jackson expresses thanks for his uncle's condolence after her passing. He discusses his sadness and changed outlook on life. Jackson also writes of his faith in God overlooking him.

GLC05508.006

21 July 1743

Pepperrell, William, 1696-1759

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Waldron

Pepperell reports his daughter and grandson very ill. He also mentions business matters.

GLC05508.009

December 1946

Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon, 1890-1973

Typed letter signed

Title: to George L. Rihl

Rihl resided around Mexico City. Rickenbacker reflects on the state of the country during the Christmas season. He sees Americans' hatred of Germans and Japanese, cultivated during WWII, being transferred to fellow citizens in post-war America: parties against each other, and even employees against bosses and stockholders. He sees the result as disorganization, industrial strife and poverty, and calls upon his friend to "take inventory of ourselves and our pet hates as we approach the holiday season."

GLC05508.010.01

9 March 1790

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Polly Stockton

On the second anniversary of his recovery from illness, Rush thanks his sister for nursing him. His illness left him with strong ideas of the vanity of wealth, the evil of Sin, etc. He continues by talking about his delight in reading John Wesley's sermons concerning the rise and progress of Christianity, which Wesley described as a series of concentric circles. Rush also discusses a new translation of the four gospels by Dr. Campell of Aberdeen.

GLC05508.011

2 October 1897

Abbott, Lyman, 1835-1922

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Davidson

Abbott, a Congregational cleric, clergyman, and author, writes to Davidson, possibly a clergyman in an obscure pastorate. Abbott praises the "quiet work" individually undertaken by "many great men" in an effort to bring about a "new rational faith." This new faith will lay the spiritual superstructure for the coming generations, who will reject the old tradition of ecclesiastical authority. But it must be made palatable to coming generations, or the result will be "spiritual burial, followed by death social and political." Abbott was an exponent of the Social Gospel movement.

GLC05508.015

15 May 1815

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter

Title: to Jedidiah Morse

Adams thanks Morse for his pamphlet "American Unitarianism" (Review of American Unitarianism, published in 1815), but comments that he heard the doctrines maintained 65 years ago by a number of ministers. Adams resists what he perceives as Morse's attempt to convert him to Athanasianism, citing his reading of Samuel Clark (a famous anti-trinitarian) and others more than fifty years ago. By Athanasianism Adams means Trinitarianism.

GLC05508.016

18 December 1882

Alger, Horatio, 1832-1899

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [Rich is the life which seeks a noble end].

A poem about helping others. The selfless person "wins Heaven's approval, gains true success."

GLC05508.018

4 August 1984

Ali, Muhammad, 1942-2016

Autograph note signed

Title: [Service to others...]

Ali writes, "Service to others is the rent we pay for a room in HEAVEN." Quotation written "To Bobby," signed with a smiley face. Ali has also signed his portrait printed in the accompanying program (GLC05508.019.02).

GLC05508.019.01

5 May 1969

Borman, Frank, 1928-

Document signed

Title: A Christmas Eve Prayer from Lunar Orbit (Apollo 8 Astronauts)

A printed commemorative document quoting William Anders, Jim Lovell, and Frank Borman reading a prayer and the first 8 verses of Genesis as they approached the Lunar sunrise aboard Apollo 8, 24 December 1968. Includes their portraits. Also includes a first day of issue stamp cancellation of the Apollo 8 commemorative stamp. Canceled at Houston.

GLC05508.021

24 May 1931

D'Arcy, Charles Frederick, 1859-1938

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Gaskell

The Bishop of Armagh discusses a series of questions and answers on science and religion, the nature of God, and the creation and Christ. He mentions that the purpose of his book, "God in Science," is to answer the modern theological question about the relationship between science and religion. There is no clear connection between the first two pages and the last four.

GLC05508.022

14 November 1942

Astor, Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess, 1879-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mr. Wilson

Astor cannot choose a favorite poet; she starts by listing several: Browning, Keats, Kipling, Poe, and Longfellow. Her favorite book to read is the Bible.

GLC05508.023

1989

Bailey, Pearl, 1918-1990

Book signed

Title: Between You and Me [inscribed to Lena Horne]

Inscribed to singer Lena Horne on the title page: "My darling, beautiful sister -- Keep a firm, loose arm -- and know that God is ever present -- You are His -- nothing is more important[.] I love you[.] Sister Pearl --"

GLC05508.026

12 October 1967

Barbieri, Sante Uberto, fl. 1967

Typed letter signed

Title: to John Buchanan

Answering questions asked in a previous letter, Barbieri identifies Walt Disney as the greatest contributor to a "World of Peace." The themes in Disney's films "link together children, youth and adults of the whole world by showing the virtues which should orientate the common life of men everywhere especially through the animals stories and tales for children." He concludes by writing that he became a priest in order to best follow Christ and Gospel.

GLC05508.027