circa 1960

Barnard, Christiaan, 1921-2001

Typed document signed

Title: One Life. Part I. The Great Karoo

Barnard recounts an anecdote from his childhood about the first time he doubted God's ability to handle all of mankind's imperfections. He describes assisting his mother play the organ during church and the minister's sermon on sin.

GLC05508.029

circa 1905

Bates, Katharine Lee, 1859-1929

Typed document signed

Title: America

Also known as "America the Beautiful," Bates' lyrics begin "O beautiful for spacious skies..." Four stanzas, carbon printed.

GLC05508.031

14 December 1962

Bea, Augustin, 1881-1968

Typed letter signed

Title: to Lee T. Tuttle

Cardinal Bea writes about his experience with the Delegated Observers after the close of the first period of the Second Vatican Council. The purpose of the gathering was to develop more understanding between different Christian sects.

GLC05508.032

7 December 1965

Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Irene Lambert

Ben-Gurion discusses his contribution to Jewish religion through helping Jews to live in Israel. He also states that the best way to preserve Jewishness in the Diaspora is through "Hebrew education" and "Building Israel." He concludes, "My advice to young Jews is to come and live in Israel." Written on blue line paper and stamped "23."

GLC05508.033

17 January 1967

Berry, Raymond, 1933-

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Pitts

Berry writes about his evangelical beliefs. He also discusses Sunday morning prayer meetings with the Baltimore (now Indianapolis) Colts, as well as who on the team is Christian or becoming Christian.

GLC05508.036

8 June 1898

Bickerdyke, Mary Ann, fl. 1898

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [Let the words of my mouth...]

Quoting Psalm 19:14, Bickerdyke writes: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." A small bust engraving of Bickerdyke is collateral to the quotation (GLC05508.037.02).

GLC05508.037.01

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