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

circa 1864-1865

Photograph

Title: [Gardner Civil War photographs: Meade, Grand Review, etc]

Gardner-Ordway Collection. Group portrait. Photograph 1, neg. number 225.

GLC05508.012.01

circa 1910

Broadsheet

Title: Uncle Tom's Cabin

J. H. J. Ronner announces a play by Harkins and Barbour of Uncle Tom's Cabin with 200 people in the cast. Boosts, "Cotton pickers, dancers, jubilee singers, Mississippi steamboat." "Scenically the most mammoth production of modern times." At the Majestic Theatre. A scene from the play is printed on both sides. Circa date based on type of newsprint and photography.

GLC05508.013.01

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

22 April 1937

Anderson, Alexander P., 1862-1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace C. Tracy

Anderson was a scientist. In old age, Anderson writes a meandering letter, apparently in response to Tracy's asking for an autograph or opinion.

GLC05508.020

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

circa 1880

Baring-Gould, Sabine, fl. 1880

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Onward, Christian Soldiers

All five stanzas of this hymn, bound in a red morocco binding.

GLC05508.028

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

May 19, 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

January 17, 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