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

25 December 1950

Cripps, Stafford, 1889-1952

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written on printed stationary, Cripps discusses the meaning of Christmas. He sees western civilization built on the Christian ethic, and laments that the significance of the birth of Christ often is lost in indulgent Christmas celebration. Cripps suggests that more emphasis should be placed on God's love and mercy, and that gift giving should be a way for man to take part in God's love. He makes several ambiguous references to the "complicated circumstances of today," citing spiritual revitalization as a means to gain control over material forces.

GLC05508.076

16 November 1949

Culbertson, Ely, 1893-1955

Typed letter signed

Title: to Charles L. Wallis

Culbertson discusses why T.S. Eliot's "Journey of the Magi" is meaningful to him. He cites Eliot's question, "Was it birth or was it death?" and interprets it as a reference to Christ as a moral revolutionist; Christ brought the new Law of Cooperation to ancient society's forefront at the expense of the old Law of the Jungle. Interestingly, Culbertson was an American authority on the game of bridge.

GLC05508.077

January 1974

Cushing, Peter, 1913-1994

Typed letter signed

Title: to Children

Thanking children (apparently disabled or otherwise disadvantaged) for a drawing they sent at Christmas time. He explains to them that even though they are different from other children, they must learn the lessons of life to obtain "higher places." Their present conditions will not matter in the next life because "all imperfect bodies will be made like unto His glorious body."

GLC05508.079

10 December 1962

Cushing, Richard Cardinal, 1895-1970

Typed letter signed

Title: to Leonard V. Fulton

Written to a father who inquires about what to say to his son when he asks about peace and war. Cardinal Cushing offers a lengthy commentary, discussing the failure of many "Christians" to grasp the true meaning of charity and a refusal to live up to the Christian code, the frenzied mindset of war, the efforts of the Church to cultivate peace, and the great threat communism poses to religion and future peace. Cardinal Cushing suggests prayer and fasting as concrete ways individuals can contribute to peace, and considers confidence in God the primary answer to the world's problems.

GLC05508.080

22 November [1880]

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter

Title: to Nahum Capen

Written and signed by Varina Davis, for her husband. Discusses the founding and failure of the "first Confederacy" and the "dispersion of His chosen people." Davis argues that if their example had been followed, perhaps there would not have been a Civil War. He hopes that the Union can be returned to its founding principles but fears the nation has become "an example to be avoided not followed." Davis then questions the presidential candidacy of James A. Garfield, citing that he is charged with "an offence, an indictment for which could only be successfully answered by pleading the Statue…

GLC05508.083

28 July 1927

DeMille, Cecil Blount, 1881-1959

Typed letter signed

Title: to Duncan Boss

Responding to Boss's letter congratulating DeMille for his film "The King of Kings." DeMille expresses his happiness that his movie spreads the message of Christ and has an appeal that crosses denominational lines.

GLC05508.084

13 May 1947

Divine, Major Jealous, 1876-1965

Typed letter signed

Title: to Carleton Lloyd

Reverend Divine asserts that it is not his autograph or photograph which is essential, but rather it is his study and emulation of the life of Christ which will allow him to become "Peaceful, Lively, Loving, Successful, Prosperous and Happy in Spirit, Body, and Mind..." Typed on printed stationary.

GLC05508.085

18 February 1886

Dix, Morgan, fl. 1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Bishop of Albany

Suggests possible reforms to help arrest the rising rate of divorce. Dix first establishes a difference between holy matrimony and secular matrimony. He proposes six reforms including publication of bans, a state license requirement, discouraging marriages in private homes, requiring the couple to furnish two witnesses, devising alternate forms of marriage when both parties are not members of the same church, and requiring Clergy to keep records of all marriages performed. He also mentions that the innocent party in a divorce case may be allowed to remarry, depending on the situation. He…

GLC05508.086

3 November 1873

Dodge, Mary Abigail, fl. 1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Ward

Response written to Mr. Ward, her publisher and a minister. Mr. Ward apparently disliked an article Dodge sent him because he disagrees with religious interpretations in the text. Dodge defends her beliefs and criticizes that ministers compel people to search the Scripture but at the same time want people to believe only what they say. She claims she is not mad at Ward, because he spoke his mind, but she will not alter her manuscript.

GLC05508.087

circa 1920-1930

Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [What can one possibly say...]

Written on imprinted card: "What can one possibly say that / if they have been in any way / needy or unhappy one prays that the / future has compensation in store." Date of document assumed because Doyle's interest in spiritualism emerged after the death of his son in WWI.

GLC05508.088

circa 1880

Doyle, Charles Hastings, fl. 1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written as a P.S. enclosing a prayer book for his God Son, adding that he cannot not think of a more appropriate Christmas gift. In an additional P.S., Hastings writes that the prayer book will not be acceptable in the United States, because it is British and offers prayers for the Royal Family. He asks what his God Son would like to have. Signed "Hastings Doyle."

GLC05508.089

circa 1880-1890

Draper, William H., fl. 1880-1890

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: The Lord Knoweth them that are His

This hymn espouses that all people enter God's care when they die, whether they are buried in their local graveyard or on a distant battlefield.

GLC05508.090

17 October 1934

DuPont, Pierre Samuel, 1870-1954

Typed letter signed

Title: to George Vaughan

Responding to a letter written by Vaughan, DuPont sees the general failure of religious teaching as an evil to be combatted. He admits that he may not be the best person to offer advice since he does not attend church, but asserts that he is a believer in the fundamental principles of religion. He thinks that if a spiritual awakening were to be successful, it would have to come from professional men who are well respected in the community.

GLC05508.091

21 May 1931

Dunedin, Herbert, fl. 1931

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin Gaskell

When asked how to explain God to a child, Dunedin rhetorically asks if it would "not be enough to tell a child that God is his Creator...the author and giver of all good." He says to demonstrate unseen forces by wind, electricity, and thoughts. He also recommends using Proverbs 20:27, "the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord," to instruct on conscience. Written from Auckland Castle, in County Durham, England.

GLC05508.093

17 October 1966

Edmonds, Walter Dumaux, 1851-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marshall E. Bean

Written in response to a letter from Bean. Edmonds has been moved by Bean's "unostentatious courage," but is not sure he can comfort him. He writes that he does not believe in God the way the Churches do, but believes in a force of good. He encloses a story that was once printed in the "Atlantic" and which may bring him some comfort.

GLC05508.094

8 December 1897

Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926

Typed letter signed

Title: to Rev. E.M. Fairchild

Written in response to a letter from Fairchild. Elliot agrees that the Roman and Anglican churches do not recognize the equality of sexes in their marriage rituals. He wishes that advocates of gender equality were not so determined to assert that the sexes are alike. Eliot views denominational strife as just one part of the conflict between individualism and socialism. He mentions changes to the Kansas educational system that he thinks are detrimental.

GLC05508.095

2 May 1962

Eliot, T.S. (Thomas Stearns), 1888-1965

Typed letter signed

Title: to George Urban

On the stationary of Faber and Faber. Elliot claims he is too busy to make a broadcast on Radio Free Europe in Eastern Europe. He also rejects Urban's proposal that Elliot speak on religious persecution, because he has not known it himself.

GLC05508.096

13 August 1815

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his grandson

Congratulates his grandson's wife's safe delivery of a baby boy. Advises that the child be taught piety and virtue from a very young age, so it will stay with him always. He also urges the mother to nurse the baby and "not suffer any silly ideas of the polite to prevent her discharging this duty to which nature & nature's God require." The recipient possibly may be George G. Channing, with whom Ellery corresponded for many years. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of…

GLC05508.097

8 December 1863

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Minister of Peru

Cautions the government of Peru not to return to Monarchy.

GLC05327

1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: [The Address of the Religious Society called Quakers, from their Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware...].

Also represents Quakers in western Maryland and Virginia. Composed at a September 9, 1789 meeting and issued by the meeting's clerk, Nicholas Waln. Addressed to the President of the U.S. The Quakers offer support and prayers for Washington's Presidency, and note freedom of religion "among the choicest of blessings." Washington's undated reply appears at the bottom. It expressing thanks, praises the Quakers, and supports the idea of religious freedom. Printed by Daniel Humphreys.

GLC05329

January 22, 1863

Faxon, William, 1822-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. A. Harwood

Written by Chief Clerk Faxon to Commodore Harwood. Tells Harwood that the "'Monitor' was launched January 30th, 1862 - Contest with the 'Merrimac,' March 9th - Foundered on the night of 30th Decr. 1862." (The "Merrimac" sank on 11 May 1862; the "Monitor" was lost at sea on 30 December of that year.) Says Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and his wife will be pleased (he does not specify why) "for there is no vessel he speaks of with such affection as the 'Monitor.'" Says he received a telegram from Admiral Lee that one of the ironclads [possibly the Weehauken] is now entering Hampton Roads…

GLC05331.03

1863 ca.

Joslyn, & Co., fl. 1863

Photograph signed

Title: John B. Moore

Carte de visite as Surg. Gen. & Brig. Gen. under Sherman (in civilian dress. Imprint on verso: "Joslyn & Co., Washington Gallery, Vicksburg, Miss."

GLC05332