Name/Title
Letter from James Goodrich to Henry W. Aldrich.Entry/Object ID
2000.FIC.066Scope and Content
Letter from James Goodrich to Henry W. Aldrich. Letter relates news of household affairs and Julia's parents health and care,, disappointed that they are in the care of a Catholic, and his oppostion to Catholicism. James asks Henry to look into reorganizing the congregations in Olmsted and Rockport, and the benefits realized from that.
Post script: James asks Henry to support the resuurgance of the Baptist church in Dover.
Juila Ann also promised to write soon and at length on home affairs.
Transcription:
Page 1
Upside
I will write soon & more at length on
Home affaires J. eb. Y.
Right-side Up
Huntington Dec 13/54
Dear bro. Henry,
Julia has past read a
letter from you & Elizabeth stating some
things relation to the Wh., & also relation
to the affairs of Father & Mother, My mind
was at care to write to you a few words –
As to the home affairs, I can only say
that it would please me to see some ar-
-rangement made that would free Father
& Mother of care, & would give them some
care to lease a farm beside a catholic.
No-nothing or no-no-nothing, I can divided-
-ly appease to Catholics, & to giving
them any chance to do their deeds of
darkness if we can help it. In what
way any such arrangement can be
made, you can judge better than I –
I do not feel that it is matter
about which I have any thing to say –
Page 2
As to the clrk matter it is some of
grave import. In my opinion, several
things would need to be inquired
into. First, would Rockport & Olmsted
join with Dover? Second, In the
event of farming lands, would all
wish to have the house of worship
located where it is? Third, If you
should reorganized could you hold
the house. Of this last I care not
competant to judge. If these ques-
-tions be answered in the affirmative
following reasons, you would have
more strength to support preaching
– you would also leave out some
doubtless, who would be in if you
should not re-organize, & with whom
you might have verry soon to la-
bour, which might be a discourage-
ment to some.– You would know better
also who to depend upon —
Page 3
I would not wish to be understood
as counciling, but merely suggesting.
You must know better than I –
I can only say that I rejoice at
any prospect of the cause in Dover
being resusitated. It would be well
to consider also that if Rockport &
Olmsted would come into that
arrangement it would give them
privileges which they have not now,
& which they cannot have alone.
With these hasty thoughts, &
with much love to all good knight.
James Goodrich
Dear Bro. Once more.
I sit down with feelings of no ordinary
kind, to express my thankfulness that the
Baptist Chr. In Dover are making one
more effort to rise. If you could only
let your light shine there again if it was
only a feeble one it would rejoice my heart.
But I doubt whether you could support
Page 4
preaching in the present form of organization
there is one br who is able & yet it is like
depending on a broken tooth or a foot out of
joint to depend on him, he feels so poor.
I do not think that he would join again
this would be an advantage. & I know of no
disadvantage expect that you would lose your
title to the house. & this is of but little
consequence as it probably would involve
the question of another location.
But these in my mind are thing in the case
of miner importance the great questions
in my mind are 1st would the move Scriptu-
-ral 2nd would it be for the glory of God.
I must confess the first 3 chapters
of Rev. I see nothing of reorganization
but rather a repentance & coming back
to first work, first love &, Still in
these days it may sometimes be
expedient especially as Rockport & Olmsted
in this case would come in. But
2nd would it be for the glory of God. it would
cover a large trench of conntry for one Chr.
& gather up all the best members; or near-
-ly all. But it was not the rich, noble, &
wise in this world that Jesus came to save
but sinners, poor, needy gentiles; just
such as could not help themselves.
& what would become of say the Church privile-
ges of a number of such members as Sofia
& how many in so large space would hear the
truth provided we have got it as we sincerely
believe we have. more of this bye & bye
In the Margins
& as to you improper fracture Father would not like to give up his title yet nor could
& I blame him but if all felt as I do I think it might be managed I wish he would
Sell that farm & goo where he can be nearer meetings on sever accounts
I wish the family could all make a strike & go to some countryCollection
Aldrich Family CollectionRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Aldrich, Henry WinsorPerson or Organization
Goodrich, JamesPerson or Organization
Goodrich, Jullia Ann
