Polk Family Papers Box 10 Document 3

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January 15, 1861

The Rt. Rev. Thomas Atkinson, Wilmington (NC) to Bishop Polk, re the school of Asheville and its head, Mr. Lucian Holmes, a clergyman of experience and of high reputation as a teacher; lamenting the loss sustained in the death of Bishop Cobbs; dicsussing the national situation, saying that if the Southern states secede they should call a meeting of the Southern Bishops to determine what steps to take about the Liturgy; asking him to omit the Prayer for Congress, and regard to the President, without naming him, pray generally for those in authority over us. 3pp (1 mss original, 1 typed copy).

[Note: The Rt. Rev. Thomas Atkinson was the Bishop of North Carolina, which at the time had its diocesan headquarters in Wilmington, NC.]

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Wilmington, Jan 15th, 1861

My Dear Bishop,

I had received before your letter to came one from [Wm. Borcue?] asking me to marry him, and had replied to it that it was my rule not to dimmish the small salaries our clergies have in this Diocese by marrying their parishoners and that consequently I must decline a service which otherwise would have given me pleasure. The school at Asheville is to be [operated?] by Mr. Lucian Holmes a clergyman of experience and high reputation as a teacher, and will be a better one than it has ever yet been. I can strongly recommend it. What a loss have we sustained in the death of Cobbs!

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Take him all in all, his mission, his goodness, his tenderness, his piety, I have never met his like.

These primate troubles, and our national calamities make me apply to our Day, our Lords language in Matthew 24: Surely now if ever there ever is "distress of nations with perplexity". If the Southern States go on to secede, I think we ought to have a meeting of the Southern Bishops, to determine what steps we should take about the Liturgy, and other pressing matterss before a General Convention meets. If a meeting be considered impracticable (and perhaps at present it is) then there should be consent arranged by letter as to the form of Public worship. Perhaps an Address to our Dioceses might be agreed on. If however the [Bardes?] should

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not [symbol = join?] with the bottom states, there could be no such united action. Yet since four have already seceded and others will probably follow, it is clear that we should consult together. You meet with our brothers Otey, Elliott and Green as you go to and from Sewanee. If you have come to any conclusions as to steps proper to be taken in the approaching emergency let me hear them. See that I have determined in so far as, if N. Carolina should secede to recommend to the clergy to omit the Prayer for Congress, and in regard to that for the President, to pray generally for those in authority over us, without naming him, or [recognising?[ [expressly?] his [cessation?] of authority.

I remain yours tru;y and affectionately

Thomas Atkinson

Bishop Polk

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