1839 NEWTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Student Letter to ABOLITIONIST ISAAC G. DURYEE

Description

3 pg. letter, approx. 7-7/8" x 9-7/8", dated at
"Newton Theological Seminary, Nov. 27, 1839" (Newton Centre, Massachusetts)
, from Edwin H. Hawley to Isaac Groot Duryee, at Yale Theological Seminary, New Haven, Ct.
The stampless folded letter has
"Newton Centre Ms" manuscript postmark
and manuscript "12-1/2" rate.
Newton Theological Seminary
(or Institution), began instruction in 1825, at Newton Centre, Mass.. It was merged with Andover Theological Seminary in 1965 and became Andover Newton Theological School, which is now part of Yale Divinity School.
The writer of this letter,
Edwin H. Hawley
, (1812-1893), graduated from Union College, Schenectady, NY in 1838; Attended Union Theological Seminary, 1838-1839, and Newton Theological Institution, 1839-1840, where he graduated; Served as a Pastor of congregations throughout Ohio, including the Western Reserve, first as a Baptist, and then, in the 1850's, as a Disciple of Christ.
The letter is to his friend and old Union College classmate,
ISAAC GROOT DURYEE
, (1810-1866); Graduated from Union College in 1838, and from Andover & New Haven (Yale) Theological Seminaries; An outspoken & fervent
Abolitionist
, he founded and
built the first church for Negroes in Schenectady, NY
during his days at College, (1837); Pastor of the Second Reformed Church of America at Schenectady, 1852-1858;
Active in the Underground Railroad in Schenectady;
During the
Civil War
, he served as Chaplain of the 81st NY Infantry, 1862-1865, returning from the war broken in health, and he died in Schenectady on Feb. 8, 1866 at age 55.
Great content writing of the Newton Theological Seminary, his studies, his intention to go to Andover Theological Seminary, and hopes that Duryee will join him there for his final term. More good content, including asking Duryee,
"How stands the cause of Abolition?"
.
Includes:
"My dear friend,
I have once more got on track of you and with much pleasure sit down to converse with you. I somewhat regret that you should have left Andover inasmuch as I am now so near it, but I hope that you will return there in the Spring at which time I also may be found there. I returned last evening from a visit to Andover. Sears & Wright are well.
I left New York Oct. 4th and came direct to this place. This institution is finely located and somewhat flourishing for
us
. You know that Baptists have less money than others & of consequence, the mare lags. My health is not very good at present, but I am in hopes it will soon be re-established. I was at commencement last July, but did not enjoy it much - your friends were well.
I think some of going to Andover in the Spring, graduating there next Summer and staying there as a resident for one year - or at least until the close of the long winter term. I think you will not find a better place in which to spend your last term.
You have no doubt heard of the death of Mr. Case. He was a very interesting man - but Death is blindfolded when he draws his sting. Let us, my dear brother, be prepared for his coming. I think with pleasure on the many happy days which we have spend in each others society and I pray that our intimacy may be renewed in Heaven if not on Earth.
I hope you will call on me if you should come to Boston. We are only 7 miles from that crooked laned city....
Tell me all about your Seminary - your studies, &c. &c. Please remember me to old chum Denham, and say I should be pleased to hear from him.
Hard times...has again seized upon the community. I hope you have escaped -
I
have
not
.
My studies at present are - writing sermons - and Sacred Rhetoric, Hebrew and Lectures on Evidences. Beside, I am reading collaterally Dwight's Theol., Grotius De Veritate, French, &c. &c.
How do you feel in regard to the great work of the ministry? Is it not a great work? I feel that it is.
How stands the cause of Abolition?
Let me know all that would be interesting and believe me as ever,
Your old affectionate chum,
Edwin H. Hawley"
Very Fine.
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.
[JK]
NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.