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Letter from N.D. Pendleton's secretary to Rev. Gilbert Haven Smith, 1924-01-19

 Item
Identifier: RG.004.01

Scope and Contents

Typed letter from N.D. Pendleton's secretary, Freda Pendleton, to Rev. Gilbert Haven Smith in Glenview, IL, USA. Smith has written to F. Pendleton informing her that he will be attending the upcoming ministers’ meetings in Bryn Athyn. Pendleton responds, “For your information- I no longer have the pleasant job of housing the guests- including ministers- for the February meetings. I am a strong believer in passing the buck, which I did in this case after having undertaken the job for a number of years. However, I am still interested in guests being well supplied with beds, food, and a roof, so I passed along to Mrs. Doering the welcome news that you are coming to the meetings.” She continues, “I also told her by way of encouragement that you evidently had the misguided notion that so many strangers have, i.e. that Bryn Athyn is a sort of heaven, judging from your description of what you would like to have and your evident belief that all those things exist in Bryn Athyn. I fear you will have to wait until you die and perhaps go to heaven, before you can find all the combination you desire. Incidentally I recommended you highly as a guest, speaking from experience, - including in my recommendation especially that you were so popular that you were seldom to be seen at home except occasionally for breakfast. However, I know that you will in the course of events receive an attractive invitation, as I heard of several who would like to have you. Don’t you think you had better consider buying a new hat before coming on, after all this? There would be none here large enough for you to borrow.” She adds that her family personally will not be hosting guests this year as her mother has been quite ill. Names mentioned: Mrs. Doering, Nora (Potts Smith)

Dates

  • 1924-01-19

Extent

From the Collection: 368.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the Academy of the New Church Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 740
Bryn Athyn PA 19009 USA
267-502-2421