The Andrew Wylie Family Letters - Indiana University Bloomington

will refer my creditors to you. Excuse my great haste.
Your affect’ bro.
A.M. Wylie
Anderson M. Wylie,
In Andrew’s hand, the following: May 11, 1858 – Answ. May 12 saying that I had just received
from Bro. Redick a draft for $300 on his acct. making the amt due Anderson--$340
is in a very excellent location. I hope that either you or Carry will soon write & direct as you
formerly did to the care of Geo. W. Henry 9 & Market.
My love to Carry, Andrew & send to Mr. B’s family.
Your affect’ bro
A.M. Wylie
Anderson Wylie to Andrew Wylie Jr., Washington DC.
Anderson M. Wylie to Andrew Wylie Jr, Washington DC.
Philadelphia May 26 1858
My Dear Brother
I was sorry I had no opportunity to bid you farewell, but I could not on account of
the work I had to do, come in on Wed Evening. Early Thursday I was off, Friday I had a great
deal of running, to get together my examiners, and in the Evening & next morning. I passed
without difficulty – tho’ of course our examinations are not very severe. Sat’ morning at 10 ½ in
Calvary Ch’ our services began at which Bp.[Bishop] Hopkins & seven clergy besides the three
to be ordained were present. Dr Neuton preached from Acts XX:24 the best sermon I have ever
heard on such an occasion. You may see an account in the Recorder of this week. I hope you
take that paper, it is our best religious sheet. I felt in a higher degree than ever the inestimable
privilege of preaching the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Sunday I preached & read the service
in those different churches. In the morning in St Philips Church, I witnessed a scene of unusual
interest. It was communion & after the older members had communed by request of the rector
(Rev Mr Cooper the most faithful minister in the whole city) those recently confirmed came
forward.
They not only filled up the large chancel, but filled the three aisles one fifth or sixth of the way
down. Mr C. then gave them an earnest address, & I suppose there 150 confirmed & these came
forward for the first time to commune.
Where I shall go I do not yet know, but it is probable that even in case I should go to
Chicago that I shall spend some months here. Mr Cooper, who has broken down is to be absent
for three months & he wishes me to take charge of his congregation for that time. It is the largest
congregation in the city & a devoted people, &there could be for the city no more pleasant or
profitable place to have for that time. My business is to look for guidance to the Providence of
God, & I hope soon to be able to decide where my position of labor will be.
Elizabeth has written to Will Letterman about her nose & he advises her to come on here
& have the operation performed by the most skillful surgeon in the city. He thinks it will cost
about $250.00, & that his acquaintance, influence and care will be of some consequence. He
is very kind & offers to do all he can; & for a young physician he undoubtedly has uncommon
prospects.
Already he has raised up a little child which was given up by two of the most prominent
physicians in the city: This occurred in a family of position living next door to his office, which
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In Andrew’s hand, the following: Answ. June 24 th inclosing draft for $246, the whole which I owed
him
Philadelphia June 23 rd 1858
My dear Brother
I had hoped by this time to have known certainly where I should begin work, but
my mind is still somewhat in doubt. Before another week I expect to decide & then I want to act
at once. Since I came to the city, I have been out in the state on two different trips, to supply the
pulpits of absent rectors, and while doing good it has been capital recreation to me, & I never felt
happier in my life. A trip to Wilkesbarre I particularly enjoyed. Never did the Wyoming Valley
look more rich & Beautiful and no one could have been treated with greater kindness than they
extended toward me. Forty miles this side of Wilkesbarre, at the junction of two R. Roads lies
Bloomsburg an active town of 3000 inhabitants, where is one of the oldest settled parishes in that
part of the country. to that parish I have received a call, & on my return I stopped there all night,
and was favorably impressed with the prospect, and for one entering the ministry, it is considered
quite an unusual call, so likewise may be said of the call to Chicago, but nothing short of an
impervious sense of duty would take me to C, as I am besides other reasons much afraid of the
influence of the climate on my throat, which is after all not well, & eventually I may be compelled
to go to a warm climate. I hope I am sincerely looking to God for guidance, & it strongly occurs
to me, tho I am fond of a long active driving community, that is best for me to go to the country at
least for a few years.
In my next I hope to inform you more particularly about the result. I have given up
the idea of remaining here during the summer. I am just on the point of buying a number of
expensive books, & if I go to B- will have to furnish my study, & probably more as connected
with the parish is quite a large parsonage; to do this of course I shall have need of my money
which you have kindly taken of for me. If I remember rightly, the sum when I left was $247.00.
If the money, in the mean time has been any profit to you, you can for its use pay what you see fit,
if not do not send me any advance on the above. Please send me the am’t as soon as convenient
as next week I shall want to spend it. Did Redick say when he would send the remainder. Give
my dearest love to Carry & Andrew & give to Mr B’s family. I expect soon to write to Carry tell
her.
Please direct to Geo. W. Henry 9 th & Market
Your affect bro
A.M. Wylie
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