Browse the Collection

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine discussing his son-in-law's search for an appointment as a paymaster for the Confederate Army under recommendation to Jefferson Davis by a number of other prominent men, requesting that Paine add his recommendation to the list, mentioning the Virginia Convention's hesitance to secede, and sharing that he has heard the Baltimore Conference has voted by large majority to secede.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine discussing the dangerous state of affairs in Virginia and Tennessee and recommending that they postpone the General Conference until 1863 since a number of conferences will not be able to safely hold their annual meetings due to military action.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine discussing an issue with Brother Mizell abandoning his assigned district in Tennessee, discussing an issue with Rufus Hefflin departing the North Carolina Conference before a hearing could be held regarding charges against him, mentioning that he does not intend to transfer either of these preachers to Texas, sharing his tentative plans for holding the Tennessee, Holston, and Virginia Conferences, and discussing his disappointment in the conduct of the northern forces.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine describing his injuries and recovery after being in a train accident, sharing that despite his accident he still plans on attending several conferences, and requesting Paine reschedule the Memphis Conference so that Early can attend.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine offering condolences on Paine's poor health, explaining that it was not safe for him to travel to the last meeting of the College of Bishops in Louisville, sharing that he hopes to attend a meeting of trustees for one of the Methodist colleges, offering to assist Paine in running the Holston Conference, and asking about a missing portion of his salary from the previous year.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine confirming that the distribution to Paine from the Bishop Fund of the Virginia Conference was correct, requesting Paine facilitate the disbursement of $500 from the North Carolina Conference Bishop Fund, and providing a brief update on his health.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine explaining that he was delayed in his travels but plans on continuing to Natchez, asking Paine to send a preacher to a Presiding Elder Field from the Virginia Conference, making suggestions for who to send to Field, suggesting a preacher to sent to Washington City, suggesting Paine advise the preacher being sent to Randolph about his responsibility to the local congregation, and asking about a preacher who was transferred to Virginia.

A letter from O. P. Fitzgerald, an editor at the Christian Advocate, to Mary Eliza Paine (née Millwater), offering his condolences on the death of her husband, Bishop Paine, asking if she is in possession of his drafts for the final installment of a series entitled "Notes of Life," and discussing the need to begin work on a biography of Bishop Paine.

A letter from H. H. Kavanaugh to Robert Paine reporting on his experiences of the Conferences he has attended, mentioning that the St. Louis Conference had some turmoil, discussing a draft made by D. W. Lewis and how he handled the matter, suggesting the bishops divide their work for the coming year at the April meeting, , proposing Paine call a meeting of the Bishops, requesting the transfer of a preacher to assist the Indian Mission Conference, discussing his concerns over the missionary funds and the support of the Indian Mission Conference in the coming year.

A letter from H. H. Kavanaugh to Robert Paine offering what assistance he can give as Paine writes the biography of the late Bishop McKendree and requesting the transfer of a preacher to the St. Louis Conference.

A letter from H. H. Kavanaugh to Robert Paine reporting on the success of the Louisiana Conference, mentioning a transfer of a preacher to the Louisville Conference, asking about the appointments for the Alabama Conference, and sharing his plans for travelling to California via Panama.

A letter from H. H. Kavanaugh to Robert Paine providing an update on his slowly improving health, encouraging Paine to answer the request for a sermon to be published, and making a vague reference to a colleague from Virginia visiting Kentucky (possibly D. S. Doggett).

A letter from H. H. Kavanaugh to Robert Paine responding to Paine's suggestion that they switch the districts which they oversee, discussing his and his wife's health, and explaining how best to ensure any letters Paine writes make it to him via Nashville.

A letter from H. H. Kavanaugh to Robert Paine expressing his condolences for the hardships Paine suffered during his ongoing Conference tour, and explaining that he will be unable to attend the Mississippi Conference on account of his health but will endeavor to attend the rest on his list.

This letter contains harmful and/or objectionable language and perspectives.

A letter from W. C. Lewis to Robert Paine outlining the concerns of a number of preachers in the Texas Conference in regards to the actions of Bishop John Early not appointing eligible and capable preachers, and requesting that Paine and Bishop Andrews attend the next session of the Texas Conference to mediate these concerns.

A letter from D. R. McAnally to Robert Paine discussing the establishment of two new congregations, asking Paine's advice on how to proceed with the establishment of a Sunday School focused on the German population in the city, and reporting on the progress of his work in St. Louis, mentioning brewing conflict in the Kentucky (Louisville) Conference.

A letter from Robert Paine to William M'Kendree sharing the dates of a number of upcoming camp meetings, reporting on the camp meetings Paine has attended so far, and asking that M'Kendree attend if his health allows.

A letter from Holland Nimmons McTyeire to Robert Paine asking for Paine to write a piece for the New Orleans branch of the Christian Advocate, and reporting on the work of building churches and relocating congregations around the city.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, reporting on how busy the clinic has been, sharing that their package arrived with the new clothes for the children and Morrell, assuring them that everything is well with the family, describing the family's trip into Holguin for physical exams, mentioning that one of their suitcases was stolen while in Holguin, giving a short update on the family's health, asking if they would be interested in visiting Cuba in the summer, mentioning that Morrell is thinking of having the family take vacation in the fall and visiting Georgia, and

A letter from Morrell to Lois' mother, Elsie, thanking her for her letters, sharing the results of the family's physical exams, describing the work Lois has been doing to make the house more comfortable for the family, discussing the sending of money for Bibles to be used in their mission work in the mountains, updating her on the progress of selling Bibles in Mayari, discussing additional tracts which he has been sharing to further their mission work, giving an update on the family and their garden, and reporting the great success of their Sunday school and other planned church