March 31st, 1867

It repents me of this Hartford business somewhat. Talk with —- concerning Hartford matters frequently, that is, concerning those whom I formerly knew in that city. I return to the best God great thanks for all His great kindness upon this day. May he grant to me and my wife, daughter, mother, friends, –to all, life and eternal happiness of His infinite goodness.

A letter from Prof. Pynchon. He said that nothing would be done at once concerning the election of a president. He thought the trustees would do something in a short time; but that he would be prepared to leave the college if the affair should not be carried on in a manner which satisfied him. It was plain that he urgently desired the honor for himself. Hence his manner of writing to me — otherwise inexplicable.

March 30th, 1867

The Hartford matter is still agitated. It is disturbing to me. I am not able to keep it out of my mind. It renders me uncertain what is about to be. I wish it may be wholly determined. Whatever my duty may be, I wish to do it. May God show me what may be my duty in this affair.

March 25th, 1867

Feast of the Annunciation. Ante-Communion. I preached concerning the Catholic faith, on The Word made Flesh. The students listened willingly.

Heard a debate at 10:30—Bridge and Neely. I struggle almost in vain to write a sermon concerning the Christian Church – a dissertation which I had agreed to deliver before the Society for the Promotion of Religion and Learning in New York.  Gave an hour after dinner to the official reports of the professors. Prof. Pynchon sent me a message that he would write me in a few days concerning college matters. Hence this Hartford matter will go on. I hoped it might be that this might rest in peace, but the fates decree otherwise. Talked with —- about Hartford and Trinity College matters, and the attempt to draw me there.

March 24th, 1867

Read service, preached and administered the Holy Communion alone.

March 22nd, 1867

Meeting of the DeLancey Society in the College Chapel in the evening. Brown read a paper showing the causes and reason which lead anyone in the sacred ministry. One of Goulburn’s sermons was read by Van Voast.

March 18th, 1867

Still investigating the disorders. Everyone now answers freely.

March 16th, 1867

I spoke to the sophomores fully about the combination not to answer, each student for himself. I explained to them the wrongness of their position at length. They listened in respectful silence. I asked them if they had anything to say, at the close. They appeared to have nothing. As they were going out I spoke to Edmund Smith, saying “Edmund you can see how intolerable the position taken, not to answer, is.” His reply was “It is burst up”. So the great combination is at an end. The fellows now all admit that their position was wrong, and untenable, and say that they went into it without thinking of its different bearings.

March 15th, 1867

D—– C—- had a long talk with me about his brother’s alleged complicity in the disorders of the night of March 5th… We went over a great deal of ground.

March 14th, 1867

Rochester

The Bishop talked with me for an hour and a half very earnestly about Hartford and Trinity College, dissuading me from going.

I said, and have said, and felt all through, that I only wished to know what was my duty in the matter, not my pleasure.

March 13th, 1867

Rochester

Walked and talked with Bishop Coxe. Much talk about the Trinity College movement. He had just come from Hartford, and he said the thing was really serious – that they were determined to secure me at Trinity, as President, if the thing were possible. He had determined not to interfere if I thought I could do better, or ought to go, but there was no one in the Diocese whom he could so ill spare – whose place would be so difficult to fill.

March 7th, 1867

Busy investigating disorders in College. I had a letter from Hartford, telling me that Bishop Coxe had expressed strong opposition to my going back to Trinity College and said he would rather lose his right hand than allow me to go.

March 5th, 1867

I cannot but think a good deal about Hartford.

March 4th, 1867

I felt a secret hope and desire that I might never hear more of the Trinity College matter. But I found in the office a letter from Bishop Williams, urging the matter on me, explaining at length why I was not elected when he retired, and when Goodwin retired, &c; saying that he himself always desired it. He does not wish the College to be refused again, but if I will consent to entertain the question, he will secure my unanimous election in two weeks’ time. The Trustees and Faculty would be equally unanimous. He would count it one of the most joyful circumstances of his Episcopate if he could see me at the head of the College. This is certainly bringing matters to a focus. It oppresses me with anxiety to know what I ought to do, and, if possibly, the decision should be to leave Geneva – then with many pangs of grief at the separation from the College and dear friends here. May God direct me aright.

            I wrote Bishop Williams a full letter, stating my willingness now to consider this question, though a year ago I was not willing even to think of it; that the work at Hartford had many attractions for me, and that there were some circumstances here, e.g. Bishop Coxe’s female school plan, which would interfere with the immediate enlargement of Hobart College by increasing the endowment, and cause things to go on for some time necessarily much as they are now. I was, therefore, for this and other reasons, willing to consider this question, if properly brought before me. I agreed with Bishop Williams that another election ought not to take place on an uncertainty, and therefore said if he would inform me about the finances of the College, the President’s house, whether the College would share the expense of moving with me, and allow me two or three months’ absence for a tour in Europe within a year or two, if I should give up my plan of going now for the sake of Trinity College; I would then consider the whole matter, and tell plainly whether I would accept if elected.

March 2nd, 1867

One of the students talked with me about the DeLancey Association – had fault to find. Bishop Coxe was with Bishop Williams yesterday. I think it not impossible that he may remonstrate so vigorously against any movement to make me President of Trinity College, as to stop it at once.

March 1st, 1867

Second meeting of the DeLancey Association. A good meeting. We sang the 180th. hymn. Wells read a good essay on “Sympathy” and Neely read Bishop Williams’ sermon before the Society for the Increase of the Ministry.