"I sometimes wish that modern female youth were not so conscious of its modernity."

 

4 July 1939 | Sir Wilfred Grenfell to Jesse Halsey

Dear Jesse:

Thanks for your little affectionate thought and action. What big things little things may be. Don’t I wish you were coming on the journey. We sail on Monday.

 

When I get back, most certainly come down and bring Mrs. Halsey and put in a few days with us. I know the communion would be helpful to me. 

 

The wops keep up in number, and I am still as optimistic as ever about the coming of the Kingdom of God. Christ still means to me the hope of humanity. I sometimes wish that modern female youth were not so conscious of its modernity.

 

Be sure to come. You can drive here so easily on route #7.

 

My love to you both.

 

Yours ever, 

Wilfred Grenfell

1939 General Assembly

26 May 1939 | Denton Record Chronicle

"Dr. Higginbottom today appointed the Rev. Dr. Jesse Halsey of Cincinnati, vice moderator."

Odon Hullenkremer

1939 | Santa Fe

With thanks to: The Jesse Halsey Manuscript Collection. Special Collections, Princeton Theological Seminary Library.

American League for Peace and Democracy

Batavia Presbyterian Church

1939

Sam Higginbottom Speaks at Seventh Presbyterian Church | Jan. 15, 1939

Letter from Christie to Halsey | 1939

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Wilmington, Delaware

John W. Christie, Minister

1304 Delaware Avenue

Wilmington, Del.

[May 1939]

Saturday

Dear Jess,

Thank you for your letters. Bob very much appreciated his. Hope you will come to Board meeting in June—altho I may have to be at synod at Hood College on that Wednesday. Probably will be home that night.

Mr. [Jasper E.] Crane was unwell part of the Assembly and had to go to bed on Thursday, but is out again. I think he enjoyed the affair. Whatever comes before him will be thoroughly examined—and decided on the strictest principles a conscience that came out of New England originally can find. When he deviates from justice and truth as he sees them I will despair of their continuance on this old globe. Partiality or favoritism he does not understand. So if your Pension matters come to him see to it that he has all the facts. Nothing else will sway him. I think he will prove to be the most valuable layman the Gen. Council secures in our generation.

Have been reading Hodge on the 1837 fight and ran across a few pages that you must read—In his “Polity” (which you have) please read Chap X—Page 157—on “Presbyterian Liturgies.”

Am glad the Ass. goes to Rochester next year. Darling tells me that D. Wallace MacMillian and Luccock both gave him needed and able assistance in his Com. I have written notes to both of them. Evidently they had their hands full.

From all I can learn the Assembly did a fine job on every serious bit of work presented. Was greatly pleased at the Pension and Princeton outcomes. Wonder who the “skunks” turned out to be? Have not idea, at present.

Love to you—and Thanks.

John

"Bring him safely through the perils of childhood . . ."

Charles Jr. | October 1, 1939 | Taken about a month after his mother left.

"I wonder how it goes with you and Justine (I often think of her). She trained that little Charles to perfection in the little time she had him (I forget nothing and forgive whatever there is--I can understand her leaving Charles, but not that little kid). He spoke of her to me last summer. He has grown, gets good care, but not the meticulous kindergarten kind that Justine knew about." --Jesse Halsey to Laura Comstock, Nov. 5, 1943

Book of Common Worship 1946

Baptism of Infants

 ". . . Grant him to grow in wisdom as in stature, and in favor with God and man. Abundantly enrich him with thy heavenly grace: bring him safely through the perils of childhood, deliver him from temptations of youth, and lead him to witness a good confession, and to persevere therein to the end."

Frederick I. Halsey | Obituary

Southampton Press | 5 January 1940

Frederick I. Halsey

Frederick Halsey 1933

The heartfelt sympathy of the community is with the Rev. and Mrs. Jesse Halsey of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Southampton, whose son Frederick Isham, aged 27 years, passed away in Holmes Hospital, Cincinnati, on Thursday, December 28^th, after a two years’ illness.

Funeral services were held in the Seventh Presbyterian Church in East Walnut Hills, of which Dr. Halsey is pastor, on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock. Dr. John Christie of Wilmington, Del., a close friend of the family, conducted graveside services at 10:00 o’clock New Year’s Day morning at the family plot in Southampton Cemetery.

Mr. Halsey was graduated from Walnut Hills High School [alt.Hughes High School?], spent a year in Cornell University, and was a junior liberal arts student in Wooster College, Wooster, Ohio, when he was compelled to give up his school work because of ill health. He was born in Newfoundland when his father was a member of the staff of the Grenfell Labrador Mission.

Charles, Helen, Frederick Halsey c1926

Besides his father and mother, Mrs. [Helen Isham Halsey, he leaves behind a brother, Mr. Charles Halsey, New York City; a sister, Miss Helen Halsey,] teacher in Western College, Oxford, Ohio; and Miss Abigail Fithian Halsey, student in Hillsdale School.

"Historical Pageant on the Reservation"

Shinnecock Indians c1939

Southampton Press

Friday, June 23, 1939

Members of the Shinnecock Tribe Will Present History in Six Episodes

On Saturday, July 1^st at 3:30 p.m. a pageant, written and directed by Miss Abigail F. Halsey will be presented on Shinnecock Reservation, near Southampton. In this manner the descendents of the Shinnecocks of 1640 will tell the story of the ancient days and ways of their ancestors, the coming of the first white man, and their treaty with hi “Never sworn to and never broken;” the coming the Christian missionaries and Christian teachers, Azariah Horton and Sarrison Occom being the first; the first June meeting under the great Cuffee; the lament of the Indian women whose news reaches them that so many of the men had lost their lives in the Circassian disaster in 1876; and a finale in which they will express their hope for the future—the days that are yet to be.

This pageant is being presented in connection with the building of a new church and parish house on the Reservation. Their church, erected near Canoe Place almost two centuries ago. . . was so badly damaged by the hurricane that it could no longer be used by them. It is significant that all this should be done in 1939—one year before the white people of Southampton Town and Southold Town will celebrate the three hundredth anniversary of the coming of the first white people.

On Sunday, July 2^nd, “Shinnecock Day” will be observed widely in the churches of the county. Pastors will preach historical sermons and an opportunity will be given to everyone to contribute to the building fund of the new church. The official board of a church in Utica made a contribution to the fund, stating they wanted to have a part in paying the white man’s debt of honor.

Dr. J. Percival Huget, president of the County Council of Churches, is chairman of the building committee. The Reverend Herbert E. Moyer is treasurer. The architect is Arthur New man of Bridgehampton, and the builder is Lester Raynor of Southampton.

The people of the Reservation are working hard under Miss Halsey’s direction to prepare a pageant true to the life of their people. They gather almost every night to practice. Mrs. Edward Foster and Leon Terry are helping with the singing. Mrs. Corey of the Y.M.C.A. is helping with the games, Miss Zella de Milhau with the costumes, and Miss Rachel Hartley with the publicity.

The Presbytery of Long Island is backing the project and the participants hope to make a good deal of money for their new church. Tickets will be on sale at Corwith’s Drug Store and the Shinnecock children will sell them.

A good cause, a good Saturday show, an inspiring Sunday vesper service.

Photo courtesy Abigail Fithian Halsey Files | Southampton Historical Museum Archives and Research Center

Advertisements | Southampton Press | 1939

Herbert's Market, Southamptom, 1939

"Indian Pageant to be Presented"

Southampton Press

Friday, June 30, 1939

Suffolk County to Honor the Indians of Long Island; “Shinnecock Day”

In 1940 two of Suffolk County’s ten towns, i.e. Southampton and Southold, will celebrate the three hundredth anniversary of the coming of the first English settlers. In giving thought to those who lived here before the white man came and to their descendants in 1939 the people of the county are showing an excellent spirit.

In 1639 there were thirteen tribes of Indians on the Island, i.e. the Canarsie, the Rockaways, the Meracocks, the Massapeaques, the Matinecocks, the Nissaquoques, the Setaukets, the Corchaugs, the Secatogues, the Shinnecocks, the Patchogues, the Montauks. Offshore on Shelter Island lived the Manhanset Tribe. The Indian population numbered many thousands. Three hundred years later only one tribe remains—the Shinnecock. They still maintain tribal government. Historians tell us that fifty years after the white man came, one-third of the Indian population had disappeared. Today only a small remnant remains. The white man’s ways, his diseases, his fire water, and helping him fight his wars turned out to be deadly enemies to the red man.

On Saturday and Sunday, July 1^st and 2^nd, at 3:30 p.m. on their reservation at the entrance to the Shinnecock Hills, the Shinnecocks will enact three hundred years of their history in an historical pageant. The pageant was written and is being directed by Abigail F. Halsey of Southampton. The Shinnecocks have been working faithfully, doing all the manual labor themselves, and making their own costumes.

“Shinnecock Day” will be observed in many of the churches of the county on Sunday, July 2^nd. Pastors will preach appropriate sermons and an opportunity will be given to the people of the county to contribute to the Shinnecock’s building fund. The hurricane of 1938 damaged the reservation church so severely that it could no longer be used for worship. A new church, equipped with social and educational facilitates is being erected at a cost of $30,000. One half of this amount has already been raised. Dr. J. Percival Huget, president of the County Council of Churches is chairman of the building fund. Rev. Herbert E. Moyer of Bridgehampton is treasurer.

Letter from Wooster College President Charles Frederick Wishart

Letter from Charles Frederick Wishart*, President, Wooster College, 1919-1944 | June 8, 1939 | re: Jesse Halsey's candidacy for Vice Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church

*According to the Wooster College website, President Wishart was dubbed "Master of the Spoken Word," and "eloquently defended Wooster's decision to teach evolution against attacks by William Jennings Bryan in 1922, three years prior to the famous Scopes trial."

Mary Josephine Kemper Rogan

21 March 1939 | Address to Assembly of Presbytery of Ohio Valley by Reverend Jesse Halsey

Mr. Moderator—

Would it seem an intrusion for me [to] introduce at this time a brief memorial tribute to that “elect lady” Mrs. John Rogan who this morning passed through the gates into the nearer presence, of her Lord? My only qualification is the proud fact that for many years she has honored me with her friendship (and that her Minister is in the Chair and her close friend and former pastor Dr. Wilson is not present).

Mary Josephine Kemper Rogan was born almost a century ago. Hers was a proud heritage—and she has added luster to her inheritance. Her grandfather’s James Spring Kemper was the founder of Presbyterianism in this part of the Ohio valley. Mrs. Rogan carried on the great tradition of that ancestry. The sterling qualities of character that put duty first, that accept obligations rather than asserting right’s or privileges, these qualities dwelt in her, without measure.

Rejoicing ever in the truth, always patient, always kind her ministry of active usefulness, curtailed this last decade by the oncoming of years, found its continuance even unto the last, in sympathetic and generous interest in every good word and work.

“Patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints” in faith and by good works she adorned the doctrine of God her Savior.

She has fought the good fight and kept the faith; we rejoice in her translation, and we can almost hear her Master say, “Well done, enter thou into the joy of Thy Lord,” thou hast been faithful.”

Let me add two words more, one from the Pilgrim’s Progress, which she loved:

“When the day drew on that Christiana must be gone, behold all the banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots that were come down from above to accompany her to the city gate. So she went forth and entered the river, with a beacon of farewell to those who followed. The last words she was heard to say were these—“Lord I come to be with Thee and bless Thee.” So her children and her friends returned to their place, for those that waited for Christiana had carried her out of their sight. So she went and called, and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband Christian had entered with long before her.” 

And this penned by her beloved pastor and long-time friend—

I landed on this rock, the Earth;

There met me at the gates of birth

A loving woman kind and fair

With gentle eyes and silken hair

That seemed with all its silken strands,

As plaything for my baby hands.

Here for the hungry guest was food

Divinely mingled, fit and good;

And when the wearied nursling wept

Her arms wound round him while he slept.

"highest quality of brotherly behavior that eschews hatreds and prejudices"

August 20, 1939

To turn from history to the contemporary present; these very days there has been and is being organized a weel articulated movement of sinister mean and considerable proportion and with a disarming name—the so-called “Christian” Front, with its subsidiary the “Christian Mobilizers.” All the improved techniques of the Nazi group are employed in this propaganda. They boldly speak of “the poppycock of Democracy” and advocate a “corporate state.” In action they are rabidly anti-Semitic, and stabbings have taken place on the streets of New York. Hoodlum tactics, disregard of the rights of others, violent utterance, an incitement to riot—such things do not fit the American scene and must not become part of the American life.

The use of the most sacred noun and adjective of our vocabulary to characterize this sort of procedure is sheer impudence and profanation. No catalog of high-sounding principles can redeem hate-inciting vociferations and active persecution of a minority. “Christian” certainly ought to take its quality from the Christ. He it was who said “By their fruits ye shall know them.” There is no substitute for action; words speak loudly but actions louder.” What you are and do speak so loud I can’t hear what you say.” And our Lord, Himself, gave the final test of allegiance to himself in these words—“Why call me Lord Lord and do not the things that I say.”

Let the so-called “Christian” Front get a name that fits its character; no brand of Christianity of which I have any knowledge would care to have “Front” behavior called “Christian.”

In 1855, Thomas F Marshall speaking to a Kentucky audience (largely in sympathy with the intolerant doctrines of the Know Nothings, clearly and bravely stated the situation—

“If the persecuting temper of the 16^th century is to be renewed here, if American Protestantism so far forgets its mission as to aid in rekindling the religious wars . . . religion will suffer most. True Christianity will veil her face. Men will be divided between a sullen and sordid fanaticism on the one side and a scoffing infidelity on the other. Our national characteristics will be lost. American civilization will have changed its character, our Federal union will have sacrificed its distinctive traits and we shall have exhibited a failure in the principles with which our government commenced its career, at which Hell itself might exult in triumph.”

Those same words are cogent today. The performance of the so-called Christian Front makes one ashamed—and makes one afraid. Except as one is led to believe in the common sense appraisal heretofore made by the American public of similar un-American, anti-social movements.

The most heartening thing that has come to my attention lately is this incident, illustrative of the very best American tradition. It transpired a few days ago in the Tombs Police court in NY City. Nothing more typical of the best American spirit and our high tradition of fair play can or needs to be quoted.

Magistrate Michael A. Ford was sentencing Miss Florence Nash, a 42-year-old saleswoman of [Coughlin’s] Social Justice. She had made her denunciation, which has been characteristic of Coughlinites, as she held out a copy of the paper. Judge Ford, having sentenced her to thirty days in the workhouse, and having suspended execution of the sentence, contingent on future good behavior, declared:

“I think you are one of the most contemptible individuals ever brought into my court. There is no place in this free country for any person who entertains the narrow, bigoted, intolerant ideas you have in your head. You remind me of a witch burner. You belong to the Middle Ages. You don’t belong to this modern, civilized day of ours. I’m ashamed of you. I take it you belong to the Roman Catholic Church. I’m a Roman Catholic myself, I’m ashamed of you because of the idea you have expressed.”

The magistrate then asked Miss Nash: “Where did your parents come from?”

“From Ireland,” she replied, and added with sobs, “both are dead.”

“They undoubtedly came to this country, as my parents did, to escape the persecution of the English Government,” said the magistrate. “The persecution you have perpetrated could be perpetrated also against your own race. He who instills such ideas in your head, be he a priest or anyone else, does not belong in this country.”

Magistrate Ford’s scathing lecture to this peddler of ill-will, incorporating his respects to Father Coughlin, who inspires the peddling, must have been as refreshing to decent Roman Catholic citizens of New York as it has been to citizens of other churches and none. It offered a striking contrast to the action of many other magistrates who have been handling cases of arrests brought about in the past few months as a result of the tactics of Coughlin’s “storm troopers.” Furthermore, his words constitute an excellent lesson in democratic conduct. It should be studied by those citizens, including churchmen, who have so far forgotten the primary obligations imposed by the democratic idea as to indulge in anti-Semitism.

This is the reaction of every true American.

Eternal vigilance is the price of our liberty. I believe if we tell the facts fearlessly the American public will respond in the spirit of the Constitution and of the Bill of Rights. I also believe with all my heart that “Christian” can mean and does mean the highest quality of brotherly behavior that eschews hatreds and prejudices of all sort. I sing the Te Deum and exalt the Christ* “Thou art the King of Glory O Christ” but with the Te Deum I go on to add “we believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.” No one can honor Christ who hates his brother nor claim the name of Christian who foments confusion strife and every work.

4 pages from an untitled sermon by Rev. Jesse Halsey typed on the back of the Seventh Presbyterian Church stationery.

[Ed note from Dictionary.com: weel [wiːl] — adv , — adj , — interj , — sentence connector a Scot word for well.]