Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2358

Exchange of letters with Edward McCrady, Vice-Chancellor, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee

 

January 19, 1954

 

 

Dear Dr. McCrady,

On Wednesday, January 27^th, my grandson and I are planning to leave New York for western Florida by way of Chattanooga. We expect to arrive in Chattanooga fairly early in the day on Friday, and instead of continuing directly to Florida we look forward with pleasant anticipations to the possibility of making a side trip to Sewanee for the purpose of a short visit with you, assuming that you will be in Sewanee at that time (January 29th). My grandson, Spencer Heath MacCallum, is the Princeton student whom you so greatly inspired some two years ago. To him I owe my first acquaintance with your writings and the subsequent pleasure of more direct communications with you. For the past eleven months I have had invaluable assistance from him, not only in a secretarial way but especially in the development of integrative conceptions of science, art, and religion as joint factors in fulfillment of the cosmic purpose. Like myself he is happy in the thought of perhaps meeting you again.

     It is my recollection that there is a pleasant inn in your little town of Sewanee at which we might stop for one or two days with the further possibility that we might attend some of your or your associates’ classes or seminars. If this is the case I would be grateful to have you or your secretary reserve accommodations for us.

     I feel that your University of the South is perhaps foremost in its outlook towards an intellectual well as a moral resolution of the spiritual defeatism that seems to threaten the present age. I should like to know more about its activities and its carrying out of its ideals.

 

     Hoping that you will be at home at the time of our proposed visit and that the leaven of your influence continues far and wide, I am,

Sincerely yours,

SH:p

 

_______________________________________

 

January 23, 1954

 

 

Dear Mr. Heath:

 

I was delighted to hear from you again, but very sorry to find that I shall be arriving in New York just after you set out for Tennessee. I expect to spend the night of the 28^th and the 29^th at the University Club and then fly back to Sewanee sometime on Saturday, January 30. Of course if you are still here at that time I shall be delighted to see you and your grandson whom I remember very well.

 

As for attending classes or seminars while you are here, we would be delighted to have you do so except for the fact that you have chosen the end of examination week for your visit. Regular classes will not be resumed until February 3, the first two days of February being occupied with registration for the second semester.

 

I appreciate your writing, and I do hope I shall get to see you. I have made reservations for you and Mr. MacCallum at Tuckaway Inn beginning Friday, January 29.

 

Cordially yours,

 

/s/ Edward McCrady

 

 

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