Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2857

Letter to Spencer MacCallum at Waterford, Virginia from Charles K. Parker, 63 Pomeroy Avenue, Pittsfield, Mass.

January 2, 1965

 

 

 

Dear Mr. MacCallum:

Your letter of Oct. 23, 1963, I found among my papers while doing a clean-up job for the new year. You must have thought me very heartless that I did not even write to you when your very wonderful grandfather died. I reread the obituary today and was more amazed than ever at the versatility of the man. I think it was this kind of man — really a Renaissance man — that helped to get America going in the early days. Men like that could turn their hand to anything and produce the most marvelous results. I am sure there are many more left like those early creative pioneers, but I’m afraid they have been superseded in large part by the so-called experts, who are, indeed, experts but who do not have the wide-ranging interests of the creative pioneers. This is a subject near to my heart, and one to which I frequently refer in my talks and writings, and the next time I discuss the matter I shall use your grandfather as an outstanding example of the Renaissance man.

 The loan your grandfather made to me when my finances were very low was made on the understanding that I could repay it at any time. I wrote to him twice about it, but he insisted that there was no urgency about the repayment. I am very sorry that I was not in a position to pay back the loan while he was alive, but I owe the money to you — or the estate — and will have it repaid by the end of April this year. I will send you the first installment on Feb. 1. I am now semi-retired and receive my checks, which are small enough, at the beginning of each month.

 It has been something of a struggle to carry on ever since I lost everything in Japan as a result of the war, but little by little my wife and I have been able to reestablish ourselves here, and today we are practically out of debt. Do forgive me for the delay, but the loan will be repaid in full.

 Your grandfather’s book, “Citadel, Market and Altar,” has been very useful to me, and I would like to have his other book, “Song and the Work of God,” if it has been published.

 With all good wishes for the new year,

 

Very sincerely,

/s/ Charles K. Parker

 

Charles K. Parker,

63 Pomeroy Avenue,

Pittsfield, Mass.