Joseph Henry Wythe
433
Br. Doane on the Dist. instead of Br. Roberts who will go to Idaho and place Dr. Wythe in charge at Salem. He is a charming preacher, and by this arrangement for one year will get a hold on the community at Salem, that he could not otherwise get, and this will relieve you from a heavy bill of moving expenses. I hope therefore he will receive a full allowance as preacher in charge. It will
be no more than a courtesy due to the Dr. that a resolution be passed by the Board allowing him to educate his children free of expense for tuition.
The Doctor is an eminent surgeon and well known on both hemispheres as a Medical and Scientific Author. He is a fine lecturer on Scientific subjects. Dr. Wythe looks upon this opening as Providential and all here with whom I have conversed view the matter in the same way. I trust and believe that under his management the University will prosper more and more.
***
I suggest that the Trustees advance Dr. Wythe enough on his salary, say $400, to enable him to meet his moving expenses at least in part.
Trusting the whole affair has been divinely ordered
I am Yours Truly,
C. KINGSLEY.
An extract from a letter to Mr. Waller from Mr. D. Rutledge gives a different estimate of Dr. Wythe, and apparently indicates the reactions of a man who was somewhat shocked at the doctor's slight deviations from the strict letter of orthodox practice. The portion that is of interest to us reads as follows:
Nashville April 15, 1867
Rev. A . F. Waller,
Dear Bro.
***
I have been not a little puzzled to know how that Englishman Wythe ever so completely pulled the wool over the eyes of such men as J. S. Smith, J. N . Moores, and yourself. That school can never have permanent success while such a man is at its head. I was at San Francisco when the battle was fought about his staying at Powell Street Church. I heard the traits of his character from friends & enemies. And when I heard of his