The Doctrine of Caiaphas by Rev. David Murdoch D.D.
- by Bruce E. McKinney
none
Elmira, April 28, 1851
Rev. and Dear Sir:
Agreeably to your request and my promise, I drop you a line. The Committee met at four o’clock this afternoon to compare notes, and I am sorry to say, that on such comparison there was not such an apparent cordiality and unanimity pervading the public mind as we had anticipated or hoped. Deeply feeling the importance of a correct decision in your case as well as ours, and our knowledge of the public mind at this time is so limited, we have come to the conclusion to ask you to suspend any decision until you hear from us again, which will be in two or three days. In much haste,
Very respectfully, yours,
Orrin Robinson
Rev. and Dear Sir:
Since our last, we have taken great pains to ascertain the sentiments of our congregation, and we think we are not fully prepared to give you a true state of the case.
Upon investigation, it looks much more favorable than when I wrote at the spur of the moment, on Monday, and we are extremely thankful that we took time for reflection and investigation, though we may, in consequence, suffer some delay. We are now able to state facts; then, only undigested inferences.
In explanation, we would say, that for the last eleven years our people have listened to a remarkably plain speaker; and the contrast between his and your voice, speech and pronunciation was so great, that as might well be expected it created a sort of disappointment with perhaps a quarter of the congregation. No complaint is heard except upon that, (with two or three exceptions,) and no excitement exists upon the subject. This is the true state of the existing facts as near as we can learn them; and leaving the matter in your hands for consideration and decision, the Committee (with two exceptions) most cordially would say, that they can see no reason why you should not accept the call, and become our Pastor, as far as the congregation is concerned. And allow us to express the hope that you will do so, and speedily be with us.
In behalf of the Committee,
I am, sincerely and truly, yours,
Orrin Robinson
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
Heritage Auctions Rare Books Signature Auction December 15, 2025
Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
