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| Record Creator: | Kelley, William Valentine |
| Title: | William Valentine Kelley Papers |
| Title: | Kelley Papers |
| Date Span: | 1893-1929 |
| Abstract: | William Valentine Kelley (1843-1927), American preacher, author and editor, was born at Plainfield, New Jersey, on February 13, 1843. After teaching for three years at Pennington Seminary, he joined the New Jersey Conference in 1869. His pastorates included churches in New Brunswick, New Jersey; Buffalo, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Newark, New Jersey; New Haven, Connecticut; and Brooklyn, New York. In 1893, he was elected editor of The Methodist Review, a quarterly of the Methodist E. Church, and continued in that post for twenty-six years. Kelley also served as a trustee to both Drew and Wesleyan Universities. Kelley died on December 14, 1927, at Maplewood, New Jersey. |
| Extent: | 0.81 cubic feet |
| Resource ID: | drew.ms.2395 |
William Valentine Kelley (1843-1927), American preacher, author and editor, was born at Plainfield, New Jersey, on February 13, 1843. His parents were Benjamin and Eliza Valentine Kelley. He graduated from Pennington Seminary in New Jersey and from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. After teaching for three years at Pennington Seminary, he joined the New Jersey Conference in 1869. His pastorates included churches in New Brunswick, New Jersey; Buffalo, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Newark, New Jersey; New Haven, Connecticut; and Brooklyn, New York. He was appointed to be the biographer of Bishops Wiley and Simpson. Kelley also served as a trustee to both Drew and Wesleyan Universities.
In 1893, he was elected editor of The Methodist Review, a quarterly of the Methodist E. Church, and continued in that post for twenty-six years. Kelley was a prolific writer and prominent in the leadership of the church. He was member of five General Conferences and served as fraternal delegate to other Methodist denominations. His literary skill in the field of the essay is notable. Among his works are The Illumined Face, My Gray Gull, A Pilgrim of the Infinite, and The Ripening Experience of Life. He could blend the mystical, the familiar commonplace, the scriptural and the practical in his essays with such charm and imaginativeness that he came to have a large number of readers. He married Eliza Whiteman McVeigh of Philadelphia. Honorary degrees were awarded him by Wesleyan, Dickinson and Ohio Wesleyan Colleges. Kelley died on December 14, 1927, at Maplewood, New Jersey. His estate, which totaled $200,000 was left to various Methodist institutions, Drew Theological Seminary receiveing on half of it.
The Kelley papers give insight on how the Methodist Episcopal Church found itself in the turbulent social and political times in the United States from the end of the nineteenth century to the 1920s. Kelley touches upon a variety of topics ranging from anti-Methodist feeling from those who wanted to repeal prohibition and anarchists, general politics, and internal spiritual matters facing the denomination. His response to these issues was often wrapped with the same writing style he employed in both private and professional writings: namely Biblical illustrations wrapped by practical advice.
Much of the correspondence Kelley kept came from all walks of life. Most of the letters deal with editorial decisions on topics published in the Methodist Review. There are other letters to and from denominational leaders which focus on larger ministry issues. Correspondence between Kelley and Drew Theological School President Ezra Squier Tipple reveals how involved Kelley was as a trustee of the school. There are a few letters dealing with his trusteeship at Wesleyan University as well. China missions were a great interest to Kelley which is documented in both the correspondence and photographs. Other photographs deal primarily with trips, family and friends. Manuscripts range from possible publications by Kelley and prominent Methodists, tributes, vignettes on various topics, theology, prohibition, etc. Some of his notes used to write various essays, which range from poetry to sermon outlines, make up the rest of the collection. A folder on legal matters deals with his last will and testament along with instructions on disposing his estate. Pocket notebooks illuminate the day by day work Kelley was involved with at that time.
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Material is arranged by record type.
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, William Valentine Kelley Papers, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
There are no restrictions regarding this collection. Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew..
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Charles Fowler Collection
| Call Number | Folder Title | Date(s) |
| 2144-4-4: 1 | At The Sign of The Basilisk Article | 1925 |
| 2144-4-4: 2 | Correspondence - Methodist Review | 1893-1921 |
| 2144-4-4: 3 | Correspondence | 1913-1929 |
| 2144-4-4: 4 | Correspondence - Probate and Estate Documents | 1926-1928 |
| 2144-4-4: 5 | MSS Memoirs and Articles | 1960 |
| 2144-4-4: 6 | MSS Memoirs and Articles | 1919 |
| 2144-4-4: 7 | Minister's Manual and Pocket Ritual | Undated |
| 2144-4-4: 8 | MSS Notes for Articles, Addresses, etc. | 1900-1926 |
| 2144-4-4: 9 | MSS Notes for Articles, Addresses, etc. | Undated |
| 2144-4-4: 10 | MSS Notes for Articles, Addresses, etc. | Undated |
| 2144-4-5: 1 | MSS Notes for Articles, Addresses, etc. | Undated |
| 2144-4-5: 2 | MSS Notes for Articles, Addresses, etc. | Undated |
| 2144-4-5: 3 | MSS Notes for Articles, Addresses, etc. | Undated |
| 2144-4-5: 4 | Notebooks | Undated |
| 2144-4-5: 5 | Notebooks | 1923 |
| 2144-4-5: 6 | Notebooks | 1925 |
| 2144-4-5: 7 | Notebooks | 1926 |
| 2144-4-5: 8 | Notebooks | 1927 |
| 2144-4-5: 9 | Photographs | 1927 |
| 2144-4-5: 10 | Photographs | 1920-1927 |
| 2144-4-5: 11 | Photographs | 1908-1909 |
| 2144-4-5: 12 | Postcards | 1919-1925 |
