In today's match-up we get a 20th century monk/best-selling author with a lot of letters after his name versus a 19th century missionary bishop with what just might be the best name in Lent Madness (Enmegahbowh may beg to differ). Will the Kenyon College students and alums rally to put Philander Chase over the top? Or will the many who have read and been touched by Thomas Merton's "The Seven Storey Mountain" jump to his cause? Only you and the next 24 hours will tell.
In yesterday's battle, Mary Magdalene swept to a resounding victory over John Huss (66% to 34% with well over 1,700 votes cast), setting up a wild Round of the Saintly Sixteen match-up with Joan of Arc. Magdalene vs. Huss also set a record with over 100 comments! Keep up the good work, friends, and don't forget to check out the updated bracket and the calendar of upcoming battles.
Thomas Merton, O.C.S.O. (January 31, 1915 – December 10, 1968) was born in France to Owen Merton, a New Zealander, and Ruth Jenkins, an American. Both were artists. Later in 1915, with World War I raging, they moved to the United States of America where John Paul, his brother, was born in 1918.
Merton's mother died when he was six which led to a complicated childhood, moving between his father, his grandparents in New York, and boarding schools in France and England. His father died in 1931. Merton went to Clare College, Cambridge, in 1933 where he lived a dissolute life and it is likely that he fathered a child. His guardian, Tom Bennett, who had been a classmate of Owen’s in New Zealand, intervened and persuaded him to go back to New York.
In 1935 Merton entered Colombia University where he studied English literature. He also discovered an interest in Roman Catholicism and began to engage with issues of social justice.
He joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1938, the year that he graduated. He considered joining the Franciscans but, after a Holy Week retreat, in 1941, at Our Lady of Gethsemane, near Bardstown, Kentucky, he joined this monastery of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance on December 10, 1941.
In the Second World War, his brother John Paul died in 1943 when his plane's engines failed over the English Channel.
As a monk, Thomas Merton became one of the most widely-read and deeply-respected authors on spirituality of the twentieth century. He wrote more than seventy books as well as lots of articles. He also maintained a prolific correspondence, with people around the world, on a great diversity of topics.
His autobiography, "The Seven Storey Mountain," published in 1948, was a publishing sensation. More than 600,000 copies sold in the first year alone.
Merton was responsible for the formation of new monks and novices at a time when the monastery was thriving. He had a passion for solitude and was finally given permission to live in a hermitage on the monastery grounds. He helped to highlight the spiritual dimension of Christianity and did so with a strong interest in other world religions.
He died from an electric shock from a faulty fan in Bangkok while attending a meeting of religious leaders.
Collect for Thomas Merton: Gracious God, you called your monk Thomas Merton to proclaim your justice out of silence, and moved him in his contemplative writings to perceive and value Christ at work in the faiths of others: Keep us, like him, steadfast in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
-- Bosco Peters
To Philander Chase (1775-1852), the Book of Common Prayer was the second best book ever written. Chase picked up the BCP when studying at Dartmouth College, and upon reading it, decided to become an Episcopalian. For Episcopalians throughout what was then the frontier of the United States, it’s a good thing he did. Despite the lack of a seminary in the new United States, Chase was ordained a priest at age 23 (having studied under the private instruction of the Rev. Thomas Ellison), and over the next 18 years served churches in New York, Louisiana, and Connecticut (the latter two of which would later become the cathedral churches of their respective dioceses).
Then in 1817, in fine Abrahamic tradition, Philander Chase uprooted his family, including his consumptive wife, Mary, and moved west to the frontier, which at that time was Ohio. Chase’s Oaks of Mamre were in Worthington, Ohio, where he founded Kenyon College and Bexley Hall Seminary (and where Mary passed away from her illness). His move west happened partly out of pioneering zeal and partly because he did not see eye to eye with Bishop Hobart of New York. His conflict with Hobart (in whose diocese the new General Seminary had recently opened), not to mention his unwillingness to expose young frontiersmen to the vicissitudes of city life (from which they might not want to return) led Chase to found the seminary in Ohio, which opened in 1824
Prior to that, in 1818, Chase was elected the first Bishop of Ohio. However, his penchant for single-handedly controlling the institutions in his charge led to fallout in both the college and diocese, and he resigned both the presidency and episcopacy in 1831. The old pioneering zeal flared up again, and he moved to Michigan, founding many churches along the way. Then, in 1835, he was elected the first Bishop of Illinois, and he continued moving west. He also served as the Presiding Bishop from 1843 until his death in 1852.
Philander Chase was a pioneer for the Episcopal faith in the frontier of the nascent United States. His conviction and zeal, while it often got him into trouble with his colleagues, helped spread the Gospel to the edge of the country, where it took hold and flourished.
Collect for Philander Chase: Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith: We give you heartfelt thanks for the pioneering spirit of your servant Philander Chase, and for his zeal in opening new frontiers for the ministry of your Church. Grant us grace to minister in Christ’s name in every place, led by bold witnesses to the Gospel of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-- Adam Thomas
Vote!
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154 comments on “Thomas Merton vs. Philander Chase”
Wow. I had no idea that the comment about Chase's wife's TB would be such a factor in people's votes! If I had known, I might have explained the context a little more. And for those of you who thought the tone of his biography was negative, then you're right. I didn't want to sugarcoat Chase's personality, and many people seemed to find him quite abrasive. Though 400 words isn't much for cramming a life as full of his into. Thanks for everyone's thoughtful comments today. Very cool!
Still not sure for whom I'm voting, and I wrote one of these bios. yikes!
It's that word "uprooted" -- maybe his wife said, "Phil, they're never going to appreciate your gifts here . . . let's go West!"
Sounds like Chase would probably be an ACNA member these days 😉
Christopher,
As a member of the reorganized Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and one of the few fortunate parishes to still be "in-building", please be careful about references to the on-going situation. There are probably several posters who have been adversely affected or don’t know what ACNA or AMiA means.
After taking a skeptical look around the wilderness plot that would ultimately become Bexley Hall and Kenyon College, Philander Chase shrugged and said: "This will do." Anyone who's ever happened upon the hill on which these two were built will no that it is a little piece of paradise here on Earth. I vote against complacency, for high ideals, and little irascibility to boot. I vote for Philander Chase...
So excited that Chase is ahead of Merton by one (1) vote as of 2:30 pm! If you haven't voted yet (and you plan to vote for Chase) GET TO THE POLLS!
This is the first lead change I've seen... how exciting.
[...] here to vote for [...]
Having the experience of my own Abrahamic adventure and finding my Oaks of Mamre in the deep south - tough going for a gal raised in Boston, I have to put in a plug for Philander Chase. I adore Thomas Merton's writings and aim towards the contemplative life but, besides the cool name (I liked Lancelot Andrewes too), Phil's family, journeyed with him into the unknown. A vote for him gives them some credit too.
One was a Philander, but named Thomas and was not, but carried the name. Both interesting and flawed men.
However much I resonate with Merton's silent contemplative life I must cast my vote for the curmudgeon's curmudgeon : Philander Chase. Got to love us prickly people.
I'm flattered, folks, but let's be realistic: Merton was one of the greatest spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Philander seems to be a rather 21st century guy, voting online! Have to vote for him, although I aspire to center daily ala Merton!
One of these men was meek and submissive to the authority of the Church. That gets my vote.
My vote goes to Philander and to all the good that comes out of Kenyon College, the perfect college choice for our daughter. I admire a life of action over one of silence. With all the concern about Philander's wife, for whom we're now seeing he had more regard than was initially indicated by the post, neglect and abandonment of a child is a worse crime in my book. Go Kenyon College!
I'm for the Episcopal pioneer. My ancestors were pioneers from the East to Illinois and
Indiana in the early 1800's.
Just voted. My comment has to do more with the voting than who I voted for. I was unfamiliar with both men, so started googling them. Now, here's my problem. I can't remember if I hit the Vote button, or decided to ponder. I assume the web designers allowed voting more than once from a single computer to allow for people who are sharing. But a little reminder (Vote has been cast from this device, are you sure you want to vote) would help keep the ADD among us on track. Thanks - and I return you to your discourse. Cate
I'm struggling with this one.
In The Seven Storey Mountain, Merton was critically dismissive of Anglicanism. I remember feeling "ouch" when I read these comments. A decade or so later Merton seemed to be embarrassed by these comments. And in light of his later inter-faith work, I'm sure he was especially embarressed by them. His "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going” has meant a lot to me. One website I looked at said that he tried to locate the mother of his child and his child after the Second World War but was not able to do so; it was thought they were killed in the blitz.
A bit more triva on Chase. He raised his nephew Salmon P. Chase, who went on to become U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and then Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Nephew Chase once had his portrait on the $10,000 bill and was largely responsible for having "In God We Trust" put on U.S. currency.
Before he went out west, Uncle Chase moved to Lousiana to help alleviate his wife's TB. But it didn't help so they moved back to New England. So apparently we wasn't a total jerk on this issue.
I think I end with Merton by a hair.
Did you mean heir?
A tad more trivia: Salmon P Chase's proper final title was "Chief Justice of the United States" -- not of the Supreme Court -- as the justices have responsibilities beyond the Court.
I was going to vote for Merton until I read the comment that he had a more Christ-like character. It seems to me that, although Jesus spent some time in contemplation, he spent the majority of his time on earth with the people, teaching and healing. My vote went for Chase.
The biography of Merton fails to note what a spiritual and intellectual giant he was. And about how deeply concerned he was about war and racism. When the history of 20th century Christian spirituality is written -- Merton will be recognized as a giant.
Thomas is a piece of my daily bread, thus gets my vote. Interesting to learn about Philander, though.
It's obvious from the comments that Chase did great things for the Episcopal church, but Merton's influence was further reaching, to Christians of different denominations and to non-Christians as well. In my mind that's what tips him more towards the Golden Halo...
The first of Kenyon's goodly race was that great man Philander Chase! He climbed a hill and said a prayer and founded Kenyon College there!
I love Merton, but, I mean, how, as a proud Kenyonite, could I not vote for Philander? I mean, as the song says, Kenyon's heart still holds a place of love for old Philander Chase.
P.S. "He smoked the what?!"
Let me understand this..people are voting for Philander Chase BECAUSE he was a difficult person? Wow. Assuming you'll all turn out in droves for Paul of Tarsus then.
I seriously thought this would be no contest.
I don't know whether Episcopalians are big fans...
Because he was a difficult person... why yes, the Episcopal Church is rather filled with difficult persons who have not bowed down to convention. That is why we have female priest, are active on LGBT equality, and are the amazing church we are. Because we are filled with difficult people who say we have a vision and a church and we will not allow our vision to divide the church or our church to divide our vision.
Well said!
Marguerite
My favorite aunt was Marguerite and she was a "difficult person", i.e. spoke her own mind - devil the consequences. I have to agree with Ben G. Also difficult people make us assess our positions in response. Isn’t Lent Madness fun?
Peace
Wow! Close but I had to go with Merton in the end.
Merton...it must be Merton!
Devoured my first Merton "Seeds of Contemplation"...realizing too late that it should have been savored, with days in between. My brain buzzed for weeks! But I simply could NOT put it down!
I live in Ohio, am an Episcopalian, have visited Kenyon and Bexley Hall and a church he started...but I'm sorry, Philander...my vote MUST go to the monk who stole my heart with the first page!
I read a two volume biography of Philander Chase in seminary (having come from IL). If I remember correctly, when he got to New Orleans he wanted to hire a servant but was told that if he wanted household help he would have to buy a slave. The slave kept running away and Chase ended up setting him free because he got tired of dealing with it.
When he went to England to raise funds for Kenyon, John Henry Hobart blackballed him among potential donors, not wanting competition from a midwestern school. However, someone found out that Chase had freed a slave, and suddenly he was very popular with the abolitionists at the time and was able to do his fundraising. Of course everyone forgot the reason why he freed the slave in the first place!
He was certainly persistent, but his motives and methods weren't always the best. Merton was very human too, but his writing was wonderful, so he gets my vote!
I am a US Coast Guard veteran who was stationed on the USCGC Chase.....which was named for Philander's nephew Salmon P. Chase. So choosing Philander was a no-brainer!
To "Marty McFly" thanks for all you do for our country. It is most appreciated!
I'm voting for Philander Chase, in honor of my sister, Kenyon College '80.
"The first of Kenyon's goodly race
Was that great man Philander Chase;
He climbed the Hill and said a prayer,
And founded Kenyon College there.
He climbed the Hill and said a prayer,
And founded Kenyon College there.
He dug up stones, he chopped down trees,
He sailed across the stormy seas,
And begged at every noble's door,
And also that of Hannah More.
And begged at every noble's door,
And also that of Hannah More."
Maybe next year Hannah More will show up for Lent Madness?
My vote most definitely goes to Merton. In 2004 I did training to become a spiritual director and took as my historic spiritual director (aka, Hero in the Faith), Thomas Merton. The story of his journey was, and is, inspiring. He was no "saint", if by that we mean someone who stands apart from the rest of humanity. But, he recognized his own failings, and was willing to wrestle with his doubts and confusion. That's why his prayer, "MY Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me" is so authentic and inspiring. It has often expressed my own sense of where I am on my journey.
I have to be honest that before I came to Bexley Hall Seminary, perhaps the least known of the Episcopal Seminaries, that I would have gone Philander who??? But when the Episcopal Church thought that one seminary in NYC would be all it needed he said no. Philander believed that a Seminary Education should be available to people that lived on the frontier so that frontiersmen could become priest and preach to the very people from which they came. This is an understanding of Mission Shaped/Fresh Expression/Missional Church that existed way before its time. That the context that the priest was made in directly influences the context in which the priest is viable. Standing up for a truth when all of the church is fighting against you is a remarkable reality and one that Bishop Chase fought for and the church has ever been blessed by the results.
Philander believed that a Seminary Education should be available to people that lived on the frontier so that frontiersmen could become priest and preach to the very people from which they came. This is an understanding of Mission Shaped/Fresh Expression/Missional Church that existed way before its time.
Oh, very well said. This is something that we American Roman Catholics are struggling with now that we are officially a "mission country" and many of our priests have *not* been formed in this country but come from Africa or South America.
In pondering this difficult choice today (and after a long nap which may have rendered me woozy), I came up with these limericks:
There once was a man they called Merton,
He got in big trouble from flirtin',
But he turned to our Lord,
Wrote so well on his Word,
That now of his sainthood we're certain.
There was a good man named Philander,
Oh my! He could get up his dander!
His wife died, it's true,
But the churches he grew!
His legacy's not up for slander.
I beg the more literary and eloquent among us to please improve upon my poor efforts! I've been waffling, but as time is getting short, and being much like Cate above, which means I may forget to vote if I put if off longer, I'm going for Merton because of his wide-reaching influence and urging of acceptance of other religious viewpoints. Now, I'm off to update my Amazon wishlist with all of his books!
Bravo! Love the limericks. Thank you!!
It's really interesting to see Philander Chase pull ahead as the day advances and, presumably, more people from further west head to the polls!
Like
Zoinks, talk about unintended consequences! 😉
I did say Christlike *character* not lifestyle... but I respect your point.
Clean limericks are always to be applauded, they are easily learned. Too many of us only know "There was ...." Nevermind, the limerick is an abused form and Tikimama should be encouraged.
Thanks Tikimam, keep up your limericks.
I wish I could "retweet" those limericks.
Don't worry, Marguerite, I just posted them on our Facebook page. Thanks TM! https://www.facebook.com/lentmadness?ref=tn_tnmn
Eek! I'm a bit embarrassed, but you're welcome! I truly thought there'd be some improvements to them by now, but maybe everyone's already voted!