Knifed in the Back: Mr. (Rev) McIlvaine Answers Mr. (Rev) Onderdonk

Mr. (Rev.) McIlvaine (1799-1873) had to pull the knife out of his back by Mr. (Rev.) Onderdonk (1789-1858). 

The latter considers the former Episcopalian a "low churchman," a "half churchman" and errant cleric due to studies at Princeton Seminary.  Therefore, a knife in the back was considered suitable for Mr. McIlvaine.

This is an excellent read on the considerations of low v. high churchmanship in early 19th century American Episcopalianism.

This handy little read also reflects an ugly letter whereby and wherein Mr. Onderdonk, later a bishop who was suspended for serial advances on women parishioners, was willing to knife Mr. McIlvaine in the back.  This knife is pulled from the back and Mr. McIlvaine experiences a full recovery.  It's "dirty churchmanship."  Some things just don't change.

Charles Pettit McIlvaine (January 18, 1799 – March 14, 1873) was an Episcopal bishop, author, educator and twice the Chaplain of the U.S. Senate.

From 1825 to 1827, McIlvaine served as chaplain and professor of ethics at the  U.S. Military Academy at West Point where two student included Robert E. Lee and Jefferson David, both Episcopalians.

Mr. McIlvaine was highly respected internationally for his opposition to the Romewardizing Oxford movement within the Episcopal Church.

He often had coffee at Buckingham Palace, lunched with the faculty of Oxford, and conversed with cabinet members, and influenced debate in the House of Commons. 

McIlvaine died in Italy in 1873. His body, carried through England on its journey home to Ohio, was honored for four days in Westminster Abbey, the only American to this day to lie-in-state at Westminster.

Rev. Mr. M'Ilvaine in Answer to the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, Part 4.  Philadelphia: William Stavely, 1827. 

Available at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=gogtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=h.u.+onderdonk&source=bl&ots=NeLrYuR6Pl&sig=7OOODgiA-eqflaUnGwdHHtkdXa4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=52D1UcPWFYjA8AT3hoCYCg&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAzgU#v=onepage&q=h.u.%20onderdonk&f=false

Some additional information is available at:  http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/mcilvaine/