File Folder 6 - Littell, Franklin H.

Franklin H. Littell (1917-2009) was a Reformation scholar who had studied under Roland H. Bainton at Yale. Like Bainton he sympathized with the Anabaptists of the sixteenth century, and was a friend of the Goshen circle of scholars around Bender. In that vein he wrote and published The Anabaptist View of the Church; A Study in the Origins of Sectarian Protestantism (American Society of Church History, 1952; revised edition 1958, reprinted several times thereafter). Before the years covered by this folder he had worked for a time in Germany with American occupation forces, in posts regarding religious affairs and religious liberty; then, apparently in late 1951, he returned to the United States where he took a post at Boston University, and became Dean of the Chapel there.

  In late 1953 Littell returned to Germany and worked with churches there.  On January 30, 1958, Bender wrote to Dean Douglas Horton of Harvard Divinity School that Littell had received his Ph.D. under Roland H. Bainton at Yale in 1945 then later had become “for some years director of an American foundation working in Germany”...; that Littell was “a Methodist and sometime Chaplain of Boston University”, but was “essentially of the free church tradition”. Bender described Littell’s dissertation as “brilliant” and noted it had won Littell the “Brewer Prize of the American Society of Church History” [ASCH]. Bender continued in that letter using further words of high regard.
  In the times of this folder’s material Littell returned to the USA and took a post as Professor of Church History at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.  In 1960 he moved to the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, then in 1963 to the Chicago Theological Seminary. Throughout, his correspondence shows a remarkable and productive scholar at work, and one with a close affinity with Bender.

{1} Bender to Douglas Horton, January 30, 1958 [Horton––dean at Harvard Divinity School]: had thought much about Horton’s request of January 24 [not extant here--extant in Box 33, Folder 17?] asking Bender to suggest a candidate for a church-history position; Bender replied with the letter quoted just above.

{2} THREE ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, April 29, 1958 [on stationery of Kreuz - Verlag - Stuttgart; Verlag = a publisher? letter in English]: reference to “much talk today about the ecumenical movement”; that the Kreuz-Verlag at Stuttgart, “under the sponsorship of the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag” [a German Protestant Church agency] would be publishing a Weltkirchenlexikon [Global Church Dictionary]; detailed description of its nature; asking Bender to contribute at least two articles, one on Mennonites, one on Footwashing; copy to be in German, and other instructions.

• • • ATTACHED, note, Littell to “Dear friend”, dated April 29: personal hopes that the recipient would comply.

• • • ATTACHED, a blank form, filled out to match the request, ready for the recipient to sign; unsigned.

{3} THREE ENTRIES

Bender to Franklin Littell, May 13, 1958 [addressed to Bad Godesberg am Rhein, Germany]: happy to accept the assignments dated April 29; from Beacon Press had a copy of Littell’s book The Free Church; would review it and the German edition personally in The Mennonite Quarterly Review: was “eagerly awaiting” second edition of Anabaptist View of the Church; congratulations on appointment to faculty of Emory University; Mennonite Encyclopedia Volume IV doing fine; the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary [sic; AMBS] getting underway this Fall.

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, May 22, 1958 [on stationery of Kreuz - Verlag - Stuttgart; Verlag = a publisher? letter in English]: thanks for consenting; anticipated seeing Bender in August; P. S. suggested that Goshen request Beacon Press to send “a few display or sale copies of the enlarged ‘Anabaptist View of the Church’ and ‘The Free Church’”.

• • • ATTACHED, a memorandum, in English, one single-spaced sheet, Littell to Weltkirchenlexikon authors, undated: bit of information on the Lexikon; set of questions to have in mind for content; information about procedure.

{4} FOUR ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, October 17, 1958 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology; Littell signing as Professor of Church History]: was enclosing information about a conference coming August 17-20, 1959, at Munich, bringing together folks “concerned ... for an International Conference on the Church Struggle with Nazism. // That John Yoder [John H. Yoder, J. H. Yoder, John Howard Yoder] had written an important letter that Littell was taking time to answer; “... The question is where authority resides in the Christian cosmos [sic], since I seemed to have pushed the doctrine of consensus to the point that it shakes dependence on the plain word of scripture...”; Littell followed at great and dense length; then, “I hope the Mennonite light on the nature of the Church and her response may get into the discussions of the Church Struggle...” [ellipses his].

• • • ATTACHED, document by Franklin H. Littell in English, one very full single-spaced page, multilithed: about the Commission [on the Church Struggle with Nazism, but named in German] that had called the conference, and specifics about its organizational ties an its various efforts and aspirations.

• • • ATTACHED, Franklin Littell to Bender, October 21, 1958 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology; Littell signing as Professor of Church History]: enclosing materials about regional meeting connected with “the Church History Self-Study Project”; some specifics about the meeting in Chicago.

• • • ATTACHED, document, no author or date given, undersigned as from Emory University, two single-spaced pages, multilithed, with heading “CHURCH HISTORY SELF-STUDY PROJECT (Conducted under the American Society for Church History [ASCH] for the American Association of Theological Schools [AATS] on a grant from the Lilly Foundation, Inc.)”; paragraph on who was leading the project––George H. Williams [George H. Williams, George Huntston Williams] of Harvard; Charles I. Taylor, AATS Executive Secretary; Raymond W. Albright, Episcopal Theological Seminary; John H. Brush of Andover-Newton; Franklin H. Littell as Secretary; rationale and assumptions behind the project; the planning for regional meetings.

{5} Bender to Franklin Littell, November 1, 1958: acceptance of invitation to Evanston meeting November 6-7; digesting your “longer letter”, to reply soon; had lost instruction list for writing for the “German encyclopedia” [likely Weltkirchenlexikon], asked for another.

{6} TW0 ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, November 6, 1958 [undersigned as from Littell signing as Professor of Church History, Emory University, but on stationery of Kreuz - Verlag - Stuttgart; Verlag = a publisher? letter in English]: “... looking forward to seeing you this week-end”; materials enclosed.

• • • ATTACHED, same documents as letter of Franklin Littell to Bender, April 29, 1958 and its sheet of instructions to authors; a 12-page German-language document headed “LISTE DER HAUPT- UND MITTELLANGEN ARTIKEL” [LIST OF MAIN AND MEDIUM LENGTH ITEMS].

{7} Bender to Franklin Littell, December 3, 1958 [to Littell at Emory University]: one full single-spaced page letter about Martin Schrag seeking “an institution to attend where he might do an Anabaptist dissertation”; a fulsome letter.

{8} TW0 ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, December 18, 1958 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology; Littell signing as Professor of Church History]: inquiring about materials from past efforts toward “‘The Mennonite Home Library’”; vague short paragraph that “We” had several students beginning study in church history; handwritten note in margin re intending to send some materials.

• • • REPLY, Bender to Franklin Littell, December 23, 1958 [to Emory University]: referred to the project as “Anabaptist Reader”; it had been delayed for publication of “George William’s” volume [sic; George H. Williams, George Huntston Williams], but upon seeing that the Williams volume would not replace it “our” project went ahead; by now had translated 400 pages... // Inquiry about reply to the letter [shortly above] re Martin Schrag. [See below at February 21, 1959].

{9} TW0 ENTRIES

Note, Franklin Littell to Bender, February 10, 1959 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology; handwritten]: enclosing notes of “our Colloquay”; P.S. “Will you be able to use Robert’s MSS on Hübmaier?".

• • • ATTACHED, document, 11 single-spaced pages, 10 of them practically transcribing discussions plus an 11th page of names; headed “EVANSTON MEETING” “The following is a summary record of group discussion following papers by Dr. Franklin Littell and Dr. Samuel Laeuchli at the meeting of the Church History Self-Study Project, held at Evanston Ecumenical Institute on November 7 and 8, 1958”; at end––“(Report based on record kept by Mr. J. Stone of Garrett.)” [likely Garrett Theological Seminary].

{10} TW0 ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, February 16, 1959 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology; Littell signing as Professor of Church History]: enclosing a sheet which Littell hoped would give Bender much pleasure––a piece “Our good friend Peter Heinold, the church historian at Kiel” had written for Hans Lilje’s Sonntagsblatt at 400th anniversary of Menno Simons’ death.// That Doubleday and Company would be publishing paperback readers on Martin Luther and John Calvin; there should be one “on the Anabaptist-Free Church tradition as well” ....

• • • ATTACHED, clipping, “‘Ich begab mich williglich in lauter Armut und Elend’” [Google translation: “I deliberately went into poverty and misery”] “Zum 400. Todestag von Menno Simons” [at the 400th anniversary of Menno Simons’ death].

{11} FIVE ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, February 21, 1959 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology; Littell signing as Professor of Church History]: had finally gotten his paper into shape... [toward] “publication in” Church History. // Graduate office still had no application from Martin Schrag––Littell supposed he had gotten accepted at Hartford Theological Seminary or Harvard Divinity School.... [See above at December 23, 1958]. // “The Executive Committee” had voted that Littell should more ahead with “plans for a ‘Program in Free Church Studies’”, as part of the Ph.D. program....

• • • ATTACHED, a reprint from Christian Century of January 14, 1959, “From Germany to Georgia” [USA], by Franklin H. Littell: comparing the public policy regarding education in several states of the U.S. South with the struggles around totalitarianism in East Germany. [race, segregation, communism, Nazism].

• • • ATTACHED, Bender to Littell, October 20, 1959]: had been gone to Asbury seminary doing an AATS visitation with James Nichols; very behind with Bender’s own work. // The Mennonite Quarterly Review’s managers had agreed to publish Littell’s Bluffton address if his first-choice publisher did not....

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, October 28, 1959 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: had no more word from Seabury, felt more “‘at home’” anyhow of MQR did it....

• • • ATTACHED, document, one-page single-spaced, headed “N E W S L E T T E R §2: The History of the Struggle with Nazism; 10/15/59”; about issues of finding sources in the USA for historians to work on this topic; situation in Germany also: a half-page then of specifics; bottom, indicated as if from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

{12} Bender to Franklin Littell, November 3, 1959 [to Emory University]: glad for information in October 28 letter communicating a go-ahead for The Mennonite Quarterly Review to publish the paper; it now had to wait for the April 1960 issue; re reprints; cc: Melvin Gingerich.

{13} Franklin Littell to Bender, February 4, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology; Littell signing as Professor of Church History]: had word from Cornelius J. Dyck [C. J. Dyck, “Cornie” Dyck] re date June 28 for “meeting on Mennonite-Wesleyan affairs” [Anabaptist-Wesleyan conference]; wished to move it several days earlier; explained he wanted Professor Claude Thompson and Dean William R. Cannon, experts on Wesleyanism, to be able to participate; re his own willingness to develop the theme.

{14} THREE ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, February 10, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology: just had a good visit with some young Mennonites from Elkhart...// Idea that for death date of Menno Simons in 1961 there be a book by an outsider giving appreciation for Menno.... // Thanks much for Bender’s review of the second edition [likely of Littell’s book on Anabaptist understanding of church].

• • • REPLY, Bender to Franklin Littell, March 3, 1960 [to Emory University]: two years ago there was a plan for Irvin B. Horst [Irvin Horst] to write an illustrated biography of Menno Simons; Bender had just been at Eastern Mennonite College [EMC, later Eastern Mennonite University (EMU)] and reviewed this with Horst; was also consulting Paul Erb, Mennonite Publishing House book editor. // Had been trying hard to set dates for the Anabaptist Seminar, without much success.

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, March 16, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: some inconclusive words about the “June Seminar” [? Anabaptist Seminar ?]; re Irvin Horst’s effort, Littell would go ahead and write something in appreciation of Menno....

{15} Memorandum, Ellrose Zook to Paul Erb, March 22, 1960 [on stationery of Mennonite Publishing House]: memo evoked by a phone call from Bender; about Irvin Horst [Irvin B. Horst] having a contract to write a book on Menno Simons but Horst would not produce one for several years; about Littell’s proposal, at some length. cc: Ben Cutrell, A. J. Metzler, Bender, Mervin Miller, Maynard Shetler [Benjamin Cutrell, Abram J. Metzler].

{16} Franklin Littell to Bender, March 24, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: wanted to know about reprints of his article [see at November 3, 1959 and above]; had an order for 100 to distribute among some Episcopalians. // Thanks for phone call.

{17} Franklin Littell to Bender, March 25, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: had mailed two of best books done by Germans re the office of Deacon; advice re what books to use for the current state of Methodist theology; mention John Wesley; on the history of Laity and disappointment at a book by one Kraemer, some comment.

{18} FOUR ENTRIES

Bender to Franklin Littell, March 28, 1960 [to Emory University]: Melvin Gingerich would be communicating re reprints, work with him; awaiting decision of Mennonite Publishing House re Littell proposal for a Menno Simons book; C. J. Dyck had advised that changing the date of the Wesleyan-Anabaptist discussion [Anabaptist Seminar ?] would not be possible; thanks for copy of your manuscript on “‘The Free Church View of Missions’”.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to Franklin Littell, April 5, 1960 [to Emory University ]: had talked with Paul Erb, who had said Mennonite Publishing House had about decided to take on your Menno Simons book; he will write to you soon; finish it by September 1?

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, April 22, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: had heard from Erb; Littell had serious doubts about giving a promise under certain caveats Erb had specified; Littell would not reply to Erb until he heard from Bender.

• • • REPLY, Bender to Franklin Littell, April 26, 1960 [marked “Air Mail”]: had phoned Paul Erb and suggested Mennonite Publishing House offer you a firm contract, “conditional upon approval of the manuscript by myself and their Committee”: Erb will write this shortly; suggest you not write to Erb until having that letter.

{19} Franklin Littell to Bender, May 2, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: very pleased with the “April issue” [surely of The Mennonite Quarterly Review, with Littell’s article “The work of the Holy Spirit in group decisions,” MQR 34:75-96 April 1960]; comments on Anabaptist-Free Church traditions with favorable mention of Eastern Orthodox and unfavorable to certain emphasis in Roman Catholicism and a certain Protestant scholasticism. // About a visit of Ernst Benz at Emory and comments on Benz’s views. // At some length on having accepted “a fabulous job at Perkins, SMU” [Southern Methodist University] with dismal comments about being within, and having his family live within, the milieu of current southeastern Protestantism, including leadership of the Southern Methodist church––all this at some length; hoped at SMU he could attract some students from Bethel College [in Kansas] and Goshen College. // Had finished a manuscript for Doubleday on his experiences in Germany; anticipated seeing Bender “late in June”; P.S. Bender should ask Kreuz - Verlag for a review copy of the Weltkirchenlexikon.

{20} Franklin Littell to Cornelius J. Dyck, May 10, 1960 [to Emory University]: had been to Asbury Theological Seminary and found that on the Methodist side only Littell himself would be able to attend the “Conference on Mennonite-Wesleyan concerns” [Anabaptist Seminar ?]; strongly suggested calling the conference off; of course would do what Bender and Dyck want [C. J. Dyck, Cornelius J. Dyck]. cc: Bender.

{21} TW0 ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, May 18, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: Littell and another person had been at Asbury Theological Seminary with another scholar and had reported to AATS [American Association of Theological Schools]; gave Bender some confidential information.

• • • REPLY, Bender to Franklin Littell, May 20, 1960 [to Emory University]: Littell’s letter had agreed with recommendations that James Nichols and Bender had made [likely James Hastings Nichols, James H. Nichols]; situation at Asbury represented “as raw a case of Methodist church politics as I know”––Bender had gotten “the inside story” and was “convinced it was a case of the liberal Methodist seminaries trying to crush conservative Asbury; that Littell already knew that “we have decided to postpone the Anabaptist-Wesleyan Seminar until next fall....”

{22} Franklin Littell to Bender, May 24, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: thanks for your word about the Asbury situation; at length about what Littell seemed to have opportunity to do in developing a church history program at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and his hopes for that.

{23} Franklin Littell to Cornelius J. Dyck, May 24, 1960 [to Emory University]: short letter about the change to having the Anabaptist-Wesleyan conference in the fall; a bit about his move to Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. cc: Bender.

{24} TW0 ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Ben Cutrell, May 24, 1960 [Benjamin Cutrell]: has received Cutrell’s letter and the proposed agreement [neither extant here]; they were for a different project than Littell had in mind–a biography rather than a book of appreciation; elaborated.... cc: Bender.

• • • REPLY ATTACHED, Ben Cutrell to Franklin Littell, May 27, 1960 [Benjamin Cutrell; stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Cutrell signing as Business Manager ]: apology for referring to the Littell book as a biography [of Menno Simons]; if Littell could not meet a deadline of September 1, MPH could make other arrangements. [See shortly below at June 1]. cc: Bender, Paul Erb.

{25} Telegram, Bender to Franklin Littell, May 31, 1960 [to Emory University]: “MENNONITE SEMINARIES INVITE YOU TO GIVE ANNUAL LECTURESHIP ON MENNO SIMONS MARCH 6 AND 7, 1961.

{26} Franklin Littell to Ben Cutrell, June 1, 1960 [to Mennonite Publishing House]: [See shortly above at May 27]; having consented to deliver Menno Simons lecture in March [see telegram just above], would try to meet the September 1 deadline for the book; wanted something sent to help him get started during the move to Dallas; address the item to General Delivery, New York City. cc: Bender.

{27} THREE ENTRIES

Note, Littell to Bender, June 1 [no year, filed at 1960]: handwritten; thought he had heard of a new edition of “Dirck Philipz’ Enchiridion; could Bender find one...?

• • • ATTACHED, Bender to Franklin Littell, June 13, 1960 [to Emory University]: re proposal and undeveloped plan “for a new edition of D. P. Enchiridion [“D. P.” apparently a reference to Dirk Phillips]; mention Wm. Keeney dissertation on this [William Keeney, “Bill” Keeney].

• • • ATTACHED, a slip of paper and a postcard indicting communication with Light and Hope Publisher at Berne Indiana for the Enchiridion, apparently without success.

{28} Franklin Littell to Bender, July 15, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: had word from Beacon Press that it was reducing the price of Littell’s books to dealers....

{29} Bender to Franklin Littell, July 20, 1960 [to Emory University]: thanks for word re Beacon Press’s prices. // Bender would leave tomorrow for a month in Europe; would write upon return about the seminar and Menno Simons lecture; please write to C. J. Dyck [Cornelius J. Dyck] about dates, waiting for Professor Arnett of Asbury to return from Korea.

{30} Franklin Littell to Bender, August 8, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: anticipated seeing Bender in March; how many lectures did “the ‘Annual Lectureship on Menno Simons’” involve?

{31} Franklin Littell to Bender, August 19, 1960 [on stationery of Emory University, Candler School of Theology]: reference to announced publication of the Weltkirchenlexikon; Littell had asked the publisher to send a review copy for The Mennonite Quarterly Review; have you heard from the publisher [Kreuz - Verlag of Stuttgart]?.

{32} THREE ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Cornelius Dyck, September 18, 1960 [Cornelius J. Dyck, C. J. Dyck; on stationery of Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology]: per Bender, sending suggested dates for “Anabaptist-Wesleyan Conference on Christian Perfection”; first choice November 12-13, second a week earlier; further comment.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to Franklin Littell, December 20, 1960 [to Southern Methodist University]: having you with us was “a delight”; “I suppose one Anabaptist-Wesleyan Seminar is enough?” // Thanks for sending paper; probably would make a special issue of The Mennonite Quarterly Review––the April issue––with “the four papers”; how many free reprints did Littell want? // Enclosing a photo “taken at Puidoux III”; would soon send one of Bender himself.

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, December 28, 1960 [on stationery of Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology]: thanks for photo of Bender and Ernst Wolf, mention Kurt Dietrich Schmidt of Hamburg, Wolf and Schmidt in connection with “EKD’s Commission on the History of the Church Struggle”; they were holding a second international conference (at Littell’s suggestion)––details, including a list of speakers and topics (topics in German) ...; please send photo of Bender to hang in Littell’s study; reply re reprints; advised continuing “the Anabaptist-Wesleyan seminars”; thought “Arminians” had responded well, mentioned “the Church of God, the Free Methodists, and others”; too bad the Mennonites had to “carry the main load of expense”....

{33} Bender to Franklin Littell, January 12, 1961 [to Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University]: when here March 6-7 to give Menno Simons lectures, invitation to speak in chapel to both College and Seminary; also to Seminary student fellowship, i/e. student body and faculty, on topic “of current interest”.

{34} Clement Alexandre to Bender, January 18, 1961 [on stationery of DOUBLEDAY & COMPANY Publishers, New York City]: for the time of the Menno Simons lectures, would be glad to furnish copies of Littell’s recent book The German Phoenix ....

{35} TW0 ENTRIES

Bender to Franklin Littell, January 25, 1961 []: ...needed titles of Littell’s four Menno Simons lectures; also would like replies re talks to Seminary and College; mention Harold Bauman as chaplain; invitation to take part “in an informal discussion with MCC Peace Committee [sic--? MCC Peace Section ?] plus Albert Meyer and John Yoder [John Howard Yoder, John H. Yoder, J. H. Yoder] “on the future of our MCC work in Europe in the field of peace and related matters”....

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, February 3, 1961 [on stationery of Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology]: titles––Menno and Word of God; Menno and the True Church; Menno and the Role of the Laity in the Church; Menno and the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Bit of statement that these topics related to emphases “in ecumenical circles in the last forty years”.// Glad to join in the Peace Committee discussions; mention an enclosure to “Mr. Cutrell” [likely Ben Cutrell, Benjamin Cutrell].

{36} Franklin Littell to Bender, February 17, 1961 [on stationery of Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology]: about a Reverend W. Jack Lewis being in Indiana in April; wanted him to have a chance to speak with Bender and with John Howard Yoder [John H. Yoder, J. H. Yoder, John Yoder] including about the Anabaptist-Wesleyan Seminar.... cc: John Howard Yoder.

{37} TW0 ENTRIES

Bender to Franklin Littell, February 20, 1961 []: summarizing the various events in which Littell’s speaking or participation were expected when he was at Goshen-Elkhart in March.

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, February 27, 1961 [on stationery of Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology]: his title for the Seminary Fellowship––Menno and Wesley. // About a visit of Gunnar Westin of Uppsala, and Westin’s interests and itinerary.

{38} Ben Cutrell to Franklin Littell, March 13, 1961 [Cutrell as Business Manager {of Mennonite Publishing House}]: thanks for reporting the progress of your manuscript; “... We might be able to squeeze its publication into 1961 after all....

{39} Flier, Letter to Laymen, “THE LAY ACADEMY IN ITS CONTEXT” [publication of the Christian Faith-and-Life Community]: article by Franklin H. Littell.

{40} TW0 ENTRIES

Bender to Franklin Littell, May 19, 1961 []: re editing done so far on Littell’s Menno Simons manuscript––various points including “Your treatment of Menno’s Christology avoids charging Menno with Docetism but comes perilously near to it” while the “evidence ... is overwhelming that Menno did not have the least trace of Docetism....”; further discussion of that matter; would send an introduction in later mail. // Bender and Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] would leave May 31 “for six weeks in Europe.” ...

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, May 29, 1961 [on letterhead of Southern Methodist University]: glad to accept stylistic changes, and probably those on Christology––but then some discussion that seems to suggest Littell was not yet entirely convinced. // Re his own summer schedule, including beginning “the English edition of the Weltkirchenlexikon...; some other matters.

{41} Franklin Littell to Bender, November 21, 1961 [on letterhead of Southern Methodist University]: thanks for “keeping me informed” [not extant here] about the Bainton festschrift [Roland Bainton, Roland H. Bainton]; would present something (albeit not final) to Bainton at a retirement event in April; about a visit of Douglas Steere to Southern Methodist University speaking re “the Peace Embassy, probably in Bratislava”; glad to see “the Verduin review of” A Tribute to Menno Simons in Christianity Today [Littell’s book; Leonard Verduin]; comment that some not in churches attached to World Council of Churches being more ecumenical than some who were.

{42} TWO ENTRIES

Franklin Littell to Bender, December 4, 1961 [on letterhead of Southern Methodist University]: asked whether Menno Simons did not have communication with south Germans; bit about what apparently was some dispute Littell versus Hans Hillerbrand––mention Littell’s A Tribute to Menno Simons and two items by Hillerbrand, an article in Church History and a paper at American Society of Church History [ASCH]. // Littell had accepted a post at Chicago Theological Seminary to begin early 1963; his aspirations and glad to glad to be closer to Goshen. // A word about the progress of the Bainton festschrift [Roland Bainton, Roland H. Bainton].

• • • REPLY, Bender to Franklin Littell, December 7, 1961 []: called news of the Chicago appointment “exciting”; an interesting paragraph about Hillerbrand, hurt by something Littell had written and valuable as something of a check on the Goshen view of Anabaptism, and still learning.

{43} Note, Franklin Littell to Bender, January 3 [no year—but penciled “1962?”; on stationery of Southern Methodist University]: apparently a cover note for sending Littell’s chapter of the Bainton festschrift; if The Mennonite Quarterly Review wished to publish it, Littell would seek the publisher’s permission in return for a footnote announcing the forthcoming book.

{44} TW0 ENTRIES

Bender to Franklin Littell, February 26, 1962 []: about a Mennonite Biblical Seminary graduate [not named] who wished to do graduate work at Emory University, Candler School of Theology; the student’s reasons.

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, March 6, 1962 [on letterhead of Southern Methodist University]: that the situation at Candler was “mixed”; nearly a page of elaboration, naming certain professors there, etc.

{45} Franklin Littell to Bender, March 30, 1962 [on letterhead of Southern Methodist University]: about getting permission from John Knox Press to use Littell’s “chapter” [probably for The Mennonite Quarterly Review ?]; on question of publishing “Commentary on Dr. Hillerbrand’s Discussion of Menno”, a statement at “the joint meeting of the American Society of Church History [ASCH] and American Society for Reformation Research...”––publishing it in The Mennonite Quarterly Review.

{46} FOUR ENTRIES

Bender to Franklin Littell, May 17, 1962: thanks for proof about “the Butzer debate with the Anabaptists” [Martin Butzer, Martin Bucer]; re what spelling to use for Srasbourg/Strassburg....

• • • REPLY, Franklin Littell to Bender, May 24, 1962 [on letterhead of Southern Methodist University]: comment re that spelling. // That Littell would begin at Chicago on January 1.

• • • ATTACHED, page from a Reformation Studies volume edited by Littell, concerning the Bainton festscrift [Roland Bainton, Roland H. Bainton] and Bainton’s retirement from long career at Yale.

• • • ATTACHED, news item, typed, dated May 1, 1961, headed “YALE PROFESSOR HONORED”––re Bainton’s retirement and the festschrift––and a banquet in his honor on April 25.

{47} Franklin Littell to Bender, July 2, 1962 [handwritten on stationery of Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology]: warm tone, re hearing of Bender’s surgery; hope for his recovery.

{48} Memorandum, Franklin Littell to Friends of Harold S. Bender, January 1, 1963 [on stationery of The Chicago Theological Seminary]: headed “A Personal Memorandum”; re a visit of Littell to Bender on September 21; except for hospital personnel, Littell had been the last person “to see Bender conscious”; a 2.5 single-spaced page memorium.