electronic guide to the charles coolidge parlin papers...

Electronic Guide to the Charles Coolidge ParlinPapers

1934-1968

General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist ChurchP.O. Box 127, Madison, NJ 07940

2017-05-30

Charles Coolidge Parlin Papers1934-19688.18 cubic feet

gcah.ms.668

The purpose of this finding aid is to help you understand the nature of this collection and to assist you inthe retrieval of material from this collection. The following pages contain a brief biographical history ofthe person, or persons, who created or collected these papers; followed by a general description of thecollection in the scope and content note. If more detailed information is warranted then series descriptionsalso appear. The container listing appears last and is the listing of material in each box, or container, ofthis collection. To request material you need to turn to the container listing section. It is essentially alisting of file folders, or artifact items, in the collection. Each folder, or item, has a call number associatedwith it. Each folder also lists the inclusive dates of the material in the folder. On the material request formlist both the call number and the folder, or item, title. Use a different line for each folder, or item,requested. When your request sheet is complete, or full, bring it to the archivist and the material will beretrieved.

Biographical NoteCharles Coolidge Parlin, an American lawyer and business executive, was an important Methodistlayman. He was born July 22, 1898 in Wausau, Wisconsin, the son of Charles Coolidge and Daisy(Blackwood) Parlin. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and received the LL.B. degree atHarvard Law School in 1922. During World War I he served in the U.S. Army as a private.

In 1923, Parlin was admitted to the New York Bar, practicing law in New York City with the Wall Streetfirm of Shearman and Sterling. Through the years he served on the boards of a number of majorcorporations, was the chief counsel of the First National City Bank and was an authority on taxation. Hewas president of the United States and Foreign Securities Corporation and served for a time as presidentof the Celanese Corporation.

Parlin was thought by some to be one of the most important Methodist laymen in the history of theAmerican Methodist Church. He was a member of successive General Conferences in 1940, 1952, 1956,1960, 1964, 1968, and 1970. In the immediate post-World War II period he took a leading role in theestablishment of the National and World Council of Churches. Long a supporter of the World MethodistCouncil, he was elected president in 1970. His roles were many in the work of the larger church. He wassecretary of the Commission on Church Union, 1948-64; chair of the Committee to Study theJurisdictional System, 1956-60; on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Union with the Evangelical and UnitedBrethren Church in 1964, at which General Conference and its adjourned session in 1966 he presented thereport of the Committee calling for union. He was a member of the General Board of the NationalCouncil of Churches and its first vice president from 1958-1961. He was chair of the U.S.A. committeewhich raised the money for the founding of the World Council of Churches. From 1962 to 1968 he wasone of the presidents of the World Council.

During the McCarthy era Parlin gained considerable attention when he counseled Bishop G. BromleyOxnam in a hearing before the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee and its investigation ofcommunist influence in the U.S.

Parlin's interests were many. Among them was his chairmanship of the committee to restore Wesley'sChapel in London, securing over $1 million dollars. His own personal gifts were significant in developingthe program of the World Methodist Council. Through his own Epworth Foundation he helped more thanone hundred young people, many from minority groups and developing nations, obtain an education. Hewas a trustee of American University, Bethune-Cookman College, Drew University, Union TheologicalSeminary in New York, Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. and North Central College. Honorarydegrees were awarded him by a number of colleges and universities.

Electronic Guide to the Charles Coolidge Parlin Papers

General Commisson on Archives and HistoryMadison, New Jersey

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Charles Parlin was married twice. His first wife, Miriam Boyd of Philadelphia, was born 1924 and died1972. Before their marriage, she was a missionary to China. Three children were born of that marriage:Charles C. Jr., Blackwood B., and Camilla. After Miriam's death, Parlin married Kaye Chiang. Togetherthey had a step-daughter, Jean Chiang. Charles Parlin died on November 15, 1981.

Scope NoteThe papers consists of clippings, published transcripts, typed transcripts, reports, correspondence,memoranda, publications, and pamphlets pertaining to the merger of the Evangelical United BrethrenChurch and the Methodist Church. Additional extensive material relates to Bishop Oxnam's hearingbefore the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities, as well as the Committee onInter-Jurisdictional Relations.

The first series is comprised of correspondence, the bulk of which relates to the Inter-JurisdictionalCommission of the Methodist Church. The work focused on the dissolution of the Central Jurisdictionand the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Churches. Some of thiscorrespondence is of minor importance, but much of it reflects opinion and counter opinion and proposalsgrowing out of the subjects under consideration.

The second series is the major part of the collection and includes all the substantive minutes, reports, andlegislative proposals which emerged from the work of the Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations.This material is international in scope.

The third series is a two volume collection of Parlin’s speeches and addresses given to churches, schools,universities and business groups. These volumes have been dissembled and organized in chronologicalorder.

The fourth series is biographical in nature in so far as it includes articles, clippings, and statementsreflecting Parlin's wide and varied projects and interests.

The fifth series is a Book of Remembrance from the Drew University Collection. These letters andstatements of appreciation honor Parlin's achievements and contributions to the life of the church.

The sixth series is a substantial collection of articles, clippings and most importantly working documentsregarding the hearings of Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam before the U.S. House Un-American Activities.Parlin served as Oxnam’s counsel and strategist at these hearings.

ArrangementMaterial has been arranged in the following manner.

CORRESPONDENCE.REPORTS AND MINUTES.SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES.BISHOP GARFIELD BROMLEY OXNAM HEARING RECORDS.ARTICLES, CLIPPINGS AND PROJECTS.REMEMBRANCES AND TRIBUTES.

Access RestrictionsThere are no restrictions regarding this collection.

Preferred CitationWhen citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item orits file folder, Charles Coolidge Parlin Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison,



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New Jersey. Do not make use of the item"s call number as that is not a stable descriptor.

Index Terms

Subject Names - PersonalOxnam, G. Bromley

Subject TopicsBishopsChurch MergerEvangelical United Brethren ChurchMethodist ChurchUnited States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities.

GenreArticlesClippingsCorrespondenceLegal documentsMinutesSound recordingsSpeeches

OccupationsLawyer

Geographic TermsNetherlandsUnited States

Subject Names - PersonOxnam, Garfield Bromley

Subject Names - Corporate BodiesEvangelical United Brethren ChurchMethodist Church (U.S.)United Methodist Church (U.S.)

Table of ContentsCorrespondence................................................................................................................................... 4Reports and Minutes............................................................................................................................. 4Speeches and Addresses ........................................................................................................................ 5Bishop Garfield Bromley Oxnam Hearing Records..................................................................................... 6Articles, Clippings and Projects .............................................................................................................. 6Remembrances and Tributes .................................................................................................................. 7



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Container List

CorrespondenceCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-2-1:1 Correspondence (August-April) 1957-19581348-2-1:2 Correspondence (May-October) 1958-19591348-2-1:3 Correspondence ( November-April) 1959-19611348-2-1:4 Correspondence 19611348-2-1:5 Correspondence (August-January) 1962-19631348-2-1:6 Correspondence (September-February) 1963-19641348-2-1:7 Correspondence 19641348-2-1:8 Correspondence (November-March) 1964-19651348-2-1:9 Correspondence 19651348-2-1:10 Correspondence (November-March) 1965-19661348-2-1:11 Correspondence 19661348-2-1:12 Correspondence (November-April) 1966-19671348-2-1:13 Correspondence (May-September) 19671348-2-1:14 Correspondence (April-October) 1967-19681583-3-3:3 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, March 1961 -

March 19621961-1962

1583-3-3:4 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, April - May 19621583-3-3:5 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, June - August 19621583-3-3:6 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, September -

December1962

1583-3-4:1 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations 1963-19641583-3-4:2 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations 19631583-3-4:3 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, February -

October1960

1583-3-4:4 Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, November -December

1960

1583-5-4:1 A Charter of Racial Policies for the Women's Division of Christian Service 19521583-5-4:2 Central Jurisdiction Map 1960

Reports and MinutesCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-2-1:15 Reports (April-October) 1956-19571348-2-1:16 Reports 19571348-2-1:17 Reports 19581348-2-1:18 Reports (January-September) 19591348-2-1:19 Reports (October) 19591348-2-2:1 Reports 19601348-2-2:2 Reports (January-May) 19611348-2-2:3 Reports (June-December) 19611348-2-2:4 Reports 19621348-2-2:5 Reports (January-February) 19631348-2-2:6 Reports (April-May) 19631348-2-2:7 Reports (June-July) 19631348-2-2:8 Reports (August) 19631348-2-2:9 Reports (September-November) 19631348-2-2:10 Reports (December) 19631348-2-2:11 Reports 19631348-2-2:12 Reports (January-March) 19641348-2-2:13 Reports (April-June) 19641348-2-2:14 Reports (July-September) 19641348-2-2:15 Reports (October) 19641348-2-2:16 Reports (October) 19641348-2-3:1 Reports (November) 1964



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Call Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-2-3:2 Reports (December) 19641348-2-3:3 Reports 19641348-2-3:4 Reports (January-February) 19651348-2-3:5 Reports (February) 19651348-2-3:6 Reports (February) 19651348-2-3:7 Reports (February-March) 19651348-2-3:8 Reports (March-April) 19651348-2-3:9 Reports (May) 19651348-2-3:10 Reports (June) 19651348-2-3:11 Reports (June) 19651348-2-3:12 Reports (June) 19651348-2-3:13 Reports (June) 19651348-2-3:14 Reports (July) 19651348-2-3:15 Reports (August) 19651348-2-3:16 Reports (August) 19651348-2-3:17 Reports (September) 19651348-2-3:18 Reports (September) 19651348-2-3:19 Reports (September) 19651348-2-3:20 Reports (October) 19651348-2-3:21 Reports (October) 19651348-3-1:1 Reports (November) 19651348-3-1:2 Reports (November-December) 19651348-3-1:3 Reports 19651348-3-1:4 Reports (January) 19661348-3-1:5 Reports (February) 19661348-3-1:6 Reports (April-August) 19661348-3-1:7 Reports (September) 19661348-3-1:8 Reports (October-November) 19661348-3-1:9 Reports (November-December) 19661348-3-1:10 Reports (No Date) 19661348-3-1:11 Reports (January) 19671348-3-1:12 Reports (February-June) 19671348-3-1:13 Reports (July-September) 19671348-3-1:14 Reports (October-December) 19671348-3-1:15 Reports (No Date) 19671348-3-1:16 Reports (January-May) 19681583-3-1:1 Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union 19681583-3-1:2 Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume I Folder 1 19671583-3-1:3 Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume I Folder 2 19671583-3-1:4 Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume I Folder 3 19671583-3-1:5 Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume II Folder 1 19671583-3-1:6 Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume II Folder 2 19671583-3-2:1 The First Assembly of the World Council of Churches: Booklets 1948-19621583-3-2:2 The First Assembly of the World Council of Churches: Amsterdam, Folder 1 19481583-3-2:3 The First Assembly of the World Council of Churches: Amsterdam, Folder 2 19481583-3-2:4 Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, January 25 1963 19631583-3-2:5 Commission for Study and Action of the Jurisdictional System 1959-19611583-3-2:6 Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Cincinnati Exploratory Meeting

March 26-28, 19621961-1962

1583-3-3:1 Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations 1958-19631583-3-3:2 Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Abolition 1962-19641583-3-4:5 Committee of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Representatives 19611583-3-4:6 Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Analysis and Suggestions 19611583-3-4:7 Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Documents, Folder 1 1961-19621583-3-4:8 Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Documents, Folder 2 1960-1963

Speeches and Addresses



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Call Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-3-1:17 Volume1 Speeches 1-10 1944-19601348-3-1:18 Volume I Speeches 11-20 1960-19631348-3-1:19 Volume I Speeches 21-30 19631348-3-1:20 Volume 2 Speeches 31-45 1963-19691348-3-1:21 Volume 2 Speeches 46-52 1969-19701348-3-1:22 Volume 2 Speeches 53-63 1970-1979

Bishop Garfield Bromley Oxnam Hearing RecordsCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-3-2:21 Sample Questions Used in Preparation for the Hearings 19531348-3-2:22 Oxnam Hearing Records Undated1348-3-2:23 Statements by Oxnam and Rep. Velde Undated1348-3-2:24 Work Sheet; Rules of Procedure Undated1348-3-2:25 House Committee File Dissected and Oxnam Response to Charges Undated1348-3-2:26 Pamphlets and Articles by Oxnam Undated1348-3-2:27 Material from American Jewish Congregation Undated1348-3-2:28 Office Memoranda Undated1348-3-2:29 Newpaper and Magazine Comments Undated1348-3-2:30 Memo to Investment Committee Undated1348-3-2:31 Statements to House Sub-Committee Undated1348-3-2:32 Typed Manuscript of Hearings Undated1348-3-2:33 Congressional Record report of Hearings July 21,1953 Part 1-4 May 4-7 19531348-3-2:34 Congressional Record Part 5-8 July 5-14 19531348-3-2:35 Congressional Record of Hearings July 21 19531348-3-2:36 Clippings and Photos of Hearing Undated1348-3-3:1 Correspondence and Statements 1934-19531348-3-3:2 Correspondence and Statements 19531348-3-3:3 Correspondence and Statements 19541348-3-3:4 Oxnam Hearing Records Undated1348-3-3:5 Miscellaneous Articles and Statements Undated1348-3-3:6 Roman Catholic Response Undated1348-3-3:7 Investigation of Clergy Regarding Pro-CommunistActivity Undated1348-3-3:8 News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources 19491348-3-3:9 News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources 19491348-3-3:10 News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources 19491348-3-3:11 News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources 1950-19531348-3-3:12 Audio Tapes of Oxnam Hearings: 3 Tapes - 1 reel to reel and 2 cassettes Undated

Articles, Clippings and ProjectsCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-3-2:1 Articles and Publications 1958-19641348-3-2:2 Articles and Publications 19651348-3-2:3 Articles and Publications 1966-19671348-3-2:4 Articles and Publications undated1348-3-2:5 Ecumenism 1962-19661348-3-2:6 Clippings 1963-19681348-3-2:7 Consultation on Church Union 1962-19651348-3-2:8 Corporate Director Undated1348-3-2:9 Honors Undated1348-3-2:10 National Council of Churches 1956-19641348-3-2:11 Photographs 19651348-3-2:12 Trustees Undated1348-3-2:13 Untitled Papers Undated1348-3-2:14 Wesley Chapel Restoration Undated1348-3-2:15 Wesley Oak Project 1955



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Call Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-3-2:16 Wesley Oak Project 19551348-3-2:17 World Council of Churches Articles,Clippings,etc. Undated1348-3-2:18 World Council of Churches Undated1348-3-2:19 World Methodist Council Undated

Remembrances and TributesCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1348-3-2:20 Remembrances Regarding Charles C. Parlin 1985



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