TLS signed “Martin L. King, Jr,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Southern Christian Leadership Conference letterhead, December 3, 1963. Letter to Reverend Paul Thomas, sent in response to his earlier letter. In full: “This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of recent date inviting me to speak at the Aldersgate Methodist Church on Sunday, February 7, 1965. First, let me say how deeply grateful I am to you for extending this invitation. Because I am away from my church so much during the week, I have had to adopt a firm policy of not being away from my church more than one Sunday each month. My calendar reveals that I have already accepted, tentatively, an engagement for the Second Sunday in February, 1965. I never accept invitations for the first Sunday of the month since that is our communion Sunday at my church. Please know that I deeply regret my inability to serve you on the significant occasion.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, as well as the letter sent to King by Thomas offering the invitation for King to preach at the Sunday morning services on February 7, 1965.
Even if King had accepted this gracious invitation from the Delaware congregation, fate had other plans for the civil rights leader in February 1965. On February 2 of that year, police in Selma, Alabama, arrested Dr. King during a demonstration protesting discrimination in voter registration—keeping him in jail the first Sunday of the month, a day he pledged here to always keep clear. He was released four days later, at which time the Nobel Peace Prize recipient sought a meeting with President Lyndon B. Johnson to discuss racial tensions in America. That meeting took place on February 9, two days after the Aldersgate Methodist Church had hoped to listen to him speak. Insightful comments reflecting the ongoing challenge of King balancing the needs of his congregation with the fight against racial intolerance. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$100.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
