To Archibald James Carey
Author: King, Martin Luther, Jr.
Date: December 20, 1957
Location: Montgomery, Ala.
Genre: Letter
Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr. - Family
Nonviolence
Details
King writes Carey, pastor of Chicago's Quinn Chapel AME Church, thanking him for his 8 December sermon, which closed the MIA's annual institute.
Dr. Archibald Carey, Jr.
188 West Randolph Street
Suite 1501
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Arch:
This is just a note to again express my deep appreciation to you for your willingness to take time out of your very busy schedule to come and speak for us on the occasion of our Second Annual Institute on Non-Violence and Social Change. Your dynamic and inspiring address will long be remembered. I trust that the manifest response of the people will provide a measure of compensation for the time and energy expended on our behalf. The people in the community are still talking about the magnificent job you did.
It was also a great pleasure to have you in our home.1 The fellowship was rich indeed. I am only sorry that it could not have lasted longer. I hope things are going well with you and all of your many responsibilities. Coretta and Yoki are doing fine as well as Martin Luther, III. Corrie asked me to send her best regards and say to you that she is still trying to make me a dish washer. Give our best regards to Hazel and Carolyn2 I will probably give you a ring when I am in Chicago around the middle of January.3
Again, thanks for coming and thanks for your great inspiration.
Very sincerely yours,
[signed] M. L. King, Jr. /b
M. L. King, Jr.,
Minister
MLK:mlb
(Dictated by Rev. King, but transcribed and signed in his absence.)
P.S. Lt. Chamberlain has just left Montgomery and he did a very effective job for us. I am sure he will discuss the details with you.4 Thank you for this contact.
1. On 10 December Carey wrote to thank the Kings for their hospitality during his stay in Montgomery: “I am always made a member of the family when I am in your home and, of course, Yokie and young Martin Luther, III, make it a most enjoyable household.”
2. King refers to Carey’s wife and daughter.
3. King addressed the Chicago Sunday Evening Club on 12 January; the following day he spoke at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois (see “What is Man?” 12 January 1958; “The Desirability of Being Maladjusted,” 13 January 1958).
4. King likely refers to John D. Chamberlin, a member of Carey’s church, who, according to a 31 December MIA financial report, received $300 for an unspecified investigation.
Source: AJC-ICHi, Archibald James Carey Collection, Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Ill.