To L. Harold DeWolf
Author: King, Martin Luther, Jr.?
Date: January 4, 1957
Location: Montgomery, Ala.?
Genre: Letter
Topic: Montgomery Bus Boycott
Details
King responds to a query from his dissertation advisor, who had asked if he would consider a faculty position at a college or seminary.1 DeWolf replied on 17 January.
Dr. L. Harold DeWolf
Professor of Systematic Theology
Boston University School of Theology
745 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston 15, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. DeWolf:
Thanks for your very kind letter of December 10. I had planned answering your letter long before now, but absence from the city and the accumulation of a flood of mail delayed my reply.
At this point I am not sure of what area of the ministry I would like to settle down in. I have had a great deal of satisfaction in the pastorate, and have almost come to the point of feeling that I can best render my service in this area, however, I can never quite get the idea out of my mind that I should do some teaching. In the light of this, I would certainly appreciate being recommended by you, and I would give such a recommendation the greatest consideration.
I hope things are going well with you and your family. As you know, we are now riding the buses in Montgomery on a non-segregated basis. The struggle over the last twelve months has not at all been easy, but we kept going in the faith that in our struggle we had cosmic companionship. Now this faith seems to be vindicated. It is true that we are confronting some problems in integrating the buses, but I feel certain that these minor incidents will soon pass away. We would certainly appreciate your remembering us in your prayers.
Please give my best regards to your lovely family and to my many friends around Boston University.
With warm personal regards.
Sincerely yours,
MLK:mlb
1. DeWolf to King, 10 December 1956, in Papers 3:468. DeWolf had earlier encouraged King to consider teaching (see DeWolf to King, 28 May 1955, in Papers 2:557).
Source: MLKP-MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954-1968, Boston University, Boston, Mass.