From William H. Gray, Jr.
Author: Gray, William H. (William Herbert) (Bright Hope Baptist Church (Philadelphia, Pa.))
Date: March 23, 1956
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Genre: Letter
Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr. - Career in Ministry
Details
Gray invites King to preach at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia. King was unable to appear.
Reverend M. L. King
309 South Jackson Street
Montgomery, Alabama
Dear Mike:
I would like very much to have you preach for me here on one of the three following Sundays: April 15, 22 or May 6. I would prefer having you Sunday, April 15 since I would like to have you for both morning and evening services. However, if one of the other dates would be more convenient, I am sure we could work it out.
I think you acquitted yourself most excellently throughout the trial. Naturally the papers here have carried the story as front page news.
Sincerely yours,
[signed] Bill
William H. Gray, Jr.
WHG:mih
P.S. We will give you enough to take care of your fare by freight train and to purchase hot dogs on the way.1
1. After the postscript someone identified as “JRB” wrote, “Tell him don’t be so expensive. For me.”
Source: MLKP-MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954-1968, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University, Boston, Mass.