Comments on: Canon Bernard Iddings Bell

By: David Horsman

David Horsman — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 22:19:26 +0000

I was priviledged to sit week after week under Canon Bell’s homilies at the Bond Chapel Eucharist at the University of Chicago for near two years and to have profited from his sage counsel.
I think it sad that Fr. Ayers thinks Canon Bell’s
book on the priesthood irrevelent. Never was it more relevant than in this time of the decadence of the Church.
Btw, I have nicked your page for the FaceBook Canon Bernard Iddings Bell page where a few of us stil remember him with fondness. He also plays a role in my new novel COSMOPOLITAN CLUB DOSSIER ( AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM )

By: Fr. Phillip Ayers

Fr. Phillip Ayers — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:03:10 +0000

Mr. Cusack,
I just discovered your website – very interesting! I have a copy of B.I. Bell’s “The Priestly Way”; in fact, I was going to give it to a friend being ordained priest (in the Episcopal Church) this very day. But I have thought better of it, as Bell’s reflections, which I knew would not be “relevant,” were a bit antique. Re: his ideas about clerical marriage, etc. He wrote it in 1938, and for my money (I don’t think I paid a cent for the book, but obtained it from a library’s discard pile), the introduction by Fr. Alan Whittemore of the Order of the Holy Cross (Episcopal Church) is worth more than Bell’s comments.
I believe that Bell had much to do with the ministry to students at U. of Chicago. He was influential in a number of ways, I’m sure, maybe even to my NT professor who was graduated from there at the tender age of 18.
I envy you, your association with U. of St. Andrews. At one time I was told I was descended from someone named “Ayers” in Edinburgh, but found out later that my family hails from Salisbury and made its way to the American colonies in the 17th century! Too bad, as I have a great love for Scotland and have spent some time in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Iona; I would go back in a shot, but age, lack of funds, and health issues prevent it right now.
Thank you for your website! All the best for the New Year.
Phillip Ayers

By: Bruce Deitrick Price

Bruce Deitrick Price — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:54:49 +0000

Canon Bell has another distinction. He wrote what appears to be the first broadside at the decline of the American public schools. His book–”Crisis in education: A challenge to American complacency”–appeared in 1949!
This book is now unavailable or extremely expensive. I know about it only because the second broadside — “Quackery in the Public Schools” by Albert Lynd, published 1951– strongly recommends Bell’s book. (I have recently placed on Amazon a review of Lynd’s Quackery book. It is wonderful, available cheaply, and I highly recommend it.)
So here we are, 60 years after Bell’s attack, and the education establishment is still doing all the same dumb things. Alas.

By: Craig Stephans

Craig Stephans — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:27:07 +0000

Thanks for this info on Rev. Can. Bell. I picked up a used book by him “The Priestly Way,” a guided devotion for priests. I had no idea who he is/was, but now I believe he is an author worthy of reading and studying. I appreciate this post.

Sincerely,

Craig Stephans