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These ninety-four letters of Albertus C. Van Raalte, founder of Holland, Michigan, to Philip Phelps Jr., who became the first president of Hope College, are significant for two reasons in particular. First, of all the publications about Van Raalte, none reveals fully who the man really was, since Van Raalte’s words are rarely quoted. In these letters, Van Raalte’s voice is unscripted and clear.

Second, these letters are deeply personal because they were written to his close friend and confidant. The extant letters of Van Raalte number in the hundreds, but few of his correspondents were as trusted as Phelps. Van Raalte’s dominant personality, as well as his drive to develop the Holland Colony he founded in 1847, left little room for the development of close friendships. Phelps was part of Van Raalte’s inner circle, and due to their kinship and the common cause of Christian higher education, Van Raalte opened his mind and heart to an extent that he rarely did with others.

These letters therefore reveal more of his personality and inner feelings than any other of his extensive body of writings. The letters also include much discussion of the development of Holland, Michigan, and the establishment of theological education in Holland. The depth of the Civil War struggle became personal for Van Raalte when two of his sons enlisted in this conflict. The Dutch Reformed Church in the East also figures prominently.

Finally, we become acquainted with Van Raalte’s faithful and long-suffering wife, Christina de Moen Van Raalte, who was often left raising their large family and taking care of their personal business when her husband was away for many weeks at a time raising funds for Â鶹ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾.

These letters written by Van Raalte to his close friend, Philips Phelps Jr., reveal the mind and the heart and the deep inner struggles of the founder of Holland as not seen before.