mental in recalling some of our fellow creatures, as it were, from beyond the gates of eternity, and has given occasion for the hearts of parents and friends to leap for joy. The provision made for shipwrecked mariners is also highly estimable in the view of every philanthropic mind, and greatly consolatory to that suffering part of the community. These things will draw upon you the blessings of those who were nigh to perish. These works of charity and good-will towards men reflect, in my estimation, great lustre upon the authors, and presage an era of still further improve ment. How pitiful in the eye of reason and religion is that false ambition, which desolates the world with fire and sword, for the purposes of conquest and fame, when compared with the milder virtues of making our neighbours and fellow men as happy as their frail condition and perishable natures will permit them to be." J. L. LETTER CCLII. From the same. Boston, Nov. 9, 1790. While our literary societies in this quarter of the world are in their infant state, the death of their founders and patrons, we must expect, will give a temporary check to their growth. We have this however for our unspeakable consolation, that the Father of Lights and of Knowledge, who hath raised up friends and benefactors to mankind, will not forsake the works of his hands; but, as He delighteth in the happiness of his offspring, He will continue to bless them. I consider it as a happy circumstance, that when literary societies, and societies which have the general happiness of mankind for their object, are forming in this part of the world, we are at peace with the parent country, and with all parts of the earth. To you more particularly we look for examples; from you we are constantly receiving aids; and from those aids, which can only be derived from older countries, and from societies matured with age, if we are not wanting to ourselves, our progress will be vastly more rapid than it could be were we left wholly to ourselves. We live in an age of astonishing improvement; and although I frequently hear people complain of the present times, I cannot help entertaining the pleasing idea that the times are gradually meliorating, and that of course the sum of human happiness is daily increasing. Wars are not carried on with so much savage cruelty as they were in former ages; the rights of mankind, civil and religious, are much better understood and more fully enjoyed than heretofore. And, under Divine Providence, I cannot help thinking those so cieties which are forming in various parts of the earth for the encouragement of literature and humanity, and the abolition of slavery, are among the most efficacious means of promoting that happiness on earth, which good men of all persuasions have earnestly desired, and for which, in their most serious moments, they have devoutly prayed. The great revolutions among the states and kingdoms of men I also consider as necessary to bring about designs highly benevolent. Vicious habits, long established, require violent remedies. An effort sufficient to demolish a Bastile, and break the chains which had held the French in bondage for ages past, must shake the whole kingdom, and for a time subject multitudes to extreme suffering; but if we can view those sufferings as the unavoidable concomitants of an effort for liberty, we shall feel reconciled to them. J. L. LETTER CCLIII. Dear Doctor, From the same. Boston, Nov. 16, 1791. By our common friend Dr. Windship, I received your very acceptable letter, together with publi cations, which gave me pleasure and instruction. While we in this quarter of the world enjoy as much peace and prosperity, and as many privileges of a civil and religious nature, as have generally fallen to the lot of mankind, it is our duty to pray for the peace and prosperity of all our fellow men: we have, therefore, experienced great anxiety while we viewed the clouds which were gathering thick in some parts of the European hemisphere, and which threatened multitudes of innocent people with unutterable misery. The calamities of war are to be expected, more or less, while arbitrary Princes and Rulers of the earth are dissatisfied with the portion which belongs to them of right, and continue to look on the possessions of their neighbours with an envious eye. The increase of religious and political knowledge, although a great blessing in itself, will serve to increase the struggle between the friends of liberty and the friends of arbitrary power, until the happy time shall come, when the rights of mankind shall be so generally understood, and the friends of true liberty shall become so numerous, as wholly to discourage all the real enemies of human felicity. As Philosophers and Christians we shall therefore possess our souls in patience, while we are spectators of the evils which we must expect will take place while the contest shall continue between the real friends of human nature and its enemies. The state of knowledge in our country is quite in its infancy, compared with yours; however, the disposition which prevails in all parts of America, to follow the example of Europe, in forming Societies, will greatly facilitate improvement; and, by drawing knowledge from such on your side the water as have made great advances, we flatter ourselves that in a few years we shall begin to make a figure. I am persuaded, the condition of mankind is growing better. Improvements in useful knowledge, in politics, and in religious sentiments, give us reason to hope every succeeding generation will be more productive of human felicity than the past. But, whatever the designs of Heaven may be, we shall find the purest satisfaction in a consciousness of having endeavoured to make our fellow creatures happy. Would my circumstances in life admit of it, I should be extremely gratified in having an opportunity to see you and some other friends in England; but must be contented in conversing in this way, while I hope to be more acquainted with you in another world; and am Yours affectionately, JOHN LATHROP. |