REFLECTIONS.—VIEWS ON HOLDING OFFICE.—LETTERS.—CAPTAIN A. SLIDELL McKENZIE.—DEATH OF BROTHER, AND OF HON. J. MASON.
"Jan. 1, 1848.—In reviewing the scenes and the business of the past year, I have continued evidence of that mercy which a Father bestows on his children, and a louder call to yield more fully than I ever yet have done to the teachings he designs. Many things that seem dark, of which the reasons are not understood, will be made clear at the right time. It is manifest that my stewardship is not so far well done as to permit me to fold my arms and feel easy. No: my life is spared for more work. May its every day be marked by some token that shall meet Thine approval, when the final call shall come!"
(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)
"Boston, March 9.
"This religious awakening among your college students is among the blessings that our Father vouchsafes to his servants who labor faithfully in their work; and I can see his hand as plainly in it as though it were thrust before my face as I write this sentence. Let us, then, bless his holy name, and thank him, as disciples and followers of Christ the Beloved; and urge upon these young men to come forward, as doves to their windows. If my life and my trusteeship have been in any manner instrumental in this good work in your college, it will be matter of grateful thanksgiving while I live. Mrs. L. and myself both felt our hearts drawn out to you as we read your letter; and we commend you, and the good work of guiding these interesting young Christians in the ways and the works that lead to that blessed home to which our loved ones have been called, and to which we hope to be welcomed. To his grace and guidance we commend all things touching this onward and upward movement. I have been under the smarting-rod a few days within the past fortnight. Severe pain took all my courage and light-heartedness out of me, and made me a sorry companion; and my friends, seeing me in my every-day dress, would hardly know me in this sombre garb. Again, dear friend, I bid you God-speed in the good work; and, at last, may you receive the 'Well done' promised to the faithful!"
In the presidential campaign of 1848, the Hon. Abbott Lawrence was made a prominent candidate of the Whig party for the Vice-Presidency; and, in the convention which assembled at Philadelphia in June, was voted for, and received but one vote short of that which would have secured the nomination. Mr. Fillmore, it will be recollected, was the successful candidate. During the canvass, a gentleman, editing a newspaper which strongly advocated the nomination of Taylor and Lawrence, addressed a very courteous letter to Mr. Amos Lawrence, asking for aid in supporting this movement, which he supposed he would of course be deeply interested in. The reply is given here, as an illustration of his views in regard to holding high political office:
"Dear Sir: In reply to yours, this moment handed me, I state that my income is so reduced, thus far, this year, that I am compelled to use prudence in the expenditure of money, and must therefore decline making the loan. If my vote would make my brother Vice-President, I would not give it, as I think it lowering his good name to accept office of any sort, by employing such means as are now needful to get votes. I hope 'Old Zack' will be President.
"Respectfully yours,
A. L."
To President Hopkins he writes, April 15:
"What should we do, if the Bible[13] were not the foundation of our system of self-government? and what will become of us, when we wilfully and wickedly cast it behind us? We have all more than common reason to pray, in the depths of our sins, God be merciful to us sinners. The efforts made to lessen respect for it, and confidence in it, will bring to its rescue multitudes who otherwise would not have learned how much they owe it. The 'Age of Reason,' fifty years ago, told, on the whole, in advancing truth, by bringing to its support the best minds of Christendom. I hope it may be so now. This is a theme for your head and heart and pen. No man in New England can make a deeper mark. What say ye? The Bible is our great charter, and does more than all others, written or unwritten."
"W. C. writes from N., asking me to loan him three thousand dollars to buy a farm, and to improve his health and mind; stating that he is a cripple, but wants to do something for the world."
"That man may last, but never lives,
Who much receives, but nothing gives,
Whom none can love, whom none can thank,
Creation's blot, creation's blank."
(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)
"Boston, June 12, 1848
"My dear Friend: Only think what changes a few weeks have produced in Europe, and the probable effects upon this country. It seems now certain that vast numbers will emigrate here, rich and poor, from the continent and from England. The question for us is, How shall we treat them? It is certain that foreigners will come here. We have land enough for them, but have not the needful discipline to make them safe associates in maintaining our system of government. Virtue and intelligence are our platform; but the base passions of our country have been ministered to so abundantly by unscrupulous politicians, that our moral sense has been blunted; and these poor, ignorant foreigners are brought into use for selfish purposes, and the prospects for the future are appalling. Yet a ray of light has just broken in upon us by the nomination of General Taylor for President; and my belief is, he is the best man for the place who can be named, with any prospect of success. He is not a politician, but a plain, straight-forward, honest man, anxious to do his duty in all his relations. As to my brother's nomination for Vice-President, I am thankful they did not make it in convention: he is in a higher position before the country than he would be if chosen Vice-President. His course has been elevated and magnanimous in this matter; for he might, by his personal influence and efforts, have received the nomination.
"Additional.—It is now almost two, P. M., and I have but just returned from Mount Auburn. The visit has been deeply interesting, on many accounts, and has almost unfitted me to finish this letter. However, there is nothing in the visit but what ought to make me thankful that my treasures, though removed, are secured; and, if my poor efforts can bring me again into their society through the blessed Saviour, I ought not allow this gush of feeling to unman me."
A few days later, he writes to the same friend:
"I have not as yet heard of the examination of yesterday at the Lawrence Academy, which son. A. A. attended, but hope for a good report. In truth, I feel as if that school and your college are to go hand in hand in making whole men for generations to come. There is a pleasant vision which opens to me when I look forward to the characters that the academy and the college are to send forth for the next hundred years. I bless God for my old home, and the great elm in front, which has a teaching and a significance that I shall endeavor to make use of in training my grandchildren and dear ones of my family connection. How important, then, that our places of education be sustained, as supplying the pure and living streams that shall irrigate every hill and valley of this vast empire, and train men to know and do their duty! I will not quarrel with a man's Presbyterian, Episcopal, or Baptist creed, so be he will act the part of a good soldier of Christ; for I verily believe great multitudes, of all creeds, desire to serve him faithfully."
"Aug. 23.—T. G. sent me a paper this morning, having many names on it, with a polite note. The paper I returned without reading; telling him I did not read such, or hear stories, and must be excused. He took the answer in high dudgeon, and sent another note, saying he had mistaken me, and desired that his first note should be returned. I wrote upon it that I lived by the day and hour, an invalid, and, for two years, had adopted this course, and had treated bishops, clergymen, and laymen, with the fewest words; that I intended no disrespect, and begged his pardon if I had done anything wrong. I also told him this course was urged upon me by my medical adviser; but, with all my care, there is now an average of six applications a day through the year."
Mr. Lawrence had, many years previous to this date, formed an acquaintance with Captain Slidell McKenzie, of the United States Navy, which had been continued, and was a source of mutual pleasure. Among other relics in the possession of the writer, is a cane of palm-wood, presented by Capt. McKenzie, on his return from Mexico as commander of the United States Steamship "Mississippi," to Mr. Lawrence, who had caused to be engraven upon it, on a silver plate, the following inscription:
ALEXANDER SLIDELL McKENZIE TO AMOS LAWRENCE.
1845.
PALM-WOOD FROM THE BANKS OF THE TOBASCO RIVER.
FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVAL COMMANDER WHO WAS NOT AFRAID TO DO HIS DUTY WHEN
LIFE WAS REQUIRED AT THE YARD-ARM.
The latter part of the inscription is in allusion to the course which Capt. McKenzie felt obliged to adopt in the mutiny on board the United States Brig "Somers," in 184—.
On Sept. 15, he thus notices the death of that officer in his diary:
"This, morning's newspapers give the intelligence that the excellent and accomplished Capt. McKenzie died at Sing Sing, N. Y., two days ago. He fell from his horse by an affection of the heart; and died almost instantly. Thus has departed a man whom I esteemed as among the best and purest I am acquainted with, and whose character should be a treasure for his family and the nation. I think him a model officer and a good Christian."
"Oct. 11.—
CANADIAN BOAT-SONG.
'Faintly as tolls the evening chime,
Our voices keep tune, and our oars keep time;
Soon as the woods on shore look dim,
We'll sing at St. Ann's our parting hymn.
Row, brothers, row: the stream runs fast,
The rapids are near, and daylight's past.'
I first heard this song sung and played on the piano by ——, afterwards Mrs. ——, at her house in —— street, in 1809. The song rang in my ears sweetly for weeks, as I was taken down with fever the next morning. I never think of it but with delight."
"Oct. 15.—My brother William died on Saturday, Oct. 14, at three, P. M., in the sixty-sixth year of his age; and my brother Mason died only five hours afterwards, in his eighty-first year,—within three doors of each other. Both were very dear to me in life, and both are very dear to me in death; and, in God's good time, I trust that I shall meet them again, not subject to the ills and changes of my present abode."
In a letter of the same date to a friend, he says:
"My letter of last Tuesday will have prepared you for the sad intelligence in this. Brother William continued without much suffering or consciousness till two o'clock yesterday, and then ceased breathing, without a groan. Yesterday morning, the hand of death was manifestly upon Brother Mason, who was conscious to objects around, and requested C. to pray with him; and, when asked if he understood what was said, answered, 'Yes,' and expressed by words and signs his wants and feelings. He continued in a quiet, humble, and hopeful frame, we judge, until just eight o'clock, when, with a single gasp and a slight noise, his mighty spirit passed out of its immense citadel of clay, to join the throng of the loved ones gone before. Brother W. was in his sixty-sixth year, Brother M. in his eighty-first; and both were such men as we need, true as steel in all good works and words. Mr. M. was never sick a day to disable him from attending to his professional and public duties in fifty years, and, until within a short time, never confined a day to his house by illness. On the last Sunday evening, I passed a most refreshing half-hour with him. He appeared as well as he had done for a year; inquired very particularly into Brother W.'s state; expressed the opinion that his own time was near at hand, and a hope that he might be taken without losing his mental and bodily powers. He remarked that protracted old age, after the loss of power to give and receive comfort, was not to be desired. He has often expressed to me the hope that he should be taken just as he has been. Have we not reason to praise and bless God in taking, no less than in sparing, these honored and loved ones?"