SYSTEM IN ACCOUNTS.—LETTER FROM PROF. STUART.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—DR. HAMILTON.—FATHER MATTHEW.
"January 1, 1849.—The habit of keeping an account of my expenditures for objects other than for my family, and for strictly legal calls, I have found exceedingly convenient and satisfactory; as I have been sometimes encouraged, by looking back to some entry of aid to a needy institution or individual, to do twice as much for some other needy institution or individual. I can truly say, that I deem these outlays my best, and would not, if I could by a wish, have any of them back again. I adopted the practice, ten years ago, of spending my income. The more I give, the more I have; and do most devoutly and heartily pray God that I may be faithful in the use of the good things intrusted to me."
"January 2.—Yesterday, Peter C. Brooks died, aged eighty-two; a man who has minded his own business through life, and from a poor boy became the richest man in the city. I honor him as an honest man."
(FROM PROF. STUART, OF ANDOVER.)
"Andover, January 23, 1849.
"My dear Sir: Soon after my daughter's return from Boston, I received a garment exceedingly appropriate to the severe cold to which I am daily exposed in my rides. Many, many hearty thanks for your kindness! To me the article in question is of peculiar value. The cold can hardly penetrate beneath such a garment. God has blessed you with wealth; but he has given you a richer blessing still; that is, a heart overflowing with kindness to your fellow-beings, and a willingness to do good to all as you have opportunity. I accept, with warm emotions of gratitude and thankfulness, the kindness you have done to me. I would not exchange your gift for a large lump of the California gold. Be assured you have my fervent prayer and wishes, that you may at last receive a thousand-fold for all the kindness that you have shown to your fellow-men. You and I are near our final account. May I not hope that this will also be entering on our final reward? I do hope this; I must hope it. What else is there in life that can make us patiently and submissively and calmly endure its ills? God Almighty bless and sustain and guide and comfort you until death; and then may you pass through the dark valley without a fear, cheerfully looking to what lies beyond it!
"I am, my dear sir, with sincere gratitude, your friend and obedient servant,
Moses Stuart."
To President Hopkins he writes, Jan. 3:
"Your letters always bring light to our path, and joy to our hearts, in one way or another. The two last seemed to come at the very time to do both, in a way to impress our senses and feelings, as the clear heavens, and brilliant sky, and exhilarating atmosphere, of this charming cold day, do mine, in contrast with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on my table as a love-token from some of my young sleigh-riding friends, and which makes me feel a boy with these boys, and an old man with such wise ones as you.
"In the scenes of the past year, much that will mark its character stands out in bold relief; and, if we of this country are true to our principles, the great brotherhood of man will be elevated; for there have been overturns and overturns which will act until He whose right it is shall reign. If we live up to our political professions, our Protestant religion will elevate the millions who will be brought under our levelling process. 'Level up,' but not down, was Judge Story's maxim of democratic levelling, as he began his political career. In the business of levelling up, the Lawrence Academy, I trust, may do something. The late notices of it have been somewhat various by the newspaper editors to whom the preceptor sent catalogues."
"February 25.—Attended Brattle-street Church this morning, and heard a consolatory sermon; and, at the closing prayer, the giving of thanks to our Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ, who lived to serve us, and died to save us."
On the 28th, he writes to his brother Abbott, who had had tendered to him, by General Taylor, the office of Secretary of the Navy:
"Dear Brother: I have heard since noon that you have the invitation of General Taylor to take a seat in his cabinet, and that you will proceed to Washington forthwith to answer for yourself. I am not less gratified by the offer than you can be; but I should feel deep anguish, if I thought you could be induced to accept it, even for a brief period. Your name and fame as a private citizen is a better inheritance for your children than any distinction you may attain from official station; and the influence you can exercise for your country and friends, as you are, is higher and better than any you can exercise as an official of the government."
On March 3, he writes to his brother at Washington:
"I awoke this morning very early, and, after a while, fixed my mind in prayer to God, that your duty may be clearly seen, and that you may perform it in the spirit of a true disciple."
And again on March 5, after hearing that his brother had declined the proffered seat in the cabinet, he writes to him:
"The morning papers confirm my convictions of what you would do; and I do most heartily rejoice, and say that I never felt as proud before."
"April 11.—A subscription paper, with an introductory letter from ——, was handed me, on which were seven or eight names for a hundred dollars each, to aid the family of ——, lately deceased. Not having any acquaintance with him or family, I did not subscribe. Applications come in from all quarters, for all objects. The reputation of giving freely is a very bad reputation, so far as my personal comfort is concerned."
April 21, he writes to a friend:
"The matters of deepest interest in my last were ——, the religious movement, ——'s ill-health, and ——'s accident. All these matters are presenting a sunny show now. Our dead Unitarianism of ten or fifteen years ago is stirred up, and the deep feelings of sin, and salvation through the Beloved, are awakened, where there seemed to be nothing but indifference and coldness; my hope and belief are that great good will follow. In the matter of the enjoyment of life, you judge me rightly; few men have so many and rich blessings to be thankful for; and, while I am spared with sufficient understanding to comprehend these, I pray that I may have the honesty to use them in the way that the Master will approve. Of what use will it be to have my thoughts directed to the increase of my property, at the cost of my hopes of heaven? There, a Lazarus is better off than a score of Dives. Pray without ceasing, that I may be faithful."
The following extract of a letter is taken from a work entitled "A Romance of the Sea-Serpent, or the Ichthyosaurus," and will show Mr. Lawrence's views respecting the much contested subject of which it treats:
"Boston, April 26, 1849.
"I have never had any doubt of the existence of the Sea-Serpent since the morning he was seen off Nahant by Martial Prince, through his famous mast-head spy-glass. For, within the next two hours, I conversed with Mr. Samuel Cabot, and Mr. Daniel P. Parker, I think, and one or more persons beside, who had spent a part of that morning in witnessing his movements. In addition, Colonel Harris, the commander at Fort Independence, told me that the creature had been seen by a number of his soldiers while standing sentry in the early dawn, some time before this show at Nahant; and Colonel Harris believed it as firmly as though the creature were drawn up before us in State-street, where we then were.
"I again say, I have never, from that day to this, had a doubt of the Sea-Serpent's existence. The revival of the stories will bring out many facts that will place the matter before our people in such a light as will make them as much ashamed to doubt, as they formerly were to believe in its existence.
"Yours truly,
Amos Lawrence."
To a friend he writes, July 18:
"Brother A. has received the place of Minister to the Court of St. James; the most flattering testimony of his worth and character that is within the gift of the present administration, and the only office that I would not advise against his accepting."
About this time, Mr. Lawrence read a small work, entitled "Life in Earnest," by the Rev. James Hamilton, D.D., Minister of the Scotch Church, Regent's Square, London. The sentiments of this little volume were so much akin to his own, and were withal so forcibly exemplified, that he commenced a correspondence with the author, which became a most interesting one, and continued until the close of his life.
"Boston, July 18, 1849.
"To Rev. J. Hamilton, D.D.
"Sir: The few lines on the other side of this sheet are addressed to me by our excellent governor, whose good word may be grateful to you, coming as it does from a Christian brother across the Atlantic. If it should ever happen to you to visit this country, I need not say how great would be my pleasure to see you. I am a minute-man, living by the day and by the ounce; but am compensated for all privations, by reading such tracts as 'Life in Earnest,' in such a way that few are allowed. I have cleared out the Sunday-school depository three times in the last four weeks, and have scattered the work broadcast, and intend to continue to do so if my health allows. Among those to whom I have given one is my younger brother, who is soon to be with you in England, as Minister to your Court. I recommend him to your prayers and your confidence.
"With great respect for your character, I am yours,
"Amos Lawrence."
"July 23.—We are to have Father Matthew here to-morrow: he is a lion, but I probably shall only see him at a distance. The influence he is said to have upon his Irish people may result in making many of them industrious citizens, who would, without him, be criminals, and a pest to honest people. The evil of such masses being thrown upon us we must bear, and study how to relieve ourselves in any practicable way. I see none but to educate the children, and circulate the Bible and good books among them, which shall encourage them to do the best they can for themselves.
"The Christian banner may have many local influences and teachings; but its broad folds, I trust, will cover many true followers, however exact its worldly interpreters may be of what constitutes a true follower. I saw, in the New York Observer (I think it was), a statement of a district in the South-west, where were forty-one Christian denominations, and no two of whose ministers could exchange pulpit labors. Do not these people need a Christian teacher?"
"August 3.—Father Matthew is doing a good work here; and the result of his power is in his benevolent and sincere expression, and charming head and face. He has called to see me twice, and I intend to call and see him to-morrow. His ease and eloquence could not do for him what his heavenly expression does."