"December 17.—Thirty-nine years have passed since my first entry in this book; and, in reviewing this period, I have abundant reason to bless God for his great mercies, and especially for continuing us four brothers, engaged as we have been in business, an unbroken band to this day, and for the success attending our labors. We have been blessed more than most men, and have the power, by our right use of these blessings, of benefiting our fellow-men. God grant that the spirits of our parents may be cheered in their heavenly home by our doing the work here that we ought to do! To my descendants I commend this memorial, with the prayer that they may each of them be better than I am." * * *
"Fifteen years hence, and the chief interest in us will be found in our Mount Auburn enclosure; and we ought to look well to the comment."
As an expression of the feeling here referred to, he purchased a gold box of beautiful workmanship, and forwarded it to his youngest brother, then a resident of Lowell, with the following inscription engraven upon it:
"BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL
TOGETHER IN UNITY!"
T O S A M U E L L A W R E N C E,
FROM
HIS BROTHER AMOS.
"December 19.—Rode to-day to the Asylum for the Blind with Major Arthur Lawrence, of the Rifle Brigade, British Army, and had a very interesting visit. Dr. Howe very attentive; and Laura Bridgman and Oliver Caswell both appeared well."
"December 27.—Rev. Mr. Rogers said to-day, 'Gold is not the coin of heaven: if it had been, Christ would have been rich; but he was a poor man.'"
"January 1, 1847.—In July last, I had spent the advance of my income, but am thankful now to be able to state the case differently, being in the receipt of ample means to be a comfort to the needy."
From the various entries quoted in his Diary, it will be inferred that Mr. Lawrence's means for charitable distribution varied considerably in amount from year to year. To explain this difference, it may not be amiss to state here, that he had, from the first efforts to establish home manufactures in New England, taken a deep interest in their success, and had consequently invested a large proportion of his property in the various manufacturing corporations which had been built up in Lowell and other towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The great fluctuations in this department of industry are known to every one; for, while the returns of one year would be ample, those of the next year would, from embarrassments in the commercial world, or from some other cause, be little or nothing.
"January 8.—T. R. and S. J., two Englishmen in the employ of J. C., mended our pump to-day. I gave them some books and a word of counsel, and hope to observe their progress."
"February 15.—T. J. called, and is to embark to-morrow, on his way to the war in Mexico. He asked me to give him money to buy a pistol, which I declined, as I could not wish them success in Mexico; but gave him some books, a Bible, and good counsel."
During the month of February, an appeal was made to the citizens of Boston in behalf of the famished population of Ireland, and resulted in the sending to that country a large quantity of food and clothing. Mr. Lawrence contributed himself towards the object, and, as was often the case, endeavored to interest others equally with himself. On the 24th of that month, he addressed a note to J. A. Stearns, Esq., Principal of the Mather School, at South Boston, for the pupils of his school composing the Lawrence Association. This Association, comprising a large number of boys and girls, had been formed for moral and intellectual improvement, and had been named in honor of Mr. Lawrence, who had, from its commencement, taken a deep interest in its success, and had often contributed books and money when needed.
"Wednesday, March 2.
"My Friends: The value of the offering to suffering Ireland from our city will be enhanced by the numbers contributing, as the offering will do more good as an expression of sympathy than as a matter of relief. The spirit of dear R. seems to speak through your 'Oak Leaf,'[11] and to say, 'Let all who will of the Association subscribe a half-dollar each, and all others a quarter each, for their suffering brethren, and children of a common Father.'
A. L.
"P. S.—The purses were presents to me, and must be returned. One of them from the lady of Sir John Strachan, herself a descendant of one of our Boston girls; the two open-work ones from ladies in this city. Take from them what is required, and return the balance, if any be left. If more is required, let me know, as I do not know the amount in the purses.
"A. L."
One hundred and two members of the Association, and four hundred and thirty-eight other members of the school, in all five hundred and forty, availed themselves of the privilege thus offered them, and contributed the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars towards the object.