"I will not attempt to express to you in words my pleasure in receiving your letter of Feb. 15, with its accompaniments. The lecture delivered to the young men on the 4th of February, although designated by you as a fragment, I sent to my friend, with a copy of your letter, asking him whether he would advise its publication, and whether he would scatter it with its predecessor; and, if so, I would pay the expense. His answer you have here, and I have the pleasure of saying that the 'Fragment' will be ready to circulate by thousands the present week; and, when you shall have added your further comments upon Solomon and his works, our American Tract Society will be ready to publish the whole by hundreds of thousands, I trust, thus enabling you to preach through our whole country. The Memoir of Lady Colquhon is a precious jewel, which I shall keep among my treasures to leave my descendants. I had previously purchased a number of copies of the American edition, and scattered them among my friends, so that there is great interest to see your copy sent me. The part of your letter which touched my heart most was that in which you speak of my brother Abbott, and say of him that 'no foreign minister is such a favorite with the British public.' It brought him before me like a daguerreotype likeness, through every period of his life for fifty years. First, as the guiding spirit of the boys of our neighborhood, in breaking through the deep snow-drifts which often blocked up the roads in winter; then as my apprentice in the city; and, in a few years, as the young military champion, to watch night and day, under arms, on the point of Bunker Hill nearest the ocean, the movements of a British fleet lying within four or five miles of him, and threatening the storming of Boston; then, soon after, as embarking in the very first ship for England, after the close of the war, to purchase goods, which were received here in eighty-three days after he sailed. Since that time, our firm has never been changed, except by adding '& Co.,' when other partners were admitted. He has been making his way to the people's respect and affection from that time to this, and now fills the only public station I would not have protested against his accepting, feeling that place cannot impart grace. My prayers ascend continually for him, that he may do his work under the full impression that he must give an account to Him whose eye is constantly upon him, and whose 'Well done' will be infinitely better than all things else. I believe he is awakening an interest to learn more about this country; and the people will be amazed to see what opportunities are here enjoyed for happiness for the great mass. What we most fear is that ignorance which will bring everything down to its own level, instead of that true knowledge, which shall level up the lowest places, now inundated with foreign emigrants. Our duty is plain; and, if we do not educate and elevate this class of our people they will change our system of government within fifty years. Virtue and intelligence are the basis of this government; and the duty of all good men is to keep it pure. * * *
"And now, my friend, what can I say that will influence you to come here, and enjoy with me the beautiful scenes upon and around our Mount Zion?
"With the highest respect and affection, I am most truly yours,
"Amos Lawrence.
"P. S.—Mrs. L. desires me to present to you and your lady her most respectful regard, with the assurance that your writings are very precious to her. She is a granddaughter to a clergyman of your 'Kirk,' and enjoys much its best writings."
To the same gentleman he writes soon after:
"And now let me speak about the 'Royal Preacher.'[14] I expected much, but not so much as I found in it. We, on this side the Atlantic, thank you; and the pictures of some of our own great men are drawn to the life, although their history and character could not have been in your eye. Truth is the same now as in Solomon's time; and it is surprising that the mass of men do not see and acknowledge that 'the saint is greater than the sage, and discipleship to Jesus the pinnacle of human dignity.' I have had, this morning, two calls, from different sections of our Union, for your 'Life in Earnest,' 'Literary Attractions of the Bible,' 'Solomon,' 'Redeemed in Glory,' &c., which I responded to with hearty good-will. Some of the books will go out of the country many thousand miles, and will do good. I must shake hands with you across the Atlantic, if you can't 'screw up' your courage to come here, and bid you God-speed in all your broad plans for the good of your fellow-men.
"I have a great respect for deep religious feelings, even when I cannot see as my friends do; and therefore pray God to clear away, in his good time, all that is now dark and veiled.
"It is time for me to say farewell."
[CHAPTER XXXIV.]
SIR T. F. BUXTON.—LETTER FROM LADY BUXTON.—ELLIOTT CRESSON.—LETTERS.
After the death of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Mr. Lawrence had read what had been published respecting his life and character, and had formed an exalted opinion of his labors in behalf of the African race. A small volume had been issued, entitled "A Study for Young Men, or a Sketch of Sir T. F. Buxton," by Rev. T. Binney, of London. Mr. Lawrence had purchased and circulated large numbers of this work, which recorded the deeds of one upon whom he considered the mantle of Wilberforce to have fallen; and, through a mutual friend, he had been made known to Lady Buxton, who writes to him as follows:
"Very, very grateful am I for your love for him, and, through him, to me and my children. I desire that you may be enriched by all spiritual blessings; and that, through languor and illness and infirmity, the Lord may bless and prosper you and the work of your hands. I beg your acceptance of the third edition, in the large octavo, of the memoir of Sir Fowell."
Those who have read the memoir referred to will remember the writer, before her marriage, as Miss Hannah Gurney, a member of that distinguished family of Friends of which Mrs. Fry was the elder sister. During the remaining short period of Mr. Lawrence's life, a pleasant correspondence was kept up, from which a few extracts will hereafter be given.