5. May our laws be supported by religion: but may religion never be supported by law.
6. White-robed Charity: May she accompany us in all our steps and cover us with a mantle of love.
7. Christians of all denominations: May they "love one another."
As it was a "feast of reason" the purest philanthrophy dignified the conversation; and moderation and temperance bounded every effusion of the heart.
It was in the summer of 1797 that he carried forward his work on Phlogiston, alluded to on p. 81. He understood quite well that the entire chemical world was against him but he was not able to find good reasons
to despair of the old system.
It must be remembered that in these days, also, he had Thomas Cooper with him. With this gentleman he discussed his scientific studies and with him also he carried on many arguments upon the burning subject of infidelity, about which he continuously wrote his friends in this country and in England. It was quite generally believed that
Cooper was an infidel. Never, however, did their intimacy suffer in the slightest by their conflicting views.
The Church History continued to hold Priestley's first thought. He was a busy student, occupied with a diversity of interests and usually cheerful and eager to follow up new lines of endeavor. The arrival of vessels from the home country was closely watched. Books and apparatus were brought by them. While, as observed, he was singularly cheerful and happy, he confessed at times that
my character as a philosopher is under a cloud.