‘You and I are undoubtedly related by birth; and although we were both “born in humble obscurity,” yet I presume neither of us have any cause to regret that circumstance. If I could ever suppose that family pride was in any case excusable, I should think a descent from a line of virtuous independent New England farmers, for one hundred and sixty years, was a better foundation for it, than a descent through royal or titled scoundrels ever since the flood.’
With the learned Bishop Gregoire, whose name is familiar in our country as well as his own, her correspondence continued many years. The congeniality of their labors in the cause of the Jews, as well as general philanthropy, had made them acquainted with each other. With Mr Cunningham, also, Vicar of Harrow, and author of ‘The World without Souls,’ she exchanged letters. From Miss More she received several, all of which she most highly prized. The late Mrs Catharine Cappe was among her correspondents; nor can we omit to mention her letters from the amiable, and distinguished Swedenborgian, Mr Hill. There is one also among her papers from the venerable Bishop Carroll, in reply to a letter of hers addressed to him. It is with no narrow feeling we mention names like these. We ask not their sect or country. They belong to the great family of mankind, and we claim affinity as a rightful inheritance.
The strength of Miss Adams’s natural affection was proportionate to her social ties. Of her only remaining sister, and to whom her memoir is bequeathed in the ‘humble hope that it may be a pecuniary benefit to her,’ she often spoke with deep and irrepressible feeling. She sometimes projected plans, by which she might have enjoyed more of the society of her nieces; but she submitted to the necessity which separated her from her relatives without a murmur. One of her nieces was adopted, and educated by a lady, who fell a victim to consumption in the prime of life. Here recollection lingers for a moment. Impelled by a powerful sense of duty, this lady quitted her nearest friend, and sought, in the milder climate of Italy, that health and freedom of respiration which were denied her here. She was able to derive much enjoyment from her short residence in a land that abounded with objects congenial to her taste; but only lived to return, and yield her last breath in her native country.
As Miss Adams has mentioned her works in her memoir, in the order in which they were written, it is unnecessary to say more of them. They have been reviewed, and weighed, by a candid public; and met at the time the wants of the different departments in which they were written. Her History of New England was a pioneer to many similar works that followed. There is, however, one work of hers, published in 1804, which is less known. It is entitled, ‘The Truth and Excellence of the Christian Religion exhibited.’ This work contains interesting, and short sketches of the lives of eminent laymen, who have written in defence of the Christian religion, with extracts from their writings. The characters are selected with judgment and taste, and every circumstance is omitted that does not aid her purpose. From the preface to ‘The Truth and Excellence of the Christian Religion,’ written by the author, we select one passage. ‘In order to prevent any misrepresentation of the design of this compilation, it may be proper to inform the reader, that these great names, and the testimonies they have given of their firm belief of the truth of Christianity, are not adduced to justify a reliance upon human authority, or to establish the divinity of the christian system; but the evidences of revealed religion are still submitted to, and boldly challenge, the strictest scrutiny, by the known and established rules of right reason.’ In connexion with this idea, she quotes the following lines from Cowper.
‘“Philosophy baptized
In the pure fountain of eternal love,
Has eyes indeed; and, viewing all she sees,
As meant to indicate a God to man,
Gives him the praise, and forfeits not her own.”’
The order and systematic arrangement of this work is excellent. It was principally intended for the use of young persons; and the characters selected are not wanting in that sort of interest, which is suited to make them attractive to the young. The following anecdote is there related of Grotius.