Chapter XXVIII

REFLECTIONS.--VIEWS ON HOLDING OFFICE.--LETTERS.--CAPTAIN A. SLIDELL McKENZIE.--DEATH OF BROTHER, AND OF HON. J. MASON.

"_Jan. 1, 1848._--In reviewing the scenes and the business of the
past year, I have continued evidence of that mercy which a Father
bestows on his children, and a louder call to yield more fully
than I ever yet have done to the teachings he designs. Many
things that seem dark, of which the reasons are not understood,
will be made clear at the right time. It is manifest that my
stewardship is not so far well done as to permit me to fold my
arms and feel easy. No: my life is spared for more work. May its
every day be marked by some token that shall meet Thine approval,
when the final call shall come!"

(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)

"BOSTON, March 9.

"This religious awakening among your college students is among
the blessings that our Father vouchsafes to his servants who
labor faithfully in their work; and I can see his hand as plainly
in it as though it were thrust before my face as I write this
sentence. Let us, then, bless his holy name, and thank him, as
disciples and followers of Christ the Beloved; and urge upon
these young men to come forward, as doves to their windows. If my
life and my trusteeship have been in any manner instrumental in
this good work in your college, it will be matter of grateful
thanksgiving while I live. Mrs. L. and myself both felt our
hearts drawn out to you as we read your letter; and we commend
you, and the good work of guiding these interesting young
Christians in the ways and the works that lead to that blessed
home to which our loved ones have been called, and to which we
hope to be welcomed. To his grace and guidance we commend all
things touching this onward and upward movement. I have been
under the smarting-rod a few days within the past fortnight.
Severe pain took all my courage and light-heartedness out of me,
and made me a sorry companion; and my friends, seeing me in my
every-day dress, would hardly know me in this sombre garb. Again,
dear friend, I bid you God-speed in the good work; and, at last,
may you receive the 'Well done' promised to the faithful!"

In the presidential campaign of 1848, the Hon. Abbott Lawrence was made a prominent candidate of the Whig party for the Vice-Presidency; and, in the convention which assembled at Philadelphia in June, was voted for, and received but one vote short of that which would have secured the nomination. Mr. Fillmore, it will be recollected, was the successful candidate. During the canvass, a gentleman, editing a newspaper which strongly advocated the nomination of Taylor and Lawrence, addressed a very courteous letter to Mr. Amos Lawrence, asking for aid in supporting this movement, which he supposed he would of course be deeply interested in. The reply is given here, as an illustration of his views in regard to holding high political office:

"DEAR SIR: In reply to yours, this moment handed me, I state that
my income is so reduced, thus far, this year, that I am compelled
to use prudence in the expenditure of money, and must therefore
decline making the loan. If my vote would make my brother
Vice-President, I would not give it, as I think it lowering his
good name to accept office of any sort, by employing such means
as are now needful to get votes. I hope 'Old Zack' will be
President.

"Respectfully yours,
A. L."

To President Hopkins he writes, April 15:

"What should we do, if the Bible[13] were not the foundation of
our system of self-government? and what will become of us, when
we wilfully and wickedly cast it behind us? We have all more than
common reason to pray, in the depths of our sins, God be merciful
to us sinners. The efforts made to lessen respect for it, and
confidence in it, will bring to its rescue multitudes who
otherwise would not have learned how much they owe it. The 'Age
of Reason,' fifty years ago, told, on the whole, in advancing
truth, by bringing to its support the best minds of Christendom.
I hope it may be so now. This is a theme for your head and heart
and pen. No man in New England can make a deeper mark. What say
ye? The Bible is our great charter, and does more than all
others, written or unwritten."

"W. C. writes from N., asking me to loan him three thousand
dollars to buy a farm, and to improve his health and mind;
stating that he is a cripple, but wants to do something for the
world."

"That man may last, but never lives,
Who much receives, but nothing gives,
Whom none can love, whom none can thank,
Creation's blot, creation's blank."

[13] In looking over the list of Life Directors of the American Bible
Society, made such by the payment of one hundred and fifty dollars
each, there are found at least ten who are known to have been
constituted by Mr. Lawrence.

(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)

"BOSTON, June 12, 1848

"MY DEAR FRIEND: Only think what changes a few weeks have
produced in Europe, and the probable effects upon this country.
It seems now certain that vast numbers will emigrate here, rich
and poor, from the continent and from England. The question for
us is, How shall we treat them? It is certain that foreigners
will come here. We have land enough for them, but have not the
needful discipline to make them safe associates in maintaining
our system of government. Virtue and intelligence are our
platform; but the base passions of our country have been
ministered to so abundantly by unscrupulous politicians, that our
moral sense has been blunted; and these poor, ignorant foreigners
are brought into use for selfish purposes, and the prospects for
the future are appalling. Yet a ray of light has just broken in
upon us by the nomination of General Taylor for President; and my
belief is, he is the best man for the place who can be named,
with any prospect of success. He is not a politician, but a
plain, straight-forward, honest man, anxious to do his duty in
all his relations. As to my brother's nomination for
Vice-President, I am thankful they did not make it in convention:
he is in a higher position before the country than he would be if
chosen Vice-President. His course has been elevated and
magnanimous in this matter; for he might, by his personal
influence and efforts, have received the nomination.

"ADDITIONAL.--It is now almost two, P. M., and I have but just
returned from Mount Auburn. The visit has been deeply
interesting, on many accounts, and has almost unfitted me to
finish this letter. However, there is nothing in the visit but
what ought to make me thankful that my treasures, though removed,
are secured; and, if my poor efforts can bring me again into
their society through the blessed Saviour, I ought not allow this
gush of feeling to unman me."

A few days later, he writes to the same friend:

"I have not as yet heard of the examination of yesterday at the
Lawrence Academy, which son. A. A. attended, but hope for a good
report. In truth, I feel as if that school and your college are
to go hand in hand in making whole men for generations to come.
There is a pleasant vision which opens to me when I look forward
to the characters that the academy and the college are to send
forth for the next hundred years. I bless God for my old home,
and the great elm in front, which has a teaching and a
significance that I shall endeavor to make use of in training my
grandchildren and dear ones of my family connection. How
important, then, that our places of education be sustained, as
supplying the pure and living streams that shall irrigate every
hill and valley of this vast empire, and train men to know and do
their duty! I will not quarrel with a man's Presbyterian,
Episcopal, or Baptist creed, so be he will act the part of a good
soldier of Christ; for I verily believe great multitudes, of all
creeds, desire to serve him faithfully."

"_Aug. 23._--T. G. sent me a paper this morning, having many
names on it, with a polite note. The paper I returned without
reading; telling him I did not read such, or hear stories, and
must be excused. He took the answer in high dudgeon, and sent
another note, saying he had mistaken me, and desired that his
first note should be returned. I wrote upon it that I lived by
the day and hour, an invalid, and, for two years, had adopted
this course, and had treated bishops, clergymen, and laymen, with
the fewest words; that I intended no disrespect, and begged his
pardon if I had done anything wrong. I also told him this course
was urged upon me by my medical adviser; but, with all my care,
there is now an average of six applications a day through the
year."

Mr. Lawrence had, many years previous to this date, formed an acquaintance with Captain Slidell McKenzie, of the United States Navy, which had been continued, and was a source of mutual pleasure. Among other relics in the possession of the writer, is a cane of palm-wood, presented by Capt. McKenzie, on his return from Mexico as commander of the United States Steamship "Mississippi," to Mr. Lawrence, who had caused to be engraven upon it, on a silver plate, the following inscription:

ALEXANDER SLIDELL McKENZIE TO AMOS LAWRENCE.

1845.

PALM-WOOD FROM THE BANKS OF THE TOBASCO RIVER.

FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVAL COMMANDER WHO WAS NOT AFRAID
TO DO HIS DUTY WHEN LIFE WAS REQUIRED AT THE YARD-ARM.

The latter part of the inscription is in allusion to the course which Capt. McKenzie felt obliged to adopt in the mutiny on board the United States Brig "Somers," in 184--.

On Sept. 15, he thus notices the death of that officer in his diary:

"This, morning's newspapers give the intelligence that the
excellent and accomplished Capt. McKenzie died at Sing Sing, N.
Y., two days ago. He fell from his horse by an affection of the
heart; and died almost instantly. Thus has departed a man whom I
esteemed as among the best and purest I am acquainted with, and
whose character should be a treasure for his family and the
nation. I think him a model officer and a good Christian."

* * * * *

"_Oct. 11._--

CANADIAN BOAT-SONG.

'Faintly as tolls the evening chime,
Our voices keep tune, and our oars keep time;
Soon as the woods on shore look dim,
We'll sing at St. Ann's our parting hymn.
Row, brothers, row: the stream runs fast,
The rapids are near, and daylight's past.'

I first heard this song sung and played on the piano by ----,
afterwards Mrs. ----, at her house in ---- street, in 1809. The
song rang in my ears sweetly for weeks, as I was taken down with
fever the next morning. I never think of it but with delight."

"_Oct. 15._--My brother William died on Saturday, Oct. 14, at
three, P. M., in the sixty-sixth year of his age; and my brother
Mason died only five hours afterwards, in his eighty-first
year,--within three doors of each other. Both were very dear to
me in life, and both are very dear to me in death; and, in God's
good time, I trust that I shall meet them again, not subject to
the ills and changes of my present abode."

In a letter of the same date to a friend, he says:

"My letter of last Tuesday will have prepared you for the sad
intelligence in this. Brother William continued without much
suffering or consciousness till two o'clock yesterday, and then
ceased breathing, without a groan. Yesterday morning, the hand of
death was manifestly upon Brother Mason, who was conscious to
objects around, and requested C. to pray with him; and, when
asked if he understood what was said, answered, 'Yes,' and
expressed by words and signs his wants and feelings. He continued
in a quiet, humble, and hopeful frame, we judge, until just eight
o'clock, when, with a single gasp and a slight noise, his mighty
spirit passed out of its immense citadel of clay, to join the
throng of the loved ones gone before. Brother W. was in his
sixty-sixth year, Brother M. in his eighty-first; and both were
such men as we need, true as steel in all good works and words.
Mr. M. was never sick a day to disable him from attending to his
professional and public duties in fifty years, and, until within
a short time, never confined a day to his house by illness. On
the last Sunday evening, I passed a most refreshing half-hour
with him. He appeared as well as he had done for a year; inquired
very particularly into Brother W.'s state; expressed the opinion
that his own time was near at hand, and a hope that he might be
taken without losing his mental and bodily powers. He remarked
that protracted old age, after the loss of power to give and
receive comfort, was not to be desired. He has often expressed
to me the hope that he should be taken just as he has been. Have
we not reason to praise and bless God in taking, no less than in
sparing, these honored and loved ones?"