Chapter XXIX

SYSTEM IN ACCOUNTS.--LETTER FROM PROF. STUART.--LETTERS.--DIARY.--DR. HAMILTON.--FATHER MATTHEW.

"_January 1, 1849._--THE habit of keeping an account of my
expenditures for objects other than for my family, and for
strictly legal calls, I have found exceedingly convenient and
satisfactory; as I have been sometimes encouraged, by looking
back to some entry of aid to a needy institution or individual,
to do twice as much for some other needy institution or
individual. I can truly say, that I deem these outlays my best,
and would not, if I could by a wish, have any of them back again.
I adopted the practice, ten years ago, of spending my income. The
more I give, the more I have; and do most devoutly and heartily
pray God that I may be faithful in the use of the good things
intrusted to me."

"_January 2._--Yesterday, Peter C. Brooks died, aged eighty-two;
a man who has minded his own business through life, and from a
poor boy became the richest man in the city. I honor him as an
honest man."

(FROM PROF. STUART, OF ANDOVER.)

"ANDOVER, January 23, 1849.

"MY DEAR SIR: Soon after my daughter's return from Boston, I
received a garment exceedingly appropriate to the severe cold to
which I am daily exposed in my rides. Many, many hearty thanks
for your kindness! To me the article in question is of peculiar
value. The cold can hardly penetrate beneath such a garment. God
has blessed you with wealth; but he has given you a richer
blessing still; that is, a heart overflowing with kindness to
your fellow-beings, and a willingness to do good to all as you
have opportunity. I accept, with warm emotions of gratitude and
thankfulness, the kindness you have done to me. I would not
exchange your gift for a large lump of the California gold. Be
assured you have my fervent prayer and wishes, that you may at
last receive a thousand-fold for all the kindness that you have
shown to your fellow-men. You and I are near our final account.
May I not hope that this will also be entering on our final
reward? I do hope this; I must hope it. What else is there in
life that can make us patiently and submissively and calmly
endure its ills? God Almighty bless and sustain and guide and
comfort you until death; and then may you pass through the dark
valley without a fear, cheerfully looking to what lies beyond it!

"I am, my dear sir, with sincere gratitude, your friend and
obedient servant,

MOSES STUART."

To President Hopkins he writes, Jan. 3:

"Your letters always bring light to our path, and joy to our
hearts, in one way or another. The two last seemed to come at the
very time to do both, in a way to impress our senses and
feelings, as the clear heavens, and brilliant sky, and
exhilarating atmosphere, of this charming cold day, do mine, in
contrast with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on my table as a
love-token from some of my young sleigh-riding friends, and which
makes me feel a boy with these boys, and an old man with such
wise ones as you.

"In the scenes of the past year, much that will mark its
character stands out in bold relief; and, if we of this country
are true to our principles, the great brotherhood of man will be
elevated; for there have been overturns and overturns which will
act until He whose right it is shall reign. If we live up to our
political professions, our Protestant religion will elevate the
millions who will be brought under our levelling process. 'Level
up,' but not down, was Judge Story's maxim of democratic
levelling, as he began his political career. In the business of
levelling up, the Lawrence Academy, I trust, may do something.
The late notices of it have been somewhat various by the
newspaper editors to whom the preceptor sent catalogues."

* * * * *

"_February 25._--Attended Brattle-street Church this morning, and
heard a consolatory sermon; and, at the closing prayer, the
giving of thanks to our Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ,
who lived to serve us, and died to save us."

On the 28th, he writes to his brother Abbott, who had had tendered to him, by General Taylor, the office of Secretary of the Navy:

"DEAR BROTHER: I have heard since noon that you have the
invitation of General Taylor to take a seat in his cabinet, and
that you will proceed to Washington forthwith to answer for
yourself. I am not less gratified by the offer than you can be;
but I should feel deep anguish, if I thought you could be induced
to accept it, even for a brief period. Your name and fame as a
private citizen is a better inheritance for your children than
any distinction you may attain from official station; and the
influence you can exercise for your country and friends, as you
are, is higher and better than any you can exercise as an
official of the government."

On March 3, he writes to his brother at Washington:

"I awoke this morning very early, and, after a while, fixed my
mind in prayer to God, that your duty may be clearly seen, and
that you may perform it in the spirit of a true disciple."

And again on March 5, after hearing that his brother had declined the proffered seat in the cabinet, he writes to him:

"The morning papers confirm my convictions of what you would do;
and I do most heartily rejoice, and say that I never felt as
proud before."

* * * * *

"_April 11._--A subscription paper, with an introductory letter
from ----, was handed me, on which were seven or eight names for
a hundred dollars each, to aid the family of ----, lately
deceased. Not having any acquaintance with him or family, I did
not subscribe. Applications come in from all quarters, for all
objects. The reputation of giving freely is a very bad
reputation, so far as my personal comfort is concerned."

April 21, he writes to a friend:

"The matters of deepest interest in my last were ----, the
religious movement, ----'s ill-health, and ----'s accident. All
these matters are presenting a sunny show now. Our dead
Unitarianism of ten or fifteen years ago is stirred up, and the
deep feelings of sin, and salvation through the Beloved, are
awakened, where there seemed to be nothing but indifference and
coldness; my hope and belief are that great good will follow. In
the matter of the enjoyment of life, you judge me rightly; few
men have so many and rich blessings to be thankful for; and,
while I am spared with sufficient understanding to comprehend
these, I pray that I may have the honesty to use them in the way
that the Master will approve. Of what use will it be to have my
thoughts directed to the increase of my property, at the cost of
my hopes of heaven? There, a Lazarus is better off than a score
of Dives. Pray without ceasing, that I may be faithful."

The following extract of a letter is taken from a work entitled "A Romance of the Sea-Serpent, or the Ichthyosaurus," and will show Mr. Lawrence's views respecting the much contested subject of which it treats:

"BOSTON, April 26, 1849.

"I have never had any doubt of the existence of the _Sea-Serpent_
since the morning he was seen off Nahant by Martial Prince,
through his famous mast-head spy-glass. For, within the next two
hours, I conversed with Mr. Samuel Cabot, and Mr. Daniel P.
Parker, I think, and one or more persons beside, who had spent a
part of that morning in witnessing his movements. In addition,
Colonel Harris, the commander at Fort Independence, told me that
the creature had been seen by a number of his soldiers while
standing sentry in the early dawn, some time before this show at
Nahant; and Colonel Harris believed it as firmly as though the
creature were drawn up before us in State-street, where we then
were.

"I again say, I have never, from that day to this, had a doubt of
the _Sea-Serpent's existence_. The revival of the stories will
bring out many facts that will place the matter before our people
in such a light as will make them _as much ashamed_ to doubt, as
_they formerly_ were to believe in its existence.

"Yours truly,
AMOS LAWRENCE."

To a friend he writes, July 18:

"Brother A. has received the place of Minister to the Court of
St. James; the most flattering testimony of his worth and
character that is within the gift of the present administration,
and the only office that I would not advise against his
accepting."

About this time, Mr. Lawrence read a small work, entitled "Life in Earnest," by the Rev. James Hamilton, D.D., Minister of the Scotch Church, Regent's Square, London. The sentiments of this little volume were so much akin to his own, and were withal so forcibly exemplified, that he commenced a correspondence with the author, which became a most interesting one, and continued until the close of his life.

"BOSTON, July 18, 1849.

"TO REV. J. HAMILTON, D.D.

"SIR: The few lines on the other side of this sheet are addressed
to me by our excellent governor, whose good word may be grateful
to you, coming as it does from a Christian brother across the
Atlantic. If it should ever happen to you to visit this country,
I need not say how great would be my pleasure to see you. I am a
minute-man, living by the day and by the ounce; but am
compensated for all privations, by reading such tracts as 'Life
in Earnest,' in such a way that few are allowed. I have cleared
out the Sunday-school depository three times in the last four
weeks, and have scattered the work broadcast, and intend to
continue to do so if my health allows. Among those to whom I have
given one is my younger brother, who is soon to be with you in
England, as Minister to your Court. I recommend him to your
prayers and your confidence.

"With great respect for your character, I am yours,

"AMOS LAWRENCE."

"_July 23._--We are to have Father Matthew here to-morrow: he is
a lion, but I probably shall only see him at a distance. The
influence he is said to have upon his Irish people may result in
making many of them industrious citizens, who would, without him,
be criminals, and a pest to honest people. The evil of such
masses being thrown upon us we must bear, and study how to
relieve ourselves in any practicable way. I see none but to
educate the children, and circulate the Bible and good books
among them, which shall encourage them to do the best they can
for themselves.

"The Christian banner may have many local influences and
teachings; but its broad folds, I trust, will cover many true
followers, however exact its worldly interpreters may be of what
constitutes a true follower. I saw, in the _New York Observer_ (I
think it was), a statement of a district in the South-west, where
were forty-one Christian denominations, and no two of whose
ministers could exchange pulpit labors. Do not these people need
a Christian teacher?"

"_August 3_.--Father Matthew is doing a good work here; and the
result of his power is in his benevolent and sincere expression,
and charming head and face. He has called to see me twice, and I
intend to call and see him to-morrow. His ease and eloquence
could not do for him what his heavenly expression does."