On the first of January, 1850, Mr. Lawrence, as usual, reviews, in his property-book, the state of his affairs during the preceding year, with an estimate of his expenditures. The entry for the present year is as follows:
"The amount of my expenditures for all objects (taxes included) is about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. I consider the money well spent, and pray God constantly that I may be watchful in the use of the blessings he bestows, so that at last he may admit me among the faithful that surround his throne."
"The amount of my expenditures for all objects (taxes included) is about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. I consider the money well spent, and pray God constantly that I may be watchful in the use of the blessings he bestows, so that at last he may admit me among the faithful that surround his throne."
The above entry will give some idea of the fidelity with which his trusts had been fulfilled, so far as regarded his worldly possessions. Each year, as it rolled by, as well as each successive attack of illness, seemed only to stimulate him in his efforts to accomplish what he could while the day lasted. No anxious fears disturbed him as he looked forward to the near approach of "that night when no man can work."That night to him was but a prelude of rest from bodily weakness and suffering, and the forerunner of a brighter day, of which, even in this world, he was sometimes permitted to obtain a glimpse. He says:
"My own health and strength seem renewed. That cholera attack has changed the whole man; and it is only now and then I am brought to a pause that quickens me in my work when again started. A week since, I ventured on two ounces of solid food for my dinner, differing from what I have taken for many years. Nine hours after, in my sleep, I fainted, and was brought to life by dear N. standing over me, giving ammonia, rubbing, and the like. Fasting the day following brought me back to the usual vigor and enjoyments. Do you not see in this the sentence, 'Do with thy might what thy hand findeth to do,' stereotyped in large letters before me. This it is that brings me to the work at this hour in the morning.""March 24.—Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Hallock, Secretary of the American Tract Society, saying that the Society will publish Dr. Hamilton's lecture on the literary attractions of the Bible, which I had sent them a few weeks since; and will supply me with two thousand copies, as I requested."Received also, this morning, another tract of Dr. H. from sister K., in London; called the 'Happy Home,' which finished that series to the working people. After reading this number, I feel a strong desire to see the preceding nine numbers."
"My own health and strength seem renewed. That cholera attack has changed the whole man; and it is only now and then I am brought to a pause that quickens me in my work when again started. A week since, I ventured on two ounces of solid food for my dinner, differing from what I have taken for many years. Nine hours after, in my sleep, I fainted, and was brought to life by dear N. standing over me, giving ammonia, rubbing, and the like. Fasting the day following brought me back to the usual vigor and enjoyments. Do you not see in this the sentence, 'Do with thy might what thy hand findeth to do,' stereotyped in large letters before me. This it is that brings me to the work at this hour in the morning."
"March 24.—Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Hallock, Secretary of the American Tract Society, saying that the Society will publish Dr. Hamilton's lecture on the literary attractions of the Bible, which I had sent them a few weeks since; and will supply me with two thousand copies, as I requested.
"Received also, this morning, another tract of Dr. H. from sister K., in London; called the 'Happy Home,' which finished that series to the working people. After reading this number, I feel a strong desire to see the preceding nine numbers."
(TO THE REV. JAMES HAMILTON, D.D.)"Boston, March 24, 1850."Rev. and dear Sir: I need not repeat to you how deeply interesting all your writings which I have seen have been to me;but you may not feel indifferent to the fact that the lecture you delivered four months ago, on the literary attractions of the Bible (which I received from my sister, Mrs. Abbott Lawrence, a few weeks since), is now in process of republication by the American Tract Society, agreeably to my request. I hope to assist in scattering it broadcast over our broad land; and thus you will be speaking from your own desk, with the speed of light, to an audience from Passamaquoddy to Oregon. Will you do me the favor to give me a copy of 'Happy Home,' from which I may teach my children and grandchildren."Respectfully your friend, and brother in Christ,"Amos Lawrence."
(TO THE REV. JAMES HAMILTON, D.D.)
"Boston, March 24, 1850.
"Rev. and dear Sir: I need not repeat to you how deeply interesting all your writings which I have seen have been to me;but you may not feel indifferent to the fact that the lecture you delivered four months ago, on the literary attractions of the Bible (which I received from my sister, Mrs. Abbott Lawrence, a few weeks since), is now in process of republication by the American Tract Society, agreeably to my request. I hope to assist in scattering it broadcast over our broad land; and thus you will be speaking from your own desk, with the speed of light, to an audience from Passamaquoddy to Oregon. Will you do me the favor to give me a copy of 'Happy Home,' from which I may teach my children and grandchildren.
"Respectfully your friend, and brother in Christ,"Amos Lawrence."
(TO A COUNTRY CLERGYMAN (ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL).)"Boston, May 16, 1850."Rev. and dear Sir: I make no apology in asking your acceptance of the above, as I am quite sure it cannot come amiss to a poor clergyman, situated as you are. I pray that you will feel, in using it, you cheer my labors, and make me more happy while I am able to enjoy life, in thus sending an occasional remembrancer to one for whom I have always felt the highest respect and esteem.Your friend,"Amos Lawrence."
(TO A COUNTRY CLERGYMAN (ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL).)
"Boston, May 16, 1850.
"Rev. and dear Sir: I make no apology in asking your acceptance of the above, as I am quite sure it cannot come amiss to a poor clergyman, situated as you are. I pray that you will feel, in using it, you cheer my labors, and make me more happy while I am able to enjoy life, in thus sending an occasional remembrancer to one for whom I have always felt the highest respect and esteem.
Your friend,
"Amos Lawrence."
The above letter contained a draft for one hundred dollars, of which Mr. Lawrence makes the following memorandum, dated on the 18th:
"Mr. —— acknowledges the above letter in very grateful terms, being what his pressing wants require."
"Mr. —— acknowledges the above letter in very grateful terms, being what his pressing wants require."
In a letter to President Hopkins, dated June 22, Mr. Lawrence says:
"If I cannot visit you bodily, as I had vainly hoped to do, I can convince you that the life and hope of younger days are still in me. Your parting word touched me to the quick, and I cannot repeat or read it without a sympathetic tear filling my own eye. I am not able to stand up; but am cheered by the hope that, before many weeks, I may be able to stand alone. Our good friend Governor Briggs called to see me this week, and was quite horrified to see me trundled about on a hospital chair; however, after a good talk, he concluded that what was cut off from the lower works was added to the upper, and the account in my favor. It has always been so with me; the dark places have been made clear at the right time; so I am no object of pity."
"If I cannot visit you bodily, as I had vainly hoped to do, I can convince you that the life and hope of younger days are still in me. Your parting word touched me to the quick, and I cannot repeat or read it without a sympathetic tear filling my own eye. I am not able to stand up; but am cheered by the hope that, before many weeks, I may be able to stand alone. Our good friend Governor Briggs called to see me this week, and was quite horrified to see me trundled about on a hospital chair; however, after a good talk, he concluded that what was cut off from the lower works was added to the upper, and the account in my favor. It has always been so with me; the dark places have been made clear at the right time; so I am no object of pity."
The lameness here mentioned was caused by a slight sprain of the ankle, but was followed by great prostration of the bodily strength, and a feeble state of all the functions, resulting in that vitiated state of the blood called by physicians "purpura." Violent hemorrhages from the nose succeeded; and these, with the intense heat of the weather, so reduced his strength, that the only hope of recovery seemed to be in removing him from the city to the bracing air of the sea-shore. Towards the end of July, he was accordingly removed upon a mattress to the house of his son, at Nahant; and, from the moment he came within the influence of the fresh sea-breeze, he began to recover his spirits and his strength. A day or two after reaching Nahant, he received from his friend, the Rev. Dr. Sharp, the following letter, which is so characteristic, and remindsone so forcibly of the calm and staid manner of that venerable man, that it is given entire:
"Boston, July 30, 1850."My very dear Friend: It was with deep regret I learned, on Friday last, that you were quite unwell, and at Nahant. It was in my mind yesterday morning to visit you; nothing prevented me but an apprehension that it might be deemed inexpedient to admit any one to your sick room, except your own family. But, although I have not seen you in person since your last sickness, yet I have been with you in spirit. I have felt exceedingly sad at the probability of your earthly departure. Seldom as we have seen each other, your friendship has been precious to me; and, to say nothing of your dear family, your continuance in life is of great importance to that large family of humanity, the poor, who have so often participated in your bounty. Indeed, as we cannot well spare you, I rather cherish the hope that, in his good providence, God will continue you to us a little longer. But, whatever may be the issue of your present illness, I trust that you, with all your friends, will be enabled to say, 'The will of the Lord be done.' If he 'lives the longest who answers life's great end,' your life, compared with most, has not been short. Not that any of us have done more than our duty. Nay, we have all come short, and may say, with all modesty and truthfulness, we are unprofitable servants; although, in some respects, and to our fellow-beings, we may have been profitable. I trust, my dear friend, you are looking for the mercy of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life. Death is not an eternal sleep; no, it is the gate to life. It opens up a blessed immortality to all who, in this world, have feared God and wrought righteousness. This world is aprobationary state; if we have been faithful, in some humble degree, to our convictions of duty; if we have regretted our follies and sins; if we have sought to do the will of our heavenly Father, and sought forgiveness through the mediation of his Son,—God will receive us to his heavenly glory. I believe, in his own good time, he will receive you, my very dear friend; although my prayer is, with submission, that he will restore you to comfortable health, and allow you to remain with us a little longer. May God be with you, and bless you, in life, in death, and forevermore! With most respectful regard to Mrs. L., and sympathy with you in your afflictions, in which my dear wife joins,I am truly yours,Daniel Sharp."
"Boston, July 30, 1850.
"My very dear Friend: It was with deep regret I learned, on Friday last, that you were quite unwell, and at Nahant. It was in my mind yesterday morning to visit you; nothing prevented me but an apprehension that it might be deemed inexpedient to admit any one to your sick room, except your own family. But, although I have not seen you in person since your last sickness, yet I have been with you in spirit. I have felt exceedingly sad at the probability of your earthly departure. Seldom as we have seen each other, your friendship has been precious to me; and, to say nothing of your dear family, your continuance in life is of great importance to that large family of humanity, the poor, who have so often participated in your bounty. Indeed, as we cannot well spare you, I rather cherish the hope that, in his good providence, God will continue you to us a little longer. But, whatever may be the issue of your present illness, I trust that you, with all your friends, will be enabled to say, 'The will of the Lord be done.' If he 'lives the longest who answers life's great end,' your life, compared with most, has not been short. Not that any of us have done more than our duty. Nay, we have all come short, and may say, with all modesty and truthfulness, we are unprofitable servants; although, in some respects, and to our fellow-beings, we may have been profitable. I trust, my dear friend, you are looking for the mercy of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life. Death is not an eternal sleep; no, it is the gate to life. It opens up a blessed immortality to all who, in this world, have feared God and wrought righteousness. This world is aprobationary state; if we have been faithful, in some humble degree, to our convictions of duty; if we have regretted our follies and sins; if we have sought to do the will of our heavenly Father, and sought forgiveness through the mediation of his Son,—God will receive us to his heavenly glory. I believe, in his own good time, he will receive you, my very dear friend; although my prayer is, with submission, that he will restore you to comfortable health, and allow you to remain with us a little longer. May God be with you, and bless you, in life, in death, and forevermore! With most respectful regard to Mrs. L., and sympathy with you in your afflictions, in which my dear wife joins,
I am truly yours,
Daniel Sharp."
From Little Nahant, Mr. Lawrence writes to a friend, under date of Aug. 16:
"I have just arisen from bed, and am full of the matter to tell you how much good your letter has done. I came here as the last remedy for a sinking man; and, blessed be God, it promises me renewed life and enjoyment. What is it for, that I am thus saved in life, as by a miracle? Surely it must be in mercy, to finish out my work begun (in your college and other places), yet unfinished. Pray, give us what time you can when you visit Andover. If I continue to improve as I have done for ten days, I hope to return home next week; but may have some drawback that will alter the whole aspect of affairs. This beautiful Little Nahant seems to have been purchased, built up, and provided, by the good influence of our merciful Father in heaven upon the heart of ——, that he might save me from death, when it was made certain I could not hold out many days longer. Surely I am called on by angel voices to render praise to God."
"I have just arisen from bed, and am full of the matter to tell you how much good your letter has done. I came here as the last remedy for a sinking man; and, blessed be God, it promises me renewed life and enjoyment. What is it for, that I am thus saved in life, as by a miracle? Surely it must be in mercy, to finish out my work begun (in your college and other places), yet unfinished. Pray, give us what time you can when you visit Andover. If I continue to improve as I have done for ten days, I hope to return home next week; but may have some drawback that will alter the whole aspect of affairs. This beautiful Little Nahant seems to have been purchased, built up, and provided, by the good influence of our merciful Father in heaven upon the heart of ——, that he might save me from death, when it was made certain I could not hold out many days longer. Surely I am called on by angel voices to render praise to God."
The five weeks' residence upon the sea-shore was greatly enjoyed by Mr. Lawrence. As the weather was generally fine, much of his time was passed in the open air, in watching the ever-varying sea-views, in reading, or in receiving the visits of his friends. Near the end of August, his health and strength had become so far restored as to warrant his return to the city, and, as his memoranda show, to increased efforts in the field of charity.
In November, 1850, Amin Bey, Envoy from the Sultan of Turkey to the United States, visited Boston. Among other attentions, Mr. Lawrence accompanied him on a visit to the Female Orphan Asylum, then containing about one hundred inmates; and the pleasant intercourse was continued by a visit of the minister at Mr. Lawrence's house.
The following note accompanied a number of volumes relating to Boston and its vicinity:
(TO HIS EXCELLENCY AMIN BEY.)"My Brother: The manifest pleasure you felt in visiting our Female Orphan Asylum yesterday has left a sunbeam on my path, that will illumine my journey to our Father's house. When we meet there, may the joy of that reünion you hope for with the loved ones in your own country be yours and mine, and all the good of all the world be our companions for all time! With the highest respect, believe me your friend,A. L."
(TO HIS EXCELLENCY AMIN BEY.)
"My Brother: The manifest pleasure you felt in visiting our Female Orphan Asylum yesterday has left a sunbeam on my path, that will illumine my journey to our Father's house. When we meet there, may the joy of that reünion you hope for with the loved ones in your own country be yours and mine, and all the good of all the world be our companions for all time! With the highest respect, believe me your friend,
A. L."
(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)"Boston, November 11, 1850."My dear Friend: My brief letter of introduction by my young friend S., and your answer to it, which I mislaid or lostsoon after it came, has made me feel a wish to write every day since the first week after I received yours. S. made me out better than I was when he saw me. I could walk across the rooms, get down and up stairs without much aid, and bear my weight on each foot; having strength in my ankle-bones that enabled me to enter the temple walking, not leaping, but praising God. If ever I am able to walk so far as around the Common, what gratitude to God should I feel to take your arm as my support! I am frequently admonished by faint turns that I am merely a 'minute-man,' liable to be called for at any moment. Only a few days since, I had a charming call from Amin Bey and suite, whom I received in my parlors below, where were some friends to meet him. All seemed interested, and Amin as much so as a Turk ever does. When he left us, I went with him to the door, saw him out and in his carriage, turned to open the inner entry-door, became faint just as M. was leaving the party, and leaned on her to get into the parlor. I was laid on the sofa, insensible for a short time, but, by labor, abstinence, and great care, for two or three days, have got upon my high horse again, and rode with N. to make calls upon the good people of Cambridge. After dinner, when I awoke, I tried to go about my work, but was called off again, and, from that time to this, have been up a little, and then down a little; thus asking me, with angels' voices, Why are you left here? The answer is plain: You have more work to do. Pray, my dear friend, for me to be faithful while my powers are left with me. The reports of and from your college make me feel that my labors in helping it to get on its legs have been repaid four-fold. I am its debtor, and will allow the money out of the next year's income to be used for a telescope, if you deem it best. I have made no further inquiry for the one in progress here, but will ask W. to look and see what progress is making.When I leave off writing, I shall ride to the office in Court-square, and deposit my Whig vote for Governor Briggs and the others. We are so mixed up here as hardly to know who are supporters of the regular ticket, and who not. This fugitive-slave business will keep our people excited till the law is blotted out. In some of our best circles the law is pronounced unconstitutional; and my belief is that Franklin Dexter's argument on that point will settle the question by starting it, our great men to the contrary notwithstanding."
(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)
"Boston, November 11, 1850.
"My dear Friend: My brief letter of introduction by my young friend S., and your answer to it, which I mislaid or lostsoon after it came, has made me feel a wish to write every day since the first week after I received yours. S. made me out better than I was when he saw me. I could walk across the rooms, get down and up stairs without much aid, and bear my weight on each foot; having strength in my ankle-bones that enabled me to enter the temple walking, not leaping, but praising God. If ever I am able to walk so far as around the Common, what gratitude to God should I feel to take your arm as my support! I am frequently admonished by faint turns that I am merely a 'minute-man,' liable to be called for at any moment. Only a few days since, I had a charming call from Amin Bey and suite, whom I received in my parlors below, where were some friends to meet him. All seemed interested, and Amin as much so as a Turk ever does. When he left us, I went with him to the door, saw him out and in his carriage, turned to open the inner entry-door, became faint just as M. was leaving the party, and leaned on her to get into the parlor. I was laid on the sofa, insensible for a short time, but, by labor, abstinence, and great care, for two or three days, have got upon my high horse again, and rode with N. to make calls upon the good people of Cambridge. After dinner, when I awoke, I tried to go about my work, but was called off again, and, from that time to this, have been up a little, and then down a little; thus asking me, with angels' voices, Why are you left here? The answer is plain: You have more work to do. Pray, my dear friend, for me to be faithful while my powers are left with me. The reports of and from your college make me feel that my labors in helping it to get on its legs have been repaid four-fold. I am its debtor, and will allow the money out of the next year's income to be used for a telescope, if you deem it best. I have made no further inquiry for the one in progress here, but will ask W. to look and see what progress is making.When I leave off writing, I shall ride to the office in Court-square, and deposit my Whig vote for Governor Briggs and the others. We are so mixed up here as hardly to know who are supporters of the regular ticket, and who not. This fugitive-slave business will keep our people excited till the law is blotted out. In some of our best circles the law is pronounced unconstitutional; and my belief is that Franklin Dexter's argument on that point will settle the question by starting it, our great men to the contrary notwithstanding."
In the above letter Mr. Lawrence speaks of the gratification which he had derived from the results of his efforts in behalf of Williams College; and, as there may be no more fitting place to give an account of these efforts, the following record is here introduced, from the pen of President Hopkins. It is found in his sermon commemorative of the donor, delivered at the request of the students, on February 21, 1853.
"In October, 1841, the building known as the East College was burned. Needy as the institution was before, this rendered necessary an application to the Legislature for funds; and, when this failed, to the public at large. Owing to a panic in the money market, this application was but slightly responded to, except in this town. In Boston the sum raised was less than two thousand dollars; and the largest sum given by any individual was one hundred dollars. This sum was given by Mr. Lawrence, who was applied to by a friend of the college; and this, it is believed, was the only application ever made to him on our behalf. This directed his attention to the wants of the college; but nothingmore was heard from him till January, 1844. At that time, I was delivering a course of the Lowell Lectures, in Boston, when his son, Mr. Amos A. Lawrence, called and informed me that his father had five thousand dollars which he wished to place at the disposal of the college. As I was previously but slightly acquainted with Mr. Lawrence, and had had no conversation with him on the subject, this was to me an entire surprise; and, embarrassed as the institution then was by its debt for the new buildings, the relief and encouragement which it brought to my own mind, and to the minds of others, friends of the college, can hardly be expressed. Still, this did not wholly remove the debt. On hearing this casually mentioned, he said, if he had known how we were situated, he thought he should have given us more; and the following July, without another word on the subject, he sent me a check for five thousand dollars. This put the college out of debt, and added two or three thousand dollars to its available funds. In January, 1846, he wrote, saying he wished to see me; and, on meeting him, he said his object was to consult me about the disposition of ten thousand dollars, which he proposed to give the college. He wished to know how I thought it would do the most good. I replied, at once, By being placed at the disposal of the trustees, to be used at their discretion. He said, 'Very well;' and that was all that passed on that point. So I thought; and, knowing his simplicity of character, and singleness of purpose, I felt no embarrassment in making that reply. Here was a beautiful exemplification of the precept of the apostle, 'He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity.' Such a man had a right to have, for one of his mottoes, 'Deeds, not words.' This was just what was needed; but it gave us some breadth and enlargement, and was a beginning in what it had long been felt must, sooner or later, be undertaken,—the securing of an availablefund suitable as a basis for such an institution. His next large gift was the library. This came from his asking me, as I was riding with him the following winter, if we wanted anything. Nothing occurred to me at the time, and I replied in the negative; but, the next day, I remembered that the trustees had voted to build a library, provided the treasurer should find it could be done for twenty-five hundred dollars. This I mentioned to him. He inquired what I supposed it would cost. I replied, 'Five thousand dollars.' He said, at once, 'I will give it.' With his approbation, the plan of a building was subsequently adopted that would cost seven thousand dollars; and he paid that sum. A year or two subsequently, he inquired of me the price of tuition here, saying he should like to connect Groton Academy with Williams College; and he paid two thousand dollars to establish four scholarships for any one who might come from that institution. His next gift was the telescope, which cost about fifteen hundred dollars. The history of this would involve some details which I have not now time to give. In 1851, accompanied by Mrs. Lawrence, he made a visit here. This was the first time either of them had seen the place. In walking over the grounds, he said they had great capabilities, but that we needed more land; and authorized the purchase of an adjoining piece of four acres. This purchase was made for one thousand dollars; and, if the college can have the means of laying it out, and adorning it suitably, it will, besides furnishing scope for exercise, be a fit addition of the charms of culture to great beauty of natural scenery. In addition to these gifts, he has, at different times, enriched the library with costly books, of the expense of which I know nothing. Almost everything we have in the form of art was given by him. In December, 1845, I received a letter from him, dated the 22d, or 'Forefathers' Day,' which enclosed one hundred dollars, to beused for the aid of needy students in those emergencies which often arise. This was entirely at his own suggestion; and nothing could have been more timely or appropriate in an institution like this, where so many young men are struggling to make their own way. Since that time, he has furnished me with at least one hundred dollars annually for that purpose; and he regarded the expenditure with much interest. Thus, in different ways, Mr. Lawrence had given to the college between thirty and forty thousand dollars; and he had expressed the purpose, if he should live, of aiding it still further. Understanding as he did the position and wants of this college, he sympathized fully with the trustees in their purpose to raise the sum of fifty thousand dollars, and, at the time of his death, was exerting a most warm-hearted and powerful influence for its accomplishment. In reference to this great effort, we feel that a strong helper is taken away. The aid which Mr. Lawrence thus gave to the college was great and indispensable; and probably no memorial of him will be more enduring than what he has done here. By this, being dead, he yet speaks, and will continue to speak in all coming time. From him will flow down enjoyment and instruction to those who shall walk these grounds, and look at the heavens through this telescope, and read the books gathered in this library, and hear instruction from teachers sustained, wholly or in part, by his bounty. Probably he could not have spent this money more usefully; and there is reason to believe that he could have spent it in no way to bring to himself more enjoyment. The prosperity of the college was a source of great gratification to him; and he said, more than once, that he had been many times repaid for what he had done here. That he should have thus done what he did unsolicited, and that he—and, I may add, his family—should have continued to find in it so much of satisfaction, is most grateful to my own feelings,and must be so to every friend of the college. In doing it, he seemed to place himself in the relation, not so much of a patron of the college, as of a sympathizer and helper in a great and good work."
"In October, 1841, the building known as the East College was burned. Needy as the institution was before, this rendered necessary an application to the Legislature for funds; and, when this failed, to the public at large. Owing to a panic in the money market, this application was but slightly responded to, except in this town. In Boston the sum raised was less than two thousand dollars; and the largest sum given by any individual was one hundred dollars. This sum was given by Mr. Lawrence, who was applied to by a friend of the college; and this, it is believed, was the only application ever made to him on our behalf. This directed his attention to the wants of the college; but nothingmore was heard from him till January, 1844. At that time, I was delivering a course of the Lowell Lectures, in Boston, when his son, Mr. Amos A. Lawrence, called and informed me that his father had five thousand dollars which he wished to place at the disposal of the college. As I was previously but slightly acquainted with Mr. Lawrence, and had had no conversation with him on the subject, this was to me an entire surprise; and, embarrassed as the institution then was by its debt for the new buildings, the relief and encouragement which it brought to my own mind, and to the minds of others, friends of the college, can hardly be expressed. Still, this did not wholly remove the debt. On hearing this casually mentioned, he said, if he had known how we were situated, he thought he should have given us more; and the following July, without another word on the subject, he sent me a check for five thousand dollars. This put the college out of debt, and added two or three thousand dollars to its available funds. In January, 1846, he wrote, saying he wished to see me; and, on meeting him, he said his object was to consult me about the disposition of ten thousand dollars, which he proposed to give the college. He wished to know how I thought it would do the most good. I replied, at once, By being placed at the disposal of the trustees, to be used at their discretion. He said, 'Very well;' and that was all that passed on that point. So I thought; and, knowing his simplicity of character, and singleness of purpose, I felt no embarrassment in making that reply. Here was a beautiful exemplification of the precept of the apostle, 'He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity.' Such a man had a right to have, for one of his mottoes, 'Deeds, not words.' This was just what was needed; but it gave us some breadth and enlargement, and was a beginning in what it had long been felt must, sooner or later, be undertaken,—the securing of an availablefund suitable as a basis for such an institution. His next large gift was the library. This came from his asking me, as I was riding with him the following winter, if we wanted anything. Nothing occurred to me at the time, and I replied in the negative; but, the next day, I remembered that the trustees had voted to build a library, provided the treasurer should find it could be done for twenty-five hundred dollars. This I mentioned to him. He inquired what I supposed it would cost. I replied, 'Five thousand dollars.' He said, at once, 'I will give it.' With his approbation, the plan of a building was subsequently adopted that would cost seven thousand dollars; and he paid that sum. A year or two subsequently, he inquired of me the price of tuition here, saying he should like to connect Groton Academy with Williams College; and he paid two thousand dollars to establish four scholarships for any one who might come from that institution. His next gift was the telescope, which cost about fifteen hundred dollars. The history of this would involve some details which I have not now time to give. In 1851, accompanied by Mrs. Lawrence, he made a visit here. This was the first time either of them had seen the place. In walking over the grounds, he said they had great capabilities, but that we needed more land; and authorized the purchase of an adjoining piece of four acres. This purchase was made for one thousand dollars; and, if the college can have the means of laying it out, and adorning it suitably, it will, besides furnishing scope for exercise, be a fit addition of the charms of culture to great beauty of natural scenery. In addition to these gifts, he has, at different times, enriched the library with costly books, of the expense of which I know nothing. Almost everything we have in the form of art was given by him. In December, 1845, I received a letter from him, dated the 22d, or 'Forefathers' Day,' which enclosed one hundred dollars, to beused for the aid of needy students in those emergencies which often arise. This was entirely at his own suggestion; and nothing could have been more timely or appropriate in an institution like this, where so many young men are struggling to make their own way. Since that time, he has furnished me with at least one hundred dollars annually for that purpose; and he regarded the expenditure with much interest. Thus, in different ways, Mr. Lawrence had given to the college between thirty and forty thousand dollars; and he had expressed the purpose, if he should live, of aiding it still further. Understanding as he did the position and wants of this college, he sympathized fully with the trustees in their purpose to raise the sum of fifty thousand dollars, and, at the time of his death, was exerting a most warm-hearted and powerful influence for its accomplishment. In reference to this great effort, we feel that a strong helper is taken away. The aid which Mr. Lawrence thus gave to the college was great and indispensable; and probably no memorial of him will be more enduring than what he has done here. By this, being dead, he yet speaks, and will continue to speak in all coming time. From him will flow down enjoyment and instruction to those who shall walk these grounds, and look at the heavens through this telescope, and read the books gathered in this library, and hear instruction from teachers sustained, wholly or in part, by his bounty. Probably he could not have spent this money more usefully; and there is reason to believe that he could have spent it in no way to bring to himself more enjoyment. The prosperity of the college was a source of great gratification to him; and he said, more than once, that he had been many times repaid for what he had done here. That he should have thus done what he did unsolicited, and that he—and, I may add, his family—should have continued to find in it so much of satisfaction, is most grateful to my own feelings,and must be so to every friend of the college. In doing it, he seemed to place himself in the relation, not so much of a patron of the college, as of a sympathizer and helper in a great and good work."
At the beginning of the year 1851, Mr. Lawrence writes to President Hopkins:
"The closing of the old year was like our western horizon after sunset, bright and beautiful; the opening of the new, radiant with life, light, and hope, and crowned with such a costume of love as few old fathers, grandfathers, and uncles, can muster; in short, my old sleigh is the pet of the season, and rarely appears without being well filled, outside and inside. It is a teacher to the school-children, no less than to my grandchildren; for they all understand that, if they are well-behaved, they can ride with me when I make the signal; and I have a strong persuasion that this attention to them, with a present of a book and a kind word now and then, makes the little fellows think more of their conduct and behavior. At any rate, it does me good to hear them call out, 'How do you do, Mr. Lawrence?' as I am driving along the streets and by-ways of the city." * * *
"The closing of the old year was like our western horizon after sunset, bright and beautiful; the opening of the new, radiant with life, light, and hope, and crowned with such a costume of love as few old fathers, grandfathers, and uncles, can muster; in short, my old sleigh is the pet of the season, and rarely appears without being well filled, outside and inside. It is a teacher to the school-children, no less than to my grandchildren; for they all understand that, if they are well-behaved, they can ride with me when I make the signal; and I have a strong persuasion that this attention to them, with a present of a book and a kind word now and then, makes the little fellows think more of their conduct and behavior. At any rate, it does me good to hear them call out, 'How do you do, Mr. Lawrence?' as I am driving along the streets and by-ways of the city." * * *
To an aged clergyman in the country, who was blind and in indigent circumstances, he writes:
"Jan. 14."Your letter of last week reached me on Saturday, and was indeed a sunbeam, which quickened me to do what I had intendedfor a 'happy new-year,' before receiving yours. I trust you will have received a parcel sent by railroad, on Monday, directed to you, and containing such things as I deemed to be useful in your family; and I shall be more than paid, if they add one tint to the 'purple light' you speak of, that opens upon your further hopes of visiting us the coming season. For many months I was unable to walk; but my feet and ankle-bones have now received strength. I feel that the prayers of friends have been answered by my renewed power to do more work. How, then, can I enjoy life better than by distributing the good things intrusted to me among those who are comforted by receiving them? So you need not feel, my friend, that you are any more obliged than I am. The enclosed bank-bills may serve to fit up the materials for use; at any rate, will not be out of place in your pocket. I trust to see you again in this world, which has to me so many interesting connecting links between the first and only time I have ever seen you (thirty-five or more years ago, in Dr. Huntington's pulpit, Old South Church) and the present."
"Jan. 14.
"Your letter of last week reached me on Saturday, and was indeed a sunbeam, which quickened me to do what I had intendedfor a 'happy new-year,' before receiving yours. I trust you will have received a parcel sent by railroad, on Monday, directed to you, and containing such things as I deemed to be useful in your family; and I shall be more than paid, if they add one tint to the 'purple light' you speak of, that opens upon your further hopes of visiting us the coming season. For many months I was unable to walk; but my feet and ankle-bones have now received strength. I feel that the prayers of friends have been answered by my renewed power to do more work. How, then, can I enjoy life better than by distributing the good things intrusted to me among those who are comforted by receiving them? So you need not feel, my friend, that you are any more obliged than I am. The enclosed bank-bills may serve to fit up the materials for use; at any rate, will not be out of place in your pocket. I trust to see you again in this world, which has to me so many interesting connecting links between the first and only time I have ever seen you (thirty-five or more years ago, in Dr. Huntington's pulpit, Old South Church) and the present."
(FROM REV. JAMES HAMILTON, D.D.)"42 Gower-street, London, Feb. 15, 1851."My dear Sir: No letter which authorship has brought to me ever gave me such pleasure as I received from yours of July, 1849, enclosing one which Governor Briggs had written to you. That strangers so distinguished should take such interest in my writings, and should express yourselves so kindly towards myself, overwhelmed me with a pleasing surprise, and with thankfulness to God who had given me such favor. I confess, too, it helped to make me love more the country which has always been to me the dearest next to my own. In conjunction with some much-prized friendships which I have formed among your ministers, it wouldalmost tempt me to cross the Atlantic. But I am so bad a sailor that I fear I must postpone personal intercourse with those American friends who do not come to England, until we reach the land where there is no more sea. However feebly expressed, please accept my heartfelt thanks for all the cost and trouble you have incurred in circulating my publications. It is pleasant to me to think that your motive in distributing them, in the first instance, could not be friendship for the author; and to both of us it will be the most welcome result, if they promote the cause of practical Christianity. Owing to weakness in the throat and chest, I cannot preach so much as many of my neighbors, and therefore I feel the more anxious that my tracts should do something for the honor of the Saviour and the welfare of mankind. You were kind enough to reprint my last lecture to young men. I could scarcely wish the same distinction bestowed on its successor, because it is a fragment. I have some thoughts of extending it into a short exposition of Ecclesiastes, which is a book well suited to the times, and but little understood. * * *"Yours, most truly,James Hamilton."
(FROM REV. JAMES HAMILTON, D.D.)
"42 Gower-street, London, Feb. 15, 1851.
"My dear Sir: No letter which authorship has brought to me ever gave me such pleasure as I received from yours of July, 1849, enclosing one which Governor Briggs had written to you. That strangers so distinguished should take such interest in my writings, and should express yourselves so kindly towards myself, overwhelmed me with a pleasing surprise, and with thankfulness to God who had given me such favor. I confess, too, it helped to make me love more the country which has always been to me the dearest next to my own. In conjunction with some much-prized friendships which I have formed among your ministers, it wouldalmost tempt me to cross the Atlantic. But I am so bad a sailor that I fear I must postpone personal intercourse with those American friends who do not come to England, until we reach the land where there is no more sea. However feebly expressed, please accept my heartfelt thanks for all the cost and trouble you have incurred in circulating my publications. It is pleasant to me to think that your motive in distributing them, in the first instance, could not be friendship for the author; and to both of us it will be the most welcome result, if they promote the cause of practical Christianity. Owing to weakness in the throat and chest, I cannot preach so much as many of my neighbors, and therefore I feel the more anxious that my tracts should do something for the honor of the Saviour and the welfare of mankind. You were kind enough to reprint my last lecture to young men. I could scarcely wish the same distinction bestowed on its successor, because it is a fragment. I have some thoughts of extending it into a short exposition of Ecclesiastes, which is a book well suited to the times, and but little understood. * * *
"Yours, most truly,
James Hamilton."
ABBOTT LAWRENCEABBOTT LAWRENCEPrint. by R. Andrews.
In reply to the above letter, Mr. Lawrence writes, April 8:
"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 thatplacecannot impartgrace. 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 thanall 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 isthatignorance 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."
"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 thatplacecannot impartgrace. 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 thanall 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 isthatignorance 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 thanthe 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."
"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 thanthe 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."
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."
"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 willremember 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.
To Elliott Cresson, of Philadelphia, the enthusiastic and veteran champion of the colonization cause, Mr. Lawrence writes, June 12, 1851:
"My dear old Friend Cresson: I have just re-read your kind letter of June 2, and have been feasting upon the treasure you sent me in the interesting volume entitled 'Africa Redeemed.' I will set your heart at rest at once by assuring you that I feel just as you do towards that land. Do you remember visiting me, a dozen or more years ago, to get me to lead off with a thousand-dollar subscription for colonization, and my refusing by assuring you that I would not interfere with the burden of slavery, then pressing on our own Slave States, until requested by them? * * * * Liberia, in the mean time, has gone on, and now promises to be to the black man what New England has been to the Pilgrims, and Pennsylvania to the Friends. I say, with all my heart, to Gov. Roberts and his associates, God speed you, and carry onward and upward the glorious work of redeeming Africa! I had a charming message from a young missionary in Africa a few days since,—the Rev. Mr. Hoffman, of the Episcopal Mission; and you will be glad to hear that the good work of education for Liberia progresses surely and steadily here. My son A. is one of the trustees and directors (Prof. Greenleaf is president), and has given a thousand dollars from 'ayoung merchant;' and I bid him give another thousand from 'an old merchant,' which he will do as soon as he returns from our old home with his family. Now I say to you, my friend, I can sympathize and work with you while I am spared. God be praised! we are greatly favored in many things. No period of my life has been more joyous.With constant affection, I am yours,"Amos Lawrence.
"My dear old Friend Cresson: I have just re-read your kind letter of June 2, and have been feasting upon the treasure you sent me in the interesting volume entitled 'Africa Redeemed.' I will set your heart at rest at once by assuring you that I feel just as you do towards that land. Do you remember visiting me, a dozen or more years ago, to get me to lead off with a thousand-dollar subscription for colonization, and my refusing by assuring you that I would not interfere with the burden of slavery, then pressing on our own Slave States, until requested by them? * * * * Liberia, in the mean time, has gone on, and now promises to be to the black man what New England has been to the Pilgrims, and Pennsylvania to the Friends. I say, with all my heart, to Gov. Roberts and his associates, God speed you, and carry onward and upward the glorious work of redeeming Africa! I had a charming message from a young missionary in Africa a few days since,—the Rev. Mr. Hoffman, of the Episcopal Mission; and you will be glad to hear that the good work of education for Liberia progresses surely and steadily here. My son A. is one of the trustees and directors (Prof. Greenleaf is president), and has given a thousand dollars from 'ayoung merchant;' and I bid him give another thousand from 'an old merchant,' which he will do as soon as he returns from our old home with his family. Now I say to you, my friend, I can sympathize and work with you while I am spared. God be praised! we are greatly favored in many things. No period of my life has been more joyous.
With constant affection, I am yours,
"Amos Lawrence.
Among other memoranda of the present month is found a cancelled note of five hundred dollars, which had been given by a clergyman in another State to a corporation, which, by reason of various misfortunes, he had not been able to pay. Mr. Lawrence had heard of the circumstance, and, without the knowledge of the clergyman, had sent the required sum to the treasurer of the corporation, with directions to cancel the obligation.
(TO LADY BUXTON.)"Boston, July 8, 1851."Dear Lady Buxton: Your letter, and the beautiful copy of the memoir of your revered and world-wide honored husband, reached me on the 26th of June. I have read and re-read your heart-touching note with an interest you can understand better than I can describe. I can say that I thank you, and leave you to imagine the rest. Sir Fowell was born the same year, and in the same month, that I was; and his character and his labors I have been well acquainted with since he came into public life; and no man of his time stood higher in my confidence and respect. Although I have never been in public life, I have been much interested in public men; and have sometimes had my confidenceabused, but have generally given it to men who said what they meant, and did what they said. I feel no respect for the demagogue, however successful he may be; but am able to say, with the dear and honored friend whose mantle fell upon Sir Fowell, 'What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue!' I feel pity for the man who sacrifices his hopes of heaven for such vain objects as end in the mere gaze of this world. The 'Study for Young Men,' republished here a short time since, is doing such work among us as must cheer the spirit of your husband in his heavenly home."I enclose you a note from Laura Bridgman, a deaf, dumb, and blind girl, who has been educated at our asylum for the last twelve years or more (now about twenty-two years old), which may interest you from the fact of her extraordinary situation."With great respect, I remain most truly yours,"Amos Lawrence."
(TO LADY BUXTON.)
"Boston, July 8, 1851.
"Dear Lady Buxton: Your letter, and the beautiful copy of the memoir of your revered and world-wide honored husband, reached me on the 26th of June. I have read and re-read your heart-touching note with an interest you can understand better than I can describe. I can say that I thank you, and leave you to imagine the rest. Sir Fowell was born the same year, and in the same month, that I was; and his character and his labors I have been well acquainted with since he came into public life; and no man of his time stood higher in my confidence and respect. Although I have never been in public life, I have been much interested in public men; and have sometimes had my confidenceabused, but have generally given it to men who said what they meant, and did what they said. I feel no respect for the demagogue, however successful he may be; but am able to say, with the dear and honored friend whose mantle fell upon Sir Fowell, 'What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue!' I feel pity for the man who sacrifices his hopes of heaven for such vain objects as end in the mere gaze of this world. The 'Study for Young Men,' republished here a short time since, is doing such work among us as must cheer the spirit of your husband in his heavenly home.
"I enclose you a note from Laura Bridgman, a deaf, dumb, and blind girl, who has been educated at our asylum for the last twelve years or more (now about twenty-two years old), which may interest you from the fact of her extraordinary situation.
"With great respect, I remain most truly yours,"Amos Lawrence."
(TO A LADY IN PHILADELPHIA.)"Dear L.: Your call on me to 'pay up' makes me feel that I had forgotten, and therefore neglected, my promise. I begin without preface. When a child, and all the way up to fifty years of age, the incidents of revolutionary history were so often talked over by the old soldiers who made our house their rendezvous whenever they came near it, that I feel as if I had been an actor in the scenes described. Among these, the Battle of Bunker Hill was more strongly impressed upon my mind than any other event. My father, then twenty-one years old, was in Captain Farwell's company, a subaltern, full of the right spirit, as you may know, having some sparks left when you used to ride on his sled and in his wagon, and eat his 'rattle apples,' which were coveted by all the children. He was in the breastwork; and his captain was shot through the body just before or just after Pitcairnwas shot. My father did not know Major Pitcairn personally, but understood it was he who mounted the breastwork, calling to his soldiers to follow, when he pitched into the slight trench outside, riddled and dead, as my father always thought as long as he lived. But it turned out otherwise. He was brought from the field, and lodged in a house in Prince-street, now standing (the third from Charlestown Bridge); and the intelligence was immediately communicated to the Governor, then in the Royal House, now called the Province House. He sent Dr. Kast and an officer, accompanied by young Bowdoin as an amateur, to see to the major, and report. On entering the chamber, the doctor wished to examine the wound; but Pitcairn declined allowing him, saying it was of no use, as he should soon die. When pressed by the argument that his excellency desired it, he allowed Dr. Kast to open his vest, and the blood, which had been stanched, spirted out upon the floor; so that the room carried the mark, and was called 'Pitcairn's Chamber' until long after the peace. The doctor returned immediately to the Governor to report; and, before he could get back, life had fled. He was laid out in his regimentals, and was deposited in the vault of St. George's Church, now the Stone Chapel, and there remained until 1788, when Dr. Winship, of Roxbury, then on a visit to London, had occasion to call on Dr. C. Letsom, and informed him that he had in his possession the key of the vault; that he had examined the body, which was in so good a state of preservation, that he recognized the features; and that he had counted at least thirty marks of musket-balls in various parts of the body. An arrangement was made, through Dr. Winship, for the removal of the body to England. Dr. William Pitcairn built a vault in the Burying-ground of St. Bartholomew, near the hospital, for its reception. Capt. James Scott, the commander of a trading vesselbetween Boston and London at that period, undertook the service of removal, although he foresaw difficulty in undertaking the business, on account of the strong prejudice of sailors to having a corpse on board. With a view to concealment, the coffin was enclosed in a square deal case, containing the church-organ, which was to be sent to England for repairs. This case, with 'Organ' inscribed upon it, was placed, as it was said, for better security, in a part of the ship near the sailors' berths, and in that situation was used occasionally during the passage for their seat or table. On arrival of the ship in the river, an order was obtained for the landing of the case; and, as it was necessary to describe its contents, the order expressed permission to land a corpse. This revealed the stratagem of Capt. Scott, and raised such a feeling among the sailors as to show that they would not have been quiet had they known the truth respecting their fellow-lodger. Major Pitcairn was the only British officer particularly regarded by our citizens, as ready to listen to their complaints, and, as far as in his power, to relieve them, when not impeded by his military duties. Our excellent old friend B. will be interested in the 'Stone Chapel' part of this story, and probably can add particulars that I may have omitted."Your affectionateAmos Lawrence."
(TO A LADY IN PHILADELPHIA.)
"Dear L.: Your call on me to 'pay up' makes me feel that I had forgotten, and therefore neglected, my promise. I begin without preface. When a child, and all the way up to fifty years of age, the incidents of revolutionary history were so often talked over by the old soldiers who made our house their rendezvous whenever they came near it, that I feel as if I had been an actor in the scenes described. Among these, the Battle of Bunker Hill was more strongly impressed upon my mind than any other event. My father, then twenty-one years old, was in Captain Farwell's company, a subaltern, full of the right spirit, as you may know, having some sparks left when you used to ride on his sled and in his wagon, and eat his 'rattle apples,' which were coveted by all the children. He was in the breastwork; and his captain was shot through the body just before or just after Pitcairnwas shot. My father did not know Major Pitcairn personally, but understood it was he who mounted the breastwork, calling to his soldiers to follow, when he pitched into the slight trench outside, riddled and dead, as my father always thought as long as he lived. But it turned out otherwise. He was brought from the field, and lodged in a house in Prince-street, now standing (the third from Charlestown Bridge); and the intelligence was immediately communicated to the Governor, then in the Royal House, now called the Province House. He sent Dr. Kast and an officer, accompanied by young Bowdoin as an amateur, to see to the major, and report. On entering the chamber, the doctor wished to examine the wound; but Pitcairn declined allowing him, saying it was of no use, as he should soon die. When pressed by the argument that his excellency desired it, he allowed Dr. Kast to open his vest, and the blood, which had been stanched, spirted out upon the floor; so that the room carried the mark, and was called 'Pitcairn's Chamber' until long after the peace. The doctor returned immediately to the Governor to report; and, before he could get back, life had fled. He was laid out in his regimentals, and was deposited in the vault of St. George's Church, now the Stone Chapel, and there remained until 1788, when Dr. Winship, of Roxbury, then on a visit to London, had occasion to call on Dr. C. Letsom, and informed him that he had in his possession the key of the vault; that he had examined the body, which was in so good a state of preservation, that he recognized the features; and that he had counted at least thirty marks of musket-balls in various parts of the body. An arrangement was made, through Dr. Winship, for the removal of the body to England. Dr. William Pitcairn built a vault in the Burying-ground of St. Bartholomew, near the hospital, for its reception. Capt. James Scott, the commander of a trading vesselbetween Boston and London at that period, undertook the service of removal, although he foresaw difficulty in undertaking the business, on account of the strong prejudice of sailors to having a corpse on board. With a view to concealment, the coffin was enclosed in a square deal case, containing the church-organ, which was to be sent to England for repairs. This case, with 'Organ' inscribed upon it, was placed, as it was said, for better security, in a part of the ship near the sailors' berths, and in that situation was used occasionally during the passage for their seat or table. On arrival of the ship in the river, an order was obtained for the landing of the case; and, as it was necessary to describe its contents, the order expressed permission to land a corpse. This revealed the stratagem of Capt. Scott, and raised such a feeling among the sailors as to show that they would not have been quiet had they known the truth respecting their fellow-lodger. Major Pitcairn was the only British officer particularly regarded by our citizens, as ready to listen to their complaints, and, as far as in his power, to relieve them, when not impeded by his military duties. Our excellent old friend B. will be interested in the 'Stone Chapel' part of this story, and probably can add particulars that I may have omitted.
"Your affectionate
Amos Lawrence."
After receiving a note from a relative of Lady Colebrooke, announcing her death, at Dunscombe, in the island of Barbadoes, Mr. Lawrence wrote the following note of sympathy to her husband, Sir William Colebrooke, then Governor of that island. She will be remembered as the lady who had formerly visited Boston, and who was alluded to in one of his letters, as a niece of Major André:
"Dear Sir William: I lose no time in expressing to you the feelings of my heart, on reading the brief notice of the last hours of dear Lady Colebrooke. All my recollections and associations of her are of the most interesting character; and for yourself I feel more than a common regard. We may never meet again in this world; but it matters little, if, when we are called off, we are found 'in line,' and ready to receive the cheering 'Well done' when we reach that better world we hope for. I trust that you, and all your dear ones, have been in the hollow of our Father's hand, through the shadings of his face from you; and that, in his own good time, all will be cleared away."Faithfully and respectfully yours,Amos Lawrence."Boston, Aug. 8, 1851."
"Dear Sir William: I lose no time in expressing to you the feelings of my heart, on reading the brief notice of the last hours of dear Lady Colebrooke. All my recollections and associations of her are of the most interesting character; and for yourself I feel more than a common regard. We may never meet again in this world; but it matters little, if, when we are called off, we are found 'in line,' and ready to receive the cheering 'Well done' when we reach that better world we hope for. I trust that you, and all your dear ones, have been in the hollow of our Father's hand, through the shadings of his face from you; and that, in his own good time, all will be cleared away.
"Faithfully and respectfully yours,
Amos Lawrence.
"Boston, Aug. 8, 1851."
(TO THE HON. CHARLES B. HADDOCK, MINISTER OF THE UNITED STATES TO PORTUGAL.)"Boston, Aug. 19, 1851."Dear and kind-hearted Friend: Your letters to me before leaving the country, and after reaching England, awakened many tender remembrances of times past, and agreeable hopes of times to come. In that, I felt as though I had you by the hand, with that encouraging 'Go forward' in the fear of God, and confidence in his fatherly care and guidance. I know your views have always put this trust at the head of practical duties, and that you will go forward in your present duties, and do better service to the country than any man who could be sent. Portugal is a sealed book, in a great degree, to us. Who so able to unlock and lay open its history as yourself? Now, then, what leisure you have may be most profitably applied to the spreading out the treasures before us; and, my word for it, your reputation as a writer and a thinker will make whatever you may publish of this sort desirable to be read by the great mass of our reading population.* * * * *"I hold that God has given us our highest enjoyments, in every period, from childhood to old age, in the exercise of our talents and our feelings with reference to his presence and oversight; and that, at any moment, he may call us off, and that we may thus be left to be among the children of light or of darkness, according to his word and our preparation. These enjoyments of childhood, of middle age, of mature life, and of old age, are all greatly increased by a constant reference to the source from whence they come; and the danger of great success in life is more to be feared, in our closing account, than anything else. A brief space will find us in the earth, and of no further consequence than as we shall have marked for good the generation of mengrowing up to take our places. The title of an honest man, who feared God, is worth more than all the honors and distinction of the world. Pray, let me hear from you, and the dear lady, whom I hope to escort once more over the sides of our Mount Zion, and introduce to some of my children and grandchildren settled upon the borders; and, if any stranger coming this way from you will accept such facilities as I can give to our institutions, I shall gladly render them. It is now many years since I have sat at table with my family, and I am now better than I have been at any time during that period; in short, I am light-hearted as a child, and enjoy the children's society with all the zest of early days. I must say, 'God speed you, my friend,' and have you constantly in the hollow of his hand! In all kind remembrances, Mrs. L. joins me, to your lady and yourself."Faithfully and respectfully your friend,"Amos Lawrence."
(TO THE HON. CHARLES B. HADDOCK, MINISTER OF THE UNITED STATES TO PORTUGAL.)
"Boston, Aug. 19, 1851.
"Dear and kind-hearted Friend: Your letters to me before leaving the country, and after reaching England, awakened many tender remembrances of times past, and agreeable hopes of times to come. In that, I felt as though I had you by the hand, with that encouraging 'Go forward' in the fear of God, and confidence in his fatherly care and guidance. I know your views have always put this trust at the head of practical duties, and that you will go forward in your present duties, and do better service to the country than any man who could be sent. Portugal is a sealed book, in a great degree, to us. Who so able to unlock and lay open its history as yourself? Now, then, what leisure you have may be most profitably applied to the spreading out the treasures before us; and, my word for it, your reputation as a writer and a thinker will make whatever you may publish of this sort desirable to be read by the great mass of our reading population.
* * * * *
"I hold that God has given us our highest enjoyments, in every period, from childhood to old age, in the exercise of our talents and our feelings with reference to his presence and oversight; and that, at any moment, he may call us off, and that we may thus be left to be among the children of light or of darkness, according to his word and our preparation. These enjoyments of childhood, of middle age, of mature life, and of old age, are all greatly increased by a constant reference to the source from whence they come; and the danger of great success in life is more to be feared, in our closing account, than anything else. A brief space will find us in the earth, and of no further consequence than as we shall have marked for good the generation of mengrowing up to take our places. The title of an honest man, who feared God, is worth more than all the honors and distinction of the world. Pray, let me hear from you, and the dear lady, whom I hope to escort once more over the sides of our Mount Zion, and introduce to some of my children and grandchildren settled upon the borders; and, if any stranger coming this way from you will accept such facilities as I can give to our institutions, I shall gladly render them. It is now many years since I have sat at table with my family, and I am now better than I have been at any time during that period; in short, I am light-hearted as a child, and enjoy the children's society with all the zest of early days. I must say, 'God speed you, my friend,' and have you constantly in the hollow of his hand! In all kind remembrances, Mrs. L. joins me, to your lady and yourself.
"Faithfully and respectfully your friend,
"Amos Lawrence."
On the same day that the preceding letter was penned, Mr. Lawrence, in acknowledgment of some work sent to him by the Rev. Dr. Scoresby, of Bradford, England, wrote the following letter. That gentleman had visited this country twice, and had made many friends in Boston. Once an Arctic traveller, and a man of great scientific acquirement, he has now become an eminent and active clergyman in the Church of England, and has devoted all his energies to the task of elevating the lower orders of the population where his field of labor has been cast.
"Boston, Aug. 19, 1851."My dear Friend: Your letter from Torquay, of ninth July, reached me on the sixth of this month. It brought to memory our agreeable intercourse of former years, and cheered me with the hope that I might again see you in this world, and again shake your hand in that cordial, social way that goes direct to the heart. I had been much interested in the account brought by ——, and in your kind messages by him. Your memorials of your father interest me exceedingly, and I thank you most sincerely for the volume and the sermon you sent. This sermon I sent to a friend of mine, and also a friend of yours, who became such after hearing you preach in Liverpool. Professor ——, of —— College, is a most talented, efficient, and popular teacher; and his present position he has attained by his industry and his merit. He was a poor youth, in Liverpool, who followed you in your preaching; came here, and went as an apprentice to a mechanical business; was noticed as a bright fellow; was educated by persons assisting him, and graduated at —— College. He became a tutor, and is now a professor, and is an honor to the college and his nation. We are all at work in New England, and now feel a twinge from too fast driving in some branches of business; but, in the aggregate, our country is rapidly advancing in wealth, power, and strength, notwithstanding the discontent of our Southern brethren. We have allowed the 'black spot' to be too far spread over our land; it should have been restrained more than thirty years ago, and then our old Slave States would have had no just cause of complaint. I am called off, and must bid you farewell, with kind regards of Mrs. L., and my own most faithful and affectionate remembrance.Amos Lawrence."Rev. William Scoresby, D.D., Torquay, Devonshire, Eng."
"Boston, Aug. 19, 1851.
"My dear Friend: Your letter from Torquay, of ninth July, reached me on the sixth of this month. It brought to memory our agreeable intercourse of former years, and cheered me with the hope that I might again see you in this world, and again shake your hand in that cordial, social way that goes direct to the heart. I had been much interested in the account brought by ——, and in your kind messages by him. Your memorials of your father interest me exceedingly, and I thank you most sincerely for the volume and the sermon you sent. This sermon I sent to a friend of mine, and also a friend of yours, who became such after hearing you preach in Liverpool. Professor ——, of —— College, is a most talented, efficient, and popular teacher; and his present position he has attained by his industry and his merit. He was a poor youth, in Liverpool, who followed you in your preaching; came here, and went as an apprentice to a mechanical business; was noticed as a bright fellow; was educated by persons assisting him, and graduated at —— College. He became a tutor, and is now a professor, and is an honor to the college and his nation. We are all at work in New England, and now feel a twinge from too fast driving in some branches of business; but, in the aggregate, our country is rapidly advancing in wealth, power, and strength, notwithstanding the discontent of our Southern brethren. We have allowed the 'black spot' to be too far spread over our land; it should have been restrained more than thirty years ago, and then our old Slave States would have had no just cause of complaint. I am called off, and must bid you farewell, with kind regards of Mrs. L., and my own most faithful and affectionate remembrance.
Amos Lawrence.
"Rev. William Scoresby, D.D., Torquay, Devonshire, Eng."
(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)"Boston, Nov. 15, 1851."My dear Friend: This is a rainy day, which keeps me housed; and, to improve it in 'pursuit,' I have a bundle made up, of the size of a small 'haycock,' and directed to you by railroad, with a few lines enclosed for the amusement of the children. I have told A. and L. that they couldn't jump over it; but H. could, by having a clear course of two rods. Louis Dwight has spent a half-hour with me this morning, exhibiting and explaining his plan for the new Lunatic Asylum of the State, which I think is the best model I have ever seen, and is a decided improvement on all our old ones. The committee, of which Governor Briggs is chairman, will give it a careful consideration and comparison with Dr. Bell's, and perhaps Dr. Butler's and others; and, with such an amount of talent and experience, the new asylum will be the best, I trust, that there is on this side of the Atlantic. Louis Dwight is in fine spirits, and in full employ in his peculiar line. The new institution in New York for vagrant children will very likely be built on his plan. He is really doing his work most successfully, in classing and separating these young sinners, so that they may be reclaimed, and trained to become useful citizens; in that light, he is a public benefactor. * * *"Faithfully and affectionately yours,"Amos Lawrence."
(TO PRESIDENT HOPKINS.)
"Boston, Nov. 15, 1851.
"My dear Friend: This is a rainy day, which keeps me housed; and, to improve it in 'pursuit,' I have a bundle made up, of the size of a small 'haycock,' and directed to you by railroad, with a few lines enclosed for the amusement of the children. I have told A. and L. that they couldn't jump over it; but H. could, by having a clear course of two rods. Louis Dwight has spent a half-hour with me this morning, exhibiting and explaining his plan for the new Lunatic Asylum of the State, which I think is the best model I have ever seen, and is a decided improvement on all our old ones. The committee, of which Governor Briggs is chairman, will give it a careful consideration and comparison with Dr. Bell's, and perhaps Dr. Butler's and others; and, with such an amount of talent and experience, the new asylum will be the best, I trust, that there is on this side of the Atlantic. Louis Dwight is in fine spirits, and in full employ in his peculiar line. The new institution in New York for vagrant children will very likely be built on his plan. He is really doing his work most successfully, in classing and separating these young sinners, so that they may be reclaimed, and trained to become useful citizens; in that light, he is a public benefactor. * * *
"Faithfully and affectionately yours,
"Amos Lawrence."
In a letter to a friend, written on Sunday, and within a few days of the preceding, Mr. Lawrence says, after describing one of his severe attacks:
"I am not doing wrong, I think, in consecrating a part of the day to you, being kept within doors by one of those kindly admonitionswhich speaks through the body, and tells me that my home here is no shelter from the storm. I had been unusually well for some weeks past, and it seemed to me that my days passed with a rapidity and joyousness that nothing short of the intercourse with the loved ones around me could have caused. What can be more emphatic, until my final summons? If my work is done, and well done, I should not dread the summons; pray that it may be, and that we may meet again after a brief separation. I am hoping to be safely housed by and by where cold and heat, splendid furniture, luxurious living, and handsome houses, and attendants, will all be thought of as they really merit."
"I am not doing wrong, I think, in consecrating a part of the day to you, being kept within doors by one of those kindly admonitionswhich speaks through the body, and tells me that my home here is no shelter from the storm. I had been unusually well for some weeks past, and it seemed to me that my days passed with a rapidity and joyousness that nothing short of the intercourse with the loved ones around me could have caused. What can be more emphatic, until my final summons? If my work is done, and well done, I should not dread the summons; pray that it may be, and that we may meet again after a brief separation. I am hoping to be safely housed by and by where cold and heat, splendid furniture, luxurious living, and handsome houses, and attendants, will all be thought of as they really merit."
Mr. Lawrence had, for a considerable time, been interested in the Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Indiana; and, on the 24th of November, announced to the Trustees a donation from Mrs. L. of twelve hundred dollars, to found four free scholarships for the use of the academy at Groton. He adds:
"I would recommend that candidates for the scholarships who abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks and tobacco always have a preference. This is not to be taken as a prohibition, but only as a condition to give a preference."
"I would recommend that candidates for the scholarships who abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks and tobacco always have a preference. This is not to be taken as a prohibition, but only as a condition to give a preference."
Mr. Lawrence speaks of his interest in Wabash College, growing out of his affection and respect for its President, the Rev. Charles White, D.D., who went from New England, and with whom he had become acquainted during a visit which that gentleman hadmade to his native State. Eight days after this donation to Wabash College, Mr. Lawrence enclosed to Rev. Dr. Pond, of the Theological School at Bangor, Maine, the sum of five hundred dollars; which he says, with other sums already subscribed by others for new professorships, would "prove a great blessing to all who resort to the institution through all time."
"January 1, 1852.—The value of my property is somewhat more than it was a year ago, and I pray God that I may be faithful in its use. My life seems now more likely to be spared for a longer season than for many years past; and I never enjoyed myself more highly. Praise the Lord, O my soul!"P. S.—The outgoes for all objects since January 1, 1842 (ten years), have been six hundred and four thousand dollars more than five sixths of which have been applied in making other people happy; and it is no trouble to find objects for all I have to spare."
"January 1, 1852.—The value of my property is somewhat more than it was a year ago, and I pray God that I may be faithful in its use. My life seems now more likely to be spared for a longer season than for many years past; and I never enjoyed myself more highly. Praise the Lord, O my soul!
"P. S.—The outgoes for all objects since January 1, 1842 (ten years), have been six hundred and four thousand dollars more than five sixths of which have been applied in making other people happy; and it is no trouble to find objects for all I have to spare."
This sum, in addition to the subscriptions and donations for the year 1852, makes the amount of his expenditures for charitable purposes, during the last eleven years of his life, to be about five hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. From 1829 to 1842, the sum expended for like appropriations was, according to his memoranda, one hundred and fourteen thousand dollars; making, for the last twenty-three years of his life the sum of six hundred and thirty-nine thousanddollars expended in charity. Taking the amount of his property at various times, as noted by himself, from the year 1807 to 1829, a period of twenty-two years, with his known liberality and habits of systematic charity, it would be safe to assert that during his life he expended seven hundred thousand dollars for the benefit of his fellow-men. Many persons have done more; but few perhaps have done as much in proportion to the means which they had to bestow.
In a letter to President Hopkins, dated March 31, Mr. Lawrence writes:
"I am interested in everything you write about in your last letter; but among the items of deepest interest is the fact of the religious feeling manifested by the young men; and I pray God it may take deep root, and grow, and become the controlling power in forming their character for immortality. I trust they will count the cost, and act consistently. May God speed them in this holy work!"
"I am interested in everything you write about in your last letter; but among the items of deepest interest is the fact of the religious feeling manifested by the young men; and I pray God it may take deep root, and grow, and become the controlling power in forming their character for immortality. I trust they will count the cost, and act consistently. May God speed them in this holy work!"
A few days later, he writes on the same subject:
"And now let us turn to matters of more importance; the awakening of the young men of your college to their highest interest,—the salvation of their souls. I have been moved to tears in reading the simple statement of the case, and I pray God to perfect the good work thus begun. I have much to think of to-day, this being my sixty-sixth birth-day. The question comes home to me, What I am rendering to the Lord for all his benefits; and the answer of conscience is, Imperfect service. If accepted,it will be through mercy; and, with this feeling of hope, I keep about, endeavoring to scatter good seed as I go forth in my daily ministrations."
"And now let us turn to matters of more importance; the awakening of the young men of your college to their highest interest,—the salvation of their souls. I have been moved to tears in reading the simple statement of the case, and I pray God to perfect the good work thus begun. I have much to think of to-day, this being my sixty-sixth birth-day. The question comes home to me, What I am rendering to the Lord for all his benefits; and the answer of conscience is, Imperfect service. If accepted,it will be through mercy; and, with this feeling of hope, I keep about, endeavoring to scatter good seed as I go forth in my daily ministrations."
The following correspondence was not received in time to be placed in the order of its date, but is now given as an illustration of Mr. Lawrence's views on some important points, and also as an instance of his self-control. In the autumn of 1847, he became acquainted with the Rev. Dr. ——, a Scotch Presbyterian clergyman, then on a visit to some friends in Boston. During a drive in the environs, with this gentleman and the Rev. Dr. Blagden, Mr. Lawrence made a remark of a practical nature upon some religious topic, which did not coincide with the views of his Scotch friend; and a debate ensued, which was characterized by somewhat more of warmth than was warranted by the nature of the subject. Mutual explanations and apologies followed, and the correspondence, which was continued after the return of Dr. —— to Scotland, shows that the discussion on the occasion referred to had caused no diminution of their mutual regard or good-will.
The Rev. Dr. Blagden, in a note to the editor, dated Boston, April 18, 1855, writes as follows:
"As the result of our incidental conversation on Monday last, let me say, that the facts of which we spoke occurred during a drive which the Rev. Dr. ——, of Scotland, and I were enjoyingwith your father, in his carriage, at his kind invitation, in October, 1847."Without being able to recall the precise connection in which the remarks were made, I only now remember that Mr. Lawrence was led to speak with some degree of warmth, but with entire kindness, on the great error of relying on any idea of justification before God by faith, without corresponding works; so that, to one not familiar with the religious events in the history of this community, which, by operating on Mr. Lawrence's habits of thought, might well lead him to be jealous of any view of faith which did not directly express the necessity of good works, his remarks might very readily have seemed like a direct attack on that great truth of justification by faith, which Luther affirmed to be, as it was held or rejected, the test of a falling or rising church."Immediately, that which the late Edward Irving, in one of his sermons, under the name of 'Orations,' calls the 'ingenium perfervidum Scotorum,' burst from the Rev. Dr. ——, with something of that zeal for the doctrines of Knox and Calvin for which I understand he has been somewhat remarkable in his own country. He vehemently declared his abhorrence of any such denial of the first and fundamental truth of the Gospel, evidently taking it somewhat in the light of an insult to us as the preachers of that truth. He ended by saying, with much force and warmth, that the apostle Paul sometimes condensed the whole of the Gospel into a single phrase; and one of these phrases, as expressed in the Epistle to the Philippians, he commended to the notice of Mr. Lawrence, namely, 'We are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit; and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.'"Mr. Lawrence met this strong, and apparently indignant and truly honest expression of feeling, with entire courtesy and self-command,but with evident and deep emotion; and, repressing all expression of displeasure, he gradually led the conversation to less unwelcome subjects, so that our ride ended pleasantly, though the embarrassment created by this event continued, in a lessening degree, to its close."It will probably add to the interest of the whole transaction, in your own mind, if I state, not only what you seemed aware of on Monday, that your father sent me, a day or two after, 'Barr's Help' (I believe is the name of the volume), with a very kind and polite note, alluding to what had passed, and a paper containing some development of his own religious belief; but Rev. Dr. ——, also, soon after, in alluding to the circumstances in a note to me, on another subject, and which is now before me, wrote:"'I regret the warmth with which I did so. Alas! it is my infirmity; but it was only a momentary flash, for I was enabled, through a silent act of prayer, to get my mind purged of all heat, before I ventured to resume the conversation on the vital topic which our good and kind friend himself was led to introduce.'"I suspect this will reach you at an hour too late entirely for the use which you thought might possibly be made of it. It may, however, have some little interest, as a further development of the excellent character of your father; and it refers to a scene of which I have never been in the habit of speaking to others, but which I shall always remember with great interest, as one among many pleasing and profitable recollections of him."
"As the result of our incidental conversation on Monday last, let me say, that the facts of which we spoke occurred during a drive which the Rev. Dr. ——, of Scotland, and I were enjoyingwith your father, in his carriage, at his kind invitation, in October, 1847.
"Without being able to recall the precise connection in which the remarks were made, I only now remember that Mr. Lawrence was led to speak with some degree of warmth, but with entire kindness, on the great error of relying on any idea of justification before God by faith, without corresponding works; so that, to one not familiar with the religious events in the history of this community, which, by operating on Mr. Lawrence's habits of thought, might well lead him to be jealous of any view of faith which did not directly express the necessity of good works, his remarks might very readily have seemed like a direct attack on that great truth of justification by faith, which Luther affirmed to be, as it was held or rejected, the test of a falling or rising church.
"Immediately, that which the late Edward Irving, in one of his sermons, under the name of 'Orations,' calls the 'ingenium perfervidum Scotorum,' burst from the Rev. Dr. ——, with something of that zeal for the doctrines of Knox and Calvin for which I understand he has been somewhat remarkable in his own country. He vehemently declared his abhorrence of any such denial of the first and fundamental truth of the Gospel, evidently taking it somewhat in the light of an insult to us as the preachers of that truth. He ended by saying, with much force and warmth, that the apostle Paul sometimes condensed the whole of the Gospel into a single phrase; and one of these phrases, as expressed in the Epistle to the Philippians, he commended to the notice of Mr. Lawrence, namely, 'We are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit; and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.'
"Mr. Lawrence met this strong, and apparently indignant and truly honest expression of feeling, with entire courtesy and self-command,but with evident and deep emotion; and, repressing all expression of displeasure, he gradually led the conversation to less unwelcome subjects, so that our ride ended pleasantly, though the embarrassment created by this event continued, in a lessening degree, to its close.
"It will probably add to the interest of the whole transaction, in your own mind, if I state, not only what you seemed aware of on Monday, that your father sent me, a day or two after, 'Barr's Help' (I believe is the name of the volume), with a very kind and polite note, alluding to what had passed, and a paper containing some development of his own religious belief; but Rev. Dr. ——, also, soon after, in alluding to the circumstances in a note to me, on another subject, and which is now before me, wrote:
"'I regret the warmth with which I did so. Alas! it is my infirmity; but it was only a momentary flash, for I was enabled, through a silent act of prayer, to get my mind purged of all heat, before I ventured to resume the conversation on the vital topic which our good and kind friend himself was led to introduce.'
"I suspect this will reach you at an hour too late entirely for the use which you thought might possibly be made of it. It may, however, have some little interest, as a further development of the excellent character of your father; and it refers to a scene of which I have never been in the habit of speaking to others, but which I shall always remember with great interest, as one among many pleasing and profitable recollections of him."
The following extracts are taken from the paper referred to in the preceding communication:
"Boston, November 4, 1847."To Rev.G. W. Blagden, D.D."Rev. and dear Sir: Our interesting ride last Thursday has peculiar claims upon me as a teacher and a preacher for a better world. To one who knows me well, my unceremonious manner to our friend would not seem so strange; but it was none the less unkind in me to treat him thus."My first impressions are generally the right ones, and govern the actions of daily and hourly experience here; and these impressions were entirely favorable to our friend; and my treatment, up to the moment that you 'poured your oil upon the waters,' had been such as I am now well pleased with. But the conversation then commenced; and the lecture, illustrations, arguments, and consequences, were all stereotyped in my mind, having been placed there twenty-seven years ago by a learned and pious Scotchman, whose character came back to my memory like a flash of light. It is enough to say that a multitude of matters wholly adverse to my first impressions left me no command of my courtesies; and I stopped the conversation. * * *"I believe that our Saviour came among men to do them good, and, having performed his mission, has returned to his Father and to our Father, to his God and our God; and if, by any means, he will receive me as a poor and needy sinner with the 'Well done' into the society of those whom he shall have accepted, I care not what sort ofismI am ranked under here."There is much, I think, that may be safely laid aside among Christians who are honest, earnest, and self-denying. Again I say, I have no hope inisms, but have strong hope in the cross of Christ."The little book[15]I send is a fuller exposition of the Kirk'sdoctrine than our friend's. I have reviewed it, and see no reason to alter a prayer or an expression. Return it at your leisure, with the two notes of our friend to me since our drive. Soon after I left you, I came home, sat down at my table to write a note as an apology to him for my rudeness in stopping his discourse, fainted, went to bed; next day, ate three ounces of crusts, rode out, and went to bed sick with a cold in my face. For the following forty-eight hours, I did not take an ounce of food; the slightest amount of liquid sustained me; and yesterday was the first day of my being a man. To-day, I called to see and apologize to you." * * * * *
"Boston, November 4, 1847.
"To Rev.G. W. Blagden, D.D.
"Rev. and dear Sir: Our interesting ride last Thursday has peculiar claims upon me as a teacher and a preacher for a better world. To one who knows me well, my unceremonious manner to our friend would not seem so strange; but it was none the less unkind in me to treat him thus.
"My first impressions are generally the right ones, and govern the actions of daily and hourly experience here; and these impressions were entirely favorable to our friend; and my treatment, up to the moment that you 'poured your oil upon the waters,' had been such as I am now well pleased with. But the conversation then commenced; and the lecture, illustrations, arguments, and consequences, were all stereotyped in my mind, having been placed there twenty-seven years ago by a learned and pious Scotchman, whose character came back to my memory like a flash of light. It is enough to say that a multitude of matters wholly adverse to my first impressions left me no command of my courtesies; and I stopped the conversation. * * *
"I believe that our Saviour came among men to do them good, and, having performed his mission, has returned to his Father and to our Father, to his God and our God; and if, by any means, he will receive me as a poor and needy sinner with the 'Well done' into the society of those whom he shall have accepted, I care not what sort ofismI am ranked under here.
"There is much, I think, that may be safely laid aside among Christians who are honest, earnest, and self-denying. Again I say, I have no hope inisms, but have strong hope in the cross of Christ.
"The little book[15]I send is a fuller exposition of the Kirk'sdoctrine than our friend's. I have reviewed it, and see no reason to alter a prayer or an expression. Return it at your leisure, with the two notes of our friend to me since our drive. Soon after I left you, I came home, sat down at my table to write a note as an apology to him for my rudeness in stopping his discourse, fainted, went to bed; next day, ate three ounces of crusts, rode out, and went to bed sick with a cold in my face. For the following forty-eight hours, I did not take an ounce of food; the slightest amount of liquid sustained me; and yesterday was the first day of my being a man. To-day, I called to see and apologize to you." * * * * *
(TO A FRIEND IN SOUTH CAROLINA.)"Boston, June 12, 1852."My dear Friend: The announcement of the death of your beloved wife, and the queries and suggestions you made, touched me in a tender place. You and your dear wife are separated, it is true; but she is in the upper room, you in the lower. She is with Jesus, where, with his disciples, he keeps the feast; and, not long hence, he will say to you, 'Come up hither.' Your spirit and hers meet daily at the same throne,—hers to praise, yours to pray; and, when you next join her in person, it will be to part no more. Is not the prospect such as to gild the way with all those charms, which, in our childhood, used to make our hours pass too slowly? * * * * *"My connection with the people of your State, growing out of my marriage, has brought me into personal intercourse, for more than thirty years past, with a great family connection, embracing in its circle many of your distinguished characters. All the M. family, of whom your present Governor is one, came from the same stock; and the various ramifications of that family at the South include, I suppose, a great many thousand souls. I,therefore take a lively interest in everything interesting to your people. We have hot heads, and so have you; but I think your people misjudge, when they think of setting up an independent government. The peculiar institution which is so dear to them will never be interfered with by sober, honest men; but will never be allowed to be carried where it is not now, under the Federal government. Politicians, like horse-jockeys, strive to cover up wind-broken constitutions, as though in full health; but hard driving reveals the defect, and, within thirty years, the old Slave States will feel compelled to send their chattels away to save themselves from bankruptcy and starvation. I have never countenanced these abolition movements at the North; and have lately lent a hand to the cause of Colonization, which is destined to make a greater change in the condition of the blacks than any event since the Christian era. * * *"You need no new assurance of my interest in, and respect for, yourself, and the loved ones around you. I enjoy life as few old men do, I believe; for my family seem to live around and for me. My nephew by marriage, Franklin Pierce, seems to be a prominent candidate for the 'White House' for the next four years. He is the soul of honor, and an old-fashioned Democrat, born and bred, and to be depended on as such; but, as I am an old-fashioned George Washington, John Jay Federalist, from my earliest days, and hope to continue to be, I shall prefer one of this stamp to him. * * *"With a heart overflowing, I hardly know where to stop. We shall meet in the presence of the Saviour, if we hold fast to the hem of his garment; and I hope may be of the number of those whose sins are forgiven."Ever yours,Amos Lawrence."
(TO A FRIEND IN SOUTH CAROLINA.)
"Boston, June 12, 1852.
"My dear Friend: The announcement of the death of your beloved wife, and the queries and suggestions you made, touched me in a tender place. You and your dear wife are separated, it is true; but she is in the upper room, you in the lower. She is with Jesus, where, with his disciples, he keeps the feast; and, not long hence, he will say to you, 'Come up hither.' Your spirit and hers meet daily at the same throne,—hers to praise, yours to pray; and, when you next join her in person, it will be to part no more. Is not the prospect such as to gild the way with all those charms, which, in our childhood, used to make our hours pass too slowly? * * * * *
"My connection with the people of your State, growing out of my marriage, has brought me into personal intercourse, for more than thirty years past, with a great family connection, embracing in its circle many of your distinguished characters. All the M. family, of whom your present Governor is one, came from the same stock; and the various ramifications of that family at the South include, I suppose, a great many thousand souls. I,therefore take a lively interest in everything interesting to your people. We have hot heads, and so have you; but I think your people misjudge, when they think of setting up an independent government. The peculiar institution which is so dear to them will never be interfered with by sober, honest men; but will never be allowed to be carried where it is not now, under the Federal government. Politicians, like horse-jockeys, strive to cover up wind-broken constitutions, as though in full health; but hard driving reveals the defect, and, within thirty years, the old Slave States will feel compelled to send their chattels away to save themselves from bankruptcy and starvation. I have never countenanced these abolition movements at the North; and have lately lent a hand to the cause of Colonization, which is destined to make a greater change in the condition of the blacks than any event since the Christian era. * * *
"You need no new assurance of my interest in, and respect for, yourself, and the loved ones around you. I enjoy life as few old men do, I believe; for my family seem to live around and for me. My nephew by marriage, Franklin Pierce, seems to be a prominent candidate for the 'White House' for the next four years. He is the soul of honor, and an old-fashioned Democrat, born and bred, and to be depended on as such; but, as I am an old-fashioned George Washington, John Jay Federalist, from my earliest days, and hope to continue to be, I shall prefer one of this stamp to him. * * *
"With a heart overflowing, I hardly know where to stop. We shall meet in the presence of the Saviour, if we hold fast to the hem of his garment; and I hope may be of the number of those whose sins are forgiven.
"Ever yours,
Amos Lawrence."
During the summer, a small volume appeared,entitled "Uncle Toby's Stories on Tobacco." Mr. Lawrence read it; and the views there inculcated so nearly coincided with his own, so often expressed during his whole life, that he caused two editions, of some thousands of copies, to be published and circulated, principally by the boys of the Mather School. On this subject, he writes to President Hopkins, under date of Aug. 5:
"My two last scraps told their own stories to the children, and to-day you will receive a package by express that may require explanation. Uncle Toby has hit the nail on the head in telling his tobacco stories to American lads; and I think your students will do good service in carrying them among their friends wherever they are, to show them how much better it is to prevent an evil than to remedy it; and, taking school-boys as they are, these stories will do more good than any that have been published. I met the author yesterday accidentally at the American Sabbath School Union Depository, where I had just paid for the fifty copies sent to you, and he was very earnest to have me write a few lines for him to publish in his book; but I referred him to the three hundred boys of the Mather School, who are full of the matter to help other school-boys to do as they are doing. However, I may say to him, that, as a school-boy, I was anxious to bemanly, like the larger boys; and, by the advice of one, I took a quid, and kept it till I was very sick, but did not tell my parents what the matter was; and, from that time to this, have never chewed, smoked, or snuffed. To this abstinence from its use (and from spirit) I owe, under God, my present position in society. Further, I have always given the preference to such persons as Ihave employed, for more than forty years past, who have avoided rum and tobacco; and my experience has been such as to confirm me that it is true wisdom to have done so. The evil is growing in a fearfully rapid ratio among us; and requires the steady course of respected and honored men to prevent its spread, by influencing the school-children of our land against becoming its slaves. You will please use the fifty copies in the way you think best. If my life is spared, the Mather School boys will be allowed to tell their own experience to the boys of all the other public schools in this city and neighborhood. In short, I look to these boys influencing three millions of boys within the next thirty or forty years. Is not this work worth looking after?"
"My two last scraps told their own stories to the children, and to-day you will receive a package by express that may require explanation. Uncle Toby has hit the nail on the head in telling his tobacco stories to American lads; and I think your students will do good service in carrying them among their friends wherever they are, to show them how much better it is to prevent an evil than to remedy it; and, taking school-boys as they are, these stories will do more good than any that have been published. I met the author yesterday accidentally at the American Sabbath School Union Depository, where I had just paid for the fifty copies sent to you, and he was very earnest to have me write a few lines for him to publish in his book; but I referred him to the three hundred boys of the Mather School, who are full of the matter to help other school-boys to do as they are doing. However, I may say to him, that, as a school-boy, I was anxious to bemanly, like the larger boys; and, by the advice of one, I took a quid, and kept it till I was very sick, but did not tell my parents what the matter was; and, from that time to this, have never chewed, smoked, or snuffed. To this abstinence from its use (and from spirit) I owe, under God, my present position in society. Further, I have always given the preference to such persons as Ihave employed, for more than forty years past, who have avoided rum and tobacco; and my experience has been such as to confirm me that it is true wisdom to have done so. The evil is growing in a fearfully rapid ratio among us; and requires the steady course of respected and honored men to prevent its spread, by influencing the school-children of our land against becoming its slaves. You will please use the fifty copies in the way you think best. If my life is spared, the Mather School boys will be allowed to tell their own experience to the boys of all the other public schools in this city and neighborhood. In short, I look to these boys influencing three millions of boys within the next thirty or forty years. Is not this work worth looking after?"
The following well-merited tribute to the character of a respected citizen, who devoted his life to the promotion of every good object, is extracted from a note written by Mr. Lawrence to the Hon. Benjamin Seaver, then Mayor of the city, and dated Aug. 23:
"My friend Seaver: I have desired, for some weeks past, to inquire of you some further particulars of the disposition our friend Tarbell[16]made of his property. You mentioned that something would be paid over to A. & A. Lawrence, and something to the Old Ladies' Home, which institution he helped forward by his labors and his influence, in an important stage of its existence; and he was called off just as he was beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labor, in making a multitude of old ladies happy in thus supplying them a home for the remainder of their days on earth. Our friend has passed on; but I doubt not that his labors haveprepared him to enter that world where there is no weariness or want, and all sufferings are at an end. I have journeyed side by side, for more than three-score years, with our friend; and can say, with truth, that I never knew him guilty of a dishonest or dishonorable act, and that his life was a practical exponent of his Christian principles. I pray to our Father to make me more faithful in doing the work our friend had so much at heart, while I can do it. My share of the money,[17]coming from his estate, I shall wish paid over to the Old Ladies' Home, and I doubt not brother A. will wish the same done with his share. This appropriation will increase our friend's happiness, even in his heavenly home; for the voice from Heaven proclaims, 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.'"
"My friend Seaver: I have desired, for some weeks past, to inquire of you some further particulars of the disposition our friend Tarbell[16]made of his property. You mentioned that something would be paid over to A. & A. Lawrence, and something to the Old Ladies' Home, which institution he helped forward by his labors and his influence, in an important stage of its existence; and he was called off just as he was beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labor, in making a multitude of old ladies happy in thus supplying them a home for the remainder of their days on earth. Our friend has passed on; but I doubt not that his labors haveprepared him to enter that world where there is no weariness or want, and all sufferings are at an end. I have journeyed side by side, for more than three-score years, with our friend; and can say, with truth, that I never knew him guilty of a dishonest or dishonorable act, and that his life was a practical exponent of his Christian principles. I pray to our Father to make me more faithful in doing the work our friend had so much at heart, while I can do it. My share of the money,[17]coming from his estate, I shall wish paid over to the Old Ladies' Home, and I doubt not brother A. will wish the same done with his share. This appropriation will increase our friend's happiness, even in his heavenly home; for the voice from Heaven proclaims, 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.'"
The editor feels some delicacy in inserting the following, from a gentleman still living, and in our own vicinity; but the tribute to Mr. Lawrence, coming, as it does, from a divine so distinguished in all those qualities which adorn his own profession, as well as for every Christian virtue, is too flattering to be omitted:
"Elmwood, Sept. 3."My dear Friend: I take such paper as happens to be near me, in my sick chamber, to thank you for the books and pamphlets, which I have read as much as my dim sight and weak nerves will allow me at present to read. I wish, when you write to your friend Dr. Hamilton, you would thank him for me for hiseloquent and evangelical appeals for Christian truth and duty. Tell him I am a Congregational Minister of Boston, but no sectarian; that I was matriculated at the University of Edinburgh, fifty years ago, and studied divinity there under Drs. Hunter, Micklejohn, Moodie, &c., and moral philosophy, under Dugald Stewart;—that my particular friends were David Dickson, since Minister of St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh; David Wilkie, since Minister of Old Gray Friar's Church, Edinburgh; Patrick McFarlane, since Minister in Glasgow and Greenock; Thomas Brown, since Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh; David Brewster, since Sir David, &c.: most of whom he probably knows. Tell him I should be glad of his correspondence, as I have that of his friend, Principal Lee, of the University of Edinburgh; and that we should be glad to see him in Boston. I was happy to see your name appended to a petition on the subject of the liquor law, though I always expect to find it among the advocates of every benevolent enterprise within your reach. Your visit did me much good. I have much valued your friendship, and your manifestations of respect and regard for me. Heaven bless you and yours, and make you more and more a blessing! Come and see me when you can, my dear friend. With much affection and respect,"Your old friend,Charles Lowell."P. S.—I write with a feeble hand, dim sight, and nervous temperament."
"Elmwood, Sept. 3.
"My dear Friend: I take such paper as happens to be near me, in my sick chamber, to thank you for the books and pamphlets, which I have read as much as my dim sight and weak nerves will allow me at present to read. I wish, when you write to your friend Dr. Hamilton, you would thank him for me for hiseloquent and evangelical appeals for Christian truth and duty. Tell him I am a Congregational Minister of Boston, but no sectarian; that I was matriculated at the University of Edinburgh, fifty years ago, and studied divinity there under Drs. Hunter, Micklejohn, Moodie, &c., and moral philosophy, under Dugald Stewart;—that my particular friends were David Dickson, since Minister of St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh; David Wilkie, since Minister of Old Gray Friar's Church, Edinburgh; Patrick McFarlane, since Minister in Glasgow and Greenock; Thomas Brown, since Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh; David Brewster, since Sir David, &c.: most of whom he probably knows. Tell him I should be glad of his correspondence, as I have that of his friend, Principal Lee, of the University of Edinburgh; and that we should be glad to see him in Boston. I was happy to see your name appended to a petition on the subject of the liquor law, though I always expect to find it among the advocates of every benevolent enterprise within your reach. Your visit did me much good. I have much valued your friendship, and your manifestations of respect and regard for me. Heaven bless you and yours, and make you more and more a blessing! Come and see me when you can, my dear friend. With much affection and respect,
"Your old friend,
Charles Lowell.
"P. S.—I write with a feeble hand, dim sight, and nervous temperament."