concealed under specious appearances, are of the most dangerous tendency. I am sorry that, from being obliged to go to the .country to-morrow, I shall not have it in my power to visit you till my return, which, however, will be in a fortnight at farthe t. I trust, what I have now said, together with what you yourself have experienced, will exhibit the character of your former associates in such a light, as to confirm you more and more in your renunciation of them. Your task, I must repeat, will, in the beginning, be difficult; because it will present you, for some time, with little else but images of your own misconduct. Deter mined perseverance, however, will at length, and I trust, soon, surmount those difficulties, and will afford you gratifications of a higher nature than any you have hitherto been accustomed to; will enable you to enjoy pleasures which please upon reflection. I have sent you some books, which I conceive may have a tendency to direct your ideas into the proper channel; and which may probably assist you in your farther enquiries into the truth of that religion which you have so long neglected and despised. When you have made that progress in these studies, which I hope to be the happy witness of, you will indeed be astonished at your former delusion, during which, you are doubtless ready to confess, that your portion of real enjoyment has been very scanty; while of these pursuits you may truly use the language of Cicero, and say: "Hæc studia a dolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis perfugium, ac solatium præ bent, delectant domi, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur." As you have not lately attended the meetings of our society, you probably do not know that they are still continued once every three weeks; and that I have been induced, not altogether with my will, to promise, at our next meeting, some general remarks on the political state and opinions of the country, in the present period, as a kind of sequel to those on revelation: political duty undoubtedly forming a part, and a very important part, of our religious obligation. If you wish to hear what little I have to say on this subject, and are not afraid to mix with us again, I shall accompany you to the usual place of meeting on Saturday fortnight. But whether this be agreeable to you, or not, I shall see you at leisure before that time; and I shall make a point of your accompanying me to the country, about the middle of July, when you shall see and judge of my mode of life; and when you may command, amidst the unruffled scenes of rural retirement, what assistance I can afford you, either in arranging your affairs, or directing your studies and amusements. In the mean time, I am, dear Sir, with hearty prayers for your improvement, your most faithful friend THOMAS CHRISTIAN. EDINBURGH, 31st MAY 1797. FINIS. Page 17. line 53. 67. 108. 160. 187. ERRATA. 20. Dele be. 21. For in buman, read inbuman. 1. Before the word shallow, a full point. 2. For Mylitte, read Mylitta. 270 last line, for Judia, read Judea. 282. 30. Insert and after darkness. 298. 3 line from bottom of note, for refuse read recluse. for could read would. 311.17. for be, read they, and line 18. for his read |