»'Jfl ^ £ r - -^ "^ .''■ -■- *P.^- ,jt 3' 'Vk,. ,. > r^Xv ( %\ 'fy ■1^ •'<' V-H-. 1 .r'S ■f i.. -ifr .f'^ C7 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Cornell University Library CT275.P14 P14 Memoir of Robert Troup Paine. By his par 3 1924 029 861 014 olin Overs_ 4^/ i-i;^4^.,«„-; /y. 't/' &^^c. /..,„. .,.„. &^,..,J :y:„^,,,.:. /j^ :^'y[ t%.,v^: MEMOIE ROBERT TROUP PAINE. HIS PARENTS. " Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." — Eccles. xil 1.— (Page SI.) "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." — 2 Timothy m. 15. PRINTED FOE PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CLASSMATES OF THE YOUTH. NEW-YORK : JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER, 49 ANN-STREET. ■ 1852. CT ■ THIS MEMO 111 Is dedicated hy the JBiograjpTiers to the Hon. Jaeed Spakks, LL. D., President of Harvard University^ in testimony of their high appreciation of his j^aternal interest in the Youtks who resort to the TJniversity^ and especially as a grateful ac- hiowledgment of the hindness which he manifested towards their Son. ^ ^ 5 o 7.V p .^ ^rBBEntp^ tn (pCfyyiUt Ctn^ C-ij-^---^^ u^P^ €e-H^-f^~iUl2__^ A\ . .^ X^VN^X W^SW ^■-.i I . 1 X \ N CONTENTS. ROBERT'S COMPOSITIONS. PAGE Prayer. ......... .... 16 Letter to the Eev. Dr. St0Art. ........ 21 Thesis. — " We have reached that stage of our progress in which the highest pleasure that this hfe can afford is the anticipation of that which is to fol- low." 29 Thesis. — " Different Lives of Men and Bees." 31 Forensic. — " Is there more to be gained or lost by a new Translation of the Scriptures for common use ? " . . . . . . . .3*7 Thesis. — "A Picturesque Country in the Eye of a Native and a Stranger." . "72 Thesis. — " The inseparable Enemies of Greatness." . . . . .165 Forensic. — " Is there less danger in believing too much, or too little ?" . 169 Thesis. — "Which has the gi'eatest Influence in the Formation of Man's Character, Circumstances, Organization, or Free-will ?" . . . . . .1*74 Forensic. — " I associate with no one, I employ no one, who is not of my Party in Eehgion and Politics." 1'79 Thesis. — " The influence over othera of austere, forbidding virtue, and the mild, alluring virtues in Pubhc Teachers of Religion." 188 Thesis. — "A Meeting between Luther and Fenelon." 192 Thesis. — " Self-inflicted Bodily Tonnents, as Moral Preventives or Kemedies." . 203 Thesis. — "An Early Emigrant to New England anticipating the Future Eelations of this Country to othere." 206 Thesis. — " An American Novel written now upon a supposed state of thing's in the year 1900." 219 Forensic. — " Whether the conduct of the Patriots who destroyed the tea in Boston Harbor, in 1 773, is to be condemned." 224 Forensic. — " Whether Repubhcan Institutions are favorable to the cultivation of the Fine Arte." 231 VI PAGE Thesis. — " He could not bear an equal." 235 Forensic.—" Was the act of Brutus in killing Cssar justifiable 2 " . . 239 Thesis.—" The Civil War was near, and both Ctesar and Pompey paid great court to Cicero, each reckoning upon him as a determined fi-iend." — " The difficulties of a Statesman who wishes to stand well with all." . . .245 Forensic.—" In selecting Studies for the Junior and Senior yeare, is it wise to drop Latin and Greek in order to attend to the Modem Languages?" 248 Forensic. — " Were the Homeric Poems the production of a single Mind ? " 259 Thesis.— "The Nile." 2G8 Forensic.—" Whether the interests of Truth and Virtue would be promoted by so far restricting tlie Freedom of the Press as to prevent Anonymous Pubh- cations?" 271 Forensic. — " Should the Free States, in delivering up Fugitive Slaves, secure to them the Right of the Writ of Habeas Corpus and Trial by Jury ? " . .279 Thesis. — " Men of the Worid, who have their portion in this life." — "The Psalm- ist's idea of a Man of the World and oui-s." 291 Thesis. — " The discoveiy of a Gold-mine." . . . . ■ • 295 Thesis. — " Is the desire of Property an Instinctive Principle ? " . . .298 Thesis. — " A Civihzed Nation without free acceiss to Boolvs — probable method of supplying them." .......... 302 Thesis. — " He who decides for himself in rejecting what almost all othere re- ceive." 305 Thesis. — " Although he was almost always lowest in all his Classes, his Compan- ions and his Mastei-s looked upon him, by common consent, as first." . . 307 Thesis. — " Was Mary accessory to the death of Darnley ? " . . . 310 Thesis. — " Shakspeare's Miranda." .313 Thesis. — " The Origin of our Friendships." . . . . . .316 Thesis. — " Cicero, in a letter to Trebatius, then with the amiy in Gaul, laughs at him for his childish hankering after the City." . . . . .319 Thesis. — " The Advantages of Travelling." .321 Tlie foregoing were written at Harvard Univei'sity during the Junior and Senior years. The following at the Grammar School of Columbia College, from 1843 to 1847. Theme. — "Home." . 335 Theme.— " Night." 340 Theme. — "Night." — Continued 344 Theme. — " Christmas Holidays." 347 Vll PAGE Theme. — " Pleasures of Chnstmas and New- Year." 372 Theme. — " The things that belong to others please us more, and those which are cure are more pleasing to othei-s.". ........ 3*73 Theme. — " What most we wish with ease we fancy near." . . . .380 Theme. — "Procrastination." 386 Theme. — " Capital Punishment." 387 Theme.— "The Evils of War." . • 393 Theme. — "Crusades." 398 Theme.— " Life of Horace." ■ . 401 Theme.— " History." 406 Theme. — "Evacuation Day." 410 Theme. — " The Eelative Influence of Men and Women." . . . . 412 Theme. — " Which produce the more Beneficial Influences on Mankind, Classics, or Mathematics ? " , . . . .415 Theme. — "Friendship." • . .418 Theme.— " The duty of Children to Parents." 420 Theme. — "Good Education." 421 Theme.— " Fear." 424 Theme. — "Which makes the gTeater Man, Genius or Application ? " . . 425 Theme. — "Thanksgiving." 427 Theme. — "Early Rising." 428 Theme. — " Which is more useful, Agricultvue, or Manufactures and Commerce ?" 430 Theme. — " Ships and Ship-building." 432 Theme. — "The Comparative Advantages and Disadvantages of Civilized and Savage Life." 433 Theme.— "A Country or City." 436 Theme. — " Is the Hope of Reward, or the Fear of Punishment, the greater Incen- tive to Exertion?" 438 Theme.— "Justice." .504 LETTERS TO THE PARENTS RELATIVE TO THEIR SON", AND OTHER MEMORIALS. From Mrs. M. J. Clarke 76 " Miss Parker 79 " Mre. R. C. Clarke 81 " Mr. Green 82 " President Sparks 91, 93 Vlll PAGE From Mr. Frotliingliam 95 " Mr. Goodwin. 101 " Mr. Felton _ 104 " Mre. Dunn 104 " Mr. Robinson 119 " Mr. Pierce.' 122 " Mr. Brow-ne 124, 126 " Mrs. Batehelder 129 " Mi-s. G. Paine 130 " Mr. Batehelder 132 " Miss Batehelder 134 " Mr. Babeock 139 " Mr. Schrcedei- 142 " Mrs. S. Paine .149 Resolutions and Letter from the Senior Class 105 " from the Rumfovd Soeiety. . . . . . . . .113 Letter from the S. G. I. Club 115 " from Robert's Fellow-Boardere 116 Ode by Mr. Robinson on Class Day 120 Ode by Miss Batehelder 136 Resolutions by Robert's Classmates at the Grammar School of Columbia College. 145 Rev. Dr. Anthon's Obituary Notice 69 Robekt's Letters to his Parents. 54-64, 66, 154-159, 443, 444-450, 460, 403-467 Robert's Letter to Mr. Browne 127 A W. S to Robert 459 The Parents to thbhi Son. ... 10, 67, 442, 451, 453, 512, 515 " to Mr. Green 86 " to President Sparks. ........ 94 " to the Senior Class 106 CoiTespondence of the Parents. ....... 453, 467, 518 Extract from Dr. Badeley's Lumleian Lectures. . .- . . . . 151 A Descriptive Allegory. 456-502 Supplement 503 Postscript. — Obituaiy Notice of Robert's Mother. .... 507-519 MEMOIR, ETC. As tlie life of a Youth, whicli lias been spent in tlie train- ing of education, rarely affords any materials for history, so there can be no motive for obtruding it upon the world, unless there be something unusiial attending his character, and per- haps some striking event through which it may attract attention and convey some moral instruction to mankind. There may be, also, something in his life and in the manner of his death of an inharmonious nature, which shall have made him the subject of public remark, that may call for, or justify, a memoir like the present. Although this combination of circumstances exists in the case before us, the individual has been too secluded from the world, and too unknown till his death, to engage the interest of any excepting his immediate friends, and that j)art of the community who find their greatest happiness in the cultiva- tion of morality and religion. This Memoir, therefore, is not designed for the Public, in its proper acceptation ; but for pri- vate distribution, esj^ecially among the friends of the deceased. This limitation will admit, also, of many things which might not be acceptable to the indifferent, or bear the criticism of those who read for any other than the intended purpose. Nor is it often that Parents are biographers, nor can it be often proper that they should commemorate their children. If worthy of more than a transient remembrance, there are others who would scarcely fail to joerform the office, and in a more acceptable manner, because, in all probability, more impartially. But it seems to the Authors of this Memoir, from what has been already said, that no farther apology can be necessary in the instance before us ; and it is their design, also, to permit the Subject of the Memoir to delineate his own character as seen in his writings, and to rest his habits and practical virtues upon the testimonials of his friends. Egbert Teotjp Paine was the only surviving child of Martyn and Mary Ann Paine, and was born on the 10th day of August, 1829.* A brief narrative of his physical condition during his infancy and early childhood will reflect some light upon his moral condition, his subsequent life, and the manner of his death. The closing scene, when contrasted with his education, opinions, habits, disposition, and prospects, imparts * His Christian name was derived from an eariy fiiend of his parents, Col. Kobert Troup, whose distinguished military, civU, and Christian life is enshrined in histoiy. 3 to tlie subject an interest wliicli may comjDensate the reader, wlietlier it be regarded as a moral problem, or as a source of moral improvement. To accomplish these intentions, there must be a good deal of circumstantial detail, which would otherwise possess but little interest. This may be said, also, of many of his compositions, which are connected with the Memoir to show the constitution of his mind and the purity of his thoughts. Robert was consigned to the care of a nurse, on account of the infirmity of his Mother's health, till the age of fourteen months ; when, being in Vermont, and from unavoidable cir- cumstances, he was deprived of his nurse, at an unfavorable season of the year, for the space of a month. He then returned to New-York, and fell at once into a disease of the digestive organs, which continued for many years, rendering him helpless, and delaying his education till he was far advanced into the age of childhood. Means were taken, immediately, to restore to him his natural diet ; but during the short interval he had lost the art of nursing, and the breast-pump was employed to pro- cure his nourishment till he attained the age of two years and eight months. During this time he exhausted several nurses, and was also daily provided by many kind friends, who took a lively interest in his preservation. A public record of his case was briefly made by his Father, to illustrate a principle in medi- cine ; and as it is sufficient for the purpose now contemplated, it may be introduced here. After referring to tlie foregoing method of sustaining Tiim, the record goes on : — " For five years afterwards, he subsisted U2oon arrow-root made with water, during which time he con- sumed some hundreds of pounds. From having been the con- stant subject of very dangerous disease, and existing in the state of a skeleton, he emerged from that condition, and became robust and fleshy whilst living upon the arrow-root. He is now ten years of age, very stout, eats a variety of vegetables, but has had no animal food." * From a memorandum made by his Mother at the time, it appears that his teeth, after his fourteenth month, had made no farther j)rogress at the age of three years ; " nor could he then stand alone. He walked across the floor, for the first time, at the age of four years and twelve days ; but it was long after before he could move about with firmness and confidence." But, although his general growth was very slowly progres- sive till after his seventh year, and although he was for a long time in a state of great emaciation, the development of his brain was unusually rapid, and his head exceeded the ordinary dimensions. At the age of about seven (July 24th, 1836), his stature was three feet two and a half inches, and the circum- ference of his head around the occiput and forehead Avas twenty inches. At his twentieth year he had reached the height of five feet eight and a half inches, was stout and capable of great endurance. At the age of two years his Mother recorded of * Medical and Physiological Commentaries, vol. 1, page 693. liim, — " His appearance was more that of a skeleton witli the skin drawn over it, wherein every bone, muscle, and sinew might be distinctly told, than that of a living object. His countenance was cadaverous in the extreme, exhibiting the ashy hue and repose of death. As to his mind, I can compare it more appropriately to the fire-fly than to any thing else ; gene- rally remaining in a state of inactivity and darkness, but at times sending forth brilliant scintillations, which gave evidence to me of a gem of no common value, and that, should the chUd ever regain his health, he would at some future period amply repay the solicitude and care with which his life has been pre- served." But this was a brief period, compared with the subse- quent five years of unuitermitting anxiety for his life, and of cares which none but a parent can imagine. To illustrate, as far as may be, the physical condition of the brain, it may be said that his Father, for another purpose, had spoken formerly of an inflammation with which that organ was affected, and to which reference is made ia the letter addressed to the Senior Class of Harvard University. He was then nine instead of twelve years of age, as erroneously stated in the letter. The following is the record of the case : " The most remarkable example (of blood-letting, under my own observation) has occurred ui the case of my only child ; whose general history of health is stated in the Comvientaries for another purpose. " Not long after his very protracted disease had given way. and being at ttie age of nine years, he was suddenly and violently attacked with well-marked inflammation of tlie brain, lunsrs and small intestines. I raised kirn to an erect posture, and bled kim very largely. Tke symptoms gave way ; but, in six kours afterward, tkose of tke brain, and, in an inferior dei^ree, of tke lungs and intestines, bad reappeared. I tken bled kim again, in tke same posture, and to tke extent of syncope. Before eskibiting any medicine, I still awaited tke ultimate eftect of loss of blood. Tke cerebral symptoms gradu- ally presented tkemselves again, and I bled kim, for tke tkird time, as before, at tke expiration of about twelve kours after tke second blood-letting. Soon afterward, I gave kim one tea- spoonful of castor oil, wkick completed tke direct course of treatment. In two days after tke last blooddetting I took kim upon tke railroad a distance of five miles, and returned. Tke quantity of blood abstracted in tke foregoing case was very large at eack abstraction, and exceeded, in tke ratio and size of tke subject, wkat I skall kave recorded of tke experience of otkers." * It kas been stated tkat kis brain underwent development in a rapid manner. Accompanying tkis condition, was a corres- ponding manifestation of mind, wkick advanced witk great rapidity after tke age of two years, kaviag emerged ratker suddenly out of its state of kstlessness. His curiosity became alive to every tking before kim, and, like otker ckildren, ke * Institutes of Medicine, page ^iQ. delighted in stories, especially in tlie "Melodies of Mother Goose." And now began a display of that remarkable combi- nation of the child and the man which distinguished his whole subsequent life. The first manifestation of the gravity of his thoughts was seen in the earnestness with which he listened to the attributes of God, to the recital of prayer, and readings from the Bible. Simultaneously with this, he evinced a great retentiveness of memory, which kept pace with the revolving days. At the age of two years and ten months, the stretch of his memory was accidentally tested by a map which was shown to him for amusement. Several places were pointed out, and in three days afterward, on his manifesting a wish to see the Atlas again, it was discovered that he could point to the places which had been shown him before, as their names were pronounced. This being done with accuracy, the experiment was continued upon many maps throughout the world. Each lesson consisted of sis to twenty places, or regions of country, and scarcely a mistake was made by the child in pointing out the places when they were again named to him. When the experiments began, the names were generally pronounced but once or twice, and an interval of three to six days would be allowed to elapse before testing his memory. On one occasion, and not long after the development of this faculty, all the islands in the Grecian Archipelago were pointed out, and, at a subsequent time, his finger fell upon each of the islands as their names were pro- 8 nounced. This trait of mind remained with Mm always, though it hecame less remarkahle after the full recovery of his health at the age of eight years. It early rendered him the service of impressing indelibly whatever was read to him from the Bible ; and when he came to peruse that volume, it imparted to him a familiarity with all its parts that gave a zest to his devotional habits. Another unusual characteristic of his early life was the power of calculation. But, before proceeding farther with these peculiarities, it may be said that they are stated more for the purpose of connecting them with the extraordinary religious feeling which was manifested in his infancy, and to illustrate a mind which suddenly finished its course under the happiest and most endearing conditions of life, than for any other object. This power of calculation was predicted by Dr. Chapin, of this city (at an accidental interview for the first and only time), upon the ground of phrenological development, when the child was five years of age. The Doctor was told that there had been no such manifestation of mind ; but he insisted that " it would sooner or later come out." It did display itself veiy suddenly and remarkably in about eight months afterwards, though he had not been taught figures, and was just engaged in learning the alphabet. How far the power extended, it was not thought right to ascertain, on account of the injury which any severe exercise of the mind exerted upon his digestive organs. An 9 experiment was early carried as far as tlie addition of eighteen series of figures, eacli series consisting of two figures. The amount of tlie wliole was rendered immediately. There was no attempt to cultivate tliis singular faculty, partly for the reason already stated, and in part with a view to leaving it without that exercise which had been supposed to have destroyed it in former cases. It was called out, at inter- vals, for a few years, when it seemed to be advancing ; but it finally dej)arted from him, and rather suddenly. In after years he was never able to explain the process by which he had com- puted. It should be said, however, that he always possessed a great facility in mathematical problems, though his taste did not lie particularly in that direction. A restraint was long imposed upon his study of Arithmetic, from a fear of its injuri- ous efi:ect upon his brain ; and it was not till within two years before he entered Harvard University that he was allowed to apply himself with much diligence to that pursuit. Until that time, his knowledge of Arithmetic was mostly spontaneous ; and that was so considerable that when the class failed of answering questions, Robert was called upon, and generally with success. Farther than this, he had no part in the mathematical exercises. It may be said, also, in connection with this subject, that he early excelled at the game of chess, and that it was, for a long time, a matter of anxiety with his Parents lest his brain should sufter from this cause. It occasioned him headaches when at Cambridge, and, in conse- 10 quence of this, within the last two years of his life he had nearly abandoned the game.* During the long period of his sickness, from the age of two and a half years, his mind was actively turned upon all objects before him, so that he had obtained a great fund of knowledge before he was allowed to acquire the art of reading. His edu- cation then advanced rapidly, and he was prepared to enter at Columbia College, as certified by Professor Anthon of that institution, two years before he entered at Harvard University. But, in consideration of his former infirmity of health, he was kept another year at the Grammar School, when he again went * As an exemplification of this soKcitude, the following extract of a letter from his Mother is annexed. "New- York, August 31, 1843. " My dear Robert : " I received your letter to-day by Heniy, who called to see me. I was happy, my dear hoy, to hear from you, to hear of your health and happiness. I had heard of you through your Father, from whom I received a letter yesterday. He thought he should leave Salisbury for Canaan, to meet you there this week. I hope you received my late letter, in which, Robert, I gave you my objections fully to 3'our play- ing chess. If you did not receive it, I must say that I wish you would discontinue the game altogether and entirely. I much regret that I did not speak to you about it before you went to Canaan. I fear j^ou may have aheady injured youreelf How- ever I may bo gratified at hearing how well you play, my dear son, I cannot avoid a terrible foreboding that my next intelligence will be that you are ill of a brain fever. I wish you would write to me immediately after receiving this letter, and tell me you will not play another game while you are in Canaan. Your Father has the same opinion. I am sorry, Robert, to abridge your amusements ; but any thing which we think may cost you your hfe, should be dispensed with. Yom' affectionate Mother." 11 over tlie studies of tlie preceding year ; and as his Father had always designed him for Harvard University, liis entrance was delayed another year to enable him to attend to some special studies required at that Institution, and that his health, also, should not be endangered by close application. He was then nearly eighteen years of age, and his health continued to be sound till the time of his death, unless somewhat imj^aired before taking his late journey into Virginia. During his connection with College, which contuiued into the last term of his Senior year, every thing was done to administer to his happiness. He was wholly unlimited in his pecuniary expenses, and frequent visits were made to him at Cambridge by his Parents. Indeed, his Mother Hved with him there during a part of two winters ; and through the whole of his separation a weekly and often daily correspondence was maintained. Many details illustrative of his character and habits will be found in the letters written by his Father in answer to the kind expressions of sympathy and condolence by the Classmates of the Youth, and which are prmted in connection with the latter for the perusal of those who may be inclined to carry their attention beyond the general Memoir. But there is one circum- stance, especially, which forms the most remarkable feature of his life, and is without any precedent within the knowledge of his Parents. This was his devotional feeling ; and to this, there- fore, a more extended notice wiU be given. There was some- 12 thing in it wliicli always appeared to his Parents more like inspiration than an acquired disposition. They have never been al)le to exj)lain it upon the ground of instruction, nor upon any theory of human sentiments and actions ; and they now look back upon it with the full conviction that it belonged as much, at least, to the constitution of his soul as his early power of computing numbers, and the rarer singularity of his memory. But, while he lost the former of these peculiarities, and the latter was shorn of its astonishing feature as he advanced beyond the age of childhood, it will be seen by his latest com- positions that his dee]^ reverential feeling for holy things was in full blaze to the last, and may appear to the reader to have been a concurring cause of his death. There is no disposition felt by his Parents to exaggerate this subject ; for what was apparently natural to the child, was so extraordinary, that, when they connect it with the remarkable preservation of his life during many years of hopeless disease, and the circumstances attending his death, when his soul was delighting in the j^urest of earthly enjoyments, mingled with aspirations after an immortality of heavenly bliss, they have much reason to think that one of his Schoolmates,* in a letter to them, has given a just interpretation of the Providential influences which attended their child. It was observed, that, when at the age of two years and a half, his attention was called to his dependence upon God, and * See Mr. Babcock's Letter. 13 passages were read to him from tlie Bible, he manifested a pro- found interest ; and, as soon as he could speak, it was seen with how much devotion he had listened by his daily repetition of what he had heard. He would often call for the Bible, and when placed before him, his imitation of reading would deceive an observer unacquainted with his ignorance of letters. There was nothing in this of the levity of "child-preaching," but it was practised with a seriousness which inspired solemnity in all observers, and by whom the greatest care was taken to avoid appearances which might not harmonize with his devo- tional feeling. This system of instruction was continued, though with increasing moderation, till his knowledge rendered him inde- pendent ; when he seized with avidity upon the Scriptures, and read them twice through by the age of thirteen years. Although his memory had now enabled him to treasure up a large proportion of the Sacred Volume, it is within the know- ledge of one or both of his parents, that he continued this prac- tice, whether in town or country, at least morning and evening, till the time he left them for College, at the age of about eighteen years, and subsequently, more or less, during the vacations ; when he generally read the Greek. His undeviating attention to the Sabbath, as stated in the letter from his Father to the Senior Class, was not less remarka- ble. It was carried, indeed, to the greatest rigor ; and his Parents can now trace him along, with the most vivid recoUec- 14 tiou, from tie age of two years and a half, as always employed on Saturday evening in preparing for tlie solemn observance of tlie following day, by abandoning his toys, or casting off other amusements. It is also due to his memory that it should be said that this was never prompted by others, but was wholly spontaneous with the child ; and, as an exemplification of the strictness of the princijDle by which he was governed uj) to a mature age, it may be stated that, on one occasion after his seventeenth y^ar, when his Father desired him to leave a letter at the house of a patient on his way to Church, he subsequently expressed a wish that his Father would absolve him, as far as possible, from all temporal matters on the Sabbath day. His conscience, however, in that respect, had been very scrupulously observed. His infant prayers were uttered with a fervency which would have awakened devotional feeling in the obtuse ; and, at an early age he would retire alone, morning and evening, and often at other hours also, to perform this part of his devotions. Nothing ever interrupted this habit. In his infancy, as soon as he had lisped his prayers, he always desired to be left alone. He was often known, when at the primary school, and after- ward at the Grammar School of Columbia College, when unusu- ally detained in the morning by study, or other cause, to forego his breakfast rather than to neglect his prayers and reading the Bible ; and, for the latter purpose, he would incur the risk of losing his place in the class, although he had an indomitable 15 ambition to he always at the head.* As a farther example of his perseverance in his religious habits, and of the reverential feeling which sustained and governed him, it may be said, as might be expected, that he was often rallied by his Schoolmates upon the solemnity of his compositions, and although they became familiarly known among them as se7"inons^ it had no effect in inducing him to modify their character, nor did he ever mention the subject to his Parents. It is difficult, however, to convey, by any description of his habits, the manner in which his religious feeling exercised an universal sway over all his movements. It seemed as if an enchanting Spirit led his way in every action ; kept him aloof from aU associates who did not aj)proach his standard of morality ; inspired him with a ^eal for intellectual pursuits, or for the most innocent amusements, that were always marked by an animated perseverance ; and which chained him to such an undeviating observance of his religious convictions that it would often display itself in the midst of his buoyant pleasures. This is sometimes conspicuous in his compositions, an example of which occurs in his Grammar School exercise on the " Christ- mas Holidays ; " Article 37. There exists among his papers the following prayer, com- posed by himself soon after he began to learn the art of writing. * In this lie was generally successful, as expressed in the letter from Ms school- mate, Mr. Babcock. 16 PRAYEE. " Almighty God, I thank Thee for this opportunity of prais- ing Thy Holy Name. I implore Thy pardon for the sins which I have committed. Lord, preserve me from all sin this day, that at the close of it I may lie down to rest with a clear con- science towards God, and a sure trust in the merits of Jesus Christ. Blot out my sins. Blessed is the man that keepeth Thy commandments, and cursed is he that breaketh them. ISTo man shall see Thy face that works iniquity, and he shall sink down into hell, prepared for the devil and his angels. O Lord, when Thy only begotten Son, who came into the world to save sinners, shall come to pronounce judgment according to the deeds done in the body. He shall say, ' Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prej)ared for you ; ' or ' Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire.' O Lord, grant that when He comes and says tliat^ I may take a seat on the Throne of Righteousness, and have a crown put on my head which is purer than the purest gold ; for gold fades away, but that is an everlasting crown of glory, which endureth for ever and ever ; Amen. " O Lord, I thank Thee for having left this promise, that those who seek Thee early shall find Thee. O Lord, Thou ever loved little children so, that Thou even took them and blessed them, and said, ' Sufter little children to come unto me, and for- bid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.' 11 " O Lord, grant whatever I may ask. I ask salvation, wisdom, food, raiment, health, faith and trust in Thee ; particu- larly faith and trust in Thee, l^ecause that is the only thing that will conquer earth and hell. ' Whom have I in Heaven but Thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee.' Lift up Thou the light of Thy countenance upon me, and this shall put more joy and gladness in my heart than when ' corn and wine increaseth.' ' A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' " I pray that Thou wouldst forgive my enemies, if I have any.* Blessed Jesus, I thank Thee that I and my friends are permitted to see the returning light. May we remain in health till the close of it. May we then lie down to rest with a clear mind towards God, and a sure trust in the merits of Jesus Christ. Amen." Then follows the Lord's Prayer, written in the large, unsteady hand of beginners. As an internal evidence of his devotional feeling, it may be stated that, in all his compositions, from the earliest to the latest, he begins the pronouns relative to God and Jesus Christ with a capital letter. Its uniformity is the striking charac- teristic. * In the coui-se of a convereation with his Mother, in Januaiy, 1851, he inciden- tally remarked that " he had not an enemy." 18 His attendance at Chnrcli, from the time he was able to go aljroad alone, was in j^erfect harmony with all his other devo- tional exercises. Up to the time of his leaving his Parents for College, he was never absent from Church, unless occasionally prevented by temporary sickness. No condition of weather, no storm, however severe, ever deterred him from the fulfilment of this duty. It should be also stated that this, too, was wholly spontaneous. There was no prompting from his Parents, for there had early come over them an apprehension that his reli- gion would run into excess. It is also due to the Child, and to the subject, that it should be said that, when at the age of thirteen, and again at fourteen years, he expressed a desire to become a communicant at Church, he was advised by his Father to delay it till his judgment should become more mature, and when he could better appreciate the responsibili- ties he would assume. The Father delighted in the piety of the Child, for it was, indeed, the pride of his heart. He deeply laments the advice which was given ; but it was in conformity with the facts that were perpetually before him. Pie was appalled by the fear of fanaticism or religious monomania ; a fear that for a long period haunted the imagination of his Parents. But the progress of time has revealed the groundless nature of their aj)prehensions, and presents the Religion of the Child and the Man as for ever flowing in the uniform curi-ent of a calm, rational, lofty and dignified Christianity; a Religion which infused itself into all his pursuits and enjoyments, and rendered 19 his life as pure, contented and liappy as was ever enjoyed upon earth. The Father is now convinced, on reviewing the history of fanaticism in Rehgion, that it does not often spring from cultivating the holiest of its precepts at the earliest age when the soul may be awakened to its realities, and that no restraint should be imposed upon the aspirations of a child when apparently founded in conviction. The evil probably lies in artificial excitements before the rational faculties are sufii- ciently developed to resist their sway, or in errors of education, or temperament, or incapacity. In the instance before us there was a ready acquiescence, and no injurious effect. But, in another case, it is freely conceded that it might be otherwise, and doubtless has been. It will be seen from the letter addressed by his Father to the Senior Class, that Robert was anxious to make the Hebrew language an elective study for the Junior year, and that this was discouraged partly from a fear that he would devote him- self prematurely to the study of divinity. This apprehension was awakened particularly by a remark made to his Mother in his Sophomore year, after returning from a visit to the Eev. Dr. Anthon, when he exclaimed, in an exulting manner, — " Ma ! Ma ! what do you think I have done ? I have engaged to study divinity with Dr. Anthon." But, it should be said that, the even tenor of his way, and his sound logical mind, had long before this dissipated all apprehension of fanatical delusion. 20 Robert was always devoted to the Episcopal Cliurch, thougli lie could worship with other denominations. What he thought of the latter, and how rational his religion was, will apj)ear from some of his compositions. He was severe upon whatever he regarded as artificial or hypocritical ; but his charity for most sects in religion, so far as he knew them, and even for paganism that worshipped according to the light of nature and of conscience, was of the most benevo- lent kind. Although he avows himself an Episcopalian, and an adhe- rent to the doctrines of the Church, in one of his late forensics (Article 9), yet his charity for other denominations was so great, that other proof may be stated that he cherished to the last the cardinal tenets of the Church as indispensable to true religion. This was displayed with so much earnestness of feeling to his Mother while she was residing with him at Cam- bridge, during the last winter, that she made it the subject of a letter to his Father. This was in January, about two months before his death. It should be said, however, that the object of the letter was to show that he retained his remarkable familiarity with the Scriptures, as evinced by his application of them in defending the doctrines of the Church, and the triumphant manner in which he sustained an argument upon the subject with an able theologian of a different faith. " The conversation began," says his Mother, "relative to the many views entertained in respect to the Bible. Eobert maintained 21 its divine inspiration throughout, that it was one beautiful and harmonious whole, and that it sets forth most clearly the doc- trine of the atonement (to use his own words), ' from the first chapter of Genesis to the last of Eevelation ; that that was the burden of its precepts and of the prophecies, and the only- interpretation to the types and apparent mysteiies.' He sup- ported his argument by many texts, and thence deduced the divinity of our Saviour as the unavoidable result. He uttered sentiments that did credit to himself and his cause. He main- tained the discussion with all the warmth and enthusiasm of his nature, and from a pure love of truth, and not from a spirit of disputation or display ; and the whole gave evident manifesta- tions that he retains his former remarkable familiarity with the contents of the sacred volume." An article from his pen appeared in the New- Yorh Evening Post of June 26, 1850, about eight months before his death, which is illustrative of the object now in view, and it is there- fore inserted here for that purpose. ...,:. ARTICLE I. LETTER TO THE REV. PROFESSOR MOSES STUART, D. D. " Deae and Kbveeewd Sie : — It is with feelings of intense pleasure and interest that I have just perused the pamphlet, recently put forth by you, on the subject of ' Conscience and 22 the Constitution.'* It is with joy I hail the day when the sub- ject of slavery is to be brought before the tribunal of morality ; and conscience, as supreme judge, is to give her decree whether man shall hold in bondage his brother man. The liberal- mindedness you show towards your oj^ponents, cannot fail to command almost universal admiration, as well as the good humor, and pleasant sarcasm, with which you answer your impertinent revilers. But, although I most fully approve of what I believe to be really your principles at heart, concern- ing the institution of slavery, I cannot think that you are con- sistent in all that you have said in your able work. " You devote about twenty pages to ' The Attitude of Slavery as presented by the Old Testament,' and bring up many passages which show conclusively that slavery was au- thorized by the Mosaic code. Then you go on to say : "'In the name of all that is called reasoning now, in morals or religion, how is the ownership of slaves, which Heaven has given ex- press leave to purchase, to be deemed a crime of the deepest dye — ■ a malum in se — an offence to be classed with murder and treason? Let those answer this question who decide, a priori, what the Bible ought to speak, and then turn it over, in order to see how they can make it speak what they wish. But there is no bending of Moses's words. — There they are, so plain that " he who runneth may read." * Professor Stuart's pamphlet is a defence of a Speech on the subject of slavery, delivered by the Hon. Daniel Webster, in the Senate of the United States, during the pendency of the great compromise question. 23 If abolitionists are right in their position, then Moses is greatly in the wrong. More than this, then, has the God of the Hebrews sanc- tioned, with his express leave, the commission of a crime as great as that which he has forbidden in the sixth or seventh commandment.' "This on tlie 35tli page. Now we will turn back to the 25th page. There, with regard to slavery in its connection with the patriarchs, your words are ; "'If we appeal to the patriarchs to justify slavery, then why not appeal to them in order to justify jaolygamy and concubinage? Un- doubtedly they neither thought nor intended to do wrong in either of the cases that are before us. But this will not justify us in imitating them. The Gosjpel has given us better light.' " Then you go on to say : "'I shall enter into no argument here in defence of the patriarchs. In one sense they do not concern us, for the blessed God, by his gospel, having scattered the darkness of early ages, has made us to walk in the clear light of the Sun of Eighteousness, so that poly- gamy and concubinage are no more regarded in Christian lands as lawful or proper. Perhaps we may see, before we are through, that slavery is as little commanded or even permitted by the highest form of Christianity, as those practices. Still it is proper to say in relation to the patriarchs, that every man's conduct is to be judged of, in most cases, at least in some good measure, by the light he has, and by the age and circumstances in which he lived.' " Here you acknowledge the practices and customs of the patriarchs to be no authority to us of the present day, except 24 so far as tliey are in accordance witli the ' better light ' of the Gospel, in which every one miTst say that you are perfectly correct. But can we say that the joractices and the customs of the patriarchs were not as divinely authorized or permittedj" as were the laws of Moses ? Surely no one, who has examined the Bible, can say this ! For throughout the whole of the Sacred Volume the patriarchs are spoken of in terms of rev- erence and respect. Everywhere does the Almighty bestow upon them marks of his peculiar aj)probation. And how often do we find the enviable promise : 'In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. ' They were peculiarly favored of Him, and upon them He bestowed the honors of direct communion with Himself Now let us turn to the Bible, and see whether in His communications to Abraham he sanc- tioned the practice of slavery. In Genesis, 17th chapter, we find these words : ' And God said unto Abraham, Every man- child among you shall be circumcised. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised.' And what said the angel of the Lord unto Hagar, when he found her in the wilderness ? In the 16th chapter of Genesis, the 9th verse, we find it recorded in these words : ' Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.' " From these and other passages, it is evident that slavery was practised, although not by Divine command, yet by Divine permission, as well in the time of Abraham as in the time of 25 Moses. Yet you and I, and all Christians, acknowledge that the patriarchal code is no authority for us, where it is contrary to the ' better light ' of the Gospel. " But in so doing, we surely do not ' tax high Heaven with misdemeanor — with encouragement to commit one among the foulest of crimes.' ISTo, never ! never ! It needs but little re- flection to see that one thing might be right for those who hve in one age of the world, and under another code ; while the same thing may be wrong for those who live in another age of the world, and under another code. One thing might be right for the patriarchs, and wrong for us. " We regard the Gospel as the exponent of the patriarchal code ; so that whatever in the latter we find to be against the express command or spirit of the former, we feel justified in rejecting, as authority for our rule of action. But does not the Gospel claim for itself the same privilege with regard to the Mosaic code? Let us see: Matthew 5 : 38, 39 — 'Ye have heard that it hath been said (Lev. 24 : 20), An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth ; but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil.' Again : Matthew 5 : 43, 44 — ' Ye have heard that it hath been said. Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy ; but I say unto you. Love your enemies.' Again : I may refer to the 10th chapter of Mark, concerning divorcement, and to your favorite apostle Paul, where he treats of circum- cision. Do not these passages plainly show us, that the laws and principles of Christ are to be our rule of action, even where 26 they differ from those of Moses ; or, in other words, that Chris- tianity is the exponent of all laws and codes which preceded it ? " Now the question arises, Is slavery contrary to the spirit and principles of Christianity? This, sir, I think you have clearly proved in the last twenty pages of your ' little work ; ' l)ut whether you have proved it or not, you have certainly shown that such is your opinion, which is all the same for my purpose. Can any one, who is at all a believer in Christianity, say that what is contrary to its spirit and principles is not a wrong — a crime for us, although it may not have been so for those who lived in the days of Abraham or Moses? Most surely not, for this is the fundamental rule of our actions, that what Christianity approves is right, what she condemns is wrong — is crime. And if that crime be one which seriously affects the happiness and welfare of our fellow-beings, it becomes a great crime. " If, sir, you had said that slavery was not contrary to the spirit and principles of Chiistianity, I should only have to say, that I do not approve of your principles ; that you and I inter- pret the Bible differently, and your rebuke of the abolitionists for their views respecting the morality of slavery would have been most entirely consistent. But in taking an opposite course, in endeavoring to prove that slavery is contrary to the spirit and principles of Christianity, you yourself have allowed that it is a crime ; and in setting forth, in the glowing colors which you have done, the evils of the institution, and in stigma- 21 tizing it with the well-meiited appellation of ' might prevailing over right,' you have allowed that it is not only a crime, but one of a deep, if not the ' deepest dye.' " Now, sir, how is the rebuke (which 1 have quoted) of the abolitionists for their views respecting the morality of slavery, consistent with yourself, when those views are the same that you entertain, that the colonizationists entertain, (in whose favor you afterwards speak in terms of the highest praise, and justly so ;) views, too, which yourself think are borne out by the highest principles of Christianity? How is this denunciation consistent with yourself on the 103d page, where, after bring- ing forward some strong arguments against slavery, you say : '"And if all this be true, then, for one part of mankind to enslave another, stands on the simple ground of might prevailing over right. Neither the law of love, nor doing as we would be done by, permits any man to act on such a ground, and be guiltless before God ' ! " I am, with feelings of deep respect, " Keverend Sir, most truly yours." His apparently intuitive perception of the right was so great, and his sensibility to the wrong so acute, that, as he became acquainted with mankind, he was much pained by what he considered a far more prevailing hypocrisy in Religion than he had been prepared to find. It finally became even a source of distress to him ; so much so, indeed, that his Parents regarded it, from conversations with him when he was last in New- York, 28 and but shortly before bis death, as a morbid sentiment. He expressed himself as shocked with all appearances of iasiacerity ui assemblages for the worship of God. This feeling is evinced in some of his late Theses, written at College. It is conspicuous in an Article which he transmitted to "Washington City, twelve days before his death, for publication in the Newspapers. He had just spent a week in that City, and on reaching New- York he inclosed the Article to his Classmate, Mr. Felton, who was then at Washington. It is severe upon certain misdeeds which he witnessed there, and contains an enthusiastic eulogium upon Washiogton. He has left a record of the Sermons which he had heard through a long period of time, in which he evinces great atten- tion, as well as the power of his memory ; having generally sketched their principal features, and often accompanied them with critical remarks. But their introduction here is considered unnecessary, and may not possess sufficient interest. As far as possible, he kept all these things to himself, and he never knew that his Parents were aware of the existence of these records, or of the preceding Prayer. A thousand Httle circumstances remain untold, which would more and more exalt this child of God ia the esteem of those who admired him most ; for his piety was of that unobtrusive nature which is mostly to be seen m an exemplary and amiable deportment. Some of these will appear in the correspondence which follows, and in his own writings where he speaks for 29 himself. It has been thought by his Parents to be an object of interest to present the Youth in his full religious character, for the purpose, at least, of divesting the manner of his death of all considerations that can bear injuriously upon Christianity, and to show that there had been no falling off from the deep feeling of piety which had hallowed his infancy. Among the many other evidences of this which will have been shown, the following Thesis, written about four months and a half before his death, as a College exercise, and obtained, with the others that follow, from the Eev. Prof. Walker, is sufficiently conclu- sive. The testimonials of his friends will show how well he fulfilled the principles which pervade this and other composi- tions. It will be seen, also, that the Thesis is a forcible appeal against the act which so soon afterwards cost him his life. (See also a Forensic^ Article 9, written two months and a half before his death.) THESIS— AETICLE II. THE HIGHEST PLEASURE THAT THIS LIFE CAN AFFORD IS THE ANTICI- PATION OF THAT WHICH IS TO FOLLOW.' " Our subject involves a question which, although of Httle importance, is one of much difficulty to answer ; namely, whe- ther there be such a stage of man's progress, ' in which the highest pleasure,'