The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-04-23

Guancy, Jan. Fl, 1928.
Dear Sir Thank you for your kind let
ter of the 30th Of December, and above all.
for the gift of a precious volume. II is chain
Of diamonds set in links Of gold. have new
er read nor heard read a volume Of sermons
better calculated or adapted to the age and
country in which it was written. How differ
ent from the sermons heard and read in the
town Of Worcester, from the years 1855 to
1853. As my destiny in life has been some
what uncommon, must beg your pardon for
indulging in little egotism. may say was
born and bred in the centre of Theological
and Ecclesiastical controversy. A sermon Of
Mr.. Bryant, Minister Of the parish, who lived
on the spot now part of the farm on which
| live, occasioned the controversy between
him and Mr.. Niles, Mr. Porter, Mr.. Bass, and
many others; it broke out like the eruption of
volcano, and blazed with portentous aspect
for many years. The death of DR.. Miller, the
Episcopal Minister Of this town, produced the
controversy between DIR. Mayhem aud MIR.
Apthorp, who we've both SO connected with
this town, that they might almost he consid.
cred inhabitants OF it. | may say that my
eyes opened upon books of controversy.-
When | removed to Worcester in 1855. /
found that County hot with controversy be-
t"CSu hhC PottlcS VI VIZ PuChfllluSIeT ana
Mr.. Millen. became acquainted with DYER.
Dooiittle and Baldwin, three notable dispu-
tants.* MIR. Naccarty, though Calyinist, was
not bigot, but the town was a scene of dis
putes all the time lived there. When left
them, entered into a scene of other di,puta-
tons at the bar, and not long afterwards, dis
puiations of another kind in politicks. In
later times have lived with Atheists, Deist.,
and Sceptcks with Cardinals, Archbishops,
Bishops, Deans and Priests, of the Church Of
England-with Farmer, Price, Priestly, Kip
pis, Rees, Lindsey, Disney and Jebb; with
| the English and Scottish Clergy in Holland.
and especially with DR.. Maclean at the Hague.
have converscd freely with most of the sects
in America, and have not been wholly mat
tentive to the writings and reasonngs of all
these denominations of Christians and Philos-
ophers. You may well suppose, then, that
have had controversy enough; but after all, I
declare to you that your twenty sermons
have expressed the result Of all my reading.
experience, and reflection, in a manner more
satisfactory to me than could have done in
the best days of my strength.
The most affective circumstances that
have witnessed in the lot of humanity, are the
narrow views, the unsocial humours, the fas-
tidious scorn, and repulsive temper Of all de-
| nominations excepting one.
81 cannot conclude this letter without add
ing an anecdote. One f the Jealous mendi-
cants for the contributions to the funds of
Missionary Societies, called on a gentleman
in Haverhill, and requested his charity. The
gentleman declined subscribing, but added,
that there are in and about the town of -
| nine Clergymen, ministers Of nine Congrega-
| tions, not one of whom lives on terms of CT.
Witty with any other, will admit none other
into his pulpit, nor be permitted TO 60 into
the pulpit of any other. Now If you will
raise a fund to convert these nine Clergymen
to Christianity, | will contribute as much as
any other man.
$ am, with great respect and esteem, your
obliged friend, and humble servant,
| JOHN ADAMS"
*These were three professed Dcists, then
resident in Worcester.