The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-08-21
-THE ADVOCATES
JUDGE HOPKINS LETTER.

JUOIE f1OFhlN'S y LIE En-.
"A letter from Judge Hopkinson to hiS
friend in England, published in the Lon
don Morning Chronicle, has excited a
good deal ofconversation in Philadelphia.
The letter was, we understand, mot interd-
Cd for publication but having been par
italy circulated through various mediums,
we have transcribed it for our columns.
ErtYuct ofo letter from Judge Hopkinson, Of
q. Ph;ladeIphio, to gentleman IN Engfand.
You will excuse my making no reply
70 that part Of your letter which treats Of
religious coscerns.. have avoided such
topics all my life, and shah continue to do
20. I have seldom seen man able to
embarHln In such discussions and studies,
without becoming m enthusiast or big
OF, and pursuing them to the injury Of his
practical social duties. l have never
Ssen one become better or sounder
man. and more amiable christian, by in
Solving himselfin the impassable mazes
archaeological controversy, or the unintelli-
Rible iargon of doctrinai points and ques-
tions which have no termination, no COM
promise, no rational evidence or convict
Ion Oh either side which have been un-
decided for Thousands of years and will
forever remain 80. and which happily, It
/, entirely unimportant when and how
they are decided. have seen sensible
and enlightened men, by deveting them
selves to such Investigations, distract and
cloud their understanding, fill themselves
with the vain conceit that It is given to
Them 70 understand mysteries far beyond
the isthon Of human intellect, and which
they find it impossible to explain to any
plain and unsophistieated mind-a clear
proof that they do not really understand
themselves. The life of man WAS intend
cd to be employed in Useful pursuits--in
the falflmeht Of duties requiring the prac-
tice Of his moral and physical energies
and tAlents-and not to be employed in
metaphysical diSquisitions which lead to
no one practical or useful result to the in-
diyiduai, his family, his friends, or socie-
". Men Who employ their talents and
time in such inccnclusive speculation, be-
come uncomfortable to themselves, and
often uncharitable to others they arc
less amiabls q husbands, fathers, or mas
ters and neglect their social and domes-
tic duties in the indulgence of the pride
and vanity Of expert polemics. They.
mistake 1 new and obscure collection Of
words for knowledge; and unintelligible
phrases for wisdom, and believe they are
Displaying the testimonies of sttltl, when
they are only repeating sentences..ofwhich
they cannot give Eny possible explana-
ton. The truths which the wise and just
Creator of man intended to be his guide
to virtue and happiness, cannot be wrap
ped up in libraries Of foliosj accessible
but 10 ole In million nor to be found
only by pouring over thousands of pages
Of what is miscalled learned criticisms UP
on a Hebrew root on Greek pa,&cipIe. The
pfecepts ofA good and acceptable life are
acceptable TO all the human race, as the dir
they breathe in common, the sun which
shines ON them all alike, and the food and
waser which refresh them. Has God Civ
On 10 al men whatever is necessary for Che
support and health Of their perishable bod
les, and withheld almost all that is indis-
pensable for their eternal welfare ? This
b tho impious conceit ofths few who per-
suade themselves that they have the saw
ing secret, the immortal panscea.
!" Mr.. Cohdy] Of whom you speak,
wss msn Of distinguished learning in
Che profession Of the law, and also Of good
knowledge and scholarship, with most a.
cute and penetrating mind, He would
have been Il the bar, with wealth, reputa-
ton and all the good he could have desir-
cd ; but about fifteen or more years sincss
he became devotee to tfe doctrines Of
Sweedenburg. From that moment every
thing was neglected o. abandoned for
these studies his law books we're laid a.
side, his clients unattended to, and his
days and nights gi$ento Hebrew bibles,
Latin folios, and learned criticisms and
commentaries. He was soon involved in
ths embarrassment Of debt, and afler a
most miserable existence, died q few
months since, ola broken and mortified
spirit, ,lssving wife and children destitute.