The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-03-27
JUDGE HOpKiNsoN's LETTER.

GNtfdct .! lfttcr rom Judgc sIUpKln-
son, of Philadelphia, to n gentle-
man in England.
"You will excuse my making no reply to
that part your letter which tfoa,s OF reiix-
ious concerns. ] have avoided such topics all
my lisc. and shall continue to do 40. have
seldom seen man able TO embark ip such
discussions and studies, without becoming on
enthusiast or bigot, aud pursuing them to
the ruin or injury Of his practical social du.
ties. have never seen one become q bet.
ter or scrnder man, and more amiablo
christian, by involving himself in the impas-
sable mazes of theological controversy. or
,hc rnnteligible jargon Of doctrinal points
and questions which have no termination, no
compromise, no rational evidence or convc
ton on either side which have been un
decided for thousands Of years, and will for.
ever remain so, and which, happily, It 10 en-.
tIrsly uDimportant when Or ho " they are do :
cidcd have seen sensible and enlighten
ed men. by devoting themselves to such in.
vestigations, distract and cloud their under
standing, Gil themselves with the vain con.
ceit that il is given 10 them ~ under
stand mysteries far beyond the falhom Of hu
man intellect, and which they find il impos-
slble to explain to any plain and unsophisti
Gated mind--a clear proof that they real
ly do not understand them themselves
The life ofman was intended TO be employ
ed IN useful and active pursuits - in the ful.
hlment OF duties requiring the practice Of mo.
raj and physical energies and talents =
and not 10 be employed IN meta physical dis
QUESTIONS which lead to no one practical or
useful result to tho individual, his family. his
friends, or society. Men who employ their
talents and tina in such. Elusive specula
tions boco;Do uncomfortable TO themselves,
and often unchar,db)e to others they are
less aniablc as husbands, fathers, or masters
aud neglec their social and domestic duties
in the indulgence ofthc pride and vanity oi
expert polemics They mistake new and
obscure collection of words for knowledge.
and unniellisible phrasesIfor wisdom,and be.
lievo they are displaying the testimonies Of
truth. when they are only repeating senten'
ees OF which they cannot give any possible
explanation. The truths which tho wise and
jns, Creator Of man intended to be his guides
To virtue and happiness, cannot be wrapped
up in libraries Of folios, accessible TO one in
million nor 10 be found only by poring ov.
or thousands of pages Of what 10 miscallod
learneJ criticism upon Hebrew root or
Greek particle. The prccepts Of q good and
acceptable lfo arc pcrceptible to all the hu.
man iaee, as the air they breathe in common
the sun which shines on them ell alike, and
the food and water which refresh them.-
Has God given 10 all men whatever is nee.
esssry ior the support aud health of their
perishsblc bodies. and withheld almost from
all that which is indispensable for ,heir
iernnl welfare ? This is the impious concci,
OF tho few who persuade themselves that
they havc the saving secret, the immortal
panscca
"Mr. condy OF whom you speak. was
man OF distinguished learning in the profes.
SION vi ioe ,aw. aud also Of general kuo~l
edge and scholarship with most acute and
penetrating mind. lie would have been n,
she head OF the bar, with wealth, reputation
and ~ tit -opi b" cont have desired, bat
ABOUT f',eea or more ,otrs sincc, he brcnn.