The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-10-20
LETTER FROM JEFFERSON.

Tho following letter rom Mr.. Jefferson
TO Hon. George Thacher, intoxicating ,oler
alton in religious beliefs, and the primary
importance Of attention 10 the practical du
ties Of christianity as set forth in the gospel.
is an interesting relic Of par, history The
original Of the letter we presume is now il
the possession Of the descendants OF Mr.
Thachsr. The letter was received by Mr.
Thacher when he resided at Newburyport
and aher his removal from this place, where
he once lived, 10 tina, place. Judge Thach'
or, il will be recolleeied was member o
our frs, Congress, a criempoIary OF JefteT'
son, and afterwards one Of the Judges io'
many years of,he Supreme Court Of Mas
sachuselis, before Maine became a seper-
ale State.
MONTICELLO, Jan. 26, 1924
Sin Il have read with much satisfaction
the sermon Of Mr. Pierpont, which you have
been so kind as 10 send me, IL am much plea
scd with the spirit Of brotherly .forbearance
in matters OF religion which il breathes, and
the sound distinction il inculcates between
the things which belong to US to judge, and
those which do not. II all christian sects
would rally to the Sermon in the mount,
make that the central point Of union in re.
ligion, and the stamp OF genuine christianity,
(s;nce it gives US all the Precepts Of our du'
ties to one another) why should we further
ask, with the text OF our Sermon, "What
think ye of Christ'r and if one should answer
"he is a member Of the Godhead" anoth-
he is o being OF eternal pre- existence" q
third I" he was man divihely inspired, a
fourth " he was the Herald OF truths refor-
matory Of the religions Of mankind in gener-
eral, but moro Immediately OF that OF his
own countrymen, impressing them with
the Supreme being, teaching them the doc
trine OF future state Of rewards and pun
ishmen,s, and intoxicating the love of man
kind, instead Of the anti-social spirit with
which the Jews viewed all other nations,
what right or what interest has either OF
these respondents to claim pre-eminence
for his dogma, and usurping the Judgement
seat OF God, 10 condemn all the Others to
his wrath In this case | say, with the
wiser heather, "deorum injuriae dis
curae.p
You press me 10 consent to the publica-
ton Of my sentiments, and suppose they
might have effect even on Sectarian bigotry
But have they not the gospel Ii they
hear not that. and the charities il teacheth,
neither will they be persuaded through one
rose from the dead Such is the malignity
ofreligious antipathies that, although the
laws will no longer permit them. with Cal
vim. to burn those who are not exactly Of
their Creed, they raise the hue and cry oil
Heresy against them, 'place them under the
Ban OF public opinion. and shut them out
from all the kind affections Of society.
must pray permission therefore, to continue
in quiet during the short time remaining to
me and at time Of life when the Attic
tions of the boly weigh heavily enough not
20 super.add those which corrode the spirit
also, and might weaken its resignation, to
continue in a joyless state of being, which
providence may yet destine. With these
sentiments, accept those of good will and re:
spoct to yourself, -