The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-04-09

NOT Quaker. Methodist. Presby ferian
or Baptist ia Heaven.

or Baptist ia Heaven.
In this age Of warning religious sects,
diverse crceds, and obtrusive dogmas. the
following from the pen Of Thomas jefferson
may not be uninteresting. It has bat once
before appeared in print, and, since it not
only settles the question Of the religious
convictions of one Of the eountry's early
presidents, but is at the same time a logical
presentation, it ought to attract consider
able attention. The letter was written In
reply to one fromWiliam Candy, an eminent
Quaker Of his time, who had inquired as to
his religious thoughts:
Sir: | have duly received your favor of
Aug. %, and am sensible of the kind in
tentions from which it flows. and truly
thankful for them the more so as they
could only be the result Of a favorable esfi-
nation fmy public course. During a long
life as much devoted to duty as faithful
discharge Of the trust eonfded to me
would permit, 10 object has occupied more
OF my consideration than oar relations with
the beings around rs, our duties 10 them,
and our future prospects After hearing
and reading everything which can be sug-
gested concerning them. I have formed
the best Judgment could as to the course
they prescribe, and in the due observance
Of that course have no recollections which
give me any remorse. 4 subsequent
preacher Of your religious society, Richard
Mott in discourse of 1uch JUNCTION and
pathos, is said to have exclaimed aloud
to his congregation that he did not believe
there was a Quaker, Presbyterian, Meth
odist, or Baptist in heaven Having
paused to give his audience time to stare
and wonder, he said that IN heaven God
knew no distinctions, but considered all
good men as his children and brethren Of
the same family. believe with the Quaker
preacher, that those who steadily observe
those moral precepts in which all religions
concur will never be questioned at the gates
of heaven as to The dogmas in which they
differ-that on entering there all these are
left behind us The Aristideses and Catos,
Penns ana Tillotsoa3 Presbyterians and
Baptists viii find themselves united III all
principles which are in concert with the
reason Of the supreme mind With all the
systems of morality ancient and modern.
which have come under my observation
none appear to me 50 pnfe as that Of
Jesus He who follows this steadily need
not, think, he uneasy. although he clnnot
comprehend the mysteries and subtlctes
erected on His doctrines By those who
calling themselves His special followers and
favorites, would make Him come into the
world to lay snares for all understandings
but theirs
The metaphysical heads. usurping the
Judgment seat of God. denounee As his
enemies all who cannot perceive the geo.
metrical logic Of Euelid in the demnn-
stration of Athanasius that three are in
one and one in three. and yet that three
are not one nor the one three. IN all es-
scntial points you and are Of the same re-
ligiou, and am too old to 90 into inquiries
and charges as to the uncssential Re
peating, therefore, my thankfulness fer the
kind concern you have been so good as to
express, I salute You with friendship and
brotherly love.
THoMts JEFFERSON.