CONGREGATION AT SAUGUS. 259 feeding this dear little flock of Christ, with the bread of life; if, as an under-shepherd I may be enabled to gather a few of his lambs into this fold, and prepare them to be presented spotless before the eternal throne, I desire no greater joy on earth. Beloved Brethren and Sisters, if on this occasion, you dare to rejoice, let me entreat you to rejoice with trembling. Do not expect too much from one, who feels himself to be less than nothing; especially when he can devote so small a portion of his time to you. Trust in the Lord, and in him alone. And again, let me repeat the request, which I made to you, when I first addressed you as your minister, "Brethren, pray for me" -Brethren and Sisters, pray for me, that I may be strong in faith; that my faith fail not; that I may be strengthened with might from on high; that you and I may live in love, and walk in love, and be to each other, a joy and a crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. 66 I My Brethren and Friends of the Methodist and Baptist connections, will here accept my most cordial thanks. In compliance with your wishes, officially signified to me, I have taken up my residence among you, and hope here to establish my Seminary. Nobly despising all narrowminded jealousy, you have most kindly and respectfully pledged yourselves to "render every facility in your power for the establishment and prosperity of my Seminary, and for my own happiness and welfare." Nothing could be more grateful to my feelings, than such a communication from persons of a different religious denomination. consider it a noble instance of that liberality of Christian feeling, which is so happily characteristic of the present age. Such liberality, I hope ever to cherish, and to reciprocate. God forbid, that I should ever attempt to sow discord among the brethren of the cross, the disciples of the Lamb. God forbid that I should ever attempt to alienate your hearts from your present connections, to interrupt your communion, or disturb your peace among yourselves. Though I have my religious opinions, which I have never attempted to disguise, yet, my Brethren, I do feel assured, that the opinions, in which we agree, are incomparably more important than than those in which we differ. I consider Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists, and many other denominations, as engaged in the same great cause as fellow-laborers, though generally in different 260 DISCOURSE ON FEMALE EDUCATION. fields, of the same great Husbandman. While they appear to be abiding in Christ, and he in them, I can most cordially rejoice to see them bringing forth much fruit. Still more shall I rejoice, if I can do any thing to confirm them in the faith of the gospel, and make them more abundant in their labors of love. Most cordially can I extend the hand of fellowship to all who appear to love our Lord Jesus Christ. Most sincerely can I bid God-speed to all, who are engaged to advance the Redeemer's kingdom, and spread the triumphs of the cross throughout the world. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." This extended passage very justly exhibits the mingled independence of opinion, and true catholicism of heart, for which he was ever equally distinguished. It is not, however, chiefly for this purpose, that the extract is given; but to show the new relations in which he was now placed. A word more on this discourse before we leave it. It was not mainly as a dedicatory performance that it was prepared, as will be seen from its title page, which is here given. "Female Education-a discourse delivered at the dedication of the Seminary Hall in Saugus, January 15, 1822. To which is added, The Little Reckoner, consisting principally of arithmetical questions for infant minds." This little work, consisting of forty pages, I must regard as one of his happiest efforts on the importance and improvement of female education. It was widely circulated, and with good effect; and were there room, I should here make extensive extracts from its pages. TO MISS Z. P. GRANT. Saugus, May 8, 1822. My situation here is, on the whole, more agreeable than I anticipated, though I am much pressed, and sometimes distressed, with abundant cares. I have one hundred and twelve scholars. In consequence of the sickness of my youngest child, Mrs. E. has scarcely been able to afford me a moment's assistance in teaching; and in consequence of indisposition, Miss C. is able to do scarcely any thing. The obvious inference is, that I need more assistance, and the best assistance that can possibly be REFORM IN EDUCATION. 261 procured. This inference is most powerfully confirmed by some other considerations. My pupils are not only more numerous, but much younger and less pious than usual. I feel that there is danger that my Seminary will sink by its own weight, or rather its numbers, and that I shall be crushed beneath the ruin. Never before did I so deeply feel what it is to " rejoice with trembling." There is the utmost danger that my health will fail, and my dear youthful flock be scattered. I often turn my thoughts to one, for whose former assistance I desire to bless God— one, who has done more than any other young lady, to raise my Seminary-one, whom my pupils are prepared to receive with respect, with affection, with the utmost confidence. We wish for your assistance both Summer and Winter. We had almost forty scholars in the Preparatory School. We think it duty to invite you to come as soon as your engagements may admit. I have other reasons for desiring your assistance in teaching my pupils, and in attempting to instruct the public. These, I believe, I mentioned to you at Byfield. They now appear more cogent than ever. I am more and more impressed and distressed with a view of the extremely injudicious, defective, superficial, and atheistic methods of teaching in common use. I use the word atheistic in a negative sense. It is my decided opinion, that you and I can do much more toward effecting a reformation, by united than by separate exertions. I hope your friends, (I need not say you,) will view the subject on the great scale. The united voice of earth and heaven-of present and future generations, seems to call you hither. I hope no lion will be in the way of your coming. Perhaps it is needless to say, that I am most ardently desirous to make my Seminary very much better than it has been, and better thence again, and better still. In the above extracts, perhaps Miss G. will hardly pardon me for retaining so much respecting herself; but I preferred to retain, in his own language, a portion of my brother's views of her assistance in his school, where she had been before, both as a pupil and a teacher. She finally complied with the above request, and labored in his Seminary for a considerable period previous to her again establishing a separate school of her own. Leicester, Nov. 6, 1822. MY DEAR BROTHER W.-I am on my way with Mrs. E. to visit Norfolk. My health is better than I could reasonably expect, after so much toil, and care, and anxiety, as I have had for several weeks. I have reason to say with peculiar gratitude, "Hitherto, the Lord has helped me." I find a printed catalogue of the scholars of his semiinary from the beginning up to the present year. It may not be improper here just to give the numbers in each year. 1818-45 1821-50 1820-69 The pupils in the preparatory school, were probably not included in the catalogue. On the list of the first year, I find the names of nine young gentlemen, but none in succeeding years. The mingling of the sexes in such a seminary, will probably be found inexpedient in most, if not in all cases. Experience is the only criterion for the decision of such questions. The whole number of pupils which my brother had under his care in the course of his life, amounted to about one thousand, as before intimated. He employed not only assistants, who devoted their whole time to teaching, but also assistant pupils; but to what extent, I am not able to state. Saugus, June 25, 1823. MY DEAR BROTHER W.,-I am about purchasing a number of articles of philosophical apparatus. My scholars are less numerous this year than last. CHAPTER XV. HIS SECOND VISIT AT THE SOUTH. 1823-1824. Arrival in Charleston-Health and feelings-Excursion to Dorchester-Recitation Lectures-RetrospectDuties of a minister's wife-Facts and Remarks by Professor Peck-Catholicism-Particularly towards the Baptists-Early cause of this-Return to NewYork-Sickness there-Invitation to WethersfieldReturn to Saugus. In the autumn of 1823, it again became needful for him to seek a milder climate. Charleston, Nov. 27, 1823. MY DEAREST COMPANION,-The good hand of our God upon us, has brought us safe to this place in ten days. We arrived yesterday. On my arrival here, I found myself much more lame than when I left Boston; and with considerable difficulty walked to Dr. Palmer's, where I was received with all the cordiality I had anticipated. Last evening I took lodging at Mrs. F.'s, in company with our dear Boston friends, Mr. and Mrs. F. and Mr. T. My residence here promises to be as happy as can well be conceived, at so great a distance from my dearest friends. Were it consistent and convenient for you to make one of this intelligent, pious family, I am sure you would find your situation delightful. But our dear, precious babes require your constant care. Here are about a dozen boarders, almost every one of them hopefully pious. With these, I hope to enjoy much sweet counsel and edifying conversation; particularly with Mr. Frey, the converted Jew, and Mr. Brown, the Mariners' preacher. Mr. Brown |