Morse Family

Charlestown Sep. 28^th 1804

Dear boys,

Last evening Mr Blanchard called & brought letters from you, whch gave me great pleasure. We are glad to hear you are all well & behave well--

I notice Finley's enthusiasms on the history of N. England. Some of them are just others not. "The persecution of the Puritans," ^{p. 69} does not imply that they were bad men-- They were not the persecutors but the persecuted [Apb.?] [Land?] was their persecutor-- they the sufferers.-- The others are typographical errors.-- In your next give me your opinion of the book at large of its defects & its uses

Tell me what advantage you have derived from reading it. I wish you & Edward to finish ^painting the mass you have as soon as you can, as they are wanted-- Do them well. Perhaps Hodge will help you.--

There have been several sudden deaths lately-- Mr Hansen's ^only son of Newtown-- President Willard & Mr. Martin [Brimmer?].?. The President's death is a great loss.

I had a pleasant journey to N. Haven returned through Woodstock. Your Grandma ^was about as ^{well as} when Finley & I saw her last summer. Your Grandma & the rest of the family, well they sent their love to you all.--

I hope you will make great progress in your studies this term-- We are all well & send love to you--

In haste your affectionate parent J. Morse

as usual, to the end of the term & do your best. I shall then see Mr Newman & see you & if on the whole we shall think it best, we will alter the course of your studies. I wish you to be a good Latin & Greek scholar whether you go to College or not.

I hope you & your brothers are well-- We are all so except cold-- We have had a terrible storm which has blown off the vane of our steeple-- partly unroofed the new meeting house.

Our love to yourself & your brothers.-- Your affectionate parent Jed Morse

Wish you to return the remainder of the maps, whether colored

[left side]

They wish you to read it often with care till its contents shall be imprinted on your memories. It portrays a character worthy your admiration whch it will be your glory to love admire & imitate. It will serve you as a remembrance of a most eminent & exemplary christian of an able, uniform & upright statesman-- of a warm hearted active & disinterested patriot of one the worthiest benefactors & most useful & influential patrons of this Institution.

Of the character of the Hon. Judge Lowell, we have as yet had exhibited to the public a short outline only. This is at once so concise & comprehensive of this excellent man, that it would be a faulty omission in me not to present it before you

[right side]

on this occasion. "Few men ever passed through a long life more generally beloved or quitted it more sincerely lamented. Of manners mild & conciliatory, of candor almost inimitable; of affections sincere; of morals irreproachable; with a fancy ardent & fertile; with an understanding acute & penetrating; with feelings animated yet refined & correct; with a mind enriched by literature & approved by observation; with an eloquence impetuous yet fascinating & impressive; in the profession & practice of our holy religion sincere & devout; in his friendships warm & unalterable; in domestic life, amiable & affectionate; in public employments, faithful, intelligent & upright. Distinguished by such qualities, society sustains no ordinary loss in a magistrate so wise; a husband & parent so affectionate; a friend so sincere; & a citizen so inestimable."

verily there is but a step between us & heaven or hell. Oh that we were wise to consider our latter end. Those of every age , & station & character are falling continually on our right hand & on our left. We have seen that the best & most useful are not [exempted?] nor are the most hopeful youths. Let us all then in earnest think of death & prepare to live forever. Let us take a believing prospect of the heavenly Canaan, & aspire after the joys of a blessed immortality. And will the God of all grace who hath called us unto eternal glory by Jesus Ch^t presence in to his heavenly kingdom-- Amen.

An Address to the Students of Phillips Academy-- del^d Aug. 23 1803.

One generation passeth away & another generation cometh. Instead of the fathers shall be the children. Those who [?] are silenced with age, & those too who are in the Meridian of life, must soon quit the stage, & the places whch now know us^them w of till know us^them no more. The two last years have furnished to us who have the oversight of this institution, melancholy proof of the truth of what we have now [asserted?].--

2 When we indulge in reflections of this kind

Things being so our thoughts naturally turn upon the rising generation to whom are shortly to be committed the protection & management, under God, of those civil, literary, religious interested whch are dear to our hearts. It cannot be a matter of [?] to christian patriots to whom these sacred trusts are committed, especially at a period so perilous & anxious as that in which we live. What is dear to us, we naturally wish may be deposited in safe hands. Our prospects will be bright or gloomy-- our hopes will rise

or sink according to the presenting general character of the our youth.--

You will perceive, therefore, my dear young friends, why pious & good ^liberal men laid the foundation of this Seminary of Science, who so many good prayers are offered to [?] for opportunity. Why those ^{of us} who have the oversight of this institution spend so much of our time & labour so earnestly for your improvement.

You will perceive, therefore, young gentlemen, why pious & liberal men, who felt for the welfare of their religion & their country, laid the foundations of this Seminary of Science

4 & afterwards so carefully cherished it by their influence & their prayers-- it was to aid all in their power in religiously educating & forming the character of our youth.-- They deeply felt the importance of their object & that scraecely any sacrifice was too great to accomplish it.--

I can with great truth say in behalf of the ^{present board} trustees of that our feelings harmonize with the ^deceasedfounders ^{& patrons} of this Institution.-- We cheerfully labour to carry into effect their [?] excellent & useful designs-- The prosperity of this Our hearts are greatly comforted & anxious

God in witnessing the prosperity of this Academy in believeing that the labours for its [?] its continued & increasing usefulness have not been in vain.--

We consider this as a ^very important institution. Its influence upon the community is extensively felt. We are extrememly anxious that this should be a good ^{& salutory} influence-- Whether it be good or bad will ^greatly depend , young gentlemen, on the habits & character you form while members of it.-- From what we have seen & heard of your conduct & improvements our hopes are ^greatly encouraged.

You form young gentlemen though an important though small portion of the youth of our country.