New Christianity/To the Rev. J. E. Smith
TO
THE REV. J. E. SMITH.
My Dear Sir,
I return you, with many thanks, the manuscript which you had the kindness to put into my hands. I have carefully compared it with the original, and find it accurately and judiciously translated. Pray, do not delay sending it forth to the public; from its publication. I expect the greatest benefit to mankind. The New Christianity of St. Simon is one of the most important works by which the human mind has endeavoured to sow the seeds of Social Regeneration amongst the chaos and anarchical confusion of exclusive materialism. Like Socrates among the Sophists, St. Simon has appeared among the Sceptics and Atheists of his day, restoring that sublime and simple doctrine, to which we are indebted for our civilization, to its ancient purity, and causing it to become anew the moral spring of universal association. In France, where the pride of philosophy had heaped scorn upon the name of Christianity, the disciples of St. Simon were obliged to veil, under the name of their master, the Christian doctrine which they sought to promulge. I will be the first to rend asunder this veil. As soon as the publication of your translation shall have proved to the English public that the intention of my teacher was not to destroy Christianity, but, on the contrary, to recall it to new life, as the basis of a new and grander Social System, in accordance with the wants of the age, I shall drop the denomination of St. Simonian, and summon all believers, as well as unbelievers, to range themselves under one banner, by the name of New Christians. Thus, the wish which you have expressed, in several of your able lectures and essays, will be fulfilled; that the distinctive name of all sects, who labour for social reform, should be lost, and comfounded in one general designation. And what name can be more holy, more beloved, and bid fairer for universality, than that of him, who sealed with his blood the principle of brotherhood among men—of him, whose life and actions will evermore be the standards of human perfection!
I remain, Sir,
Your faithful friend,
JOACHIM DE PRATI, LL.D.