148 IXTRODUCTION
comforts for the poor persons whom her own ill health or other infirmity had led her to seek out and to associate with. As the disposition to benevolence is so certain a conductor to enjoyment that no one without it ever was or will be truly happy (indeed, all selfish persons are melan- choly) , I think she may have been wiser than any of us as to the mode of attaining the pleasures of life.
I notice in your letter that you speak of persons who, by meditating on morals, become naturally the teachers, etc. ; also, of preaching because of a regard for the character of Christ, whom on that account you would call master. I think one has a right to call any man master, whether he regards his character or not; but I think something more is necessary to a disciple of any religion. When I gradu- ated, I perhaps had a similar degree of respect, etc., but I could not conscientiously join the company of the preachers. I do not know that I much disagree with the doctrines of Theodore Parker, but I should have considered it an in- sult on that account to have called myself a Christian minister. A Christian, as I suppose, believes that Christ was inspired directly from God ; that he came on earth to save sinners, who, however, must believe in his capacity to do so ; that he performed many miracles, was crucified, buried, and rose again on the third day, becoming the first fruits of them that slept. " Whoso believeth in me shall be saved," said Mr. James Freeman Clarke, in his services over Anna ; but, if he had said, " Whosoever thinks ap- provingly of the personal character of Christ shall be saved," I should have been inclined to absent myself, as from an unfaithful Christian who did not half believe his religion, and was ill adapted to speak for her, provided she believed hers.
I think there might be found adherents enough of
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