How much wiser
are the Quakers, who, agreeing in the fundamental doctrines of the
Gospel, schismatize about no mysteries, and, keeping within the pale
of common sense, suffer no speculative differences of opinion, any
more than of feature, to impair the love of their brethren. Be this the
wisdom of Unitarians, this the holy mantle which shall cover within its
charitable circumference all who believe in one God, and who love their
neighbor! I conclude my sermon with sincere assurances of my friendly
esteem and respect.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CLXIII.--TO JOHN ADAMS
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Monticello, June 27, 1822.
Dear Sir,
Your kind letter of the 11th has given me great satisfaction. For
although I could not doubt but that the hand of age was pressing heavily
on you, as on myself, yet we like to know the particulars and the
degree of that pressure. Much reflection, too, has been produced by
your suggestion of lending my letter of the 1st, to a printer. I have
generally great aversion to the insertion of my letters in the public
papers; because of my passion for quiet retirement, and never to be
exhibited in scene on the public stage. Nor am I unmindful of the
precept of Horace, '_Solve senescentem, mature sanus, equum, ne
peccet ad extremum ridendus_.' In the present case, however, I see a
possibility that this might aid in producing the very quiet after
which I pant.
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