'
* * * * *
'Some remarks which I made last night trouble me, and I cannot
fix my attention upon other things till I have qualified them.
I suffered myself to speak in too unmeasured terms, and my
expressions were fitted to bring into discredit the religious
instruction which has been given me, or which I have sought.
'I do not think "all men are born for the purpose of unfolding
beautiful ideas;" for the vocation of many is evidently the
culture of affections by deeds of kindness. But I do think
that the vocations of men and women differ, and that those who
are forced to act out of their sphere are shorn of inward and
outward brightness.
'For myself, I wish to say, that, if I am in a mood of
darkness and despondency, I nevertheless consider such a mood
unworthy of a Christian, or indeed of any one who believes in
the immortality of the soul. No one, who had steady faith
in this and in the goodness of God, could be otherwise than
cheerful. I reverence the serenity of a truly religious mind
so much, that I think, if I live, I may some time attain to
it.
'Although I do not believe in a Special Providence regulating
outward events, and could not reconcile such a belief with
what I have seen of life, I do not the less believe in the
paternal government of a Deity.
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