LETTER LIII.
Dear Charles,—I am not censorious; and yet it is
probable enough my sentiments might subject me to the
charge of being over-nice and bigoted. And such charge
may be made, if “my enemy” could persuade me “to write
a book” on the various subjects discussed between us. In
that case, if the world noticed me at all, I should naturally
expect a torrent of abuse, especially from every Sunday
newspaper in the country, and from all moralists who deem
a part superior to the whole.
But how can we repress the elevation of dander, at seeing
these noisy fellows ever flinging at Christianity; and at finding
here and there a silly sheep of our own number trotting
after some crankle-horned bellwether, and bleating on his
side; and ever and anon a small sheep-master essaying to
lead and pipe away his flock, lambs and all, into barren and
weedy pastures?
I have more than once read apologies from Reverend
Odd-Fellows, in behalf of this and that moral oddity. In
spite of all, I still feel as if their reverences were, notwithstanding,
in very odd positions; and that the apologies were,
indeed, truly needed. In many mere worldly matters, I
repeat, we as citizens may properly enough act with our
fellow-citizens; but never ought we so to commit ourselves,
or so act as if any thing could, by any possibility, be a substitute
for the Gospel.
Badges, and collars, and ribbons, and stars, and garters
look essentially ludicrous and actually funny over some
black coats; and not rarely in some minds among the spectators
of the pageant, beget contempt for the cloth, even when
all are sported and strutted majestically. I doubt not some
clerical oddities, after having kicked up a dust in a procession
to the tune of old Dan Tucker, have themselves felt
flat the day after in the pulpit—votes and toasts in their
favor not preventing!
Most honestly do I believe, and many are the reasons
with me for so thinking, and even on suitable occasions,
publicly and privately, have I both said and written, that all
in all, as a body, the clergy are the best or among the best of
men: and, for that cause, I am truly solicitous they should
do nothing to impair, or perhaps destroy their influence.
From time to time, Charles, I have furnished sixteen
reasons for my “intolerable censoriousness” in statements
and opinions; if you persist in your abusive letters I shall
certainly punish you with sixteen more.
