In your hands they might be made to assume a form which would render them interesting and instructive to your various hearers; while they would demonstrate the practicability and importance of rendering Sacred Literature more generally a prominent branch of instruction.

Several of us, and others whom we represent in this request, have enjoyed the pleasure of being associated with you in the important services you have already rendered to the cause of Learning in our city; and should you see fit to accede to the proposal we now make, it will give us much satisfaction to co-operate with you in any way which might render your labors most agreeable to yourself and most useful to the interests of Truth and Knowledge.

We have the honor to be,

Yours, with great respect,

JAMES TALLMADGE,

GEORGE WOOD,

THEODORE FRelinghuysen

WILLIAM KENT,

JOHN LORIMER GRAHAM,

M. VAN SCHAICK,
GEORGE GRISWold,

THOMAS BOYD,
THOMAS SUFFERN,
JOHN C. GREEN,

CORTLANDT PAlmer,

THOMAS J. OAKLEY,

JOHN JOHNSTON,

VALENTINE MOTT,

JOHN SLOSSON,

JOHN W. DRAPER,

WILLIAM CURTIS NOYES,
WILLIAM S. WETMORE,
JOHN C. HAMILTON,

WILLIAM MC MURRAY,
P. PERIT,

WILLIAM B. MACLAY.

New-York, 14th February, 1843.

To Messrs. JAMES TALLMADGE, THOMAS J. OAKLEY, GEORGE WOOD, JOHN JOHNSTON, THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, VALENTINE MOTT WILLIAM KENT, Esquires, &c. &c.

GENTLEMEN,

I have received your kind communication of the 7th instant, and have given it the more careful attention, as it comes from friends to whom my memory will al ways recur with sentiments of grateful regard.

It is very true that I have long been desirous to see the Branch of Learning, to which you refer, introduced more fully into our Literary Institutions. The aspect of the times, and opinions recently promulgated, have also greatly strengthened my convictions of its importance. An impetus has been given to the minds of men within the last thirty or forty years, which has rendered progress in Science rapid beyond example. Nature, in her whole varied extent, is fast yielding up her secrets. But the harmony and connection of these discoveries with the leading truths of the Scriptures do not yet seem to be rightly understood, or fully appreciated.

To use the words of an able reasoner on this subject: "Some men in their writings, and many in their discoveries, go so far as to suppose that they may enjoy a dualism of opinions; holding one set, which they may believe as Christians, and another whereof they are convinced as Philosophers. One does not see how it is possible to make accordance between the Mosaic Creation and Cuvier's

discoveries: another thinks the history of the dispersions incompatible with the number of dissimilar languages now existing: a third considers it extremely difficult to explain the origin of all mankind from one common parentage. So far, therefore, from considering Religion, or its Science Theology, as entitled to sisterhood with other sciences, it is supposed to move on a distinct plane, and to preserve a perpetual parallelism with them; which, though it prevents them from clashing, yet deprives them of mutual

this unwarrantable severance of Religion from ag is not the only evil suffered from some of our 1 men. Scepticism is always assuming new forms. ig men of education and refinement it now seldom ires openly and avowedly to assail Christianity. But venom is not the less dangerous because concealed, ... the minds of educated young men are too frequently poisoned before they are aware of it, by the manner and connection in which facts and theorems in science are presented to them. It is chiefly in this way that in our day learning has not only been perverted, but also subjected to unmerited suspicion in the minds of religious men. Such a reproach should be wiped away; and recent discoveries show more and more plainly how triumphantly this may be done. I am persuaded there is not one among all the sciences which have been tortured into a shape adapted to the purposes of infidelity, which may not be made to rescue itself from such an injurious per

version; and to confute by its own principles, when fully understood, the objections which have been claimed to spring from them.

Nor is the work done, when Learning has thus redeemed itself from the attitude of hostility to Religion. It should not be left as standing upon neutral ground. Science is the natural ally of Revelation. The principles of the one were designed to furnish most valuable aid in establishing and illustrating the doctrines of the other; and I deem it the duty of Christian scholars to do what they can, to have every fresh discovery which learning brings to light, baptized with the spirit of Christianity, and laid at the foot of her altars. The consequence would be not only a stronger faith in the inspiration of the Scriptures, but an increased relish for them, and a more complete knowledge of the truths they contain.

I have seen, with much pleasure, that especially of late this object has engaged the attention of able men. But the field is very extensive, and requires additional labor before it can be brought under adequate cultivation. I would esteem it a privilege to have any share in the work; but I must claim the indulgence of a little time before I engage in it.

My health has suffered from the incessant labors through which I have passed during the last twelve or fifteen years. Leisure and relaxation have become indispensable to me. Indeed I already feel advantage from the respite I have enjoyed during the last few months.

I am persuaded, however, that there is no work to which I could more readily or easily turn my attention, than that which you propose. Some of the subjects which would be embraced in such a course of instruction are already familiar to me; on others I have been for years collecting materials which I hope to render useful to the cause of Truth. Your request will induce me to bestow increased care and labor upon them; and if I should be able to prepare a course of Lectures or Essays which may be deemed of any value, I would feel honored to present them to the Public with your approbation and under your patronage.

Believe me, Gentlemen,

Yours, with sincere regard,

J. M. MATHEWS.

From the time when I commenced the delivery of the Lectures which grew out of this correspondence, they were received with a spirit of kindness for which I am called to express my gratitude; and at the request of many among both the clergy and laity, I have for several years past employed myself in preparing a work which might contribute to show how effectually true learning can be made to subserve the great interests of Religion. It is a task which has called for patient labor; but if I have been so happy as in any degree to clear away the doubts of sincere inquirers after truth, I have an abun dant reward.