225

    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Worcester, Massachusetts        30 September 1822

    “Afternoon at Mrs. Blake’s”

    [. . . .]

    We [Justices] have all of us preserved pretty good health & spirits—We left Northampton [Massachusetts] on Sunday morning, & came over to Belchertown about fifteen miles, where I went to meeting; & had the pleasure of hearing a sermon pointedly against the modes of my own beleif—I have no doubt but it was designed to rien down what, in this part of the Country, is called Boston religion: And I think it not unlikely the preacher heard overnight, that the chief Justice [Isaac Parker] & some others from Boston would tend worship in his meeting house but in this he was mistaken, as they went on towards worcester early in the morning—And all I shall say of the sermon is, that the preacher no doubt, thought he was discharging an important christian duty—in saying as he did, that it is no breach of christian charity, to consider those who deny original sin, the Trinity, Atonement, the eternity of hell torments to the wicked, & that all conversions are the effect of instantaneous & almighty grace—And I thought I had a right to take the sermon to myself; but it has not convinced me of error1

    [. . . .]

    I hope all things at home will be favourable to your coming to Boston next monday or tuesday & meeting me at Miss —— Bacons in Suffolk Court.2

    Judge [Samuel S.] Wilde will return home on Saturday; & come to Boston on monday or tuesday in the Stage; & will take charge of your Ladyship. And deliver you safely at Mrs. Bacons. Now if Mrs. [Eunice] Wilde concludes to come with the Judge & go to Taunton [Massachusetts], so much the better as we shall then have the pleasure of her company which is always pleasing. And in that case you must put yourself under the protection of the driver who is a very carefull & attentive man to all the passengers, especially the ladies—I shall send you some money to pay your stage fare, by Judge Wilde.

    I suppose Henry is married,3 tho I see no account of it in the Saturdays [Columbian] Centinel—I hope one or both of the Girls were at the Weding, if Elizabeths health would admit her going.4

    The Chief Justice has this moment come into my room tells me to give you his & his wifes love. And so you have their Love—at least the pledge of good will & kindness—

    I cant close this letter without saying, that Mrs. [Rebecca Hall] Parker has taken all the care of me that you could have done, had you been with us—She always anticipated my rise, gave orders for my blankets & every thing tending to the comfort of an old man—as your husband really is—as young as you may think yourself—I shall go in Boston on monday & expect to meet you on that or the next day.

    You may go to Taunton, or tarry at Boston or Cambridge [Massachusetts], or return home if you choose—But you had better come on to Boston—

    Yours most affectionately

    * * *

    ALS, TFP. Addressed to Newburyport, Massachusetts; postmarked. Omitted text relates to travels for the upcoming terms of the Supreme Judicial Court.