.MTI4Mw.MTAzMDUz
I happened to be very lucky in my situation here. Most of the town are Universalists, all the most influential part nearly. But I am placed first in the Old Parish where all the Congregationalists are found most. Most people here have been opposed to every thing religious in schools the Universalists oppose even the reading Scriptures in schools; it has not been practiced in any form, for some years. I hardly knew what to do about it. I ave been told since by professors of religion that they should at first have advised me to omit it. However, I finally concluded and the second day , (only organized the first) I prefaced a few remarks and opened the school with reading a chapter and prayer. By good providence I happened first to take well; perhaps because I looked like Seavey the whole 'pile of gals' happened to like me. Some, of course, were better pleased: none hardly much worse: and the school seems much liked by all indiscriminately, as far as I hear, and people tell me so.
The Universalist Minister, Mr. Bates, he is one of their 'big guns' in the whole state, and I expect a very fine man, lives next house to school house. His daughters , two noble great girls, and really splendid scholars too, go to school and are much interested. Mr. Bates appears interested in the school. Much pleased with my introduction of some new books, Burritts Astronomy etc. So far I hear none but favorable reports of the school. I think my course in reading the scriptures has a favorable effect, and will have. People here think so, though they thought it a dangerous experiment at first. Wed. 17th. I received a couple of papers from you this morning. Why do you not write? It is some time since I have heard from down east. Do write. As for your 'infinities', I pray your pardon and forbearance. I will devote a season to the investigation by the aid of Smyth, & Bourdon, (Calculus if I had it) and give you the results in my next, if possible Till then Excuse Brother Isaac S.M.