I hope and trust that I am better
fitted for either of the occupations I have mentioned than I was
when I before entertained an idea of them. You asked me what
inclined John's thoughts to the Church. It would be hard to say; or
rather, I ought to say, that Providence which in its own good time
makes choice of its instruments, and which I ever firmly trusted
would not suffer my brother's fine powers to be wasted on unworthy
aims. I am not able to say how the change which has taken place in
his opinions and sentiments was effected; but you know one has not
done _all_ one's thinking at two and twenty. I have been by
circumstances much separated from my brother, and when with him
have had but little communication upon such subjects. It was at a
time when, I think, his religious principles were somewhat
unsettled, that his mind was so passionately absorbed by politics.
The nobler instincts of his nature, diverted for a while from due
direct intercourse with their divine source, turned themselves with
enthusiastic, earnest hope to the desire of benefiting his
fellow-creatures; and to these aims--the reformation of abuses, the
establishment of a better system of government, the gradual
elevation and improvement of the people, and the general progress
of the country towards enlightened liberty and consequent
prosperity--he devoted all his thoughts.
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