John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

8. VI: Mr Rice a baptist clergyman came this morning to solicit a subscription from me to a project which he, and Obadiah Brown, another Baptist Clergyman, and a Clerk in the Treasury Department and since others have set on foot, which they call the Columbian Society for literary purposes, but which from the plan as exhibited to me, seemed more entitled to the denomination of a Society for purposes of individual benefit to the projectors— The Scheme includes a School, a University, a Theological Institution, and a Church— I declined subscribing, on the principle that I considered the plan too extensive for the circumstances and prospects of this place, and that money, given for an object of which the end was so disproportioned to the means would not be usefully bestowed. This was a delicate and disagreeable communication to make; but in the public situation, that I occupy scarcely a week passes without bringing its subscription paper. I make it a rule 462to subscribe in every case the object of which I do not absolutely disapprove. This makes it necessary to assign my reasons when I decline— Dr Morse called again at the Office— He is about to return to New-Haven— The Dr is a man of considerable ability, cramped and trammeled by a vicious religious education— He was born and educated in Connecticut, but more than thirty years ago, was settled as a Minister at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Bred to the most straightest sect of the Calvinistic creed, he has drilled his faith in special providences to aquiescence of mind in the grossest absurdities— Living in the immediate vicinity of Boston, whether the fashion of Religion has of late been running to an opposite excess, he has more than once been drawn into controversy and like all religious polemics has displayed an intolerant temper. At the same time he has taken in the things of this world an interest deeper than the general opinion indulges to persons of the clerical profession— He has devoted the leisure of his life chiefly to Geography. Before his settlement at Charlestown he had published a volume of American Geography with encouraging success. Many Editions of this work have since been published, and every revisal gives him a new copy-right— He has also thrown it into various forms, sometimes by turning it into a Gazetteer, and sometimes reducing it to an abridgment— He also associated with another Clergyman, a Religious and political fanatic by the name of Parish, in publishing an abridged History of New-England, intended for a school-book. But its old woman’s tales of special providences were too ridiculous— All these labours had a direct eye to profit, but they did not withdraw the Doctor from the religious field— He commenced and carried on a War against the Unitarians of Boston, till he found his own Congregation deserting and taking part against him— Some of them went off and built a new Church where they settled a Minister with a different Creed. With the remnant he fell into questions about his Salary, and finally parted from them last year, I fear without being desired. He returned to his primitive residence at New Haven, and has become a missionary among the Indians. He is a man of indefatigable industry, and if his religion were more liberal, or his practice less worldly minded would present a more consistent and even a more respectable character— Mr Brent was absent this day from the Office— Major Grahame was here; and we all spent the Evening and had an oyster-supper at Mr T. Cook’s— Mr and Mrs Frye, and Mr & Mrs. W. S. Smith were there— My influenza cough was very troublesome.