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mists of prejudice will spontaneously disperse before the ra- 

 diance of knowledge — politics will become the science of 

 creating and perpetuating the happiness of nations — Chris- 

 tianity will every where reassume the pure robe of her Author, 

 and unite all her children in the bonds of his charity. The 

 powers of the intellect will augment with the habits of exer- 

 tion ; and the supremacy of virtue extend with the practice 

 of goodness. It may be a weak, but it is an innocent en- 

 thusiasm, that anticipates that distant day, when man, hav- 

 ing gradually ennobled his nature, and ripened the perfection 

 of which he seems susceptible, shall triumph over every 

 moral evil ; when enmity shall cease between factions and 

 states ; and the empire of virtue, peace, and happiness, no 

 longer be visionary. 



The generality of men are averse to the adoption of new 

 tenets ; and perhaps this constitution of our nature may an- 

 swer the wisest purposes. For it is better that we should be 

 tenacious even of a weak or absurd notion than flippant in 

 relinquishing just and long established opinions — the fruit 

 of industrious examination, and conscientious reflection — 

 through the simple gratification of the love of novelty. But 

 when this affection is employed in the pursuit of knowledge; 

 and mature investigation has discovered a truth subversive 

 of a doctrine to which long habit has attached us ; it is then 

 we should overcome this propensity of our nature ; nor suffer 

 a disposition which was intended for the support of truth 

 and virtue, to degenerate into an auxiliary of folly and false- 

 hood. 



