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9793: the Indian cottage, a tale. Wy 
3 franstators? And these people, do they never alter the truth in a 
_ greater, or lefs degree? As you well observe, a book is only the work 
ofa man. It is neceisary then to-give up all historical truth, since it 
tan reach us only by men liable to error.’* ‘* What connection, said: 
the Indian, has the knowledge of past events with our happinefs? The 
history of what is, is the history of what hath been, and of that which 
hall be hereafter?” 
© Very well said the Englithmar, but you will grant that moral 
“ truths are necefsary tohuman happinefs. How, then fhall we find these 
in nature. There the animals make war upon, kill\and devour 
each other ; evgn the elements are at war with each other ; will notmen 
fact inthe same manner?’ Oh no! replied the good paria, but each man 
will find the rule of his conduct in his own heart, if his heart be single. 
Nature has there implanted this law, “ Never do to others, what you 
‘would not wish them to do to you.” * It is true, replied the doctor 
fhe has regulated their interests with regard to each other; but religi- 
ous truths, how fall we discover them among the different traditions, 
fand the different modes of worlhip which divide the nations?’ “ In 
nature, too, replied the paria: if we cénsider her with a single heart, 
we willsee God there, in his power, in his wisdom, and in his good- 
nefs; and as we are weak, ignorant, and miserable, we have here a- 
bundant reason to engage us to adore him, to pray to him, and to love 
him, during our whole life, withowt disputing.” — 
| ¢ Admirable! rejoined the Englifhman ; but, at the same time, tell 
me, when one has discovered the truth, ought it not to be imparted to 
others ? If you pubiith it, you will be persecuted by evast number of 
q ‘people whg live by maintaining the contrary error, by maintaining 
' that this error itself is the truth, and that whatever tends to dés. 
troy it is itself erroneous.’ ‘ 
“Tt is necefsary, replied the paria, to impart the truth to those 
who havea single heart, that is to say, to the virtuous who are in 
quest of it, and not to the wicked who reject it. Truth is a choice pearl, 
and the wicked a crocodile who cannot admit it into his ears, because 
he hasnone. If you throw a pearl before a crocodile, instead of adorn- 
ing himse!f with it, he will devour it, or he wil! break his teeth upon 
it, and through fury fall upon you.’ ‘ I have unly one objection to 
make, said the Englifhman: it follows as a,consequence from what 
you have said, that men «re condemned to crror, though truth be ne_ 
cefsary to their happinefs; for since they persecute those who tell it 
= them, who is the teacher that will dare to instruct them? “ THe 
sai | 2 
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