16 



believing ; both are founded upon evidence for and a- 

 gainst any principle of which the mind can take cogni- 

 zance, and which reason must determine. 1 find that 

 my friend Grant is of the opinion of Solomon, he said, 

 ' Wherefore 1 perceive that there is nothing belter than 

 that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is 

 his portion, for who shall bring him to see what shall 

 be after him. Ecclesiastics, Chap. 3. v. 22. We are 

 told in the New Testament, let not your left hand know 

 what your right hand doeth. Grant preferred the re- 

 mark of Solomon to the latter, believing that no one 

 could bring him to see his green house, or standing in 

 a tub a fine orange tree a thousand years after. Grant 

 has told us of many of his acts of benevolence, which 1 

 believe are true, and for which he is amply repaid in his 

 own mind. But 1 do not believe God gave him the old 

 Quaker meeting house and flower pots for his kindness, 

 but he attributes his prosperity to an unknown Provi- 

 dence ; but 1 think it is owing to his putting the right 

 nail into the tool, and heading of it well. Dr. Franklin 

 said, God always takes care of those who take care of 

 themselves: but this we cannot always do for want of 

 judgment and foresight. 



As to my good or bad fortune through life, 1 do not 

 attribute it to Providence, neither do 1 believe my mis- 

 fortune in life has been by political or theological opin- 

 ions that I have advocated fifty years; but by placing 

 confidence in my eldest son. As to my lecturing in the 

 streets on any subject, it is a down right falsehood ; few 

 men ever worked harder than myself for thirty years 

 often from 5 o'clock in the morning until 11 at night, 

 and many times 1 have shod four horses round in depth 



